Si Nian smiled and agreed, bending down to pat his head as she said, “You all eat first. I’ll go back and pack some more to bring over. How about we stay here and have lunch with Dad?”
Zhou Yueshen closed the files on the table, stepped forward, and said in a low voice, “You all eat. I’m going back.”
Si Nian had packed quite a lot, but there were still three children to consider.
Zhou Yueshen couldn’t very well eat alone in front of the three kids.
Nor did he want her to make another trip.
Her suggestion was very thoughtful, and the children were all looking forward to it.
Having lunch here with him was something that had never happened before.
Usually, Zhou Yueshen ate here alone, finishing his meal and then either continuing to work or taking a short rest.
Day after day, he had grown used to this monotonous routine, but having his wife and children accompany him gave this dull life a touch of warmth and difference.
Si Nian glanced back at him and hurriedly said, “No, I’ll go. You’ve been tired all day.”
“Mom, I’ll go,” Zhou Zedong suddenly stood up. Originally, he wanted to say he could skip eating, but he knew his parents wouldn’t let him just stand there watching them eat. As the eldest child, Zhou Zedong felt it was his responsibility to stand up and share some of the burden for his parents.
Dad works so hard every day, and Mom has to take care of so many of us.
How could he just wait here for them to bring food back for him?
Without waiting for a response from the two adults, he dashed out.
Zhou Zehan looked at his older brother, then at Zhou Yueshen and Si Nian. After hesitating for a moment, the little guy quickly followed, “Brother, I’ll go with you.”
As soon as Zhou Zedong ran out, Zhou Zehan followed close behind.
“Brother, let’s go together. Let’s run fast and have lunch with Mom and Dad!”
Usually, they ate at home, but today, eating lunch with their parents at the pig farm felt quite novel.
They ran quickly, and though Zhou Zehan was shorter than Zhou Zedong, he was even faster.
They talked as they ran, not even out of breath.
Si Nian watched the two little ones sprint out, exchanging a glance with Zhou Yueshen, both amused and helpless.
…
The lunch boxes were opened and neatly arranged on the table.
There was a bowl of soup, two dishes, and two servings of rice.
The milky-white meat soup was filled with tender pork, a perfect balance of lean and fat, mixed with soft, stewed Chinese yam, with oil droplets and goji berries floating on top.
Just looking at it made one’s mouth water.
Si Nian moved the soup closer to Zhou Yueshen.
Meeting his gaze, she said, “Zhou Yueshen, you didn’t get much rest last night. Drink this soup, it’ll help you recover…”
Before she could finish, someone approached the door.
She turned around and saw Yu Dong and some workers from the factory standing at the entrance, carrying meat.
No rest?
Drink soup?
Recover?
They all froze in place.
Was this really their boss they were talking about?
Seeing them silent, Si Nian straightened up and asked curiously, “Is it because I’m here that you don’t feel comfortable speaking?”
Yu Dong and the others exchanged glances. Finally, in the stifling atmosphere… Yu Dong was pushed forward.
Yu Dong didn’t react immediately. When he finally met the gazes of the two, his molars clenched so hard they felt like they were about to shatter. Damn these brats.
He forced an awkward smile. “N-no, it’s nothing. Sis-in-law, it’s just perfect that you’re here.”
After saying that, he sneaked a glance at Zhou Yueshen, sweat pouring down his forehead.
Damn it, why did he always have to show up at the worst possible moments?
He had completely forgotten about this matter, but now his sister-in-law had brought it up again.
And on top of that, others had overheard it.
The mighty reputation of the boss was utterly destroyed!
Wiping the cold sweat from his brow, he hurried to explain, “Boss, sis-in-law, this meat was specially saved for today. Didn’t the boss say that sis-in-law wanted to make some braised meat with Aunt Lin and the others? Since you’re here, I thought I’d bring it over so you could check if it’s enough. If not, I’ll save more tomorrow and bring it to you.”
Si Nian glanced over. It was mostly pig intestines, trotters, ears, and tails.
These parts didn’t have much meat on them, so they weren’t very popular and there was a lot left over.
But for making braised delicacies, they were top-notch.
She nodded slightly, then looked at the others who were still carrying meat, a bit puzzled. “Then what’s this?”
The others hadn’t yet processed what Si Nian had just said about their boss’s health. Their minds were still spinning: What? Their boss isn’t well?
Their boss, who always looked so strong and imposing, was actually just putting on a show.
In reality, he already needed nourishing soup.
No wonder sis-in-law always cooked with a soup on the side.
No wonder the boss often preferred to eat alone quietly in his office.
It was all to hide the truth that he was no longer as strong as he seemed.
But even so, he still pushed himself to fight through the night.
That’s why his body was so weak now.
Sis-in-law was really a good person—not only did she not mind, she even took the initiative to make nourishing soup for him.
