By the time Shen Nanchu returned to Wang Family Village, loaded down with bags and packages, the sun was just setting.
Grandma Pei and Pei's Mother were eagerly waiting, their eyes fixed on the road.
As soon as they saw Shen Nanchu, both hurried over to greet her.
“Why did you bring so many things back? Aren’t you tired?” Pei's Mother quickly stepped forward to help unload the items from the bike’s rear rack.
Grandma Pei noticed the beads of sweat on Shen Nanchu’s temple and gently fanned her with a palm leaf fan, full of concern.
“I’m not tired.”
All these things were bought by Pei Zhengnian, and Shen Nanchu had stored them in the system’s space, only taking them out when she reached the village entrance.
“Did everything go smoothly?” Pei's Mother looked at Shen Nanchu, her eyes full of hope.
Shen Nanchu nodded.
“Yes, it’s done.”
When they saw the marriage certificate, both Grandma Pei and Pei's Mother finally felt at ease.
Shen Nanchu carefully took out three oil-paper bags.
“Grandma, Mom, these are braised pork hocks I packed from the state-owned restaurant. We’ll add them to tonight’s dishes.”
If it weren’t for the lack of a refrigerator, Shen Nanchu would have definitely brought back seven, eight, or even nine of them.
Actually, she pretty much did — she had bought the last seven pork hocks left at the restaurant. Three were for the family dinner, and the remaining four were stored in the system space.
Pei's Mother opened one of the oil-paper bags, and a rich, meaty aroma immediately wafted out.
It smelled absolutely delicious.
Pei's Mother and Grandma Pei couldn’t help but swallow their saliva.
Since leaving the capital and arriving at Wang Family Village, they hadn’t had a proper, decent meal.
“What’s that wonderful smell?”
Pei Yunzhou was drawn out of the house by the scent of the pork hocks.
He sniffed the air eagerly.
“Pork hocks!”
Bang—
Pei Yunxi also opened the door and came out, her eyes shining with excitement.
Pei's Mother was delighted.
“I’ll start cooking right away. Tonight, we’re going all out.”
Hearing this, Shen Nanchu felt a little uneasy.
Such exquisite braised pork hocks deserved dishes that matched their quality!
“Mom, the village chief and Aunt Yu Lanhua have helped us so much. How about we invite them over for dinner tonight?”
Shen Nanchu’s suggestion was more than just about the food.
Yu Lanhua’s cooking skills were quite good.
“That sounds perfect.” Pei's Mother didn’t hesitate to agree.
“Then you go invite them, and while you’re at it, help me return the bike. I’ll get things ready.”
Shen Nanchu smoothly stopped Pei's Mother from going into the kitchen.
After Pei's Mother wheeled the bike away, Shen Nanchu turned to the twins.
“You two get the rice cooked, and wash the vegetables.”
“Why should we?” Pei Yunxi was used to bickering with Shen Nanchu.
“Because of this.”
Shen Nanchu tossed something to Pei Yunxi.
She caught it instinctively.
A flat, round, deep blue tin box — it was snow cream.
Pei Yunxi blushed instantly.
“Well, washing the vegetables isn’t so bad after all.”
“Second sister-in-law, what about mine?” Pei Yunzhou looked at Shen Nanchu expectantly.
Shen Nanchu waved her hand.
“No money left to buy one.”
Pei Yunzhou: “...”
“Next time, when your second brother comes back, have him get one for you.”
This made Pei Yunzhou burst into laughter.
The twins were thus put to work in the kitchen under Shen Nanchu’s command.
Grandma Pei smiled warmly, her face full of kindness.
“You clever little one.”
"I was just following your lead," Shen Nanchu said, which made Grandma Pei beam with joy.
Grandpa Pei and Father Pei were sitting in the main room, having already heard the commotion outside.
But the two old men didn’t dare to go out and greet her like their wives did; instead, they anxiously waited inside.
Finally, Shen Nanchu came in.
The father and son hurriedly spoke up,
“Nanchu, you’re back?”
