Qiao Jiaxing was practically drooling as he listened, and just then, the Qiao Jiacheng brothers happened to pass by, their eyes lighting up as well.
“Mianmian, why is the food at home so lavish today?” Qiao Jiacheng licked his lips just thinking about it. “Before, we’d have at most two or three meat dishes. This year there’s suddenly so many. My father said your business is doing very well—did you make a lot of money?”
Remembering what Madam Lin had told her, Qiao Mianmian said they hadn’t made much. “If we really made a lot, we would’ve already moved into a bigger house. Grandmother felt sorry for everyone, so she paid for the chickens and ducks, and even had Grandfather save a fish especially.”
Hearing this, Qiao Jiacheng nodded thoughtfully. “That makes sense. Your family has a lot of people. My father said once Brother Jiawang gets married, Brother Jiaxing will have to sleep in the hallway. It really doesn’t look like you’ve earned much.”
As soon as he finished speaking, his younger brother nudged his arm. Still confused, he asked, “What’s wrong, Jiaxi?”
Qiao Jiaxi wanted to roll his eyes. Jiaxing was right there, yet his brother said something like that. He prided himself on being educated and couldn’t get along with his foolish brother. Without even turning back, he walked away. “Nothing.”
“Hey, you brat! You’ve studied, yet you have no manners at all!” Feeling embarrassed, Qiao Jiacheng angrily chased after him, planning to lecture him.
Qiao Jiaxing shrugged at his sister and whispered, “Jiacheng is nothing like Second Uncle—he didn’t inherit his sharp tongue or brains.”
Qiao Mianmian pressed her lips together and smiled, nodding in agreement. “Go call Fourth Sister over. Tell her I need her help cooking.”
At times like this, her two older sisters always felt uncomfortable. Sometimes they even had to serve tea outside and were forced to listen to unpleasant remarks.
Qiao Mianmian went to the kitchen first. Soon, her fourth sister arrived.
“Fourth Sister, help me light the charcoal stove. The chicken soup still needs to simmer a bit longer.”
“Good thing you’re here, otherwise Second Uncle would keep talking nonsense,” Lin Xiahe said, feeling mentally exhausted. It was as if she didn’t get married soon, she’d be labeled an old maid stuck in the Qiao family forever.
“Whenever Second Uncle comes, the house gets lively—just a bit too lively,” Qiao Mianmian said with a smile. The sisters exchanged a glance and got to work.
Qiao Mianmian first made braised fish. Before taking it out of the pot, she added a little aged vinegar to enhance the flavor, then sprinkled chopped scallions on top. She called out at the kitchen door, and her second brother immediately came to carry the dish, followed by little Qiao Huanhuan trailing behind.
“Cousin Mianmian, I can help too!” Qiao Huanhuan was several years younger than her brothers and was usually pampered at home—even Qiao Manyu doted on her and rarely let her do any work.
As soon as she said she wanted to help, Zhou Shi hurried over. “You’re so young, what can you do? Don’t drop the dishes your cousin worked so hard to make. Mianmian, I’ll carry them instead.”
“Alright, Second Aunt. Then help me serve the chicken soup and ginger duck. I’ll stir-fry two more dishes, and we can start eating,” Qiao Mianmian said as she washed the wok. They had prepared dinner earlier today because Second Uncle’s family needed to return before dark—otherwise it wouldn’t be safe on the streets at night.
After working for a while, they split into two tables: the men at one table, the women at another.
Since transmigrating, this was the first time Qiao Mianmian had cooked so many dishes. Her hands were a bit sore, and Lin Shi massaged them for her.
“Mianmian, your cooking is amazing! This ginger duck—I’ve never had it before. The meat is so tender and juicy, so fragrant!” Even though they weren’t sitting at the same table, Qiao Manyu still chatted across. “And this fish is even better than what your mother and second aunt make. No wonder your father set up a stall for you. Thanks to you, your second uncle is enjoying a feast today!”
“Second Uncle, if you like it, eat more. I’m happiest when everything is finished,” Qiao Mianmian said. As a cook, she felt accomplished when people cleared the dishes.
“Fifth Sister, don’t worry—we’ll definitely finish everything!” Qiao Jiaxing chimed in loudly.
Qiao Jiacheng also nodded. “Yes, we will! This is the best food I’ve ever had—better than banquet dishes. Grandmother, can I come sit with you?”
Madam Zhang chuckled. “You just want to eat your cousin’s cooking, don’t you?”
Qiao Jiacheng grinned and admitted it.
Qiao Youfu spoke up. “Aren’t you apprenticing at a cloth shop? It’s such a long commute. You should just stay at home.”
Among his sons, the second was the most calculating, but he preferred his more generous eldest son. Now that he relied on the eldest for support, he naturally favored him more. Having another half-grown boy at home would mean extra expenses every day.
