“Second son, fish the Jade Melon out of the well, slice it up and plate it. Comrade Shi can eat it directly when he arrives!”
“Third son, are the cups washed? Hurry up and bring out the dried Flower Tea to brew!”
“Eldest son…”
Although Zhao Lanzhi wasn’t cooking, she was bustling about busily, directing the Su family members around in a flurry.
As Shi Yunxiao reached the courtyard gate, he saw this busy yet heartwarming scene at the Su residence. His steps slowed, a flicker of envy passing through his eyes.
“Comrade Shi and Comrade Xie are here!”
“Third son, pour the tea quickly!”
Su Hongshan and Zhao Lanzhi came to greet Shi Yunxiao. Seeing them carrying items in their hands, they couldn’t help but say: “Comrades Shi and Xie, you’re just coming for a meal, why bring anything? Take them back, take them back!”
With just a casual glance, Zhao Lanzhi spotted the malted milk tin and canned meat – these were far too valuable!
Xie Jin’an said with a smile: “Auntie, we can’t possibly come empty-handed for a meal, can we?”
“What’s wrong with empty hands? It’s just a meal!”
“Auntie, this Comrade Shi here has thin skin and feels embarrassed to come empty-handed. Don’t stand on ceremony with him – he’s not short of money. If you don’t accept these, he won’t be able to sleep tonight.”
Su Junze found this amusing and inadvertently laughed out loud, earning a fierce glare from Zhao Lanzhi who turned her head.
Shi Yunxiao nodded helplessly, “Auntie, please just accept them. Otherwise, we’d truly feel too embarrassed to come for the meal.”
“This… ah! Then we’ll shamelessly accept them.” The more Zhao Lanzhi looked at Shi Yunxiao, the more she liked him – this young man was handsome and polite, showing such respect to elders, much better than Lu Jingxuan!
Xie Jin’an proudly gave Shi Yunxiao a raised eyebrow – if I hadn’t said that, would they have accepted the gifts?
Shi Yunxiao couldn’t be bothered with him and followed Zhao Lanzhi into the main room. “Come in and have some tea and melon.”
Su Qingshu placed teacups before the two men and spoke sincerely: “Comrade Shi, thank you for saving my younger sister.”
Zhao Lanzhi introduced: “This is my third daughter, she teaches at the town elementary school.”
Shi Yunxiao nodded, “You’re too kind.”
“Hey, what kind of tea is this? It’s a bit sweet!” Xie Jin’an asked in surprise after taking a sip of tea beside them. His nose was quite sharp – he could smell the fragrance coming from the kitchen too, but hadn’t felt appropriate to mention it.
Mentioning this tea made Zhao Lanzhi straighten her back, speaking not without pride: “Flower Tea, this was sun-dried by Ranran herself. Drink as much as you like if you enjoy it.”
Shi Yunxiao looked down – the cup contained pale yellow tea liquid. Taking a sip, it was indeed clear and sweet with a faint floral aroma. “There should be a small amount of tea leaves added too, right?”
Ordinary flower tea is usually brewed with only dried flowers, often with added sugar or honey. He had drunk plenty before but always found it too sweet. This cup had the slight bitterness of tea leaves upon first taste, with a lingering floral sweetness – quite to his liking.
The Su family daughter certainly had some clever ideas.
“Exactly! Our Ranran said it tastes better this way. We don’t understand these things, so we let her experiment as she likes.”
Shi Yunxiao slightly curved the corners of his mouth. It seemed the Su family truly doted on their daughter. Tea leaves were quite precious for rural families – ordinary households might not drink tea more than a few times a year.
“Comrades Shi and Xie, if you like it, we’ll pack some for you to take home later.”
“No need to trouble yourself.”
“It’s no trouble at all! You’re our Ranran’s lifesaver!”
“Please accept it. You brought so many gifts when coming for a meal – if you won’t even take this flower tea, we’d be too embarrassed to keep your presents.”
Shi Yunxiao had no choice but to relent, “…Then thank you, auntie.”
“Comrade Shi, Comrade Xie, these melons were just cooled in the well. Have some, they’re very sweet.”
“Alright.”
……
Su Qingran finished cooking several main dishes in one go – Xiang You Shan Si, braised pork, You Po Yu, garlic head prawns, and stir-fried little zhen mushrooms. After tasting them, she nodded with satisfaction. It seemed her cooking skills hadn’t deteriorated.
The little ones – Dahu, Erhu, Sanya, Si Ya, and Wu Ya – gathered around watching eagerly. She gave each of them a large head prawn to suck on for flavor.
