Chapter 17

Huo Junda and Cao Yunxia were both stunned. So, what Mom meant was that the cakes made by Lan Yun’er were really delicious? Suddenly, they felt their faces burning, as if they had been slapped.

Lan Yun’er smiled and said, “I just made it the usual way. I just added some plants that can be used as seasonings, and controlled the heat properly. That’s how the cakes turned out like this.”

“Oh, I see,” Yao Guizhi took another bite, the fragrance of the wild vegetables spreading in her mouth, making her feel a sense of happiness. But she was still curious and asked, “Are there more plants that can be used as seasonings? Where did you find them?”

“They were from the plants we picked yesterday at the foot of the mountain. I had seen some books my uncle gave me, and those books mentioned that certain plants could be used as seasonings. I saw them yesterday, so I picked them and brought them back.”

She didn’t mention that the plants were actually brought back by the five birds, as that might scare everyone at the table.

Yao Guizhi suddenly spoke with admiration, “Our Xiaoyun is really capable, knowledgeable about which plants can be used as seasonings, and can make food taste so good. She’s so capable!”

Yao Guizhi was genuinely praising Lan Yun’er from the bottom of her heart. She had once thought that Lan Yun’er was a good-for-nothing daughter-in-law, but she hadn’t expected her to be such a treasure.

Lan Yun’er picked a bit of cold wild vegetables and placed them into Yao Guizhi’s bowl, “Mom, you’re too kind. If you like what I made, you should eat more.”

“Hey, hey,” Yao Guizhi repeatedly responded, her face full of a happy smile.

Huo Jincheng’s gaze was locked on Lan Yun’er’s face. His eyes were shining brightly, and the corners of his lips involuntarily curled into a smile.

Lan Yun’er picked up a wild vegetable cake and placed it in his bowl, “Eat it.”

Huo Jincheng responded gently, “Mmm.” He took a bite of the cake, and his eyes lit up. Turning to Lan Yun’er, he said, “It’s really delicious.”

Lan Yun’er smiled, “I’m glad you like it.”

Huo Jianzhang and Zhong Cuitao also started eating.

Huo Jianzhang took a few bites and couldn’t help but praise, “This is the first time I’ve had wild vegetables cooked so well, Xiaoyun, your cooking is really good.”

Zhong Cuitao also smiled and said, “This is the first time I’ve had such delicious cakes.”

Lan Yun’er reached up to tuck a stray lock of hair behind her ear, smiling brightly, “I’m glad you all like it. If you like it, eat more.”

Cao Yunxia clenched her fists in frustration, glaring at Lan Yun’er. The anger in her heart seemed to erupt like flowing lava.

Is it really that delicious? They must have never had anything good before!

Huo Junda noticed everyone enjoying the food, so he picked up his chopsticks and ate. After a bite, his eyes widened in surprise as he smacked his lips. It really was delicious!

He turned to look at Cao Yunxia and silently gestured for her to eat too, signaling that it was really tasty.

Cao Yunxia hated the look in Huo Junda’s eyes. She was annoyed by everyone praising Lan Yun’er’s cooking. However, after taking a deep breath, she reluctantly picked up her chopsticks, grabbed some cold wild vegetables, and ate.

Yao Guizhi, watching her, sneered, “Aren’t you worried about eating something bad? Why are you still eating?”

Cao Yunxia froze in her motion, her face showing a hint of embarrassment. But she forced a smile and said, “Since no one else has had a problem, I won’t either.” Then she opened her mouth and ate the wild vegetables from her chopsticks.

The flavors of the wild vegetables and seasoning plants spread through her mouth instantly. Cao Yunxia widened her eyes, feeling incredulous. That wretched Lan Yun’er really could make something this delicious. She had really underestimated her.

However, she wouldn’t praise her! She’d never give that wretched girl the satisfaction of praise. Dream on!

As breakfast was almost over, Huo Junda suddenly tightened his grip on his chopsticks and looked at Huo Jincheng, “Jincheng, yesterday your wife hit Yunxia, and Yunxia is still in pain. I’m thinking there might be a bone issue, so I plan to take Yunxia to the health center in town today. But as you know, the health center requires quite a bit of money, and since your wife caused the injury, I think it’s only fair that you pay for it, right?”

Upon hearing this, Lan Yun’er couldn’t help but smile. It seemed like the lesson she gave Cao Yunxia and Huo Junda wasn’t enough, otherwise, Huo Junda wouldn’t be so shamelessly asking for money from Jincheng now.

A hint of mockery flashed in Lan Yun’er’s eyes as she looked at Huo Junda, “Big Brother, what are you talking about? When did I hit my sister-in-law?” She glanced at the injury on Cao Yunxia’s face and continued, “That injury looks like it was from an animal bite. Are you trying to say I bit her? You’re accusing me wrongly.”

Cao Yunxia and Huo Junda were both stunned. They didn’t expect Lan Yun’er to deny it.

Cao Yunxia, enraged, shouted at Lan Yun’er, “I have some injuries from animal bites, but the pain in my bones was caused by your kick! Lan Yun’er, stop denying it. You kicked me, and you must pay for my medical expenses!”

Cao Yunxia’s snarling expression was terrifying, like a vicious woman.

Lan Yun’er seemed a bit frightened, shrinking her shoulders and leaning toward Huo Jincheng, “Jincheng, I really didn’t hit sister-in-law. Why is she accusing me like this? Could it be that she wants to cheat us out of money? But our money didn’t come easily, so how could she do this?”

Everyone knew Cao Yunxia’s nature. Last time, when Huo Tianhe injured someone, that person came to demand medical fees, but Cao Yunxia refused to pay, and in the end, it was Huo Jincheng who had to cover the costs.

This time, since both she and Huo Junda were injured and needed to go to the health center for treatment, they clearly didn’t want to pay out of their own pockets and were trying to get Lan Yun’er to foot the bill.

Yao Guizhi’s face darkened instantly, and she glared at Cao Yunxia, “Do you have any shame? Huh? Do you have no shame? What do you think Xiaoyun is? Your scapegoat? You want to cheat her money like this, aren’t you ashamed?!”

Lan Yun’er’s eyes hid a cold smile. It seemed Cao Yunxia really thought she was an easy target. Though she had kicked her yesterday, she had controlled the strength. While it was painful at first, there was no lasting harm. Cao Yunxia was just trying to scam her out of money!

Cao Yunxia, hearing Yao Guizhi’s words, panicked. “Mom, I’m telling the truth. Lan Yun’er really kicked me, and she kicked me twice. If you don’t believe me, ask Aunt He. She was there and heard it. She can testify for me!”

She then remembered Huo Junli, who was bedridden, and added, “Junli must have heard it too, he can also testify for me!”