That evening, Old Madam Tian took over tending the fire and chased everyone lingering hopefully around the kitchen out the door.
“I’ll go dig them up.”
With that, she got up and left.
As soon as the kitchen was empty, Jinxiu quickly spent 1 point in the system to exchange for two boxes of Thirteen-Spice seasoning.
She swiftly tore off the packaging, poured a spoonful into the pot, and stored the rest in her inventory.
The family’s seasonings were extremely limited.
They only had salt, cooking oil, and soy sauce.
Peppercorns, star anise, dried chilies…
They had none of those.
Given the circumstances, exchanging for Thirteen-Spice was the safest choice.
She casually tossed in two small pieces of cinnamon bark before covering the pot to let it simmer.
A rich, irresistible aroma immediately filled the kitchen.
It drifted out through the chimney and spread with the evening breeze.
Before long…
Half of Dali Village could smell it.
Following the mouthwatering scent, villagers soon gathered outside the Xie family’s gate.
Several others had just returned from the fields, hoes resting on their shoulders.
“Old Madam Tian, what are you cooking? Why does it smell so good? I smelled meat from your house yesterday, and you’re eating meat again tonight? Did you strike it rich?”
If the Xie family were still as prosperous as before, no one would have found it surprising.
But everyone in the village knew just how difficult their circumstances were now.
A round-faced woman chimed in,
“It must be rabbit. My boy came home saying Xiaoyu’s family caught two rabbits today. Now he’s insisting on going into the mountains to pick up rabbits himself.”
A thin woman rolled her eyes.
“As if rabbits are that easy to find.”
“My goodness, it smells incredible! I’ve cooked rabbit before, but it never smelled like this. Old Madam Tian, who’s cooking tonight?”
Everyone turned toward Old Madam Tian, who had just returned from the vegetable garden carrying a handful of scallions and garlic.
She answered leisurely,
“Exactly! Rabbits aren’t that easy to catch.”
“But our Jinxiu managed to catch two in one go.”
“She’s inside cooking the rabbit right now.”
“Come to think of it, that child is truly talented at cooking.”
“She made dinner last night too.”
“It smelled wonderful.”
The villagers exchanged surprised glances.
They all knew who Jinxiu was.
She was Xie Jinnan’s new wife.
One sharp-eyed villager noticed the rabbit fur drying in the courtyard.
Goodness…
There was so much fur.
Just how big had those rabbits been?
How much meat did two rabbits yield?
Aside from the village butcher, Song…
Most families hadn’t tasted meat for over half a year.
Yet the Xie family not only had that much rabbit meat…
They’d cooked it so fragrantly that it drove everyone crazy with envy.
Who said she was a jinx?
She was obviously a lucky star.
“Time for dinner!”
“That’s enough chatting. Everyone go home.”
Feeling the villagers’ envious stares behind her, Old Madam Tian walked proudly back inside.
She actually preferred keeping a low profile.
But she simply couldn’t tolerate those malicious rumors.
“I never imagined cinnamon could make meat smell this good!”
Forget the villagers.
Even Old Madam Tian couldn’t help swallowing.
Not to mention Xiaoyu, Eryong, and Old Master Xie, who were obediently standing outside the kitchen doorway, peeking in because they didn’t dare challenge her authority.
Jinxiu secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
Fortunately…
Old Madam Tian had credited the wonderful aroma to the cinnamon.
“Jinxiu, is the rabbit almost done?”
Jinxiu lifted the lid, picked up a piece, and tasted it.
“Almost.”
“Grandma, let’s stir-fry some spring bamboo shoots too.”
Meat alone wasn’t enough.
A balanced meal needed vegetables as well.
Old Madam Tian nodded.
After a moment’s thought, she said,
“This whole pot is too much for us to finish.”
“I’d like to send some to your Second Aunt and Third Aunt.”
“And to a few neighbors we’ve always been close with.”
They had just attracted everyone’s envy.
Now it was time to strengthen relationships instead.
Jinxiu had no objections.
The rabbit was divided into several bowls.
Jinnan would be responsible for delivering them.
Just then Old Madam Tian suddenly remembered something.
“Oh! We almost forgot.”
“We should send some to the village head’s family too.”
Jinnan had been thinking exactly the same thing.
Old Madam Tian considered for another moment.
“And your Third Aunt’s family.”
“Give them a little extra.”
“She’s thoughtful.”
“She brought over a whole basket of eggs this afternoon.”
Jinnan filled several large bowls before placing them into two baskets.
