Upon hearing this, a flicker of excitement shone in Wen Ranran’s eyes: “Really, you won’t eat any?”
“No, no!” Wen Junliang waved his hand impatiently. “Whoever wants to eat this stuff can have it!”
The delicate, pretty girl who had been standing beside Sun Shi all along pouted and let out a light humph: “Exactly! I won’t eat it either!”
The speaker was Wen Ruru, the only daughter of the third branch, six months older than the original host and extremely picky. In the few days since Wen Ranran had transmigrated, she had heard Wen Ruru crying and making a fuss daily over food, clothing, shelter, and transportation. Just yesterday, she had been clamoring to eat Almond Tofu and Yun Leg Small Cake from Quansheng Zhai.
Wen Ranran felt even more thrilled and barely able to contain herself: It’s great that they won’t eat! These dozen or so Vegetable Corn Cakes are barely enough for each person in this big family to have one. Since the father and daughter won’t eat, I can have two more!
Wen Ranran parted her lips, about to say, “Then I won’t stand on ceremony,” when she heard Wen Rong, seated beside Old Mrs. Wen, speak in a tone full of arrogance: “Third Sister, there’s no need to persuade them further. I’m not accustomed to eating such things.”
Old Mrs. Wen also snorted coldly: “If you like it, then eat it all yourself. Don’t try to make your eldest brother taste every random thing—he is the eldest grandson of the Wen family, the root of our household!”
When Liang Shi heard Old Mrs. Wen mention “the Wen family’s eldest grandson,” she proudly straightened her back and cast a smug, sidelong glance at Shen Shi and Sun Shi.
Her voice rising a few notes, she declared: “That’s right, we won’t eat these.”
The rest of the Wen family chimed in one after another, their expressions and tones full of disdain.
Wen Ranran was overjoyed at the sight: Such good fortune? The extra ones would be just enough for their family of three to have a late-night snack!
Wen Yiliang, who had been silent all this time, grew truly angry. His wife and daughter had worked so hard to prepare a proper meal, yet the others were still nitpicking. With a dark expression, he pulled Shen Shi and Wen Ranran to sit down: “If you won’t eat, we will!”
The others sneered lightly, their expressions contemptuous.
Shen Shi ladled out the soup, handing the bowl with the most loofah to Ranran, while the two bowls for herself and Wen Yiliang had very little vegetable.
Looking at the difference between the three bowls of soup, Wen Ranran silently vowed that she would ensure Wen Yiliang and Shen Shi could live a life free from worries about food and clothing, no longer suffering such hardships of scarcity.
Wen Yiliang examined the solid, golden-yellow Vegetable Corn Cake in his hand. Its surface was smooth and glossy, the wrapper as thin as a cicada’s wing, with the vibrant green filling clearly visible. The simple fragrance of cornmeal and the unique aroma of chives wafted through the air, truly making one’s mouth water. He couldn’t resist taking a big bite, then froze, forgetting to chew: Huh? It’s this fragrant?
Wen Ranran asked with a smile: “Father, how is it? Is it delicious?”
Wen Yiliang nodded blankly, too busy to speak, and lowered his head to take another bite, savoring it carefully. Although the cornmeal wasn’t as refined as wheat flour, it had its own unique, mildly sweet richness. The filling was tender and juicy, so fresh that one bite made you crave another.
He finished it in a few bites, then took another one with loofah filling to try. Salty and fragrant with a hint of loofah’s freshness, it was also quite delicious!
Shen Shi also ate with great relish, a proud smile on her face.
Seeing that they enjoyed it, Wen Ranran broke open a Vegetable Corn Cake, took a bite, and found it quite tasty. It would be even fresher if she could add some eggs and dried shrimp.
The delicious aroma of chives drifted through the room. Wen Junliang’s nose twitched, and his gaze involuntarily drifted toward the Vegetable Corn Cakes on the table: So fragrant?
The other members of the Wen family also occasionally glanced at the table. Seeing Wen Yiliang eating so heartily, they couldn’t help but swallow their saliva. Wen Rong was the most obvious—his eyes were fixed intently, and his stomach betrayed him by growling audibly.
Hearing the sound, Wen Ranran looked up. Everyone hurriedly averted their eyes, awkwardly exchanging a few idle words to pretend they weren’t staring at the Vegetable Corn Cakes. She found it somewhat amusing.
Wen Yiliang, soft-hearted after all, couldn’t resist saying, “Why don’t you have some?”
Wen Junliang stubbornly shook his head and waved his hand. “No, no!”
But despite his words, his eyes secretly drifted toward the golden Vegetable Corn Cakes, his mouth watering and his heart itching with desire.
