Sheng Qiu took Sheng Nian back home to finish their lunch.
Compared to the dishes Sheng Qiu had made, the braised pork Hu Li gave them was just average—though it was still a bit better than what Sheng Qiu used to eat at the toy factory cafeteria.
Besides, Sheng Qiu didn’t want to waste it. But she didn’t force Sheng Nian to eat it either. To her surprise, when Sheng Nian saw his aunt eating it bite after bite, he couldn’t resist reaching out with his chopsticks toward the braised pork.
It didn’t smell as good as his aunt’s ribs, but Sheng Nian hesitated for a moment before putting it in his mouth.
Maybe it just wasn’t as fragrant—like the steamed egg with shrimp his aunt made.
But the moment he chewed, Sheng Nian’s brow scrunched up tightly.
Sheng Qiu had been waiting to see his reaction ever since he reached for the braised pork. She couldn’t help but smirk inwardly, expecting him to secretly spit it out. Instead, he frowned and finished the whole piece.
It seemed like the incident passed without a hitch, but after swallowing the braised pork, he went on to eat several pieces of braised ribs in a row—and his chopsticks never touched the braised pork again.
That lunch, both Sheng Qiu and Sheng Nian—because it was delicious and because they didn’t want to waste food—ended up overly stuffed.
Sheng Qiu decided to take Sheng Nian out for a walk to help digest, while also picking up some ingredients for dinner. But the sun outside was blazing.
Going out risked heatstroke.
“Niannian, what do you usually like to do?”
The sun was too strong right now. Better to wait until it wasn’t so intense before heading out. But sitting around doing nothing wasn’t great either—might as well find something else to do.
Hearing his aunt’s question, Sheng Nian immediately ran to his room and brought out a few picture books.
“Auntie, I usually like to read.” Actually, he also loved playing with toys, but his mom didn’t seem to like him playing with them—though sometimes she would play with him too.
Sheng Nian couldn’t quite figure it out. It felt like he had two different moms, but they were both his mom, so he just needed to be obedient.
Truth be told, Sheng Nian had his own little thoughts. His aunt would definitely like a kid who loved reading. When he played in the square downstairs, he often heard aunties praising kids who had brought home awards from school.
He didn’t know when he’d get to go to school, but when he did, he’d definitely bring back certificates for his mom and aunt.
“Wow, our Niannian is such a studious little one!” Even though they were just picture books, any hobby that involved sitting down and focusing on reading deserved a compliment from Sheng Qiu.
Sheng Nian’s face flushed at his aunt’s praise, and he immediately picked up a picture book and started reading.
He needed to start reading right now.
Sheng Qiu had been about to suggest doing something else, but seeing how seriously Sheng Nian was reading, she held back her words.
She couldn’t interrupt Niannian’s reading time.
So instead, Sheng Qiu found some paper and a pen and started making a list of what else they needed.
She’d start with the kitchen.
Since she had money now and wasn’t one to shortchange herself, the list quickly grew longer than one sheet of paper could hold.
In this era, if you had money, you could actually live quite comfortably—but Sheng Qiu also had a child to raise.
It wasn’t just about having enough to eat and wear.
Niannian was still young now, so she could explore his interests and start nurturing them—and that was an expense she couldn’t skimp on.
She had to make the best of limited means.
After finishing her list, Sheng Qiu couldn’t help but stretch.
She didn’t need to buy everything at once—she could add things gradually. Besides, even if she wanted to get it all in one go, it wouldn’t be easy.
She glanced at the time—it was almost four.
Sheng Qiu didn’t let Sheng Nian keep reading. She hadn’t been watching the time earlier, but normally after half an hour of reading, she’d have him get up and walk around a bit. He was still young and his body wasn’t fully developed yet—some habits needed to be cultivated slowly.
Thinking about this, Sheng Qiu felt energized.
It was different from taking care of her own mother—making sure she ate well, slept well, and was comfortable. Being Niannian’s full-time aunt was no small challenge. She was determined to raise him to develop in all areas—morally, intellectually, physically, aesthetically, and through hard work.
“Niannian, do you want to go out for a walk with Auntie and buy some ingredients for dinner?”
Sheng Nian immediately put down his picture book and took his aunt’s hand.
The two of them stepped out into the fading sunlight and headed toward the market together.
He had been living with his aunt for over a week now, and every single day had been filled with joy.
Every morning, he was woken up by the delicious breakfast his aunt made. Lunch and dinner were just as wonderful—he ate a big bowl of rice every meal. Actually, he felt like he could eat two bowls, but his aunt said if he ate too much, his stomach might burst.
Sheng Nian didn’t want his stomach to burst, so he settled for one bowl.
But his aunt had said that when he got a little bigger, he could switch to a larger bowl.
Oh, and she had bought him a super beautiful bowl with lots of colorful fruit on it—and it wouldn’t break even if dropped. He absolutely loved it. He hoped that when he grew up a bit, he’d get a bigger pretty bowl—that would make him even happier.
Besides the beautiful bowl, his aunt had also bought him lots of picture books and toys. Every day after dinner, she would play with him—and it turned out that grown-ups loved playing with toys too, because she always seemed even more excited than he did.
