Chapter 12

Zhang Tieshan left the tavern and hurried to the market. Aside from the meat Li Hehua had prepared the previous day, his family hadn’t tasted meat in a long time. Now that he was back, he wanted to provide them with a better life.

He bought some ribs from a pork stall he’d frequented for years. After a moment’s thought, he added a jin of pork belly.

Yesterday, his mother and Qingshan had raved about the braised pork belly, and even Shulin had devoured several pieces—he’d never seen him eat so heartily. Might as well get more, Zhang Tieshan thought. Mom can make it for everyone.

With his purchases in hand, Zhang Tieshan was about to head home when he spotted Li Hehua standing by the roadside.

Two baskets sat before her, filled with the pastries she delivered to them daily. Her face beamed as she handed pastries to customers, swiftly collected payment, and invited them to return. Each customer left satisfied.

Zhang Tieshan found himself staring, lost in thought.

This woman… she looked the same, yet somehow different. Her entire demeanor clashed with both his memories and the descriptions from his mother and brother. Was this her true nature, or merely a façade?

A sudden doubt crept into Zhang Tieshan’s mind.

Yet, recalling the woman’s actions over the past few years, he found his doubts laughable. Why should he hesitate? What she had done was unforgivable, regardless of whether she had truly repented or was merely feigning remorse. He had already divorced her, she was no longer part of their family. She would only remain in this household for a short time before they never saw each other again. To them, she would ultimately become a stranger.

This was the last shred of mercy he would extend to his son’s birth mother.

With these thoughts settled, Zhang Tieshan withdrew his gaze and strode home.

Upon returning, his first act was to hand the meat to Zhang Linshi. “Mother, cook this for lunch. Let’s give everyone a good meal.”

Zhang Linshi scolded playfully, “You shouldn’t have bought so much! Even with money, we can’t be wasteful.” Though her words carried a hint of reproach, her eyes betrayed her delight.

During her eldest son’s years of military service, she and her younger son had endured immense hardship. For four long years, they hadn’t tasted meat or enjoyed a single full meal. While she, an old woman, could bear it, her younger son was still growing and needed proper nourishment. Watching him go hungry every day had pierced her motherly heart like a knife. Now that her eldest son had returned—the pillar of their family restored—their days were brighter, and hope had been rekindled.

Zhang Qingshan was overjoyed. As a growing teenager with an appetite like an ox, his eyes lit up at the sight of meat. Seeing so much at once was enough to make anyone happy.

He eagerly urged Zhang Linshi, “Mother, hurry up! I’m starving!” What he didn’t dare admit was that yesterday’s braised pork, made by that woman, had left his stomach churning with cravings all day. He desperately wanted another taste, and his brother had come to the rescue by buying meat today.

Zhang Linshi flicked Zhang Qingshan on the forehead. “You little glutton! All you ever think about is food.”

Zhang Qingshan rubbed his head and chuckled sheepishly.

Though she grumbled, Zhang Linshi deeply loved her two sons and grandson. She immediately set to work, cooking a pot of rice and preparing the same braised pork as yesterday.

Zhang Qingshan’s eyes gleamed like a hungry wolf as he pounced on the braised pork. But after a few chews, his brow furrowed slightly. He swallowed the meat, and his chopsticks moved with less enthusiasm.

Zhang Linshi looked puzzled. “What’s wrong? Didn’t you say you wanted braised pork?”

Zhang Qingshan chuckled awkwardly, not daring to mention that the meat tasted worlds apart from yesterday’s, fearing he’d upset his mother. In the past, he would have devoured it with relish—being able to eat meat was a luxury in itself. But after yesterday’s feast, this meat tasted bland and unappetizing. A strange sensation indeed.

He glanced at his older brother, curious about his reaction. But his brother chewed impassively, revealing neither satisfaction nor dissatisfaction.

Never mind, Zhang Qingshan thought. Big Brother’s always expressionless. I’ll check on my nephew instead.

Just then, Zhang Tieshan offered a piece of meat to Shulin, but the boy refused to open his mouth.

Zhang Linshi grew anxious. “What’s wrong with Shulin? He ate so much yesterday! Why won’t he eat today? Is he feeling unwell?”

Zhang Qingshan suspected the food simply wasn’t appealing to his nephew.

Shulin’s prolonged starvation had left him with a poor appetite. The only things he seemed to eat these past few days were dishes prepared by that woman. Anything she made, Shulin devoured with gusto. But if it wasn’t her cooking, he barely touched his food.

The more Zhang Qingshan thought about it, the more convinced he became. A sudden realization struck him: Could it be that Shulin can only eat food prepared by that woman? What if that’s the case? Would we have to keep her here?

No, absolutely not! he thought fiercely. That vicious woman must be driven out, no matter what.

Shulin will recover gradually, he reassured himself. He doesn’t necessarily need her food.

No one could guess Zhang Qingshan’s inner turmoil. Zhang Linshi, meanwhile, was completely focused on her grandson, lamenting, “What are we going to do? Shulin refuses to eat! He’s already so frail. If he keeps refusing food…” She couldn’t bring herself to finish the sentence, but everyone understood the unspoken fear.

