In this era, chefs were highly sought after, holding official positions. Anyone with a relative who worked for the government was extremely proud, wishing the whole world knew.
Xie Sui, who had previously resorted to all sorts of schemes, even coming close to selling his wife and children, wouldn't let such a wealthy relative slip away?
"My cousins are everywhere, I just recognized him!"
Lin Wanwan knew Xie Sui was shameless, but she never expected him to be *this* shameless. How unlucky was it to be his cousin!
"Let me treat you to tofu pudding. I know a place that makes it exceptionally well. Paired with fried dough sticks, it's divine."
"Save some money. Huzī still needs money for treatment. I've brought pancakes and plain water, we'll eat this."
Xie Sui mused that Lin Wanwan was truly kind. How many wives in the village would spend so much money to treat their nephew? What had he done to deserve such a good wife!
"Fine, we won't have fried dough sticks then. Just three bowls of tofu pudding. Their broth is free to refill, we can soak the pancakes in it. That's more economical."
Zhang Wenfeng chimed in, "That's a good idea. I can eat three bowls."
Lin Wanwan had no choice but to agree. The snow-white tofu pudding, made with a rich bone broth, seasoned with soy sauce, seaweed, dried shrimp, and preserved vegetable, drizzled with a drop of sesame oil, looked appetizing.
Soaking the pancakes into the hot pudding and eating them was delicious and filling.
Zhang Wenfeng refilled his broth three times. The proprietress was already glaring at him. Even if the broth was free, he shouldn't eat that much!
Xie Sui wanted to laugh. This fellow was suited for a buffet; he could definitely eat his money's worth.
A bowl of tofu pudding cost two mao, something most families would be reluctant to buy. Xie Sui paid the bill, packed two jin of fried dough sticks, and bought ten fried sweet cakes to take home for the children and the elders to try.
Lin Wanwan finally believed he had truly changed. He used to hoard everything for himself, not even giving a bite to the children who watched him longingly. He truly wasn't human then, utterly selfish.
What had caused him to change?
Could it have been that bowl of rat poison? If she had known it would be so effective, she should have given it to him sooner.
"Wife, do we need to buy anything else at home? Shall we go visit the supply and marketing cooperative?"
"No need. I want to go to the post office. I wonder if there's any mail for me?"
Lin Wanwan's eyes dimmed. Since arriving here, she had never received any letters from home, as if she had been forgotten.
Despite this, she went to the post office every year, hoping for news from her family.
"Alright, let's go to the post office."
Xie Sui accompanied her inside. The clerk searched for a while and shook her head, "There's no mail for Lin Wanwan."
"Thank you."
Lin Wanwan's face was filled with disappointment. Her lonely and dejected expression pained Xie Sui. In his previous life, he had no idea about Lin Wanwan's family situation. After he became successful, he had tried to investigate, but it had been too long, and he couldn't find anything.
"Are there any letters for Yushu Village? We can take them back with us."
"There are, quite a few. Some were kept for too long and had to be discarded. Here, these are for someone named Cheng Yiming. He used to pick them up frequently a few years ago. He probably moved back to the city without changing his address and they were still sent here."
"Cheng Yiming? I know him. He got into Peking Normal University."
Among the sent-down youth who came at the same time, Lin Wanwan was the most outstanding girl, and Cheng Yiming was the most outstanding boy. Many girls wanted to marry him, and Cheng Yiming was often involved in gossip.
Lin Wanwan harbored a secret: Cheng Yiming had once pursued her, but she had rejected him. She felt Cheng Yiming was too glib and not steady enough, not the type she liked.
After her rejection, Cheng Yiming became very distant towards her. Lin Wanwan also avoided him, and they weren't even ordinary friends.
Fate, however, played its hand, and in the end, she married the even more glib and unreliable Xie Sui. If Cheng Yiming knew, he would surely laugh at her.
"Let's go back. We still need to make preserves, there's a lot to do."
Lin Wanwan composed herself. Life had to move forward.
Xie Sui knew she was in a bad mood and didn't tease her, bringing her home quietly.
The elders were already at home, having washed and peeled the peaches. Having been accustomed to farm work, these tasks were easy for them.
"Dad, Mom, we're back. I bought some sweet cakes for you to try."
"Why buy these? They're so expensive. If you want them, Mom can make them for you."
Zhao Xiue's lips chided, but her face lit up with joy. This was the first time her son had bought her something!
"Where's Doudou? Give a few to his grandma. She has trouble chewing, she can eat these."
"He's out playing, with a group of kids behind him. He's practically a child king."
Before, Doudou and Dingding used to chase after other children, small and weak from not eating enough, lacking the energy. The other children were unwilling to play with them.
Now it was different. Playing with them meant not only free tin frogs but also earning money. The children's pockets could now save up a substantial amount of one mao. They treated Doudou and Dingding better than their own parents.
Zhao Xiue was very proud. Her grandson was so capable, with the demeanor of a leader from such a young age.
This was a good opportunity to show those gossiping old women how filial Xiao Sui was, remembering his grandmother with delicious food. See who would dare to spread rumors now!
Before they could even enter the house, they saw Cai Jinhua, Xie Dabao's mother, appearing at the door with her wailing son. She grabbed her waist and yelled, "Xie Sui, get out here! What mischief are you up to now? You won't even spare children, you got your son to instigate my son to steal money from home! If you don't give me an explanation today, I'll scratch your face!"
Zhao Xiue subconsciously felt guilty. She had been on the receiving end of such scoldings too many times, always having to apologize. This was actually the mildest reprimand.
"Grandma Jinhua, why are you lowering yourself in辈分? My mother is here, we don't need another mother!"
Cai Jinhua was the wife of Xie family's paternal cousin. By seniority, Xie Sui should call her grandaunt. Even though Cai Jinhua was only in her thirties.
Laughter rippled through the crowd. She was right. Cai Jinhua was so flustered she had forgotten the proper kinship terms.
"Speak properly, what's going on?"
Xie Sui didn't let Zhao Xiue handle the fallout. From now on, he would support this family. He wouldn't let his parents worry and be scolded because of him.
"Today the peddler came selling things. This child spent five mao to buy me hair ties, oh my, tell me, where did he get so much money? It must be from stealing from home! I beat him, and he said Doudou gave it to him. How is that possible? Doudou and Dingding are so young! Where would they get so much money? It must be that you, Xie Sui, didn't raise him well. The rot starts at the top, you instigated my child to steal money!"
Many people nodded in agreement. It was true, Doudou was only five years old. Five mao? Would he be willing to give it to others?
Xie Sui had earned some money, but he shouldn't let the children spend it recklessly, right?
"Grandma Jinhua, you should be happy. Your son is so filial, he knew to buy you hair ties. For a child this age, who wouldn't use their money to buy candy for themselves? Are you sure you were right to beat him?"
Xie Sui looked at Xie Dabao with pity. Poor child, he happily wanted to make his mother happy, but instead, he got a beating!
What was the psychological shadow area for Xie Dabao?