Every day was happier than the one before.
But Sheng Nian felt that today was definitely going to be even happier than tomorrow, because his aunt was going to make him “KFC” chicken.
“Auntie, Auntie, do you need Niannian’s help?” Sheng Nian asked eagerly, leaning against the kitchen counter and looking up at his aunt.
Sheng Qiu had just finished seasoning the chicken wings and drumsticks when she turned around and met Sheng Nian’s eager eyes.
“Auntie actually does need Niannian’s help.” She said, showing him the seasoned chicken.
“Niannian, these drumsticks need a little massage. Can you help with that?”
Sheng Nian was overjoyed. “Of course I can!”
The moment the words left his mouth, he put on the little floral apron Sheng Qiu had altered for him, ready to get his hands in.
She placed the stainless steel bowl with the chicken on a stool for Sheng Nian to massage the wings and drumsticks, while she set about making herself some sweet chili sauce.
Back in the day, Sheng Qiu rarely ate fried chicken—she was afraid of breaking out or gaining weight. But maybe the trip to KFC with Sheng Nian had reawaken her craving.
Last night, she’d been drooling so much she could hardly stand it. Unfortunately, there was no food delivery in the 1990s. After barely making it through the night, she couldn’t help but drag Sheng Nian straight to the market first thing in the morning.
Since they didn’t sell chicken wings and drumsticks separately yet, Sheng Qiu simply bought two whole chickens.
Four wings and four drumsticks were plenty for the two of them. As for the remaining chicken meat, she could cook it for dinner.
No waste whatsoever.
First things first—they had to eat those fried chicken wings and drumsticks.
Eating them plain would be a bit boring. In her previous life, besides ordering wings and drumsticks, she’d always get a few extra dipping sauces. She couldn’t manage all that now, but she definitely had to whip up some sweet chili sauce to go with them.
Making sweet chili sauce was simple enough, though she was short on ingredients. She made a simplified version using chili peppers, garlic, and various seasonings. Ideally, she’d add some pineapple for a fruity aroma and a fresher sweet-and-sour kick.
After making herself some sweet chili sauce, Sheng Qiu also made a batch of ketchup for Sheng Nian. She couldn’t just have dipping sauce for herself, after all.
Ketchup was even simpler to make than sweet chili sauce—sweet and tangy. Sheng Qiu tasted it and her eyes lit up.
Thanks to the fresh ingredients, the ketchup had a much richer tomato flavor than any she’d made before.
She dipped a chopstick in the ketchup and held it up to Sheng Nian’s mouth. “Niannian, give it a try. Do you like this flavor?”
Without a moment’s hesitation, Sheng Nian tasted what his aunt offered him. The sweet and tangy flavor won him over instantly. He turned to look at her, his eyes full of admiration.
“Auntie, this is so delicious! Niannian really, really likes it.”
“I’m glad you like it. How about we dip our fried chicken wings and drumsticks in this sauce when they’re ready?”
Sheng Nian nodded eagerly.
Soon, the marinated wings and drumsticks were coated in flour and lowered into the hot oil.
The sizzling sound of frying made Sheng Nian a little nervous, and he couldn’t help but step back. But soon, the fragrant aroma of frying chicken began to drift through the air.
He couldn’t resist inching closer to his aunt, swallowing hard as he did.
This was the same smell as the KFC shop—but Sheng Nian thought his aunt’s version smelled even better. Because last time at KFC, he hadn’t been drooling this much.
So his aunt was definitely more impressive.
Sheng Qiu kept turning the drumsticks and wings in the oil, making sure every part was fried through, while also keeping an eye on Sheng Nian near the stove.
Soon, the first fry was done. To make them extra crispy, they needed a second fry.
“Auntie… gulp …is it ready yet?” He’d just seen her take the fried chicken out of the pan—why did she put it back in?
“That’s to make the wings and drumsticks even tastier, Niannian. Just wait a little longer.”
Sheng Qiu had already heard him swallowing. And it wasn’t just him—she’d secretly swallowed who knows how many times herself. But she had her pride and didn’t want him to notice.
Sheng Nian waited obediently by her side.
Normally, when his aunt said it was almost ready, he’d already be setting out the bowls and chopsticks. But today, the fried chicken smelled so good that his legs just refused to listen.
Half a minute later, the fried chicken wings and drumsticks were finally done.
Sheng Nian’s eyes were glued to them, unable to look away. After letting them cool slightly, Sheng Qiu dipped one drumstick in ketchup and held it up to his mouth.
“Niannian, take it slow—it’s still a little hot.”
To be safe, she probably should have let it cool a bit more. The outside wasn’t hot anymore, but the inside was still warm. Still, fried chicken was best when eaten hot.
“Just a tiny bite, eat slowly.” Sheng Qiu couldn’t help reminding him again.
Sheng Nian, who had opened his mouth wide, carefully took a small bite—so the drumstick that was about to be “seriously wounded” only ended up with a minor scratch.
“Mmm mmm, Auntie, this is so good!”
(Kěn Kěn Jī changed to KFC)