Every word Song Hanmei said made Ying Sisi’s nose sting with tears, her throat tightening uncontrollably.
So that was it.
It wasn’t because Song Hanmei was naturally cruel—it was because her father had silently allowed and encouraged her to bully her.
She replied gloomily, “I’ll do it in a little while.”
After all, she was living under someone else’s roof.
Song Hanmei let out a disdainful snort. “Don’t just talk without doing anything. Steam the steamed buns and meat buns this morning, wash the clothes at noon, and fry the leftover buns this afternoon. If you do any less than that, move into the Qin family’s house tomorrow. When people ask, I’ll just say you insisted on going. We’ll see who ends up embarrassed.”
With that, she left.
Ying Sisi clenched her fists.
She had already agreed to do the chores, so why was Song Hanmei still threatening her with the reputation she cared so much about?
She was going too far.
She had been willing to face the demonized Qin Yanci that Li Yuwei had painted with a fearless attitude.
So why couldn’t she deal with Song Hanmei, who kept provoking her again and again?
After thinking it over, she decided to use Qin Yanci to teach Song Hanmei an unforgettable lesson.
Once her plan was settled, she got out of bed and rolled up her pant leg. Her ankle was still red and swollen, though it was much better than yesterday.
She applied another layer of ointment before tidying herself up and heading into the kitchen.
Inside the cupboard were a large slab of pork belly, two big silver carp, and a chicken.
She kneaded the dough while finely chopping the pork belly into minced meat.
Then she cleaned the fish and cut them into sections, setting aside the two best center pieces while salting the rest for preservation.
By then, the dough had finished rising.
She began kneading it again before steaming plain buns and pork buns.
She stayed busy until the afternoon before finally having breakfast.
After eating, Ying Sisi packed two large baskets of pork buns, the two fish sections, a glass bottle of cooking oil, and some seasonings before taking a bus to the family residential compound.
Qin Yanci was at home studying when he saw her.
“Sweetheart!”
His face lit up as he hurried over and took her hand.
“Your hands are so cold. Aren’t you freezing?”
“I’m warm now.” Ying Sisi withdrew her hand and rubbed it together before taking out the pork buns wrapped in a small quilt from her bag. “Have you eaten yet? They’re still warm.”
“You brought so many buns.”
Qin Yanci’s eyes sparkled.
His wife was always thinking about him.
It felt wonderful.
He picked up a warm bun and took a bite.
Rich broth and the fragrance of meat slowly filled his mouth, lifting his mood even more.
“Delicious. They taste even better than the ones sold at the bun shop.”
“I’ll cook these two pieces of fish for you too.”
Ying Sisi walked into the kitchen.
She removed the kettle that was heating water from the stove.
Qin Yanci said, “The buns are enough.”
“No. Studying uses your brain. You need proper nourishment.”
Qin Yanci followed her into the kitchen and noticed the dark-colored bottle in her hand.
“Don’t tell me that’s your seasoning.”
“It is.”
He laughed.
“You really have all sorts of ideas. Is there anything I can help with?”
“No need.”
Ying Sisi gently pushed him out of the kitchen.
Qin Yanci suddenly noticed that she wasn’t walking as smoothly as she had yesterday.
“Sweetheart, what’s wrong with your leg?”
“I twisted my ankle a little. I’ve already put medicine on it. It’s fine.”
“Let me see.”
He pulled her out of the kitchen and helped her sit on a chair before rolling up her pant leg.
The slightly swollen, reddish ankle immediately came into view.
A wave of heartache welled up inside him.
“It’s swollen this badly, and you still made buns for me and traveled all the way here.”
Who was she trying to worry to death?
“Making buns doesn’t require walking. I took the bus.”
Qin Yanci said firmly, “You’re not leaving tonight.”
Ying Sisi had been waiting for those words.
“But all my toiletries are at home.”
“We’ll buy new ones.”
“The books you gave me are there too.”
Qin Yanci decided to make the trip himself.
“I’ll go get them.”
Ying Sisi pointed toward the kitchen.
“The fish is almost done. I made it especially for you.”
Qin Yanci had almost lost his appetite.
But remembering that she had gone through the trouble of cooking it just for him, he couldn’t bear to waste her thoughtfulness.
He finished the fish along with two large pork buns before leaving.
The moment he stepped into the Li family’s courtyard—
He heard Song Hanmei’s voice.