“Sister Daya, I’ll get you something to drink,” Xu Ying offered, already heading toward the kitchen.
Sister-in-law Xu quickly called after her, “Little sister, sit down and eat. I’ll bring it.”
With that, Mrs. Xu went into the kitchen, brought out a bowl of water, and handed it to Xu Ying.
Xu Ying placed it in front of Lu Daya and smiled. “Sister Daya, dip it in and eat it.”
After saying this, Xu Ying turned back to eating her rabbit meat.
But Lu Daya suddenly stood up again, holding the bowl in her hands. Seeing her stand so abruptly, Xu Ying felt a little puzzled. Why’s she standing up?
Mother Xu watched Daya’s actions curiously. “Daya, is something wrong?” she asked.
Sister-in-law Xu frowned, also a bit surprised. “Daya, if something’s bothering you, just tell us.”
Lu Daya shook her head quickly.
Mother Xu looked even more confused. What’s going on with this girl?
She finally stood up herself, urging kindly, “Daya, sit down and eat, dear!”
Only then did Lu Daya sit back down and pick up a piece of rabbit meat. Xu Ying grinned and reminded her, “Sister Daya, dip it in before you eat.”
Suddenly, Lu Daya stood up again. Now the whole Xu family stared at her in confusion.
“What’s the matter, Daya?” Mother Xu asked, puzzled.
“Yes, Sister Daya, what’s wrong? I said dip it in… why do you keep standing up?” Xu Ying asked, bewildered.
At that moment, realization dawned on Lu Daya. Her face flushed crimson as she stammered, “I—I thought you meant stand up to eat… I didn’t know you meant dip it in…”
At her words, the entire courtyard burst into laughter.
Even Mother Xu, who usually kept a straight face, couldn’t help herself. She covered her mouth, laughing despite her age. “So that’s why! I kept wondering why this girl kept standing up in the middle of eating!”
Poor Daya wished the ground would open up and swallow her whole. Her face burned with embarrassment.
Father Xu tried to hold back his laughter and said sternly, “Alright, alright, enough laughing. Eat your food!”
Everyone tried to quiet down, but Second Brother Xu couldn’t help it—he burst out laughing again. “Oh Daya, you’re hilarious! My stomach hurts from laughing so much!”
Xu Ying rolled her eyes at him. “Second Brother, if you don’t eat the meat now, it’ll all be gone.”
The moment he heard that, Second Brother immediately covered his mouth. He wasn’t about to lose his share of that delicious rabbit meat. Without another word, he dug in eagerly.
As he chewed, he couldn’t help but marvel, “Mom, how come this rabbit meat is so delicious? Why didn’t you cook it like this before?”
Big Brother Xu also looked amazed. “Yeah, Mom, if we’d had this before, I’d have known rabbit could taste this good! It’s spicy and so flavorful.”
Mother Xu glared at her sons. “What’s that supposed to mean? Your little sister cooked it this time. Are you saying my cooking’s bad?”
Big Brother Xu froze. “Wait… this was made by Little Sister?”
Sister-in-law Xu leaned closer and whispered, “Shitou said she really made it.”
Big Brother Xu quickly backpedaled. “Mom, no, no, that’s not what I meant! Your cooking’s great, of course! And Little Sister’s cooking is great because she learned from you!”
Second Brother chimed in, nodding earnestly. “That’s right, Mom! You’re the best cook!”
Mother Xu snorted but deep down felt a surge of pride. “My daughter… this was your first time cooking like this, and it’s already so delicious. That book of yours must be amazing. I’ve been cooking my whole life, and nothing I’ve made has tasted this good.”
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Xu Ying grinned ear to ear as the system’s voice chimed in her head. Looks like everyone really likes my spicy rabbit meat!
“Mom, it’s not that I’m amazing,” Xu Ying said modestly. “It’s just that I’m willing to use more seasonings. If you used as much as I did, your cooking would be just as tasty.”
At the mention of seasonings, Mother Xu frowned, remembering how much oil Xu Ying had poured in earlier—enough to last her a whole week!
Her heart ached. “Enough, just thinking about all that oil makes me upset. You’re not allowed in the kitchen anymore.”
“Mom! Why won’t you let her cook?” Second Brother protested anxiously. How’s he supposed to eat delicious food if she’s banned from cooking?
“Because I said so, that’s why.” Mother Xu was firm.
It wasn’t that she didn’t want her daughter to cook—she loved that Xu Ying could make such delicious food. But it was simply too wasteful.
Xu Ying looked at her mother and said seriously, “Mom, if I can get my own seasonings, will you let me cook again?”
Mother Xu blinked in confusion. “Where are you going to get oil and seasonings?”
“I’ll figure it out! I’ll go into the mountains every day, catch some wild animals, sell them, and use the money to buy seasonings.”
At this, Mother Xu’s face changed. There were outsiders present—how could her daughter say such things so casually? “You silly girl! Don’t talk nonsense! You’re not going out selling things on your own!”
“Mom, I meant taking them to the grocery store to sell, then trading for oil and bringing it home!” Xu Ying explained quickly.
Mother Xu finally breathed a sigh of relief. “Well… alright. But not every day. Just once in a while.”
Hunting every day wasn’t sustainable. And besides, she didn’t want her precious daughter running up the mountain constantly—it wasn’t safe.
After the meal, Lu Daya was full and insisted on washing the dishes, despite Mother Xu’s protests.
“Auntie, Uncle,” she said sincerely, “I saved Yingying not to eat and drink at your expense. If saving her meant I had to mooch off you, I’d rather not have saved her at all.”
She hadn’t saved Xu Ying for any gain. She’d simply seen someone drowning and couldn’t ignore it.
Hearing her heartfelt words, Mother Xu sighed softly and didn’t stop her again. Why couldn’t her family see how good a girl Daya was?
In the kitchen, as they washed the dishes together, Lu Daya smiled. “I think Yingying is amazing. She cooks so well and can hunt too. She’s really something.”
Sister-in-law Xu felt a bit awkward mentioning how different her sister-in-law used to be, so she smiled proudly instead. “Of course! Yingying’s a wonderful girl. Some people outside just talk nonsense because they’re jealous. Our Yingying’s beautiful, well-behaved, respectful, and such a good cook.”
Lu Daya nodded earnestly. She’s right. The rice Yingying made was tastier than anything I’ve ever cooked. Those gossiping women are just envious. If anyone dares badmouth Yingying again, I won’t stand for it.
After they finished washing up, Lu Daya prepared to leave. Seeing her off, Xu Ying hurriedly grabbed some eggs from the kitchen to give her.
But Lu Daya shook her head firmly. “Yingying, I know you’re being kind, but I can’t take them. I’ve already eaten so much at your house. Let’s call it even for saving you. Please, take them back.”