Staring at the drawer full of big black 10-yuan bills, Sheng Qiu found it hard to breathe.
“Auntie, all this money is for you.”
He was just a four-year-old kid, but at this moment, in Sheng Qiu’s eyes, he seemed incredibly grand.
Before she’d traveled through time, Sheng Qiu had always dreamed of the day someone would say those words and place millions—or even billions—in front of her. Whether it was a best friend or a dashing CEO who fell from the sky.
Who knew she’d never experience it before the transmigration, but now it was happening right here.
She hadn’t counted it yet, but with the current cost of living, this drawer full of big black bills had serious purchasing power.
“Mm, this is Niannian’s money. Auntie doesn’t want it.” Sheng Qiu gritted her teeth and forced the words out, then quickly looked away, afraid she’d give in to the temptation.
“Auntie, Mom said I can use this money however I want. She said it’s mine. And I want to give it to you now.”
“Auntie works hard taking care of me, and it costs money. You have to take it—this is your salary.”
For such a little person, Sheng Nian certainly spoke with conviction.
If it were Sheng Nian’s money, Sheng Qiu couldn’t bring herself to take a child’s savings. But if it was a “salary”—that made her seriously tempted.
Back in her original life, Sheng Qiu had worked as a full-time “daughter” for her mother. Now it seemed like being a full-time “auntie” for her nephew wasn’t a bad deal either.
If Sheng Qiu had money, she could’ve held her head high and refused.
But she only had a little over 600 yuan to her name, which wouldn’t last long on food and daily expenses—let alone supporting Sheng Nian.
She’d never raised a child before, but she’d seen others do it, especially with all the parenting videos online. Raising a child wasn’t just about feeding and clothing them.
If she had no money, that was one thing. But now that she did have money—and still shortchanged the kid? She couldn’t do that.
Who knew when her sister Sheng Chun would come back? Her sister had supported this body for so long—there was no way she could neglect her child now.
At the very least, she needed to get Sheng Nian into school.
For now, she’d be Sheng Nian’s full-time auntie.
“Are you really giving this to Auntie? No regrets?” Sheng Qiu made a move to pick up a stack of bills.
Sheng Nian nodded eagerly, even grabbing a few more stacks and handing them to her. “Mhm! Auntie, buy lots of tasty food and pretty clothes.”
At Sheng Nian’s “bossy” declaration, Sheng Qiu couldn’t help but plant a kiss on his soft, fair cheek.
“Niannian, Auntie loves you so much!”
Sheng Nian had never been kissed before—and especially not with his auntie saying she “loved” him! His fair little face quickly flushed bright red.
“Auntie, Niannian loves you too.” He leaned in and kissed her cheek in return.
Sheng Qiu beamed. Then she stood up, her eyes sparkling as she looked at him. “Niannian, to celebrate our sudden wealth, how about we have four dishes for lunch today?”
As for her earlier worry about leftovers—she tossed that thought right out the window.
Newly rich, she was going to live a little.
Sheng Nian nodded, his face still pink.
Whatever Auntie said, he agreed.
“Alright, since you’re on board, how about you put this money away first, then go watch some TV outside while Auntie makes lunch?”
Sheng Nian nodded eagerly—he always listened to his auntie.
Once she was back in the kitchen, what had seemed like a decent setup now felt a little shabby.
Earlier today, Sheng Qiu had spotted some clay pots and woks she’d wanted, but she’d held back because her wallet was too thin. Now that she had money—tomorrow.
No, wait.
She’d go buy all the cookware she wanted this very afternoon.
And most importantly—a refrigerator. She could keep ingredients fresh, and even stock up on ice cream bars to freeze.
She, Sheng Qiu, was rich now.
“Today is a good day, all my wishes will come true…”
Sheng Qiu hummed as she worked, her spirits soaring.
As time passed, the kitchen began to waft out mouthwatering aromas—so enticing that Sheng Nian, who’d been calmly watching TV, could no longer concentrate.
So fragrant! Even better than Kěn Kěn Jī’s kids’ meal.
The scent of braised pork ribs was bold and unstoppable. Even with the kitchen door closed, it seeped through the cracks and hit anyone in the hallway head-on.
The Zhang family was the first victim.
“Wahhhh, Mom, my tummy is hungry again!” Along with the child’s wail came the sound of their chubby son’s drool dripping nonstop.
Zhang Yuejun and Hu Li were first stunned by the intoxicating aroma—then immediately snapped back to reality by their son’s crying.
Looking down at their son’s messy, drooling face, Hu Li couldn’t help but sigh in exasperation. “Zhang Yuejun, look at your son! He’s soaked his new clothes and pants with drool!”
She, Hu Li, was such a particular person—how on earth had she given birth to such a slob? It had to be her husband’s bad genes.
Thinking about how her husband would stick his stinky feet under the covers the moment she wasn’t watching, Hu Li became even more convinced of this theory.
Zhang Yuejun first gave his wife two appeasing looks, then scooped up their precious son and rubbed his belly.
It was round and full—clearly he’d eaten plenty.
“Haohao, your tummy is still round. How can you be hungry again?”
