"I want to say it!" Cheng Yaoyao said in an extremely serious tone. He pulled his hand back from Xie San's hand and looked at Grandma Xie without any timidity.

The setting sun turned deep red, kissing Cheng Yaoyao's porcelain-white face. Her peach blossom eyes were full of seriousness: "I took out the fine grain voluntarily. It has nothing to do with Xiao Fei or Third Brother Xie."

"Besides, I'm living in your house and eating with you. It would be too awkward and troublesome for me to share food with you."

"Third Brother Xie didn't take advantage of me. He saved my life and gave me bamboo rats and mushrooms. If we want to settle the accounts one by one, it's actually me who owes your family."

"Anyway...anyway, he's not what you said!"

Cheng Yaoyao was so excited that he spoke incoherently, but he just spoke out all the words in a rush of excitement. After he finished speaking, he was still panting with excitement, and his fingers were shaking slightly.

Grandma Xie squinted her eyes and looked at her, with no expression on her face.

Cheng Yaoyao came to his senses, and his heart skipped a beat. Oh no, was she too rude just now?

"Zhao'er saved you? What happened?" Grandma Xie spoke slowly, but she mentioned another thing.

Cheng Yaoyao was stunned for a moment, then turned to look at Xie San blankly.

Xie San pursed his lips, and first took Cheng Yaoyao's hand and asked her to sit down. His broad palm brought a reassuring force. Cheng Yaoyao calmed down unconsciously and looked at him with her charming eyes.

Xie San gave her a soothing look, then turned to Grandma Xie and said, "It's just a small matter."

"It's no small matter! I got lost in the mountains and was nearly trampled to death by a wild boar. It was Third Brother Xie who saved me." Cheng Yaoyao immediately explained.

Grandma Xie looked at Xie San deeply, then nodded, and looked at Cheng Yaoyao and said, "I see. Saving people is what we should do, you don't have to remember to repay us for coming to our house. You must have grown up in a good family, right? You can endure the hard times for a day or two, but you won't be able to endure it for longer."

Just as Xie Sancai was about to speak, Cheng Yaoyao raised his head without hesitation and said with bright eyes: "Who said that the Xie family's life will always be hard? Life is made by people. With me here, life will only get better and better."

"What's more..." Cheng Yaoyao bit his lip and said quietly but firmly, "As long as you are happy, even the hardest days will be sweet."

Xie San and Grandma Xie understood Cheng Yaoyao's subtitle. Grandma Xie was greatly shocked. Such a bold and direct confession was something that a woman of her generation could never say.

Xie San's deep eyes were filled with shock: Cheng Yaoyao wanted to live with him. Cheng Yaoyao believed him.

It was as if the heavy shackles of many years were collapsing and being destroyed. Xie San stared at the girl with a rosy face who was so close to him, and his eyes became firm and bright.

Cheng Yaoyao blushed for a long time after she said that confession. Xie San's eyes were so hot that they seemed to burn two holes in her face, and he didn't care that Grandma Xie and Xie Fei were there, which made her feel even more embarrassed.

Grandma Xie was silent for a long time, so long that Cheng Yaoyao became restless. He secretly winked at Xie San and asked silently with his rosy lips: "Grandma is angry?"

Xie San shook his head gently, signaling her with his eyes to be good.

The two were arguing with each other when Grandma Xie suddenly coughed and picked up the chopsticks. Cheng Yaoyao was startled and lowered his head, looking around and picking up the chopsticks as well.

Cheng Yaoyao took a sip of the mung bean porridge. Hmm, the taste of the mung bean porridge made with well water was better than that after being frozen in the refrigerator. However, the rice was not the most suitable for making porridge. I'd give it a score of 70.

The mung bean porridge was so cool that the heat immediately disappeared as soon as I drank it. Grandma Xie said nothing, but her eyes showed a look of surprise.

For a while, the only sound on the table could be heard was the sound of chopsticks hitting bowls.

Cheng Yaoyao saw Xie Fei's pitiful look with red eyes, so he picked up a piece of candied tomato for her.

Xie Fei sniffed and stuffed the tomato into her mouth, her eyes suddenly widened. The taste of the tomatoes grown at home was good to begin with, and after being sprinkled with white sugar, the unique sour taste was blended, becoming even sandier. After gently sucking it in her mouth, it all turned into thick juice and slid down her throat.

Delicious food has a magical power that always makes people happy. Xie Fei's eyes narrowed as she picked up the bowl to drink porridge. The white rice was fragrant, the mung beans were refreshing, the rice soup was thick, the rice grains were almost melted, but each one was distinct and never stuck together. Occasionally, you could drink a mung bean that was cooked until it bloomed, and it was crunchy and soft when you put it on your tongue.

