Looking at the simple ingredients, Jiang Qingli suddenly remembered the cooking skills she had learned from the head matron at the orphanage.
In the twenty-first century, cornmeal was considered a healthy coarse grain. Not only was it good for weight loss, but there were also countless ways to prepare it. Corn porridge naturally didn’t taste very good, but with just a little extra effort, it could become a true delicacy.
“We’re not eating corn mush today.”
Turning around, she gave Shen Xiaohua a mischievous wink, rolled up her sleeves, and immediately got to work.
Sitting on the bed plank, the little girl tilted her head in confusion.
Not eating mush?
Then what were they going to eat?
Jiang Qingli first scooped two large spoonfuls of cornmeal into a pottery basin. Then she took out two eggs and lightly cracked them against the rim of a bowl. The golden yolks slid smoothly into the flour mixture like two tiny suns falling into a golden sea.
As soon as the batter was ready, the iron wok had already been heated until it was faintly smoking.
Jiang Qingli scooped a lump of lard into the perfectly heated wok with a wooden spoon. The moment it hit the surface with a sizzling sound, an aroma unlike anything before began spreading through the room.
As the batter touched the pan, tiny bubbles burst excitedly in the oil. The rich fragrance of egg blended with the natural sweetness of corn and exploded into the air, instantly filling the entire kitchen with warm, comforting aromas.
Shen Xiaohua couldn’t help stretching her neck toward the stove.
What heavenly smell was this?
How could Sister-in-law’s cooking smell so good?
Jiang Qingli was actually an excellent cook. Although she had studied medicine, she had always cooked for herself to save money.
The internet in the twenty-first century had been highly developed, with countless apps providing ready-made recipes. Following the methods she remembered, she flicked her wrist, sending a pancake gracefully through the air. It landed with perfectly browned tiger-striped patterns across its surface.
By the time golden corn pancakes had been stacked into a small mountain and a large coarse porcelain bowl had been filled with delicate egg drop soup, Shen Xiaohua was completely dumbfounded.
The pancakes looked crispy enough to crackle with every bite, yet fluffy and soft on the inside. One bite released a sweet aroma reminiscent of honey.
Tiny droplets of oil floated atop the soup, and every spoonful contained silky strands of tender egg. The scent of scallions rose with the steam and drifted straight into one’s nose.
“Want to try some?”
Jiang Qingli broke off a piece of the steaming hot pancake and handed it over.
Swallowing hard, Shen Xiaohua carefully accepted it and eagerly took a small bite.
Her eyes instantly widened.
First came the slightly salty crisp crust, then the grainy texture of the cornmeal, and finally a faint milky sweetness.
This was unbelievably delicious!!
Shen Xiaohua happily held the corn pancake and ate it with gusto. Her little mouth glistened with oil, and her eyes narrowed into happy crescents.
Just as she took another large bite, she suddenly sensed someone watching her.
Looking up, she saw Jiang Qingli resting her chin on one hand, staring at her without blinking.
Plop!
The pancake fell from her hand onto the table.
Oh no!
She had been so busy stuffing herself that she had forgotten to let Sister-in-law eat first!
Back at home, her mother had always taught her that children couldn’t start eating before their elders. Doing so was disrespectful.
Sister-in-law had finally started treating her gently. She must be angry again now!
The thought instantly brought tears to Shen Xiaohua’s eyes.
“S… Sister-in-law… why aren’t you eating?”
Jiang Qingli obviously couldn’t tell the little girl that she was trying to lose weight.
Clearing her throat, she said, “I already ate enough earlier. You’re too skinny, so eat more. Sister-in-law will make something else for you tonight.”
She glanced down at her rounded arms and recalled the layers of flesh she had pinched around her waist during last night’s bath.
Her appetite immediately disappeared.
Shen Xiaohua blinked in disbelief.
Had she heard correctly?
Not only was Sister-in-law not angry, she was even promising to make her more delicious food tonight!
Yesterday, Sister-in-law had hugged her and even held her while they slept.
Her body had been soft and warm, like a sun-dried cotton quilt. It had felt so comfortable that Shen Xiaohua had almost forgotten about her injured leg.
And today Sister-in-law had made her such delicious corn pancakes…
The more she thought about it, the happier she became.
The corners of her mouth curled upward uncontrollably, and she even picked up the crumbs that had fallen onto the table and popped them into her mouth, unwilling to waste a single bit.
After seeing that she had nearly finished eating, Jiang Qingli stood up to clear the dishes. She wiped down the table and reminded her,
“Stay in bed and rest. Sister-in-law is going out for a bit and will be back soon.”
Shen Xiaohua’s eyes lit up as though she had just heard something unbelievable.
Sister-in-law…
Actually told her where she was going?
In the past, Sister-in-law never informed her before going out.
Sometimes she would disappear for an entire day.
But now…
Shen Xiaohua’s eyes sparkled.
My sister-in-law really is different now!!
After tidying the stove area, Jiang Qingli filled a large enamel mug with water and placed it on a small stool within easy reach of Shen Xiaohua.
She looked around.
Although the room was shabby, it actually contained everything they needed.
There were towels, soap, and even a radio. She had also found a newly opened tin of face cream in one of the drawers.
Tsk!
The original owner really knew how to enjoy herself.
Thinking back, when they had first married, Shen Li had given the original owner fifty yuan. Her parents had also secretly slipped her money from time to time.
But the original owner had not only loved eating, she had also spent money recklessly.
With spending habits like that, no amount of savings would have lasted.
Now Jiang Qingli needed to go out and see whether there were any opportunities to earn money.
Without money, it was impossible to get anywhere.
That was a lesson she had understood since childhood.
While planning ways to make money, Jiang Qingli headed outside. Before leaving, she carried the bedding she had washed the previous day into the courtyard to dry.
The early summer sunlight was warm and pleasant. The quilt swayed gently in the breeze like a fluffy cloud.
Taking a deep breath, she inhaled the fragrance of soil and fresh grass carried through the air. Satisfied, she dusted off her hands and strode out of the family compound.
“Did you see that? Shen Li’s wife went out again!”
The moment Jiang Qingli stepped through the compound gate, countless heads immediately poked out from nearby windows, and hushed conversations broke out.
“Poor little Xiaohua injured her leg last night. I wonder how she’s doing now…”
“Tsk, Shen Li isn’t home, and his wife never takes responsibility for anything. That poor child…”
Just as everyone was gossiping, a sudden cough sounded behind them.
Turning around, they saw Aunt Wang standing there with her hands on her hips and a deep frown on her face.
She was the director of the Women’s Federation and also Minister Wang’s wife. Her words carried considerable authority within the compound.
“What are you all staring at? Got nothing better to do?”
Wang Chunxia glared at them.
“I went back to my parents’ house yesterday and only heard this morning that Xiaohua broke her leg. Stop spreading rumors. I’ll go check on her myself in a bit.”
Everyone immediately nodded in agreement.
“Right, right, someone should check on her!”
“Shen Li’s wife can’t even cook. Don’t let the child go hungry…”
Aunt Wang returned to her house and grabbed two eggs.
Before leaving, she reminded her husband, “Something happened to the Shen family’s little girl. Later, call the county office from work and tell Shen Li to come back as soon as possible.”