Zhang Tieshan’s brow furrowed deeply, his eyes filled with worry. Yesterday, Shulin had devoured a large portion of meat, and Tieshan had been overjoyed, believing his son’s condition was improving. Now, he realized it wasn’t progress at all—Shulin had simply enjoyed the taste of that particular meat. And that meat… had been prepared by that woman.

Zhang Tieshan’s gaze darkened with resolve.

…….

Not long after lunch, the Zhang family was settling down for an afternoon nap when a knock echoed at their gate. A woman’s unfamiliar voice called out, “Is anyone home?”

The Zhang family exchanged puzzled glances. The voice didn’t sound like anyone from the village.

Zhang Qingshan was the first to rise and step out of the main room. He found a middle-aged woman standing at their gate, clearly not from their village.

“Who are you looking for?” Zhang Qingshan asked.

“I’m looking for Li Hehua,” the woman replied. “Does she live here?”

Li Hehua? That woman? What does this person want with her?

Though reluctant to get involved in that woman’s affairs, Zhang Qingshan reluctantly confirmed, “Yes, she lives here.”

The middle-aged woman seemed relieved, a faint smile appearing on her face. “Then I’ve come to the right place. I need to speak with her about something. May I come in?”

“She’s not home,” Zhang Qingshan replied. “She went out.” That woman left before dawn every day and didn’t return until late afternoon. He had no idea where she went.

Hearing that Li Hehua wasn’t home, the woman’s expression fell slightly. Having traveled so far, she couldn’t just leave empty-handed. She was about to ask when Li Hehua might return when Zhang Linshi and Zhang Tieshan emerged from the house.

Zhang Linshi asked what was going on. Zhang Qingshan explained briefly, and Zhang Linshi was about to ask when Li Hehua would return when Zhang Tieshan interjected, “Come in first. She’ll be back soon.”

Seeing Zhang Tieshan’s confidence, Zhang Qingshan and Zhang Linshi said nothing and let the middle-aged woman enter.

This woman was none other than the elder sister Li Hehua had approached when she first sought out cooking jobs—Cao Simei.

Zhang Linshi pulled up a chair for her and, out of curiosity, asked, “What brings you here to see Li Hehua?”

“My nephew is getting married,” Cao Simei replied, “and we’d like your daughter-in-law to prepare the wedding feast.”

The room fell silent.

Zhang Linshi thought she must have misheard. “A wedding feast?”

Only seasoned chefs with decades of experience and exceptional skills could handle such a task. How could anyone entrust such an important meal—a matter of family honor—to Li Hehua?

Cao Simei, thinking Zhang Linshi was simply curious, said enthusiastically, “That’s right, Auntie! You’re truly blessed. Your daughter-in-law’s cooking is absolutely incredible. Last time she visited our village, she made this dish called suan cai yu for Old Wang’s family. The aroma alone drove the entire village wild with hunger! The Wangs didn’t even leave a drop of broth.”

Zhang Linshi felt her mind reeling. Old Wang? Suan cai yu?

Noticing the family’s stunned expressions, Cao Simei realized they hadn’t known about this. She cursed herself inwardly—Was she trying to keep this job a secret? Now that the cat was out of the bag, she could only praise her further to smooth things over.

“Auntie, you’re so fortunate! Your daughter-in-law’s skills are truly remarkable. That’s why I came today—my nephew’s getting married, and I want a proper feast. I immediately thought of your daughter-in-law.”

The Zhang family finally understood, but their astonishment only deepened. They couldn’t fathom when Li Hehua had developed such remarkable skills, let alone be sought after for banquets.

Zhang Linshi glanced at her eldest son, unsure how to respond.

Zhang Tieshan was surprised as well, but quickly regained his composure. He turned to Cao Simei and said, “Li Hehua isn’t home right now, but she’ll be back soon. Please wait and speak with her directly.”

Cao Simei nodded with a smile.

……

Before a bowl of tea could be finished, Li Hehua returned from town, her two baskets empty.

Seeing Cao Simei sitting inside, she was startled and hurried in. “Cao jie, what brings you here?”

Cao Simei’s tone was warm and friendly as she patted Li Hehua’s hand. “Hehua, I’ve come to ask you to prepare a feast.”

“A feast?” Li Hehua asked, surprised.

“My eldest nephew is getting married,” Cao Simei explained. “Originally, we planned to hire Old Zhou, but I think your cooking is far more fragrant. That’s why I came to ask you instead.”

For Li Hehua, this was an unexpected stroke of luck—business falling right into her lap. “Of course!” she replied immediately. “Thank you for trusting me, Cao jie.”

“It’s all thanks to your skills,” Cao Simei said warmly. “That suan cai yu smelled absolutely divine! Even though I didn’t get to taste it, I know it must’ve been delicious. With your skills, who else would I choose?”

She then added, “Hehua, my family is much larger than Old Wang’s. We need twenty tables, and the work will stretch over two full days. Can you handle it?”

Li Hehua was thrilled at the scale, but the workload was daunting. She could only handle the cooking—there wouldn’t be time for prep work. She asked quickly, “Cao jie, I can handle the cooking, but will someone else be responsible for washing and chopping ingredients?”

“Of course,” Cao Simei nodded. “My sister-in-law and I will help. You just focus on the cooking.”

Only then did Li Hehua feel reassured.