Chapter 388: Being a Mother Isn't Easy!

eryone stared in silence, afraid to speak or even hug the woodpile to hide the jar of sauce.An old tradition passed down through generations is that one shouldn't snatch rain.It's like when it's about...Everyone in the family, young and old, was tired after a busy day, so we didn't have the energy to cook dinner.

Qiong and Dongmei brought three people, Shuoyun, to boil bone soup, cook noodles, and prepare some side dishes. Everyone ate their fill and went to rest early.

Jia Yin slept in Cui's courtyard tonight. During the day, her teacher aunt was fierce and helped her get even. Of course, she had to repay the favor and tried her best to act cute.

Thus, Madam Cui truly experienced the pains and joys of being a mother.

The little chubby girl was slow to eat dinner, but now she sat in her mother's arms, happily stealing snacks. Her little mouth gnawed as quickly as a rabbit, and every now and then she remembered to share a bite.

After a good meal, the two cousins went to the bathhouse for a swim.

The little girl was holding a zongzi (sticky rice dumpling) and couldn't get her hands wet, so Lady Cui helped her bathe.

Sometimes when she comes across a prickly, itchy patch of skin, the little girl, plump and white like rice worms, giggles and darts about.

Mrs. Cui was grabbing people from all over the bath, pulling them back in, and then continuing to rub them. If they ran off, she'd grab them again...

After finally washing herself clean and getting into bed, Madam Cui was so tired that she couldn't even lift her arms.

Oh dear, Phat girl has to listen to a bedtime story again.

Mrs. Cui could only search her mind for some interesting anecdotes that the children could understand. Halfway through her story, the plump little girl didn't fall asleep and started snoring...

Jia Yin tossed and turned, unable to sleep. She felt a tinge of regret for having eaten too many snacks behind her grandmother and mother's backs, as her stomach now felt uncomfortable.

She couldn't sleep at the moment, her mind wandering in the small courtyard.

In her former life, she lived a semi-retired life in her ancestral home. Besides growing vegetables and raising chickens, ducks, pigs, and sheep in the courtyard, the most she did was read to pass the time.

Books contain different worlds. Each time you finish reading one, it's as if you've lived a life alongside the protagonist.

All her joys and sorrows, making her laugh and cry, and the happy ending, bringing her great comfort...

All of this made her forget the loneliness in reality, forgetting the pain that her broken family left behind.

The three main rooms of the courtyard, the east wing was her bedroom, and the west wing was her study. On the shelves along the wall, there were many books, both new and old.

Today her focus was on a few well-kept secret recipes!

Before she retreated to her hometown, she also wanted to be a sophisticated little rich woman.

They dabble in almost everything, from the Eight Great Culinary Categories to noodles, braised dishes, even Chinese pastries and Western baked goods.

It's a pity that every time I buy materials and tools, laziness gets the better of me before I even start.

Excuses such as being "busy with work" and having "no time"...

After returning home, life was indeed more tranquil. However, she spent her days tending the stove and planting crops, so she found herself increasingly enjoying simple, unadulterated flavors.

For example, you could boil tender corn in a large pot of water, and steam some tender eggplants and potatoes on a rack. It's a simple meal that is also very nutritious...

So, those recipes and tools remained in the corner, gathering dust.

Nowadays, it's really hard to find things when you dig through everything...

Early in the morning, outside the window, birds with unknown names were chirping incessantly, as if right beside her ear. The noise woke up Mrs. Cui unwillingly.

She yawned and instinctively wanted to get up, but then she realized her arm was a bit heavy.

She turned her head and saw the little girl with her hair covering her face, holding up her injured hand, and hugging her arm with the other. She looked like a monkey clinging to a big tree, both dependent and close.

Perhaps she dreamt of eating, the little girl's mouth made tiny gurgling sounds from time to time, it was adorable.

Mrs. Cui quickly lay down, gently pulling her arm out to half-hug the little girl in her arms. Even her breathing was lightened, afraid of waking the child from her sweet dreams.

