Yu Xiang’an watched their eager expressions with a hint of unspoken culinary pride. If not for the limited ingredients and the need to hold back, she could have made it even more delicious! She smiled and said, “It’s ready, let’s eat!”
Her words acted like a switch—Yu Xiangju and Yu Mingjie immediately cheered, while Yu Xianghai took a deep breath and gave a thumbs-up. “Little sister, your cooking skills are top-notch!” The aroma was so irresistible he could hardly hold back.
“Aunt Qiao, take this out. I’ll stir-fry another dish in the wok.” There was still plenty of oil left in the wok, and she wasn’t about to let it go to waste.
Dinner that night was exceptionally lavish. The main dish was braised rabbit meat, accompanied by pan-fried small fish, fried tofu, and the bone-and-dried-vegetable soup and stir-fried taro brought by Yu Xianghai and Ye Qijia. Yu Mingjie and Yu Xiangju could hardly wait, but since not everyone had arrived yet, they restrained themselves—both children had been well-taught and could resist even such temptation.
Yu Qingshan sat at the head of the table and even brought out a small, treasured bottle of yellow wine, pouring a couple of sips for himself and Yu Xianghai before putting it away. As soon as Yu Xiang’an sat down with her stir-fried greens, Yu Qingshan cleared his throat. “Today, since Xiao An happened to be here, we’re having a feast. Xiao An, now that you’re working, focus on your job at the factory. Here’s to our family’s future getting better and better!” With that, he picked up his chopsticks, sparing no time for lengthy speeches. With such delicious food in front of them, there was no time for idle chatter.
As soon as he started, the others followed suit—all aiming for the plate of enticing, fragrant rabbit meat. In no time, half of it was gone. Though Yu Xiangju and Yu Mingjie were young, their chopstick skills were no slower than the adults’. They quickly snatched pieces of rabbit meat and devoured them with gusto. The meat wasn’t just visually appealing and aromatic—it tasted incredible, instantly winning everyone over.
The rule of “fast hands get the food” applied, and everyone ate quickly at first. Only after finishing their first helping and going back for more did the pace slow down, allowing them to savor the flavors. By the end, the plate was so clean it hardly needed washing.
Yu Xiang’an managed to get three pieces, which satisfied her completely. With those three pieces as a base, she wouldn’t wake up hungry tonight. Yu Qingshan looked at the empty plate, feeling the contentment in his stomach and on his tongue, and sighed. “If only your second brother and the others were here to taste Xiao An’s cooking.”
Yu Xianghai also sighed in agreement. Due to government policies, unless they were only children, urban youths without job placements had to go to the countryside to support national construction. His younger siblings—second brother, third sister, and fourth sister—had all gone to the countryside. The third sister had passed away from illness after a year, and the other two had no hope of returning anytime soon. Just thinking about it made him sigh.
Ye Qijia glanced at Yu Mingjie beside her, wondering when these policies would change. Otherwise, if she had another child, they’d have to go to the countryside too—a thought that felt like cutting her own flesh.
Yu Qingshan said, “They all thought Xiao An would marry into the Zhou family. Now that things have changed, we should write to them and send some things along.” Yu Xiang’an’s heart stirred. From her memories, the Yu family had always been harmonious, and if she could help, she should. As for writing letters, she couldn’t do it yet—her handwriting differed from the original owner’s. She was practicing with a calligraphy book and needed more time before her handwriting could change convincingly.
Yu Xianghai nodded. “That’s right. We should also inform Grandpa and Uncle.” The engagement had been known to all their relatives.
Yu Qingshan added, “On our next day off, we’ll visit them. Grandpa was discharged from the hospital, and we haven’t seen him yet. I wonder how he’s doing.” He then turned to his daughter-in-law. “Oldest daughter-in-law, since you work at the supply and marketing cooperative, if you see any malted milk powder, buy a bag for me.” Malted milk powder was expensive and hard to come by. Ye Qijia naturally agreed.
After the family left, Zhao Qiaoniang went to wash the dishes. Yu Xiang’an said, “Dad, once I get my salary, I’ll contribute ten yuan a month to improve our meals.”
Yu Qingshan waved his hand. “Keep it for yourself. The family has no debts now, and my salary is enough. Don’t spend recklessly—save up. Later, I’ll find you a good match, and you’ll need money for your dowry.”
Yu Xiang’an replied, “…Dad, I don’t want to get married.” She was only eighteen—in her past life, that would have been considered early dating. Yu Qingshan assumed she was still hurt by recent events and didn’t press the issue. After all, his daughter now had a job—finding a decent match wouldn’t be too hard.
Since Yu Qingshan refused the money, Yu Xiang’an didn’t push further. If she wanted to help the family, there were simpler ways—like buying delicious food to share.
Workers had three or four days off a month, and the family chose a day when everyone was free to visit their hometown. Their ancestral home was in a town under the county, now renamed as a commune. The village had become a production brigade—the Red Star Production Brigade, not far from the commune. To get there, they first took a bus to the commune, then walked for about half an hour to the brigade.
They set off early and arrived with the sun still high in the sky. At this hour, the adults were working in the fields, older children were doing lighter tasks to earn work points, and the younger ones were either playing outside or helping at home.
Yu Changyou and Zhang Chahua were elderly, but Zhang Chahua was still strong and worked in the fields. Yu Changyou, however, had fallen ill recently and was still weak, so he stayed home twisting rope. When he saw them arrive, he stood up happily. “You’re here! Have you eaten breakfast?”
