Chapter 58

Qian Jianing couldn’t contain her excitement. She reached out and wrapped her arms around Li Wanzhen’s waist, pressing her face tightly against her back. Li Wanzhen paused in washing the dishes and turned to look behind her. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing!” Qian Jianing’s eyes were red. “I just miss Mom.”

Li Wanzhen smiled. She rinsed the last bowl and placed it on the rack, picked up the towel hanging nearby to dry her hands, then turned and hugged Qian Jianing, planting a satisfied kiss on her cheek. “Mom misses our little Xiaomi so much too.”

“Mom, I’m a grown woman now!” Qian Jianing was a little embarrassed by the kiss and escaped from Li Wanzhen’s arms. “I’m going to check on Dad and my brother.”

Qian Jiafeng and Qian Guosheng were in the side room unpacking. They had taken out all the local specialties they’d brought and laid them out on the floor. Qian Jianing walked over and pressed a Life Extension Talisman on each of their backs.

“I’ll help you clean up later. You two go shower first. Once your hair is dry, we’ll go out for lunch.”

Obediently, Qian Guosheng and Qian Jiafeng took out their change of clothes. Qian Jianing went to the bathroom, filled the tub to the brim, taught the two how to use it, and closed the door behind them.

She then led Li Wanzhen into her own room. Li Wanzhen looked at the comfortable bed, the walk-in closet with pretty clothes, and the cozy bathroom, her face full of admiration. “There’s no kid better than you in all of Zibo City. So young and already bought such a big house.”

Qian Jianing smiled. “I just got lucky. If you keep praising me, I’m going to blush.”

After Li Wanzhen took a shower in the master bathroom, Qian Jianing helped blow-dry her hair and tied it into a bun the way she liked. “Mom, there’s a Yi Ren beauty salon in the Imperial Capital—it’s the biggest brand in Huaguo. They do hair and facials, and a lot of women go there. I’ll take you to get a new hairstyle.”

Li Wanzhen clipped two black hairpins in and shook her head bashfully. “I’m already old—what’s the point of fussing with this stuff? People will just laugh.”

“Who’s going to laugh? They’ll be jealous! All pretty and stylish. If we walk together, people might even think we’re sisters.”

Li Wanzhen was so amused by Qian Jianing that she burst out laughing. “You and that sweet mouth! Alright, you can take me, I’ll get a trendy perm.”

Once the family was fresh and tidy, and after the Dong family had picked up the medicinal meals, Qian Jianing locked the door and led her parents and Qian Jiafeng out for Imperial Capital roast duck. Qian Jiafeng was beyond excited to be in the capital—after all, to ordinary folks in Huaguo, it was a sacred place. He buzzed around Qian Jianing like a little bird, chattering non-stop, repeating everything he had read and seen on TV about the capital.

In her past life, Qian Jianing had always been impatient with this little brother—found him clingy and annoying. But now, reborn, her attitude had changed. She had come to enjoy this pure sibling bond. She liked watching him gobble down food, liked hearing him endlessly chatter about fun things at school. Even tutoring him had become a warm time between them. These days, Qian Jiafeng’s favorite thing to do was brag to his classmates and friends that he had the best sister in the world.

Qian Jianing listened to him with a smile while occasionally reminding him to watch his step on the slippery pavement. After about ten minutes of walking, the family finally reached the famous roast duck restaurant. Known nationwide as a symbol of the Imperial Capital, even if the food wasn’t as delicious as what Qian Jianing could make herself, the prestige of the century-old name alone made it worth trying.

The four of them walked through the restaurant’s front door. A uniformed staff member came over with a sweet smile. “Sorry, we’re full right now. There’ll be a short wait.”

“I have a reservation,” Qian Jianing said. “Table 3, Qian Jianing.”

The staff checked the list, then smiled politely. “Right this way, party of four.”

It was peak meal time, and the main hall was packed. Waiters bustled among the tables with plates of exquisite dishes. Chefs in uniform pushed carts carrying shiny, red roast ducks to each table and expertly sliced thin, even pieces.

“This place is really nice. A lot fancier than restaurants back in Zibo City,” Li Wanzhen whispered to Qian Jianing as she looked around.

