The frying oil and coating ingredients were already on hand. If they sold chicken wings and drumsticks separately, Sheng Qiu would have made more than just this batch—but since they didn’t, she agreed to Hu Li’s request for eight wings and eight drumsticks anyway.
However, she didn’t have the ingredients on hand, so Hu Li would need to buy them herself.
Hu Li reluctantly set down the bone with not a shred of meat left on it and rushed out to buy the ingredients without delay. Before leaving, she didn’t forget to ask Sheng Qiu to look after her child.
Watching one more kid wasn’t a problem—especially one around Sheng Nian’s age.
Though a well-behaved child who stayed quietly at home was lovable, kids still needed peers.
“Niannian, I have a toy car. Let’s play together later.” After eating a fried drumstick, Haohao remembered the toy car he hadn’t been able to share with Niannian earlier.
Especially since Niannian had given him such a delicious drumstick today—if Niannian wanted to take the car home for a day, Haohao would agonize over it but probably agree.
Sheng Nian was also curious about Haohao’s toy car. He wanted to see if it was as fun as Haohao claimed.
“Have some mint mung bean soup first.” Sheng Qiu set two bowls of the cool, refreshing soup in front of Haohao and Sheng Nian.
The mint mung bean soup had been made that morning and had cooled down to the perfect temperature. Ideally, it would be even better chilled in the fridge—but they didn’t have one yet, and Sheng Nian still had a weak digestive system, so cold food wasn’t great for him anyway.
Right now, sitting under the electric fan with a bowl of mung bean soup was still very pleasant.
“Okay, Auntie.”
“Thank you, Niannian’s aunt.” Haohao clung to the table, looking just as well-behaved.
For Haohao, as long as there was good food, he was perfectly docile.
Especially after tasting the mint mung bean soup—his eyes went wide and his mouth hung open. He turned to look at Sheng Nian with an envious expression.
Sheng Nian, who had been quietly sipping his soup, noticed Haohao staring at him strangely. “Haohao, why are you looking at me like that?”
“Niannian, I’m so jealous of you. Everything your aunt makes is so delicious. I wish your aunt were my aunt too.”
“She’s my aunt. My aunt is the best.”
Haohao nodded vigorously. “Niannian, your aunt is the best.” He took another sip of the mint mung bean soup.
The soup was sweet and cool, instantly refreshing the whole body. If only he could have another fried drumstick too. Just thinking about the taste made him want to drool again.
Watching the two little ones go back and forth praising her, Sheng Qiu felt absolutely delighted inside.
She was going to make sure Niannian grew up to be a happy kid.
“You two stay here and drink your mint mung bean soup nicely. Auntie is going to the kitchen for a bit.” Not to clean up the cooking utensils—she’d already washed those as she went along. She wanted to prep the remaining ingredients.
She needed to deal with the two chickens that were now missing their wings and legs.
She’d already decided: cold shredded chicken for dinner, and chicken congee for tomorrow. These free-range chickens weren’t as fatty as grain-fed ones, which actually saved her some effort.
While Sheng Qiu busied herself in the kitchen, Haohao had already finished his mint mung bean soup and was now staring longingly at Sheng Nian’s bowl.
A small bowl of mint mung bean soup was nothing to Haohao—at home, he’d down two big bowls of pork rib soup. And this was even better than his family’s rib soup.
Feeling Haohao’s gaze on him, Sheng Nian felt a little awkward and pushed his bowl toward Haohao. “Haohao, do you want a little more?”
Haohao immediately beamed. “Thank you, Niannian.”
With Haohao joining in, the half-bowl of mint mung bean soup was gone in just a few spoonfuls. Sheng Nian felt a little reluctant—he hadn’t had enough. But Haohao had finished most of it in just two scoops.
He felt a bit sad. He knew he should share with friends, but he hadn’t gotten his fill.
Seeing Niannian pout, looking somewhat unhappy, Haohao scratched his head. He’d eaten a bit too much—and finished Niannian’s portion too.
But the mint mung bean soup was just too good.
Haohao gave Niannian an ingratiating look. “Niannian, my mom went to buy chicken wings and drumsticks. When they’re done, I’ll give you a big drumstick.”
“And give my aunt a wing too.” Sheng Nian knew his aunt really liked wings.
Haohao nodded eagerly. “No problem.”
Sheng Nian pushed the bowl with just the dregs left toward Haohao. “Then you can have the rest of the mung bean soup.”
“Thanks, Niannian.” Without any hesitation, Haohao picked up the bowl and tipped the last bits into his mouth, then wiped his lips with a satisfied grin.
So good.
Seeing Haohao finish it, Sheng Nian thought about the wings and drumsticks Haohao had promised him and felt he should be generous too. He decided to share the new picture books his aunt had bought him.
“Haohao, do you want to look at picture books?”
Haohao didn’t actually want to read. He got a headache just thinking about books—even ones with pictures. But since Niannian was inviting him, he’d give it a try.
“Yeah, I do.”
Sheng Nian handed Haohao the new picture books his aunt had bought him, while he picked up an older one to read himself.