“Did everything go smoothly?”
Shen Nanchu handed over the gifts she had bought for the two elders.
“All went well.”
“These are some tea leaves I got from the supply and marketing cooperative for Grandpa and Dad. Give them a try.”
Grandpa Pei and Father Pei immediately sprang into action—one fetched the enamel cups, the other went to the kitchen to boil water.
Since being sent down to the countryside, their palates had grown dull and tasteless.
But a sip of fresh spring tea warmed their throats, and both Grandpa and Father Pei showed satisfied expressions.
“Nanchu, Dad wants to discuss something with you,” Father Pei said, somewhat embarrassed.
“Dad, what is it? Just tell me.”
“Do you remember that old man who stood up for me the day I was wrongly accused? The one living in the cattle shed?”
Pei Zhengnian mentioned the elderly man who lived in the cattle pen.
Shen Nanchu nodded. “I remember.”
She had a strong impression of that old man—such a loyal and righteous soul who spoke out despite his own difficult situation wasn’t common.
“After we finish dinner tonight, let’s bring him some food as a token of thanks,” Father Pei suggested.
He didn’t dare to invite the man directly over.
“Dad, just invite him here!” Shen Nanchu said boldly.
Father Pei hesitated, but Shen Nanchu wasn’t afraid.
Coincidentally, the village chief, Wang Jianguo, was also coming over for dinner.
They would all sit down and chat together.
Anyone relegated to living in the cattle shed wasn’t an ordinary character.
Shen Nanchu was thinking about helping Wang Family Village escape poverty and become prosperous.
If these two men living in the cattle shed could be of help, wouldn’t the village’s affairs have someone to rely on?
Why should she exhaust herself doing everything personally?
She really was a clever little fox!
Grandpa Pei thought for a moment and said,
“Alright, let’s do as Nanchu says. We’ll go after dark.”
“Okay.”
Just then, Yu Lanhua’s voice came from outside.
The village chief and his wife had arrived.
Shen Nanchu stood up, grabbed a handful of candies, and went outside.
“Nanchu, I heard you went to get your marriage certificate with your man today. Congratulations!”
“Here, auntie, have some candy to share the joy.”
Shen Nanchu stuffed a big handful of sweets into Yu Lanhua’s pocket.
Yu Lanhua didn’t really care about candy, of course.
This was just Shen Nanchu’s way of making sure she’d bring some back for her kids.
No complaints—Shen Nanchu was good at reading people.
Yu Lanhua was practically blooming with a smile.
She handed her basket to Shen Nanchu and lifted the coarse cloth covering it.
“Look, auntie brought you some delicious treats.”
Inside the basket lay two grass carp, each weighing about two pounds.
Yu Lanhua lowered her voice.
“These two rascals went to help dig out the pond silt. This is what they got in return.”
“All two fish came straight to me.”
There was pride in Yu Lanhua’s voice.
“Sure enough, you only know what you’ve got once it’s gone. That saying isn’t wrong.”
“The division of the family’s property was fair.”
“Nanchu, it’s all thanks to you.”
Shen Nanchu grinned happily as he looked at the two fish, already imagining how they would look on the dining table.
Feigning a troubled expression, Shen Nanchu said,
“But Auntie, no one in our family knows how to cook fish!”
“That’s nothing to worry about. I’ll cook it,” Yu Lanhua replied promptly, taking charge of the fish.
In an instant, Shen Nanchu’s eyes lit up,
“Wow, that’s fantastic!”
“Auntie Lanhua, your cooking is always so delicious,” he praised.
“The cold wild vegetable salad and tomato egg soup you made last time—I absolutely loved them.”
“We just can’t seem to get the flavors right ourselves.”
Yu Lanhua was so flattered by Shen Nanchu’s compliments that she practically floated on air.
“You love it? Then Auntie will make it for you.”
“Tonight, I’ll be the chef, and I promise to cook only the dishes you love.”
Exactly what Shen Nanchu wanted to hear,
“Great!”
“Thank you so much, Auntie.”
…
