C13 What Could He Do?

The siblings had long noticed their stepmother's subtle moves, yet they never expected to have a share in the wild eggs. Surprised, they accepted the eggs and, at Ann Yan's insistence, peeled and ate them.

Seeing the kids enjoy their treat, Ann Yan also indulged in one. And truly, the fire-cooked wild eggs were quite aromatic.

In reality, the wild eggs were quite small, devoured in just a couple of bites – merely a snack. But the three of them found immense joy and satisfaction in this simple meal.

"Mom, these wild eggs are amazing, even tastier than the white flour buns!" Liuya exclaimed, emphasizing that the best thing she'd ever tasted was a white flour bun. It was a rare treat brought by their father on his return, and since their mother had passed, no one else competed for their share, allowing each sibling to savor their own bun.

"Once I earn more money, I'll make you Red Braised Meat," Ann Yan promised. "That's when you'll really know what delicious is."

"Really, Mom? I've never had Red Braised Meat," Liuya's eyes sparkled with excitement. She might not have tasted it, but she understood that meat was a delicacy far surpassing eggs, a rare treat in their home, especially for her and her brother, even during festive seasons.

"Absolutely, just be good and listen, and I'll treat you to all the best flavors," Ann Yan assured them, patting her chest confidently.

Liuya quickly vowed, "I'll be good, Mom, I promise!"

Han Rui watched his mother and sister with a mix of amusement and concern. "Mom, we'll let it slide this time, but you mustn't go into the woods again. It's too dangerous."

Han Rui realized that the stepmother hadn't kept her word. She must have ventured into the woods while he was away, which explained why she had sent him off. The eggs might be a treat, but Han Rui couldn't bear the thought of his naive stepmother risking her safety for such a trifle. She was from a well-to-do family and unfamiliar with the perils of the woods, unlike the villagers. Goudan's grandfather had entered those woods to hunt and had never returned, rumored to have been taken by wild beasts.

Han Rui furrowed his brow when he noticed Ann Yan wasn't taking his words to heart.

"Mom, I'm serious. Please don't brush it off."

Seeing her adopted son's earnest face, Ann Yan couldn't resist squeezing Han Rui's cheeks. "Relax, I'm an adult and know better. Just make sure you and your sister don't go running around in the mountains, okay?"

The pinch left Han Rui's ears tinged with red, and he seemed eager to say more.

Though Ann Yan hadn't spent much time with her new son, she could tell he was about to launch into a lecture. She quickly made an excuse to dismiss him. "I need to start cooking. Go play somewhere else and don't bother me, alright?"

Han Rui gave Ann Yan a resigned look before he bent down to clean up, gathering the eggshells they had carelessly discarded on the ground.

Ann Yan watched, both surprised and confused. "Rui, what are you doing? You know eggshells aren't edible."

Han Rui felt a wave of frustration. Did she really think he didn't know that? He was hungry, but not desperate enough to eat eggshells. Dealing with his stepmother was exhausting. He used to think she was formidable, able to hold her own in arguments with the other aunts, but she could be so naive, and that made her vulnerable.

"Mom, if you sneak a snack, you've got to clean up after yourself. Fourth Aunt has eagle eyes. She can spot even the smallest clue if someone in the house snitches a bite. If she finds these eggshells, there'll be hell to pay."

Han Rui spoke with the voice of experience, having dealt with such situations before. He meticulously collected every last shell, ensuring none were overlooked, then dug a small pit not far from the kitchen. He buried the shells, packed the earth down firmly, and camouflaged the spot with some chaff. His actions were smooth and practiced.

Ann Yan felt a bit sheepish witnessing his adeptness. Clearly, she had much to learn; her stepson was no simple child. He had given her a valuable lesson.

Ann Yan kept an eye on the clock as she prepared dinner. It was nearly ready, and everyone had returned home.

Thanks to Ann Yan's cooking earlier in the day, everyone quickened their pace as they entered, eager for the meal. They tidied up and gathered in the main room, ready to dine.

Despite Liao Xiaofang and Zhao Xiaomei's dissatisfaction with Ann Yan not working that afternoon, and her looking rather disheveled, she didn't waste any time when it came to eating.

"Laoliu's Wife, from now on, you'll be in charge of cooking. We won't assign anyone else to the task," declared Old Madam Han. She knew that without Laoliu's Wife doing her part, the family was bound to have issues, and since her cooking was delicious, it made sense for her to take on the role.

Of course, Liao Xiaofang was not pleased. "Cooking is such an easy job; anyone would be happy to do it at home."

"What would you suggest, then? If I swapped places with you, could you handle it? Your cooking is atrocious, like slop, and you sneak bites as well. I've never seen anyone as foolish. If I let you cook, do you think anyone would be pleased?" Old Madam Han retorted with a sardonic grin.

"Don't accuse me of playing favorites; this time, I'm truly impartial. You all tell me, who do you want to cook?"

Having tasted Ann Yan's cooking, the choice was obvious to everyone. Even Zhao Xiaomei, who was known for causing trouble, supported Ann Yan's role as the cook. Laoliu's Wife's dishes were simply the best.

Liao Xiaofang sheepishly added, "I'm not saying Laoliu's Wife shouldn't cook, but she shouldn't only be cooking. We used to come home and cook after working in the fields."

Old Madam Han was on the verge of scolding again when Ann Yan spoke up. "Mother, how about this? I'll handle the cooking and also take care of the vegetable garden?"

Ann Yan volunteered to manage the garden to avoid idle talk and because she knew fieldwork was inevitable. She actually enjoyed gardening, especially when not required to work the fields, finding it quite fulfilling.

With Ann Yan offering to take on these responsibilities, Old Madam Han readily agreed. Although she was partial to Laoliu's Wife, she didn't want family tensions to escalate.

"Alright, Laoliu's Wife will manage the garden. And if anyone complains again, don't expect me to be nice about it!"

When Old Madam Han spoke, no one dared to object. Tending to the garden might have been a light task, but Ann Yan's diligence left even Liao Xiaofang without a word to say. Otherwise, if Ann Yan had simply laid there doing nothing, they would have been at a loss.

Liao Xiaofang seemed to think she had the upper hand, her face breaking into a smug smile.

Ann Yan had no interest in stooping to Liao Xiaofang's level. After finishing her meal, she set down her chopsticks and retreated to her room. The garden was her responsibility, and she took care of the cooking, but washing the dishes was not her job. She wasn't foolish—why should she do extra work? If everyone were like her Eldest and Second Sister-in-Law, she wouldn't have minded pitching in more. However, she couldn't stand the sight of Liao Xiaofang and Zhao Xiaomei shirking their duties.