“Grandfather, I was just saying,” Qiao Jiacheng replied, not catching the hint. He turned to Qiao Mianmian. “Mianmian, come visit my house sometime. I’ll pick persimmons for you—just help my mother cook.”
They had a persimmon tree in their yard. With autumn approaching, it would soon be full of golden fruit.
Qiao Manyu smiled. “You only know how to make others work. If Mianmian visits, she’s a guest—how can you make her cook? When the persimmons are ripe, pick a basket and send them over. Your grandparents won’t let you go hungry.”
Madam Zhang added with a smile, “Bring them over. It’s livelier with more people.”
“Grandmother, I want to come too!” Qiao Huanhuan raised her hand, grains of rice still stuck at the corner of her mouth.
“Alright, all of you can come,” Madam Zhang said, picking food for her and wiping her mouth. “Your mother dotes on you so much. You’re already eight and she still removes fish bones for you.”
Zhou Shi said shyly, “She’s still young.”
Madam Zhang smiled but said nothing. At eight years old, she had already been carrying water and gathering firewood.
After the meal, everyone was completely full. Qiao Mianmian didn’t wash dishes—normally Lin Xiahe handled it—but today Zhou Shi and Lin Shi washed together. The rest of the family brewed tea and sat in the courtyard.
Qiao Mianmian sat beside her fourth sister. “The weather is really nice today.”
“Yes… I wonder if Third Sister misses us,” Lin Xiahe said softly.
“She definitely does,” Qiao Mianmian replied. “In a few days, we’ll go visit her together.”
As they chatted, Zhou Shi finished washing up, and her family prepared to leave.
Qiao Manyu said, “No need to see us off. We’ll go now. When the persimmons ripen, I’ll have Jiacheng bring some over.”
Qiao Mancang handed over some meat. “Take this. I saved it especially for you. The kids are growing—this is my small gesture as their uncle.”
Qiao Manyu tried to refuse politely but didn’t insist when the meat was passed to his eldest son.
“You and I are brothers—no need for formalities. Go home quickly; it’s getting dark,” Qiao Mancang urged.
After leaving, Qiao Manyu sighed, “Today I realized—Big Brother’s family is doing much better now.”
“Really?” Qiao Jiacheng asked. “Mianmian said they didn’t make much money.”
Qiao Manyu snorted. “You believe everything people say? Use your brain. Look at Jiaxing and the others—don’t they look healthier? And today, your aunt cooked so many dishes. Did she ever do that before?”
He continued, “The meat you’re holding—at least two jin. That never happened before. People only become generous when they have money. I heard Mianmian’s braised food sells very well.”
…
That night, the Qiao family sat in the courtyard, drinking chrysanthemum tea and eating festival pastries.
After chatting and reminiscing about the past, everyone gradually grew sleepy and returned to their rooms.
After the holiday, life became busy again.
The Qiao family’s food stall was about to open. The next day, after Qiao Youfu returned from fishing, Madam Zhang took a large carp to the Xu family to ask Xu Mingxuan to write a signboard.
Qiao Mianmian didn’t go—she wanted to avoid any suspicion that she still had feelings for him.
Soon, Madam Zhang returned with a banner reading “Qiao Family Food Shop.”
“Xu Tongsheng happened to be out buying wine, so it was written by his classmate surnamed Wang. He said he really likes our braised food. We can’t let him help for free—after opening, Jiawang, find out where he lives and send him some braised meat.”
Since literacy was expensive, most people couldn’t afford education. Even reading a letter required payment.
Madam Zhang didn’t like owing favors.
Qiao Jiawang nodded, and Qiao Mianmian agreed to remind him.
Qiao Mianmian had already made plans: start simple. Use pork bones for broth, sell noodles and soup, with braised dishes served hot, stir-fried, or cold. Once they built a reputation, they would expand the menu.
Thinking about the opening, she even dreamed of counting money—and woke up smiling.
“Mianmian, what did you dream about?” Lin Xiahe yawned. “Food or getting rich?”
“Getting rich, of course!” Qiao Mianmian got up eagerly. “Hurry, Fourth Sister! It’s our first day—we can’t keep customers waiting.”
Full of energy, she skipped breakfast and set out with her brother.
On the way, they ran into Lu Zhao and his servant.
“Miss Qiao, are you opening today?” Qingjiu asked.
“Yes! Same as before—discounts for the first three days. How was the Mid-Autumn meal I made?”
“It was amazing—I almost licked the bowl!” Qingjiu said.
“If you like it, come support us. We’ll be at the usual spot—mainly noodles and home-style dishes.”
Watching them leave, Qingjiu looked eagerly at his master. “Sir… we just got paid, and they’re our neighbors…”
Lu Zhao understood immediately. Thinking of her cooking, he swallowed unconsciously. “Fine. Let’s go support them.”
“Yay! You’re the best master ever!” Qingjiu cheered.