Chapter 11 Eating

Today, Grandma Bai wore a set of clean, gray cotton-linen clothes. She looked neat and spirited, hardly seeming her age.

The word “composed” fit her perfectly.

She smiled as she waited for Tang Wan to come over. When Tang Wan was nearly in front of her, Grandma Bai reached out and took her hand, pulling her to stand by her side.

“Look at these two little peach trees. I found them last time I went up the mountain. We’ll transplant them into the yard, and by next spring, you’ll be able to see peach blossoms,” Grandma Bai said, pointing at the peach trees Qin Zheng was digging up.

Tang Wan imagined it. Qin Zheng’s yard was quite large; planting two trees there would certainly brighten up the place.

Seeing that Tang Wan understood the scene she described, the smile on Grandma Bai’s face grew even warmer.

“It’s only a daughter who can understand. I told A Zheng several times, but he didn’t see what was so nice about it. If I hadn’t insisted strongly, he wouldn’t have come to dig up the trees,” Grandma Bai said with a hint of complaint in her tone.

“Well, I came anyway,” Qin Zheng said helplessly.

He followed her to dig the trees, but as for whether it was pretty or not, he really didn’t feel much.

“See? Even after I told him, he wasn’t happy about it.”

“Your yard is big, and planting peach trees means you can see blossoms in spring and have shade in summer,” Tang Wan said with a smile, clearly seeing that Grandma Bai was teasing Qin Zheng.

“I’m telling you, it’s good to have a girl in the family. Once the trees are dug up, you come eat at my place. Yesterday A Zheng got a wild chicken, and today Grandma will cook it for you,” Grandma Bai said with a subtle pride in her tone.

Tang Wan was about to find a reason to refuse, but Qin Zheng spoke up: “Grandma’s cooking is really good. She wants you to try her skills.”

“You promised me last time. When I invite you to eat, you can’t say no. Otherwise, I’ll just send the food back to you,” Grandma Bai said.

Now Tang Wan couldn’t even say no. After all, she had promised before, and Qin Zheng had said this—making it inappropriate to make excuses.

“Then I’ll look forward to tasting Grandma Bai’s cooking.”

On the way back, Tang Wan wanted to help, but Qin Zheng simply lifted the two peach trees onto his shoulder with one hand, needing no assistance.

Grandma Bai patted Tang Wan’s hand: “He’s strong; no need to worry about him.”

Tang Wan watched Qin Zheng walk ahead. Because of his movements, the hem of his shirt was pulled up, clinging to his body. The muscles on his back were clearly outlined—strong and powerful. He probably could lift a person with just one hand.

With that physique, it made sense the villagers were afraid of him.

So tall and sturdy, standing before anyone gave off a sense of pressure.

Tang Wan had been to Qin Zheng’s house twice, and both times the yard was kept very clean, and this time was no exception.

It was clear both grandfather and grandson were diligent.

Once in the yard, Grandma Bai went to the kitchen to prepare. She didn’t let Tang Wan help, so Tang Wan went to help Qin Zheng plant the peach trees.

The pits for the trees had been dug early that morning; now they just needed to plant the trees.

Tang Wan helped hold the trees while Qin Zheng buried the soil bit by bit.

For some reason, seeing Tang Wan’s delicate fingers gripping the rough peach tree branches made Qin Zheng feel unusually warm today. Though it was still a cloudy day, it felt as if the sun was blazing down on him.

Unable to vent the heat inside, Qin Zheng kept his head down, hurriedly filling the pit to finish quickly.

Tang Wan held the trees, Qin Zheng filled the soil, and soon both peach trees were planted.

Qin Zheng went to the well in the backyard, fetched a bucket of water to pour over the roots, finishing the final work.

Grandma Bai in the kitchen called them to eat.

Today, Grandma Bai made three dishes. Besides the stewed chicken she mentioned, there was also fish soup and cold spinach salad.

The fish soup and spinach were already on the table; the chicken remained in the pot.

When the lid was lifted, the rich aroma of meat mixed with mushrooms wafted out, making Tang Wan instantly hungry.

It smelled amazing.

Fortunately, Qin Zheng’s house was at the very edge of the village, with no neighbors nearby. Otherwise, this aroma alone would make everyone around drool, especially in these times when meat was a rare sight all year round.

Qin Zheng truly was a hidden powerhouse in the story. Although he wasn’t yet wealthy, judging by the meals Tang Wan had on her two visits, the Qin family lived quite well.

Grandma Bai clearly had great confidence in her cooking. She called Tang Wan to sit down: “Don’t be polite with me. I made plenty of food, so eat as much as you like.”

“Thank you for your hard work. It smells so good—I definitely won’t be polite with you,” Tang Wan said.

Grandma Bai was pleased: “The more you eat, the happier I am.”

Tang Wan couldn’t describe exactly how delicious Grandma Bai’s cooking was; even something as simple as the cold spinach salad tasted exceptionally good.

Not to mention the chicken with mushrooms, fragrant and tender, delicious to the taste.

Such cooking skills would be rare even among famous chefs today.

Tang Wan’s eyes lit up as she ate—it was like a feast.

Compared to this, the famous braised pork in her space wasn’t even as appetizing.

Qin Zheng kept watching Tang Wan’s reaction; seeing her enjoy it, he finally relaxed.

Grandma Bai didn’t think too much—she was just delighted to see Tang Wan eating so well.

“Why don’t you eat with us from now on? I have plenty more dishes I can cook,” Grandma Bai warmly invited Tang Wan.

Hearing this, Tang Wan was a bit tempted.

The meals at the youth labor point were not only bad but also harsh on the throat. Although she had food in her space, she always skipped meals at the labor point—it was a bit strange.

If she could join the Qin family for meals, it would be a good idea.

She could easily afford to pay, and she’d get to eat well.

With this thought, Tang Wan decided to ask when she returned.

She remembered hearing that some youths ate meals with local villagers, but all the others at her labor point ate there, so she wasn’t sure if it was allowed.

Thinking this, Tang Wan didn’t agree right away.

Grandma Bai immediately guessed Tang Wan’s concern: “Don’t worry. The meals at your labor point are worse than what villagers eat. Several youths have eaten with villagers before. As long as we agree, no one will say anything.”

Even with Grandma Bai’s assurance, Tang Wan initially declined: “I want to talk to them first. Right now, the food at the youth labor point is still supplied by the team, so I have to return it. If I eat separately, I’d need to divide the rations again.”