Chapter Ninety-Five

Chapter Ninety-Five

"How could you say something like that so casually!"

Xu Yuqing frowned and said anxiously, "Quickly, spit four times!"

Zhang Xiuhong was stunned, staring at Xu Yuqing without moving, showing no reaction.

Seeing her like this and thinking about her past, Xu Yuqing felt a pang of sympathy.

Only she and Zhang Xiuhong were in the kitchen. The others were in the courtyard. Zhang Heping was chopping firewood into smaller pieces and stacking them neatly. Gao Min and Lin Qiqi were assisting him, wisely staying out of the kitchen, especially after hearing a loud shout, they became even quieter.

The three exchanged glances and simultaneously acted like turtles retreating into their shells. Gao Min stuck out her tongue in fright and whispered, "I never thought Sister Yuqing could be so scary when she gets angry."

Lin Qiqi, upon hearing this, slapped her hand lightly, "What if she hears us!"

"It's okay, I spoke softly!" Gao Min waved her hands, feeling guilty as she glanced at the kitchen entrance, then quickly pretended to be busy and fell silent.

"Xiuhong, not everyone's arrival is welcomed in this world."

After saying this, she gave a bitter smile, thinking about her own past, which was worse than Zhang Xiuhong's.

No matter what, she still hoped Zhang Xiuhong could become a better person, especially since she was already so excellent.

Pulling her to sit down and watching the flames, Xu Yuqing suddenly felt a bit dazed.

"Do you know? I once felt the same way, thinking I wasn't worthy."

Trapped, unable to escape, enduring daily abuse and humiliation from my parents and brothers, day after day, until all my confidence was shattered.

She was grateful that she had returned and remembered her proudest memories.

"I have two brothers and parents who favor boys over girls. In their eyes, I was just a few big banknotes." Xu Yuqing said sarcastically, looking directly at Zhang Xiuhong.

Zhang Xiuhong opened her mouth but didn't know what to say. Xu Yuqing gripped her hand tightly, rubbing her calluses.

Rough and hard, it helped her gradually regain her composure.

"My grades were excellent. My teachers praised me, saying I was a promising student. When my brother heard this, he threw a cup at me, hitting my shoulder. For three months, I couldn't move it, and it hurt every time it was touched."

"For three months, they finally took me to the hospital because they feared my hand would be permanently damaged, affecting my appearance."

The memory of that pain was still vivid, making her shudder even now.

"You might say, why didn't I run away? But in that county, half the people shared the surname Xu, and everyone was related somehow. They wouldn't let me escape. It was a tiger's den in front and a snake pit behind; I could only survive."

Thinking back on those days, Xu Yuqing still felt the darkness of life. Fortunately, she had a good mindset and resilience, and even then, she treated herself well. "During that time, knowing they planned to sell me, I made demands. I wanted meat and soda. Otherwise, I threatened to cut my face with a knife."

Hearing this, Zhang Xiuhong's brows furrowed, her face serious, and her eyes filled with anger.

Xu Yuqing patted her hand reassuringly, "Relax, I definitely wouldn't do it. I'm afraid of pain."

"I was just threatening them, using myself as leverage." Now, recalling it, it seemed like a past life.

"Fortunately, later, the educated youth went to the countryside. They didn't want to go and couldn't afford it, so they remembered me." Xu Yuqing smiled, recalling those days as the best news she received in that dark home.

Escaping that home became her last hope.

Seeming to have strayed off topic, Xu Yuqing looked at Zhang Xiuhong's sympathetic gaze and realized this had turned into a pity party, far from her initial intention.

"Sigh, anyway, it's all in the past. It took me a long time to find myself again. Everyone is born equal, but some people's views make us different. But remember, always treat yourself well."

"No matter how you live, it's only a hundred or eighty years. You come alone and leave alone. You must understand that nothing and no one is more important than yourself!"

"Gloves, you deserve them. Good food, you deserve it. Nice clothes, you deserve them. All the good things in the world, you deserve them!" Xu Yuqing looked at Zhang Xiuhong seriously, emphasizing each word.

Zhang Xiuhong stared at Xu Yuqing, her body tingling, fingers trembling uncontrollably, and a wave of dizziness hit her. She closed her eyes in embarrassment, a large tear rolling down her cheek.

Seeing this tear, Xu Yuqing felt heartache, a sourness in her chest. Such an excellent girl being pushed to this point made her hug her tightly, "We're the same. Anyone can do hard work, but we must take care of ourselves and learn to take breaks."

Zhang Xiuhong buried her head in Xu Yuqing's shoulder, nodding heavily.

Silent and heavy, but Xu Yuqing comfortingly stroked her head. Selfish people, to some extent, lead happier lives.

After a few quiet minutes, Zhang Xiuhong released Xu Yuqing. They looked at each other and laughed spontaneously.

This was the first time Xu Yuqing saw Zhang Xiuhong laugh so happily and beautifully.