Wu Ya kept licking hers despite the spiciness making her gasp, making Su Qingshu laugh heartily.
“Xiao Ran, your cooking has improved so much! Even I’m drooling from the smell, let alone the children.”
“Indeed, sister-in-law and I were just saying how your cooking almost rivals that of the state-run restaurant chefs.”
“You’re exaggerating. It’s just because we have more meat and oil today – of course it tastes better.”
Huang Cuicui shook her head, “Mother used to make braised pork before too, but it was never as delicious as yours.”
Su Qingshu covered her mouth laughing, “Mother would be sad to hear that.”
“Time to serve the dishes!” Zhao Lanzhi called out loudly.
The staple foods were steamed rice and wheat buns – quite a lavish spread for a rural household, comparable to what they’d have during New Year celebrations.
The table was filled with dishes. Xie Jin’an swallowed hard at the aroma – it smelled incredible!
During these past few days eating at Su Xiaoyong’s place, he’d been craving flavor, but rural households typically didn’t have much good food. He couldn’t bring himself to make requests, so he’d been trying his luck at the supply cooperative – if he managed to buy meat, that counted as improving his meals.
But that meat was nothing compared to the fragrance coming from the Su family’s table.
Glancing at Shi Yunxiao’s expressionless face, Xie Jin’an thought to himself – putting on airs, as if someone hasn’t been eating poorly these past couple days.
“Comrade Shi, Comrade Xie, please don’t stand on ceremony! Eat up!” Zhao Lanzhi said cheerfully.
“Yes, it’s hot weather – these dishes won’t keep overnight. We must finish everything or it’ll go to waste!”
“Auntie, then we won’t hold back.”
“Good, good!” Zhao Lanzhi grew more delighted the more she looked at them.
Su Hongshan brought out his treasured liquor, but neither Shi Yunxiao nor Xie Jin’an could drink. Only he, Su Yuanfeng, and Su Junze – father and sons – each had a small cup.
Midway through the meal, someone called from outside: “Is Comrade Su home?”
It was a young woman’s voice.
“Who is it?” Su Junze frowned. Visiting during mealtime was considered quite rude here – wasn’t this clearly coming to mooch a meal?
“I’ll go see.” Su Qingshu stood up.
While others might not recognize the voice, Su Qingran knew it all too well. She lowered her eyes and clenched her fists – it was Qiao Manxue!
Shi Yunxiao glanced at her briefly before looking away.
Before long, Su Qingshu returned looking rather displeased, followed by a pale-faced Qiao Manxue.
The Su family’s expressions darkened. Though there was no evidence, they were all convinced that this Educated Youth Qiao must share an unusual relationship with Lu Jingxuan—otherwise, why would he abandon his own fiancée to carry her instead?
Shi Yunxiao and Xie Jin’an were guests, so naturally they remained silent at such a moment. The room fell into abrupt stillness.
Qiao Manxue seemed oblivious to the awkward tension and looked directly at Su Qingran. “Comrade Su, I was so overwhelmed earlier that I fainted and only just woke up. I came specifically to thank you for saving me.”
As she spoke, she produced a basket of eggs. “These are for you to replenish your health.”
Zhao Lanzhi snorted lightly and retorted with sarcasm, “Educated Youth Qiao, it was Lu Jingxuan who ‘rescued’ you. Shouldn’t you be thanking him instead?”
Qiao Manxue’s eyelashes fluttered nervously as she cautiously replied, “I’m sorry, Comrade Su. I truly don’t know why Comrade Lu came to my aid—perhaps it was because he knew you were safe? Please don’t blame Comrade Lu, and don’t let me affect your relationship.”
Having regained her composure, Su Qingran responded coldly, “Educated Youth Qiao, I’ll accept the eggs. As for matters between Lu Jingxuan and me, I believe they’re none of your concern?”
A flicker of humiliation crossed Qiao Manxue’s face. She glanced almost imperceptibly at Shi Yunxiao before defending herself, “Comrade Su, that’s not what I meant—I just…”
“Whatever you meant, please leave my home. We’re having a meal, Educated Youth Qiao. If you have any shame, you’ll go now.”
Zhao Lanzhi also lashed out bluntly, “We didn’t cook enough rice, so we won’t keep you any longer, Educated Youth Qiao.”
Qiao Manxue dug her nails into her palm. Country folk will always be country folk—utterly uncouth!
After she left, Su Hongshan turned apologetically to Shi Yunxiao. “Comrades, let’s continue our meal.”
“Of course.”