Qian Jianing poured her a cup of chrysanthemum tea and said with a smile, “Since you’re here in the capital, let’s try lots of things and explore a bit. When you go home, you can show off to friends and relatives.”

Li Wanzhen couldn’t stop smiling. “You know I’m not the type who likes to show off. But these past couple of years really have been a turnaround. Back when I quit my job, the people at my old workplace who didn’t like me were just waiting to see me fall. Some even deliberately walked past my street stall to show off the stuff their company gave them. It was laughable.”

She took another sip of tea and leaned over to Qian Jianing. “Then you got the top score in the entrance exams—TV interviewed you, newspapers published articles, and all the neighbors and coworkers started asking for your study tips and practice books. Those few who didn’t like me all had kids a few years younger than you. They wanted to ask but felt embarrassed. Not asking made them even more annoyed. It drove them mad.”

Qian Jianing cracked a sunflower seed in her mouth. “Where there are people, there’s gossip. That old factory of yours didn’t have good benefits and was full of idlers. You were right to quit.”

“If I hadn’t quit, our life wouldn’t be this good. It’s all thanks to your guidance.” Li Wanzhen reached out and gently brushed Qian Jianing’s soft hair. “Xiaomi is Mom’s lucky star.”

Qian Jianing felt sweetness bloom in her heart from the praise, snuggled up to her mother’s arm. Just as the two were having a tender moment, the server came over with a tray. Qian Jianing immediately sat up straight, smiling as she picked up her chopsticks. “Time to eat!”

Dish after dish was placed on the table. Qian Jianing glanced at them one by one—mustard duck feet, fire-seared duck hearts, braised duck treasures, and hibiscus plum blossom duck tongues. These were all signature dishes of the restaurant—beautifully presented and delicious.

The hibiscus plum blossom duck tongues were arranged into a blooming flower made from seventy or eighty tongues—delicate and artistic. Qian Jianing picked one up with her chopsticks and popped it in her mouth—tender, refreshing, and uniquely flavorful.

Her own Home-style Cuisine Restaurant also made roast duck, but it wasn’t the main attraction. They only roasted about a dozen ducks a day, and duck tongues were especially rare. She couldn’t even get ten a day—nowhere near enough for a single dish. So she didn’t include it on the menu. Instead, she’d save up a hundred or so and braise them in a pot to snack on while watching TV—absolutely delicious.

By the time they were halfway through the four signature dishes, the roast duck was finally brought over. The chef held up the glistening red duck for everyone to see, then placed it on the cutting board and began slicing off the crispy skin.

The skin of the hanging-oven roasted duck was crisp and flaky. Dipped in sugar and placed in the mouth, it melted instantly with a sweet aroma.

Qian Jianing stopped after a few bites, worried about upsetting her stomach with too much grease. But chubby Qian Jiafeng loved it. His eyes sparkled as he ate. By the time the sliced duck meat arrived, he had already devoured the entire plate of duck skin, leaving Qian Jianing speechless.

Thin, translucent lotus-leaf pancakes were used to wrap the oily duck slices, with a bit of sweet bean sauce and shredded scallions. The result was crispy skin, juicy meat, and rich flavor. Even the leftover duck frame wasn’t wasted—they had it sent to the kitchen to make a pot of milky-white broth. After eating the duck, sipping the warm soup left them feeling completely satisfied.

Four dishes, a pot of duck soup, and a whole roast duck were a bit much for four people. Luckily, Qian Jiafeng was at the perfect age for a big appetite. He alone ate half the duck, cleared the table of leftovers, and even drank every last drop of the soup. At the end, he patted his belly and let out a loud burp. “So full!”

Qian Jianing stared at him in shock, then silently pulled a large hawthorn pill from her bag and handed it to him. “Take this to help digest—I’m afraid you’ll rupture your stomach.”

Qian Jiafeng took it, sniffed it, and asked, “Is it tasty?” Without waiting for an answer, he popped it into his mouth.

Watching him eat everything like it was delicious, Qian Jianing turned to Li Wanzhen. “Does my brother eat like this at home too?”

