Becoming the Mother of the Trashy Romance Novel's Heroine

by Usui Takumii

not mine, asia novel . Beware edited mtl. Total: 46 chapters.

1. 00 to 10

Navigating through a melodramatic novel, Jiang Su didn't become the heroine or even a supporting character but ended up as the heroine's mother. Watching her daughters, beautiful as flowers— Yet always encountering scoundrels, facing miscarriages, Losing a kidney, and suffering various brutalities. Jiang Su silently lit a cigarette for herself. Questioning: Without the option of sending her daughters back to the womb for a redo, How should I teach my daughters to discard the men they've picked up from the trash?

Chapter 1

The First Daughter [Revision]

The Cycle Station produces task systems each year based on the level of resentment from people. Long ago, due to the grievances of supporting characters and cannon fodders, various counterattack systems were produced; and later, with the rise of sweet romance, strategy-based task systems like [Publicly Fund Flirting with Girls and Boys, Publicly Sleep with Men and Women] came into existence.

Almost every year, the Cycle Station launches new systems, but the most popular among task performers are always the counterattack systems, strategy systems, and life winner systems. Other than these, systems from the Cycle Station are considered niche and generally unpopular among task performers.

System V0 was one of the new systems produced by the Cycle Station the previous year, but because it belonged to one of the most niche categories among niche systems, it was even more miserable than other niche systems, having hardly any task performers willing to match with it since its production.

Task performers and task systems complement each other, all systems produced by the Cycle Station must complete tasks with task performers to earn task points for a win-win situation. Task performers can use these points for reincarnation or transmigration opportunities, while task systems can use them for system upgrades, gaining more authority, functions, and higher intelligence.

But V0, due to its unpopular system type, remained unnoticed in the Cycle Station, and until now, it hasn't been upgraded even once, still set to its factory settings.

This time, coincidentally, a new wave of soul task performers who met the criteria arrived at the Cycle Station. Even though V0 was battered by cruel realities and lacked confidence, it still harbored a faint hope, wishing for a task performer to favor it.

But dreams were often lush, and reality remained stark.

The new batch of task performers, after going through a detailed introduction to the Cycle Station, showed the same disinterest in V0 as their predecessors.

None of them, once again, chose to match with System V0.

Feeling aggrieved, V0 couldn't help but want to complain to its superior.

Immediately, it jumped out from the system wall, and upon landing, it transformed into a small white mouse. The mouse was covered in snow-white fur, very small and miniature. It propped itself on all fours, about to leave in front of the system wall to find its superior, when suddenly—

A task performer walked straight towards it, quite unexpectedly heading in its direction.

V0 froze in place, its small, beady eyes fixed on the task performer, its little front paws instinctively lifting.

V0 was nervous, every system wanted a task performer to complete tasks, but despite all its hopes and wishes over the years, it never got a task performer. Now, seeing someone walking towards it, even though V0 didn't harbor much hope, it still instinctively tensed its fur, unable to move.

Jiang Su approached slowly from a distance, finally stopping in front of V0 and crouched down to greet it.

"Hello."

V0's body stiffened, the mouse appeared as if frozen by a spell, motionless and silent, rooted to the spot without responding.

Not receiving a reply, Jiang Su's brows furrowed slightly. She reached out, cradling the little white mouse in her palm and brought her face closer, saying again, "Hello."

V0 snapped back to reality, realizing it was standing in the palm of the Recycler, too scared to move, only managing to stutter out, "...He-hello."

Lacking any upgrades, V0 had many functions missing, so its voice sounded like that of a young child to Jiang Su.

The voice was tender and soft, its inherently wobbly tone making it all the more endearing.

Although Jiang Su's expression remained neutral, her tone softened a bit. She said, "My name is Jiang Su, one of the new Recyclers. A guide named D36 sent me here to find a system called V0, saying we would be well-matched. So, are you V0?"

"Ye-yes..."

V0 stuttered, still not recovered from the excitement of [speaking to a Recycler!][Ah! She actually greeted me!], and upon hearing Jiang Su's words, its heart thumped wildly, feeling both thrilled and a bit anxious as it rubbed its little front paws together.

Anxiously, it said, "You, you've met D36... He, he told you we'd be a good match?"

Jiang Su replied, "Yes," pausing before adding, "I have no reason to deceive you."

V0:"..."

"I-I didn't mean that." The little white mouse V0 hurriedly explained, worried about a misunderstanding, "I-I just wanted to ask if you know what kind of system I-I am..."

It was concerned Jiang Su had been lured here by D36, its superior, who had a history of such actions.

System D36, V0's superior, was more like a sibling than a boss. They were systems from the same batch, sharing a good relationship despite their different types and the significant differences between them since their inception.

System D36 was a supporting character's counterattack system, opposite to V0's lack of popularity. From its inception, it never lacked Recyclers choosing it, earning many points and continuously upgrading.

Later, it became a senior system and even one of the managers at the Recycle Station.

D36, considering its friendship with V0, sought to help V0 find a Recycler, knowing it had yet to earn any points.

Though D36 managed to lure some task performers to V0, as soon as they saw its system introduction, they immediately lost interest in matching.

Over time, V0 itself started to doubt anyone would willingly choose it.

So, even though it asked Jiang Su, it already assumed she wouldn't know the truth, ready for her to shake her head in ignorance, at which point it would honestly explain its situation, then watch her choose another system.

Surprisingly, Jiang Su nodded and said, "I know." She paused, then added, "Before coming here, I had already read your system introduction. I think you're a good match for me. Would you let me be your task performer?"

V0："？！"

V0 was stunned into silence, its fur standing on end.

Jiang Su misunderstood its reaction, gently pressing down on its tiny head, "What? You don't want to?"

Before coming, D36 had told her that V0 was unpopular among task performers due to its system type and had never matched with anyone, so she thought it would be thrilled to hear she chose it.

But why was it silent and its fur puffed up like that?

Didn't it like her?

"No, no... I-I want to! I want to!" V0 exclaimed with its little paws.

How could it not want to? It was just dumbstruck by the sudden good fortune and couldn't react in time.

After years of being rejected by task performers, V0 had developed a bit of an inferiority complex, daring only to fantasize about having a task performer choose it, never daring to hope for more.

Now, being chosen by a soul with strength comparable to a high-level task performer was like a poor girl, long resigned to being unwed, suddenly being proposed to by a wealthy suitor—a surprise so great it left V0 feeling dizzy and disoriented, as if intoxicated.

Unaware of V0's inner turmoil, Jiang Su, hearing its agreement, said, "Since you're willing, let's bind then."

According to the Cycle Station's rules, one needs task points to reincarnate, and to earn task points, one must bind with a task system. Jiang Su came here to bind with V0, so she wasted no time getting straight to the point.

Dazed, V0, upon hearing about binding, immediately sent out a system binding request, and Jiang Su saw a screen appear above its head.

Confirm binding with [Heroine Transformation System]?

●Yes ●No

Jiang Su didn't hesitate and immediately clicked yes.

The message box on the screen instantly turned into a progress bar.

[System is binding...]

[Ding!]

[Heroine Transformation System binding confirmed successfully.]

"Master!" Almost at the moment the binding was established, V0's soft and mushy voice appeared in Jiang Su's mind.

Since they were now bound, V0 and Jiang Su became almost one entity. They could talk as before, or directly communicate through consciousness.

"You don't need to call me master," Jiang Su responded mentally, "We are partners, not master and servant."

V0 paused, before Jiang Su added, "My name is Jiang Su, just call me by my name."

"..." V0 was somewhat reluctant because it felt this form of address was too stiff and didn't reflect their "intimacy."

But considering it finally got a task performer, and treasuring her deeply, it didn't want to defy her wish lightly. After a moment, it suddenly said, "Su Su. I-I will call you Su Su from now on!"

Jiang Su frowned but ultimately didn't reject the nickname.

V0 was thrilled. Su Su, such an intimate nickname clearly indicated their special relationship!

From now on, it too had a task performer!

V0 joyfully rubbed Jiang Su's thumb and said, "Su Su, when do you want to go to the mini-world? It's our first time, do you want to prepare for a few days first?"

"No need, let's go today," Jiang Su said, "I'm in a hurry to reincarnate and don't want to waste time. Please take me there as soon as possible."

V0: "Okay, Su Su!"

With her task performer so proactive in working, as her system, it certainly wouldn't slack off.

V0: "Su Su, close your eyes first. I'll transmit the background information of the first task world for you to review. Once you've finished, we'll head to the first task world."

"Okay." Jiang Su closed her eyes.

V0 first transmitted the data of the first task world to her, and while she was digesting the information, it immediately initiated a spatial jump.

[World jump confirmed]

[Ding!]

[First task world: The CEO's Contract Lover]

Chapter 2

The First Daughter [Revision]

The spatial jump by V0 was subtle; Jiang Su felt like she blinked, and upon reopening her eyes, she had arrived in the first task world.

In the first task world, Jiang Su's identity was that of a middle-aged woman suffering from chronic renal failure, named Chen Honglian, who was forty-two years old. Chen Honglian herself wasn't special, but since she was the mother of Jiang Su's task target, Jiang Su became her.

Jiang Su's task target this time was a girl named Lin Le.

Lin Le was born into an ordinary family. Her father was a banquet chef, and her mother didn't work but assisted her father. The couple earned a decent living by catering for the local town until Lin Le's father was swindled in an investment scam at her age of ten, losing all their savings and eventually falling ill and passing away.

To pay for her husband's medical bills, Lin's mother spent their last penny and borrowed a large sum of money from relatives. The Lin family quickly went from moderately well-off to destitute.

Consequently, Lin Le had to grow up fast, striving hard in her studies while helping her mother, Chen Honglian, earn money.

Lin Le was a diligent student with consistently excellent grades. In her middle school exams, she was admitted to a prestigious private high school without any fees due to her top citywide score.

Little did she know, this place would become the start of her nightmare.

Lin Le struggled at this private high school, populated by children from A City's wealthy and powerful families, making her an outsider, often subjected to exclusion and even bullying.

Qin Yan was initially one of her bullies, but for some reason, his feelings towards Lin Le changed, and he forcefully and dominantly kept her by his side, offering his so-called kindness.

Due to her family's situation, Lin Le dared not resist and silently endured everything.

Later, when their relationship became known at school, Qin Yan, embarrassed to have the prestigious Qin family heir like a poor girl, not only failed to defend Lin Le but also complied with his family's wishes and went abroad.

Lin Le, already struggling at school, found life even harder after Qin Yan left, bearing the stigma of "seducing Qin Yan," eventually dropping out and, under pressure from the Qin family, she and her mother Chen Honglian were forced to move far away.

If the story had ended there, Lin Le wouldn't have needed Jiang Su's intervention. However, ten years later, Lin Le encountered Qin Yan again and, swayed by his feigned gentleness, she once again became involved with him.

But Qin Yan was only interested because he hadn't had a taste of Lin Le before. After getting her, Lin Le discovered she was just one of his many lovers and that he was preparing to get engaged to a well-matched young lady. She then chose to leave Qin Yan immediately.

But this time, Qin Yan wouldn't let Lin Le off as easily as before. Lin Le was gentle and serene, giving her all when in love. Qin Yan, accustomed to her care, took her for granted as his possession, thus he wouldn't allow Lin Le to leave him.

To coerce Lin Le into submission, Qin Yan employed numerous tactics, including exploiting the illness of Lin Le's mother.

Lin's mother, Chen Honglian, had been toiling for years to make ends meet, which took a toll on her health. She hid her condition from Lin Le, unwilling to burden her.

Qin Yan, upon discovering her medical condition, used it to pressure Lin Le. The kidney failure required not just long-term dialysis but also a transplant, costing a significant sum. Despite some savings over the years, it was far from sufficient.

Thus, Lin Le had to acquiesce to Qin Yan's demands to become his mistress if she wished to save her mother.

In the original plot, Lin Le did agree to become Qin Yan's mistress. Qin Yan managed to control her completely, but there's a vast difference between companionship with love and without.

His feelings of anger, irritation, and dissatisfaction also led him to realize his true feelings for Lin Le. But by then, Lin Le no longer trusted him.

Their relationship was filled with mutual torment, yet Qin Yan refused to let go of Lin Le. To win her back, he not only risked his own life but also got Lin Le pregnant.

Lin Le, being soft-hearted and disillusioned with Qin Yan, eventually reconciled with him for the sake of their child and his seemingly sincere repentance, leading to their happy ending.

It's precisely because of such happy endings that Jiang Su's story begins.

In the human realm, there are many such toxic relationships. They not only harm the protagonists physically and emotionally but also hinder the construction of a harmonious society, leading to accumulated resentment in the human realm. Consequently, the Reincarnation Platform took action by launching the V0 [Female Protagonist Reform System].

As the name suggests, the [Female Protagonist Reform System] aims to reform female protagonists similar to Lin Le, who, despite being in a toxic relationship, are unable to leave and end up suffering to earn the man's redemption.

Such a system is unpopular among task performers as it neither provides excitement nor sweetness, and can even frustrate them to death, considering they're always cast as the mother of the female protagonist.

Imagine, your daughter, beautiful and young, constantly facing scumbags, enduring miscarriages, possibly losing a kidney, suffering immensely yet still ending up with a happy ending with the male protagonist—

It's enough to make one sick.

Jiang Su chose V0 for two reasons.

The first reason is her urgency to reincarnate. At the Cycle Station, even less popular systems have queues of task performers waiting, let alone the popular ones. If she chose them, there's no telling how long she'd have to wait to start earning points. Her previous life was exhausting, and she died in haste; now eager to reincarnate, she lacked the patience to wait in line, so she opted for V0, a system no one wanted.

Her second reason was her incidental encounter with the so-called "romance's four young masters" in her past life. The plots, still vivid in her memory even after death, left her with chills whenever recalled.

Having been disgusted by toxic and demeaning narratives, she was compelled to try out V0 when she saw its introduction promising to counter such tropes.

After digesting the background information of the first world, Jiang Su tried to adapt to Chen Honglian's body, only opening her eyes when she felt full control over it.

What greeted her was a stark whiteness.

The familiar design of white walls, the pungent smell of disinfectant, and the noisy surroundings made it clear to Jiang Su, based on the brief background summary and the original memories of Chen Honglian, that she was in a hospital ward.

Moreover, judging by the current situation, the original storyline had progressed to the point where Qin Yan was using Chen Honglian's illness to coerce Lin Le into becoming his lover.

Jiang Su first went to the restroom; Chen Honglian's body suffered from chronic kidney failure, necessitating more frequent bathroom visits than average.

After leaving the restroom, she called out mentally, "V0."

V0 immediately responded, "Here, Su Su!"

Besides being able to transform into a tangible entity, V0's more common presence was within the task performer's consciousness, so it promptly replied upon hearing Jiang Su's call.

Jiang Su asked V0 in her mind, "Do you have a way to cure the disease in Chen Honglian's body?"

"Um..." V0 apologetically said, "I'm sorry, Su Su, my level is too low to transform the body for you; at most, I can only help delay the progression of the disease."

Jiang Su pondered and then inquired, "How long can you delay it?"

V0 calculated seriously, "Given Chen Honglian's current physical condition, at most two years."

"Two years?" Jiang Su was somewhat surprised.

V0, thinking she found it too little, felt guilty and saddened, "I'm sorry, Su Su, I'm just not useful enough..."

It finally had a task performer, yet it couldn't provide Su Su with a healthy body or extend her life significantly. Truly useless. QAQ

"I'm not blaming you," Jiang Su earnestly said, "Two years is enough."

She and Lin Le were only short of the money for surgery now. If they could delay the illness for another two years, she was sure to have the capability to cure it by then.

Jiang Su asked V0 to adjust her body to the best condition it could manage, then returned to her hospital bed.

In the hospital room, the woman in the next bed, Li Xiumei, suddenly asked her, "Little Chen, why hasn't your daughter come to bring you food today?"

Another patient in the same room, an elderly man named Zhang Guoliang, chimed in, "Yes, yes, isn't your girl usually here by now? It's quite late today; isn't she coming?"

Lin Le's father earned a living as a banquet chef, possessing excellent culinary skills that Lin Le absorbed from a young age. Later, to pay off debts and sustain their livelihood, she delved deeper into cooking, making her dishes especially memorable.

The fellow patients, Li Xiumei and Zhang Guoliang, enjoyed Lin Le's cooking so much that every time she brought food for Chen Honglian, she would make extra for them to share.

Having gotten used to Lin Le's cooking, Li Xiumei and Zhang Guoliang found it hard to enjoy meals brought by their own families. Seeing it was mealtime and Lin Le hadn't arrived, they couldn't help but ask.

Sitting on the edge of her bed, Jiang Su retrieved Chen Honglian's phone from the bedside and handed it to Li Xiumei, "That girl must be busy with something. Li sister, could you do me a favor and call her for me?"

Li Xiumei was puzzled, "Why should I call? Can't you do it yourself?"

"I can't really talk to her about it myself," Jiang Su pushed the phone towards Li Xiumei.

Li Xiumei was baffled, "Your own daughter, what can't you talk to her about?"

Jiang Su shook her head, "I really can't say."

Li Xiumei was confused but seeing Jiang Su's serious demeanor, not thinking it a joke, took the phone and said, "Alright, I'll make the call for you."

She dialed Lin Le's number and then asked Jiang Su, "Tell me, what should I say to Lin girl?"

Jiang Su calmly stated, "Tell her that her mom feels like a burden and wants to commit suicide."

Li Xiumei was taken aback, "What?"

Chapter 3

The First Daughter [Revision]

In a high-end apartment at the top of a residential area in City A, Lin Le, who hadn't made it to the hospital to bring food for Jiang Su on time, was sitting on the couch, her face pale.

Sitting opposite her was a man, Qin Yan.

Qin Yan, dressed in casual attire, looked effortlessly distinguished. Despite the simplicity of his outfit, he exuded an air of innate nobility and a domineering presence, further accentuated by his striking features—long, thick eyebrows, deep black eyes that glinted with a cold light, and firmly pressed lips, indicating his foul mood.

It had been a while since Qin Yan last saw Lin Le. She had lost weight, appearing so frail as if a gust of wind could blow her away. His brow furrowed slightly, his joy at Lin Le reaching out to him dimming significantly.

"Weren't you good at taking care of people? How did you end up like this?" Qin Yan sneered, "Or is it that you're born to serve men, only able to be by my side, and can't get by without me?"

"You..." Lin Le's face turned even paler, her lips trembling violently. Her gaze towards Qin Yan was filled with sadness, heartbreak, and also disgust.

—Disgust for the man before her and for herself.

She detested Qin Yan's selfishness, tyranny, and deceit, as well as her own weakness, self-degradation, and helplessness.

Faced with Qin Yan's mocking expression and recalling her purpose for coming today, Lin Le, despite being internally tumultuous, ultimately refrained from further retorting...

"Tch." Qin Yan scoffed again, feeling a hint of pity at Lin Le's pathetic state, but his irritation and resentment were predominant, "Crying and fussing about wanting to leave me, I thought you'd have a better life? Look at you, despite all your struggles, in the end, you still come back to me, don't you?"

Lin Le's face was pale, her eyes reddening as she tightly pressed her lips together, not responding. Her nature was gentle; otherwise, she wouldn't have been so easily dominated by Qin Yan before. She had barely mustered the courage to leave Qin Yan due to shame and dignity, and now she had to bow to him again because of her mother's health. Facing Qin Yan's humiliations, she found herself unable to utter a word.

Qin Yan and Lin Le had known each other since childhood when Lin Le was just a stinky, bullied crybaby. Meeting again later, she had cleaned up and become beautiful, but her nature remained as soft as ever. Honest and easy to deceive.

He had put in a bit of effort and won her over easily, and because of her meek character, she had always been compliant, catering to him perfectly. Qin Yan, born with a sense of entitlement, had been indulged by his family since childhood, thinking that if Lin Le could keep him so satisfied, he might as well keep her for a lifetime.

Little did he know, such a softie would later fiercely demand a breakup and seek a clean break from him.

Qin Yan was infuriated by her actions. He felt he had treated Lin Le quite well, and yet she still made a fuss; on one hand, he felt humiliated by her rejection, as if she had trampled his pride underfoot, yet he still couldn't bring himself to let her go.

He believed it was Lin Le's exceptional care for him that made him reluctant to part with her, but deep down, something felt off. However, what exactly that was, the young master Qin couldn't care less about. Being self-centered, once he decided he wanted Lin Le, he went straight for it.

Reasons or no reasons, he didn't care.

Over these days, Qin Yan used numerous methods to coerce Lin Le into submission. Now that he finally had her bowing down to him, not taunting her a bit would do injustice to the humiliation he had suffered.

Qin Yan's sarcastic jabs were meant to embarrass Lin Le, who silently accepted them all, until Qin Yan himself was unexpectedly irritated by her aggrieved yet submissive demeanor, leaving a bad taste in his mouth.

After a pause, he cut to the chase, "Alright, we're short on time, I won't waste words with you. Tell me, what brings you here today?"

With a heavy heart, Lin Le clasped her hands tighter and after a moment softly replied, "...the matter you mentioned last time, I... I agree..."

She knew Qin Yan was aware of her reasons for coming, and his questioning was merely to make her admit it herself, to see her squirm.

Though reluctant to admit it, Lin Le had come to understand him better since their separation.

Qin Yan observed her with an impassive face, having been certain from the start that Lin Le would capitulate, thus he was not surprised.

Without hearing Qin Yan's response, Lin Le hesitated, then continued with her head lowered, "But, I have one condition..."

Qin Yan snorted, "Let's hear it."

Stammering, Lin Le said, "...our relationship, only lasts until you get married." She slowly stated without looking up at Qin Yan, "That is to say, as soon as you get married, we part ways."

This was Lin Le's last line of defense, the final boundary she hoped to maintain.

To Qin Yan, however, it sounded like a constant reminder of her desire to escape him, which irritated him further.

Finally, an enraged Qin Yan laughed, albeit scornfully, "What makes you think you have the right to make such demands?"

Lin Le shuddered, and the next moment, her chin was forcefully grasped, making her look directly into his cold eyes.

"Lin Le, you should know your place," Qin Yan, very close to Lin Le, spoke with contempt and anger, "Whether or not I get married has nothing to do with us. When and how we end is for me to decide. If I tire of you, I'll have you leave after a day, but if I'm not tired of you, you have to stay by my side, with no chance of leaving."

Lin Le, extremely embarrassed and desperate, with a pale and thin face showing both hatred and disdain.

They were in a standoff when Lin Le's phone suddenly rang.

The ringtone was specifically set for her mother, and as soon as it started, Lin Le knew her mother was calling. She paused, then struggled to push Qin Yan away.

"It's my mom's call... let go of me, I need to answer the phone..."

Chen Honglian's illness was already severe, and just a few days ago, the doctor had emphasized this again to Lin Le. Now, Lin Le's heart was entirely with his mother, fearing the slightest mishap and daring not to neglect any of her calls.

Qin Yan, filled with rage, initially didn't want to grant her wish, but seeing Lin Le's desperate struggle and increasingly anxious expression, he thought to himself: She can't escape anyway. So, he let go, releasing her.

Seizing the moment, Lin Le hurriedly answered the phone, only to hear Li Xiumei suddenly say that her mother felt she was a burden and was threatening to commit suicide.

"Why? What happened..." Lin Le's heart tightened, "Aunt Xiumei, where's my mom? Is she... is she alright?!"

Li Xiumei: "Don't worry, your mom's fine, she was calmed down by me and your Uncle Zhang." She paused, "But, Lin girl, your mom seems to have been deeply affected; she keeps saying that she's the cause of your troubles, that it's all because of her that you're making foolish decisions. Lin girl, what exactly did you do?"

"I..." Lin Le's heart skipped a beat, instinctively thinking her affair with Qin Yan had been discovered by her mother. Her mother had always prioritized her above everything else; if she knew that someone was using her illness to pressure her, she would certainly see herself as a burden.

Thinking of her mother contemplating suicide because of her, Lin Le was filled with regret, "...Aunt Xiumei, could you and Uncle Li please look after my mom for now? Tell her I'm on my way, I won't do anything foolish, I'll stop everything! Just beg her... beg her not to hurt herself anymore!"

Hearing Lin Le's voice break into sobs, Li Xiumei felt a mix of guilt and helplessness. What is this mess, she thought, a mother scaring her own daughter with threats of taking her life. Knowing how filial Lin girl is, hearing this must have terrified her.

The more Li Xiumei thought about it, the more she felt for Lin Le, hanging up and couldn't help but complain to Jiang Su, "Mrs. Chen, what are you doing scaring the child with such things? Lin girl was scared to tears. Can't you discuss whatever it is gently with her?"

"Some things, merely speaking them out won't make a difference," Jiang Su couldn't reveal to Li Xiumei what Lin Le was and would be facing, nor could she fully explain why she needed to frighten Lin Le. After a moment of thought, she solemnly said.

"Sister Li, Lele is my daughter. We've depended on each other for so many years. Whatever I do, it's for her good."

Li Xiumei was initially upset, seeing Lin Le cry and Jiang Su deliberately scaring her for no apparent reason. But hearing Jiang Su speak so earnestly, she believed there must be a valid reason behind her actions.

After some thought, she decided not to pry further—after all, it was a matter between mother and daughter. She was concerned but didn't want to interfere too much, instead asking Jiang Su what she should say to Lin Le when she arrives.

The phone call was just the beginning of the scare; the real drama would unfold upon seeing her in person. Wanting to avoid any mishaps, Jiang Su carefully instructed Li Xiumei and Zhang Guoliang on how to handle the situation.

...

While they were discussing how to "develop the plot" on one end, something was happening with Lin Le on the other.

Worried about her mother, Lin Le, after hanging up, rushed towards the apartment's exit, phone in hand, paying no mind to Qin Yan standing beside her.

Qin Yan, unaware of what had transpired, saw her hastily leave after a phone call without a word and impulsively grabbed her, "What are you doing? We haven't finished our conversation, did I say you could leave?"

"Between us... there's nothing, no relationship whatsoever," Lin Le turned to Qin Yan and said.

"What do you mean?" Qin Yan's gaze turned icy, "You want to go back on your word?"

Lin Le wiped her tears and said, "...Yes."

"Fine, very well," Qin Yan laughed in fury, pulling her close with a cold tone, "It seems you've made up your mind, not planning to save your mother's life anymore, are you?"

"You!"

"What about me?" Qin Yan, too impatient to let Lin Le speak, was known for his temper. Now, infuriated, he was not in the mood to show anyone face.

"Lin Le, what do you think you are? There's nothing I, Qin Yan, want that I can't get. I have hundreds of ways to make you submit before me, but considering how well you served me initially, I won't be harsh. I like you, so I can tolerate you, but don't be ungrateful."

"Slap!"

Lin Le suddenly slapped Qin Yan across the face.

Qin Yan's left cheek turned visibly red from the force of the slap, indicating Lin Le's strength.

Stunned, Qin Yan touched his cheek with his tongue, laughed in fury, but his eyes were as cold as ice: "You dare to hit me?"

Lin Le's face was still pale, her eyes red, trembling all over – partly from fear, but mostly from anger.

She always knew Qin Yan was no good, but she didn't realize how selfish, arrogant, and domineering he was. What right did he have to bully her like this? What right did he have to speak to her that way? It was he who pursued her, deceived her. She never wronged him; she just saw through him and wanted to distance herself. Why does he keep degrading her?

Lin Le felt miserable, tears uncontrollably falling, "...I must have been blind to have liked you. Qin Yan, the biggest regret of my life is my blindness and stupidity, having been fooled once, only to run into you again ten years later... If I could, I wish I'd never met you..."

Hearing this, Qin Yan felt extremely displeased. He wanted to harshly tell this sobbing woman that she had already met him, and there's no escaping it in this lifetime.

Lin Le suddenly wiped away her tears and fiercely stepped on him. The pain made him loosen his grip slightly, allowing Lin Le to take the opportunity to break free and rush to the door, ready to leave.

"Lin Le!" Qin Yan almost ground out the name, ignoring the pain in his foot, he mindlessly chased after her.

Lin Le, intending to leave the apartment, unexpectedly found a woman standing at the apartment door.

It was a woman she had seen before.

"Hi." The woman greeted Lin Le with a calm and smiling hello as she suddenly appeared at the door.

She was exceedingly beautiful, with every feature exquisitely perfect, and taller than Lin Le who stood at 165cm, by half a head. Wearing a fiery red knee-length dress, the overly vivid color perfectly matched her beauty, making her seem like a bunch of fiery red roses, stunning and captivating.

"You...I...I'm sorry!" Lin Le stammered an apology to her after a moment of stunned silence.

Xu Hanyan was momentarily taken aback, not understanding why this tearful girl was apologizing to her when Lin Le quickly excused herself and rushed past her.

"Ah..." Xu Hanyan wanted to call her back but then saw Qin Yan, looking furious, chasing out of the apartment. Her eyes twinkled, and she immediately wrapped her arms around him, cooing sweetly, "Brother Yan."

Qin Yan tried to push Xu Hanyan away, but she clung tightly, making it impossible for him to break free. Seeing Lin Le disappear around the corner, his anger intensified: "Xu Hanyan, let me go!"

"No." Xu Hanyan's eyes gleamed mischievously, a quick glance towards where Lin Le had vanished, and then she smiled softly again, her eyes shimmering with allure.

"If you go now, you'll be chasing after your little lover. How can you do that in front of me, your fiancée?"

Chapter 4

The First Daughter

"It's not your place to meddle in my affairs." Qin Yan said as he grabbed Xu Hanyan's hands from his waist. "Let go!"

Xu Hanyan winced in pain, "Gently, gently! You're going to break my hand!"

Ignoring her complaints, Qin Yan coldly continued to pry her hands off, and once freed, he prepared to chase after Lin Le again.

Xu Hanyan scornfully said, "Really, you're going to chase her? She sees you as a natural disaster, didn't you notice?"

Qin Yan turned sharply, his eyes cold enough to freeze ice.

Xu Hanyan rubbed her wrist, tender from Qin Yan's firm grip, now reddened and aching.

She was displeased and spoke coolly to Qin Yan, "What's wrong, Brother Yan? Do you think I'm wrong? You know exactly what Lin Le means to you. She clearly wants to keep her distance from you, yet why do you persist? Intimidation and force, Brother Yan, you've really broadened my horizons."

Qin Yan: "You've been investigating me?"

"Yes," Xu Hanyan admitted openly, "After I saw your little lover last time, I decided to do some homework. I didn't expect you and that crybaby had such a history."

"This is my business, not yours," Qin Yan narrowed his eyes and said coldly, "Xu Hanyan, remember our agreement. Even if we get married, we lead separate lives. Whatever I choose to do is my business, not yours. You better understand this. You've already broken the rules and caused me trouble last time. If there's a next time, we don't even have to get married."

"No need to get married?" Xu Hanyan scoffed, "Brother Yan, have you been bullying Lin Le so much that you think all women are like her, forgetting who I am?"

Qin Yan's gaze sharpened, and Xu Hanyan continued with a mocking smile.

"Brother Yan, my surname is Xu, from the Xu family. Remember, I'm not one of those little lovers you can push around. Since I agreed to marry you, whether we get married is not up to you anymore."

The Xu and Qin families thought of pairing them together not only because they were both outrageous and suited each other, but also because of the deep private friendship between the two families, with both patriarchs keen on the match.

"We're just a match of equal social standing. I agreed to marry you because you were decent, and I happened to need someone to marry. None of us was desperate for marriage, so, Brother Yan, don't think too highly of yourself."

Qin Yan's face turned very unpleasant, Xu Hanyan could understand his feelings. Being the precious and only child pampered by his family, having a bit of a prince's temperament was expected, but—

She was also spoiled growing up and wasn't about to cater to anyone's prince syndrome.

Qin Yan was left breathless with frustration by Xu Hanyan, yet he had no comeback. Their marriage was arranged by their grandfathers, who had shared life-and-death experiences on the battlefield, valuing this marriage to bring the families closer.

No one would easily break it—not even if that person was Qin Yan.

Qin Yan was fuming.

Xu Hanyan was right; she wasn't Lin Le, who could be easily manipulated due to her weak background. Xu Hanyan was the heiress of the Xu family, with both the background and the power to back her up.

He truly had no way to handle her.

"So, what do you want?" Qin Yan, stifling his frustration, asked with a taut face, "Did you come here just to tell me this?"

"Of course not." Xu Hanyan smiled again, "Brother Yan, you've been here long enough. In a few days, it's my grandfather's grand birthday celebration, and you need to come back with me."

Qin Yan narrowed his eyes and nodded, "Alright."

Xu Hanyan's delicately arched eyebrows lifted, her gaze flirtatious, "Brother Yan, it's best to behave these days. Our circle is small, and your actions, no matter how discreet, can't always stay hidden. If I lose face because of you at my grandfather's celebration, don't expect to get off easy."

"...," Accustomed to holding back his breath, Qin Yan was surprisingly calm, "Are you done?"

Xu Hanyan: "Not yet." She paused, then coquettishly added, "Your mom, my future mother-in-law, knows we're coming back. She's booked us a flight at 2 PM and even suggested it's a perfect time for you to take me out to eat first, Brother Yan."

Now that it was lunchtime, dining together would mean he'd have to spend the entire time with Xu Hanyan.

Looking at her — moments ago, her words were like daggers coated in sarcasm, and now she was all smiles and coquetry — Qin Yan's temples throbbed.

...

Once out of the apartment, Lin Le, realizing Qin Yan hadn't followed, finally relaxed a bit, then quickly hailed a cab to the hospital.

"Lin girl, you're here." Zhang Guoliang was already waiting in the hospital corridor.

Seeing him, Lin Le rushed over to ask, "Uncle Zhang, how is my mom?"

Zhang Guoliang replied, "She's alright, just in a bad mood and not talking to us. Your Aunt Xuimei has been trying to console her for a while now, but we're not sure if it's working. You better go in and see."

"Okay, Uncle Zhang." Lin Le thanked him and then pushed open the door to enter the ward.

Inside, Li Xiumei was earnestly persuading, "You and Lin girl have always relied on each other. She values you more than herself. If you really do something foolish, how do you expect her to live? We're all family; can't you discuss whatever it is directly with her, instead of resorting to this?"

"Sister Li, you don't understand... my existence is a burden to her..."

"No, that won't happen!"

Lin Le suddenly rushed to the bedside, "Mom, after dad died, you're my only relative. You've raised me through hardships; you are my hope, my life... how could you ever be a burden..."

Lin Le cried intensely, both scared and pained by those words. Jiang Su was pulled by the hand, and as the mother and daughter reunited, Li Xiumei silently left the room.

Soon, only Jiang Su and Lin Le were left in the ward. Lin Le, kneeling by the bed, held Jiang Su's hand tightly, crying, "...It's all my fault, everything. Mom, I promise, I won't do anything anymore, I won't go anywhere, just don't hurt yourself, don't leave me, okay..."

Jiang Su, with tears in her eyes, silently stared at Lin Le.

Lin Le, both shocked and scared, didn't understand why she was acting this way, and after calling out "Mom" a few times, Jiang Su seemed to come back to her senses, slowly saying, "Your father passed away early, leaving us alone. All these years, you've followed me through hardships without a single complaint. I know you're not as those people say, craving wealth. You agreed to Qin Yan... surely because of my illness. I am dragging you down. If not for my health, you could have a better life, without suffering or being humiliated. Being with a man who already has a fiancée, what will become of you?"

"I'm sorry, Mom..." Lin Le felt ashamed and guilty. She has her pride; knowing Qin Yan had a fiancée, she decisively left him. Yet now, even knowing he was engaged, she considered being his mistress out of desperation, which was utterly shameful.

Thus, she felt guilty towards Xu Hanyan and her mother.

Jiang Su shivered, "Mom raised you through hardships; you are all my hope. If because of me, you are humiliated, it's worse than killing me, do you understand? I would rather jump off the rooftop than see you compromise for my sake. Do you get it?"

According to V0's script, the original Chen Honglian never knew about Qin Yan and Lin Le's affair. Initially, Lin Le thought their relationship was just dating and planned to tell her once it was stable. When Xu Hanyan appeared, realizing Qin Yan only saw her as a mistress, Lin Le decisively left him, and thus, never told Chen Honglian.

Now that Jiang Su has become Chen Honglian, considering her character and temper—

From the moment her husband died, Chen Honglian's entire emotional world revolved around Lin Le, her daughter. She valued Lin Le more than her own life, so one can imagine if she knew Qin Yan was threatening Lin Le using her, she would certainly see herself as a burden, leading to thoughts of self-sacrifice.

Originally, Qin Yan manipulated Lin Le by exploiting her feelings for Chen Honglian, repeatedly forcing her into submission. And Chen Honglian, unaware of Qin Yan's true nature until he started to court Lin Le earnestly, even thought of him as a good son-in-law, constantly facilitating their relationship.

It can be said that Lin Le eventually ended up with Qin Yan not just because of his relentless pursuit and her personality, but also due to Chen Honglian's repeated "assistance".

Now, the future mother-in-law who would have sided with Qin Yan has been replaced by Jiang Su, who is indifferent or even averse to him. With the child that once made Lin Le relent not yet in the picture, if Lin Le still ends up with Qin Yan, Jiang Su, as a task performer, would be utterly ineffective.

"I understand now, I know I was wrong, Mom..." Lin Le, holding Jiang Su's hand tightly, felt a release for all the pressure she had been under these days as Jiang Su spoke to her, crying profusely.

While sobbing and apologizing to Jiang Su.

Agreeing to Qin Yan's terms was solely to save her mother's life, but if her mother would resort to self-destruction because of it, then she would definitely not proceed with that decision.

Jiang Su could be said to have forced Lin Le in a manner not unlike Qin Yan's, both exploiting Lin Le's care for Chen Honglian.

This time, Lin Le was truly frightened by Jiang Su. She recounted everything about her and Qin Yan to Jiang Su. Even though Jiang Su already had a rough idea of the story, hearing it directly from Lin Le still made her feel suffocated and frustrated.

After Lin Le had explained everything and reassured her several times that she would no longer interact with Qin Yan, Jiang Su immediately said, "The Qin family is wealthy and powerful. As long as Qin Yan still harbors those feelings for you, staying here will only invite more coercion. Lin Le, we need to leave. Only by leaving can we avoid these people and live a peaceful life."

Lin Le had considered this but had her concerns, "But what about your illness?"

Jiang Su: "My illness requires money and life. Not to mention the money for a kidney transplant, whether or not we can find a suitable kidney also depends on luck. The current hospital doesn't have a suitable kidney for me; staying here is just waiting for death. It might be better to try another hospital, perhaps luck will be on our side, and we'll find a suitable kidney."

Jiang Su's words sounded light, but Lin Le only felt more distressed. With her mother's current health, rashly changing hospitals was not a good idea. Yet with Qin Yan around, staying would only bring unknown dangers. Lin Le felt helpless and hated her powerlessness.

"Don't worry too much, do what we can and leave the rest to fate. Maybe, the heavens will pity us and give me a bit of luck," Jiang Su said softly, patting Lin Le's head, "This afternoon, if we have time, let's see the doctor for a check-up, then ask if we can be discharged. If yes, we'll leave; if not, we'll find another way."

Lin Le, after thinking, agreed with the plan, "Let's do as Mom says."

Chapter 5

The First Daughter

Naturally, the check-up results were positive.

With V0's previous assurance, even the doctor was puzzled how a patient with kidney failure could show signs of improvement. The attending physician, after examining various test results, attributed it to a miracle.

"If your mother's health condition remains as before, I wouldn't support transferring hospitals, and I still don't. However, although I can't explain why, the test results indeed show improvement. So, if you insist on transferring, I won't object."

"Understood, thank you, doctor."

With a positive response, Lin Le felt relieved and immediately began packing her and Jiang Su's belongings, ready to leave the city.

Chen Honglian and Lin Le had lived here for eight years. Since university, they had rented in this urban village. In earlier years, Lin Le balanced her studies with running a stall or helping in kitchens, using her culinary skills to earn living expenses and repay her father's debts. After graduating and finding a proper job, coupled with her cooking skills, she managed to pay off the debts and even saved some money. She planned to buy a house for her and her mother in a year or two but had to spend the down payment on hospital bills due to her mother's health issues, and now they were forced to leave again.

Lin Le returned to the rental to pack, unable to take many belongings due to the hurried departure, so she negotiated with the landlord.

Lin Le's landlord, though temperamental, was not a bad person. Having enjoyed Lin Le's cooking over the years, she not only didn't take advantage of them but also bought the large items they couldn't take and even refunded their rent for the month.

Grateful to the landlord, Lin Le, as usual, prepared some dishes for her. Lin Le often made pickled vegetables at home when she had time. Her skills made the dishes taste excellent, so she not only kept some for herself but also often gave some away or sold them.

The landlord, happy to receive the rent, was more than willing to help. After settling the rental issues, Lin Le went to the hospital to pick up Jiang Su.

When she went to the hospital, she also brought some pickles for Li Xiumei and Zhang Guoliang.

Upon seeing these items, Li Xiumei and Zhang Guoliang were reminded of their once-tasted flavors, their mouths watering and their eyes lighting up with eagerness.

"Lin girl, these..." Zhang Guoliang rubbed his hands together, "are they all for your uncle and Aunt Xiumei?"

"Yes, Uncle Zhang," Lin Le nodded, her face breaking into a smile that deepened the dimples on her cheeks, making her look both sweet and adorable. "Knowing how much you and Aunt Xiumei enjoy my cooking, I made these pickles and sauces for you. You can use them as side dishes or simply with rice."

"Ah, Lin girl is always so thoughtful. Just yesterday, I was telling your mother that without your deliveries, your uncle and I would have to suffer through the meals sent from home," Li Xiumei said, touching a jar of pickles and looking at a bottle of sauce, her face brimming with happiness as she praised Lin Le's thoughtfulness.

Lin Le smiled again, distributing the pickles and sauces, carefully explaining which ones were for Li Xiumei and which were for Zhang Guoliang. Since they both resided in the hospital and were not in the best of health, certain pickles and sauces were suitable only for Li Xiumei, while others were designated for Zhang Guoliang alone.

Although Li Xiumei and Zhang Guoliang were tempted by each other's share, they understood Lin Le's intentions were for their benefit.

After bidding farewell to Li Xiumei and Zhang Guoliang, Lin Le and Jiang Su left the hospital to return to their rental. Lin Le had already packed their belongings in advance, not wanting to prolong their stay unnecessarily. They booked train tickets for that evening, picked up their luggage, and headed to the train station together.

"Do you regret leaving?" On the train that evening, Jiang Su noticed Lin Le's melancholic expression and asked gently.

Lin Le looked somewhat sorrowful, "I had thought we would settle down here permanently, but now..."

She sighed softly.

Jiang Su stroked her hair, reassuringly, "Life always gets better. Leaving here might not be a bad thing for us."

Lin Le paused, suddenly remembering Qin Yan and their reason for leaving, softly agreeing, "Mom's right. Although we have to leave, at least we're getting away from those people."

Sensing her relaxed tone, Jiang Su frowned slightly, "Even though we've moved to a new city, we can't be sure that Qin Yan won't pursue you. If we encounter him again, we..."

She trailed off.

Hearing this, Lin Le felt a tug at her heart, sharing the concern. Indeed, even if they could avoid Qin Yan temporarily, could they really escape him forever? They never thought they'd encounter Qin Yan again after their first forced departure, but they did...

They couldn't be certain they would never see Qin Yan again, and if they did encounter him, what should they do?

"...Run away again?"

"How about we don't go to Haicheng and instead divert to a remote small town? In such a place, they should be unable to find us," Jiang Su suggested.

Lin Le immediately shook her head, "No." She paused before continuing, "The medical facilities in a remote town won't be good enough. You need regular visits to a major hospital; we can't go there."

"But if we don't go to a small town, in a big city like Haicheng, those rich people might come here. What if we run into him one day?" Jiang Su frowned, clearly worried.

Lin Le held her hand, comforting Jiang Su as if also comforting herself, "...It won't be such a coincidence, mom, don't overthink it."

Jiang Su shook her head, "It's not about overthinking. We can't live our lives clinging to this 'possibility,' always hoping that in such a big country, in such a big city as Haicheng, we won't run into him by chance. But what if fate is blind and makes us meet him? Do we pack up and flee again?"

Lin Le froze, feeling an inexplicable sadness upon hearing these words.

A sorrowful look appeared on Jiang Su's face, then as if remembering something, she sighed, "If only we were living during your great-grandfather's time." She gently patted Lin Le's hand, reflecting, "Your great-grandfather was just a street vendor in his early years, but later, because of his excellent craftsmanship, he was favored by many gourmets and nobles, transforming from a mere vendor to a restaurant owner. Back then, the Lin family was quite prestigious, valued by gourmets and nobles for cherishing a talented chef. If it were those times, we wouldn't have to endure these hardships."

Lin Le felt touched, but her response was puzzled, "Do we really have such a great-grandfather? Why has dad never mentioned him?"

"..." Jiang Su's hand stiffened, but she quickly composed herself and said, "He did mention it, but you were too young to remember."

After thinking, Lin Le felt that might be the reason. Now in her twenties, it was normal to forget after so many years, yet she remained curious, "If great-grandfather was so remarkable, why did our family end up like this? Didn't he pass on his skills to grandfather?"

Jiang Su: "..."

Her hand stiffened again, then she calmly continued, "He did pass them on, but your grandfather lacked the talent and could never grasp the essence of your great-grandfather's skills. While your dad had slightly better talent than your grandfather, he still couldn't match your great-grandfather, leading to the loss of our family's former glory."

Jiang Su paused before adding, "Your dad regretted his limited talent his whole life, unable to elevate the Lin family's culinary art. After having you, he placed his hopes on you. He once told me you have a great talent for cooking, and if you could focus on it, you would surely match your great-grandfather. But I didn't believe him, thinking being a chef was beneath you, always encouraging you to study hard and find a respectable job after graduating from college."

She sighed, "I always thought learning to cook and becoming a chef was less valuable than getting an education. But seeing you work hard to help out, to earn money for the family, and delve into cooking, it made me realize your dad was right... If I had listened to him and let you fully dedicate yourself to cooking, maybe by now you'd be just like your great-grandfather, and our situation wouldn't be like this... It's my fault, for both failing your dad's wishes and harming you."

Lin Le hurriedly said, "No, it's not like that, mom. I enjoy both cooking and studying. You haven't harmed me or failed dad."

Jiang Su's eyes slightly reddened, "But your dad's wish was for you to elevate the Lin family's name like your great-grandfather... If your dad were still alive, and you had continued to learn from him, how could our family have ended up like this? I regret it, thinking if it weren't for my holding you back, maybe you would have already achieved culinary success and become well-known! That Qin fellow wouldn't have been able to mistreat you like this!"

"Mom, it's not your fault; it's me... I'm the one who's not strong enough," Lin Le's eyes also welled up with tears. Growing up, she understood that even though her mom might be seeking psychological comfort, there was some truth in her words.

Having a good skill is indeed advantageous, as shown by her ability to pay off debts through her culinary skills. But no matter how skilled she is or how much restaurant and hotel owners value her, it can't outweigh a single word from Qin Yan.

Thinking about what Qin Yan did to keep her by his side, Lin Le's heart ached, and she felt a surge of indignation.

Being soft-tempered and timid doesn't mean Lin Le lacks ambition or the desire to succeed. She's not content with just a peaceful life; having experienced poverty and deprivation, she knows better than anyone that to improve her and her mother's lives, she must work hard and keep striving.

Lin Le immediately shook her head in rejection, "We can't." She paused, then continued, "Remote towns surely lack adequate medical facilities, and you need regular visits to major hospitals. We can't afford to go there."

Jiang Su lightly smiled, her gaze both tender and filled with pride: "Alright, I believe in you."

Though the response wasn't ideal, Jiang Su was satisfied to hear Lin Le speak like this.

It's better to teach someone to fish than to just give them a fish.

Jiang Su could persuade Lin Le to stay away from Qin Yan for now, but she couldn't ensure Lin Le would never encounter him in her lifetime.

To completely sever ties with Qin Yan, Lin Le must change. She can no longer be timid as she is now, nor can she remain without any backing or strength, vulnerable to manipulation.

Jiang Su aims to transform Lin Le, to make her confident, strong, and capable. Only then can she truly escape the tragic fate outlined in the original storyline.

"Eh—" V0's voice suddenly echoed in Jiang Su's mind, "Su Su, how do you know about Lin Le's great-grandfather, grandfather, and her father? I've reviewed the background information of this world several times and didn't see it mentioned anywhere."

"..." Jiang Su calmly replied, "This is a plot script unique to the tasker, all content is original to the tasker."

V0："QAQ"

Chapter 6

The First Daughter

Upon arriving in Hai Cheng, Jiang Su and Lin Le stayed in a small hotel for a few days before finding a relatively affordable apartment to rent.

After settling in, Lin Le began to venture out daily to purchase materials and tools. Due to Chen Honglian's illness, Lin Le had already spent much of her savings. The remainder was further depleted by the move and purchases, and although V0 had improved Chen Honglian's condition, it was not a cure. Lin Le still insisted on taking Jiang Su to the hospital.

Medical expenses are costly, and Lin Le feared nothing more than being without funds to treat her mother. So, as soon as they were settled, she immediately sought ways to earn money.

She had decided not to send out resumes to companies for the time being upon arriving in Hai Cheng. While company jobs offer stability, the salary doesn't match what she could earn from street vending. Lin Le had worked in a company for several years, where her highest salary was nearly twenty thousand a month. However, setting up a street stall in the city center or near universities could earn her thousands in a day.

Desperate for money, Lin Le was determined to earn as much as possible in a short period. After settling in Hai Cheng, she tirelessly prepared her goods and scouted locations. Street vending requires strategic consideration of location, foot traffic, and the main demographic, all of which Lin Le meticulously planned based on her previous experience.

She chose to set up her stall near Hai Cheng University.

South of Hai Cheng University's second gate lies a 200-meter-long "Food Street," bustling with an array of stores—beverage shops, noodle houses, restaurants, various snack bars, and fruit stands. At one end is the closely located Hai Cheng University, while across a street at the other end lies Hai Cheng University of Science and Technology.

Despite the distance due to its large campus and northern side gate, the allure of delicious food draws students from Hai Cheng University of Science and Technology to make time for a feast.

Thus, "Food Street," nestled between the two universities, sees a high volume of student patrons from both institutions.

After deciding on this location, Lin Le prepared ingredients from dawn to dusk, and before sunrise the next day, she and Jiang Su headed to Hai Cheng University on a second-hand tricycle.

Arriving early, they found the street's stalls sparse, and the prime spot—directly opposite the south gate of Hai Cheng University—was still available, to Lin Le's delight. She quickly drove there.

Once parked, she began to unload and set up her stall. Jiang Su assisted, preparing three modest burners, several clay pots, and a large bucket of pre-rested dough.

Before heading out, Lin Le had told Jiang Su she planned to sell porridge and noodles that morning.

The porridge was green bean, and the noodles were in soup. Though seemingly ordinary, only those who've tasted Lin Le's cooking understood the intricacies involved.

"Young lady, what are you planning to sell? Ramen?" asked a middle-aged couple selling rice noodle rolls next to Lin Le's stall, curious about the newcomer.

"Not exactly, I'm selling noodle soup. I just prefer to hand-pull my noodles, so I've prepared dough," Lin Le explained.

"I see," the couple responded, unconvinced. They thought freshly cut dough then pulled into noodles was just another form of ramen or rolled noodles, which they considered bland, especially in broth form, for early morning fare.

Pausing, the woman noticed Jiang Su stirring a clay pot.

The pot likely contained porridge, appearing quite good—white and thick. Unfortunately, it seemed to be just plain porridge. With current trends favoring soy milk, rice wine, sago cream, eight-treasure porridge, and lean meat with preserved egg porridge, who would only sell plain porridge?

The woman shook her head, lamenting the naivety of youth.

Unaware of being labeled a "newbie" by her peers, Lin Le, busy preparing bone broth, calculated the time, calling to Jiang Su, "Mom, if the porridge is almost ready, close the stove and then uncover the marinated items."

"Okay," Jiang Su responded promptly, but in reality, she wasn't sure if the mung bean porridge was ready. In her original world, she belonged to those who couldn't tell one grain from another, never having learned to cook, so even a small pot of porridge required V0's assistance.

V0: "Since the main character placed it on the stove, it has been simmering on low heat for exactly forty-five minutes and thirty-eight seconds. According to the data, it only needs 40-50 minutes, so, Su Su, you can close the stove now."

"..."

V0's system isn't very powerful; it can't provide its host with a golden finger—like overnight high culinary skills or acting abilities—nor can it exchange treasures—like beauty pills or miraculous healing springs.

What it can do is search its extensive database for existing data and then send it to Jiang Su.

Or, in other words, V0 can only be considered an intelligent supercomputer, where you can find lots of information you want, but information is just information. Understanding something and being able to do it are still up to the individual.

Following V0's advice, Jiang Su covered the stove's vent, then she went to uncover the marinade.

As soon as the heavy lid was removed, despite being mentally prepared, the aroma of the marinade was so overwhelming that Jiang Su couldn't help but swallow her saliva—

The fragrance was simply too enticing.

Jiang Su had been drooling over Lin Le's marinade preparation the previous day, and now, after a night, its aroma had become even richer. As she stirred it with a spoon, the scent erupted like a volcano, dominantly sweeping through the surroundings.

"So fragrant! What on earth is this? How can it smell so good?"

"I just had breakfast, but why am I hungry again smelling this? Where's this aroma coming from? What are you cooking?"

"Gurgle—" Some people came early to secure a spot, feeling no appetite due to the heat and arrived on an empty stomach, only to have their hunger piqued by the smell, causing their stomachs to rumble non-stop.

The woman at the stall next to Lin Le also swallowed hard. While others might not immediately locate the source of the aroma, being so close to Lin Le, she was the first to know where it was coming from.

She eagerly watched the pot of marinade, realizing how ridiculous her previous assumption was—

Could someone who "knows nothing" create something so delicious? Could someone clueless think to display such enticing food in a place crowded with street food vendors? What's the first rule of attracting customers in such a setting?

Of course, it's the mouthwatering aroma and taste of the food!

The girl next door, who can make such a pot of marinade and display it here, is definitely an expert!

"Miss, could we have two bowls of noodles first? Your aroma is so enticing, I'm starving."

"Of course." Lin Le was happy to have customers, "Would you like to add anything?"

She pointed to the price list in front of the stall, which read—

Mung Bean Porridge: 2 yuan

Vegetarian Noodle Soup: 4 yuan

Braised Meat Noodle Soup: 8 yuan

Braised Kelp: 1 yuan

Braised Dried Tofu: 1 yuan

Braised Egg: 1.5 yuan

Braised Chicken Feet: 5 yuan

Braised Pork Trotters: 15 yuan

...

The woman initially thought the Braised Meat Noodle Soup was too expensive, but remembering that irresistible aroma, she decided to splurge on two bowls.

"Alright."

Lin Le smiled, her eyes forming crescents and her cheeks adorned with two dimples, giving her a very cute and youthful appearance.

Despite her youthful look, her cooking skills were mature. She quickly tore two pieces from the dough, skillfully stretched them into noodles, and threw them into boiling water.

The hot water cooked the noodles in no time. She then lifted the noodles out, placed them in bowls, topped them with freshly cut braised meat, sprinkled some green onions, and finally ladled a generous spoonful of bone broth over them.

"Noodles are ready." Lin Le handed over the noodles to the couple.

Both of them took the paper bowls, observing the uniformly cut meat slices neatly arranged on the noodles, topped with a layer of green onions, vibrant in color. A whiff revealed the fragrance of onions mingled with the rich aroma of bone broth and the dominant marinade from the meat, irresistibly triggering saliva production.

The wife, holding the bowl, first tasted a piece of the marinated lean meat, savoring its salty and fragrant flavor, tender yet chewy without being tough; her eyes lit up, eagerly taking another bite of the noodles.

These noodles, though hand-pulled, differed from typical ramen in texture, offering the softness of traditional soup noodles with a slight elasticity, making for an excellent eating experience. The combination of these perfectly chewy noodles with the rich, aromatic bone broth and a hint of marinade from the meat created a harmonious taste in the mouth, delicious enough to make one wish they could swallow their tongue.

"This is so delicious! I've never tasted such amazing soup noodles before!"

Attracted by the aroma, a crowd finally traced it to Lin Le's stall.

"Here! This is where the aroma is coming from! Boss, give me a bowl of noodles—what to add? Add everything! Braised meat, pork trotters, chicken feet, dried tofu, I want it all! Damn, it's too delicious, I can't stand it!"

"I want a bowl too! Boss, I'll have a bowl of braised meat noodle soup, with an egg!"

"Me too, me too! Boss, give me a bowl of braised meat noodle soup as well, oh! And add a pork trotter!"

Chapter 7

The First Daughter [Bug Catching]

Lin Le's stall was an instant hit as soon as it opened. As more students emerged early to seek breakfast, the queue in front of Lin Le's stall grew longer.

Many students, drawn by the aroma and seeing the lengthy queue, couldn't help but wonder: "Wow, isn't this a bit exaggerated? What are they selling that's attracting such a crowd?"

A roommate, deeply inhaling the robust marinade aroma from Lin Le's stall, found the fragrance overpowering, still potent and rich in the air even after some time, instantly inducing salivation.

"Don't worry about what they're selling, just this smell—damn, they could be selling anything!"

Another roommate urged, "Hurry, hurry, don't waste time talking, haven't you seen the line getting longer?! Let's queue up!"

Without further ado, the three of them quickly joined the end of the queue, becoming part of the long line.

Lin Le had prepared a considerable amount of noodles the day before, but given the limited capacity to carry, they soon ran out, forcing her to close the stall early.

As she closed up while the queue was still long, many who had salivated over the aroma sighed in disappointment, blaming Lin Le for not preparing more and lamenting their own late arrival, missing out on the delicious food.

Lin Le politely apologized to the customers, "I'm really sorry, our home is far, and the car is small, so we can't bring too much."

The crowd around the stall, seeing Lin Le's tricycle and both Lin Le and Jiang Su sweating profusely from the effort, felt it hard to remain upset. They simply suggested Lin Le prepare more for the next day, planning to arrive earlier themselves.

Lin Le responded to each with a smile. Once the crowd dispersed, she suggested Jiang Su rest while she cleaned up. Jiang Su refused, insisting on helping. Lin Le, unable to persuade her otherwise, hurried to tidy up as efficiently as possible.

By the time Lin Le and Jiang Su returned to their rental from Haicheng University, it was nearly 11 p.m. Concerned for Jiang Su's health, Lin Le urged her to rest upon arrival. Jiang Su didn't feel particularly tired but eventually acquiesced after Lin Le's persistent urging, taking her clothes to freshen up.

After tidying up, Lin Le moved to the kitchen to prepare lunch. Utilizing the marinated items from the previous day, she transformed leftover rice into a delicious egg fried rice.

Each grain of rice, enveloped in egg yolk and stir-fried in hot oil, turned a vibrant golden color. The combination of savory flavors and the addition of a piece of aromatic braised meat made it a heavenly dish.

Jiang Su truly admired Lin Le's culinary skills, finding it increasingly unbearable that such a gentle, capable, and sensible Lin Le was mistreated by Qin Yan.

Encouraging Lin Le to leave Qin Yan was just the first step; the next was to find her a powerful ally in a short time. Hiding from Qin Yan under a false identity was not feasible, not just because of the unpredictability of events, but even if they could ensure a place Qin Yan couldn't find—

But, why should they?

Lin Le had done nothing wrong; she had merely been blind in love once. Why should her future be so bleak?

Jiang Su refused to believe it.

She didn't accept that Lin Le had only two options: forcibly end up with Qin Yan or hide from him forever.

Since Qin Yan, due to his wealth and arrogance, forced his love on Lin Le, Jiang Su decided to find Lin Le an equally powerful backer, making him think twice before harming her.

In Jiang Su's view, Lin Le's eventual union with Qin Yan in the original storyline was largely due to their unequal statuses, often leaving her at his mercy.

Therefore, the urgent task was to equip Lin Le with the strength to confront Qin Yan.

Finding a backer was imperative.

Jiang Su had already tasked VO with collecting information on all notable families in Haicheng, and after careful selection, she chose the Xu family as Lin Le's target ally.

The Xu family of Haicheng was a renowned and wealthy household. Its founder, Elder Xu, had also served on the battlefield and maintained relationships with many prestigious families in the capital. Despite later transitioning to business, the Xu family remained formidable.

The Xu family, with its vast enterprise, had five children, of whom three daughters married into prominent families, and the eldest son married the only daughter of the Xu family patriarch from the capital. The Xu family's marital alliances were extensive, affecting the whole body with a single hair, making its power no less than that of the Qin family.

The reason Jiang Su chose the Qin family was even more significant — the Xu family patriarch was a gourmet.

Old Master Xu, born into wealth, has been a gourmet since childhood. Even during his military service, he insisted on good food amidst the harsh conditions. Later, as he ventured into business and amassed a fortune, his focus on culinary delights only intensified.

Due to Old Master Xu's preferences, the Xu family has a tradition of valuing culinary excellence. Particularly, Xu's youngest son, a prodigy in the culinary world, heightened the family's respect for skilled chefs. Lin Le's culinary talent, if recognized by the Xu family, would make it difficult for Qin Yan to harm her.

"Su Su, I think your idea is excellent, but according to the original storyline, Qin Yan's fiancée comes from the Xu family, which has marital ties to the Xu family. It might not necessarily stand as Lin Le's support," V0 remarked, having reviewed the background information multiple times to clarify the relationships.

Jiang Su's preferred Xu family is interrelated by marriage to the Xu family, whose daughter is engaged to Qin Yan. V0 fears the Xu family may not assist Lin Le.

"No problem," Jiang Su confidently referred to the data from V0, "According to the original story, Miss Xu decisively breaks up with Qin Yan after discovering his affair with Lin Le, even scheming against him before leaving the country stylishly—she's a wise person."

"Miss Xu from the Xu family doesn't seem to be the typical villainous female character. Her actions suggest she's a pragmatic 'female cannon fodder' rather than evil."

…

"Achoo—"

Considered a mere extra, Xu "cannon fodder" sneezed, frowning and muttering, "Who's cursing me?"

"Who would curse you?" A young man across Xu Hanyan chuckled, "Surely, someone must be thinking of you."

Xu Hanyan scoffed, "Enough with the jokes. What's wrong? You seemed quite upset coming here; did you hear something?"

The young man's smile faded, becoming serious, "I heard Qin Yan is still keeping a mistress; is it true?"

"Yes," Xu Hanyan confirmed.

Angered, the young man slammed the table, "Damn it! What is Qin Yan trying to prove? You're about to get married, and he dares to pull this stunt?!"

Despite Xu Hanyan and Qin Yan's marriage being a strategic alliance, both families maintained a semblance of respectability. Qin Yan's scandalous behavior at such a time was a direct affront to Xu Hanyan and the Xu family.

Xu Dong, who had always been close to his cousin Xu Hanyan, couldn't stand seeing her mistreated and wanted to confront Qin Yan.

Xu Hanyan, perturbed by Xu Dong's outburst, tried to calm him, "What would you do? Confront him in a fight?"

"—Can you even beat him?"

Xu Dong, flushed with anger, insisted, "Even if I can't win, I must fight for you! He can't just disrespect you like this; I have to stand up for you!"

Xu Hanyan couldn't help but smile at Xu Dong's righteous anger, "Ah, it seems my affection for you hasn't been in vain."

Xu Dong: "…"

Xu Ruyan smiled and gestured towards the sofa. Xu Dong didn't move, frowning unhappily at her. Xu Ruyan said helplessly, "After all these years, when have you seen me suffer a loss?"

Xu Dong was startled, then his eyes lit up, and he plopped down on the sofa, leaning towards Xu Ruyan: "Sis, have you already thought of a way to deal with Qin Yan?"

Xu Ruyan blinked and then slowly shared her plan with Xu Dong.

There was no way she would marry, not in any circumstance.

Initially, Xu Ruyan had planned to just make do, at most play her own games after marriage. However, upon learning about Lin Le, she had already abandoned the idea of marrying Qin Yan.

Xu Ruyan looked down on Qin Yan. If her previous impression of him was of a fellow wealthy libertine, then through Lin Le, she saw his true foolish and venomous nature.

A blindly arrogant, domineering, and capricious fool, unaware of his own feelings, she truly disdained him.

Similarly, she initially disdained the weak and incapable Lin Le, polished by Qin Yan's manipulation.

But just yesterday, this person, whom she considered utterly cowardly, actually ran away.

Xu Ruyan was genuinely surprised and also pleased, as this was undoubtedly a great opportunity to properly provoke Qin Yan.

…

It took Qin Yan five days after Lin Le's disappearance to realize something was wrong. Distracted by Xu Ruyan's pestering and the two families pressing for a wedding date during his grandfather's birthday celebration, he hadn't paid much attention to Lin Le.

He hadn't expected Lin Le to surprise him so significantly.

"What do you mean 'disappeared'?" Qin Yan, trembling with rage as he held his phone, berated, "I tasked you with watching her, and this is how you do it?!"

"Sorry, Mr. Qin... it was the madam who instructed us not to tell you."

"Are you taking the money I give you? Who the hell asked you to listen to her?! I asked you to keep an eye on her! Where is she now?!"

"Sorry, Mr. Qin, the lady forbade us from pursuing Miss Lin, and she took all information regarding Miss Lin, so we don't know her current whereabouts."

"Damn it!"

Qin Yan furiously smashed his phone on the ground, shattering it into pieces, panting heavily with eyes red, he stormed out the door.

His only thought now was to find Lin Le; he must find her!

Mrs. Qin was in the living room on the first floor, cheerfully sipping tea with Mrs. Xu, chatting about the recent "lovey-dovey" moments between Xu Hanyan and Qin Yan. Mrs. Xu joked that if it weren't for Xu Dong's visit, Qin Yan might not have had any free time at all.

Mrs. Qin laughed, saying it was actually Qin Yan who couldn't bear to be apart from Xu Hanyan.

Mrs. Qin: "Hanyan and Yan truly are fated. Seeing them so in love, we can rest assured."

"Indeed," Mrs. Xu agreed with a smile.

Mrs. Qin was about to say more when Qin Yan came downstairs. She quickly called out, "Yan."

Qin Yan, with a fierce expression, continued towards the main door without stopping.

Mrs. Qin frowned and stood up to stop him, "Where are you going? Aunt Xu is still here, how can you be so rude?"

Only then did Qin Yan halt, glancing at Mrs. Xu sitting on the sofa. Since returning to Beijing, the Xu family had been relentlessly pressuring him to set a wedding date, first at the old man's birthday banquet demanding a commitment, and after the banquet, visiting daily to subtly arrange the date.

If Qin Yan was merely annoyed before, now he was thoroughly disgusted. Because of this wedding date, this engagement, this Xu family, Lin Le caused trouble, and his mother helped her escape.

Qin Yan couldn't understand why it had to be this way. Everything was fine; he would marry according to their wishes, Lin Le would stay by his side, he would treat her mother, and ensure she lived a life of wealth she could never achieve on her own.

Everything could have been so good. Why did it have to be this way?

Why?

"What do you mean 'why'?" Mrs. Qin, pale with anger, scolded Qin Yan, "What's gotten into you, speaking such nonsense?"

She told Qin Yan, "If you're not feeling well, go rest upstairs, so you don't worry Aunt Xu. Ah Yan!"

With that question, Mrs. Qin knew exactly what he was asking about. Although she was angry about her son's obsession with Lin Le, she couldn't confront him directly in front of Mrs. Xu, hinting instead that Qin Yan should hold back and wait for Mrs. Xu to leave.

Qin Yan's frustration only intensified with Mrs. Qin's emphasis on Mrs. Xu's presence, pouring fuel on his inner fire. He had already blamed his engagement and his mother for Lin Le's escape, and now his mother's repeated reminders of Mrs. Xu's presence only added to his irritation.

Qin Yan, unable to bear it any longer, said to Mrs. Xu, "Please leave. The engagement is off; I won't be marrying."

Chapter 8

The First Daughter

"Qin Yan!" Mrs. Qin's voice sharply rose in volume.

Qin Yan, seemingly oblivious to Mrs. Qin's fury, continued to walk away after speaking his piece.

"Qin Yan! Stop right there!" Mrs. Qin tried to stop him, but he kept walking away. Overcome with anger and yet caught in a dilemma due to Mrs. Xu's presence, she felt stuck.

"Ah Ya..." Mrs. Qin awkwardly called out. Mrs. Xu's maiden name was Chen Ya, and given the close relationship between the two families, Mrs. Qin and Mrs. Xu were like sisters, using intimate names for each other.

However, Mrs. Xu was clearly not in a mood to reciprocate Mrs. Qin's warmth at that moment. Qin Yan's parting words had struck a chord, leaving Mrs. Xu visibly upset as she coldly demanded, "Mrs. Qin, please provide an explanation to our Xu family. My daughter is not someone to be whimsically engaged or disengaged!"

"Ah Ya, please don't be angry... it's our fault, and I will surely provide you with an explanation!"

Mrs. Qin hurriedly apologized and tried to explain to Mrs. Xu, but the words were directly from Qin Yan himself, true to every letter. Even if she wanted to argue, she didn't know how. In the end, Mrs. Xu left the Qin residence with a cold expression.

In the past few days, Xu Ruyan had people specifically watch Qin Yan and his family. Upon hearing that Qin Yan and his mother had stormed out of the Qin residence, she knew her opportunity had arrived. She immediately took out the information about Lin Le she had collected earlier and returned home with a stern face.

…

Qin Yan, the eldest son of the Qin family, renouncing his engagement to Miss Xu for a mistress became the hottest gossip in Beijing's upper circles.

Xu Ruoyan, under the guise of being too distressed by the rumors, left Beijing with her elders' blessings to travel.

Meanwhile, Qin Yan flew back to City A the day he left Beijing, searching everywhere for Lin Le but to no avail.

Lin Le and Jiang Su were cautious when they left City A, distrusting Qin Yan and fearing he might track them down. Their departure was decisive and secretive, even deliberately buying tickets for a few stations past Haicheng to mislead him.

Thus, although Qin Yan quickly discovered their travel itinerary, he found nothing upon reaching their supposed destination.

Realizing that Lin Le might have truly escaped from his life, possibly never to be seen again, Qin Yan was like a furious beast, restless and angry.

Mr. Qin, who had rushed over from Beijing, slapped the enraged Qin Yan upon seeing him: "Have you had enough?"

Qin Yan, with his face askew, remained silent.

Mr. Qin slapped him again: "I asked if you've had enough?"

Qin Yan, lifting his eyes slightly, said with a bleeding lip: "I won't marry. I need to find her."

"Yan!" Mrs. Qin scolded, frustrated and exhausted by the chaos Qin Yan had caused in the Qin family these days.

"Do you intend to completely disgrace our family?"

Qin Yan firmly responded to Mrs. Qin: "To me, she's more important than anything."

Mrs. Qin, furious and about to strike him.

Mr. Qin, understanding her intent, slapped Qin Yan first.

Qin Yan's face swelled from the slap, but Mr. Qin, unfazed, asked: "You say Lin Le is more important than anything, but what will you do when you find her?"

"Marry her!" Qin Yan declared, facing Mr. Qin with a swollen side of his face: "I can marry her."

He now understood Lin Le's importance to him. Since he loved her and she didn't want him to marry anyone else, he decided he would marry her instead.

"Huh." Mr. Qin suddenly sneered, then raised his hand to slap Qin Yan.

Qin Yan thought Mr. Qin hit him because he opposed Qin Yan being with Lin Le, so despite his swollen face, he firmly said: "I love Lin Le, and in this lifetime, she's the only one I want!"

Mr. Qin sneered again upon hearing this. He didn't raise his hand this time, just looked indifferently at the defiant Qin Yan and said, "Do you still remember what you told me when you were sixteen?"

Qin Yan was slightly taken aback.

That year, at sixteen, Qin Yan's early romance with Lin Le was exposed. Mr. Qin asked Qin Yan what his relationship with Lin Le was, and Qin Yan shrugged, saying, "Just for fun."

Mr. Qin had stared at him for a long while upon hearing that, making Qin Yan somewhat nervous, so he quickly added, "Really, just for fun. Given her background and mine, how could I possibly take her seriously? I was just amusing her because she liked me, dad, don't misunderstand."

Mr. Qin repeated what Qin Yan had said that year, and although the memory was too distant for Qin Yan to recall clearly, Mr. Qin's reminder jogged his memory. Yet, he still didn't think there was anything wrong with his actions at the time, considering his youthful vigor and the way he chose to deal with such a situation for the first time wasn't entirely unjustifiable.

And he was very clear that even though he said those words at the time, deep down, he actually liked Lin Le.

Having spent so many years with Qin Yan, Mr. Qin could tell what he was thinking just by looking at his expression. Thus, he slapped Qin Yan again before starting to speak.

"From the moment you chose to run away at sixteen without any sense of responsibility, I knew you were inherently cold-hearted and undeserving of loving someone in this lifetime. Over the years, you've wandered aimlessly, indulging in your nature. I thought you had come to understand yourself, but I didn't expect, in addition to being selfish, domineering, and impulsive, you could also be so foolish?!"

"A playboy trying to talk about feelings?" Mr. Qin's tone was mild, but his words were sharp and cutting. "True love? Do you think your mother and I are here to break you up like tyrannical parents arranging your marriage?"

Qin Yan: "..."

Mr. Qin: "Do you think you're standing up for love and freedom, a hopeless romantic?"

Qin Yan: "..."

Mr. Qin: "Ha, wake up, Qin Yan. Do you think you're worthy?"

Qin Yan: "..."

"…Dear," Mrs. Qin gently tugged at Mr. Qin's sleeve. Although their son had been quite inconsiderate lately, angering them, wasn't this a bit too harsh? After all, he was still their son.

"Don't try to stop me! If I don't make things clear with him today, he won't realize what he truly is." Mr. Qin brushed off Mrs. Qin's hand and continued to scold Qin Yan, "What do you think you are? A prize everyone wants? Let alone the whole country, just in the capital alone, there are plenty of powerful families willing to connect with you, do you not realize how many of them would willingly introduce their daughters to you? Do you think any decent girl, from a family with power and status, who could achieve great things on her own, would look up to you? And what about those girlfriends you've played with before, do you not know what they are really like?"

"Where do you get the audacity to fuss about not wanting the girl from the Xu family? Why do you think our families wanted to match you two in the first place? Do you think it's because you're equally matched? Do you think you deserve Xu Ruyan?"

Qin Yan: "..."

Qin Yan was now somewhat disoriented, dizzy from the slaps and bombarded by his father's barrage of words. At this point, his thoughts could only follow along with what his father was saying, and he instinctively looked towards Mrs. Qin.

His eyes were filled with confusion and questioning, as if asking, "Is that so?"

Mrs. Qin sighed silently. Though Mr. Qin's words were a bit harsh, the gist was accurate, so she simply gave Qin Yan a silent look.

Qin Yan pressed his lips tightly together.

Having been pampered and adored from a young age, getting whatever he wanted in both his personal life and business, he was always the one being pursued.

This was the first time he was being scolded like this, especially by his parents.

The experience was unbearable for the young master Qin.

But Mr. Qin came specifically to confront him, so he had no intention of considering Qin Yan's feelings.

He meticulously listed Qin Yan's faults, essentially belittling him from head to toe.

By the time they left, Qin Yan had transformed from a fiery dragon to a frostbitten eggplant.

Mrs. Qin was worried they might have gone too far with Qin Yan.

But Mr. Qin said to her, "You know what kind of person your son is. If my few words could easily scold him into changing, would you have needed to worry so much about him all these years?"

Mrs. Qin thought about it and realized, a person accustomed to being domineering, selfish, and willful wouldn't suddenly change. But then, "If it's useless, why say so much?"

Mr. Qin loosened his sleeves: "Because I felt like it."

Since their son was the only child, everyone in the family pampered, protected, and spoiled him. They never had the chance to really discipline him when they were displeased; today, Mr. Qin finally felt vindicated.

Mrs. Qin: "..."

…

Meanwhile, as the marital discord between the Qin and Xu families in the capital settled with one party healing away from home and the other searching far and wide for a worthy partner, Lin Le's small stall also made a name for itself on the food street of Hai City University.

As Lin Le's fame grew, so did her workload, causing Jiang Su, who accompanied her daily, to become increasingly exhausted. One morning, after setting up the stall, Jiang Su fainted from exhaustion on returning home, frightening Lin Le immensely.

Since then, Lin Le was reluctant to let Jiang Su help. But running the stall was exhausting for both of them, let alone Lin Le by herself. After much consideration, Jiang Su suggested using their savings to rent a storefront.

"Renting a store will make things easier when you're busy, and I can help without getting so tired," Jiang Su said.

"The money I have is for your treatment; I can't use it," Lin Le disagreed.

Jiang Su: "You have the skills, and money spent can always be earned back. Why worry? Besides, the doctor said my health is in good condition; there's no need to constantly worry about taking me to the hospital."

Still unwilling to agree, Jiang Su then suggested, "If we can't decide, let's vote on it."

Lin Le couldn't help but laugh and cry at the suggestion. Their family was just the two of them, so voting would normally end in a tie. However, her mother had recently acquired a white mouse as a pet, turning their duo into a trio.

This little hamster also seemed exceptionally perceptive. It only squeaked in agreement when Jiang Su called for a vote, never when Lin Le did—despite all the treats she made for it.

So, even though it was supposedly a family vote, it really depended on Jiang Su's preference, as the little white mouse only listened to her.

"You know V0 only listens to you, Mom. That's cheating," Lin Le said helplessly. Jiang Su had named the mouse V0 after it became tangible, a name Lin Le found odd but got used to over time.

"Who says? It's just a little mouse. How could it be so clever?" Jiang Su blatantly lied.

V0 cooperated by staying perfectly still on her hand, feigning ignorance.

Lin Le observed, "You've got oil on your whiskers again, sneaking sugar-glutinous rice cakes, huh?"

Sugar-glutinous rice cakes were a snack Lin Le developed at home, made often because both Jiang Su and V0 loved them. The cakes were specially prepared by Lin Le, who would fry pieces of glutinous rice in oil until golden, then add brown sugar and a little water.

The finished brown sugar glutinous rice cakes could be topped with soybean flour, combining sweet, crispy, and soft textures that exploded with flavor at the first bite. Jiang Su, with a particular fondness for sweets, could eat them every day without tiring.

V0, who didn't eat while at the Reincarnation Platform, developed preferences for various delicacies since living with Jiang Su and Lin Le, often sneaking bites of Lin Le's sugar-glutinous rice cakes left aside.

Hearing Lin Le's accusation, V0 instinctively covered its mouth with a tiny paw.

Lin Le burst into gentle laughter.

"..." Jiang Su, holding V0 up, stated very seriously, "It really isn't smart."

Chapter 9

The First Daughter [Catching Bugs]

Even though Xu Ruyan managed to escape a forced marriage through the situation with Qin Yan and Lin Le, gaining a few years of freedom, Xu Dong still felt Xu Ruyan was at a disadvantage, hence his strong dislike for Qin Yan and, by extension, Lin Le, who was entangled with him.

With the resolution between Qin Yan and Xu Ruyan, and Xu Ruyan leaving the country, Xu Dong returned to Haicheng to continue his studies.

Due to Grandfather Xu's birthday celebration, Xu Dong had taken nearly half a month off, so his return to Haicheng University was warmly welcomed by his roommates.

"Wow, Xu, you're impressive. Able to skip classes for half a month for just a family birthday, no sickness, no pain," the eldest roommate praised Xu Dong with a thumbs-up. "Awesome!"

Xu Dong replied, "It was supposed to be just a few days, but some matters came up, delaying my return."

"Tsk tsk tsk, our Young Master Xu is truly remarkable," the second eldest roommate hugged Xu Dong, fluttering his eyelashes coquettishly, "Young Master Xu~ I've missed you so much these days."

"…" Xu Dong pushed away the face coming too close with disdain, "You're all greasy, keep your distance!"

The second roommate lamented, "How could you be so heartless? Have you found a new love in these days that you treat me this way?... Indeed, new love trumps old... I might as well die~"

"Off you go then. Turn left out the door, lean against the wall with one hand, close your eyes and jump. We're on the sixth floor, guaranteed instant demise," Xu Dong pointed towards the door. "After you jump, I'll take the eldest and youngest to lunch, any place of choice, my treat."

Instantly serious, the second roommate declared, "Dad, you're back. I've missed you so much!"

The eldest and youngest roommates: "…"

Xu Dong, smiling, patted the second roommate's head, "Good, Dad will take you to lunch. Where do you want to go?"

Eyes lighting up, the second roommate, along with the others, unanimously exclaimed, "Chinese restaurant!"

Though unfamiliar with the name, Xu Dong readily agreed, "Sure!"

…

Ultimately, Lin Le decided to open a shop.

The decision to open a store was influenced not only by Jiang Su's persistent persuasion but also by the encouragement of her customers.

Lin Le's stall had been popular from the start. Traveling from their rental each day limited the ingredients they could bring, and due to time constraints, they could only serve meals twice a day, often leaving customers queueing for half a day without getting anything.

After several such instances, customers began to insist she should open a store, increasing their chances of enjoying her food.

Hearing this repeatedly stirred Lin Le's thoughts, and after some enthusiastic customers recommended storefronts for rent around Haicheng University, she decided to take the plunge.

The new storefront was located in a small alley on Food Street. The previous tenant also served meals but specialized in braised chicken.

With fierce competition on Food Street and six or seven other braised chicken outlets, this one didn't stand out in taste and was located off the beaten path on the second floor, leading to its closure and subsequent lease to Lin Le.

Lin Le took over the storefront without major renovations, as the previous tenant had done a decent job with the décor. She spent a few days changing the sign and restocking some equipment and ingredients before opening.

The name of the restaurant was chosen by Lin Le. Initially, she wanted to call it "Red Lotus Restaurant," but after strong opposition from Jiang Su, it was ultimately named a Chinese restaurant.

Thanks to the reputation she had built at her stall and the many foodies she had won over, the Chinese restaurant was bustling with business from day one.

Owning her own restaurant unleashed Lin Le's natural talent, and with V0's assistance, she delved deeper into culinary arts, often experimenting with new dishes for all three meals.

A restaurant that masters one dish can gain some fame, but one that excels in many and frequently introduces new dishes can become legendary.

Lin Le's Chinese restaurant was just that.

Lin Le truly had a gift for cooking. However, being young and with her father passing away early, she had limited exposure to different cuisines and could only make so much.

Fortunately, V0 compensated for this shortcoming.

Although V0 was inferior to other task systems, lacking any form of "cheat codes," it boasted a vast database. While it couldn't instantly max out Lin Le's culinary skills to make her a Michelin three-star chef overnight, it could offer her a variety of dishes and cooking methods that have appeared throughout history.

V0 shared its database of excellent dishes and ancient culinary techniques with Jiang Su, who then meticulously transcribed them into a compilation named the Lin Family Cookbook for Lin Le to study and delve into.

Lin Le, while curious about the origins of this ancestral cookbook, didn't probe too deeply, trusting Jiang Su implicitly. Once she received the cookbook, she immersed herself in learning and experimenting.

Whenever she mastered a recipe to her satisfaction, she would introduce the dish at the Chinese Restaurant under her name.

Xu Dong and his roommate arrived just as Lin Le was updating the notice board downstairs at her restaurant.

"Wow! A new dish today! — Warm Jade Crisp? What's that?" Roommate 2 exclaimed in surprise, intrigued by the announcement.

Having visited several times before, Xu Dong and his roommates understood the significance of a new dish on the notice board.

"It sounds like some kind of pastry," guessed Roommate 1, pondering the name.

Roommate 4 agreed, "It does seem like it," he mused, frowning slightly, "I just hope it's not too sweet. I don't like overly sugary things!"

"If you don't like it, we can go somewhere else," Xu Dong said nonchalantly, glancing at the restaurant's unassuming façade. "I'm treating today; we can eat wherever you like."

Roommate 4 quickly objected, "No, no! Even if I don't like the new dish, there are other dishes here I enjoy. Let's eat here!"

Xu Dong was puzzled, "Is it really as good as you all say?"

Coming from a well-to-do background and accustomed to gourmet food thanks to his grandfather's epicurean tastes, Xu Dong had high standards. Though not snobbish about his food choices, admitting something was delicious was rare for him. Thus, he was quite skeptical about this small restaurant highly praised by his roommates.

"It's really good, honestly!" Roommate 4 insisted vehemently, "I swear, if it's not good, you can chop off my head!"

Xu Dong: "…A decapitation guarantee? Life-threatening endorsements? Is this how we're recommending things now?"

Roommate 4: "…"

Roommate 1 laughed and said, "Whether it's good or not, you'll know once you try. I know you're picky, but this place won't disappoint you."

Xu Dong, swayed by the normally reserved Roommate 1's endorsement, raised an eyebrow. Though still skeptical, he relented, "I hope what you're saying is true."

The group entered the restaurant.

Lin Le's restaurant, though only occupying the second floor, was spacious thanks to the previous chicken stew owner who had expanded into the adjacent space, allowing for several tables to be set up.

However, at this moment, all tables were full, with some even accommodating five to six guests each.

"This crowded?" Xu Dong was surprised, "How are we going to eat?"

"We'll wait. Someone will finish eating eventually," the fourth roommate said, grabbing plastic stools from near the counter to sit and wait.

Xu Dong's expression was somewhat indescribable.

Honestly, in the past, they would have left any establishment this packed. How deep must one's dedication be to willingly grab a plastic stool and wait?

The eldest, second, and fourth roommates, ignoring Xu Dong's internal turmoil, confidently ordered six dishes and asked Xu Dong for his preference. He responded indifferently for them to decide.

Each of them added another dish to the order, including the new dish — Warm Jade Crisp.

Xu Dong thought they would have to wait a while before eating, but to his surprise, a server and Jiang Su brought over four small plates within minutes of sitting down.

"So fast?" Xu Dong was astonished.

Jiang Su, having been informed by V0 about Xu Dong's background as the eldest grandson of the Sun family, spoke kindly, "Today's new dish is a dessert, so we serve it first to customers who order it."

Nodding, Xu Dong found this quite acceptable and began to eat the small piece of dessert handed to him by Jiang Su.

Warm Jade Crisp is made by coating fresh milk with green bean powder and freezing it, then steaming it after injecting an egg-milk mixture into a small cavity in the center. The result resembles jade inlaid with a white gemstone, sprinkled with almonds on the milk pudding, and finally coated with green bean paste.

The green bean paste, wrapping the dessert, makes the Warm Jade Crisp visually stunning, resembling a piece of jade. The first bite, combining the hot interior with the icy texture, delivers a supremely soothing temperature, followed by the fragrance of green bean paste, the crispness of the milk skin, and the smoothness of the pudding, layering flavors delightfully in the mouth.

Even the fourth roommate, who claimed not to like sweets, after finishing one, exclaimed, "Owner, another one, no, three more Warm Jade Crisps, please!"

"I'm sorry, but due to the complex preparation of Warm Jade Crisp, we can only offer one serving per customer today."

"Ahhh! Owner, you're too cruel!" the fourth roommate lamented loudly.

Jiang Su, smiling, apologized upon hearing the complaint.

After finishing the Warm Jade Crisp in two bites, Xu Dong looked up at Jiang Su with sparkling eyes, "Owner, did you make this?"

Jiang Su smiled, "No, the owner of this restaurant is my daughter; I'm her mother."

Xu Dong also smiled and asked, "Can I meet your daughter then?"

Jiang Su hesitated slightly, "Well..."

The eldest roommate from Xu Dong's dorm intervened, "Auntie, don't get it wrong. It's just his thing; whenever he tastes something delicious, he wants to meet the chef. He really means no other, just wants to meet your daughter."

"I see," Jiang Su replied, "But... it's the rush hour now, and my daughter is busy in the kitchen and can't leave."

"No problem! I can wait," Xu Dong hurriedly said.

Jiang Su then smiled, agreeing to let Lin Le come over later.

"How about it, third bro? Didn't I tell you? Isn't this place delicious?" After Jiang Su left, the second roommate teased Xu Dong with a smug look.

"Indeed, it's quite good," Xu Dong nodded in agreement.

The fourth roommate dissatisfied with his reaction, "What do you mean 'quite good'? Come on! With this quality, it still doesn't meet Xu young master's standards? Are you always this picky?"

Xu Dong, surprised, "Eh? Isn't that a compliment? Why are you so indignant, fourth bro?"

Before the second could reply, the second roommate interjected with a wink, "Are you talking about his crush, fourth bro has to react, right?"

Xu Dong caught on instantly, "Oh? Seems like I missed a lot while I was away?"

"Missed your sister!" The fourth roommate, blushing, punched the gossiping Xu Dong.

Xu Dong, dodging, teased, "Oh, getting angry now, are we?"

The fourth roommate's face turned even redder, about to hit Xu Dong again, when suddenly they heard the eldest say, "Here comes owner Lin."

Hearing this, the fourth roommate glared at the eldest, "Big bro, why are you also joining in the teasing?!"

The eldest: "..."

He didn't say anything, just tilted his chin up.

The fourth roommate paused for a moment, then a gentle voice sounded from behind her: "Hello."

The fourth roommate's body stiffened slightly, and she quickly glanced at Lin Le before lowering her head and said in a muffled voice, "Lin... Manager Lin, you're here?"

"Yes," Lin Le smiled warmly. She had a gentle and refined appearance, with the demeanor of a lady. Her smile was like a gentle stream, soothing and tender, "I heard you wanted to see me, so I came over. Is there anything you need?"

"Actually, it's nothing..." the fourth roommate began awkwardly, but Xu Dong, noticing Lin Le's expression, interrupted.

"Lin Le?! It's you!"

"You know me?" Lin Le was surprised. She looked closely at Xu Dong, sure she didn't recognize him.

Xu Dong stared at Lin Le with a strange look, wanting to say something, but seemed to be held back by something, his expression complex.

"Old Three?" the eldest roommate called out, "What's wrong?"

Xu Dong didn't respond, just gave Lin Le a deep look before turning and walking out of the store.

"Hey! Old Three!" the second roommate shouted, quickly following him. The fourth roommate was at a loss, but the eldest, being the most composed, first apologized to Lin Le, then followed the others out of the store with the fourth.

Although Lin Le was surprised by Xu Dong's reaction, she didn't dwell on it.

Jiang Su hadn't shared all her plans with Lin Le, so she had no idea who Xu Dong was. She went out to meet them only because Jiang Su asked her to. Thus, Xu Dong's odd behavior didn't particularly concern Lin Le. After discussing what happened with Jiang Su, she went back to cooking.

Jiang Su, who had listened to the entire exchange through V0, fell into thought.

V0: "That Xu Dong seems to really dislike Le Le. Su Su, will our plan work?"

Jiang Su frowned and then shook her head, "No, it won't. Even if Xu Dong knows about Lin Le's situation, he should understand that those issues have nothing to do with Le Le."

"But..." V0 hesitated, its little paws twirling together in doubt.

Jiang Su added, "Let's wait and see. If it really doesn't work, we'll find another way."

"Okay," V0 nodded.

Chapter 10

Chapter: The First Daughter

Due to Xu Ruyan, Xu Dong had specifically investigated Qin Yan, which led him to also look into Lin Le. So, upon seeing Lin Le, he recognized her immediately.

Xu Dong was surprised to find Lin Le in Haicheng, especially running a restaurant near their university with surprisingly good culinary skills. Initially resentful towards Lin Le because of Xu Ruyan, he had thought about making her pay once he met her, as a form of vengeance for Xu Ruyan.

However, when he actually encountered Lin Le, especially under those circumstances, he found he couldn't bring himself to act on any of his previously conceived malicious plans, nor could he utter a single spiteful word.

Thus, Xu Dong could only leave the restaurant silently, with his head down.

His roommate followed him out, pulling at him to ask what had happened.

After some thought, Xu Dong decided to share everything with his roommate.

Immediately, Roommate 2 punched him in the chest and exclaimed, "Damn, are you out of your mind? This whole mess was caused by that idiot Qin, what does Lin the boss have to do with it? She's a victim too, you know?"

"…I know, it's not really about her. But whenever I think of the humiliation my sister has suffered recently, I just can't help but feel angry," Xu Dong said helplessly. Objectively, anyone could see Lin Le was a victim, and none of this was her fault. But emotions often override rational thought, especially when it comes to loved ones.

"Why the hell are you taking it out on Boss Lin?!" Roommate 4 pointed at Xu Dong, "If Boss Lin deliberately led that man to break off the engagement with your sister, I'd get your resentment. But clearly, you know it was that man who forced Boss Lin, even torturing her himself — how can you justify your behavior towards her? You're displacing anger! Why? The person causing your sister's broken engagement isn't Boss Lin. So, because you pity your sister, an innocent girl should just accept your anger? Why should she bear the brunt of wealthy people bullying her?!"

"…I, I didn't actually do anything to her, why are you so angry?" Xu Dong felt unjustly scolded by Roommate 4's outburst.

"What were you planning to do to Boss Lin?! Your initial thoughts were already wrong!" Roommate 4 shouted indignantly.

Roommate 1 and Roommate 2 also shared their opinions, although not as vehemently as Roommate 4, they agreed with his sentiment.

If Lin Le had truly been a shameless homewrecker, it would be one thing. But she was also one of the oppressed, perhaps even more so than Xu Dong's sister, because while Xu Dong's sister had a powerful family to back her, preventing Qin from getting off scot-free, Lin Le could not retaliate and had to hide and dodge just to

The three brothers sympathized with Lin Le, with Roommate 4 fiercely defending her due to his special affection for her. The others, however, held more balanced views.

They explained to Xu Dong that disliking Lin Le was understandable since she wasn't entirely blameless in her situation. Her passive endurance emboldened Qin Yan's recklessness. While Lin Le's character flaws contributed to her predicament, it didn't justify Xu Dong's desire for retribution.

Lin Le's mistake was her meekness and lack of assertiveness, which might irk some but doesn't warrant retaliatory anger.

Pondering Roommate 1's words, Xu Dong called Xu Ruyan, now living freely abroad, to seek her opinion.

Xu Ruyan mused before saying, "Initially, I looked down on her; then, I pitied her; and now, I kinda like her. She's too soft, like a dumpling. I thought she'd always be bullied by Qin, but she proved me wrong this time."

Xu Dong listened silently as Xu Ruyan chuckled, recalling Lin Le's quail-like nervousness around her.

She continued, "I've never blamed her. So, stop thinking about troubling her. If you really want to avenge me, help her stay away from Qin."

Losing a loved one and becoming strangers with someone you once cherished—this serves as the best revenge on Qin Yan, a person who doesn't understand how to love properly.

…

After the call with Xu Ruoyan, Xu Dong's feelings remained complex.

Previously, if he had a physiological aversion to Lin Le, now he was completely unsure how to face her. Of course, he couldn't suddenly change his views on Lin Le, but he indeed found it impossible to harbor malice towards her like before.

Staying at the school amidst his inner turmoil, Xu Dong was subjected to Old Four's "brainwashing" every day, almost convincing him that harboring ill will towards Lin Le was truly atrocious.

Fortunately, at this time, Xu Dong's younger uncle returned from abroad, providing Xu Dong with an excuse to escape school and head home.

This younger uncle of the Xu family, the youngest child of Grandfather Xu, wasn't much older than Xu Dong. Thus, the entire family, from Grandfather Xu and Mr. Xu to the Xu daughters and down to Xu Dong, cherished him immensely.

Upon hearing of the younger uncle's return, most of the Xu family rushed home, filling the living room by the time Xu Dong arrived.

The eldest aunt, second aunt, youngest aunt.

Cousins, cousin-in-law.

—The whole family was lively.

"Young Uncle."

Xu Dong, brimming with excitement, walked into the center of the living room. The Xu family was known for their good genes, making them a family of handsome men and beautiful women without exception, especially the younger uncle.

He seemed to embody all the best qualities of the Xu family, not just in his exquisite appearance but more importantly, in his demeanor—gentle, refined, and graceful. Like a meticulously carved piece of jade, he was captivating yet possessed an aura of lofty integrity.

"You're back," the younger uncle greeted Xu Dong with a gentle smile.

Every time Xu Dong sees his uncle, he's struck by his jade-like presence, sometimes wondering if his uncle isn't really a celestial being who's come to experience life on Earth.

"Dongdong, come, sit here!" The elderly matriarch of the Xu family beckoned Xu Dong warmly.

Xu Dong approached, and the elderly lady grasped his hand, inquiring about his well-being with the kind of concern that seemed to magnify even after just a few days apart—a common trait among elders, always worried about the younger generation.

Xu Dong, accustomed to this, politely responded to the elderly lady's inquiries.

The family gathered around the younger uncle, mostly inquiring about his overseas experiences, to which he responded one by one.

Among the food enthusiasts in the Xu family, the younger uncle stood out not just for his palate but also for his culinary skills. Born with an exceptionally sensitive sense of taste, he could easily discern the subtle differences between ingredients, maximizing their flavors.

As a result, he gained international fame in the culinary world at a young age.

Conversations with him inevitably veered towards food, and suddenly, the youngest aunt suggested, "There's this popular restaurant online with rave reviews. How about we go there for lunch?"

The Xu family, known for their love of good food, and the youngest aunt, lively and always online, often chased after highly-rated restaurants she discovered online, never tiring of the adventure.

"Another internet-famous restaurant? Online reputations are all hype. They say the food is good, but it's usually not. And with Xiao Wu's sensitive taste, wouldn't that be torture?" The eldest aunt's husband expressed concern upon hearing the suggestion to dine out.

Dine out? That seemed impractical.

Xu Rui was only home for a day. How many meals could he possibly have? Preparations had been made in anticipation of his stay, so how could they consider going elsewhere?

This eldest aunt's husband, whose own family ran a nationwide chain of restaurants, aspired to elevate their business further by leveraging Xu Rui's international culinary status.

Gaining his endorsement could easily propel their restaurants to new heights.

Furthermore, if someone from their family could catch Xu Rui's eye and become his apprentice, their future prospects would be unparalleled. So, how could he let this opportunity slip to others?

As for that internet-famous restaurant? Forget about it!

"Yeah, yeah, Four, Xiao Wu is different from us. We can't just go to any random place. I say we should head to the restaurant owned by our eldest sister's husband. Their new chef just won the culinary competition, and since it's all in the family, it feels more reliable," suggested Xu's second uncle-in-law.

Although Xu's second uncle-in-law wasn't in the catering business himself, he had investments with the eldest uncle-in-law's newly opened five-star hotel in A City, so a more prominent reputation for the hotel would be beneficial for him too.

"Can any competition winner compare to Xiao Wu? If we want delicious food, why not let Xiao Wu cook at home? Do we really need to go out?" countered Xu's youngest aunt, "I recommended this restaurant not for its culinary excellence but because I think it suits Xiao Wu. He's exploring ancient culinary arts, and I've heard this restaurant has a rich family tradition. Their dishes are sophisticated, which is why I thought he should try it."

Given the Xu family's gourmet inclinations, they pay close attention to the culinary world, especially with Xu's younger uncle in their midst, deepening their understanding of China's cuisine's global standing.

Despite his renown in the culinary world, Chinese cuisine doesn't hold a high international status, prompting Xu's younger uncle to embark on a nationwide quest years ago. He aims to elevate traditional Chinese cuisine to a prominent position on the global stage.

"Is that true, Fourth Sister?" Intrigued by his youngest aunt's description, Xu Rui showed interest.

"Of course, it's true. Would I lie to you? I've personally dined there. While the owner's skills may not match yours, her dishes are indeed unique," she affirmed.

The younger uncle seemed persuaded, but the eldest uncle-in-law remained opposed. Their debate, with family members taking sides, filled the living room with unending arguments until the family patriarch decisively intervened: "Enough with the bickering. Why argue when we can simply go and try?"

The patriarch, though retired, still commanded respect, silencing further debate.