Chapter 28: You Are the Pillar That Anchors Our Family

The two made their way back to the village, and only as they neared the entrance did they silently return the things from the space into their baskets. The sudden shift in weight nearly sent Wenyao sprawling face-first to the ground. If only she’d thought to take them out after arriving home. But it was necessary to avoid arousing suspicion—after all, most villagers were about at this hour. Returning empty-handed would have been odd, and should she later do anything out of the ordinary, it would inevitably draw attention.

The tale of Wenyao’s showdown with the Li family was still fresh in everyone’s memory. Now, seeing the siblings come back carrying baskets that looked rather heavy, curiosity flickered in the eyes of the villagers. Yet no one dared step forward for a closer look; there was no sense in inviting trouble. This Wen family girl, who used to be as silent as her mother, had turned into a fierce tigress since her mother’s passing—not someone to be trifled with.

Once home, Wenjun changed his shoes—shoes their mother had made for them while she was still alive. Luckily, such things weren’t worth much; otherwise, their so-called father would have sold them off long ago.

“Are you sure you don’t need my help?” Wenjun glanced at the kitchen, a little worried for Wenyao amidst all the things to be done. Cooking truly was a hassle—more troublesome than wielding a scalpel.

Wenyao waved him off without even looking up. “No need, I can manage. Take your time on the road, brother.”

Seeing she was determined, Wenjun didn’t insist. He just told her to look after the house and left.

When the door closed, Wenyao quickly finished counting the supplies and slipped into the space. The panel on the warehouse wall lit up automatically. Wenyao glanced at her meager stash of achievement points, abandoning the tempting snacks and instead exchanged for the spices she needed.

When making marinated dishes, the broth's recipe was key; a little more or less of any ingredient would alter the taste. Wenyao had her own special formula. For the sake of precision, she’d even spent a hefty sum on an electronic scale—no one would discover it, after all, since she used it in secret.

She weighed out everything, put them into the clay pot, added water, and set it to boil.

She’d barely begun when she heard someone open the front door. Wenyao rushed to check the kitchen for anything out of place for this era, and after confirming, hurried to the door. There, she saw Madam Luo entering with Bighead in tow.

Spotting her home, Bighead ran right over, peering curiously into the kitchen. But when he caught sight of the large pig’s head on the table, he shrank behind Wenyao, only to peek out again, curiosity overcoming his fear.

“Grandma, what brings you here?” Wenyao called out.

Madam Luo surveyed their courtyard. Aside from the simple kitchen, it looked even more like a real home now.

“Someone said they saw you and Wenjun return. Since Bighead wanted to come home, I brought him over and thought I’d take a look as well.” She seemed quite satisfied with their current state; even her tone was gentler.

Wenyao quickly stepped aside, inviting her in. “Grandma, come in and sit. I’m busy in the kitchen—please, have a rest.”

“What are you making? What’s that smell?” Madam Luo sniffed as she entered.

The aroma from the simmering pot was wafting through the air. It was fragrant, yet there was something unusual about it.

She saw the clay pot on the stove—so that was where the smell came from. But what shocked her most was the massive pig’s head on the table.

“What on earth did you bring this thing back for?” Madam Luo exclaimed, just as Wenyao pulled a string of pig intestines from a bucket.

Madam Luo shook her head in exasperation. “Do you have money burning a hole in your pocket? Buying this stuff—if you want meat, why not buy proper cuts? All you ever get is things nobody else wants.”

She peered into the bucket and saw even more.

“And you bought so much!”

Hearing her voice pitch higher, Wenyao quickly tossed the intestines into a basin and explained, “Grandma, don’t worry. I bought these for a reason. I’ve been researching a new snack. I want to make it and sell it at the stall with Father.”

Madam Luo frowned. “No matter how you wash this, it always has a smell. Even if you make something, who’s going to buy it?”

Wenyao just grinned. “You’ll see. I guarantee it’ll be so delicious, they’ll want to swallow their tongues.”

Madam Luo rolled her eyes dramatically. “Always up to something, aren’t you?”

Yet, despite her words, she picked up the basin and asked, “Well, tell me what to do.”

Amused by her grandmother’s attitude, Wenyao beamed and called out, “Grandma, you’re the best!”

But when Madam Luo saw Wenyao bringing out flour and vinegar to wash the pungent intestines, she nearly threw down the basin in protest. Still, muttering under her breath, she helped Wenyao wash everything until it was spotless.

The pig’s head, after being thoroughly examined by Bighead, ended up on the chopping board as well.

As time passed, the marinating broth began to release its rich aroma, and Wenyao and her grandmother finished preparing all the ingredients.

“Are you sure these things won’t smell once they’re cooked?” Madam Luo asked, watching Wenyao put everything into the pot.

Wenyao covered the pot and nodded. “Just wait and see, Grandma.”

Madam Luo snorted disdainfully, “We’ll see what you come up with this time.”

After adding more firewood, Wenyao took her grandmother by the arm. “Grandma, let me show you my vegetable patch.”

That reminded Madam Luo of something. She looked Wenyao up and down and suddenly asked, “Your mother never even knew whether radishes grew above or below ground, and you think you can grow vegetables? Don’t waste my seeds.”

Wenyao’s lips twitched. At least she was from a farming family, and besides, if she couldn’t do it, they still had Old Wen at home.

“That’s why we have you, Grandma. You’re the pillar of our household. With you here, we have nothing to fear,” Wenyao said, flattering her.

“You and that clever tongue. What’s this ‘pillar’ business?” Madam Luo asked as she walked with Wenyao toward the backyard.

Bighead, having seen plenty of vegetable patches at his grandmother’s house, found the aroma from the stove more appealing. He fetched a small stool and stationed himself by the stove, unwilling to leave.

Wenyao laughed. “The ‘pillar,’ Grandma, is a magical treasure from a storybook. If you plant it in the sea, the waves calm instantly. No storm can rise above your hand, Grandma—you truly are the pillar of our family.”

Madam Luo was pleased by this explanation. She preened and said with satisfaction, “Of course. If I weren’t here to keep things in order, who knows what a mess this place would be.”

“Exactly, we’re so lucky to have you.”

Wenyao’s cheerful manner didn’t annoy Madam Luo at all. Compared to the timid, withdrawn girl shaped by her mother, this new Wenyao was much more likable.