Old Master Liu clung to Cheng Jin, refusing to let go, his eyes glistening with tears.

"How could that be? Xiao Jian is a good person, and our whole village remembers her kindness."

Jian Dan almost choked on her own words. Why did that sound so awkward? What did she mean by remembering all the good things about her?

Cheng Jin's expression stiffened for a moment, but he didn't move, letting Third Master Liu pull him along to begin his monologue.

"You don't know? Xiao Jian is our benefactor from Liujiatun."

The drought two years ago was so severe that the village ran out of food. Forget about grain, we couldn't even find wild vegetables or tree roots.

Just think about it, back then some families were just lying there waiting to die.

Around August, Xiao Jian arrived. She was assigned to Liujiatun, but the person in charge knew how poor our area was, so he found someone to switch places with Xiao Jian.

Fortunately, it was Xiao Jian who came. When she saw how poor the place was, she refused to live in the educated youth compound and insisted on buying this house.

Knowing everyone was starving, they immediately exchanged the grain for real food and even hired villagers to help process it. You don't know, it wasn't much grain, but it truly saved everyone's lives.

Cheng Jin glanced back and listened patiently. Jian was quite embarrassed; why was this old man talking so much today?

Uncle Liu didn't think about that. When the parents came, he had to praise them properly. Everyone in Liujiatun remembered them. They weren't ungrateful.

"Not long after, Xiao Jian went up the mountain and found a large patch of wild sweet potatoes, though not as large. He came back without saying anything and told the village chief directly. For several months, everyone survived on these things."

"And then..."

The two sat in the yard and started talking. Cheng Jin knew about the wild boar, but he didn't know anything else. He listened with great interest, sometimes laughing and sometimes frowning.

I can't even stand listening to simple things.

Before long, half the morning had passed. So, she simply took the children to find something to prepare lunch. Cheng Chao wanted to listen, but also wanted to follow along. After looking around, she decisively followed her younger sister.

The turn of events was still a bit hard for Jian Dan to adjust to. Just yesterday, she was an orphan with no relatives or friends, and today she has uncles and brothers. Actually, it's quite funny.

However, since there is readily available labor, there's no harm in not using it.

He directed Cheng to go down into the cellar to get the ingredients.

Over time, Cheng Chao has come to realize that his younger sister has a wealthy family background and owns many good things.

This is the first meal after they recognized each other, so it can't be shabby.

Besides, my sister isn't alone now; she has them too. They certainly won't let her suffer. They'll go back, look through all the good things, and bring them all over for her.

Thinking about it that way, there was no need to deliberately save money. Carrying a full basket of things upstairs, Cheng Chao even offered to help.

"This needs peeling, right? Let me do it, don't get it wet."

Soldiers are efficient; they quickly cleaned up the food, and when they saw the water tank was empty, they refilled it, still wanting more.

"Is there anything else to pack?"

I took a quick look around.

"That's all, I'll just put it in the pot in a bit."

Cheng Chao looked directly at the stove pit.

"Then I'll start the fire?"

Jian Xin stubbornly refused to get up.

"This is mine, you're not allowed to take it."

Cheng Chao took two long strides, reached out, and picked up the child.

"Isn't it good that someone's helping you with the work? Let's go out and have some fun, are you in?"

"No, I'm going to help my sister cook."

Ignoring their childishness, I glanced outside briefly. The two were still chatting, but it seemed to be coming to an end. Master Liu was about to get up and say goodbye, and I knew what was going on.

I didn't know how to cook the main dish, so I chopped the ingredients, scallions, ginger, and garlic according to the ingredients Cheng Chao had prepared before I was allowed to light the fire.

The weather was warm, and the doors were all open, letting the fragrance waft out. Cheng Jin happened to catch the smell when he returned from dropping someone off.

"It's no wonder the kid's greedy; it really does smell delicious."

The tall man standing at the doorway immediately casts a shadow.

"I'm generous with the amount of oil and spices, so the aroma is very strong."

Seeing that Jian Dan had already ladled out the dishes and was about to lift the pot lid, Cheng Jin consciously went into the west room, scurried around, set up the table, and then came out to help serve the dishes.

Putting everything else aside, they didn't just sit there waiting to eat; they even offered to lend a hand. That alone earns them several points.

In other words, even if it's not about sharing housework, just lending a hand would be appreciated. Who wants a family member who wouldn't even pick up a fallen oil bottle?

If that were the case, I'd probably be really upset.

After tidying up the kitchen, Cheng Chao brought in rice and Jian Xin brought in chopsticks, and they went inside.

"Are you finished talking? Why did Master Liu leave?"

The familiar tone of voice gave Cheng Jin the illusion that this was a family member he had known for a long time—natural and warm.

"He's finished talking, he has other things to do back home. Are you very close to him?"

She simply sat down next to the child and took the rice that Cheng Chao had served.

"We're quite familiar with each other. There's no other means of transportation in the village, so when we go to the commune or the county town, we usually ride in his oxcart."

I heard he was also a veteran, and he has a leg injury; he still walks with a limp.

"No wonder, he's quite tactful in his speech and doesn't pry into things."

"Yes, most people in the village are illiterate, but he is literate and has a long-term perspective, which is different from ordinary farmers. He is quite respected in the village, and people listen to him when he speaks."

Cheng Jin didn't touch his chopsticks, and Cheng Chao, holding his chopsticks, waited without daring to move. Seeing that their conversation had come to an end, he quickly reminded him.

"Uncle, try it! Your sister's cooking is excellent."

Cheng Jin's eyes were smiling; he looked at Jian Dan with much more warmth than he looked at Cheng Chao.

“Okay, I didn’t expect to get to taste my own child’s cooking.”

He started eating, and Cheng Chao quickly put some food that the child could eat into the child's bowl, while still protesting.

"Uncle, you're looking down on me. Are you targeting me?"

"Haven't you already tasted my cooking?"

Cheng Jin almost choked.

"Don't even mention your cooking skills; you'd be lucky if you didn't poison anyone."

"Only I'm brave enough to even try it. Look at your second uncle, he didn't even dare to move."

He even gave a simple explanation.

"Don't listen to this brat's nonsense. What does he know about cooking? He has no skills whatsoever!"

Let me tell you, the only two things he makes that are edible are grilled fish and grilled chicken.

Other foods, no matter how beautiful they look, shouldn't be eaten. At best, they'll make your eyes blurry; at worst, they could be fatal.

"I've had it! I've had it! Brother Cheng Chao's grilled fish is so delicious!"

"Yes, what else did he promise you?"

"Roast chicken, I need to make roast chicken."

Cheng Chao glanced at it and straightened his back slightly.

"That's alright, at least you have some self-awareness."

Don't worry, those are the only two things he made that are edible, and they taste pretty good.