Knowing he was just being stubborn, Wen Yiliang grabbed a Vegetable Corn Cake and stuffed it into his mouth.
Wen Junliang initially struggled and resisted, but the moment the filling touched his tongue, he froze in surprise. His eyes instantly lit up: What is this? It’s so fragrant!
As if bewitched, he took a bite. The vegetable filling was incredibly savory—even without any meat, it was delicious!
Wen Junliang could no longer control himself. Forgetting all his earlier “bold declarations,” he devoured one cake and immediately reached for another, slurping down the bowl of Loofah Soup in front of him with relish.
Seeing this, the other family members swallowed their saliva, forgot their earlier refusals, and reached for the Vegetable Corn Cakes. After one bite, their appetites were whetted. In the blink of an eye, the pot of Loofah Soup was emptied, and only three or four Vegetable Corn Cakes remained.
Wen Ranran was stunned by this turn of events: her late-night snack was gone…
Wen Junliang, never one to be embarrassed, finished his bowl of soup clean and reached for another Vegetable Corn Cake, chewing with great satisfaction.
Wen Rong, who had been quite proud earlier, ate until he was burping. Seeing his uncle reach for more, he hurriedly grabbed another Vegetable Corn Cake, afraid he might miss out.
Liang Shi looked lovingly at her son and pushed the plate of Vegetable Corn Cakes closer to him. “Don’t rush, son. Eat slowly—there’s more here!”
Sun Shi reached out but found nothing. She couldn’t help rolling her eyes. “Sister-in-law, isn’t that a bit selfish? There are only a few BoBo left, and your family is taking them all.”
Liang Shi didn’t back down. “How is my family taking them all? Times are hard—why shouldn’t my child eat more?”
Sun Shi sneered, curling her lip. “It’s not like your family is the only one with children. Ruru and Ranran are several years younger than Rong! I won’t even mention my Ruru, but Ranran has just recovered from a serious illness and is as thin as a willow branch. Couldn’t you leave some for her? How can you only think of your own child?”
She then turned to Wen Ranran. “Ranran, don’t you think your third aunt is right?”
Wen Ranran didn’t want to get involved in their argument and said softly, “I’m already full, Third Aunt. You should ask Second Sister instead.”
Sun Shi was taken aback: Ranran had always been simple-minded and easily provoked—usually, a few words were enough to stir her into action. Why wasn’t it working now?
Old Mrs. Wen put down her soup bowl, reminiscing about the delicious taste of the Vegetable Corn Cakes, and declared, “Enough! Let Rong eat first!”
Liang Shi lifted her chin proudly and, without letting Sun Shi speak, said triumphantly, “The Old Mrs. is wise. After all, my Rong is the eldest grandson of the Wen family—he’s precious!”
Sun Shi’s face flushed red with anger. Over the years, Liang Shi, relying on having given birth to the Wen family’s eldest grandson, had often put on airs, always trying to outdo her. Old Mrs. Wen, too, had eyes only for her precious grandson and had always been indifferent to Ruru.
Thinking of this, she turned her head and snorted twice, “It’s laughable for a woman to belittle girls like this.”
Liang Shi rolled her eyes and sneered, “If you can’t bear a son, all you can do is spout sour words.”
“What’s so great about a son? What’s wrong with a daughter?” Sun Shi straightened her back and retorted, “A well-raised daughter is no worse than a son!”
My Ruru’s paintings are even praised by her teacher, unlike that precious Rong Ge’er of hers, who’s useless in both scholarly and martial pursuits. Only she and the old lady treat him like a treasure!
Sun Shi grumbled inwardly and secretly nudged Wen Junliang, hoping he would speak up for her. Unexpectedly, Wen Junliang was too engrossed in the delicious Vegetable Corn Cakes to pay her any attention.
Wen Ranran glanced at Sun Shi and couldn’t help but feel a bit of admiration: Third Aunt may not be the best person, but her mindset is quite progressive.
Liang Shi’s eyes were full of disdain: What’s the use of raising a girl so well? She’ll just belong to another family someday.
Just as she was about to speak, a deep voice suddenly sounded beside her, “You’re being utterly unreasonable. Stop talking nonsense.”
Liang Shi, publicly rebuked by her own husband, flushed crimson with embarrassment and anger. “Husband…”
Wen Zhengliang didn’t even glance at her and pushed the plate toward Wen Ranran. “Ranran, you’ve just recovered from a serious illness. You should eat more. Ruru, have another one too.”
Wen Ruru happily took another Vegetable Corn Cake. “Thank you, Uncle.”
Old Mrs. Wen shot a disapproving look at Wen Ruru: No manners!
