Chapter 11

The next day, Li Hehua set out again before dawn. She found her spot from the previous day, arranged her two baskets of pastries, and began hawking her goods.

Thanks to yesterday’s success, customers arrived quickly. Many were those who had missed out the day before, while others had returned for more after their families had tasted the pastries. Despite making an extra basket today, everything sold out just as quickly, and by mid-morning, it was all gone.

With her earnings in hand, Li Hehua bought ingredients for the next day’s baking. On her way back, she noticed a vendor selling candied hawthorns at a street corner. Her first thought went to the Little One at home. She instinctively walked over and spent two coins on a stick to bring back for him.

After taking a few steps, her eyes were drawn to a butcher’s stall nearby. She hesitated for a moment before steeling herself and spending fifteen coins on a pound of pork belly.

It wasn’t that she particularly craved pork. Li Hehua planned to make a pot of braised pork for the Zhang family as a gesture of gratitude for allowing her to stay, even though she was now a divorced woman and no longer considered part of their family. More importantly, she hoped to improve her standing in the household, ensuring peaceful coexistence in the days ahead. Living under someone else’s roof, a bit of goodwill—or a small “bribe”—could go a long way.

By the time she returned home, it was already afternoon and her stomach was growling. But after glancing at the sky, she stubbornly waited until dusk before entering the kitchen to start cooking.

Her first act in the kitchen was to find the boy hiding behind the stove. She gently placed the candied hawthorns on his lap. “Here, Bao Bei,” she said softly. “I bought these for you. All children love them. Why don’t you try one? If you like them, I’ll buy more next time, okay?”

The child didn’t move, nor did he start eating like most children would. He kept his head bowed low.

Li Hehua’s heart ached. He was still just a child, yet already so withdrawn and shut off from the world. What kind of trauma must he have suffered to become like this?

She knew he was teetering on the edge. If no one pulled him back, he would retreat into complete isolation and become fully autistic, cut off from society for life. She had seen many cases like his in her past life and couldn’t bear to see another child lost. She was determined to do everything she could to help him.

She wasn’t a doctor, nor did she know if he could even understand her words, but she would try her own way—by talking to him, again and again.

“Bao bei, do you know? I went to town today to sell pastries—just like the ones I gave you yesterday. They sold out so fast! I can make money every day now. I’ll bring you delicious treats, okay?”

“From now on, whenever I make something good, I’ll always save your portion first. Do you think my cooking is tasty? Hehe, am I being too proud of myself, little one?”

“And guess what? I bought pork today! I’m going to make braised pork for you, your dad, your uncle, and your grandma. We barely ever eat meat at home. How can you grow strong without it? You’re so skinny—you need to bulk up and grow big and strong, just like… just like your dad!”

She shared everything that had happened during her day. When she ran out of things to say, she stood up and smiled. “I’m going to cook now, Bao Bei. You’ll have meat soon!”

He didn’t react, but Li Hehua believed he was listening. Even if he didn’t respond, it was enough. She felt that the more she talked to him, the more he might eventually open up.

Since she was still dieting, she didn’t plan to eat the braised pork. She simmered a pot of plain rice porridge for herself instead. As it cooked, she washed and chopped the pork, then began making the braised dish.

Soon, the savory aroma of meat filled the kitchen, drifting through the house. Zhang Linshi walked in and found Li Hehua cooking again. She glanced at the pot, gave a cold humph, and left.

Li Hehua watched her leave, shook her head lightly, and continued cooking.

After finishing the dish and reducing the sauce, she plated the braised pork and washed the pot. She scooped a bowl of porridge and returned to the stove to sit with the Shulin.

“Sweetheart, I’m having porridge tonight. It smells so good! Want a bite?” She held a spoonful to his lips.

When he didn’t open his mouth, she coaxed, “Just a little taste, darling. You can have porridge now, and when Grandma cooks later, there’ll be braised pork too.”

As expected, the child ignored her. Sighing, Li Hehua ate her porridge while continuing to talk to him, finishing two bowls. Then she stood and carried the braised pork into the main hall.