No one said a word, but their chopsticks kept moving. There was no meat on the table, only a few dishes of the most common vegetables in the countryside. But Cheng Yaoyao made an indescribable delicacy.

Xie San's favorite chili paste was no longer in favor, and his chopsticks reached for the plate of cucumbers. The whole family had been eating cucumbers since spring, and they were actually a little tired of them, but they just wanted to save face for Cheng Yaoyao.

Xie Sanxian's eyes lit up slightly when he took the crisp cucumber slices. I don't know how the cucumber slices were marinated, but they were so crisp that they made a crackling sound. The sweetness of the sugar neutralized the saltiness and spiciness of the chili sauce, making it mellow and gentle. A little vinegar was the finishing touch, bringing out the crispness and freshness of the cucumber itself, without letting the seasoning take over the main role.

The cold-mixed wood ear vegetable has a salty and fragrant taste. After blanching, the leaves are still green and tender, and the slippery texture when chewed is very special.

Cheng Yaoyao's control over seasoning is perfect. The preparation of each dish seems simple, but the taste is stimulated to the extreme.

Several side dishes were eaten up completely.

The juice of the sugared tomatoes is the essence of the whole dish. The thick pink juice at the bottom of the plate is thick, sweet and cold. Xie Fei scooped it up and drank it all in one gulp. It tasted better than the popsicle her brother brought back from the city once!

Xie San was carrying goods for the factory, and the manager saw that he was working hard, so he gave him a popsicle. Xie San couldn't bear to eat it, so he put it in a water bottle and brought it back to his sister. When Xie San returned home, the popsicle had already melted into ice water. But in Xie Fei's memory, it was the most delicious drink she had ever drunk.

After the meal, Xie Fei was busy cleaning up the dishes. Cheng Yaoyao took the opportunity to say, "I live in this house, so I have to make some contributions. I will cook for you from now on, okay?"

If it had been just now, Grandma Xie would have definitely rejected it outright, but after eating the meal made by Cheng Yaoyao, the rejection lingered on the tip of her tongue for a few times before she spat it out: "If you like, just do it, and ask Xiao Fei to help you."

"Yeah!" Cheng Yaoyao agreed happily, with a smile on her bright and beautiful face, which startled Grandma Xie. She almost couldn't maintain her serious expression. She coughed, turned around and went back to the house.

As soon as Grandma Xie left, Xie San took the dishes from Xie Fei's hands and said, "Go wash your face."

Xie Fei's eyes were red from crying before, and she looked very frightened. She had stopped crying at first, but when her brother spoke to her in a gentle voice, she almost started crying again.

Cheng Yaoyao pushed her: "Go wash your face quickly, we will make some sweet soup later."

"Sweet soup?" Xie Fei's attention was diverted. She now felt that what Cheng Yaoyao made was the most delicious in the world, so she immediately ran away to wash her face.

Xie San had long arms and legs, but he cleaned the table very neatly. He moved the bowls and chopsticks to the washbasin and soaked them in water, then used a rag to wipe the table. The food was not greasy at all, so he just wiped the table twice and it was clean.

Xie San dismantled the table and moved it into the kitchen, then moved the small stools. Cheng Yaoyao sat on the last small stool without moving, resting his chin on his hand and feeling lazy.

Xie San looked at her, and she raised her little chin and hummed like a bossy little kitten.

Xie San glanced at the empty yard, then suddenly reached out and picked up the bench and the person together.

"Aiya!" Cheng Yaoyao screamed softly, hugged Xie San's neck, and was carried into the kitchen by him, "You are disgusting!"

Xie San put his nose against hers and asked, "Come down?"

"I'll just come down." Cheng Yaoyao pouted and stood obediently on the ground, completely unaware that he had been tricked by Xie San again.

Cheng Yaoyao obediently struggled out of Xie San's arms, but Xie San just looked at her quietly. His eyes were so hot and deep that Cheng Yaoyao's heart was pounding.

She spoke first: "I know I shouldn't have talked back to grandma just now, but..."

"I know." Xie San had a smile in his eyes and his gaze gently caressed Cheng Yaoyao's cheek.

"Right, it's not me who was naughty this time!" Cheng Yaoyao immediately raised his tail and said proudly.

"Yeah, you're the best." Xie San nodded.

Xie San suddenly took out a roll of money from his pocket and handed it to Cheng Yaoyao.

Five one-dollar bills were stacked neatly, and I don't know how long they had been pressed.

"..." Cheng Yaoyao's smile froze on his face. He looked at Xie San for a long time, "What do you mean?"

Xie San took Cheng Yaoyao's hand and gently placed the money in her palm. Xie San's big hand was warm and hot, with a rough texture. He said, "Grandma is right. A man who lives off women is not a good man."

