As soon as Grandma Sui spoke, Sui Changping and Sui Changkang froze, looking helplessly at Sui Wuyou.
They had thought they could finally dig into the meat today—but alas…
Wuyou gave them a knowing glance, then stepped forward to hug Grandma Sui’s arm, stretching her voice playfully:
“Grandma…”
Grandma Sui scowled, poking her finger at Wuyou’s fair forehead:
“Settle down, no amount of coaxing will work.”
Wuyou, still cheeky and playful, clung to her:
“Grandma, look! There are more than ten people in our family. One rabbit isn’t enough to feed everyone. I even invited Eldest Uncle and Second Uncle over. If there’s only a little meat to entertain them, where’s my face?”
Grandma Sui could hardly hold back a laugh, giving her a sidelong glance:
“Prodigal child, there are four whole rabbits in there, and you want to eat them all at once?”
Wuyou brightened up and turned to Changping:
“Changping, Grandma loves fatty pork. Take two rabbits to Chen the butcher and swap them for some pork.”
This request was no simple matter—but Wuyou wasn’t about to be thwarted. She prided herself on being her grandma’s little helper, striving to satisfy her in every way.
Grandma Sui: “…when did I say I wanted fatty pork?”
Before Grandma could react, Changping had already pulled two rabbits from the sack and dashed off like the wind.
Soon after, Sui Jiaxing and Sui Jiawang arrived, accompanied by their wives, Liu Cuier and Li Meihua.
Carrying baskets, the couples chatted happily as they entered. Seeing Grandma Sui’s stern expression, all eyes fell on Changkang.
Wuyou released her hold on Grandma’s arm and greeted warmly:
“Eldest Uncle, Eldest Aunt, Second Uncle, Second Aunt, you’re here!”
Following her cue, Changkang took the sacks to the riverside with Changan and Changjian.
Jiaxing and Jiawang exchanged a smile, silently following.
Liu Cuier and Li Meihua nodded to Wuyou and entered, announcing:
“Father, Mother, we’re here!”
They unpacked the vegetables, radishes, and some grains they had brought. Without being told, they rolled up their sleeves and got to work.
Soon, the five men—Jiaxing, Jiawang, and the three sons—had cleaned and prepared the rabbits by the river, filling a wooden basin.
Seeing this, Grandma Sui pinched her chest in worry, muttering, then returned indoors, fuming.
Wuyou leaned close to Changjian and whispered:
“Changjian, kill the two pheasants too. Today, our family is going to feast!”
With that, she scampered inside to soothe Grandma.
Changjian nodded, bringing the hidden sack into the kitchen.
Liu Cuier and Li Meihua were kneading dough for buns. Seeing Changjian sneak in with the sack, they peeked curiously.
“Mother, Sister said to kill the pheasants too.”
Li Meihua paused, looking at him in surprise:
“Goodness, did you catch these in the mountains too?”
Changjian smiled sheepishly:
“All thanks to Sister. Eldest and Second brothers each caught a rabbit.”
Liu Cuier clucked in amazement:
“Unbelievable! We’ve been up Woniu Mountain before and never saw such rabbits or pheasants. You boys must have followed your sister deep into the woods?”
Changjian shook his head vigorously:
“Eldest Aunt, we wouldn’t dare! Sister led us the whole way.”
Li Meihua took the sack from him and waved him off:
“Alright, you go outside. We’ll handle this.”
Changjian left, ecstatic.
Outside, Jiaxing and Jiawang sat with Grandpa Sui, chatting.
Soon, Changping returned with a slab of pork belly, fat and lean mixed.
Jiaxing chuckled: “Good boy, did you really go buy meat?”
Changping came up smiling:
“Father, Sister told me to exchange rabbits for this. Grandma loves pork.”
He produced a handful of coins:
“Two rabbits sold to Chen the butcher for sixty wen. I bought two jin of pork for twenty-four wen. Here’s thirty-six wen leftover.”
Grandpa Sui’s face broke into a wide grin as he took the coins:
“Well done. I’ll hold onto these and give them to Grandma later.”
Changping carried the meat into the kitchen.
Inside, Wuyou, holding a worn rattan fan, fanned Grandma and chattered excitedly, painting grand promises in the air:
“Grandma, don’t worry! From now on, Wuyou will make sure you have meat every day, and I’ll buy you big golden bracelets.”
Grandma Sui, fond of her, could hardly stay mad. She poked Wuyou’s forehead playfully:
“I don’t need bracelets or meat every day. I just want my Wuyou to live a smooth life.”
Wuyou’s chest heaved with excitement:
“Grandma, don’t worry! The good days for our family are still ahead!”
Grandma Sui couldn’t help a soft chuckle, her mood lightened. For her, Wuyou thriving was already a good life.
Standing, she walked toward the kitchen:
“You talk too much, slippery tongue. I’ll go see that Eldest and Second Aunts don’t ruin the food.”
“Yes, yes!” Wuyou eagerly followed, flattering all the way:
“Grandma, your cooking is the best! Show us your skills today so we can learn from you.”
Inside, Liu Cuier and Li Meihua had prepared the rabbits and pheasants, ready to cook.
Grandma noticed the pheasants and shot Wuyou another glance.
Wuyou, unbothered, grinned and pulled out a small basket she had collected from Woniu Mountain—cinnamon and wild ginger.
In this era, spices were limited; besides oil and salt, the kitchen had little else.
“Grandma, add these when cooking the meat,” she said.
Curious, Liu Cuier and Li Meihua exchanged looks:
“Wuyou, those are just bark and roots. Will it really make the meat taste better?”
Wuyou smiled and explained:
“Eldest Aunt, Second Aunt, these are spices. Just a little in the meat will remove any gamey smell and enhance the aroma.”