Chapter 38: From Now On, I’ll Cook for You

Just then, Li Sheng happened to walk into the courtyard and overheard Tang Xin’s last words. Unable to hold back, he said, “It’s alright, I know how to make it. I’ll cook it for you from now on.”

His words made Tang Xin’s cheeks flush with embarrassment. Madam Fang, on the other hand, felt a surge of happiness—her wooden-headed son was finally learning to say sweet things to please his wife. In truth, it proved that men are not always silent because they lack words, but because they have yet to meet someone they truly wish to speak to.

And so, Li Sheng took up the role of cook, while the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law prepared to share a few drinks together—one with liquor, the other with boiled water. At Tang Xin’s persuasion, Madam Fang didn’t object to her son working in the kitchen. As for those old beliefs that men shouldn’t enter the kitchen, it seemed her daughter-in-law had been thoroughly brainwashed by her own mother-in-law over the years. Did they think she was still a helpless cabbage from a feudal society thousands of years ago?

There were still many dishes left, all ready-made. The men at lunch couldn’t possibly have finished everything. Yesterday, at the feast, some of the better leftovers were sent home with close relatives and neighbors who had helped. But today, that wasn’t the case—several large dishes remained, and the Li family’s meals would be plentiful for days.

So it was simple enough; Li Sheng busied himself in the kitchen briefly and soon emerged with a large tray bearing several dishes: a cold cucumber salad, a small plate of stir-fried green beans with pork, mushrooms scrambled with eggs, and a bowl of salted vegetable soup. They weren’t extravagant, but more than adequate for two people to drink together.

Li Sheng was generous, bringing out the old man’s hidden stash of spirits and filling both mother-in-law and daughter-in-law’s cups. Of course, Tang Xin merely clinked her glass with her mother-in-law’s, and then Li Sheng drank hers for her. After that, she stuck to water. Li Sheng apologized on her behalf, explaining his wife simply couldn’t handle alcohol.

Madam Fang didn’t mind. In her youth, she could drink well; it was only in recent years she’d seldom indulged at home. Today was a rare opportunity, and she found her daughter-in-law so much to her liking—a prime example of good fortune arriving late. So she allowed herself a little indulgence, wanting to enjoy a couple of drinks.

Madam Fang raised her small glass and smiled at Tang Xin. “Daughter-in-law, since our relatives couldn’t come this time, let me toast your parents. Thank them for marrying such a wonderful daughter into our Li family.”

Her mother was fine with it; in fact, her father was opposed. But Tang Xin had no desire to share such matters with her in-laws. Instead, the large package she’d received had led her in-laws to believe her parents had agreed to her marriage.

Tang Xin merely smiled and said, “Mother, I may not know how to drink, but I do know how to make wine. I’ll brew some grape wine for you in the future.”

For women, grape wine is beneficial—it enhances beauty and health. Tang Xin didn’t actually know how to brew, but with her farm upgrading soon, she’d be able to exchange points in the workshop for it.

Madam Fang laughed as well. “I’ve learned many things—needlework, cooking, and more—but I never learned to make wine.”

Knowing her mother-in-law’s former status, Tang Xin grew curious. “Mother, were you considered a young lady in the past? Did your family have servants? Did you learn music, chess, calligraphy, painting, and all sorts of skills?”

In high spirits, Madam Fang gulped down her drink and gestured for her son to refill her glass. She then turned to Tang Xin. “Daughter-in-law, you know my background wasn’t good. My maiden family used to be landowners.”

She paused before continuing, “They called us landowners, but we just had a little money. Life was comfortable, but we only had one servant. My mother still had to do many things herself, so she taught me a lot.”

Madam Fang rambled on, and Tang Xin soon realized her mother-in-law’s family had been exceptionally unlucky. In truth, Madam Fang’s family was only modestly well-off, the lowest rung of the landlord class, but once branded with that mark, they were destined to be overthrown and persecuted. Both of Madam Fang’s parents were gone, and she herself had suffered greatly since childhood, enduring until today.

Tang Xin pushed the glass Li Sheng had just poured toward Madam Fang. “Mother, drink up. Let yourself go for once today. Tomorrow, when you wake, everything will be better. Mother, believe me—the days ahead will only get better.”

Madam Fang nodded, mumbling, “They will, they will. Daughter-in-law, you… you are a good one.”

Having gone long without drinking, and indulging a bit too quickly, in addition to having eaten little at lunch, Madam Fang was now tipsy. Li Sheng noticed and said, “Mother, you’ve had enough.”

Madam Fang glared at him, “You’re the one who’s had enough.” Then she turned to Tang Xin and smiled, “Daughter-in-law, I never talk about these things to anyone. My mother always taught me—complaining and venting are useless. Life is lived by people, so it’s better to live it well.”

Tang Xin nodded. It seemed Li Sheng’s maternal grandmother was a woman of learning and wisdom.

The more she drank, the more she talked.

In the end, Madam Fang ended up slumped over the table, fast asleep. Tang Xin asked Li Sheng to help his mother back to her room to rest, while she herself went to organize her belongings.

Yesterday, her things had arrived alongside her dowry. After a busy day and a harmonious night, she had yet to tidy up her room. Now, with time to spare, Tang Xin went to take a look.

Back at the commune, she had shared a room with Meng Jia, making many things inconvenient. Aside from daily necessities, she didn’t really know how much the original owner possessed. Now was the perfect opportunity to sort everything out and deal with some items stored in the warehouse.

Though it was only her second day in the Li family, Tang Xin was confident in her judgment—the Li family members were fundamentally decent people. Her father-in-law was a man of few words, the type who worked diligently without complaint; her mother-in-law was gentle and lovable, whom Tang Xin adored. The twin brothers were adorable, nothing like the spoiled troublemakers found in families thirty years later. The eldest sister was pitiable; ignoring her sharp tongue, one could see she was a kind-hearted young woman.

As for the second brother, depicted in the novel as a future formidable figure, and the sharp-tongued younger sister, Tang Xin believed their natures weren’t bad. If Li Sheng hadn’t died suddenly, leaving them without guidance, they might well have become good people.

Most of the original owner’s belongings had been packed by Tang’s mother when she went to the countryside—clothes, food, daily necessities. However, most of the good items had been given away to Meng Jia by the former “her.” Now, all that Tang Xin held was Meng Jia’s IOU.

As for Meng Jia’s tin of milk powder, since it had already been taken out, she’d keep it for drinking herself. Last time, she’d given her mother-in-law a can of malted milk as a gift from the new daughter-in-law, and the apples she brought had already amazed the Li family.