C11 The Food Won't Stop Your Mouth!

Soong Yu was unsure if the Huo family liked spicy food. Her memories were a bit hazy, but she decided to buy some peppers to make pickled slices. They'd be great with porridge, and if they didn't eat it, she certainly would.

After finishing her grocery shopping, she noticed a stall selling seeds. Soong Yu picked up some seeds for greens, cilantro, and lettuce, and headed back home with a basket full of produce.

On her way, she encountered several women who pointed and whispered about her, just loud enough for her to hear. Soong Yu glanced at them, memorizing their faces, but didn't say anything.

Once home, she efficiently cleaned the fish, peeled the lotus root with the back of a chopstick, washed it, and set it aside. She rinsed the rice and left it to soak for a while.

While waiting, she wiped the peppers clean with a cloth, found a pair of scissors, and cut the peppers into small pieces in a large bowl. She added some peeled garlic, covered it with a plate, and then started slicing the fish.

These skills were ones she had learned from the chefs at restaurants.

Cooking fish in water might sound complicated, but once you know how, it's quite simple.

Soong Yu swiftly prepared everything and began cooking. She started with braised pork, which requires some skill to get right. The best kind is pork belly with an even mix of fat and lean meat. Back then, most pork came from locally raised pigs, which had an unbeatable flavor.

Once the pan was hot, she added the meat. The fat quickly started to render, and the aroma spread far and wide.

Downstairs, Soong Yu was busy cooking, while upstairs, Huo Tian and his grandfather were deeply engrossed in a game of chess. Huo Tian sniffed the air as the delicious scent reached him. He glanced at his grandfather, who was focused intently on the chessboard, pondering his next move for nearly five minutes.

Huo Tian didn't rush, thinking about things while waiting for his grandfather.

Finally, the old man made a move, and Huo Tian quickly came up with a counter-strategy, making his move as well: "Knight to..."

Huo Zhen quickly moved his only cannon piece, pondering where to place it next.

Huo Tian chuckled, "Grandpa, why don't you just concede? We can always play another round."

"In your dreams! I'd rather stand and fight than give up."

"Alright, alright, take your time..."

By the time they finished the game, Huo Ning was already home from school.

As soon as she walked in, the mouth-watering aroma from the kitchen caught her attention. Her initial excitement faded as she remembered something, and she tossed her backpack onto the sofa, crossing her arms and leaning against the kitchen doorframe with a casual air.

Soong Yu was busy in the kitchen, completely unaware. She was making braised pork, and the whole house was filled with its savory scent.

Huo Ning couldn't help but swallow, deciding to save her scolding for after dinner.

By nearly six o'clock, Soong Yu had finished all her kitchen tasks.

"Dinner's ready," she called out after placing four dishes on the table.

"Grandpa, dinner's ready," Huo Tian said.

The old man remained silent, stubbornly focused on the game, frowning in concentration.

Huo Tian's stomach was growling, but he didn't want to rush him. After a while, the old man realized he was defeated and tossed his game piece aside. "You really won't let me win, will you?"

"Of course not..."

Huo Zhen, frustrated, turned and headed downstairs.

Huo Tian quickly supported him, worried his grandfather might lose his balance in his frustration.

When they got downstairs, they saw three bowls of white rice already set on the table.

Huo Ning glanced at the food, her expression darkening. "Soong Yu, come here."

Soong Yu emerged from her room, looking at Huo Ning. "What's up?"

"What do you mean by this?" Huo Ning pointed at a dish of poached fish.

Soong Yu looked puzzled, glancing between her and the others.

"You know Grandpa loves spicy food but can't handle it because of his health, yet you still made this... What are you trying to do?"

Soong Yu quickly apologized, "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I forgot. I'll take it away right now."

Huo Zhen, unable to see the dish go, especially after eating cafeteria food for days, said, "Leave it, leave it. Eating it once in a while is fine. You all eat, I'll just have a little."

Soong Yu was unsure what to do but eventually left it on the table.

With the head of the family having spoken, Huo Ning rolled her eyes and sat down. She actually liked spicy food too but wanted to give Soong Yu a hard time in front of Huo Tian, just to stick up for her brother.

After everyone was seated, Soong Yu turned to leave.

"Where are you going when we're about to eat?" Huo Ning asked.

"You all go ahead," Soong Yu replied, thinking it was best to keep her distance if she was planning to leave anyway.

Huo Zhen looked at Huo Tian and Huo Ning, assuming his grandson didn't want to see Soong Yu.

"It's better if she doesn't eat with us. She's just a housekeeper and doesn't belong at our table. Grandpa's the only one who indulges her."

"Can't you just eat without running your mouth?" Huo Tian glared at her.