Chapter 36 Cai's Godmother
"Cough... This place is indeed dirty and messy, you must not be used to it."
The old man glanced at Ye Wan, feeling somewhat guilty.
He wanted his wife to try the hot and sour noodles, so he asked Ye Wan to come over and make them. He didn't expect that she would agree after he just mentioned it.
She's such a kind-hearted girl.
Sigh, wasn't it because of this kind heart that I said it?
"We're already here, so what's the point of all this nonsense? Just give us more money," Er Ya muttered, covering her nose.
There are sewage ditches and garbage dumps everywhere here. The houses are even more dilapidated than theirs, cramped and messy.
Ye Wan glanced at Er Ya, "If you don't want to come, then leave. Keep quiet."
She came here because she learned from the old man's conversation that his wife might not have much time left.
It's just a little time-consuming, consider it a good deed for yourself.
Er Ya glared at Ye Wan, secretly cursing her in her heart.
"Hey, old man, you have guests?"
Several women stood at the entrance of the neighboring courtyard, curiously observing Ye Wan and her three maids.
"Cough cough... It's a food vendor. I invited them to let my wife try some." The old man coughed as soon as he opened his mouth.
"Wow, this is incredible! How did you all make such a fortune? You can even have food delivered to your door now?"
"What is this food? How much does it cost?"
Several women, out of curiosity, looked at Ye Wan's cart.
"Fifteen coins a serving, that's all I have left, it's what this old man wanted. If you want some, come to the market early tomorrow morning!"
"Good heavens, this is more expensive than a bowl of noodles! I won't eat it!"
The woman who asked the question quickly waved her hand.
Then he whispered to a few people next to him, "How did that old man get so rich? I smelled meat coming from his yard earlier."
"What kind of fortune? If there were any way to make money, would they be living here? I reckon Aunt Cai is probably not doing well... I haven't seen her for months."
This person is about to die, so we have to try our best to let them have a bite of whatever they want to eat.
The old man seemed not to hear these words and led Ye Wan and the others to a dilapidated courtyard.
Although it was dilapidated and small, the elderly couple had always lived in this courtyard, unlike other houses where several families lived together.
"Ahem... It's a small place, so I'll have to trouble you to sit in the courtyard."
The old man coughed and gestured for Ye Wan and the three girls to sit down before he went to the kitchen to boil water.
"I'll cook it in the yard. Do you have any requests? Would you like less spice?" Ye Wan said as she started a fire.
"It tastes normal, she likes spicy food."
To avoid trouble, Ye Wan asked one more question, "Is Auntie sick? If she is, you should put less chili in the sauce."
Some illnesses prevent people from eating spicy food.
"He's sick. Ever since he had the meat porridge last time, he seemed to be feeling better, but lately..."
The old man coughed, a look of sadness in his eyes. He was only halfway through his sentence when a strong, resonant old woman's voice came from inside the house.
"What are you doing outside, old man? It smells so good!"
"That hot and sour noodles I told you about last time, didn't you say you wanted to eat it? I specially invited someone to my home to make it today." The old man said as he walked into the house.
The yard is so small that it's just a few steps to the house.
"You old geezer, you've already stolen food twice before you remembered me!"
"Didn't I tell you? Someone helped me, so I have to keep my promise."
"You ate behind my back, you heartless old man!"
Er Ya muttered to herself in the courtyard, "That old woman inside sounds like she has a bad temper. Her voice is so loud; she doesn't seem sick."
"Er Ya, keep quiet," Daya whispered to Er Ya.
The water boiled, and Ye Wan quickly cooked a bowl of noodles. Seeing that the coughing old man hadn't come out, she personally brought it to the door.
The room was small, with a table and a kang (a heated brick bed). The old lady on the kang looked towards Ye Wan at the door.
"What a beautiful little girl."
Ye Wan smiled as she looked at the elderly woman inside, whose face was dignified and who was clean despite her worn-out clothes. "Auntie, I'll bring it in for you. Try it and see how it tastes."
"Thank you for your trouble, cough cough." The old man said, getting up to boil water for Ye Wan.
"No need to trouble yourself, we brought water with us." Ye Wan stopped the coughing old man.
"Quick, let me try it!"
The old man hurriedly helped his wife up and placed the hot and sour noodles on the kang table where she usually ate.
Aunt Cai took a sip, and then kept going, drinking the soup clean.
"Little girl, you're pretty, and you make delicious food too. Here, take this and play with it." Aunt Cai said, taking a pendant out from under her pillow and handing it to Ye Wan.
Ye Wan hesitated for a moment, then took it.
This is... a jade pendant?
The jade was a deep, lustrous red, and she knew from her past life that this pendant was no ordinary jade.
Judging by its size, it should be a forehead ornament.
"Auntie, this is too expensive, I don't want it. The old man already paid for the powder." Ye Wan handed the things back.
Aunt Cai waved her hand and said no, "It's just worldly possessions, you can't take them with you when you die. To me, this bowl of food today is much more important than this."
"Keep it, your noodles are delicious, I'd be happy to give them to you! Cough..."
Ye Wan hurriedly took off the small bamboo tube she always carried with her. "Auntie, please have some water."
Aunt Cai took it and smiled. "This bamboo tube was carved by my husband, right? He just loves flowers and grass."
Ye Wan nodded. It was the bamboo tube that the old man had given her last time. She had made two, one for herself and one for Sanya. The orchids carved on them were very beautiful.
"You old woman, we have plenty of water at home, why are you drinking it? Cough cough..." The old man was a little surprised to see his wife pick up the glass and drink it.
Aunt Cai rolled her eyes. "What's wrong? I find this girl pleasing to the eye, can't I even have a sip of water?"
Ye Wan quickly chimed in, "I like Auntie too,"
Some relationships are based on first impressions, and Ye Wan didn't dislike this cheerful old lady at first glance.
Aunt Cai thought so too, and looked at Ye Wan happily, "Don't call me Auntie, I don't like it. Call me Godmother, and I'll pass on my bracelet to you."
"Godmother."
Aunt Cai burst into laughter, "Hahaha, your godmother loves your straightforward personality!"
After laughing, she pulled another bracelet from under her pillow, the same red color, as if it were flowing out.
"This bracelet is so beautiful, thank you godmother." Ye Wan put it on her wrist.
“Godmother, if you drink this cup of water, it means you’ve accepted me as your goddaughter. I’ll come to see you often from now on.”
Ye Wan was overjoyed. She really liked these two items, and even if it was just a case of being tempted by money, she was happy to recognize this godmother.
Grandma Cai drank all the water in the bamboo tube, leaving not a single drop.
Sweet, so sweet.
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