Xu Ying chuckled softly. When she saw Xu Jing standing in the yard, she ran out to her with a bright smile.
“Sister, I missed you!”
“Missed me?” Xu Jing looked at her in surprise. She gave Xu Ying a once-over, then frowned in mock suspicion. “Something’s off about you today.”
“What’s wrong?” Xu Ying blinked innocently.
Xu Jing folded her arms, narrowing her eyes. “What’s off is that you’re acting normal again. Hmph! I thought you were just another typical educated youth.”
“No.” Xu Ying’s expression suddenly turned serious. She met Xu Jing’s gaze, her voice steady. “I’m not.”
Xu Jing was taken aback, then burst out laughing. “What’s gotten into you, getting all serious on me?”
Seeing her cousin’s playful smile, Xu Ying couldn’t help laughing too.
Looking at Xu Jing’s vibrant, lively face, Xu Ying secretly clenched her fists. In this life, she would take control of her fate. No one would be allowed to harm the people she loved.
“Oh ! Hurry and taste the chicken soup I made—see if it’s any good!” Xu Ying called eagerly.
Old Mrs. Xu was pleasantly surprised to hear it was her granddaughter who had cooked. Supporting herself with a cane, she slowly stood up. “It smells good… but let’s see how it tastes.”
“Mom, you’ve got to try it! Yingying’s soup is incredible—it’s even tastier than the ones from those fancy state-owned restaurants in town!” Chen Xiuhua exclaimed, licking her lips with satisfaction.
Mrs. Xu took the bowl Xu Ying handed her and took a careful sip. Her eyes immediately lit up.
【Goodwill +1】
The notification rang in Xu Ying’s mind, making her heart leap with joy.
“Master, Second Uncle, Sister-in-law—come drink too!” Xu Ying urged them excitedly.
At her prompting, Chen Xiuhua served up more bowls of chicken soup.
【Goodwill +1】
【Goodwill +1】
【Goodwill +1】
Hearing the beeps, Xu Ying felt like her heart was glowing with happiness. Her whole being seemed to radiate joy.
“System,” she asked curiously, “how much goodwill do I have now?”
【Host’s current goodwill value: 33】
Yes! Just seventeen more points to unlock a new recipe. If I’d known, I’d have cooked more dishes!
Oh—there’s also Third Uncle’s family…
If Xu Ying had to describe her third uncle in one word, it would be “unreliable.”
Xu Jianshe didn’t work seriously. He lazed around every day, wandering the streets, not acting like a husband or a father at all.
Thankfully, her third aunt was a hardworking woman; otherwise, the kids would’ve suffered even more.
Xu Ying ran back home. “Mom, do we still have more food? Let’s send some to Third Aunt’s house.”
“What for? It’s a waste giving them anything. I’ve never seen your third uncle do anything useful,” her mother grumbled. “Xu Jianguo, you and your second brother both turned out decent—why did your third brother end up such a lazy fool?”
Xu Jianguo chuckled helplessly. “That’s just his nature. Nothing we can do.”
Despite her complaints, Xu’s mother packed small portions of each dish into bowls and handed them to Xu Ying. “Give it to your third aunt, not your third uncle.”
Poor Aunt Xu…
“Okay, Mom. Don’t wait for me—I’ll eat at Third Aunt’s. You all eat first!” Xu Ying smiled, took the basket, and ran off.
Her mother watched her leave, shaking her head in confusion. “Why bother going to that miserable place…”
Third Uncle’s house was at the far end of the village, near the foot of the mountain.
Their father, disappointed in his youngest son, had deliberately let him live apart—out of sight, out of mind.
“Third Aunt! It’s me, Yingying!” Xu Ying knocked loudly at the door.
After a moment, a little girl in patched clothes opened it, her hair a bit messy. She looked timidly at Xu Ying. “Second Sister… Mom’s cooking.”
“Third Aunt! Mom asked me to bring you some food.” Xu Ying took the girl’s small, dark hand and led her into the yard.
Hearing the noise, Aunt Xu hurried out of the kitchen. Her weathered face lit up with surprise and warmth. “Yingying! Are you okay? I’ve been meaning to visit you, but things have been so busy here… Come in, sit down.”
“Third Aunt, this is for you and the kids,” Xu Ying said softly, feeling a pang of guilt.
In her past life, Aunt Xu had been kind to her and had even advised her not to get involved with Dong Zhiqing. But back then, Xu Ying had been stubborn, sneering at her third aunt for failing to control her useless husband—and resenting her for meddling.
Thinking about it now, Xu Ying felt like slapping her old self.
“I’ll get your uncle to come out,” Aunt Xu said, wiping her hands as she turned toward the house.
Xu Ying quickly stopped her. “No need, Third Aunt. Don’t bother cooking anything fancy—just a simple staple. I’ll eat here with you.”
Aunt Xu froze for a moment, a little overwhelmed. “Really? Alright then—I’ll go make something.”
Even as she went back into the kitchen, Aunt Xu couldn’t hide her astonishment. This child had always been cold toward her. Why the sudden change? No matter the reason, her heart felt warm.
Looking at the flour, Aunt Xu decided to add an extra spoonful and cooked a hearty pot of multigrain porridge.
“Jianshe! Time to eat!” she called when it was ready.
Xu Jianshe shuffled out with a cigarette dangling from his lips.
“Yingying? You’re here too? Oh, what a lucky day—it’s not every day we get chicken on the table.” He eyed the dishes greedily, swallowing hard.
Without washing his hands, he reached straight for the chicken with his chopsticks.
Before he could grab a piece, Xu Ying slapped his hand away.
“Hey! Yingying, why’d you hit me?” Xu Jianshe protested, staring longingly at the bowl of chicken soup.
He was annoyed, but since this was his eldest brother’s favorite daughter, he didn’t dare raise his voice. If he dared mess with her, his brothers—and their father—would definitely gang up on him.
“You’re a grown man lying around all day while your wife and kids struggle to survive. Aren’t you ashamed?” Xu Ying said coldly, her gaze sharp.
Then her tone softened as she turned to Aunt Xu. “Third Aunt… why don’t you just leave him?”
Aunt Xu froze, utterly shocked. Xu Jianshe’s face twisted in anger. “Yingying! What are you saying? People say breaking a marriage is worse than tearing down a temple. I’m your uncle! How could you tell your aunt to divorce me?”
“Third Uncle, tell me honestly—how many families have a husband like you? You laze around while your wife does all the work. If you can’t treat Third Aunt, Lanlan, and the others right, then maybe it’s better for them to leave you and live without suffering. I think it’s a good idea. I’ll talk to Dad and Grandpa about it when I get back.”
Xu Jianshe panicked. “Don’t! Don’t you dare talk to them!”
“Well then, I’ll make you a deal.” Xu Ying’s lips curled into a sly smile. “If you want me to keep quiet, you’d better go work in the fields.”
Xu Jianshe’s face contorted in frustration. This girl was outrageous—she really didn’t care what he thought.
Xu Ying didn’t bother arguing further. In her past life, her third uncle had fallen in with gamblers, racked up huge debts, sold off the house—and even their grandfather’s home—just to pay them back.
The old man had dreamed of his children living well. But because of Jianshe, their family ended up penniless and homeless.
She couldn’t let that happen again.
If she forced him to work now, he’d stay away from bad company. He wouldn’t fall down that same dark path.
“Go work in the fields!” she repeated, her voice firm.
Xu Jianshe’s eyes darted nervously. He clearly didn’t want to go.