Li Wanzhen chuckled and said, “We basically need several dishes for every meal. If your dad and I hadn’t quit our jobs and started doing business to earn some money, we probably wouldn’t be able to afford to feed him. Just one of his meals is enough to feed me for a whole day.”

Qian Jiafeng didn’t like hearing that. He patted his round little belly and complained to Qian Jianing, “Sis, don’t listen to Mom’s nonsense. Ever since you came to the Imperial Capital, I haven’t been eating or sleeping well. Look at my face—hasn’t it slimmed down a whole circle?”

Qian Jianing looked at his chubby, oily face and covered her eyes, unable to bear the sight. “You could stand to eat and sleep even less. Just look at the fat on your stomach—you’re definitely overweight!”

After paying the bill, the four of them chatted while walking home. Since they had all eaten quite a bit, they felt a little greasy and heavy when they got back. Qian Jianing took out the tea leaves she had won in a prize draw from the Treasure Bowl, pinched some into a teapot, and poured boiling water over them. The tea immediately released a fresh fragrance.

The Qian family of four didn’t know much about tea, nor were they particularly fond of it. With Li Wanzhen and her husband’s previous salaries, tea was just something to serve guests. They couldn’t tell good from bad and just bought whatever was cheap. Although their living conditions had improved over the past two years and the tea they bought was slightly better, it was still the kind commonly seen in shops—not anything special. Since opening her home-style cuisine restaurant in the Imperial Capital, Qian Jianing had been buying more expensive tea, but she still couldn’t explain its subtleties.

For a family that didn’t know tea, drinking it was just a way to quench thirst. But this fragrant, ethereal tea was unlike anything they’d had before—it miraculously drew everyone in. All eyes were glued to the teapot in the middle of the table.

“Why does this tea smell so good? What kind is it?” Qian Guosheng stared hard at the teapot, even feeling a bit of a craving. “Pour me a cup—I want to try it!”

“A friend gave it to me, so I don’t know,” said Qian Jianing, taking out four teacups and pouring a half-cup of tea into each. The tea was a clear jade green with a delicate fragrance that refreshed the mind just by smelling it. They picked up their cups. Though the tea was still a bit hot, they couldn’t wait. Blowing on it, they took small sips and swallowed slowly, instantly finding the flavor pure and mellow, with a sweet aftertaste that lingered between their lips and teeth.

After finishing half a cup, they all wanted more. The family sat around the tea table, reluctant to leave until the tea had been thoroughly steeped and lost its flavor. Even after several pots, none of them felt bloated. On the contrary, the greasy fullness from earlier had completely vanished, replaced by a sense of clarity and ease.

Savoring the lingering taste, Qian Guosheng couldn’t help but praise, “No wonder rich folks like to drink tea—this good stuff is really something. We should get some fancy tea too next time.”

Qian Jianing smiled and nodded. “Sure. The shops are still open tomorrow, so let’s go out and have a look. You all go take a nap first—after days on the train, you must be tired.”

Qian Jiafeng was at an energetic age, and Qian Guosheng and Li Wanzhen usually didn’t get to nap due to their business. They had only meant to lie down and rest a bit, but all three of them fell asleep as soon as their heads hit the pillows.

Since Qian Jianing cooked all three meals a day using ingredients from Xiantao.com, she was full of energy and didn’t feel the least bit sleepy. Sitting on her bed reading for a while, she suddenly remembered a few hometown specialties and decided to head out to the front yard to prepare dinner.

Zibo City had a specialty called “Crispy Pot.” Though not visually appealing, it was delicious. Every family made a big batch during the New Year.

Since it was for her own family, Qian Jianing spared no expense on ingredients. She opened Xiantao.com and placed an order. A minute later, the Earth God knocked on the door.

Qian Jianing opened the gate and greeted the short Earth God with a smile. “Sorry to trouble you again.”

“No trouble at all—and I earn incense merit this way. You just keep the orders coming.” He grinned as he unloaded boxes of ingredients and asked curiously, “What are you making? I thought your place wasn’t open for business. Why all this food?”

Qian Jianing laughed and replied, “I’m making our hometown’s Crispy Pot. Once it’s ready, I’ll offer you a bowl. You can see if it suits your taste.”

