Chapter 14

Jiang Manyue was far more meticulous in cooking meat than Miao Xianghua and the others. First, she blanched the pork, then heated oil in the pan and added rock sugar to caramelize. Once the sugar turned into a beautiful amber color, she added the blanched pork.

After stir-frying the meat until it was evenly coated with the caramelized sugar, she added seasonings one by one, mixed everything well, and transferred it into a clay pot. She poured in just the right amount of water and placed the pot over a small charcoal stove to simmer slowly.

Since the charcoal stove couldn’t be left unattended, Jiang Manyue sat at the kitchen doorway, resting while keeping an eye on the fire.

By the time Li Guifen returned, the braised pork was almost ready. Even with the lid on the pot, the delicious aroma had started to waft out.

“Manyue, you’re cooking meat? Why does it smell so good?” Li Guifen followed the smell straight to the charcoal stove.

Jiang Manyue leaned back in her chair, eyes half-closed, and nodded. “I brought a piece of pork back from the county, making some braised pork.”

The mouthwatering aroma was too much for Li Guifen to resist. She gulped audibly, the sound clear to both of them.

Jiang Manyue opened her eyes and casually said, “Mom, why don’t you grab a pair of chopsticks and try a piece? See if the meat’s tender enough. If it is, I’ll stop adding charcoal and just keep it warm.”

Feeling a little embarrassed, Li Guifen waved her hand and said she had something to do, then hurried back into the house.

As she walked away, Jiang Manyue called after her, “Mom, don’t forget to make rice. I’ll go pick some greens from the garden later—just a quick stir-fry and we’ll be ready to eat.”

Li Guifen stumbled a bit but responded halfheartedly before disappearing into the house.

Jiang Manyue didn’t pay her any mind and continued to doze off by the charcoal stove.

Soon after, Lu Jun’an came back from playing. As soon as he entered the courtyard, he was hit by the mouthwatering aroma of meat.

He wasn’t afraid of Jiang Manyue anymore. In fact, he’d grown quite attached to her.

Seeing her sitting at the kitchen door with the delicious smell wafting from the pot beside her, Lu Jun’an hurried over.

“Auntie, what is that? It smells amazing!”

Jiang Manyue pointed her chin toward the kitchen. “Go grab some chopsticks, I’ll let you try a piece.”

Lu Jun’an quickly ran inside and came back with a pair of chopsticks, obediently standing in front of her, waiting.

Using a cloth to protect her hand, Jiang Manyue lifted the pot lid. Instantly, a rich, savory scent burst out.

Lu Jun’an was practically drooling. He had never smelled anything so delicious.

“Go on, grab a piece and try it. See if it’s tender enough,” Jiang Manyue told him.

Without hesitation, Lu Jun’an picked up a piece and popped it into his mouth.

Jiang Manyue didn’t even have time to say, “Blow on it first,” before he’d already stuffed it in.

He immediately started hopping around from the heat, sucking in air and fanning his mouth with his hand—but he refused to spit it out.

Jiang Manyue quickly fetched a bowl of well water. Once he managed to swallow the meat, she handed him the cold water to rinse his mouth, just in case he’d burned it.

“You were in such a hurry—did you think the meat was going to grow legs and run away? The pot’s still bubbling and you dare shove it straight into your mouth. If you burn your tongue, you’ll have to watch the rest of us eat without you.”

She playfully poked his puffed-up cheek, which was full of water, then poked it again just for fun.

Lu Jun’an couldn’t talk with water in his mouth, so he just smiled at her, eyes squinting with joy. He looked so satisfied that the burn didn’t seem to matter.

Seeing him like that, Jiang Manyue found it amusing. She had him rinse his mouth twice more and checked his lips and tongue to make sure everything was fine. Then she picked out another piece of meat, cooled it down, and fed it to him.

“Is it good?”

Seeing the bliss on his face as he chewed, she teased him, trying to get him to talk.

But his mouth was small, and the meat chunk big, so he could only nod enthusiastically.

When he finally swallowed it, he exclaimed, “Auntie, your meat is amazing! I’ve never had anything so tasty!”

He even smacked his lips and savored the flavor. “Auntie’s meat is the best—no one could possibly make it better!”

Jiang Manyue laughed. “Then make sure to eat a lot during lunch. Eating meat helps you grow bigger and stronger.”

Lu Jun’an’s eyes lit up. “Will I grow as tall and strong as Uncle?”

Jiang Manyue thought back to Lu Lin’s figure—broad shoulders, long legs, tall. Nothing to complain about, physically.

She also remembered Lu Wei, Lu Lin’s older brother, who seemed a little shorter. If Lu Lin was around 186cm, then Lu Wei was probably about 183cm.

Even Lu Father wasn’t short. Though not as tall as his sons, he was still considered tall among the commune workers.

Jiang Manyue figured the Lu family must have tall genes. She nodded firmly. “If you eat well, sleep well, and take your vitamins, you’ll definitely grow taller and stronger than your uncle.”

Lu Jun’an nodded eagerly. “Okay! I’ll eat more! I want to be even taller than Uncle!”

Jiang Manyue patted his head, already thinking about finding some kind of supplement to help with his weak constitution.

She decided to check the medicine shop in her secret space during her nap, hoping to find a children’s multivitamin that could supplement calcium, iron, zinc, selenium, and other nutrients.

Just then, Li Guifen came out of the house. She had checked the time and realized if she didn’t start cooking now, Lu Father would be home and starving.

Seeing her come out, Jiang Manyue naturally grabbed Lu Jun’an’s hand and prepared to head out to the garden.

“Mom, I’m taking Jun’an to pick some veggies. You better start cooking—people are almost off work.”

With that, she led the still-excited Lu Jun’an out.

Li Guifen watched him cling to Jiang Manyue and suddenly felt a strange mix of emotions.

Originally, Jiang Manyue’s attitude toward Jun’an had been unbearable, which was why she’d sent a telegram to Ah Lin asking him to come back and get a divorce.

And Jiang Manyue’s personality didn’t mesh with the family at all. Li Guifen had worried the two families would end up enemies over the marriage, so she thought it best to end things early.

But the current Jiang Manyue seemed like a completely different person. She got along with Jun’an so well, and wasn’t giving Li Guifen and Lu Father the cold shoulder anymore. Now, Li Guifen was starting to feel that maybe she’d jumped the gun with that telegram.

If Jiang Manyue continued being like this, then rather than divorcing, it might be better to actually help her and Lu Lin get together for real—maybe even have a couple of kids and live a happy life.

Li Guifen regretted it more the more she thought about it. She should’ve waited a few more days before sending that telegram.

Who knew when Lu Lin would be back from his mission? Seeing how close Jun’an and Jiang Manyue had become, if they really told her to leave, Jun’an would probably be the first to object.

Li Guifen sighed as she rinsed the rice, a little overwhelmed with all the thoughts swirling in her head.