Chapter 95 : Don’t Eat

Jiang Yu rested at home for a while before He Feiyan returned.

“You’re back just in time! Help me lift the sewing machine inside.”

The living room was too small, so she planned to put it in her own room.

She still hadn’t finished the cotton-padded jacket for Yao Xiangling, and she realized she owed many people jackets. She needed to get to work quickly.

He Feiyan glanced at the sleeping He Tingyue and sat beside Jiang Yu, watching her make clothes.

“This jacket looks really nice, very stylish.”

She had thought cotton-padded jackets were just bulky but was surprised that they could also show off body shape.

“If you like it, I can make you one too. I have a piece of royal blue fabric, go find it and see if you like it.”

Jiang Yu truly had plenty of fabric now, with the pieces He Tingyue had given her and the fabric tickets Yao Xiangling had provided, plus some new fabric Yao had gifted her.

He Feiyan didn’t hesitate and started rummaging through the fabric as she had suggested, draping it over herself.

“Is it pretty?”

Jiang Yu nodded. “It looks good. I’ll make this color for you, but it’ll have to wait. I still need to make one for your older brother first.”

She planned to hurry and finish Jiang Ye’s jacket in the next couple of days so she could bring it back when they returned for the three-day visit.

“It’s fine, take your time. Don’t tire yourself out, I’m not in a hurry.”

She could still wear her old jackets, so she wasn’t lacking clothes.

He Zhengdong and He Lilan were eavesdropping outside, exchanging glances.

Xu Lihua was right, Jiang Yu didn’t like them at all, she wouldn’t even make clothes for them.

Hmph, who needs it!

Only the finishing touches were left on Yao Xiangling’s jacket.

After two hours at the sewing machine, Jiang Yu finally completed the cotton-padded jacket.

She twisted her sore neck, and a hand reached from behind her, giving it a gentle squeeze.

“If your neck hurts, don’t do any more for now.” It was He Tingyue, awake.

His technique was good, and Jiang Yu squinted her eyes in comfort.

“I’m fine. I just wanted to finish Aunt’s jacket quickly. I won’t take so long next time.”

He Tingyue’s hand slid from her neck to her chin, as if cradling her face.

“Are you still comfortable here?”

Jiang Yu shyly nodded. “It’s great here, the room is spacious, and there’s a window. I’ve never slept on such a soft bed.”

Initially, it was a bit uncomfortable, but everything here was nice, and she would surely get used to it.

He Tingyue checked the time; he had slept too soundly and it was already five or six o’clock.

“What do you want for dinner? I’ll make it for you.”

Jiang Yu propped her chin in thought. “How about fried sauce noodles? I really miss Grandpa Jin’s cooking.”

He Tingyue had learned from him, and while he might not be as good, it would still taste great.

“Sure, we just happen to have some pork belly at home, we’ll eat that today.”

He Tingyue went to the kitchen and began to busy himself.

Jiang Yu assisted him, tilting her head with a smile. “You’re teaching me to cook too, next time I’ll make it for you.”

“The only thing that’s different about fried sauce noodles is the sauce, the other methods are actually quite similar.”

He Tingyue moved fluidly, even slicing the cucumber with grace.

Jiang Yu sighed, “It’s a shame you’re not a chef.”

He Tingyue replied, “As long as you like it, I’ll come home to cook for you whenever I have time.”

Jiang Yu stuck out her tongue. “Isn’t that a bit inappropriate?”

Men work outside to earn money, it’s not like they should be waiting for someone else to cook for them.

“As long as we’re happy, that’s what matters.”

He didn’t care what others thought, and neither did Jiang Yu.

As soon as the pork belly hit the pan, the savory aroma filled the air.

He Zhengdong perked up. “That smells great! Big brother is cooking!”

He and He Lilan dashed into the courtyard like monkeys.

“Sis, is Big Brother cooking?”

He Feiyan swallowed hard. “We’re having fried sauce noodles today, Big Brother’s will be just a tad less good than Grandpa Jin’s.”

He Zhengdong and He Lilan gulped at the thought.

The smell of meat was just too enticing.

He Lilan muttered, “New sister-in-law comes in and it’s not that bad, Big Brother is even cooking for us.”

He Tingyue’s cooking was delicious, but he rarely cooked, most of the time, he brought back meals from the cafeteria.

The cafeteria food was as unappetizing as pig feed.

He Zhengdong licked his lips. “Why isn’t sister-in-law cooking?”

He Feiyan glared at him. “Why should sister-in-law have to cook?”

He Zhengdong puffed up his chest. “Big Brother marries a wife to help share the household chores, right? If he’s doing everything, it’s hard on him.”

He Feiyan frowned and twisted his ear, lifting it.

“So your sister-in-law is your personal maid? If she’s not around, you can’t see how hard Big Brother works? As soon as she arrives, you’re suddenly enlightened! Big Brother works hard for this family, and if you really cared, instead of having fun outside, why not think about helping him out?”

He Zhengdong winced in pain. “Sis! Sis! Have mercy, my ear is going to split!”

He Feiyan huffed, releasing his ear and giving him a light tap on the forehead.

“Big Brother still works hard to support your schooling, and you consistently rank last. Why not think about how hard he works? He’s making us dinner, and sister-in-law is helping him inside, why don’t you go in and help? Is sister-in-law just here to serve you?”

He Lilan shrank her head, silently thankful she hadn’t said anything.

He Zhengdong still looked defiant, but he didn’t dare argue back in front of He Feiyan.

The fried sauce noodles were done, with two enamel bowls: one filled with noodles, another with sauce, and a plate of vegetable toppings for everyone to help themselves.

“Let’s eat!” Jiang Yu called out.

He Feiyan stood up to fetch water to wash her hands, while He Zhengdong and He Lilan didn’t have such good hygiene habits and reached straight for the chopsticks.

Before they could grab them, they felt a slap on the back of their hands.

Jiang Yu said sternly, “Wash your hands first! No washing, no eating!”

He Lilan was the first to run out to wash her hands and came back in with He Feiyan.

“Sister-in-law, I’ve washed them clean!” She showed her two hands.

Jiang Yu was pleased and personally served her noodles and vegetables, topping it off with a spoonful of sauce.

“Mix it up yourself, and if that’s not enough, come back for more.”

He Zhengdong, however, was sulking, refusing to wash his hands just because Jiang Yu told him to.

He wasn’t going!

“Fine, if you don’t want to eat, I don’t care!”

He Tingyue frowned at fourteen, He Zhengdong should understand better.

He was about to scold him when Jiang Yu intervened.

“Just remember, it’s you who chose not to eat. Don’t blame anyone else later. Lilan, if your brother isn’t eating, you have to eat more.”

He Lilan couldn’t speak with her mouth full, so she nodded vigorously.

“Mm-hmm!”

She would try to eat enough for both her and her brother, which only frustrated He Zhengdong more.

Jiang Yu served herself a bowl, and the chewy noodles coated in sauce, along with the sautéed pork bits, were simply delicious.

“Lilan, is the pork good?”

“It’s great! Sister-in-law, let’s have fried sauce noodles again tomorrow! This sauce with meat bits is so good, it would taste good even on shoe soles!” He Lilan exclaimed, eager to devour every bite, making Jiang Yu laugh.

She had completely forgotten Xu Lihua’s warning about being careful with her words.

“Alright then, since there’s plenty of sauce left, let’s go out tomorrow morning and get some soy milk to have with the fried sauce noodles!”

He Lilan cheered, “Yay!”