It was truly enviable.
Yu Dong couldn’t stand it any longer and coughed heavily.
Only then did everyone snap back to reality, their faces flushing red.
“Sis-in-law, we heard your braised meat is delicious, so we bought some ourselves and were hoping that when you make yours, you could help us by cooking some for us to try? Of course, if it’s inconvenient, it’s no problem.”
Si Nian paused and looked at Zhou Yueshen.
His expression was cold and indifferent, his voice low and sharp. “If you want to eat, make it yourselves. Your sis-in-law isn’t here to cook for you.”
Everyone’s scalps tingled as they thought, could it be that the boss got angry because they accidentally overheard sis-in-law talking about making nourishing soup for him?
The group shuddered in fright and quickly straightened up.
“The boss is right, we know we were wrong.”
“Boss, we didn’t hear anything, really.”
After saying that, under Zhou Yueshen’s death stare, they grabbed their meat and scurried away with their tails between their legs.
Yu Dong: “.....”
He forced a stiff smile. “Heh, haha, I just remembered I have something to do. Boss, sis-in-law, I’ll be going first.”
With that, he grabbed the meat and rushed out.
He had originally planned to come and mooch a meal, but it was all ruined by these brats insisting on following him.
Now the boss’s reputation was shot.
Just a moment ago, Yu Dong had seen the two younger brothers of the little boss run off and thought Si Nian had already left.
Otherwise, he wouldn’t have dared to come over so casually.
After all, based on her past experience, whenever the sister-in-law came here, she would inevitably run into some trouble that wasn’t in her favor.
Now it was all out in the open—the entire pig farm knew that the eldest brother was no longer capable. So what was the point of all his hard work up until now?
……
Si Nian wasn’t really keen on agreeing. Braised pork wasn’t difficult to make, but once she helped one person, others would soon follow. She couldn’t just keep turning people down. She was absolutely not going to get involved in any troublesome matters.
But with Zhou Yueshen right there, in front of his employees, it felt awkward not to give him face. So she decided to hand over the decision to him.
Fortunately, this man wasn’t one to be easily swayed.
He didn’t care about offending anyone.
“Don’t mind them, just eat,” Zhou Yueshen said, withdrawing his gaze and looking at her.
Si Nian responded softly, “Okay.”
……
Zhou Zedong and Zhou Zehan came over carrying their little lunchboxes.
The five of them sat quietly around the table as usual, eating their meal.
Once they finished, the two kids quickly cleared their dishes and went back.
Today, Si Nian’s chili sauce was especially fragrant, with a strong spicy kick.
She was both inexperienced in cooking and a big fan of spicy food, so the heat made sweat break out on her temples.
Her mouth hissed and sizzled.
Zhou Yueshen glanced at her; her lips were swollen from the spice.
Those naturally full, rosy lips now looked even more vibrant, like a cherry blossom in full bloom.
He looked away and grabbed a bottle of water from nearby, twisting it open and handing it to her.
“Don’t eat so much spicy food next time. It’s bad for your stomach,” he said.
Si Nian gulped down the water, but wasn’t convinced. “I can handle it.”
Though it looked spicy, it was well within her tolerance.
If she had to eat as blandly as men did, what joy would life have?
Si Nian believed a world without spice was incomplete.
It was just that her body was too delicate, which caused this reaction.
She looked up and met Zhou Yueshen’s puzzled gaze.
People who couldn’t handle spicy food would never understand those who loved it.
“Zhou Yueshen, have you ever really tasted spicy food?”
He was wiping the table.
Upon hearing this, he paused and turned to look at her.
He usually ate lightly and didn’t like spicy food.
Since there were kids around, Si Nian usually used very little chili when cooking—just enough that he could tolerate.
He really didn’t understand how she could eat meat dipped in chili sauce.
Sweating profusely but still eating more.
He wasn’t incapable of understanding it, but he worried it wasn’t good for her health and that she might get a stomach ache.
He nodded slightly.
Si Nian smiled, her face radiant.
She beckoned him with a curl of her finger.
Though he wasn’t quite sure what she meant, Zhou Yueshen still walked over.
The next moment, Si Nian’s fair hands looped around his neck, her eyes teasing.
“Zhou Yueshen, want a kiss? I just rinsed my mouth after drinking water.”
Zhou Yueshen was momentarily stunned, his eyes fixed on her.
“Mm.”
Si Nian hooked her arms around his neck, stood on tiptoe, and pressed her lips to his thin ones, her tongue lightly probing.
Their lips and teeth intertwined, the fiery warmth instantly filling their mouths.
Zhou Yueshen’s brows furrowed visibly, almost as if the tension could be seen with the naked eye.
Si Nian blinked her lashes and then relaxed her hold.
