Such a reasonable, kind-hearted girl—if she truly married her brother someday, that wouldn’t be so bad at all.
Chen Qingqing’s fondness for Wu Cuihua grew instantly. With a bright smile, she said sweetly, “Sister Cuihua, you’re such a good person.”
Wu Cuihua chuckled at the compliment. “You little imp! Your brother told me you were the most obedient one at home, but from what I can see, you’re as quick-witted as they come.”
“No, I’m just being honest!”
And she really was. Though Wu Cuihua was Wu Shiren’s own daughter, her temperament couldn’t be more different from his.
Where Wu Shiren was stingy and harsh, Wu Cuihua was generous and kind. Whenever Chen Zhanshan came to visit Chen Feng, she would secretly slip him some food to take home.
Even if those things never made it past the main house—swallowed up by the greedy elders—Chen Qingqing knew one thing for sure: Wu Cuihua had a good heart.
The two girls chatted for a while until Chen Feng hurried over from the kitchen.
Wu Cuihua quickly stood up. “You’re finished? Come sit and rest a bit.”
“Thank you, Cuihua,” Chen Feng said gratefully, glancing at the half-eaten buns on the table. “You shouldn’t have gone to the trouble.”
“Don’t be so polite. I get along well with your sister Qingqing—I like her very much. Make sure she comes by often.”
“If you like my little sister, that’s her good fortune. I’ll make sure she visits you,” Chen Feng replied with a warm smile.
“Good. Then you two chat—I’ll get back to work.”
Once Wu Cuihua left, Chen Feng finally noticed the scab on his sister’s forehead. His expression darkened with concern.
“Qingqing, what happened to your head? Who hurt you?”
Chen Qingqing froze. She’d carefully hidden the wound beneath her hair—he must really love his sister to notice so quickly.
Seeing the worry in his eyes, she smiled softly. “It’s nothing, Brother. No one bullied me.”
“Tell me the truth,” he said sternly. “Was it Chen Ruolan again?”
“No,” she shook her head, hesitating. “It… it was Grandma.”
Chen Feng’s fists clenched tight. “She already favors Third Uncle’s family enough—why would she hit you?”
Tears welled in Chen Qingqing’s eyes as she said quietly, “Brother, a lot has happened since you left home. Grandma didn’t have money to pay Uncle’s school fees, so they decided to sell me to the town butcher, Li, to be his second wife…”
“What?” Chen Feng shot to his feet, fury blazing in his eyes. “It’s one thing to play favorites, but this? That butcher is a vile man! How could they even think of marrying you off to him?”
His voice trembled with rage. “Don’t be afraid, little sister. As long as I’m alive, I won’t let them throw you into the fire pit! Come on—we’re going home right now. If Grandma won’t cancel that engagement, I’ll break Chen Zhancai’s leg myself! Let’s see how that cripple keeps studying then!”
Warmth surged in Chen Qingqing’s chest. Having a brother who loved and protected her like this… it wasn’t a bad feeling at all. She thought wryly that she wouldn’t mind having a few more brothers like him.
But still—if he really broke Chen Zhancai’s leg, that would only make things worse. It might even land him in jail.
She chuckled softly. “Brother, sit down and hear me out first.”
Chen Feng’s eyes burned with anger. The old couple’s favoritism wasn’t new, but selling his sister off? That crossed every line of decency.
“Qingqing, you don’t have to say anything. If I don’t get justice for you today, I’m not your brother.”
“Brother, you don’t need to,” she said quickly. “Because of this whole mess, Father and Mother have finally seen Grandma and Grandpa’s true colors. We’ve already split from the main family.”
“Really?” Chen Feng asked, half in disbelief.
“You still don’t believe your sister?”
“It’s not that I don’t,” he said, frowning. “But you know what they’re like—shameless to the core. As long as Third Uncle so much as pouts, they’ll think of some new scheme. Since we’ve split, you can’t go back there again, understand? It’s too dangerous.”
