Chapter 113: Is a Fiancé Closer than a Blood Brother?

Xiang Xinyao smiled without explaining further—what was there to say, anyway? She certainly couldn’t tell everyone that the wild boar had been fed with spirit spring water.

She’d come to understand the true value of this water: it didn’t just enhance health and eliminate fatigue. For plants, it was even better than fertilizer, greatly shortening growth cycles and making vegetables and fruits more nutritious and flavorful. For animals, it surpassed modern feed in every way, yet with no side effects. Livestock raised on spirit spring water grew quickly, had incredibly tender meat, and provided higher nutrition than regular farm-raised animals.

It seemed she’d have to intensify her training to level up her spatial powers. That way, she’d have more land for growing fruits, vegetables, and medicinal herbs, as well as space to raise livestock and poultry. If she really did open a restaurant in the future, she could supply it with her own vegetables and meat.

With produce and livestock grown in her space, the flavors would be one-of-a-kind, and the business would surely boom.

Meanwhile, Xiang Xinyu had been eyeing the salt-baked pig liver but hesitated, recalling all the salt used. Yet, remembering her sister’s assurance that it wouldn’t be overly salty, she finally mustered the courage to try a piece.

She picked one up with her chopsticks and put it in her mouth. The rich, tender flavor filled her senses, delighting her taste buds.

She leaned over and whispered excitedly to the Madam Xiang , “Mother, this pig liver that Sister made is truly delicious—not salty at all.”

The Madam Xiang smiled gently. “When has Yao’er ever made a dish that wasn’t delicious? I trust her completely. It’s just that she insists on doing everything herself, and it’s too tiring for her.”

“Don’t worry, Mother. I’ll start learning from her more so that I can take over, and Sister won’t have to work so hard.”

“That’s wonderful. You’re a good daughter too. When we return to Bianjing, I’ll get a few maids for you both. Then neither of you will need to tire yourselves.”

Xiang Xinyu shook her head. “Mother, I want to take care of Sister myself. The maids can handle the rough chores, but I’d feel more assured if I looked after Sister personally. She was lost for eleven years and went through so much suffering—I can’t bear for her to go through any more hardship.”

“Very well, then. Take good care of her.”

“Of course, Mother, you can count on me.”

“Alright, let’s eat! It’s cold out, and the food won’t taste as good once it cools.”

At that moment, Xiang Taifu suddenly pointed to the pig liver and asked Xiang Xinyao, “Yao’er, what’s this dish called?”

Xiang Xinyao replied, “It’s called salt-baked pig liver.”

“It has a very distinctive taste. Pig liver often has a strong, gamey flavor, but this one doesn’t at all. How did you manage that?”

Xiang Xinyao explained the process of making salt-baked pig liver.

Mo Jinnan then pointed to the peanuts and asked, “And how did you make these peanuts? They’re nothing like the ones I’ve had before—these are even better.”

Xiang Xinyao shared the method for making sugar-coated peanuts.

Both the Xiang family men and Mo Jinnan were astounded.

Who would’ve thought she could turn ordinary ingredients into something so unique and flavorful?

Xiang Yanchen spoke up. “Sister, honestly, if Third Brother finds you a storefront, would you be interested in opening a restaurant?”

Xiang Xinyao smiled softly. “Third Brother, I have the silver, but I haven’t decided where to open a restaurant yet. If I do open one, I wouldn’t want to buy vegetables and meat from outside. I’d want to raise my own poultry and livestock and grow my own vegetables.”

Xiang Yanchen looked puzzled. “Is there really a difference between store-bought and home-raised poultry and vegetables?”

“Of course, I want the flavors and quality to be exceptional. If I open a restaurant, it’ll be high-end and unique—something no one else could copy,” Xiang Xinyao declared confidently.

Xiang Yanchen nodded in agreement. “Alright, whatever you decide, Third Brother will support you. Once you know where you want to set up, I’ll provide the funds.”

“Third Brother, that really won’t be necessary—I have the silver,” Xiang Xinyao replied.

Laughing, Xiang Yanchen teased, “So, if I come to your restaurant in the future, I’ll still have to pay?”

Xiang Xinyao rolled her eyes. “You’re my brother—do you think I’d charge you?”

“Exactly! And since you’re my sister, isn’t it natural that I’d help fund your restaurant?”

Xiang Xinyao replied with a serious look, “Third Brother, as they say, ‘Clear accounts make for good siblings.’ Let’s keep things clear between us to avoid issues down the road. We’d never fall out over money, but one day you’ll have a wife and children. What if my future sister-in-law objects?”

Xiang Yanchen laughed. “Oh, sister! Do you really think your third brother would choose a wife who couldn’t even accept his own sister? I’d rather stay single than marry a woman like that.”

At this point, Mo Jinnan spoke up. “If you don’t want your brother’s money, then take mine. You’re my fiancée, and after we’re married, what’s mine will be yours anyway.”

Xiang Xinyao shook her head. “No, I can’t take your money either. If one day you meet someone better and decide to break our engagement, I’d have to pay it all back!”

Mo Jinnan felt a twinge of irritation. Why did this girl keep talking about breaking off their engagement? It wasn’t a good sign. Although he hadn’t completely fallen for her yet, she was leagues better than the noble ladies back in Bianjing. If he were to marry and start a family, he’d only choose Xiang Xinyao—this lively, charming girl with a slight love for money, though only for what rightfully belonged to her.

Mo Jinnan frowned. “Why do you keep mentioning breaking off our engagement?”

Xiang Xinyao shrugged. “I’m not! I’m just preparing for the unexpected thing to happen. If one day you want to end it, am I supposed to cling to you shamelessly?”

“There will be no such day,” Mo Jinnan said firmly.

Xiang Taifu chimed in, “Yao’er, your fiancé isn’t that kind of man. If he were fickle, I’d have broken off the engagement myself. In his household, not only are there no concubines, but not even a maidservant in such a role. I have no worries about him.”

Xiang Yanzhuo added, “Sister, Father’s telling the truth. And if he ever does find someone else, you wouldn’t need to pay him back—that would be his responsibility to you.”

Mo Jinnan quickly agreed, “Exactly. If that ever happened, you wouldn’t owe me a thing. But as I said, that day will never come.”

Seeing an opportunity, Xiang Yanchen interjected, “Sister, just use your third brother’s money. The restaurant will be yours, and no one will have any claim to it. Besides, I have plenty of businesses and intend to set some aside for you as part of your dowry.”

Mo Jinnan quickly added, “No, use mine—you are my fiancée.”

Xiang Yanchen scoffed, “Oh, really? Does a fiancé care more than a real brother?”

Mo Jinnan muttered to himself, “Once I’m her husband, I’ll be closer than any brother.”

Xiang Xinyao laughed, “Alright, alright! Let’s drop this for now. I’ll decide once I’ve thought it through.”