Chapter 31

Fourth Brother Song Futian said, “Then I’ll go buy the meat and vegetables. What dishes should I get?”

He was clearly asking Liu, assuming she’d be the one cooking. Liu also pondered what would be appropriate to make.

Little Sweet Treasure Xiao Tianbao chimed in, “Dad, Mom, let me do the cooking this time.”

The fourth couple was stunned. Little Sweet Treasure Xiao Tianbao was just five years old—she wasn’t even tall enough to reach the stove. How could she cook?

Liu responded, “Little Sweet Treasure Xiao Tianbao, Mom knows you’re clever and capable, but you’re still too young to cook. You might burn yourself. Let me do it.”

Song Tian’er said, “Dad, Mom, I had a dream last night. In it, a white-bearded old man taught me how to cook. I want to try and see if it tastes good.”

The couple exchanged glances. Knowing their daughter was a divine child sent to the mortal realm, could it be that a celestial being was now teaching her to cook?

Older brother Song Dajin also said to their parents, “Let little sister cook. I want to eat her food.”

The little boys of the Song family—regardless of whose sons they were—genuinely adored Song Tian’er. They all acted like proper older brothers and no one dared to upset her.

Being her biological brother, Song Dajin spoiled his sister even more. Whatever she said was law.

Liu smiled and said, “Alright, then. I’ll assist you. Just tell us what ingredients you need, and your dad will go buy them.”

After all, even shortly after her birth, Little Sweet Treasure Xiao Tianbao had already gifted the Song family recipes that earned them money. Everyone believed in her wholeheartedly.

Little Sweet Treasure Xiao Tianbao thought for a moment and said, “Pork ribs, beef, lamb, chicken, crawfish, and hairy crabs. We have vegetables in our garden.”

She planned: braised pork ribs, clay pot braised beef, cumin lamb, curry chicken, garlic crayfish, and steamed hairy crabs.

On the side: stir-fried vermicelli with chives, cold cucumber salad, bok choy with mushrooms, tomato-eggplant-bean stew, candied sweet potatoes, and sweet potato balls.

Six meat and six vegetable dishes—ordinary fare today, but in this time period, even restaurants didn’t serve most of them.

Locals had never tasted cumin or curry before. Song Tian’er, blessed with top-level cooking skills, believed one bite would make her food unforgettable.

Song Futian quickly went out to buy the ingredients, while Liu took Little Sweet Treasure Xiao Tianbao to deliver silver coins to relatives and inform them about dinner plans.

Though everyone already knew the fourth family was generous and that the brothers were close, they didn’t expect to receive so much silver.

Several aunts were moved to tears. Hugging Little Sweet Treasure Xiao Tianbao, they adored her even more. Because of this child, they could finally live comfortably.

To them, Little Sweet Treasure Xiao Tianbao was no different from their own daughters. In their hearts, she was theirs too. If anyone dared to wrong her, they’d fight to protect her.

After visiting every household, they finally went to the old house, where Grandpa Song and Grandma Zhou were chatting under the tree.

Liu explained the reason for their visit and mentioned the money Little Sweet Treasure Xiao Tianbao wanted to give each family. Grandma Zhou sighed softly.

“Ah, this child is amazing. Every one of us in this family is blessed because of Little Sweet Treasure Xianbao. We can eat well, dress well, and live well. As her grandma, I don’t even know how to express my gratitude.”

Grandpa Song added, “You giving your brothers so much silver shows your kindness. Your grandma and I don’t need that much—keep it for when Little Sweet Treasure Xiao Tianbao grows up.”

Little Sweet Treasure Xiao Tianbao quickly said, “Grandpa, Grandma, we still have forty thousand taels left. And this is just a small amount. I’ll earn even more in the future. I’ve already come up with another way to make money—just wait for your surprise!”

Hearing her soft, milky voice, the elderly couple couldn’t stop smiling. What other family had a toddler with such lofty ambitions?

“Oh my, Little Sweet Treasure Xiao Tianbao, you’re so amazing. At such a young age, you already know how to make money. You’re smarter than all of us combined!”

Grandma Zhou picked up the soft little girl, heart full of sweetness.

Grandpa Song nodded, “Your grandma is right. We believe you. If you need money, just ask Grandpa—I’ll give you everything. You’re the most amazing.”

Little Sweet Treasure Xiao Tianbao shook her head, “Grandpa, Grandma, keep your money to spend on yourselves. I’ll earn lots of money and spoil you both. I’ll buy Grandpa the best wine and Grandma the best snacks.”

The sweet little dumpling saying such heartfelt words brought tears to Grandma Zhou’s eyes.

Even Grandpa Song, who rarely cried in his life, was misty-eyed.

“Ah, good child. We didn’t dote on you for nothing,” Grandpa Song said with a laugh.

Grandma Zhou kissed Little Sweet Treasure Xiao Tianbao’s cheek and said, “How did two blockheads like your parents give birth to such a clever little fairy?”

Liu chuckled, then said, “Dad, Mom, come over for dinner tonight. Little Sweet Treasure Xiao Tianbao’s going to cook for us.”

At this, Grandpa and Grandma Song were stunned. Little Sweet Treasure Xiao Tianbao was going to cook? She was just a child!

Grandpa Song said anxiously, “Nonsense! What if she gets hurt? She may be clever, but she’s still a child.”

Grandma Zhou agreed, “Exactly! If our little Sweet Bao gets burned, I won’t forgive you!”

Liu Shi quickly explained Little Sweet Treasure Xiao Tianbao’s dream—how a celestial being taught her to cook.

Little Sweet Treasure Xiao Tianbao clung to Grandma Zhou’s neck, acting cute. “Grandma, it’s okay! Mom will help me. Grandpa, I want to see if what that heavenly grandpa taught me really works.”

Since it was her own idea and claimed to be taught by a celestial being, the old couple exchanged glances.

Previously, Little Sweet Treasure Xiao Tianbao had even shared recipes through her inner voice—those dishes were now signature items at restaurants.

“Well, alright. Let’s try it then. But make sure she doesn’t get even a scratch,” Grandma Zhou said.

Liu promised she’d be extremely careful.

Little Sweet Treasure Xiao Tianbao was a bit helpless. If not for the wish fruit, she wouldn’t even need to earn money—the supplies in her space could sustain her forever.

But to gain new abilities, effort was required. The wish fruit already favored her by allowing her to earn them through money instead of learning.

If it required studying, Little Sweet Treasure Xiao Tianbao knew she couldn’t be the world’s best at anything.

Her next money-making venture would be food. She wanted to become the most famous and best little chef.

Grandpa Song reminded Liu a few more times. Grandma Zhou, still worried, went back with them to keep an eye on Little Sweet Treasure Xiao Tianbao herself.

Several aunts had the same idea and came too. In the end, there were so many people that no one was left to help.

The dishes Song Tian’er made were enhanced by her innate master-chef skill. Even if others copied her exactly, they couldn’t replicate her flavor.

With two big woks and the cold stove in the outer kitchen, everything was set. The place bustled with activity. Little Sweet Treasure Xiao Tianbao, tiny and wielding a giant spatula, looked rather comical.

Luckily, she had super strength. Otherwise, she couldn’t have lifted a thing. Now, no matter how heavy, it was effortless.

With pork ribs stewing, beef braising, shrimp and crab steaming, the entire courtyard was soon filled with mouthwatering aromas—far richer than usual.