Chen Cuihua spotted her too, and she certainly hadn’t forgotten Granny Sun.

“Granny Sun, didn’t your Qiu-ger go to town yesterday to sell handkerchiefs? This floral pattern was actually brought over by your Qiu-ger to help sell.”

“My Ning-ger gave me the copper coins as soon as he got them, saying I should buy meat. Did your Qiu-ger give you any? Is your family having meat today, too?”

Granny Sun snorted twice, ignoring Chen Cuihua. She knew Chen Cuihua was deliberately trying to embarrass her!

Of course,e she knew Qiu-ger had gone to town to sell embroidered handkerchiefs. But she didn’t know how much copper coin he’d earned, nor had he told her—he kept it all for himself!

Chen Cuihua swayed the basket on her arm from time to time. “Today was perfect timing for buying meat. This pig was just slaughtered. Look at this beautiful slab of pork belly! When I get home, I’ll cut it into small squares. No need for oil—just pan-fry it directly. Add some dried chilies, bay leaves, and a splash of soy sauce. Then simmer it slowly in a small earthenware pot.”

“The color turns out so vibrant when it’s stewed. The fat melts in your mouth with just a bite, and the lean meat gets more flavorful the more you chew. And these pork shanks—simmer them with some radish, and the broth becomes so aromatic.”

Chen Cuihua, always quick with her words, described it so vividly that you could practically hear people slurping nearby. Satisfied, she thought, “Let them gossip about my Ning-ger—I’ll make them drool to death!”

“It’s getting late, I must head back. These big knuckles need plenty of time to stew for that rich flavor.”

Chen Cuihua finished speaking and walked off, basket in hand, leaving several people craning their necks to peek inside.

Seeing Chen Cuihua so triumphant, Li Guifen’s eyes turned red with fury. She’d been delighted that Ning-ger’s reputation was tarnished, but now he’d turned things around and made a profit!

Swallowing sounds echoed nearby. “Aunt Cuihua’s cooking is simply divine. I can smell it from miles away. My stomach’s already growling—I’d love some of that braised pork too.”

“Didn’t you hear Cuihua say Ning-ger earned those coins? Who knew this ger could make money?”

“I heard from Master Ma, the carpenter, ‘s Fulang that Wei Hu ordered a desk and bookshelf from him just the other day. Seems the Ning-ger can actually read.”

“Ah! The little ger can read?”

“Seems so. I heard it too.”

Someone asked Granny Sun, who snorted, “How should I know? My Qiu-ger loves hanging around his place, but he never tells me anything.”

Li Guifen chimed in, “So what if he can read? Even if he does, how many characters does he know? A ger isn’t like a common lad. A lad who learns to read can become a shop clerk or bookkeeper. If he studies hard enough, he might even pass the imperial exams and become a Xiucai.”

“That’s true.”

Chen Cuihua couldn’t hear what outsiders said about her departure. She’d flaunted herself enough already. She wanted to make these people envious, so their mouths, unable to taste a morsel of meat, would stop chewing air and gossiping about others day after day.

When Chen Cuihua returned, she didn’t see Song Ning. Assuming he was in the east room, she entered to find him indeed drawing floral patterns. The sun had waned, and the room felt chilly. Chen Cuihua approached carrying a basket. “Ning-ger, are you cold? Why not light some firewood?”

“Mother, I’m fine. Look, I’ve drawn some new patterns. Wei Hu and I will take them to town to sell.”

Chen Cuihua touched the back of his hand. “You silly boy, your hands are freezing. Stop drawing. I’m going to boil some meat. Come warm yourself by the fire.”

“Alright.”

As soon as Chen Cuihua left, Song Ning sat down at the table and resumed drawing. Several flower patterns were already spread out on the surface, his hands now numb and cold.

The two walked together to the kitchen. Chen Cuihua first lit the fire to heat water for washing vegetables, then had Song Ning sit on a small stool to add some firewood and warm his hands.

Chen Cuihua held up the basket for Song Ning to see. “Look, this meat is top-notch. Today, I’ll make you braised pork belly, stir-fried garlic shoots with pig’s blood, and simmer a bone broth. It’ll be delicious.”

Hearing this, Song Ning felt his stomach growl. He hadn’t had braised pork in ages. “Mother, this meat really is excellent.”

“You bet! Your mother knows how to pick meat—no fooling me.”

Chen Cuihua was in high spirits today. She handed Song Ning the remaining copper coins from the basket. This time, he didn’t refuse and accepted them. His eyes crinkled with joy—soon, when Brother Wei Hu returned, they’d have meat to eat.

The kitchen warmed up quickly once the fire was lit. Song Ning cradled the kitten on his lap to keep them both warm. Chen Cuihua didn’t ask Song Ning to help with the chores; she rolled up her sleeves and got to work efficiently.

First, she washed the pork shanks and placed them in a large earthenware pot to simmer. Though it was only midday, the longer these shanks stewed, the more flavorful they’d become. They’d be ready just in time for dinner.

Next, she stir-fried the pork belly. The lard sizzled and popped in the iron wok, its aroma making Song Ning crane his neck for a peek. Chen Cuihua chuckled cheerfully, “Ning-ger, do you prefer it sweet or savory?”

“Mother, I love it sweet.”

“Alright, then I’ll add some sugar.”

Once the pork belly was stir-fried and transferred to a small earthenware pot, its savory aroma wafted far and wide. Song Ning stood by the small stove, adding firewood to keep warm. Since it was still early, he picked up a miscellaneous book to read.

