The sky was still dimly lit when Wen Tingxue descended the stairs, bathed in the hazy morning light.
Fearing she might wake those still asleep, she moved with utmost gentleness.
She tiptoed all the way to the kitchen, then poked her head out, glancing left and right.
Once she confirmed no one had noticed, her eyes sparkled, and she gave a lively smile.
She reached out and firmly closed the door.
...
By the time Aunt Fang heard the commotion and got up, the little girl had already fried several eggs, placing them one by one onto porcelain plates rimmed with gold.
"Oh, my dear! You just had to tell me if you wanted anything, why are you doing this yourself?"
Aunt Fang was incredibly worried, barely even glancing at the little girl's culinary achievements.
She hurried over to the child, attempting to take the bowl of batter from her hands.
"Aunt Fang, don't be nervous."
Wen Tingxue stood on a stool, a small figure with a faint smile on her porcelain-white face.
"I've been doing these things since I was very young; I'm quite skilled. Just wait and taste my cooking."
The little girl didn't let her take over and instead pouted playfully, asking her to wait outside.
Aunt Fang was uneasy, but seeing her persistence, and how proficient her movements were, she didn't seem to be lying.
Then she looked at the fried eggs on the plate—crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, with an enticing color.
They were clearly perfectly cooked.
"Then..."
Aunt Fang felt her job had been usurped. With a mix of laughter and tears, she tugged at her collar and indulgently said,
"How about I help you, Auntie? Is there anything you need me to assist with?"
Wen Tingxue couldn't refuse, and she was afraid of running out of time.
Although Uncle Yu had said he would have breakfast at home this morning, he was the company's CEO, and unexpected matters could arise.
It was better to finish early.
So Wen Tingxue stretched out her small hands, leaned close to Aunt Fang's ear, and whispered a few words.
After hearing them, Aunt Fang stared at the little imp in front of her, dumbfounded.
"Goodness, where did you learn all this? No wonder you had me simmer soup last night."
Wen Tingxue smiled, a hint of bitterness in her eyes.
"My little aunt got the recipe from a chef."
She remembered, it was around the age of seven or eight.
Her grandmother had started pushing her towards the kitchen, saying that if a girl didn't know how to cook, she'd never get married.
She didn't care about getting married; she just didn't want to be scolded.
Fortunately, her aunt heard about it and came back in time.
The two had a quarrel.
Then her aunt threatened her grandmother, saying if she touched her again, she would call her parents.
Her grandmother grumbled and compromised, but when facing her, she put on a different face.
She still remembered clearly how her grandmother, while calling girls a financial burden who would eventually leave for someone else's family.
And scolding her aunt for being unfilial and not considering her at all.
She would then tell her matter-of-factly: "You're grown up now, and I'm not well. I can't wake up that early.
"So, you'll have to figure out breakfast yourself. Eat if you can, go hungry if you can't. You won't die anyway.
"If you dare tell your aunt or your parents, I'll beat you to death, you ungrateful thing who doesn't care about your grandmother."
She had no choice but to nod.
To avoid going hungry, she had to wake up half an hour earlier and make her own breakfast.
Over time, she developed experience in frying eggs and making pancakes.
Once, her cousin caught her and insisted she be responsible for his breakfast from then on.
She refused, so he went to their grandmother.
Her grandmother, already finding fault with her in every way, couldn't stand her.
On the other hand, her cousin, even if he caused trouble and was aimless, was doted on by her grandmother like a precious gem.
Whatever he said, her grandmother and little aunt would do.
He wanted her to make breakfast, so her grandmother forced her to agree.
He was used to the longevity noodles from restaurants, so her little aunt got the recipe and told her to learn it.
...
At six-ten in the morning, Yu Xiuxiu and Wen Zhongen woke up on schedule. After washing up, they went downstairs.
The aroma wafted into their noses, and Wen Zhongen was somewhat surprised.
"What did Aunt Fang make today? It smells so good."
Yu Xiuxiu also thought the smell was pleasant and asked with a smile, "Is it the soup that Yi Yi requested last night?"
Aunt Fang brought out fried eggs and vegetable pancakes and placed them on the dining table.
Then, after a moment's hesitation, she looked back at the kitchen. The little girl was still arranging the final touches.
She didn't seem to notice anyone speaking.
Aunt Fang withdrew her gaze and quickly walked up to Wen Zhongen and Yu Xiuxiu.
She reached out to block them from moving forward.
"Let's talk in the living room."
Her voice was small, unlike her usual booming tone.
The couple immediately realized something was wrong and quickly followed her to the living room.
Aunt Fang pursed her lips and lowered her voice.
"I know I shouldn't meddle in your family affairs, but I quite like Yi Yi, so I really feel I must speak my mind."
Wen Zhongen and Yu Xiuxiu exchanged a glance. "???"
Aunt Fang was furious.
"I've been cooking for years, and I can tell from Yi Yi's cooking that she's been doing this for much longer than two or three years.
"I estimate she started making her own breakfast around ten years old. You tell me, a child still in school.
"With already limited sleep, she still has to do so much housework all day. How could her grandmother be so heartless!"
After speaking, Aunt Fang's eyes flashed with pain as if remembering something.
Yu Xiuxiu noticed but didn't pry further.
Everyone had their own pain and secrets; it was their private space, and they had no right to intrude.
After Aunt Fang left, Yu Xiuxiu asked Wen Zhongen, "Did your mother call you?"
"She did."
Wen Zhongen's brows were cold, and his tone carried a hint of mockery. "She wants me to give her five hundred thousand."
Ever since Yi Yi returned, he and Xiuxiu had argued with the old lady countless times.
At first, the old lady denied everything, insisting Yi Yi was simply disobedient.
But they weren't blind; they knew Yi Yi's character perfectly well.
Seeing that she couldn't fool them, the old lady reluctantly admitted to some things.
However, she deliberately avoided mentioning how she made Yi Yi do laundry, sweep the floor, and cook meals, and even beat her.
He and Xiuxiu had come to understand that the old lady didn't think she had done anything wrong at all.
She just regretted losing Yi Yi, her cash cow.
So, she had been calling frantically to demand money during this time.
"Five hundred thousand?!"
Yu Xiuxiu laughed in anger.
"She actually dares to ask for that much! How did she treat you back then, and how has she treated me and Yi Yi all these years, has she forgotten all of it?!"
Wen Zhongen sneered, "Ignore her. The money we've given her over the years is more than enough for her old age. As for any other money, I'd rather throw it into the sea than give it to her!"
From childhood to adulthood, the old lady had always favored her younger son and was patriarchal.
He and his sister had endured endless complaints and disdain from her.
Before he got married, all the money he and his sister earned went to their younger brother.
That brother of his was like a bottomless pit.
Never full, always demanding money.
Later, when they couldn't take it anymore, he and his sister chose to leave home.
But they were still hounded for money.
Even when he married Xiuxiu back then, the old lady caused immense trouble, insisting on breaking them up.
In the end, it still came down to money.
Heh.
He even thought that with age, she might have changed her ways. But then she was willing to raise Yi Yi, willing to pretend to be good to Yi Yi.
It was all for her younger son!