Jin Yao coughed lightly and asked cautiously, “Mom, are you really planning to go to town with Big Brother to start a food business?”
Wei Shufen glanced sideways at Jin Miao, who was obediently helping wash the dishes nearby, and raised her voice as she retorted, “What? Don’t you believe in your mom? You never seem to eat less of the food I cook!”
She nudged Jin Miao with her elbow. “Xiao San, tell me, isn’t Mom’s cooking delicious?”
As soon as the term “Xiao San” came out, Jin Miao still felt as if a thunderbolt had struck her, leaving her utterly stunned and somewhat unable to accept it.
[Jin Miao: Oh my goodness, “Xiao San” really isn’t a good term! I’m not the kind of person who would interfere in someone else’s family! Don’t call me that!!]
Wei Shufen was dumbfounded. Hadn’t they always called her “Xiao San” or “Xiao Si”? How did it suddenly take on this meaning?
Jin Yao, standing nearby, tried to stifle her laughter until her face turned red.
Thinking that her mother was upset because she hadn’t answered, Jin Miao quickly spoke up, “Yes, Mom’s cooking is delicious.”
“Good… good that you know. See, your third sister has spoken fairly!”
[Jin Miao: It’s delicious, but you can’t just set up a stall in town to cook for others. That’s not how business works.]
Wei Shufen shot a glance at Jin Yao, who immediately understood. “Mom, your cooking is delicious, but you can’t just set up a table on the street to cook and sell food, right?”
“That’s true.”
Wei Shufen pretended to be troubled as she looked at Jin Miao. “Third girl, tell me, what should Mom and your big brother do? Something simple and easy to sell?”
[Jin Miao: I have so many ideas! In my past life, I ran a breakfast business. On market days in town, there were always so many people! Making pancakes, sweet or savory, vegetable dumplings, vegetable buns, and youtiao—yes, youtiao! Once fried, the aroma is irresistible. They always sold out before I even reached town. But can I say all this?!]
Wei Shufen/Jin Yao: Little do you know, you’ve already said everything.
“How would I know? I’ve never done business before. Mom, do you have any ideas, or maybe you could ask Big Brother?”
[Jin Miao: Even if I have ideas, I won’t say them. If I do, I’ll end up doing all the work, running around without any credit, and probably get mocked by you all. In my past life, I did so much for you, but did I get any appreciation? You were all like hopeless cases. Forget it, forget it. I’d rather spend my time lying around at home.]
This time, both Wei Shufen and Jin Yao looked rather uncomfortable—embarrassed, ashamed, and as if their backs had slumped and their heads couldn’t be held high.
Knowing that their third daughter/third sister had returned from her past life, they realized how shameful they had been back then!
It was Jin Yao who reacted first and chimed in, “Mom, since we’re going to do business in town, and people from several surrounding villages come to town on market days, maybe this is a good opportunity. We could make things like pancakes, buns, or steamed buns. There are bound to be many people who live far away and haven’t had breakfast yet, or those who are hungry. That should sell well.”
Jin Miao looked at Jin Yao, her expression somewhat surprised. She hadn’t expected her youngest sister to think of this.
[Jin Miao: Still quite sharp, aren’t you? I didn’t even have to say it, and you figured it out on your own. Seems like maybe I did too much and said too much in my past life, which made them resent me and feel like they didn’t need me, leading to this resistance toward me. This is actually really good now.]
Jin Yao, crying internally, thought: Third Sister, could you say a bit more? I need it! I really, really need it!
“Mhm, Little Sister is right. Let’s do breakfast business then. There should be potential. Let’s think about it—make some steamed buns, mantou, fried dough sticks, and twisted rolls. We’ll give it a try first.”
[Jin Miao: Huh? What’s up with Mom? Suddenly enlightened? How come she can actually listen to others now? Could it be because it’s Little Sister who said it? That’s possible. She’s always favored Little Sister more anyway. Even five fingers aren’t all the same length~]
Hearing this, Wei Shufen felt really sour and uncomfortable inside. She believed she treated all four children equally, but Little Sister was the youngest, born when she was much older, so naturally, she doted on her a bit more.
She just never expected the children to feel this way. For a moment, her eyes grew a little misty.
Quickly changing the subject, she firmly shooed the two sisters out of the kitchen.
“You two go out and play. Clumsy and careless, can’t even handle a little chore. Don’t stay here and make a mess. Go out and play.”
Jin Yao wanted to stay and let Third Sister go out while she helped, but she couldn’t win against her mom. Both were pushed out, one in each hand.
Jin Miao didn’t mind at all. There wasn’t much work anyway, and now she could just lie down on the bed. She was a bit too full—after all, she’d eaten two meals!
“Third Sister, Little Sister!”
Unfortunately, someone wasn’t about to let her off!
Eldest Brother and Second Brother stood like two door gods, one on the left and one on the right, as if waiting just for her.
Jin Miao curled her lips. “Eldest Brother, Second Brother, what’s up?”
[Jin Miao: These two, one’s brainless, the other’s always unhappy. What are they doing together? Are they about to fall out already? I remember Eldest Brother and Second Brother always got along well before. It was only later, because of that sister-in-law… Never mind.]
Eldest Brother and Second Brother were itching with curiosity.
Don’t just “never mind”! What exactly happened?
Jin Yan nudged Jin Sen with his elbow, signaling him to speak. The latter, catching his meaning, cleared his throat lightly. “Well, your Second Brother says the tender corn in the fields is ready. We could go pick some to make corn cakes for dinner tonight. Boiled tender corn is delicious too. Let’s all siblings go together. It’s been a while since we went to the fields together.”
What kind of reason is “it’s been a while since we went to the fields together”? What kind of excuse is that?
But at the thought of corn cakes, she couldn’t help but swallow. Her mom was really good at making corn cakes, especially with the fresh, tender corn this time of year—it was truly delicious.
[Jin Miao: Haven’t had corn cakes in a long time. Kind of miss them. But these corn cakes could be taken to sell in town in the morning. They’d sell really well. But I bet Mom and Dad would be reluctant. Just a little treat is enough.]
The three siblings exchanged a knowing glance where Jin Miao couldn’t see. That’s a great idea!
Jin Yan felt a bit reluctant. The corn wasn’t even fully grown yet, and they were going to pick it just like that. It hurt his heart a little.
No, he also wanted to hear what his little sister thought about the fields. He didn’t want to farm for the rest of his life and end up without a wife. If possible, he wanted to marry Xiao Hua and have a bunch of kids. Hehehe, just thinking about it made him happy!
“Third Sister, come with me to see the crops your second brother has been taking care of!”