Ye Feng hurriedly sat down, calling for his parents to join him for breakfast. Once his sister was settled, he began serving the dishes.
Seeing one of the dishes he had never encountered before, he pointed and asked, “Sister, what is this?”
Ye Qiuling replied, “This is called fish-flavored shredded pork.”
“Fish-flavored shredded pork? Sister, why is it called that? There’s clearly no fish in it.” Ye Feng tilted his head, looking at Ye Qiuling.
Ye Qiuling explained, “It’s because the flavor resembles fish. You can take a piece and try it.”
“Oh, that’s how it is,” Ye Feng said, quickly picking up a portion and placing it in his mouth. The meat was tender, slightly sweet and sour, and indeed had a hint reminiscent of fish.
“It really does taste a bit like fish,” he said, scooping a mouthful of rice. The combination was extraordinary.
Shen Wanru picked up a piece of fish, and the savory flavor immediately spread in her mouth. The fish was soft, slightly salty, stimulating her taste buds. Mixing it with rice balanced the saltiness perfectly, making it a perfect pairing.
Ye Dazhi took a careful bite of the stir-fried sweet potato leaves. He expected bitterness but was surprised—they carried a subtle sweetness. “Mmm, delicious,” he said.
Watching them enjoy the meal so contentedly, Ye Qiuling felt a surge of pride.
After finishing, she sat back at the table, not wanting to move.
Ye Feng wanted to clear the dishes immediately, but Ye Qiuling’s father, Ye Qiulin, spoke up, “Xiao Feng, sit a while longer. Don’t engage in vigorous activity right after eating, or it could be dangerous.”
Obediently, Ye Feng waited a moment, then cleared the dishes to wash them. Seeing the kitchen’s setup, he exclaimed in surprise. Ye Qiuling entered the kitchen and showed him how to turn on the faucet.
With a flick, water gushed out. Ye Feng looked on curiously and praised, “Sister, this is amazing! The water flows automatically.”
Ye Qiuling smiled proudly, adopting a grown-up tone. “Yes, Xiao Feng, study well and one day you’ll be able to make something like this too.”
Hearing her words, Ye Feng pondered silently, vowing in his heart to study hard.
The next morning, still dim outside, the alarm rang. Ye Qiuling reached out, turned it off, and began her morning routine before heading downstairs to start making buns.
She cleaned the pork in the sink, cut it into small pieces, minced it in a grinder, and placed it in a bowl.
The Chinese cabbage in the system was bright and fresh, clearly of high quality. Ye Qiuling washed it twice, chopped it on the board, added a pinch of salt, let it sit briefly, then squeezed out excess water. She put it in the grinder to mince.
To the pork filling, she added chopped scallions and ginger, soy sauce, oyster sauce, dark soy sauce, cooking wine, and white pepper, stirring clockwise with chopsticks until the mixture formed a clump. She marinated it for fifteen minutes to absorb the flavors.
Ye Qiuling measured two large spoonfuls of flour, mixed it with water until smooth, then added yeast and let the dough ferment.
After fermentation, she kneaded the dough on a board to remove air, cut it into strips, and flattened them into bun portions. Using her palms, she pressed each piece into a dough skin, thicker in the center and thinner at the edges, preparing them for stuffing.
Shen Wanru came downstairs and called, “Qiuling.”
Ye Qiuling looked up and smiled. “Mother, you’re up.”
Following what Ye Qiuling had taught him yesterday, Ye Feng twisted the faucet, and water flowed out. After washing, he closed it, wiped his hands, and began helping with the buns.
Soon, large, well-shaped buns were ready.
Ye Qiuling placed them in the steamer, calling out to Hamster 66 in her mind to time them, but received no response.
Puzzled, she entered the system space, finding it empty; Hamster 66 was no longer on his little bed. She suddenly remembered his words that he could transform into human form today—perhaps he already had.
Exiting the system space, Ye Qiuling called out, “Mother, in fifteen minutes the buns will be ready. Remember to turn off the fire. I’ll go wake my brother.”
Shen Wanru smiled at her back. “Alright, take it slow and don’t trip.”
Ye Qiuling ran without slowing down.
Opening the bedroom door, she found a human-sized figure on the bed, dressed in light blue top and black pants, long hair unbound.
The figure turned upon hearing her and said proudly, “Host, I’ve transformed into human form,” spinning around as he stood.
