“It’s our fault for not taking better care of you,” Uncle Dong said self-reproachfully.

“Hey, how can we blame you? Your family has a lot of people too, and life hasn’t been easy for anyone. Thankfully, everything is over now.”

“Shuoci, you’re really something. Your family has so much food,” Dong Qihua said bluntly.

“These vegetables were all grown by my parents, the chickens were raised by my mom, the rabbits were given by a friend, and the pork offal was super cheap. What skills do I have? I’m just lucky.”

Although everything was fine now, Su Shuoci didn’t want to draw attention to himself, as these things didn’t exactly come from legitimate sources.

Explaining would only sound like an excuse, but unfortunately, Dong Qihua didn’t understand. “Shuoci, don’t lose heart. I’ll help you find a divine doctor even more skilled than Dr. Jiang…”

“Can’t you keep your mouth shut while eating? This spicy rabbit dish is delicious,” Father Dong gave his son a light smack on the head.

“Ouch, Dad, can’t you give your son some face? We’re at someone else’s house,” Dong Qihua groaned, holding his forehead.

“Haha, Dong is right. This braised pork is fatty but not greasy. It’s delicious. Try it.”

“Wow, Auntie Su, your cooking is amazing. I’ve known Shuoci for so long, but I’ve never had the chance to taste your food before.”

After taking a bite of the spicy rabbit, Dong Qihua’s attention was immediately diverted.

“When we arrived at the compound, Shuoci was already injured. We were so scared and out of our minds that we didn’t have the mood to cook.”

Father Dong felt his son was being too tactless and quickly tried to smooth things over. “Now that Su Shuoci has recovered, everything is fine. You don’t need to worry anymore.”

“Yes, please eat as much as you like. Their family will only get better from here on out…”

Father Gu happily shared the news about Su’s parents planning to set up a food stall, going on and on about it.

Finally, he concluded, “I initially thought Jiaojiao was just throwing out random ideas, but after tasting my in-law’s cooking, I can say that not only is a food stall a good idea, but they could even open a restaurant.”

“Brother Su, you really should quit your job and set up a stall,” Uncle Dong, who knew a bit more about policies than others, suggested.

“Really?”

“Really, you can quit this afternoon,” Uncle Dong said confidently.

Father Su: …

He glanced at his son and daughter-in-law. Should he tell Mr. Dong that he had already quit his job that morning?

“Uncle, my parents actually quit their jobs this morning, hehe… We’re planning to set up a stall near the largest steel factory in Qingcheng this afternoon.”

Uncle Dong: …

Look at you, no wonder you can afford to serve ten dishes in one meal. With such decisiveness, how could life not go well?

“Do you have enough rooms in your house?” Uncle Dong asked another crucial question.

“Yes, just enough. We have three rooms upstairs,” Su Shuoci replied immediately.

Even if it wasn’t enough, it had to be. He didn’t want his wife’s family staying elsewhere.

Hearing his nephew-in-law’s firm response, as if he was afraid the Gu family wouldn’t stay, Uncle Dong felt reassured.

Every dish on the table was delicious, and everyone enjoyed the meal, occasionally praising the food.

The Su family chatted happily about everyday matters, enjoying the meal together.

After the Dong Father and son left, everyone else relaxed and ate without any tension.

However, the Sheng family was not happy. Father Sheng noticed that his daughter didn’t even come home for lunch, realizing she was avoiding the Gu family.

His face darkened, and his two sons also looked displeased. Mother Sheng felt even worse, especially since Gu Jiaojiao had risked her life to save her just the day before.

Yet, she couldn’t bring herself to lower her pride and check on Jiaojiao, who had always been delicate and frail. She wondered if Jiaojiao had fallen ill.

To make matters worse, her rival had sent the entire Gu family to the Su household. She wasn’t sure if the Su family even had enough rice to cook porridge.

Mother Sheng couldn’t bring herself to deliver rice, so she suffered in silence, losing her appetite.

The Sheng father and sons thought she was worried about Xingxing, but they knew Xingxing was having lunch with Song Zijin, so there was nothing to worry about.

Sheng Xinglian didn’t want to go home for lunch because she was afraid the Gu family would come looking for her and try to latch onto her.

She knew the Gu family’s luck had run out, and she had personally witnessed their near-death state.

After class, she heard from people in the compound that the Dong stepmother had sent the Gu family to the Su household.

Sheng Xinglian was thrilled. That wretch Gu Jiaojiao had changed so much after getting married.

She no longer listened to her, and she didn’t even use the wedding gift money to buy her a dress. Well, she couldn’t blame her for leading the Gu family to her.

Before they died, the Gu family could still drag Gu Jiaojiao down, preferably dragging that wretch into hell with them.

In high spirits, Sheng Xinglian invited Song Zijin to have lunch with her. There was a restaurant across the street from their school.

Song Zijin waited at the school gate, and Sheng Xinglian ran over. “Brother Zijin, what do you want to eat? Today, it’s my treat.”

“Where did you get the money, Lian’er? Let me treat you instead. Order whatever you want. I’ve got money.”

Song Zijin took Sheng Xinglian’s hand, acting all high and mighty, as if money was no object.

“I know Brother Zijin has money, but your money didn’t just fall from the sky. How can I order whatever I want?”

Sheng Xinglian was overjoyed. She bit her lip lightly and followed Song Zijin’s steps with a spring in her step.

Her smile was gentle, her steps steady, and her demeanor impeccable.

“Lian’er can not only eat whatever she wants but also buy whatever she wants. Haha… I’ll satisfy all your desires.”

Song Zijin said arrogantly, holding Sheng Xinglian’s slightly rough hand, but his mind drifted to Gu Jiaojiao’s delicate, fair hands.

Holding Jiaojiao’s hands felt like being brushed by the softest feathers in the world, sending shivers through his soul.

He couldn’t help but caress Sheng Xinglian’s palm, but the thin calluses made him momentarily dazed.

The ripples in his heart faded instantly. Jiaojiao was already married and no longer his. The most beautiful memory they shared was just holding her hand.

If she hadn’t become so unreasonable and unrecognizable later, he might not have given up on her!

As for Lian’er, besides holding hands, they had even kissed and touched each other everywhere, only missing the final step.

Song Zijin thought irritably, squeezing Sheng Xinglian’s hand until it hurt.

“Brother Zijin~ What are you thinking about? You’re hurting me~” Sheng Xinglian said pitifully.

“What else could I be thinking about? I just want to eat you up~ So delicious~”

Song Zijin said dismissively, letting go of Sheng Xinglian’s rough hand. That feeling was coming back again.

Recently, every time he saw Lian’er, the attraction he felt for her seemed to weaken. Looking at her now, she was just ordinary.

“Brother Zijin, you’re so bad~ There are so many people here. If others hear, it wouldn’t be good~”

“Then let’s go to the woods behind your school?” Song Zijin asked casually.

“Okay~”

Song Zijin: …

“Lian’er, you must be hungry. Let’s eat first before we go. I can’t let you starve.”

Sheng Xinglian was deeply moved. She gazed adoringly at the man she loved.

Especially since this man would soon become the richest man in Qingcheng.

A wave of admiration and infatuation surged in her heart, as if he were the only person in the world.

Her infatuated expression, with drool hanging at the corner of her mouth, was something Song Zijin would never have noticed before.

No, he had seen it before, but back then, he thought the drool looked crystal clear and cute. He even…

Ugh! So disgusting.