"I know you are not short of money, but I am a man." Xie San's eyebrows showed a trace of depression, and he looked at her seriously.

Xie San's fist with bulging veins appeared in front of Cheng Yaoyao. She could always understand the pride in Xie San's heart.

Cheng Yaoyao nodded somewhat dejectedly.

Xie San said, "I brought some food back today, enough to last a month. If you don't have enough food at home, tell me and I'll buy some."

"Is there any money left at home?" Cheng Yaoyao looked at him worriedly. "You have to learn how to drive a tractor in a few days, and you will need money a lot by then. You..."

"These are things a man should worry about." Xie San interrupted her gently and without questioning, saying, "Yaoyao, wait for me. I won't let you suffer with me."

"...Yeah." Cheng Yaoyao nodded involuntarily, wanting Xie San to hug him.

But Xie San just folded the money for her and put it in his pocket, not touching her at all.

Cheng Yaoyao was whining like a grumpy little cat.

Xie San said: "Don't pout."

Cheng Yaoyao didn't pout at first, but when he said that, her cherry lips pouted up high, and she pushed him away and ran away with an unhappy look on her face.

"Cough." Xie San stood in the kitchen, suddenly put his fist to his lips, and his shoulders began to tremble slightly.

Cheng Yaoyao shouted in the yard again: "Help me hold a pumpkin."

There were two pumpkins on the firewood pile under the eaves. One of them was smaller and gourd-shaped, with frost on its yellow skin.

Xie Fei looked up and saw that it was a pumpkin specially left for seeds. Before she could say anything, she saw Xie San coming over and picking up the pumpkin without asking a single question.

Xie Fei blinked and swallowed her words.

Xie San washed the pumpkin and put it on the chopping board. Cheng Yaoyao picked up the kitchen knife and chopped it into two pieces. The pumpkin was full of pumpkin seeds, each of which was very full.

Cheng Yaoyao said with satisfaction: "This pumpkin is old enough, it will definitely be sweet when it is cooked."

Xie San took an empty bowl, took out the pumpkin seeds and put them in the bowl.

Cheng Yaoyao said, "Yes, wash the pumpkin seeds and dry them. I will fry them for you tomorrow."

"...Yeah." Xie San nodded.

Xie Fei carried the dishes and chopsticks into the kitchen, and lit a kerosene lamp that she usually didn't want to turn on.

The kitchen was already dark. On normal days, the Xie family would have gone back to their rooms early. At this time, the light in the kitchen was on, and the light from the stove was reflected on the opposite wall. Xie Fei looked at her brother and Cheng Yaoyao standing side by side, and her little heart began to beat.

Their house had never been so lively before, and she had never seen her brother so happy.

Xie Fei was also very happy, and followed Cheng Yaoyao around like a little bird.

Cheng Yaoyao took a bag of bamboo bird's nests and asked Xie Fei to soak them in water and wash them clean. Cheng Yaoyao picked the bamboo bird's nests when she first went to the bamboo forest to look for mushrooms. She was smart. These bamboo bird's nests were precious and good for beauty. She didn't want to give them away to Shen Yan and Cheng Nuonuo, so she dried them and kept them for herself. Now they came in handy.

Cheng Yaoyao cut off the skin of the pumpkin, cut it into cubes, and washed the soaked bamboo bird's nest.

The water in the pot has already boiled, but there is not much water in the pot, because the pumpkin will produce juice after boiling. Cheng Yaoyao secretly added half a cup of spiritual spring water to the pot while Xie San and Xie Fei were not paying attention, and then tore the bamboo bird's nest into small pieces and put them into the pot.

Cheng Yaoyao covered the pot, clapped his hands and announced, "It will be ready in half an hour. Xiao Fei, please use less firewood and keep the fire low the whole time."

"Okay." This was no problem for Xie Fei. In the countryside, making a fire is a skill that every child knows. Xie Fei took out all the firewood in the stove, leaving only the largest firewood. This firewood burned slowly, and the water in the pot was just kept at a state of being almost boiling, which was the best temperature for cooking sweet soup.

Cheng Yaoyao said to himself, "It would be great if I had a clay pot. It would be the most convenient and delicious way to cook sweet soup."

Xie Sanjia only has a very old cast iron pot, so Cheng Yaoyao needs to control the heat more precisely.

The kitchen gradually became darker. The sweet soup was boiling in the pot. The three of them went to the yard to cool off.

I don't know when the moon secretly climbed up into the sky, and the yard seemed to be covered with a layer of white gauze, hazy and cool.

Xie San moved a bamboo chair into the yard. Cheng Yaoyao took off his shoes and lay on the chair, enjoying the coolness of the night.