Ye Qiuling pinched his face affectionately. “So cute,” she said, gently rubbing it.
Hamster 66 resisted, moving aside. “Even if you praise me, I won’t let you touch my face, hmph.”
Ye Qiuling laughed at his still-tsundere demeanor.
Ye Feng, having heard the commotion while washing, came out holding his toothbrush and toothpaste. Seeing the room open and Hamster 66 seated, his pupils widened in shock, his mouth slightly open, and the toothbrush fell out, foam still in his mouth. He mumbled, “Sister, who is he?” pointing at Hamster 66.
Thinking quickly, Ye Qiuling improvised, “He’s a little beggar from the south. I took him in, and he’ll be living with us from now on. You’ll be his brother, Xiao Feng.”
Ye Feng’s face brightened at the explanation. “Mmm, very happy,” he said, nodding, swallowing the foam and picking up his toothbrush.
After finishing his wash, he looked at Hamster 66.
Ye Qiuling tried whispering in the system space, “System big guy, what’s your name? Should I tell Xiao Feng, or take my surname?”
Hamster 66 replied in a tsundere voice, “I’m not called Gou Dan, I don’t mind taking your surname, but give me a nice name. I don’t want Gou Dan.”
Ye Qiuling laughed, “Gou Dan is so cute—Gou Dan, Gou Dan.”
Hamster 66, exasperated, entered the system space and rolled his eyes. “I don’t care, just give me a nice name, or else… you won’t like the consequences.”
Seeing him flustered, Ye Qiuling said, “Ye Qi, that’s a nice name. Or Er Gou if you prefer.”
Hamster 66 scoffed, “Either Er Gou or Gou Dan… fine, Ye Qi will do.”
He politely greeted me, “Hello, my name is Ye Qi.”
Ye Feng warmly said, “Hello, little brother, I’m Ye Feng.”
Seeing them so cheerful, Ye Qiuling said, “Come on, let’s eat the buns.”
Excited at the mention of buns, Hamster 66 hurried downstairs. Ye Feng called after him, “Brother, slow down, don’t fall.”
Ye Dazhi and Shen Wanru looked up, noticing a stranger running downstairs excitedly.
Ye Qiuling explained, “Last night, I brought home this little beggar while walking. Sorry, Father, Mother, I took the liberty of adopting him. He looked so pitiful, in tattered clothes.” She fiddled with her fingers.
Shen Wanru, feeling compassion rather than anger, praised her. “Qiuling, you’re wonderful. What’s his name?”
Ye Feng eagerly said, “Mother, his name is Ye Qi. He’s my brother now.”
Seeing Ye Feng accept the new boy, Shen Wanru smiled. “Then, Xiao Feng, be a good older brother to him.”
Ye Feng cheerfully replied, “I will, Mother.”
Knowing her husband was reserved, Shen Wanru introduced him, “This is your father.” Ye Dazhi nervously said, “Hello, Ye Qi.”
Ye Qi looked at the kind Ye Dazhi and beautiful Shen Wanru and greeted, “Father, Mother.”
Shen Wanru happily responded, “Ah,” while Ye Dazhi nodded politely.
Hamster 66, having long endured plain food as a hamster, gazed longingly at the steaming, fragrant buns.
Shen Wanru called out, “Alright, let’s eat.”
Ye Qi immediately sat down, grabbing a bun and devouring it. The freshly steamed bun burned him slightly, and he hissed.
Ye Qiuling laughed, “Careful, it’s hot. Just like Xiao Feng, a little glutton.”
Ye Feng’s face turned red at her teasing. “Ah, Sister!” he said, embarrassed.
Ye Qiuling looked at his flushed face. “Alright, alright, eat, eat.” She filled his bowl with buns.
Ye Qi extended his bowl, saying, “I want more too.”
Ye Qiuling put two more buns in his bowl.
After finishing breakfast, the family prepared to take Ye Feng to school. Ye Qiuling held one child by the hand and Ye Feng by the other.
On the way to Qizhi Hall, they encountered the old lady and Ye Wenqing. The old lady noticed them and, seeing Ye Qiuling and Shen Wanru dressed in fine silks superior to her own, was visibly annoyed.
She sneered sarcastically, “Oh, so wealthy, and you didn’t even greet me? As an old lady, I see no manners, not even a cup offered.”
Shen Wanru, not wanting public attention and worried for Xiao Feng, reproached her, “Mother.”