Chapter 20 (Scissor Noodles + Sweet and Sour Spare Ribs…)

Yan Qiushu cut for a while, and her hands felt sore. She looked down and saw Wan’er watching her eagerly.

“Do you want to try?” Yan Qiushu asked, handing her the dough.

“Can I?” Wan’er was surprised but couldn’t take her eyes off the dough.

“Of course, it’s simple,” Yan Qiushu smiled and showed her. Wan’er carefully took notes, and when she tried, she cut the dough quickly.

Yan Qiushu lit the fire under the pot that had just cooked the noodles. She took a small milk pan, added oil, and began to season the other side with onions, ginger, garlic, salt, and other ingredients.

Since Wan’er didn’t like spicy food, she made two portions: one salty and fragrant and one spicy.

Once done, Wan’er cut the remaining noodles and excitedly said, “Sister Shu, I’m finished! Those little shrimps in the bowl are moving!”

“Wow, that’s amazing!” Yan Qiushu gave her a thumbs up.

Wan’er beamed with joy, jumping around in the kitchen.

Yan Qiushu worried she might get hurt and urged her to sit down, but Wan’er was still smiling and carefree.

Seeing this made Yan Qiushu feel relieved, so she started to scoop up the noodles.

She used a colander to drain the soup, filling a bowl with white, plump noodles that looked like small shrimps. She poured the prepared seasoning and a spoonful of chicken soup on top. The bowl was nearly full. “This is yours, try the scissors noodles made by our Wan’er!”

“Yeah!” Wan’er nodded eagerly and ran to sit at the stone table.

The maid brought her portion.

Yan Qiushu followed with a larger bowl. She wasn’t used to eating much at banquets and felt hungry.

They sat down, looking at each other until Yan Qiushu said, “Eat.”

Wan’er took her spoon and started eating.

The chicken soup was delicious, mixed with the pasta’s flavor. Each spoonful was hot and flavorful, making her eager for more.

After tasting the soup, she ate the noodles.

Unlike regular long noodles, the scissors noodles were pointed on both ends and had a soft texture. They were firm in the middle, and the sweet starch spread in her mouth.

The noodles were so small that sometimes she just swallowed them without chewing. “Sister Shu, this is so delicious! I didn’t even bite, and it went into my stomach!” she exclaimed.

“Yes, they’re slippery!” Yan Qiushu replied with a smile.

Hers was spicier, with a hint of vinegar for sourness. The mix of salty, sour, spicy, and the aroma from hot oil made the taste wonderful. She didn’t want to stop eating.

She blew on her spoonful of noodles to cool it down and took a big bite.

It was worth the sore hands from cutting.

The noodles weren’t too thick, so they went down easily.

Wan’er giggled as she watched Yan Qiushu swallow without chewing.

After finishing a small bowl quickly, Wan’er set down her spoon, resting her chin on her hands while watching Yan Qiushu eat.

The little girl was very sensible, knowing not to eat too much at night to avoid indigestion. She always ate just enough and never asked for more.

Yan Qiushu noticed Waner’s focus on her. “Why are you looking at me?” she asked.

Wan’er smiled shyly and covered her eyes.

Yan Qiushu thought Wan’er wouldn’t say anything more, but after a while, she asked, “Sister Shu, why don’t you hate me and give me delicious food?”

Yan Qiushu was surprised. “Why should I hate you?”

The little girl pouted and said, “I don’t have a father. My grandfather is leaving, and my brother doesn’t want me. They say I’m a fatherless child and that our Xiao family is unlucky…”

Yan Qiushu’s expression darkened. “Who said that?!”

Wan’er stayed quiet.

The nanny sighed and explained, “It’s the two children from the Du and Liang families. The third young lady had a scene before, but kids say things without thinking. You can’t just grab other kids and beat them up. When she wanted to play with them, they refused and said hurtful things. Wan’er is sensitive and ran out crying.”

Yan Qiushu felt regret after hearing this. She thought about the delicious dishes she made for the Xiao family. She had even asked them for fresh fruits, which included many out-of-season ones. But they ended up being eaten by Wan’er and the Xiao family’s children, especially the third young lady, who seemed to have a good temper.

Yan Qiushu hugged Wan’er gently and said, “Don’t pay attention to what they say. They are foolish to think the Xiao family is unlucky. Your family has been warriors for generations, protecting the country. If it weren’t for them, those kids wouldn’t be able to stand here and talk. They are probably upset because of the war losses…”

She gave examples and concluded, “Those people are just foolish. Should we care about them? Right, Wan’er?”

Wan’er felt dizzy and nodded, “Yes! No need!”

Yan Qiushu smiled, “Good. If you hear them talking like that again, will you remember?”

“I won’t remember!” Wan’er shouted, her voice louder.

“I won’t remember!” another voice interrupted them, louder and more determined.

They looked over to see three people entering the yard: one adult and two children. The adult was Xiao Huaiting, and the excited boy was Dongdong.

The third child was a boy who was thinner than Dongdong and dressed plainly. He looked a bit pale but had big eyes. 

Yan Qiushu wondered why Dongdong brought a child from an ordinary family to her yard.

_

T/L Notes:

Starting this week, chapters of this novel will now be unlocked three times a week! I understand the urge to experience the story a bit faster—I’m doing my best to stay on schedule. Enjoy the reading!