Song Ning found this life quite pleasant. Though not as affluent as his days with the Song family, being together as a family brought comfort and tranquility.

Chen Cuihua had no immediate tasks; the two dishes simmered on the stove. She sat down beside him to warm herself. “What are you reading, Ning-ger? Read it aloud for me.”

“Alright.”

Song Ning held the book in one hand while stroking the little calico cat on his lap. His clear voice began to read aloud. Chen Cuihua sat beside him, roasting peanuts and sweet potatoes at the bottom of the pot for snacks.

While the Wei household basked in tranquility, the Li family home nearby was anything but peaceful. Chen Cuihua was a master cook, and the aroma of meat wafting through the air on this ordinary day carried far and wide.

Li Guifen’s family had a five-year-old grandson nicknamed Tiedan. As the only male heir among the grandchildren, he was spoiled rotten by the entire household. Tiedan, drawn by the meat aroma wafting from afar, also craved some.

“Mama, I want meat,” Tiedan whined, tugging at his mother. Li Guifen’s daughter-in-law brushed him aside. “Go ask your grandmother. She’s the one holding all our silver.”

“Grandma, I want meat.” Tiedan went to find Li Guifen.

Li Guifen couldn’t bring herself to eat meat. This large family relied entirely on their three meager acres of farmland to survive. Just not going hungry was good enough; wanting meat was out of the question. Where would she find spare money for meat?

“When the New Year comes, Grandma will buy our Tiedan a big pork knuckle. Let our Tiedan hug it and eat it all by himself.”

Tiedan’s ears perked up at the mention of pork knuckle. He’d never tasted it before, only glimpsed it in town as people ate it in shops. That huge piece—bigger than his own head!

“Grandma, I want it now! Uncle Wei Hu’s family just had meat!”

“Be good, and Grandma will get you meat for the New Year.”

The Li family hadn’t touched meat in months. The aroma wafting through the air made not just the children crave it—even Li Guifen’s daughter-in-law was salivating.

Tiedan grew restless, wailing for meat. Li Gui’er’s wife had long coveted the few chickens at home. “Mother, isn’t there an old hen that stopped laying eggs? Why not slaughter it for Tiedan? Keeping it just wastes grain.”

“No, that old hen is precious. I’ll take it to town to sell another day.”

Li Xiaolian chimed in, “Sister-in-law, Tiedan is just a child and doesn’t understand. As his mother, you should be discouraging him, not encouraging him to eat meat.”

Li Gui’er’s wife couldn’t stand Li Xiaolian. She thought the woman was past marriageable age and just eating her way through the family’s food supply. If she’d married off long ago, they could’ve saved on grain.

Ignoring her, Li Gui’er’s wife secretly kicked Tiedan harder, making his cries even louder.

Li Guifen was furious. After failing to soothe Tiedan with a few coaxing words, she slapped him several times. Li Gui’er’s wife couldn’t stand it anymore. She stood up and argued, “Mother, you and Li Gui’er can’t manage to get meat to eat. What good is beating a child?”

Li Xiaolian joined the fray: “Sister-in-law, how dare you speak to Mother like that?”

“Pfft! Mind your own business! You’re not a sister-in-law—you’re a troublemaker! Every wife has one mother-in-law to deal with, but I’ve got two!”

The three women bickered furiously. Li Gui’er cowered silently, while his wife—who’d been craving chicken for ages—finally snapped. “This is unbearable! Even my own sister-in-law bullies me!”

Li Gui’er’s wife began wailing, “It’s all that chicken’s fault! Kill them all! Kill them all!”

Like a madwoman, Li Gui’er’s wife grabbed a cleaver and stormed into the chicken coop. Li Guifen cursed a few times but couldn’t stop her.

Li Gui’er’s daughter-in-law emerged from the coop, ignoring the old hen that had stuck in her teeth. Instead, she grabbed the largest chicken and swiftly chopped off its head. “Kill them all! Kill them all!”

The sight made Li Gui’er flinch. The cleanly severed head rolled onto the ground. Who slaughtered chickens like this? It resembled murder more than butchering. Li Gui’er dared not provoke his wife any further.

Li Guifen was furious. “You, you!”

She raged for a while, but it did no good. That chicken was her pride and joy, laying an egg every single day! Now it lay decapitated on the ground.

Li Gui’er’s wife stormed into the house, furious. With the chicken already killed, Li Guifen had no choice but to pluck it and toss it into the pot to boil.

Li Gui’er’s wife sat cross-legged on the bed, combing her hair. Well, she’d still get to eat that chicken. Hmph!

As for Li Xiaolian, she needed to find someone to marry her off quickly. Keeping her at home would only mean constant opposition. Once that little sister-in-law was gone, Li Guifen wouldn’t be able to boss her around anymore. Just you wait.

The two families lived close by, and Chen Cuihua heard every word clearly from her home. The three women of the Li household were at it again. She let out a silent sigh of relief. Li Guifen looked down on her. Back when she’d wanted to marry her husband, he hadn’t wanted her. The bad blood between them ran deep.

Chen Cuihua smiled. “Alright, Mother needs to cook now. I’ve really been riding on Ning-ger’s coattails today—got to play the cultured one for once.”

Song Ning hummed in agreement. “Wei Hu should be back soon, too.”

Seeing it was getting late, Chen Cuihua brushed the dust off her hands and stood up. “Mother will whip up some lotus leaf cakes and stir-fry the pig’s blood too.”