Zhang Yuejun was generally patient with his son, but only up to a point. Seeing that his son was about to cry again, his expression immediately changed.
“No crying! We took you out for Kěn Kěn Jī today—there’s no way you’re hungry. When I was little, forget Kěn Kěn Jī—just getting enough to eat was already good. Don’t make a fuss.”
If the kid were older, maybe he’d understand. But Zhang Hao was still two months shy of five—he didn’t get it at all.
“Mommy, Daddy, Haohao wants the yummy smell!” His chubby little face had bright, dark eyes fixed on Zhang Yuejun and Hu Li—enough to soften the hearts of two new parents.
Even though Zhang Yuejun kept talking about how tough his childhood was, when it came to his son, he couldn’t bear to let him suffer the same way. That was exactly why he’d left home to make something of himself in the first place.
All that hardship back then was so his child could have a better life.
Sure enough, Zhang Yuejun cracked first, looking at his wife with pleading eyes. “Honey, maybe we could—”
Hu Li shot him a glance and said nothing.
Was she heartless? Of course not. This was her own son. If he really could eat it, would she begrudge the money? But that aroma was clearly coming from someone else’s lunch.
How could she possibly go ask?
“Come on, let’s go home. Mommy will make Haohao some braised pork.”
They still had some ingredients on hand—she’d originally planned to make braised pork for dinner. But now it seemed better to make it earlier. With their son’s appetite, he’d be full after just two or three pieces, and they could save the rest for dinner.
It just meant moving the evening’s cooking to lunchtime.
“Is it that yummy smell?” Zhang Hao looked up at his mom. After getting a confirming nod, he eagerly dragged his parents home.
He wanted to eat the delicious braised pork as soon as possible.
Little did Sheng Qiu know that the braised pork ribs still in her pot had already made some little kid drool with longing. Right now, she was busy stir-frying the vegetables.
The steamed egg custard with shrimp was already done. The braised pork ribs were still in the pot but almost ready—just waiting for the sauce to reduce. Now she just needed to stir-fry the water spinach and bok choy.
Both were quick dishes—in just five or six minutes, they were done and plated.
She checked the rice cooker—the grains were perfectly translucent and fluffy. Sheng Qiu called out toward the living room, “Lunch is ready!”
Sheng Nian, who’d long since lost patience sitting still, rushed to the kitchen door the moment he heard her.
Turning around to see him standing there obediently, Sheng Qiu felt a wave of tenderness. Her nephew was just so well-behaved.
“Niannian, can you help Auntie carry something?”
She believed in cultivating good habits early. Though Sheng Nian was still little, carrying a bowl of rice was well within his abilities.
Sheng Nian’s eyes lit up at the request, and he nodded eagerly. “Okay! Help Auntie.”
She handed him his bowl of rice. The warm bowl made his already growling stomach rumble even louder. After confirming he could hold it steady, she let go.
“Go ahead.”
Soon, Sheng Nian was back in the kitchen. Sheng Qiu was busy plating the braised pork ribs, and he didn’t rush—just waited patiently for her to give him another task.
Aside from the dishes, Sheng Nian carried out the rice bowls and chopsticks himself.
Sheng Qiu even noticed that he’d neatly arranged everything on the table. She couldn’t help but praise him with delight. “Niannian, you’re amazing! Not only can you help Auntie with chores, but you even set the chopsticks so neatly. That’s so impressive—Auntie loves you even more now.”
Who could resist a child who was cute, well-behaved, and helpful?
If only she had a smartphone—she’d love to show him off on her social media.
Flustered by his auntie’s straightforward praise, Sheng Nian’s cheeks flushed. “Auntie, Niannian loves you too.”
He really liked his auntie. Unlike Mom, who wouldn’t let him do anything, Auntie praised him, told him she loved him, made him delicious food, and taught him how to mop.
Even though he’d only been living with her for a day, Sheng Nian felt so happy—though it would be even better if Mom were here too.
“Alright, let’s eat! Try Auntie’s cooking.”
Sheng Nian was still too young to use chopsticks well. Sheng Qiu didn’t rush him, letting him take his time. But she still spooned some of the steamed egg custard with shrimp onto his plate with a spoon.
The silky, tender custard paired with sweet, bouncy shrimp had Sheng Nian eating without lifting his head.
The braised pork ribs were rich and full of flavor, dominating his taste buds and impossible to ignore.
Sheng Nian alternated between bites of custard and ribs, eating with sheer joy.
Auntie’s cooking was way better than Kěn Kěn Jī’s kids’ meal, better than the egg pancakes, and better than the meat buns too.
Sheng Qiu ate several pieces of the ribs herself and let out a satisfied sigh. “This is the life I was meant to live.”
Maybe it was because the ingredients were so fresh, but she felt like her cooking had somehow improved.
As an adult, Sheng Qiu could still control herself, occasionally picking some vegetables for Sheng Nian. As for him, he just kept shoveling rice into his mouth.
So good. Really, really good.
Just as the two of them were eating happily, Sheng Qiu suddenly felt something was off.
What was that dripping sound coming from the door?
There wasn’t any pipe by the door, was there?