Chapter 14 – As If Treated Like a Priceless Treasure

Su Luyun had no idea that her cousin had already started resenting her early that morning.

It was now the year 1980, and the times had long changed from what they used to be.

With the implementation of new policies, the spring breeze had swiftly swept across the land.

But after all, not much time had passed yet, and many supplies in the market still required ration coupons.

For example, eggs still needed egg coupons. Su Luyun used a one-jin coupon to buy a jin of eggs.

Eggs required coupons, but fish did not.

Seeing the especially fresh crucian carp, Su Luyun immediately thought of crucian carp tofu soup.

That was a highly nourishing dish.

She bought several crucian carps, then went over to get a few pieces of tofu, along with cucumbers and tomatoes—these were all her favorites, and when idle, she could wash and eat them directly.

She couldn’t buy pork, since it required coupons, so she didn’t insist. What she had bought was more than enough.

Carrying her basket, she headed back home. Along the way, she ran into a few neighbors, exchanged greetings, and then returned to her house.

After closing the front door, she immediately went inside to check on Zhou Changdong before coming back out to make breakfast.

Honestly, if it were just her alone, she would’ve been too lazy to cook and would’ve simply bought some ready-made food outside. But wasn’t she supposed to establish herself as the model of a virtuous wife and good mother?

And besides, she had nothing else to do now—no mobile phone, no television, not even a radio.

What was she supposed to do at home? Stare into space?

So she might as well do these things. It didn’t matter to her either way.

Cooking was something the original owner could do. Her cousin had given the character a persona of someone who was greedy but lazy.

Though lazy, she loved to eat, so she knew how to cook to satisfy her own cravings—and she was actually quite good at it!

And Su Luyun herself also knew how.

In her previous life, she had truly never done a single chore with her own hands, but there was one time she participated in a lifestyle reality show.

Not wanting to get hate from the audience or be perceived as someone who couldn’t do anything, she had undergone some serious training before accepting that show.

Now, she was using a coal stove, so she had to take her time. Fortunately, she could still rely on what the original owner was supposed to know, so it wasn’t as if she was completely clueless.

She began kneading the dough and letting it rise. While waiting, she started dealing with the crucian carp—stunning them, gutting them.

Though a bit clumsy and not entirely proficient, she managed to kill and clean the fish. Afterward, she lightly fried them in oil.

Once both sides turned golden brown, she placed the fish into a stew pot to simmer.

The tofu didn’t need to be added so early—she would throw it in later when the time was right.

Seeing that the dough had risen, she began kneading again and cutting portions. After a second proofing, she placed them in the steamer.

With all that done and still some time to spare, she went to the courtyard and began doing the Baduanjin (Eight Pieces of Brocade) exercise routine.

After completing the whole routine, the steamed buns were done, and the crucian carp tofu soup was also ready.

She lifted the lid and saw the milky-white broth. Adding a bit of salt, she tasted it—it wasn’t too salty or too bland, just right!

Su Luyun couldn’t help but boast like an old lady selling her own melons, praising herself out loud,

“I’m just too amazing!”

How long had it been since she last cooked? Yet look at this—this was almost the same as what the old chef who taught her used to make!

Not only did it look great, the taste was incredibly authentic!

In a very good mood, Su Luyun scooped a bowl of soup and brought it inside to feed Zhou Changdong.

She set the bowl on the cabinet nearby, then grabbed her own pillow to raise Zhou Changdong’s head a little higher.

She really could take care of someone in a vegetative state, all because she had once acted in a drama.

Although it had just been a role, the production was a serious one— a legitimate drama filmed with great care and professionalism.

Su Luyun had thrown herself into it wholeheartedly, so now, when it came to caring for someone like Zhou Changdong, who was in a vegetative state, she surprisingly had quite a bit of experience.

After elevating his head slightly, she opened his mouth and slowly spooned the soup into it.

Her pace was slow, but she managed it. A bit still dribbled out, of course, yet Su Luyun showed not the slightest trace of impatience. As she gently wiped him clean, she said,

“Slowly now, we’re not in a hurry. Take your time.”

She was gentle to the extreme.

While she was halfway through feeding the soup, Zhou Quansheng and Chen Aihong arrived, dragging along their eldest grandson, Zhou Yongshun, whose face was full of reluctance.

Su Luyun opened the door to let them in and saw that Chen Aihong was holding two food containers.

Su Luyun smiled and asked: “Mom, what did you bring over?”

Chen Aihong smiled back. “I made you some egg porridge, and some rice broth for Changdong.”

The rice porridge, when simmered with enough care, turned thick and creamy—they called it rice oil in their region.

The egg porridge was for Su Luyun, and the rice oil, of course, was for her son, Zhou Changdong, who could now only consume liquids.

“You didn’t have to get up so early and go through all that trouble, Mom. I already made crucian carp tofu soup and was just feeding it to Changdong.” Su Luyun said as she welcomed them inside.

Zhou Quansheng and Chen Aihong entered and immediately saw the half-finished bowl of soup.

Su Luyun fetched them stools to sit on, then calmly went back to feeding Zhou Changdong the fish soup.

While feeding, she turned and asked: “Dad, Mom, Yongshun, would you like some fish soup? There’s more in the pot.”

“No!” Zhou Yongshun pouted. He didn’t like this young aunt at all!

“We already ate at home.” Chen Aihong added.

Su Luyun nodded and continued to carefully and attentively feed Zhou Changdong the tofu and fish soup.

The scene touched Chen Aihong’s heart. Despite her own complicated emotions, she couldn’t help but feel a wave of sour warmth inside.

Even Zhou Quansheng, the father, felt deeply moved and conflicted.

Who would have thought that the third daughter-in-law could actually go this far?

They didn’t interrupt. They simply sat by and watched as their daughter-in-law fed fish soup to their son. Her movements were slow, and some spilled out—but her patience was astounding, with not even the faintest sign of irritation.

It was a complete contrast to the arrogant and prideful manner she used to display.

But without a doubt, she had truly taken their third son into her heart as her husband.

After feeding him the entire bowl of crucian carp tofu soup, Su Luyun then accepted the rice oil Chen Aihong handed over. It amounted to about two bowls’ worth.

She hesitated briefly, wondering whether Zhou Changdong might be drinking a little too much.

But after glancing at his forehead and seeing no sign that he was full, she continued feeding him.

One could easily guess that Zhou Changdong had a big appetite. Otherwise, how could he have grown to be so tall and strong?

So she fed him all of it.

Then, across Zhou Changdong’s forehead, a line of words appeared again:

【Wife, thank you.】

He genuinely hadn’t expected that after coming back in this state, his wife wouldn’t leave him—and would instead treat him, a man who couldn’t even wake up, with such tenderness and patience.

As if she were handling some kind of rare and priceless treasure.

His wife was truly, truly wonderful!

Su Luyun’s lips curved upward. She took a towel and gently wiped his mouth, looking at his attractive lips and defined lip line. Her eyes gleamed slightly.

For now, she would let it go—but in the future, she would definitely arrange more “scenes” for him, such as… a kissing scene.

No rush, though. One step at a time.

Su Luyun composed herself and turned to Zhou Quansheng and Chen Aihong. “Dad, you still have work. Go ahead and get busy—don’t worry about Changdong. I’m here to take care of him. Mom, you too. Yesterday must’ve been quite a scare, right? Go back and rest properly. Don’t worry about Changdong—I’ll take good care of him. Just come see him again when you’ve rested up!”