Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
In the kitchen, Su Xiaonai put on her apron and walked to the fridge. She glanced at the vegetable section and saw that there were only a few eggplants and some lettuce left.
It seemed like she needed to go grocery shopping tomorrow.
Su Xiaonai’s eyes darted around as she quickly decided on the menu for tonight. She would make some braised eggplants and garlic lettuce.
As for protein, Su Xiaonai took out some beef from the second compartment of the fridge. Then she stopped, not knowing what to make with it.
She hesitated.
She looked around, and the ginger lying on the kitchen counter caught her eyes.
Hey, I can steam the beef with ginger. The texture should be soft and smooth enough, and it would be ideal for children and the elderly whose teeth might not be as strong.
With that thought in mind, Su Xiaonai rinsed the vegetables and placing them aside.
After rinsing the rice, Su Xiaonai put it into the rice cooker and pressed the “start” button.
Then she picked up the eggplant and skillfully cut it into small pieces. Taking out a small bowl, she started making the sauce needed for the eggplants, mixing soy sauce, oyster sauce and sugar together.
She cut the lettuce into pieces and placed them in the small basket. As lettuce can be easily cooked, she planned to leave it to the end.
The beef was cut into small pieces, exactly the size of a bite. The raw ginger was cut into threads and evenly spreaded onto the plate with the beef placed on top.
The sauce was made with soy sauce, salt, sesame oil and oyster oil. The beef was soaked in the sauce as Su Xiaonai mixed it well with hands in gloves, massaging each piece thoroughly.
Then, she poured some water into the pot and put the beef in for steaming.
As the beef cooked, she started preparing other dishes. After oiling a non-stick pan, she stir-fried the eggplants and poured the sauce over for a few more minutes of frying.
When it was almost cooked, she added a small bowl of water and covered the pan with a lid, stewing the eggplants until they turned soft and delicious.
By this time, the beef was almost done steaming. If she left it cooking a little longer, the texture would have gotten rough. So Su Xiaonai swiftly turned off the fire, and instead of taking the beef out immediately, she left it in the pot for another few minutes of steaming.
Bored, Su Xiaonai took out her phone and swiped through some online videos. A few minutes later, she checked the eggplant.
It looked almost done. She mixed some corn starch with water and added it in to thicken the sauce.
Soon, some deliciously made braised eggplants were ready.
She set the food on the table, and the kids, who were sitting in the living room, were quickly enticed by the aroma wafting from the kitchen.
The food almost had them drooling as they walked quickly to the kitchen, and without having to be reminded by their mother, they dutifully went to help grab the utensils.
The old lady watched the kids set the table, smiling and praising them,
“Such good children! So well-mannered!”
Su Mubai scratched the back of her head shyly at the compliments, then flashed a smile at the old lady.
Her brother was also happy hearing the old lady’s words. He walked towards her and carefully helped her to the dining table.
Su Xiaonai gave Su Mubei a look of approval.
Noticing this, Su Mubai pouted and hurried over. Copying her brother, she helped support the old lady on the other side.
Su Xiaonai couldn’t help but smile when she saw how eager her daughter looked.
She quickly chopped up some garlic into pieces and poured it into the pot to stir-fry. Then she added the lettuce and a pinch of salt. In less than five minutes, the garlic lettuce was ready.
Soon, the food was served. Su Mubei and Su Mubai didn’t start eating immediately.
Su Xiaonai had taught them to only start eating after the adults.
Su Xiaonai was getting hungry as well. Looking towards the old lady, she said,
“Come on, let’s start eating.”
Su Mubei and Su Mubai’s eyes lit up as they picked up their chopsticks. Su Mubai picked up a piece of eggplant and put it into her bowl.
Blowing on it gently, she put it in her mouth when it’s no longer too hot.
The eggplant was soaked with the thick sauce. She took a gentle bite, and the sauce almost exploded in her mouth, giving the eggplant a unique flavor.
Su Mubai’s eyes curved like the moon in the night sky at the pleasant taste.
“Mommy, the eggplants are so good! It’d go so well with some rice!”
Then she jumped off her chair and went to get a bowl of rice. Seeing the contentment on everyone’s face, Su Xiaonai was relieved.
The old lady took a bite, looked at Su Xiaonai and nodded in satisfaction.
Su Xiaonai was confused and couldn’t figure out what the old lady was thinking. She felt a chill down her spine.
The words that came out of the old lady’s mouth were indeed shocking.
“Xiaonai, your cooking skill would make you a good wife.”
Su Xiaonai forced a chuckle but didn’t dare to say more. She didn’t want the old lady to advertize her to Qi Lingyan again.
Then it’d be over!
When they were almost done eating, the children offered to wash the dishes. Su Xiaonai smiled and agreed to let them do it.
Su Xiaonai and the old lady entered the living room. Taking advantage of this opportunity to spend time alone with Su Xiaonai, the old lady started catching up with her.
Su Xiaonai responded tactfully, her heart somehow pounding with anxiety. She stole a glance at the time on her watch.
It is already 8:20 p.m. Why isn’t Qi Lingyan here yet?
For some reason, the old lady started talking about her grandson at the exact moment. Su Xiaonai’s smile froze as she feigned interest.
She didn’t want to be talking about him at all, but she couldn’t show it on her face.
Speaking of the devil, the doorbell finally rang. Su Xiaonai smiled an imperceptible smile as she sighed in relief inwardly.
Finally!
She didn’t have to deal with Grandmother Qi anymore. How liberating.
Su Xiaonai quickened her pace and opened the wooden front door. As expected, a handsome face greeted her.
Su Xiaonai shifted sideways to let the man enter.
Qi Lingyan’s eyes flickered. His gaze lingered on Su Xiaonai for a few seconds before he took off his shoes, put on a pair of slippers, and entered the living room.
Suddenly, his face darkened and he sped up as he almost ran to the couch, as he squatted down and looked at the old lady.
Su Xiaonai was at a loss. Not knowing what was going on, she hurried over.
The old lady bent down and rubbed her forehead.
“Oh, my head hurts.”
Qi Lingyan saw through his grandmother almost immediately. Feeling a little ridiculous, he still said,
“We have to head home, Grandmother.”
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As if she didn’t hear Qi Lingyan’s words, the old lady fell on the couch, tossing and turning as if her headache was severe.
Qi Lingyan couldn’t force his grandmother to leave. For a moment, he didn’t know what to do with her.
Su Xiaonai also didn’t know what to do, so she stood in silence. Qi Lingyan thought for a while and finally gave in.
He turned to look at Su Xiaonai.
“Do you have a spare guest room?”