Embarrassed, Zhang Xiuhong turned her head towards the stove. The fire was almost out, with only one piece of wood struggling to stay lit. She quickly squatted down and added a piece of bark, causing the fire to flare up. She then added more wood.

Seeing this, Xu Yuqing lifted the pot lid. The contents inside were already white, and the pork skin had gelled. She removed the scallions and ginger, adding celery and other vegetables, then re-covered the pot.

"Is it done?"

"Not yet, it needs more simmering." There was still a large pot, but the final product would likely be only two small jars.

Xu Yuqing watched Zhang Xiuhong carefully tending the fire and smiled, then walked out to find the three gathered around the firewood pile. "Qiqi, do you still have any jars?"

"Yes, I have two left." Lin Qiqi clapped her hands and quickly responded.

Xu Yuqing's eyes brightened. "Perfect! Wash these two jars and dry them. I'll need them later."

"Okay." Lin Qiqi quickly agreed, washed her hands, and ran into the main room to fetch the jars.

Xu Yuqing also washed things, using a soap nut to scrub a porcelain basin clean, ensuring there was no dirt inside. She placed it on the stove to dry upside down.

Returning to the kitchen, Xu Yuqing lifted the pot lid. The aroma filled the air, rich with meaty fragrance. She removed the melting pork skin and bones, leaving only the broth.

"Xiuhong, now we don't need a strong fire. Just simmer it slowly to thicken."

"Got it." Zhang Xiuhong nodded, flipping her wrist to lower the flame.

Xu Yuqing wouldn't waste the pigskin either. She started another pot, added water, and boiled it before putting in the pigskin. Though the effect wasn't as good, it was still a way to avoid waste; soon it would be pigskin jelly.

With two pots going, Xu Yuqing and Zhang Xiuhong each watched over one. Zhang Xiuhong gazed at the flames before her and smiled softly.

It was truly idle, yet truly comfortable.

Most of the work was done, and Xu Yuqing didn't know when the supplies would arrive. The meat was almost gone, with only one piece left for making sauerkraut dumplings.

Looks like she needed to ask Commissioner Huang about it.

But now, lunchtime was approaching fast.

Xu Yuqing secretly glanced at her watch, feeling elated. The pot continued to boil, and as time ticked by, the contents thickened. Holding the spatula, she carefully observed the progress.

"It's done! Xiuhong, turn off the fire!"

"Okay."

Quickly stuffing the firewood into the ash pile, Zhang Xiuhong watched Xu Yuqing's movements closely, her eyes shining.

She thought that Yuqing probably didn't realize how much she envied her—how every gesture seemed like a dance, how graceful and beautiful she was, and how considerate and kind...

How wonderful.

Xu Yuqing gently turned her wrist, pouring the thickened soup into an enamel basin without spilling a drop, which obediently settled inside.

Gao Min, who had just finished tidying up the firewood, heard the commotion and rushed in, sweeping aside the broom to watch Xu Yuqing's actions.

"Sis Yuqing, what is this for?" Could it be for drinking? But looking at the thick, white, and viscous liquid, Gao Min couldn't help but doubt Xu Yuqing again.

Could this really be eaten?

Xu Yuqing didn't notice Gao Min's expression as she scraped the pot clean. "Min Min, could you please take this out?"

"Oh, okay." Gao Min took it and instinctively walked out. The steam from the hot pot made her nose twitch, and the aroma was so enticing that she wondered if it might actually be edible.

Stepping out of the main room, she looked at the empty courtyard and suddenly froze. Where should she put it? No one said where!

She hurried back into the kitchen. "Sis Yuqing, where should I put it? In the bedroom?"

Xu Yuqing was busy with the pigskin jelly and nearly dropped the spatula upon hearing this. Goodness, it must not go into the bedroom, or it would spoil and never set.

"Don't put it in the bedroom. Just place it on the table outside, and cover it with a clean bamboo tray to keep the dust off."

"Okay."

Gao Min responded, curiously eyeing the pot in Xu Yuqing's hands. What were those strips, and why did they look so clear?

"Hurry up! Is it heavy?" Xu Yuqing covered the pot and noticed Gao Min standing there in a daze, holding the basin. She quickly urged her.

Gao Min nodded and hurried to put it away.

"It's done. It's almost lunchtime. Let's go, Xiuhong, no need to worry about the fire; we can come back later." Then everyone could have an afternoon snack to perk up.

"Okay." They responded, packing their things and eagerly grabbing their lunch boxes before heading out together.

Arriving at the dining hall, Xu Yuqing hadn't seen Xie Junli yet. She had parted ways with Zhang Xiuhong earlier, and now they were already getting their food.

Xu Yuqing sat down at an empty seat and couldn't help but look at Zhang Xiuhong. In the dining hall, everything required money and coupons, and she had noticed that Zhang Xiuhong always got very little food, especially very few vegetables.

But according to Gao Min, she didn't send money home.

Xu Yuqing watched Zhang Xiuhong nervously. Would she understand?