The Earth God was a local in the Imperial Capital and hadn’t tried regional dishes from other places. Upon hearing he’d be getting a bowl, he smiled brightly and nodded. “Thanks a lot.”

The Crispy Pot was a must-have for Zibo families at New Year’s. Rich or poor, everyone liked to fill a clay pot with a hearty stew. Wealthier families added more meat, fish, and bones, while poorer ones could make it taste good even without meat. Since everyone used different ingredients, every family’s version had a unique flavor. Around New Year, close neighbors would exchange bowls of their Crispy Pots to taste each other’s cooking.

The ingredients from Xiantao.com came spotless and needed no cleaning. Qian Jianing took out a clay pot, grabbed a cabbage from the box, and laid the leaves at the bottom. Then she layered in chopped pig’s feet, large bones, pork belly, lotus root, kelp, and then fried beltfish and tofu. She topped it with another thick layer of cabbage, sprinkled on sugar and vinegar, and set the pot on the stove to simmer.

Since the pot didn’t need constant attention, Qian Jianing took out the tofu delivered by the Earth God and cut it into 4cm rectangular blocks. She deep-fried them to a crisp golden brown, drained the oil, and carefully cut a side flap on each piece. She scooped out the soft interior and filled each tofu “box” with a stir-fried mixture of minced pork, chopped wood ear mushrooms, shrimp, mushrooms, winter bamboo shoots, and the soft tofu. Then she stacked them into a pagoda shape. At dinner, she’d steam them and pour on the sauce.

Dinner didn’t need to be overly complicated. Qian Jianing figured that with the cold weather, a soup would be ideal. The hen the Earth God delivered was just the right balance of fat and lean, so she decided to make two steam pots of chicken—one for tonight and the other for chicken noodle soup in the morning.

She also wrapped a tray of dumplings and covered them with a steamer cloth. After washing her hands, she returned to the backyard. The house was quiet—Qian Guosheng and the others were still sleeping soundly.

Following her usual routine, Qian Jianing picked up a medical book and lounged in the rocking chair on the sunroom balcony, reading and occasionally popping a preserved fruit into her mouth. She looked relaxed and carefree. Time flew by, and as the room darkened, she looked at the clock on the wall—it was already 5 p.m.

Just as she put down the book and got up to wake her family, the phone rang. Not many people had her number—she’d only given it to Wang Chenchen and her homeroom teacher. More recently, she’d shared it with the Dong and Le families, but they wouldn’t call unless it was urgent.

Assuming it was Wang Chenchen calling to chat, Qian Jianing picked up the phone, sounding a little lazy. “Hello, is that you, Chenchen?”

There was a moment of silence on the other end before a slightly tired male voice replied, “Hello, is this Miss Qian Jianing?”

Startled, Qian Jianing sat up straight and immediately searched her memory for the voice. Within a second, she matched it. “Hello, Mr. Li.”

Li Yujun paused with the phone. “You recognized my voice?”

“Yes,” Qian Jianing replied politely. “I remember every guest I’ve spoken with.”

“I see.” Li Yujun responded mildly, then added, “I’d like to order a meal, Miss Qian. I’ll be coming over to dine in. I’d like a hot soup, and the rest is up to you.” After a short pause, he added, “Just for one.”

Qian Jianing was about to tell him they weren’t open today, but the words stopped in her throat. Li Yujun had been the first customer to pay a deposit, and this was his first time ordering since. Refusing him with the excuse of being closed felt like it would damage the reputation of her home-style restaurant. So she quickly changed her mind and responded more warmly, “Of course. I’ll arrange it right away. Just come over whenever you’re ready.”

As she hung up, she saw her parents coming out of their room. She stood up and turned on the living room light. “Did I wake you?”

“No, it was about time anyway,” said Li Wanzhen with a smile. “That nap was amazing. I feel completely refreshed.”

Maybe it was the Life Extension Talisman that dispelled the air of death from their faces, or maybe it was the Immortal Tea that cleared the impurities in their bodies—either way, Qian Guosheng and Li Wanzhen were in excellent spirits, looking radiant and full of energy.

