C19 Chapter 19

“Chongniang, I remember you’re really good at growing vegetables, right?” Wan Qiqi’s single question shifted everyone’s attention to Lee Chongniang.

Lee Chongniang froze, hesitant.

She couldn’t read Wan Qiqi anymore. Wan Qiqi felt a lot more complicated now—nothing like the blunt, straightforward person she used to be.

Chen Yongxing, on the other hand, looked proud as could be. He draped an arm over Lee Chongniang’s shoulder and bragged, “My wife’s got a real knack for gardening!”

Lee Chongniang shot him a look, not sure what to say. She couldn’t shake the feeling that Wan Qiqi was up to something.

“When the seeds come in, I’d like you to help me out—show me the right way to plant them,” Wan Qiqi said. She’d grown vegetables before, but that didn’t mean she could make them thrive here and now.

Lee Chongniang studied her, suspicious, finding it hard to believe those words had come from Wan Qiqi.

Wan Qiqi caught every flicker of doubt on her face.

Soon, the corner of Wan Qiqi’s mouth lifted in a smile so slight it was easy to miss. Picking up where she’d left off, she said, “Second Brother, Chongniang’s carrying a child in the Chen family. You need to take on more. The big things, the small things—you should be helping with all of it. She needs to rest and take care of herself.”

Wan Qiqi had never had a baby herself, but she wasn’t clueless. Back in the day, her best friend had drilled plenty of pregnancy do’s and don’ts into her.

Lee Chongniang’s shock showed plain as day. She’d never imagined her sister-in-law would lecture her husband—much less tell her to take it easy and focus on her health.

Thinking about how she’d stolen the grain that morning, and then how the grain had gone missing, guilt and shame washed over her. In the end, she’d been petty. She’d misunderstood her sister-in-law.

But who would believe this version of Wan Qiqi? And who would dare to?

Just from what Wan Qiqi had taken out, it was obvious how many good things she’d been keeping hidden all these years—yet now she was bringing them out for real.

And when it came to trading grain and having grain taken from them, Wan Qiqi didn’t blame anyone. Not once. She only comforted them: as long as everyone was safe, that was what mattered.

With a shift like that, they might not have believed it—but Lee Chongniang did.

Back then, she’d always said it was because her own family was dirt-poor that she never quite had the confidence to go up against Wan Qiqi. Now that Wan Qiqi no longer had her family backing her up, of course she was going to be different.

While they were talking, Wan Qiqi suddenly remembered the crabs in the pot and bolted outside.

A moment later, everyone watched as Wan Qiqi came back in carrying a basin of “eight-legged bugs.” There was a small bowl inside too, filled with some kind of dipping sauce.

The aroma spread instantly. Everyone’s stomachs growled, and they couldn’t help swallowing.

It smelled incredible—so good you couldn’t help wanting a bite.

The steamed crabs had turned bright red, looking downright appetizing.

Wan Qiqi grabbed one and set it on the table. It was so hot she tugged at her earlobe to cool off, but she couldn’t resist. She started cracking it open anyway.

They watched as she quickly split the crab, scooped out the dark stuff, dipped the meat into the bowl, and ate with obvious satisfaction.

The more they watched, the more their mouths watered. Chen Yongliang couldn’t take it anymore and grabbed one himself—but after a long struggle, he still couldn’t get it open.

Wan Qiqi glanced over, set down the crab in her hand, and patiently showed him how to crack it, what was edible, and what to toss.

Following her instructions, Chen Yongliang finally got it cleaned, dipped it into the sauce, and popped it into his mouth—then froze.

It looked ugly and barely had any meat, but the flavor was unbelievably sweet and fresh.

“You’ve gotta try this—it’s so good!” Chen Yongliang said, tearing through half the crab and not even sparing the tiny legs.

Chen Yongnian tried copying him, but he forgot what wasn’t edible. He could only stare at Wan Qiqi and follow her hands move for move.

Wan Qiqi cracked a crab each for Mrs. Wang, Pingping, An’an—but she didn’t crack one for Lee Chongniang. She even snatched away the crab Chen Yongxing had peeled for Lee Chongniang.

Lee Chongniang sat there, her face turning pale, then flushed, wanting to demand what Qiqi meant—but not daring to.

Qiqi pulled out a few coins and set them on the table. “Ma, do you know who’s got eggs for sale?”

“I do. What do you need them for?” Mrs. Wang asked, confused.

“Chongniang’s pregnant. I want to buy her some eggs to help her keep her strength up.” Qiqi glanced at the crab shells on the table and went on. “I’d seen other people eat crab before, so I figured I’d try it. But I heard that if a pregnant woman eats crab, she’ll lose the baby. Chongniang can’t touch it, so we’ve got to find something else to build her back up.”