"Zhenzhen, what's this fish head for? It's so big, it'd be a shame to throw it away," Song Mingyue asked curiously, pointing at the large fish head, her earlier melancholy completely gone.
"Who said I was going to throw it away? The fish head is even tastier," Qi Zhenzhen said crisply, splitting the fish head. "See this part? This is the best part of the entire fish, tender, fresh, and melts in your mouth. And the fish brain. As they say, you are what you eat. Mingyue, you have to eat this fish brain later to nourish yourself."
Song Mingyue heard the teasing in Qi Zhenzhen's voice and made a face at her. "Say whatever you want. I have thick skin and won't be embarrassed."
The midday meal was very generous. Two square tables were pushed together and set up in the main hall.
There were eight treasures meatballs, a cured meat platter, steamed pork with pickled mustard greens, spicy fish slices, braised pork ribs, stir-fried cured meat with garlic sprouts, stir-fried pork belly with kimchi, cold mixed bean sprouts, cold mixed cabbage hearts, and a fish head soup. Exactly ten dishes, fitting the saying "ten perfect dishes." Steamed rice was served.
"Zhenzhen is truly amazing. She prepared this entire spread of dishes all by herself. In the village, what other girl her age can prepare such a feast? Brother Lin is fortunate to have such a granddaughter who can manage everything, inside and out," said Village Chief Song, praising her without reservation.
Lin Zhengyang beamed with pride. Although he was meeting her for the first time today, his two sons had spoken a lot about the Qi family girl at home. She was cheerful and capable, handling everything perfectly. His youngest daughter had been well taken care of by her. Without her, she might have been suffering under Li Shan's hand right now.
"That's right. My Lin family ancestors have blessed me to gain such a good daughter and granddaughter and grandson midway. Brother Song, rest assured, our family are all upright people. We will definitely treat Yunlan and the two children well in the future," Lin Zhengyang said loudly.
Village Chief Song poured another cup of wine for Lin Zhengyang. "I believe your words, Brother Lin. I've lived more than half my life, and while I don't have many skills, I'm quite good at judging people. Your family, Brother Lin, looks like good people. Besides, if they weren't good, would our Zhenzhen girl agree to this kinship? Don't be fooled by her young age; her eyes are sharp, and it's not easy to fool her."
Halfway through the meal, Li Hu and Qi Yi were called up by Village Chief Song to recite texts. Li Hu had started learning later, while Qi Yi had a talent for reading. Yun Shi had also put in effort to teach him, and he spoke eloquently, making the two Lin brothers extremely envious.
Lin family's eldest aunt, Da Zhang Shi, smiled and picked up a piece of steamed pork with pickled mustard greens. "This pork is fragrant but not greasy. The cooking is excellent. I consider myself quite skilled at making this dish, but I'm still a bit behind Zhenzhen. I'll have to learn properly from Zhenzhen later, so I don't have to crave it and not be able to eat it."
Qi Zhenzhen smiled. "Auntie, please don't flatter me. I heard from my aunt that when she was at home, her favorite dish was the steamed pork with pickled mustard greens made by you. I wouldn't dare compare my cooking to yours. As for it not being greasy, it's because I put two sheets of Xuan paper at the bottom of the bowl when steaming the meat. This absorbs some of the oil, which improves the texture."
"Oh, how can ordinary families be so particular? Xuan paper is a precious item. If a family doesn't have anyone studying, who would buy Xuan paper just to make steamed pork with pickled mustard greens?" said Lin family's second aunt, Xiao Zhang Shi, with a smile. "Besides, we country folk eat steamed pork with pickled mustard greens for its delicious aroma. If you absorb all the oil, it loses that flavor."
What she said wasn't wrong, but it somehow felt a bit off.
Today was a happy occasion, and everyone was getting along. However, Qi Zhenzhen sensed a hint of troublemaking in Xiao Zhang Shi's words.
Did Xiao Zhang Shi dislike her?
"Second Aunt, you're right. So, like people, some dishes suit your taste, and some don't. Similarly, some people catch your eye, and some you don't fancy. Both people and dishes can't be like money, pleasing everyone. Right, Second Aunt?" Qi Zhenzhen stared at Xiao Zhang Shi with a half-smile. Da Feng Novel Network.
"Grandma, eat a piece of tofu. This tofu has been stewed in the fish soup for a while, and it's absorbed all the fish broth. It tastes delicious. The bighead carp that Second Uncle got is really good. I haven't eaten such a fatty fish in years," Qi Zhenzhen stood up and scooped a spoonful of fish head soup with a few pieces of tofu for Lin Old Madam. She also urged everyone to eat, as fish soup would definitely lose its flavor if it cooled down.
Xiao Zhang Shi lowered her head and drank the soup, feeling even more displeased.
She had originally intended to send this bighead carp back to her maiden family. Her sister-in-law was recovering after childbirth and could use it for nourishment, but it ended up being sent to the Qi family.
Also, regarding the family's kimchi business, her brother had come to beg if he could join, but he was directly refused by her father-in-law and elder brother-in-law, who said the business belonged to the Qi family, and the Lin family had no right to make decisions. They had spoken so nicely just now, saying they were all family from now on. Humph!
Lin family's Old Madam gave her eldest daughter-in-law a look. Da Zhang Shi understood and served Yun Shi some fish soup. "Sister, eat more. This fish soup tastes really good."
Yun Shi took the fish soup and smiled. "Eldest Sister, please sit down. We're all family, there's no need for such formality."
Yu Shi was always good at livening up the atmosphere, saying something here and there, making sure no one felt left out. The atmosphere became harmonious again, as if the minor incident hadn't happened. Xiao Zhang Shi was not brainless. She knew that her words had displeased her mother-in-law, and if she didn't restrain herself, she would be the one to suffer later.
Overall, the meal was quite harmonious.
After the meal, Qi Zhenzhen was busy clearing the dishes, but Lin Old Madam stopped her. "Zhenzhen has been busy all afternoon. She should rest. Let your two aunts clean up. From now on, we are all family, so you don't need to be shy."
Yun Shi also stood up, preparing to clear the dishes.
Qi Zhenzhen held Yun Shi's arm and said playfully, "Mother, you go wash the dishes too. Who will keep Grandma and Grandpa company?"
Lin Old Madam knew that usually at home, cooking and washing dishes were done by Zhenzhen and Yi Ge'er. Her daughter had been so pampered by the two children that she never had to do any of this rough work. Adopting godchildren shouldn't be an exception.