Soon, Sheng Nian was completely absorbed in his book. Haohao, on the other hand, couldn’t sit still after just a couple of pages—he was fidgeting and scratching his head and bottom. But since Niannian was right there and he wanted to stay with him, he forced himself to keep looking at the pictures, scratching and squirming all the while.
In the end, he couldn’t take it anymore and started playing with the toys nearby instead.
For a moment, the living room fell perfectly quiet.
In the kitchen, Sheng Qiu had just finished deboning the chicken when she suddenly realized she couldn’t hear the kids anymore.
She’d once heard a saying: “When kids go quiet, they’re up to no good.” Though she thought her own Niannian was unlikely to cause trouble, she still poked her head out of the kitchen to check.
The two little ones were peacefully occupied—one reading, one playing with toys.
Satisfied, Sheng Qiu returned to the kitchen. It was getting late, so she could start prepping dinner.
For tonight, she planned to make stir-fried celery with beef, dry-fried green beans, and cold shredded chicken. For soup, she’d keep it simple with tomato and egg drop soup—she even had a tomato left over from making ketchup for Niannian.
Normally, she’d make just two dishes and a soup, but Haohao was still here. Hu Li hadn’t come back yet, and by the time she did, it would probably be dinnertime anyway. She’d have to invite them to stay for a meal.
If she’d known they’d have guests today, she would have bought a couple more ingredients. But for two adults and two kids, three dishes and a soup should be plenty. She’d also need to cook extra rice.
Not knowing how much Hu Li and Haohao could eat—though judging by Haohao’s sturdy little frame—Sheng Qiu added an extra scoop of rice on top of what she’d already measured.
Better to make a bit more. If there were leftovers, she could always have egg fried rice for breakfast.
Just as Sheng Qiu finished prepping all the dinner ingredients and was about to start cooking, Hu Li returned carrying two large bags.
Seeing Sheng Nian open the door for her, Hu Li quickly said, “Thank you, Niannian.” She glanced at her son, who was busy playing with toys, and couldn’t help but sigh inwardly—why couldn’t such a well-behaved child be hers?
“You’re welcome, Aunt Hu.”
Carrying the two big bags, Hu Li stepped into the kitchen and saw the neatly arranged ingredients. Just from the setup alone, she could tell Sheng Qiu was no ordinary cook.
“Haohao’s mom, you’re back! Stay for dinner tonight—it’s a bit late for you to go home and start cooking now. As for the fried chicken wings and drumsticks, should I make them after dinner? Or later?”
Hu Li felt a bit embarrassed. She’d been so focused on the delicious fried chicken that she’d gone straight to the market and bought four whole chickens—picking the plumpest ones—then spent forever slaughtering and plucking them, completely losing track of time.
Now they were about to start dinner, and showing up at this hour made it seem like she’d purposely come to eat at someone else’s house.
“That would be too much trouble…” She’d already mooched fried chicken wings and drumsticks in the afternoon—how could she stay for dinner too?
“What trouble? I’m really glad Haohao came to play with Niannian today. Besides, I’ve already prepared portions for you. If you don’t stay, it’ll all go to waste.”
With that, Hu Li agreed.
“Then let me help you with the prep.” She reached out to lend a hand, but all the ingredients were already prepped and there were no dirty dishes to wash. She wasn’t sure what to do.
“No need, Haohao’s mom. I saved you some mint mung bean soup—have some to cool down. If you really want to help, you can carry the dishes to the table when they’re ready.”
Sitting on the sofa, sipping the delicious mint mung bean soup, Hu Li felt utterly content.
If it hadn’t been for her son’s tantrum earlier, today would have been a perfect day.
Soon, the aroma from the kitchen began to waft out. Sheng Nian could still sit still, but Haohao—once he caught the smell—completely lost interest in his toys. Something far more appealing had captured his attention.
It was like there were needles poking him from beneath.
But this restless state didn’t last long, because Sheng Qiu soon announced that dinner was ready.
Haohao couldn’t wait to get to the table, but before Hu Li could say anything, Sheng Nian led him off to wash their hands first.
Watching the two of them walk side by side to the sink, and seeing her own son being so obedient, Hu Li couldn’t help but think—only Niannian could tame her little rascal.
When Hu Li stepped into the kitchen, the wave of fragrance hit her like a wall.
Oh my goodness—this smells amazing!
“Haohao’s mom, what are you standing there for? Dinner’s ready!”
“Oh—right, coming, coming!” Hu Li hurried forward to carry the dishes.
Looking at the beautifully presented, aromatic dishes, Hu Li couldn’t help but swallow hard. The smell was no less impressive than the finest restaurants.
With Sheng Qiu’s call of “Let’s eat!” Haohao immediately dove in.
Even the rice was sweet and soft—Niannian’s family had such good rice too.
At first, Hu Li was still serving food to her son, but soon she forgot all about him—Sheng Qiu’s cooking was just too good, and even her own son slipped from her mind.
In the end, it was Sheng Qiu and Sheng Nian who kept dropping bites into Haohao’s bowl. Otherwise, Hu Li would have been completely lost in her own meal.
Mid-bite, Hu Li had a nagging feeling she’d forgotten something. Ah well—if she couldn’t remember, it couldn’t be that important.
Back at home, Zhang Yuejun stared at the empty house, dumbfounded.
Where were his wife and son?