He took a deep breath, his voice firm. “I’ll ask Shopkeeper Wu to lend me a few taels of silver. I’ll rent a small room in town for you to stay in. Once I earn a bit more, I’ll bring Father, Mother, and our younger brother here too. We’ll live on our own—far from those heartless people. Out of sight, out of mind.”
Chen Qingqing couldn’t help but laugh. “Brother, don’t worry. No one’s going to bully us again. We’ve not only split from the family—we’ve written a severance letter.”
“A severance letter?” Chen Feng’s brows furrowed, then his lips curved into a cold smile. “Good. A bond like that isn’t worth keeping anyway.”
Remembering the scene in the kitchen, Chen Qingqing decided to steer the conversation. “Brother, come home with me. Wu Shiren never intended to teach you cooking. You could work here your whole life and never learn a real skill. If you truly want to become a chef, find another master when you can.”
Chen Feng’s brows drew together.
Of course he knew Wu Shiren had no plans to teach him—but he couldn’t just leave. Not now.
He endured humiliation and hardship for one reason only: to learn a trade. To earn enough money to lift his family out of poverty. To free them from the cruelty of those so-called relatives who looked down on them.
Now that they were truly separated from the old house, he had even more reason to stay. If he didn’t learn to cook, if he didn’t start earning soon, how would his family survive?
He gave her a faint smile. “Qingqing, you underestimate your brother. Maybe he won’t teach me, but I’m no fool. I’ve been watching the head chefs carefully, studying in secret. Honestly, I’ve already memorized quite a few stir-fry techniques—I just haven’t had the chance to try them yet. Once I’ve learned enough, I’ll find a small inn and work as a real cook. Then I’ll save up money, open a restaurant of my own, and when that day comes, you’ll be my cashier. Our family will live well again.”
At last, Chen Qingqing understood. So that’s why her brother refused to leave—he’d been secretly learning all along.
Her gaze softened, tinged with sorrow. Her brother had endured so much, swallowing insults and hardship, all for the sake of giving their family a better life.
“Brother,” she said quietly, “I believe in you. You’ll make it.”
Just then, the waiter came out from the kitchen. “Chen Feng, your father’s looking for you. He’s waiting by the side door.”
“Oh! Alright, I’ll be right there.”
Chen Feng and Chen Qingqing stood up to leave, but before they could, Wu Cuihua approached again, holding a small bundle wrapped in oil paper.
“Qingqing, take these meat buns home for your family to try.”
“Oh, that’s not necessary—”
“Don’t argue. Take them.” Wu Cuihua stuffed the bundle firmly into her hands.
Chen Qingqing looked helplessly at her brother. “Brother, should I…?”
Chen Feng smiled. “Cuihua’s just being kind. Since she insists, you should take them.”
Chen Qingqing grinned. “Then thank you, Sister Cuihua.”
Once they stepped outside, they spotted their father, Chen Zhanshan, standing there looking weary and defeated.
Chen Feng quickened his pace. “Father, how did it go? Any work at the docks?”
“Ah…” The older man sighed. “Too many men looking for work these days. I waited half a day and still didn’t find anything.”
Disappointment clouded his face, but he forced a smile. “And you, my boy? How’s the apprenticeship going? Are they working you too hard?”
“Don’t worry, Father—it’s not hard at all.”
“Good. That’s good to hear.”
They chatted a bit longer before the older man glanced at the darkening sky. “It’s getting late. Everything’s fine at home, so don’t worry. Keep working hard. We’ll head back now.”
Chen Qingqing waved cheerfully. “Take care, Brother. Don’t overwork yourself—I’ll visit again in a few days!”
“Alright. Travel safe,” Chen Feng said, watching them leave.
As his father’s hunched figure disappeared down the road, a sharp sting pricked his nose.
He blinked rapidly, fighting the ache in his chest.