Hiss! Spicy…
Zhou Yueshen’s lips burned with heat, his entire mouth feeling like it was on fire.
He grabbed the water she had placed nearby and gulped it down.
Si Nian watched the man’s rare, disheveled expression and covered her mouth, bursting into laughter.
“How is it? Exciting and thrilling, right? Do you get it now?”
Zhou Yueshen: “.....”
……
The next day.
Si Nian went to Lin Family Village.
The pork had already been delivered in advance. She rode her bicycle, bringing Yaoyao along, and packed a portion of marinade to take over herself.
Although she had already informed her family about this matter before, everything had been delayed because Lin’s mother had been injured, so nothing had really started.
Lin’s mother had been discharged from the hospital in the past couple of days. Because she attended Lin Sisi’s wedding, no one had gone to pick her up.
She should have rested enough by now.
Si Nian was determined to get the braised meat business moving quickly, hoping to make some money before the New Year and let the Lin family have a good celebration this year.
Although Lin Sisi’s situation was still being dealt with, it was basically a dying struggle and had come to a close.
Next, Si Nian would be busy with her studies.
Once school resumed after the New Year, she wouldn’t have time to teach anyone how to cook.
Even though Lin’s mother was discharged, she hadn’t invited anyone out to eat. In the countryside, wounds like that weren’t considered serious injuries—just rest and recovery were enough.
There was no need to hold a meal just because she was discharged.
Moreover, the atmosphere in Lin Family Village had become somewhat strange.
When people saw Si Nian arrive in the village, they whispered among themselves.
Obviously, it was because Lin Uncle’s son had been arrested and sent to prison. Everyone was still struggling to understand.
They all thought the Lin family had gone too far.
After all, Lin Uncle had only one son. Having him imprisoned was no joke—it would ruin three generations.
In this era, for any family, it was an incredibly devastating blow.
If the two families had no relation and came from different villages, such a rift might be understandable.
But they were from the same village, and blood relatives at that!
The villagers couldn’t comprehend such a ruthless act of cutting ties with one’s own kin.
So when Si Nian came to Lin Family Village, those who had been warm towards her before now cast strange glances her way.
As soon as Si Nian left, a group immediately gathered to gossip.
Many believed it was because the Lin family had started making money and were afraid that the eldest son’s family would snatch their business, so they had taken such a decisive stance.
Once you start earning, naturally you look down on poor relatives.
In their eyes, this was heartless and ungrateful behavior.
As a result, the Lin family had been the subject of much criticism in the village lately.
Si Nian could understand this, so she didn’t find it strange.
If these people didn’t gossip, she would have found that odd.
No matter the era—even thirty years later—when relatives quarrelled like this, people would always talk.
Let alone the backward 1980s.
But it didn’t matter. The strong are always lonely.
Only the weak gather in groups.
She arrived at the Lin family with an expressionless face.
Seeing Si Nian arrive, Lin’s mother and Zhou Suisui were very happy.
To be honest, these past few days of gossip had made them hold their heads low.
If it weren’t for Si Nian, their daughter, holding them up, the Lin family certainly wouldn’t have made it this far.
They deeply realized that walking the path Si Nian had paved for them—a road to a modestly prosperous life—also meant losing other things along the way.
Actually, their relationship with the Lin family had never been very good. Even if things fell apart, it didn’t really matter.
But everyone was always afraid of gossip.
So up until now, they had endured as much as they could.
Now that everything had already broken down, although they were a little afraid to face the villagers’ accusations, this was a peaceful era after all—what could those people really do to them?
At worst, they would just stop interacting with them altogether. No big deal.
Rather than continuing to suffer in silence like before,
it was better to be a little selfish now and live a better life.
As long as they made money, who would care about all that?
“Niannian, come inside quickly! The meat has arrived. I was just thinking of coming over to find you.”
Lin’s mother smiled as she saw her daughter.
She had been worried that Si Nian might be too busy to come over.
After all, because she was hospitalized, this matter had been delayed.
Her daughter still had to take care of the kids, so busy with this and that—Lin’s mother felt really guilty.
Besides, unlike the Zhou family, they didn’t have a refrigerator, so the meat couldn’t be stored for long and had to be dealt with quickly.
They were all planning to go find Si Nian, but unexpectedly, she had come over first.
“Mom, how’s your recovery?” Si Nian nodded and asked with concern.
Lin’s mother touched the bandage on her head and smiled, “It’s all healed, no pain, just a bit itchy. Probably new skin growing, but it’s nothing serious.”
“We’ve already washed the meat. How do you want to prepare it?”
Si Nian nodded and said, “I brought the seasoning packets with me. Just follow the instructions, and it’ll be simple from now on. I’ll teach you.”
No sooner had she finished speaking than someone knocked on the Lin family’s front door...