She smacked her lips twice, staring wistfully at the last Vegetable Corn Cake left on the plate: I wonder how this thing is made—it’s so delicious, and I haven’t had enough!
Wen Ranran observed Old Mrs. Wen, noticing her gazing intently at the plate. In a daze, she couldn’t help but think of her master. Her master was about the same age as Old Mrs. Wen, and seeing the old woman’s full head of white hair, her heart ached slightly: I wonder how Master is doing now. With me not by his side, I hope the old man is eating properly…
She blinked twice, dispelling the moisture in her eyes, and reached out to hand the last Vegetable Corn Cake to Old Mrs. Wen. “Grandmother, please have it.”
Old Mrs. Wen was taken aback. Staring at the thin, frail girl before her and meeting her moist, bright black eyes, her heart softened. Just as she was about to take it, she suddenly remembered her earlier words and felt somewhat awkward. Stiffly turning her head away, she said coldly, “This thing is too coarse. You should eat it.”
Wen Ranran raised an eyebrow at this: Coarse? Weren’t you the one enjoying it the most just now?
She didn’t insist, withdrawing the Vegetable Corn Cake and taking a hearty bite. The cornmeal was rich and fragrant, while the loofah filling was slightly sweet, spicy, and refreshing.
As she ate, Wen Ranran glanced at Old Mrs. Wen and clearly saw her throat bob several times, unable to control her swallowing: The old lady is quite stubborn…
The Wen family hadn’t enjoyed such a delicious meal in a long time, and everyone wore expressions of satisfaction.
Sun Shi watched Shen Shi clearing the bowls and dishes, her eyes darting around twice before she stepped forward, pretending to offer help.
Shen Shi quickly waved her off. “Third Sister-in-law, don’t trouble yourself. Please, go sit down.”
Sun Shi hadn’t really intended to help in the first place, so she obediently sat down and said with a smile, “Second Sister-in-law, your cooking skills are getting better and better!”
Shen Shi listened with shared pride, her face beaming with a proud smile: “This isn’t my handiwork at all—it was all done by Ranran.”
As soon as these words fell, everyone in the room looked utterly astonished.
After a momentary daze, Sun Shi promptly snapped back to reality and began showering Wen Ranran with endless praise: “Ranran has become so capable now—she’s truly grown up!”
Wen Ranran gazed into those overly earnest eyes and felt her hair stand on end, instinctively pulling her hand away.
Just moments ago, they had looked down on the meal she prepared, and now they were lavishing her with such high praise—were they trying to dump all the chores on her?
Sure enough, the next moment, Sun Shi spoke in a joking tone: “None of us are as skilled as you. Why don’t you handle all the cooking from now on…”
Shen Shi, who knew Sun Shi’s temperament best, quickly cut her off: “Ranran, hurry and help me carry the bowls and chopsticks out!”
“Coming!” Wen Ranran responded cheerfully, carrying the soup pot as she followed Shen Shi out.
“Look at Second Sister-in-law! I was only joking, but she dragged Third Girl away so quickly, afraid her Ranran might have to cook an extra meal!” Sun Shi remarked with sarcasm.
Shen Shi turned a deaf ear, simply patting Ranran’s head.
Cooking and cleaning were tasks originally agreed to be shared equally among the three households—there was no reason for Ranran to do all the work while the others lounged around enjoying leisure!
For the first time, Wen Ranran experienced the warmth of being protected by her mother. She smiled and was about to go wash the dishes when Shen Shi stopped her: “Ranran, don’t bother with these chores. A young lady shouldn’t roughen her hands.”
Wen Yiliang walked over upon hearing the commotion and, taking advantage of their back-and-forth, had already quietly rolled up his sleeves and started washing the bowls. As he scrubbed, he chuckled and said, “You’re both young ladies—let me handle the washing!”
“Husband!” Shen Shi blushed bright red with embarrassment, “I’m already in my thirties—how can I still be called a young lady!”
Wen Yiliang smiled gently, his eyes crinkling: “In my heart, you and Ranran will always be young ladies.”
Watching from the side, Wen Ranran unconsciously curved her lips into a smile, feeling warmth spread through her chest.
“Qiong Niang, I’ll go to the market this afternoon to see if there’s any work available,” Wen Yiliang said as he dried his hands, then turned to Wen Ranran. “Ranran, is there anything you’d like to eat?”
Wen Ranran couldn’t contain her excitement upon hearing this. She had long entertained ideas about starting a business, but having been confined indoors lately, she knew little about current market conditions and prices in this era. To pursue commerce, she needed firsthand observation—and this presented the perfect opportunity!
With this thought, she looked up at Wen Yiliang with sparkling eyes: “Father, I’d like to go with you.”