Rebirth: I became rich by farming-Chapter 31 - Delicious Home Cooking

Chapter 31: Chapter 31 Delicious Home Cooking

Chapter 31 -31 Delicious Home Cooking

Fan Tianhua argued several rounds and truly angered Fan Tianyu, “I’ve been putting up with you for half a day, and your mouth keeps flapping non-stop, just like our mom….”

Fan Tianyu, who couldn’t bear it anymore, fought back as he spoke, but his retort skills, Mei Mengzhen realized, were just as persistent as Mei Yinan’s. Once he opened his mouth, there seemed to be no end to it. Even Fan Tianhua couldn’t get a word in edgewise. He was clearly a case of the pot calling the kettle black, criticizing others while being just the same himself.

The siblings had always been like this, first a round of squabbling before eventually coming to blows. However, as they had grown older, they were more measured in their physical confrontations.

Not only were the siblings’ quarrels interesting, but their brawls were even more entertaining, as Mei Mengzhen watched with great relish, sitting on the sofa with her brother.

Just when the fight was getting exciting, the front door opened, and Aunt Mei Yinan and Uncle Fan Hongwei entered with expressionless faces.

Looking at the siblings brawling in the living room, and at the sister and brother duo watching the fight, the couple were at a loss for words. Aunt Mei Yinan, who had only vented half of her earlier anger, directed the rest immediately toward Fan Tianyu, “How old are you all, still acting like children? Can’t you, as the older brother, give in to your sister for once?”

Just as Fan Tianhua was feeling smug, Aunt Mei Yinan didn’t spare her either, “And you as well, why provoke your brother for no reason?”

Neither sibling was let off the hook, effectively evening the scales.

But when it came to the pair enjoying the spectacle, Aunt Mei Yinan was much more lenient, casting only a glance at them, seeing they were sitting quietly, and without another word, she headed to the kitchen.

They returned in such a short time, clearly not having gone to buy vegetables as they had said they would. Weren’t they just talking about going to the market earlier?

Before Mei Mengzhen could ask, Fan Tianyu took the lead, “Mom, didn’t you go to the vegetable market up front?”

“No, we ran into your Aunt Gao. She had just come back from there and said the market didn’t have fresh vegetables today. When she heard we were going, she told us not to bother, so we bought some vegetables downstairs instead,” Fan Hongwei explained. And had they gone further, they might have missed the spectacle they had just witnessed.

Meanwhile, Mei Yinan was muttering to Fan Tianhua in the kitchen. Even without guessing, it was evident they were discussing their earlier conversation. After listening, Mei Yinan didn’t say much, “The kid is sensible, just too sensible. If she doesn’t come, then so be it. It’s better to speak up about problems than to internalize and solve them alone. Fine, let Tianyu take care of it for a few days. He can start his business anytime; if a few days’ delay means the business doesn’t take off, then it wasn’t a viable venture to begin with, and that has nothing to do with others.”

Fan Tianhua agreed wholeheartedly, feeling that the whole entrepreneurship idea was unreliable. Of course, not all startups were dubious, but Fan Tianyu and his classmates’ venture certainly seemed so to her. Therefore, as soon as Mei Mengzhen mentioned needing help with childcare, Fan Tianhua immediately thought of her brother.

“Mom, taking care of the kids is turning out to be a good thing. It’s best if he watches them a bit longer to avoid getting involved with the startup. I just don’t think it’s a good idea, and brother won’t listen.”

As a mother, she was naturally supportive and bold about letting her child pursue a startup. Young people should go for it—what else would they do when they get old? But if her daughter was saying the business was unreliable, then it certainly warranted careful consideration.

The more Mei Yinan thought about it, the less acceptable it seemed. The necessity to settle matters now became clear. She was halfway through picking vegetables when she left her task, still holding a handful of baby bok choy, and headed to the living room, “Tianyu, Tianhua just spoke to me about it. Since you’re free, go look after Chenchen for a few days. Sort out your own breakfast and lunch. Your uncle and I still have to work, so we won’t have time to cook for you. Just come home for dinner.”

Fan Tianyu had finally moved out and was not keen on coming back every evening for meals, too lazy to travel back and forth. “I can just take the two out to eat; isn’t that easier than running back and forth?”

This remark once again infuriated Mei Yinan, who threw the handful of baby bok choy she was holding right on top of Fan Tianyu’s head, “We live so close, just a few minutes’ walk. You’ve really gotten too lazy.”

“That’s not what I meant. I just didn’t want to trouble you. If I were living at home, that’d be fine, but since I’m not, why should you have to cook for me? I’m trying to ease your burden.”

Mei Yinan retorted sarcastically, “I don’t need that. Just behave yourself and I’ll be thankful if you don’t cause Zhenzhen trouble.”

After speaking, Mei Yinan, still furious, intended to return to the kitchen. But feeling that her words were insufficient, she swiftly turned around, made her way behind Fan Tianyu, picked up the baby bok choy she had thrown earlier, and added, “I haven’t asked for a single penny of your internship salary. After a few months, you should have a few thousand, right? Use that money to take care of your brother and sister for the week. Since you’re not coming home for meals, I won’t give you a penny, and remember, don’t let your sister pay.”

Fan Tianyu consciously knew he couldn’t bring himself to ask Mei Mengzhen for money, but the thought of spending his own money also weighed heavily on him. “No, mom, are you saying there’s no… no allowance?”

“No, and there’s no point in regretting it now. Even if you come back, there won’t be any food for you.”

Mei Yinan didn’t give Fan Tianyu a chance to rebut and turned to enter the kitchen, forcefully closing the kitchen door behind her. He was just a step slow, or else the door would have closed right on his face.

Fan Tianyu, left outside the kitchen, had an expression of utter incredulity that was quite comical.

Worried that the oil wasn’t plentiful enough, Fan Hongwei quickly added, “Just behave yourself, alright? You’re covering your brother and sister’s living expenses for the week.”

Since his wife had already said no to giving money, he naturally wouldn’t offer any more either. Besides, Mei Yinan must have had her reasons for saying so, and he would wait until evening to inquire further.

Fan Tianyu saw that Fan Hongwei wasn’t on his side either and looked helplessly at Mei Mengzhen and Mei Mengchen. However, the siblings tacitly turned their heads away, avoiding eye contact.

It seemed that there was not a single person in the family on his side, and Fan Tianyu felt the full force of the household’s malice towards him.

“Hmph.” Fan Tianyu huffed loudly and sat down. And then, there was no further action.

Staying at home was nothing more than watching TV and chatting for a while. Finally, lunchtime arrived with Aunt Mei Yinan cooking four dishes and a soup: Di San Xian, scrambled eggs with tomatoes, braised chicken pieces, shredded pork with green peppers, and a Lean Meat soup with preserved eggs and winter melon.

With such a menu, there was definitely no room for complaints, especially since three of the dishes were meaty.

Aunt Mei Yinan’s culinary skills were unquestionable. Despite the simplicity of these home-cooked dishes, it’s the home cooking that truly tests a cook’s mettle, bringing out the best flavors from the simplest ingredients. Even the siblings, accustomed to eating vegetables from their space recently, found the meals delicious.

Mei Mengchen nodded continuously, “Delicious.”

This 𝓬ontent is taken from freeweɓnovel.cѳm.