As they chatted, Qian Jiafeng also came out of the house. The moment he saw Qian Jianing, he asked, “Sis, what are we having for dinner? I’m hungry.”

Qian Jianing looked at him, exasperated. “You ate a whole table of food at lunch and you’re hungry again already?”

Qian Jiafeng grinned and rubbed his stomach. “I’m still growing. I have to eat more.”

“I’ve stewed a pot of soft-braised meat and fried tofu pockets. The stew needs to simmer a bit longer, so we’ll eat later.” Qian Jianing patted his head, then turned to Li Wanzhen and said, “A customer who paid a deposit is coming for dinner, but luckily it’s just him, so it won’t disturb us.”

Li Wanzhen quickly replied, “We’re all family here, don’t worry about us. Taking care of the guest is more important.”

Qian Jianing acknowledged with a nod, walked to the door to put on her coat, and said, “You all stay inside, drink some hot water, watch a bit of TV. Come to the front in half an hour for dinner. I’ll go prepare the food.”

Since Qian Jianing had planned to take three days off, the kitchen only had health-preserving ingredients, no regular groceries. She sighed, feeling like she’d lost out on that deposit.

Cooking for one person was tricky—make too much and it wouldn’t be finished, but too little would seem shabby. As she was pondering what dishes to prepare, a man in military uniform walked in, his voice hoarse: “You’re not open today?”

Qian Jianing looked up, surprised. “You got here so fast?” Then she noticed how pale he looked and caught a faint scent of blood in the air, immediately growing uneasy. “You’re hurt!”

It wasn’t a question, but a statement. Li Yujun was surprised by her keen observation, but being a reserved person, especially with strangers, he didn’t respond—he simply glanced at her, then sat down at a table.

Snapping out of it, Qian Jianing realized her question had crossed a line. She gave him an apologetic smile and turned back to the kitchen to bring out the steamed chicken.

While she went to fetch bowls and chopsticks, Li Yujun had already lifted the lid without hesitation, unafraid of the heat. The rich aroma of chicken broth filled the air. The tension in his body eased slightly as he helped himself to a full bowl.

Seeing him hunched over drinking the soup, Qian Jianing hesitated, then couldn’t help asking, “Do you eat pork organs? Like liver and such?”

Li Yujun paused mid-sip, then nodded. “I do.”

Qian Jianing went back to the kitchen and quickly whipped up three dishes. When she brought them out—stir-fried pork liver, scallion lamb, and garlic spinach—Li Yujun suddenly felt that this young woman was surprisingly thoughtful, thoughtful enough to warm the heart.

He glanced up at her, the harsh lines on his face softening. “Do I look that anemic? All three dishes are for replenishing blood.”

Qian Jianing gave a slight smile. “I just thought you might need them right now.”

Li Yujun said nothing more. He picked up his chopsticks and took a few pieces of lamb—tender and flavorful, with no gamey taste. After a few bites, he looked at the other two dishes. His chopsticks hovered over the pork liver for a moment. Though his expression didn’t change, a closer look at his eyes revealed a trace of hesitation.

Just then, Qian Jianing came over with a pot of red date tea. Hearing her footsteps, Li Yujun quickly lowered his gaze, picked up a piece of pork liver, and put it in his mouth. It was impeccably prepared—none of the usual off-taste, and after being stir-fried, it was tender and crisp, deliciously fresh.

Li Yujun let out a quiet sigh of relief. So this stuff could actually taste good.

Before he realized it, he had eaten more than half of the food on the table. The coldness in his hands began to fade. He put down his chopsticks, wiped his mouth, and nodded at Qian Jianing. “The food was delicious. Thank you.”

“No problem!” Qian Jianing looked at his face, still puzzled. After a hot meal, his complexion should’ve improved. Why did he look even paler?

Li Yujun turned and walked toward the exit, just as Qian Guosheng and the others arrived for dinner. Seeing the guest coming out, Qian Guosheng quickly stepped aside. At that moment, Li Yujun suddenly swayed and collapsed to the ground.

Qian Jianing’s eyes widened. “Oh no, bro, you’re not trying to scam me, are you?”