Chapter 33
As she walked further inside with the kids she noticed they had already bathed and didn't seem that hungry. She was satisfied which proved that they had a meticulous and good father so she dropped her basket and sat down a bit with them.The kids were called back to study and she observed them noticing they were learning the "Three character classic" which was suitable for beginners. Xiao Shan glanced at her and seeing her yawning he said
"Are you tired? You can go bathe while I cook dinner"
Hearing that she looked surprised at him but remembering how he cooked the other day she agreed. Not acting coy she stood up and entered the kitchen before she remembered
"What do you plan to make"
"I was thinking of cooking porridge"
Looking at him in disbelief he guilty averted his eyes and she sighed before responding.
" I exchanged the fairy tofu with eggplant so I plan to prepare to make stewed eggplant with fish as dinner"
At the thought the kids salivated and looked at her eagerly. Xiao Shan could only nod in agreement as she smiled fondly at the kids before going inside. Getting inside she drank some lake water then had an idea she snuck to the water barrel and added enough quantity into the water making it proportional saving her the stress of hiding everytime. Satisfied with her self she stripped and then wiped down thinking of getting a wooden tube for bathing the next time she invited Shi Dong. After bathing she entered the kitchen to find the fish killed and chopped waiting for her.
Smiling at his thoughtfulness she began cooking. She added oil in a wok after lighting a fire with medium-high heat then chopped the ginger, garlic and scallions until fragrant then added the sliced eggplant and stir fried until tender. She washed the fish with vinegar eliminating and fishy smell then stir fried till it was tender and cooked thoroughly. The aroma had already wafted out to the courtyard making the people unable to concentrate anymore so Xiao Shan helplessly closed the book and they entered the kitchen to see her adding broth and soy sauce to it.
Drooling at the food Su Ying then left it to simmer till the sauce thickens then she seasoned it with salt and garnished it with chopped scallions and began serving. The drooling children eagerly got the plates ready and she scooped for them each and they carried it to the dinning area. She scooped for Xiao Shan and then hers and they carried it to the dinning area and sat down after the kids washed their hands they began eating. As Xiao Shan took a bit he was surprised at the texture and flavour combined each taste exploding in his taste buds making him eat eagerly.
The kids were no better devouring the food which was extremely fragrant and delicious. Su Ying found it good but the absence of pepper made it less appealing to her but she ate in slow bites before stopping and passing the remaining to the kids who also eat it till they were all full. Leaning back to digest their eyes narrowed in satisfaction as the savoured the taste of the food and fish.
Su Ying went inside and got the copper coins and poured it on the table attracting their attention and they subconsciously leaned forward their gaze filled with surprise seeing the amount she earned. She explained
"The fairy tofu sold well than expected and I earned a hundred and twenty copper coins subtracting the ones I exchanged with other goods totalling a sum of ninety copper coins"
"Wow. Mother is so powerful"
"Yes. She earned a lot"
The twins praised her with admiration and she felt happy. Xiao Shan watched the scene in front of him and felt pleased at the harmony now in the house. He replied
"Wife, you have worked hard"
Su Ying felt goosebumps at his soft words feeling more that this man had changed other wise why would he be looking at her with tenderness and speaking gently completely different from the disgust and hostile gaze she met when she first transmigrated. Ignoring him she packed the coins and kept it deciding to go into the mountains to cut more fairy Tree to prepare for tomorrow. When the kids heard she was going into the mountain they clamored to follow her so she agreed.
Xiao Shan had weaved little basket for them so the happily carried it following her up and she fetched the machete. Xiao Shan looked gloomily at his leg thinking if it was better he could have followed them and the thought of that his gaze darkened more. Just as he was drowning in his depressing thoughts Su Ying called out to him.
"Husband could you please make more bamboo tubes and wooden board for me to use tomorrow?"
"Yes"
Clear and assuring she left in satisfaction while Xiao Shan looked at their retreating back in happiness.
He was needed
She was not disgusted with him
She was not finding him useless
Thinking about it made him feel warm over like basking in the sun and he felt happy. He quickly gathered the left over bamboo sticks and began working. Back in the mountain Su Ying and the kids arrived at the area of the fairy tofu and began chopping down the trees while they kids gathered them just like before. Seamlessly cooperating they finished in one hour and headed back home. She saw some bamboo trees on the way and went there to find bamboo shoots which she planned to prepare tomorrow morning as breakfast and also chopped some firewoods for cooking.
Happily the went down the mountains and made their way home to see Xiao Shan sitting on a chair at the courtyard with the chickens fed and the house swept. She nodded in satisfaction and proceeded to wash her hands with the water he had brought out for them. She went to the water barrel and fetched water for everyone to drink and the brushed before Xiao Shan took them to bathe while she entered the kitchen after offloading the firewood and packed everything properly. She gathered the fairy Tree and sorted it out properly before washing the leaves and separating the branches then using the ash from the food prepared the fairy tofu and left it to solidify for tomorrow the carried into her room which was actually her space to retain its freshness.
After they were done she entered her room and flashed into her space to take a proper bath. She approached the spring and dived in swimming and after a while washed up and dressed. It's been long since she entered the space so she decided to take a look to see if there was any changes. Pushing open the medical room she saw that it was still the same she closed the door and went to the Chinese medicine door which was also the same as before. The warehouse seemed larger and apart from that no changes was made. She then came out from the space and went outside.
The kids were done bathing and their clothes had also been washed. She dressed them and locked the door ensuring everywhere was closed then said their good night and she retired to bed with Xiao Ming who had already fallen asleep.