Xie Fei sat at Cheng Yaoyao's feet, chattering about some naive and funny questions. Cheng Yaoyao also chatted with her very seriously, and the sound of their chatting and laughing flowed in the yard.

Xie San stretched his long legs and sat aside, holding a handful of bamboo strips in his hands and skillfully weaving a basket.

Cheng Yaoyao discovered that Xie San never rested for a moment after returning home. He was either repairing the chicken coop, chopping wood with an axe, or fetching water. Cheng Yaoyao really admired him for being able to find such a job to do after dinner.

I don’t know what this guy ate to grow up. He works so hard every day, but he is still full of energy.

Compared with Xie San, Cheng Yaoyao is at the other extreme. She is completely opposite to the upward and positive spirit of this era. She is delicate and lazy like a cat, and would rather lie down than sit.

Now in the Xie family's house, she was even more relaxed, leaning lazily on a bamboo chair, one of her white feet swinging restlessly, gleaming like porcelain in the moonlight.

It was not until Cheng Yaoyao stood up and put on his shoes that Xie San suddenly came to his senses and realized that a large part of the basket in his hand was woven incorrectly.

Cheng Yaoyao smiled and said, "We've been talking for so long that we forgot about the time. Let's go check if the sweet soup in the pot has dried up!"

I walked into the kitchen with the kerosene lamp and saw that the lid of the pot was lifted up and it was making a popping sound. The sweet soup had condensed into half the pot.

Cheng Yaoyao picked up a spoon and stirred it gently. The collagen of the bamboo bird's nest had been boiled out, and the soup had a unique sticky feeling. The pumpkin broke into pieces as soon as it was stirred, and it was soft and sticky, with a sweet smell.

Four bowls of pumpkin soup were served. Cheng Yaoyao tried to pick it up, but he hissed from the heat and shook his hands and screamed.

Xie San grabbed her hand and dipped it in cold water. He took it out for a long time before looking at it. The slender and tender fingertips were red, looking so pitiful.

Cheng Yaoyao had tears on his eyelashes and shook his head aggrievedly: "It doesn't hurt anymore."

Xie San sighed: "Don't touch it, I'll do it."

Xie San picked up the bowl with his rough big hands. His hands were covered with old silk, but he was not afraid of the heat at all as he carried the bowl to the yard.

The three bowls of sweet soup were left to cool first, and Xie San brought one bowl into Grandma Xie's room first.

Grandma Xie was sitting by the window. When she heard Xie San enter the room, she immediately moved back to the bed with a stern face.

Grandma Xie smelled a sweet fragrance, Xie San put down the bowl, took out the flint and lit the kerosene lamp, and the room gradually became brighter. On the table was a large stoneware bowl, in which were floating orange pumpkin pieces and transparent bamboo bird's nests, and the soup was moist, and no one knew how it was made.

Xie San said softly, "Grandma, this pumpkin soup was made specially for you by Yaoyao."

"Don't try to please me by saying that." Grandma Xie said sternly, "Aren't these pumpkins meant for seeds?"

"Yaoyao doesn't know, I agreed to it." Xie San said immediately.

"You really are... exactly like your father!" said Grandma Xie, angrily.

Xie San just put the spoon in the bowl and gently pushed it to Grandma Xie's hand: "Yaoyao said that this is a cough reliever."

Ever since I told Cheng Yaoyao that grandma had a cough, she always sent some cough-relieving and lung-moistening food, such as waxberry juice and dried waxberries. Even today's meals were mostly light.

No matter how hard her heart was, Grandma Xie remained silent for a while, and finally sighed: "This child has a good heart."

Before Xie San could show any joy, Grandma Xie said decisively: "But she and our family are not the same kind of people! Even if I agree to let her stay, I don't agree with what you are doing!"

Xie San remained silent. Grandma Xie continued, "One more thing, she is a pure and innocent girl, and you must not bully her when she lives in our house!"

"Don't worry, grandma." Xie San said.

Grandma Xie said in a serious tone: "A girl's reputation is the most important thing. It's obvious that she has never suffered from hardship since she was a child. She is ignorant, and you can't follow her in being ignorant. Grandma is an experienced person, and she knows that lustful people admire young girls. You young men and women living under the same roof, it's inevitable..."

"Grandma, you don't have to say anything!" Xie San interrupted Grandma Xie in embarrassment and said solemnly: "Don't worry, I will never bully her."

Grandma Xie nodded and said, "Okay, go out."

Xie San turned around and went out.

Grandma Xie picked up the sweet soup and took a sip. It was sweet and smooth, with a slight warmth as it slid into her throat, making her feel comfortable all over.

Grandma Xie sighed slowly and added to her unfinished words, muttering to herself: "If one day she regrets it... there is always a way out for both of us."