Zhang Linshi was sewing by the doorway. When she saw Li Hehua place the plate of meat on the table, suspicion flickered in her eyes. But she said nothing.

Li Hehua offered an explanation. “Mother, I bought this pork in town today and made it especially for you. You just need to cook some rice and vegetables later.”

Surprise flashed in Zhang Linshi’s eyes, quickly followed by disdain. She snorted and continued sewing. Still, she didn’t refuse. This wicked woman conned my son out of so much money—eating some of her food is nothing.

Li Hehua didn’t mind the cold treatment. She simply turned and returned to the woodshed.

Once the door closed, Zhang Linshi got up and walked to the table. The savory aroma hit her at once, making her swallow involuntarily.

When did this woman become such a good cook? Whether it was yesterday’s pastries or today’s braised pork, it all looked and smelled amazing. When she first married into the family, she couldn’t even boil water. Could she really have improved so much? Or had she just been pretending to be incompetent all along?

Unable to make sense of it, Zhang Linshi turned and went into the kitchen to prepare dinner.

By the time Zhang Tieshan and Zhang Qingshan returned from the mountains, Zhang Linshi had just finished cooking.

Her eyes brightened at the sight of the two pheasants and two rabbits they carried. “Such a big haul today?” she asked.

“Mother, Brother’s skills are amazing! He shot each one with a single arrow. I need to learn from him!” Zhang Qingshan said excitedly.

“Of course your brother is skilled. Train well and you’ll be just as capable one day.”

But then the scent of braised pork caught his attention. He looked around and saw the dish on the table. “Mother, did you buy meat today? It smells delicious!”

Zhang Linshi’s smile faded. “Buy what? That woman made it. Who knows what she’s scheming.”

“Her? Since when is she so generous? Is this a trick?”

Just then, Zhang Tieshan entered carrying Shulin. Zhang Qingshan ran up to him and pointed at the table. “Brother, she made that braised pork. What do you think she’s planning?”

Zhang Tieshan glanced at the table, said nothing, and sat down. “Let’s eat.”

Zhang Linshi wanted to protest, but seeing Zhang Tieshan feeding Shulin, she held back and joined the meal with Zhang Qingshan.

Despite his dislike of Li Hehua, Zhang Qingshan picked up a piece of pork. She owes us so much. Eating a little of her food is no big deal.

But the moment he took a bite, a wave of bliss swept over him. It was the best braised pork he had ever tasted—even better than anything served in town. He felt it in his bones.

Seeing his mother enjoying it too, he grew suspicious. “How could she cook this well? Something’s off.”

Zhang Linshi agreed.

Zhang Tieshan remained quiet, his gaze drifting toward the tightly shut woodshed door, a flicker of scrutiny in his eyes.

……

After the meal, Zhang Tieshan prepared the wild game he had brought back. He planned to go into town the next morning to sell it.

The Full Fortune Pavilion restaurant needed a steady supply of wild game. But since hunting was dangerous and few could do it, wild game fetched high prices. Zhang Tieshan had sold game there since his youth, and after years away, this would be his first time returning.

He strode into the tavern and greeted the shopkeeper behind the counter. “Shopkeeper.”

The shopkeeper looked up and smiled in surprise. “Tieshan! It’s you! Where have you been these past years?”

“Joined the army. Just came back,” Zhang Tieshan replied.

The shopkeeper nodded in understanding. Several years ago, war had broken out with the Liang People, and every household had to provide a soldier—or pay ten taels of silver. Most couldn’t afford the fee. The shopkeeper assumed Zhang Tieshan had fought and was genuinely happy to see him return safely.

“You’re back just in time! No one’s brought me game in ages. Customers have been begging for it, and I had to buy it at sky-high prices.”

Zhang Tieshan smiled faintly.

The shopkeeper took a small silver ingot from the counter and handed it to him. “This is for today’s hunt.” Then he called to a waiter, “Take this to Master Wang in the kitchen and let the customers know we’ve got wild game today.”

“Right away!” The waiter hurried off, beaming.

Zhang Tieshan handed over the game, then chatted a bit longer with the shopkeeper before taking his leave.