Father Xu was also a little angry. No matter how flawed his daughter was, she was still his precious child.
When Brother Xu saw his mother’s temper rising, he hurriedly stepped in front of his wife, afraid she might get scolded or even hit. “Mom, she didn’t mean it that way,” he quickly defended.
“Oh? Then what did she mean?” Mother Xu was fuming. Even if her daughter was lazy, no one was allowed to insult her.
“Mom, I didn’t mean it badly! I swear!” Sister-in-law Xu hurriedly wiped her tears, her tone panicked and remorseful. “It’s my fault. I was blind—I didn’t see how wonderful little sister really is. I realize now, she’s not only beautiful and well-educated, but she also cooks delicious meals and truly loves us. She’s the best, Mom.”
Hearing this, Mother Xu’s expression softened considerably.
Xu Ying knew that her sister-in-law had been critical of her in the past, but honestly, it wasn’t undeserved. She had indeed been lacking back then, so she didn’t take offense at her sister-in-law’s words.
As long as she was willing to change, everything would be fine.
“Mom, let’s eat quickly,” Xu Ying said cheerfully, changing the subject. “The chicken soup won’t taste as good if it sits too long.”
Mother Xu nodded and pulled her daughter into the house.
Father Xu led the rest of the family inside.
The moment they stepped through the door, the rich aroma of chicken soup enveloped them, instantly making everyone’s mouth water.
“Close the door,” Mother Xu instructed as she pressed the lid of the pot down firmly.
Brother Xu obediently shut the door.
Only then did Mother Xu lift the lid, and in that instant, an even more fragrant wave wafted out, filling the room and stirring their appetites.
Inside the large ceramic pot, tender chicken and radishes simmered together. Mother Xu used a spoon to gently skim off the golden beads of oil floating atop the pheasant meat. Beneath it, the broth gleamed milky white, rich and nourishing.
“Hurry and serve a bowl,” Mother Xu said, ladling out a generous portion of chicken into a bowl for her daughter.
“Mom, I want some radish too,” Xu Ying said eagerly. “The radishes taste amazing. And I want more of the soup! All the nutrients and flavor from the chicken are in the broth.”
Hearing this, Mother Xu immediately spooned an extra helping of soup into Xu Ying’s bowl.
The pot was big enough to fill a hearty bowl for each of the eight family members, yet there was still plenty left.
“Shitou, go take the wild eggs out of the pot and pass them around—one for each person,” Xu Ying instructed.
At her words, Shitou happily dashed off to retrieve the eggs.
Wild eggs were small, bite-sized treasures.
Father Xu picked up his egg, blew gently on the steaming chicken soup, and took a sip.
A visible shudder ran through him. The rich, savory flavor of the soup spread across his tongue, warming him from the inside out.
“My daughter’s cooking is incredible,” he declared, eyes bright. “This pheasant soup is the best I’ve ever tasted.”
Though Mother Xu was still slightly miffed, she had to admit it. Luckily, it was her own daughter who possessed such skill; otherwise, she’d be jealous to death.
“I agree,” Father Xu smiled contentedly. “Our daughter was born to be a chef.”
Hearing that, Brother Xu and the younger Brother Xu sipped their soup, closing their eyes in blissful enjoyment.
Sister-in-law Xu took a sip too, then gently spooned some into her youngest son’s mouth.
Little Shitou gnawed happily on his piece of chicken, grinning ear to ear.
It felt like they were having a feast more luxurious than New Year’s dinner.
“Aunty,” Shitou suddenly piped up, “can we eat like this every day from now on?”
Brother Xu and the Second Brother Xu perked up at his question, gazing eagerly at Xu Ying.
Mother Xu rolled her eyes. “Every day? Dream on!” she scoffed. “If the pheasants in the mountains heard that, they’d be scared stiff—how could they ever reproduce if you eat them all?”
Father Xu chuckled. “It’s a nice thought, though. I’d love to eat this every day too. But meals like this… even once a month, I’d be happy.”
The Xu family savored every bite, eating until not a single drop of soup remained in the pot.
That night, Xu Ying’s goodwill with her family deepened considerably.
Brother Xu and the Second Brother Xu leaned back with satisfied, round bellies, letting out contented burps.
Sister-in-law Xu, also pleasantly full, hurried to clear the dishes and wash them in the kitchen.
Brother Xu stepped outside and noticed the water tank was nearly empty, so he grabbed a bucket and headed to the village river to fetch water.
Mother Xu, feeling a little too full, strolled around the yard to help digest her food.
Xu Ying, having also eaten more than usual, took Shitou and Huzi for a walk under the moonlight.
As soon as they left the village, a young woman stopped her.
“Yingying, is your second brother home? I need to talk to him—it’s urgent,” she said.
Xu Ying turned toward the voice and, recognizing her, lit up. “Sister Qiuye! You’re looking for my second brother? Wait right here, I’ll go call him.”
Xu Qiuye smiled softly and stood waiting.
Shitou and Huzi stared at her curiously.
“Aunt Qiuye, why are you looking for our second uncle?” Huzi asked innocently.
A faint blush crept up Qiuye’s cheeks. “I… I need to ask him something.”
Shitou tilted his head thoughtfully. “Aunt Qiuye, do you like my second uncle? Because my second uncle likes you!”
Qiuye’s face flushed deep red, a wave of shy happiness blooming in her chest. She bit her lip, suppressing a smile. “Shitou, don’t talk nonsense. How do you know that?”
Shitou grinned widely. “Second uncle told me! He said he wants to marry you!”
Just then, Second Brother Xu arrived, scratching his head nervously. “Qiuye? What’s the matter?”
Xu Ying waved at Shitou and Huzi, and the three of them slipped away to give the pair some privacy.
Qiuye glanced around hesitantly, then finally spoke once they were alone.
“My mother’s colleague… proposed a marriage match for me,” she said softly.