Yu Xiangju cheerfully called out, “Grandpa! We’ve all eaten. Where are Grandma and Uncle?” Yu Xiangju had always been lively and affectionate. Though he didn’t live with his grandparents, he was always close to them. Yu Changyou patted his somewhat unhealthy hair and replied, “Your grandmother and the others are in the fields. Only Grandpa is home. Go call them—I’ll make you some sugar water later.”
Yu Xiangju’s eyes lit up. “Thank you, Grandpa!”
“Me too!” Yu Mingjie, hearing this, hurried over from outside. He’d lagged behind a bit and almost missed out on the treat. Seeing his only great-grandson, Yu Changyou’s smile widened. “Of course, you’ll get some too. Go call them—if you don’t know where they are, ask around. Don’t be shy.”
Yu Xiang’an put down what she was carrying. “Grandpa, I’ll go with them.”
Yu Qingshan also set his things aside. “Dad, how’s your health? Are you feeling better?” Yu Changyou’s smile faded when facing his son. “Cough—what did you buy? We don’t need anything. Don’t waste money. I’m fine now. The doctor said to avoid fieldwork until I finish this round of medicine.” Even afterward, he’d only be able to do light work.
Zhao Qiaoniang and Ye Qijia came in quietly, greeting Yu Changyou before taking the meat to the kitchen. When Yu Xianghai entered, and no one else followed, Yu Changyou asked, “Where’s Minxiu?” The whole family had come—there was no reason for her to stay behind to mind the house.
With only the three of them in the room, Yu Qingshan explained what had happened with Yu Xiang’an. Yu Changyou’s face darkened with anger. “How could this happen? That shameless ingrate! And the Zhou family is no good either!”
Yu Qingshan helped him sit back down. “Dad, don’t be angry. Xiao An is now a full-time worker at the food factory. We pulled some strings to keep her out of the Zhou family’s department, so they can’t easily make trouble for her.”
Yu Changyou sighed, recalling his granddaughter’s calm demeanor earlier. “Has Xiao An moved on?”
Yu Xianghai chimed in, “Grandpa, my sister isn’t the unreasonable type. She’s doing well at the factory and even picked up some cooking skills.” He lowered his voice. “She bought a rabbit the other day and cooked it—the taste was amazing!” They framed things positively to avoid worrying the old man.
Yu Changyou was silent for a moment. “Xiao An is broad-minded. What about the other side? Did she just marry into that family? Did your wife say anything? She only has that one daughter—did she have a hand in this?”
Yu Qingshan replied, “She didn’t know beforehand—she was kept in the dark. She knows who’s at fault and hasn’t said much to me. As for Ding Minxiu, it’s over. The Zhou family didn’t even hold a wedding banquet. I’ve told her not to set foot in our house again. Her future is her own now.” His tone was indifferent.
She had nothing to her name, and with such a disgraceful marriage, her father was shameless and unreliable—effectively leaving her without a family. Because of their actions, the Zhou family lost a job. A full-time position was invaluable—it could support an entire family. If she gave birth to a son, things might be tolerable, but if it was a daughter, her life would be hard.
Yu Changyou asked, “You didn’t give her a dowry, did you?”
Yu Qingshan shook his head. “Not a single needle or thread from the Yu family left with her.” At most, Zhao Qiaoniang might have given her some private savings, but Yu Qingshan knew exactly how much that was.
Yu Changyou nodded. “Then let it be. Later, we’ll find Xiao An a better match. She’s a city resident with a job—finding a husband won’t be hard.” He’d met Zhou Boyang before and never expected him to be like this. And Ding Minxiu—she’d always seemed obedient, yet she’d been so brazen as to commit adultery and scheme to send Yu Xiang’an to the countryside. Just thinking about it made his blood boil.
He glanced at his son. It wasn’t his place to say, but he’d have his wife reprimand Zhao Qiaoniang later. The Yu family had never mistreated her or her daughter—whatever his granddaughter had, the other girl had too. What stepfather would be so generous as to send her to high school? Yet she showed no gratitude, seducing her own brother-in-law. Taking that job was the least they owed. If they’d delayed any longer and word got out, how would Yu Xiang’an face others? Not to mention if they’d put her name on the list—who knew where she’d have been sent?
Yu Qingshan took out a bag of brown sugar. “I know. We’ll leave Xiao An’s matters for now. Dad, this is from your eldest daughter-in-law—for you and Mom to nourish yourselves. Have some every day.”
Yu Changyou smiled and nodded. “I’ll accept it this time, but tell your eldest daughter-in-law not to be so extravagant. Grandpa doesn’t need these things. Save your money—with only Mingjie as your son, it’s too few. Have one or two more—they’ll be helpers in the future. Save up for milk powder for Mingjie’s little brother.”
His recent illness had drained both his eldest and second son’s savings. The eldest son’s family could manage—they had work points and wouldn’t starve. But the second son had to support his two children in the countryside, sending money and supplies regularly.
Yu Changyou was still uneasy. “Do many of your neighbors or friends know about their affair?”
Yu Qingshan replied, “We never confirmed it, but everyone probably knew our families were planning to marry.” They’d visited each other during holidays. Now, they were slowly shifting the narrative, saying the Zhou family was repaying a favor Qin Fenglan had done for them. For now, it worked, but over time, gossip would inevitably spread. For now, they’d stick to the same story to minimize the fallout. In this regard, Ding Minxiu and the Zhou family had even more reason to keep it quiet.
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage