Volume 1, Chapter 24: Even Better Than the State-Run Restaurant

"Wan, they’re gone." Wu Ma said to Su Wan immediately after catching a glimpse of the figure leaving the window.

"Good." Su Wan ladled out the meat-blanching water she had salted and poured it down the drain. She then went back to re-cut the eggplant, which she had deliberately chopped into a chaotic mess.

If Su Xiaohui had discovered earlier that she knew how to cook, there was no telling what kind of trouble she might have caused or what she might have added to the food. That was why she had asked Wu Ma to keep a lookout for her. After all, it was Wu Ma who had recommended her for this job; if the meal didn't go well, Wu Ma would be implicated too.

During this time, Su Wan deliberately made sounds of clattering bowls and dishes, accompanied by Wu Ma’s occasional squeals and sighs. The clanging and banging were so loud that even Old Mrs. Huo and Huo Xiaohan in the living room could hear them.

"Listen to that. Is this what you call 'knowing how to cook'? She’s practically smashing the pots." Old Mrs. Huo wore a grim expression. "Regardless, send a telegram to her parents as soon as today is over and have her sent back to her hometown."

"Grandmother, I'll go check." Huo Xiaohan’s stern brows furrowed slightly, and he stood up, ready to head out.

"What’s there to look at?" Old Mrs. Huo pointed at the stool, signaling him to sit back down. Let her ruin things just this once; it would only provide more reason to send her back. Her priority right now was Huo Xiaohan’s marriage. "The high school teacher your aunt introduced to you is from a family in the Education Bureau. She just graduated from a secondary normal school this year—a scholarly family. Your father thinks she’s a good match. See when you have leave and go meet her. Get your personal affairs settled sooner rather than later."

"New directives have just come down from above; there’s a mission coming up soon. My personal affairs will have to wait." Huo Xiaohan felt a sense of resistance, though he didn't show it on his face. He sat upright and straight, his demeanor exceptionally cold and detached.

"What mission? Just take some time to go meet her and set a date. You’re twenty-six this year; children your age are already old enough to run errands. Now that Xiaohui is staying at the Huo residence, it’s not convenient for you to move back. You should hurry up and apply for housing in the family compound to get married." Old Mrs. Huo issued her own "mission" with stern authority. "You must get your personal affairs settled this year."

Huo Xiaohan stood up, insisting on his position. "Grandmother, my priority right now must be the mission assigned by the state. I must support the construction of the Party and the country." With that, he walked out.

As soon as he opened the door, he caught the scent of something burning. His brows tightened—could it be that the meal wasn't actually cooked by Su Wan after all? Just then, Huo Hong arrived with Meng Xinhao.

"What’s burning?" Meng Xinhao had a sharp nose and smelled it immediately.

"Auntie Hong, Brother Xinhao, it’s my sister cooking in the kitchen," Su Xiaohui said, standing up from the sofa with a dictionary, making sure everyone knew Su Wan had burned the food.

Meng Xinhao didn't pay much mind to it. After exchanging greetings, he pulled Huo Xiaohan over to play chess. Huo Hong, however, frowned deeply. This Su Wan was truly full of lies; she really didn't know how to cook. After nodding at Su Xiaohui, she walked into Old Mrs. Huo’s room.

Su Xiaohui’s face was filled with a triumphant smile. She had slipped into the kitchen earlier, and it was thick with acrid smoke—Su Wan had likely ruined the pots. She then walked over to watch Huo Xiaohan and Meng Xinhao play chess. Huo Xiaohan sat down and cast a cold glance toward the kitchen; the burnt smell was growing stronger. This woman had almost fooled him. His lips were pressed into a cold, sharp line.

Around five o'clock, Huo Jianguo and Huo Hong’s husband, Meng Jinguo, returned from work. As they entered the living room, they were hit with the smell of burning and something foul. Meng Jinguo covered his nose with his fist, coughed, and joked, "Did the big brother hire a new nanny?"

Huo Jianguo frowned slightly and looked at Huo Xiaohan, who only stood up to greet them—"Father, Uncle"—before falling silent.

"You're back?" Old Mrs. Huo walked out of her room and called out to the kitchen, "Wu Ma, it’s time to eat."

"Right away! Please take your seats; the food is coming," Wu Ma replied promptly from the kitchen.

"Jianguo and Xiaohan said this eldest daughter of the Su family has quite the culinary skill—on par with a state-run restaurant. Since today is my small birthday, let’s all have a taste," Old Mrs. Huo said, sitting at the head of the table with a cold, indifferent tone.

"Really? Grandma, then it seems I’m in for a treat today," Meng Xinhao said, rubbing his hands together and pulling out a chair. Meng Jinguo followed suit, sitting down with a steady, composed air. Huo Jianguo smelled the burning and foul odor, understood what was happening, and his expression turned somber.

"Grandma Huo, Uncle Huo, I’ll go help in the kitchen," Su Xiaohui said, eager to see what kind of mess Su Wan had prepared for the Huo family.

Just as she reached the kitchen door, Wu Ma walked out carrying a large tray—the kind used only for the New Year—laden with several dishes. Scallion-braised chicken legs, soy-braised eggplant, garlic-sautéed garland chrysanthemum, and sweet and sour pork ribs. Each dish was fragrant and visually tempting, showing no signs of being burnt.

As she passed by Su Xiaohui, the latter froze. How could this be?

"Wow... these sweet and sour ribs look even better than the ones at the state-run restaurant," Meng Xinhao exclaimed, his eyes locked on the crispy, sauce-coated ribs. They were beautifully garnished with fresh scallions, instantly whetting everyone's appetite in the sweltering heat of summer.

Old Mrs. Huo and Huo Hong were both surprised. Did Su Wan really make all of this?

Su Wan followed, carrying a lotus root and pork rib soup, and placed it on the table. Having just finished cooking, she was drenched in sweat as if she’d been caught in the rain. Her clothes were soaked through and clinging to her skin. She wiped her forehead with a towel hanging around her neck; not only did she not look disheveled or weary, but she also appeared as fresh as a pear blossom after a spring rain.

With a gentle, warm smile, she said, "Grandma Huo, Uncle Huo, I was busy with the sauce for the sweet and sour ribs and accidentally burnt one of the other dishes. Please see if these are to your liking."

Wu Ma brought over the bowls and chopsticks. Meng Xinhao immediately picked up a piece of the sweet and sour ribs. The tangy, delicious flavor made him gasp in surprise. "Sister Su Wan, your hands are so skillful! This is even better than the state-run restaurant; I’ve never tasted anything this good."

The others followed suit, and after one bite, expressions of amazement appeared on everyone's faces. Every dish was truly delicious; even the simple garlic-sautéed garland chrysanthemum was better than the standard home-cooked version.

"Mother, have a taste and see how it compares to the state-run restaurant," Huo Jianguo said, his face lighting up as he placed a chicken leg into Old Mrs. Huo’s bowl.