After happily finishing a bowl of mung bean soup, the old matriarch praised Gu Yuan endlessly.
Second Brother of the Gu family wiped his mouth and blurted out without thinking, “So refreshing. Little sister’s soup is really good—after drinking it, I feel like I’ve come back to life. I say, Little Sister, you don’t need to go up the mountain with Nanfeng anymore. Just stay at home and cook soup and meals for us.”
In the past, the best cook in the family was Third Sister-in-law. But after eating Gu Yuan’s soup, even Third Sister-in-law’s cooking suddenly felt like pig feed.
Second Brother’s words were quickly agreed upon by the rest of the family. Before anyone could nod, the old matriarch took off her shoe and threw it straight at his head.
“Cook what cook! So what, you think your little sister exists just to serve you? She’s kind enough to make soup for you, and you still want to exploit her? If I hear any of you secretly ordering her around again, get out of the Gu family!”
Gu Yuan stood behind the old matriarch and stuck out her tongue at Second Brother.
To cover up her trip to town, she hadn’t gone to deliver soup today—only waiting for her mother to come home and drink it. In truth, she didn’t actually like cooking. She preferred eating.
But green beans only changed after being touched by her hands—so if she didn’t cook it, who would?
Still, now she didn’t need to anymore. She had already secretly touched all the beans in her mother’s room. From now on, whoever cooked would make the same effect.
She ignored Second Brother completely. In the past two days, she had figured out the household dynamics: Third Brother was the most honest, and Eldest Brother was at least decent on the surface and didn’t slack off at work.
People aren’t perfect; a little selfishness was understandable. As long as things didn’t cross the line, she didn’t care.
Only Second Brother—lazy, opportunistic, avoiding work whenever possible—she disliked him very much.
After drinking soup, it was time to cook dinner.
Cooking in the Gu family rotated between the three daughters-in-law, and today it happened to be Madam Qian’s turn. Her cooking skills were infamous.
As usual, Gu Feifei went to cook.
Gu Yuan returned to her room and soon came out carrying a jar.
She placed it in front of Third Sister-in-law and said a little embarrassedly, “Third Sister-in-law, I’ll have to trouble you again. I already discussed it with Mother—we’re making deep-fried cicada nymphs.”
“W-what? Fry them?” Third Sister-in-law immediately looked toward the old matriarch.
Good heavens, the little sister-in-law really dared to say it—frying cicada nymphs? That would use a lot of oil!
The old matriarch glanced at her and said, “Why are you looking at me? Your little sister said you’ve all been working hard during the harvest and lost weight, so you need something with oil. She thinks of you all—don’t you dare forget her kindness.”
Third Brother and his wife, as well as Eldest Brother, immediately nodded in agreement. Only Second Brother rolled his eyes secretly, annoyed.
Every day she had to praise her little daughter—wasn’t she tired of it?
But he didn’t dare say it out loud.
Third Sister-in-law nervously wiped her hands. “Little sister, how do I do this? How much oil do we use?”
Oil was precious. She was afraid using too much would make the old matriarch angry, and too little would make Gu Yuan unhappy.
The old matriarch directly tossed her the key. “Take it. Do it yourself.”
Gu Yuan smiled. “Mother, just wait for it.”
She instructed, “Third Sister-in-law, rinse the cicada nymphs again. I’ll get the oil.”
When they reached the kitchen, Gu Feifei had just finished cooking. Hearing they were going to fry cicadas, she didn’t leave—she stayed to watch.
She was both jealous and envious of her aunt. Same as other girls, yet Grandma listened to her and gave her everything.
But she didn’t dare act out.
When the oil heated up, Gu Yuan scooped a spoonful into the pot.
Third Sister-in-law immediately stopped her. “That’s enough! That’s enough!”
In normal days, even half a spoon would be scolded. Now she had already used a full spoon.
But Gu Yuan frowned. “Trust me, it won’t taste good without enough oil.”
She added three more spoonfuls.
Third Sister-in-law nearly fainted.
Finally, she quickly poured the cicada nymphs into the pan.
The sizzling sound of oil filled the kitchen, followed by an irresistible aroma.
Second Aunt came sniffing in. “What are you cooking? Smells so good.”
When she heard it was cicadas being fried, she sneered, “Wasting oil on something like that. Really don’t know how precious food is.”
Gu Yuan calmly replied, “Then Second Aunt doesn’t have to eat later. We didn’t catch many anyway.”
Second Aunt’s face stiffened but she left angrily.
Soon the cicadas were fried golden and crispy.
Third Sister-in-law served them out.
Without hesitation, Gu Yuan picked one and placed it into Third Sister-in-law’s mouth, then one for Gu Feifei.
“Try it. Is it good?”
Gu Feifei’s eyes lit up immediately. “Good! Aunt, I want to go catch them with you tonight too!”
She understood clearly—if she wanted more, she had to work.
Gu Yuan nodded. “If you’re not afraid of tiring out, come along.”
Later, the cicadas were brought to the table.
The old matriarch first ate two pieces and nodded proudly. “I told you, my daughter knows best.”
Then she distributed the rest.
Second Brother ate and immediately licked his fingers. “Delicious! Tomorrow let Feifei go catch more!”
But Gu Yuan rolled her eyes. “Second Brother, if you want more, go catch them yourself. Don’t order a young girl around at night.”
Third Brother also nodded. “Exactly, it’s dangerous in the forest.”
But the old matriarch spoke directly: “Then all of you go. Each family sends one person. Whoever doesn’t go, don’t eat tomorrow!”
Silence fell instantly.
No one dared disobey.
And so, that night, the plan to catch cicadas was decided.