Chapter 149 Mom, I was wrong

Out of consideration for the two children, Doctor Su took pity on them and gave Shao Muyan and Yu Yan each a small pot of pills.

Yu Yan held the small medicine pot, practically moved to tears.

Before he could be happy for long, Su Rui said, "Take this medicine back and take it with other Chinese medicine; it will be more effective."

"Huh?" Yu Yan was stunned. "Do I still need to continue taking the Chinese medicine?"

"Of course! Good medicine tastes bitter."

Su Rui put on a serious expression. Yu Yan and Shao Muyan couldn't afford to offend the doctor, so they obediently nodded, feeling that their lives were as bitter as the medicine.

That noon, Shao Muyan and Yu Yan invited Su Rui to the foot of the mountain. They were going back the next day, so the two of them cooked several of their signature dishes to entertain Doctor Su.

Yu Yan cooks Suzhou-Wuxi cuisine, while Shao Muyan cooks Beijing cuisine. One is from the south and the other from the north, but both are very authentic.

Osmanthus-flavored pork, Songjiang perch, pickled bamboo shoots and pork soup, shredded pork with sweet bean sauce, braised pork belly in a clay pot, and noodles with soybean paste.

The two chefs were very skilled; not only did they have to cook the dishes well, but their plating was also comparable to that of chefs who prepare dishes for state banquets. As soon as the dishes were served, Su Rui couldn't help but take out his phone to take pictures and send them to the family group chat.

"I have a younger sister who is also quite good at cooking. I'll show her what it means to be outdone by others."

The old lady laughed and said, "You mean Xiao Song, right? Don't try to teach a fish to swim. Xiao Song is a famous chef. His dishes are of state banquet quality. They're nothing like our everyday cooking."

Su Rui immediately adopted the "bad older brother" persona, saying, "Never mind, it's been so long since I've tasted her cooking, I've completely forgotten."

Yu Yan asked the old lady curiously who "Xiao Song" was.

The old lady looked at Su Rui: "Can you tell me?"

Su Rui couldn't help but urge Grandpa Yu to start eating, saying, "Why not? We're all family."

The old lady said, "She's talking about Nan Song, the big boss of the Nan Group in Nancheng."

"Nan Dong?"

Shao Muyan and Yu Yan were both surprised to hear this. People who seemed to be completely unrelated were actually siblings.

Shangzhou is close to Nancheng, and Shao Muyan and Yu Yan have long admired the name "Nan Song". Of course, Shao Muyan is more familiar with Nan Dong's husband, Yu Jinwen, as the Shao and Yu families have a lot of business dealings.

His second brother, Shao Mushi, was even closer to Chairman Yu, and they often dined together.

After going around in circles, they're all from the same circle.

Su Rui praised Yu Yan and Shao Muyan's cooking skills, enjoying the food and drinks. When he left, he was very kind and told them, "The pills I gave you are very nourishing. After taking a pot of them, you can drink less Chinese medicine."

Upon hearing this, Yu Yan and Shao Muyan immediately became happy and very "sensibly" thanked Doctor Su with tea instead of wine!

Grandpa Yu laughed and scolded from the side, "What a character!"

These two kids have been afraid of taking medicine and getting injections since they were little; they're not as resilient as Shao Yun.

The vacation time was always very short, and they had to leave the next afternoon. That evening, the old lady started packing their things.

Wild vegetables, cured meat, eggs, homemade plum wine, and silk quilts, silk pillowcases, food, drinks and daily necessities... everything was prepared for them.

The son and daughter-in-law are both filial, and the students often think of the elderly couple and frequently send them things. The things that the old lady is reluctant to use or doesn't need are all saved for Yu Yan.

The same goes for the old man; he has a lot of students, but he dotes on Shao Muyan the most.

They always think of this precious apprentice when they get something good, their favoritism is so obvious, yet no one competes for favor or gossips.

Everyone knows that only Shao Muyan can shoulder the burden on Elder Yu's shoulders.

Now, the burden of the Yu family has fallen on Yu Yan's shoulders.

"Your parents thought scientific research was too hard, and since you're a girl, they just hoped you could grow up safely and live a peaceful life."

The old lady felt saddened when she thought of her youngest son and daughter-in-law who had passed away early, and she pulled Yu Yan closer to her.

"Don't blame your parents for pushing you into marriage back then. They owe you so much and have neglected you. They know you lack a sense of security and want you to have a happy and fulfilling family life. If they knew how much you suffered in your marriage, they would have done anything to pull you out. Yan Yan, don't blame them, and don't be too hard on yourself."

"Grandma, I know."

A tear rolled down Yu Yan's cheek as she leaned against the old lady's arm. "I have never blamed my parents. I know they are thinking of me with all their heart. It was my own recklessness and confusion that made me not clear about what I wanted."

The old lady patted her head affectionately. “It’s not too late to think it through now. The most important thing for us women in this life is never finding a good husband or becoming a virtuous wife and mother. Those are just rules and shackles imposed on us by society and culture. The most important thing for us is to live with confidence, fearlessness, and a clear mind, and to realize our own value! Why can’t we pursue what men pursue and desire? It’s not like we don’t have the ability.”

Yu Yan smiled gently; what her grandmother said was exactly what she had in mind.

“That day, the media came to our home for an interview and said, ‘Oh, old lady, you are so lucky to be the woman behind Academician Yu. You must have sacrificed a lot.’”

The old lady mimicked the reporter's tone, making Yu Yan laugh. But then she squeezed her grandmother's hand, knowing that such words, though seemingly flattering, actually made her very uncomfortable.

“I said, I am not anyone’s woman behind the scenes. I have my own name and I had my own job before I retired. If there is any contribution, it is mutual contribution.”

The old lady touched Yu Yan's face. "Look at your grandfather, how stubborn he is. We had our share of arguments when we were young. But life is full of ups and downs, that's normal. Everyone says marriage requires tolerance and patience, but the most important thing is whether that person is worth your tolerance and patience. Choices are important, and knowing what you want is also important. I hope you take good care of yourself, and I hope you can be brave. Life is long, you have to forge ahead."

Yu Yan felt a pang of sadness, closed her eyes and remained silent for a long while before softly humming in agreement.

She knew that what her grandmother said to her was the truth, the heartfelt advice of someone who had been through it all.

Just as I was getting ready to go to bed, there was a light knock on the door twice.

"Mom, it's me."

"...Are you...asleep?"

Hearing Xiang Chu's voice at the door, Yu Yan and the old lady were both stunned for a moment.

"You rest, I'll go out and take a look."

Yu Yan picked up a long cardigan and put it on. She opened the door and saw Xiang Chu standing in the doorway, wearing Shao Yun's pajamas, her face tense.

"What's wrong?" Yu Yan's attitude was neither warm nor cold.

Xiang Chu pursed her lips, looking like she wanted to say something but didn't dare to, and secretly glanced at the room opposite.

Yu Yan understood immediately, "Did your brother send you?"

Actually, she didn't even know why Xiang Chu started calling Shao Yun "brother." If it really came down to birthdays, they didn't even know who was older.

"Um!"

Xiang Chu nodded emphatically as if to encourage herself, then suddenly buried her head in Yu Yan's arms, hugged her tightly, looked up, and said in a pitiful voice, "Mom, I was wrong."