Then he left together with Eryong.
Old Madam Tian said earnestly,
“Village Head Song is a good man.”
“It’s never a bad thing to stay on good terms with him.”
Jinxiu linked arms with the old woman and shamelessly showered her with praise.
“Grandma, you’re so wise!”
“You really think far ahead.”
“I never would’ve thought of that.”
“Of course!”
Old Madam Tian proudly puffed out her chest.
The two women laughed together intimately.
Outside the doorway, Old Master Xie and Xie Changsheng watched the scene.
They exchanged glances…
And smiled.
Old Master Xie spoke.
“Jinxiu, go with Jinnan.”
“You can take the opportunity to meet your two aunts and uncles.”
Old Madam Tian quickly agreed.
“Go on, Jinxiu.”
“I’ll stir-fry the bamboo shoots.”
“All right.”
Jinxiu left the courtyard.
After only a few steps, she caught up with Jinnan and Eryong.
Each brother carried a basket.
“Husband, let’s go together.”
“I haven’t met Second Aunt’s family yet.”
Jinnan turned to his younger brother.
“Eryong, you deliver these to the village head’s house and the other two families.”
“Got it.”
Eryong headed west toward the village.
Meanwhile, Jinnan led Jinxiu south.
Originally, Old Master Xie had intended to build all three brothers’ homes together on the same plot of land.
There had been more than enough space.
However…
The second and third branches didn’t want to live at the far end of the village.
So each family chose their own building site.
The eldest branch preferred the quiet at the village’s edge.
The second branch built their home near the village entrance.
The third branch lived next door to Doctor Ma.
“Third Aunt.”
Hearing Jinnan’s voice, Huang Mei stepped out of the kitchen.
“Jinnan’s here.”
“Oh! Jinxiu came too.”
“I’m making dinner.”
“Stay and eat before you head home.”
“We won’t trouble you, Third Aunt.”
“We came to deliver some rabbit meat.”
“We’ll leave as soon as we’re done.”
Huang Mei’s eyes widened.
“That’s far too much!”
The large bowl was filled to the brim with rabbit meat.
Rich broth shimmered with droplets of oil.
The aroma alone was intoxicating.
She carried the bowl back into the kitchen and divided half onto a plate.
Then she tried to hand the remaining half back.
Jinxiu ignored her objections and poured the rest into the plate as well.
Smiling, she said,
“Third Aunt, Grandma slaughtered two rabbits.”
“There’s plenty.”
“She specifically told us to give your family an extra-large portion.”
“Well…”
Huang Mei smiled happily.
“In that case, thank you.”
“By the way…”
“This rabbit smells incredible.”
“You cooked it, didn’t you?”
“Your grandma definitely doesn’t have cooking skills like this.”
“Oh…”
“Don’t tell her I said that.”
Jinxiu burst into laughter.
After meeting Third Uncle Xie Tiansheng, their two cousins Xie Dashan and Xie Dalin, and their cousin Xie Qiuyue…
The couple took their leave.
Their next stop was the second branch.
“Our family’s not lacking food.”
“You should take it back.”
“Let your parents eat more to nourish themselves.”
Thinking about how difficult life was for the eldest branch, Xie Fusheng wanted to decline.
Before he could finish…
Zhang Yuying shoved him aside with one bump of her hip.
She put on a broad smile.
“Don’t listen to your Second Uncle.”
“We haven’t eaten meat in ages.”
“The adults can endure it.”
“But I feel sorry for the children.”
“Jinnan…”
“I’ll gladly accept this bowl of rabbit.”
She accepted the bowl before smiling somewhat sheepishly.
“We didn’t know you were coming today.”
“So we didn’t cook much.”
“Second Aunt won’t keep you for dinner.”
“Next time…”
“When you come again, I’ll cook something delicious for you.”
“Our family is waiting for us to go home for dinner.”
“We won’t disturb you any longer, Second Aunt.”
Jinnan nodded politely.
Then he left together with Jinxiu.
Watching the two of them walk away, Xie Fusheng shot his wife a reproachful look.
“You really don’t know how to speak.”
“They brought us meat.”
“Did you really think they’d shamelessly stay here for dinner?”
“What delicacies do we even have to serve them?”
Zhang Yuying planted one hand on her hip and replied matter-of-factly,
“I was only telling the truth.”
“We really didn’t cook much.”
“What if they actually accepted?”
“Would you feed them air?”
“You’re the one who’s obsessed with saving face!”