When she left, she swore she would never marry again, preferring to live a solitary life until her death, and never trusting any man again.

After all, at the beginning her ex-husband was also deeply caring and devoted to her. In the end, they ended up despising each other, like sworn enemies.

But during this period, she gradually began to change her mind.

If she were to marry again, she would want to have a child, a chubby baby just like Funiu.

Even if she had the worst luck and met a heartless man, having her child by her side for the rest of her life would make her feel less lonely.

Moreover, it's unreasonable to say she went blind twice in a row!

Suddenly, the image of that handsome and upright figure flashed through her mind, and she slowly blushed.

Jia Yin didn't know that while she was sleeping in, her aunt had already found a new goal and direction in life.

When she woke up, her family had already gone back to town.

Today, the restaurant officially opened its doors and it's busier than ever.

Fortunately, the old lady and Mrs. Cui continued to bake mooncakes in the courtyard, planning to send two kilograms to each household in the village to add to the festive cheer.

Mooncakes are actually best when they're baked and sealed for a few days to allow the oil to redistribute. This gives them a glossy surface that makes them more appetizing.

But she loves freshly baked goods, the kind that are still warm and fragrant, that's also delicious.

This morning, she followed Grandma and her aunt, acting cute and adorable, and managed to get two small mooncakes.

Naturally, she didn't eat much for lunch.

Thus, in the afternoon she was firmly driven out of Cui's courtyard!

In the evening, Mr. Wen and the Li family returned to the city.

As soon as he got off the carriage, he saw his junior sister carrying a plate of mooncakes. He greeted her with a smile and said, “Junior sister, are these mooncakes you baked Do you have any with five-kernel filling”

Mrs. Cui blushed, seemed to be thinking of something, responded with a sound, and then hurriedly entered the courtyard of Li's house.

Mr. Wen looked a little confused, and he lowered his head to check his clothes, as if there was nothing wrong with them. What made his junior sister blush...

Li Zhensheng had been running the Sihai Ju restaurant at the Wang family's place for many years before, and it had a very good reputation.

Having narrowly escaped being harmed and finally returned to the Li family, that incident was widely known.

So, now that Sihai Ju has changed its name to Xianke Lai and reopened, the entire new city is filled with a sense of curiosity, also cherishing the old flavors.

Today is the grand opening, and relatives and friends, as well as diners, have packed the restaurant's three floors to celebrate.

Tao Hongying and Jia Huan, along with the southern cook Master Zhang, were so exhausted they were about to collapse.

But the guests raved about it!

Originally, this area was inland and seafood wasn't common. So whoever ate it felt a hint of freshness.

With the addition of a few new dishes by Tao Hongying, the guests were treated to something completely new and exciting.

When it comes to spicy food, it's either love it or hate it. There's no in-between!

But whether it's love or not, the bright red dishes are enough to catch the eye.

Several traditional signature dishes, which are also very delicious.

All of this together truly satisfies everyone's taste buds and curiosity.

From now on, for at least a month, Cyclamen will be the hottest topic in and out of town!

The village head and Zhao Shu, Liu Biao Tou, and others all knew that Li Zhensheng's wine shop was opening today.

They wanted to help, but they were powerless. They could only keep thinking about it.

Hearing that everyone had returned, they quickly came over to ask a few questions.

Old Mrs. Li invited them to stay for a meal, setting up two tables in the main hall and the east room.

Men were in the front room, women and children in the east room.

The dishes weren't particularly plentiful, but the freshly steamed buns were soft and fluffy. The stewed carrot and mutton was fragrant and rich in flavor.

Adding wood ear mushrooms stir-fried with eggs, cabbage with pork belly, and a refreshing cold spicy pickled cabbage salad was enough to satisfy everyone.id farewell to Old Mrs. Li and Tao Hongying.They are moving back to the village head's house today!It's not that the Li family treated them poorly, but they were going to build a house next door to th...