Chapter 35 Yes. I’m sorry. Jiang… Aunt Jiang.

The piece of meat she’d found last time must’ve been the last of it! And if she hadn’t discovered it when she did, it probably would’ve been taken away by Tang Feng in the end!

The more she thought about it, the angrier she got.

If it were up to her, she would never let those women off so easily!

She’d definitely want to break things down, piece by piece, and settle the score properly—make them cough up every bit of the money they stole!

Jiang Wan glanced over the vegetables she’d pulled out and decided to make noodles.

She’d fry up some egg sauce, hand-roll the noodles, and stir-fry some shredded potatoes with vinegar. That should do.

She scooped out clean water from the bucket and began mixing the dough.

Once it became a smooth, springy ball, she started frying the sauce.

Hot oil in a hot pan, scramble the eggs, then in went the fermented soybean paste with a touch of sugar to enhance the flavor.

In her past life, Jiang Wan was actually a southern girl, but she really liked eating noodles.

Later, she taught herself to cook by following the recipe book her mother had left behind.

Not only could she make noodles and buns with ease, she’d even learned how to make delicate noodle-based pastries.

Thinking of how her mom had left that recipe book for her before passing away, Jiang Wan felt her eyes sting a little.

Maybe in her mother’s eyes, eating well was one of the most important things in life.

But after she started working, she was always busy chasing money and working overtime, gradually forgetting how to enjoy life—or even how to eat properly.

All she did was order takeout.

Sometimes, when she got too lazy, she wouldn’t eat at all.

That’s why her complexion turned sallow and her skin got worse.

As Jiang Wan watched the steam rise from the pot, she silently made up her mind.

Heaven had given her a second chance at life, and now she was living in this slower-paced, old-fashioned era.

This time, she would live well! Take care of herself!

Just as she finished frying the sauce, she heard footsteps at the kitchen door.

She froze for a second and turned around—only to see Fu Chen.

He had a little frown on his face, his dark eyes lowered, thick lashes trembling with unease.

But his expression was full of stubbornness.

He didn’t say a word, just silently ran out holding a few muddy potatoes to wash.

Jiang Wan couldn’t help but want to laugh.

This kid was actually pretty cute.

It was obvious he wanted to apologize but was too embarrassed, so he came over to help instead.

Sigh! Could it be that this little bean sprout already had the DNA of a steel-hearted straight man? Too proud to lower his head?

Jiang Wan pressed her lips together and calmly continued cooking.

Once the egg sauce was done, the aroma filled the entire courtyard.

Jiang Wan was generous with ingredients—after frying the eggs in oil, the rich egg fragrance mixed with the savory sauce, instantly whetting the appetite.

Fu Xiaoyan followed the smell too—she’d already been feeling hungry for a while.

She hadn’t eaten breakfast, and her stomach had been growling all morning.

Thank goodness for the snacks Jiang Wan had given them!

Fu Xiaoyan opened a pack of crispy noodles, but after just a few bites, the smell of egg sauce made her completely lose interest in the snack.

She ran to the courtyard and peeked nervously into the kitchen.

Fu Chen came back in after washing the potatoes and placed them on the counter.

Jiang Wan narrowed her eyes and didn’t say a word.

Fu Chen stood beside her, frowning even more. He deliberately coughed twice.

“Ahem, ahem! Uh… I washed the potatoes! Do you… have anything else for me to do?”

“…No. It’s fine. You’re still recovering. Go rest—I can handle it,” Jiang Wan replied with a deliberately flat tone.

She didn’t want this house to be full of traditional macho types.

A real good man—the kind who’s good for family life—should know how to apologize and comfort a woman!

“I’m fine! I don’t feel sick anymore!” Fu Chen raised his voice, his tone soft but fierce.

He clenched his little fists and finally blurted out, “When Aunt Tang was around, I helped out too! I’ll help you from now on too!”

“…Oh.” Jiang Wan nearly broke into laughter, her slim shoulders shaking ever so slightly.

Seeing she was still acting cold, Fu Chen started to panic.

His little face turned red as a tomato, and after holding back for a while, he finally squeezed out from between his clenched teeth:

“S-Sorry. Jiang… Jiang Auntie.”

“What I said this morning hurt your feelings.”

“It was my fault. You can punish me if you want… if it’s not enough, you can keep being the boss… for a week! How’s that?”

Fu Chen didn’t dare look at Jiang Wan—he felt embarrassed.

Even Fu Jingchuan had rarely heard him apologize before.

Usually, he acted like a stubborn little mule, saying nothing even when he was punished to stand at attention.

He’d just put on a stiff face, finish the punishment, and walk off.

He’d always felt his dad didn’t understand him—he never accepted his scoldings.

But this time, it really was his fault.

Fu Chen stared down at his own feet and pouted slightly.

Would she not forgive him?

Would she still hold him like last night again?

“Hmm, are you serious about what you said?” Jiang Wan raised an eyebrow, waving the spatula at him.

“Of course I’m serious! A man never goes back on his word!” Fu Chen’s eyes lit up. He looked up and thumped his little chest.

She agreed?

Did that mean she forgave him? She wasn’t sad anymore?

“Alright then, it’s settled. I’ll be your boss for another week!”

“But that means you have to listen to me now—go rest properly first!”

Jiang Wan’s eyes sparkled slightly—she hadn’t expected this kid to be somewhat educated. Then, after a moment of silence, she said seriously, “I’m not stopping you from working because I’m mad. You’ve only just started to get better, and you haven’t even taken your medicine today, right?”

“I’ll make lunch in a bit. You and your sister come eat. You need to get your strength back before you can do any work.”

“Otherwise, if your illness gets worse, your dad will be worried too! Got it?”

“…Alright then,” Fu Chen replied reluctantly, though he felt Jiang Wan made a good point. Besides, she was the boss now—whatever she said went.

When Fu Xiaoyan saw her brother head back inside, she cheerfully followed after him, sticking close like a little shadow. Jiang Wan couldn’t help but smile helplessly. This little girl really was just her brother’s tagalong!

Jiang Wan got to work, slicing the washed potatoes into thin strips, then soaking them in water ahead of time to remove the starch. Only after that did she toss them into the hot wok to stir-fry. That way, the shredded potatoes wouldn’t turn mushy—they’d stay crisp!

Finally, she boiled a fresh pot of water, cut up the noodles, and cooked them until they were done!

Once the meal was ready, she portioned out servings for the kids and herself. She topped the kids’ noodles with egg sauce too.

Then she dug out an aluminum lunchbox from the kitchen, rinsed the cooked noodles under cold water, laid them in the bottom of the container, and poured the egg sauce on top along with a generous scoop of vinegar-sautéed shredded potatoes.

Lastly, she found a net bag, added a pair of chopsticks, and headed out.

“Fu Chen, Xiaoyan! I’m heading to the fields to bring your dad lunch. Don’t go running around after you finish eating, okay?”

After calling out, Jiang Wan lifted the bag and made her way toward the fields.

The villagers in the countryside were actually very simple and kind—not at all like what the original Jiang Wan and her family had imagined. The air here was also so much fresher!

Today, Jiang Wan was wearing a plain blouse and beige trousers, her long ponytail tied high. As she walked along the village path, she felt an overwhelming sense of ease.

Maybe it was because she had finally gotten rid of that bizarre mother-daughter duo!

Humming a cheerful tune, she made her way to the fields—only to find herself face-to-face with someone she hated the moment she arrived!

Yuan Meilin was there, wearing a loud, floral outfit, holding a large aluminum lunchbox—and money in hand! She was clinging to Fu Jingchuan’s strong, muscular arm, face flushed red as she explained something eagerly!