CHAPTER 377: CHAPTER 311: THE EXTRAORDINARY CULINARY SKILLS

Rong Yan smiled, "We planted a few watermelon seedlings in the yard, and this is the result."

Song Xiuxiu: ...

Are these watermelons really that delicious?

If they were sold outside, she would have saved money to buy one for her family to enjoy after inquiring about it.

But now... since the watermelons were grown by Rong Yan’s family, she felt embarrassed to make such a request.

At that moment, Qin Mei came in with a teapot.

Rong Yan took it from her and set it on the table, casually picking up a piece of watermelon for her, "Here, have some watermelon."

Qin Mei accepted it, feeling uneasy about staying there, thinking that Madam Rong’s friend might have something to discuss with her, "Sister-in-law, I’ll go back to my room."

"Hold on, take a few more pieces," Rong Yan said, stuffing several pieces into her hands without waiting for Qin Mei to refuse.

Qin Mei, cradling the watermelon, turned and walked out.

"Rong Yan, this little sister of yours is so well-behaved, nothing like my cheeky sister." Really, she couldn’t compare them; whenever she did, she felt like throwing her own sister away.

Rong Yan raised an eyebrow, she had a sister?

But in those days, it was indeed common for many families to have several children.

It seems her family was the exception, with only herself.

"Your sister is quite young, isn’t she?"

Song Xiuxiu immediately said, "Not very, my little sister is only thirteen, five years younger than me and seven years younger than my brother."

Rong Yan: ...

Song Xiuxiu was a very talkative person. In a future era, this girl could be called a social butterfly.

Her mouth never stopped, starting from her sister and then moving on to her brother.

And then, out of the blue, she said, "It’s just too bad you’re married, Rong Yan. Otherwise, my brother..." Realizing she misspoke, she quickly spat twice and swiftly changed the subject, "What I mean is, even if you were not married, I couldn’t possibly match up to you..."

Rong Yan: ...

However, she didn’t intend to continue on this topic, so she shifted the conversation, "You were sent down to the countryside for three years?"

Song Xiuxiu nodded, "Yes, I was in the Northwest for three years. It was really tough, but luckily, my brother and I were assigned to the same place."

"Both of you went from your family?" Rong Yan felt it was a bit strange.

Logically speaking, even if Song Xiuxiu’s brother had gone three years ago, Song Xiuxiu, who was only fifteen at the time, wouldn’t have needed to go as well, right?

"Yes! My brother and I went together. Actually, I didn’t have to go, but my cousin was frail and it was her turn to be sent down. So my uncle pleaded with my mother to let me replace my cousin. At the time, I definitely didn’t agree, but my mother did... so, I had to agree too. Anyway, I was with my brother, and I thought I could accept it."

At the time, that’s really what she thought, as she had always been close to her brother.

She thought it’d be nice to be together.

But once there, she realized how tough the days were, endless labor every day without a decent meal to eat.

Luckily, she was always an optimistic person.

So, when returning to the city seemed hopeless, she persisted.

This year, once college entrance exams were reinstated, though she didn’t pass the first time, she and her elder brother were both able to pass them and return to the city.

Listening to this, Rong Yan had considerable respect for the siblings.

They were impressive for being able to rely on themselves to return to the city through the college entrance exams, without depending on their family.

"Which university did you get into?" she asked with some curiosity.

Song Xiuxiu answered happily, "I got into the normal university, but my brother is incredible, Brother Gang got into Jing City University. He could have gotten in last year but we missed the chance. Luckily, this year he finally made it and we returned to the city."

There were subsidies for university students, so they didn’t have to worry about tuition anymore. If they spent sparingly, they would probably make it through until graduation.

Once graduated, life would certainly get better.

Rong Yan noticed something subtle in her expression when she heard her elder brother also attended Jing City University.

At that moment, Song Xiuxiu suddenly remembered something and hurriedly asked, "Rong Yan, did you also get into a university? Which one?"

Rong Yan slowly uttered a few words, "Jing City University."

Song Xiuxiu’s eyes lit up, "What a coincidence, you’re at the same university as my brother."

Rong Yan: "Indeed, quite coincidental."

However, they were in different majors.

Song Xiuxiu was quite excited, and she even reflected on it, "It’s true, all the talented people are at the same university."

Rong Yan: "...you’re quite talented as well."

She had gone to the countryside at fifteen, and stayed there for three years, yet she managed to get into a university, which indicated the girl must have worked very hard normally.

There might also have been encouragement from her brother.

Song Xiuxiu, pleased with Rong Yan’s compliment, was beaming with joy, but still modestly said, "I’m not as talented as you, Rong Yan, I still have a long way to go... But, starting from today, you are my role model in learning..."

Rong Yan, watching her give an impromptu speech, could barely conceal a twitch at the corner of her mouth.

Just then, there was a knock at the door.

Song Xiuxiu immediately ended her chattering.

"Oh no, I’ve been here too long, I’ll come to play with you another time."

She got up and prepared to leave.

"Sure! You can come over anytime I’m home," Rong Yan also stood up.

They both walked to the door together.

Rong Yan opened the door and saw a young girl.

When Song Xiuxiu saw the little girl, she exclaimed in a high-pitched voice, "Ah, Song Pingping, what are you doing here?"

Song Pingping had initially been looking at Rong Yan, but upon hearing her sister’s loud voice, she couldn’t help but roll her eyes, "Of course, I’ve come for you. Mom wants you to hurry home."

Song Xiuxiu immediately said to Rong Yan, "Rong Yan, then I’m off, goodbye. You can come to play with me when you’re free too."

Although Rong Yan was unlikely to go visit her, she still nodded, "...Okay."

Seeing the "okay" from her, Song Xiuxiu seemed very happy, quickly waved at her, and then walked away.

As she left, she didn’t forget to drag her annoying little sister along.

Even after Rong Yan closed the door, she could still hear the sisters’ not-so-friendly conversation.

"Song Pingping, what do you mean by rolling your eyes at me just now? Haven’t I told you not to roll your eyes?"

"Just rolling them, rolling them, what are you going to do about it? Humph..."

Originally, Rong Yan had thought Song Xiuxiu’s sister, being around the same age as Qin Mei, might become friends with her.

After all, they lived close by and might even attend the same school.

But now... she felt it was probably better for Qin Mei to make her own friends.

Madam Rong came back a bit late this time, and she was surprised to see her daughter pottering in the kitchen, "You’re cooking?"

Rong Yan: "...Mom, is it strange for me to cook? Try my cooking tonight."

Madam Rong, hearing this, thought her daughter must be making some feast.

However, when she lifted the lid of the pot to peek inside, the corners of her eyes twitched.

"This is the culinary skill you want me to try?"

Rong Yan nodded with utmost confidence, "Yes! A pot of mixed stew, this is a famous dish from the Northwest."

Madam Rong: ...

Aren’t you misunderstanding what a famous dish is?