Upon learning that He Qinqin was going to do volunteer work at the Si Group, Shi Yao's eyes flashed with a deeper meaning: "You're doing the right thing. I don't want to make your relationship with your mother so bad because of me."
“It’s not your fault, it’s my mom who’s too stubborn.” He Qinqin shook her head as she looked at the pumpkin and millet porridge in the pot.
Shi Yao hesitated for a moment: "Are you going to bring this porridge to your mother on Thursday?"
He Qinqin said confidently, "My mother has only ever eaten something I made herself once in her life. She was so happy that she was overjoyed for months."
When He Qinqin was in school, she heard that to win a man's heart, you have to win his stomach.
It just so happened that Shiyao had a bad stomach at that time and could only eat soft foods.
So she got interested and started learning to cook at home with a chef. Her initial goal was to make water chestnut and taro cake.
However, He Qinqin had never been in the kitchen before and didn't know many basic things. Her cooking goals kept getting lowered, and in the end, it turned into pumpkin and millet porridge.
As a result, she spent most of the weekend cooking pumpkin and millet porridge, and Shi Yao skipped evening self-study that day and did not come to school.
She had no choice but to bring the insulated box back.
When He Qinqin returned to the Si family, she saw Si Jin preparing a birthday dinner for Si Jiuyin, and then she remembered that it was Si Jiuyin's birthday.
So He Qinqin, who hadn't prepared anything, gave the insulated box to Si Jiuyin.
When Si Jiuyin learned that her daughter had spent most of the weekend making the pumpkin and millet porridge by hand, she was overjoyed. She was always touched whenever she thought about it, because it was one of He Qinqin's few "moments of gratitude".
Thinking of this, He Qinqin became even more confident: "This time, since I'm taking action myself, my mother will definitely be moved."
"Plus, there's the nostalgia factor from before."
Shi Yao watched He Qinqin busy in the kitchen wearing an apron, and took advantage of her inattention to give her a quick kiss on the cheek.
He put his arm around He Qinqin's waist and teased, "My girlfriend is really virtuous."
"I wish someone so virtuous could marry me and be my wife."
Hearing this, He Qinqin shyly punched Shi Yao's chest: "You're so annoying~"
Just as the two were enjoying their honeymoon, the door to their house opened.
Shi Yao's aunt and uncle returned from outside, looking travel-worn, carrying large and small bags of tea oil, eggs, and other items.
Shi Yao and He Qinqin, who were inseparable, quickly separated.
Shi Yanping's eyes lit up when she saw He Qinqin bustling around in the kitchen.
The rich girl knew they were back, so she cooked dinner for them.
Shi Yanping held up a basket of eggs in her hand: "Qinqin, you can use these eggs to make a scallion omelet. These are genuine free-range eggs."
You're in for a treat at our house!
As she walked and talked, she lifted the lid of the rice cooker on the dining table: "Did you cook enough rice for me and my uncle?"
When the rice cooker was opened, it was empty.
"Why haven't you cooked yet at this hour? Didn't I say a few days ago that I'd be back tonight?"
“I…” He Qinqin was already overwhelmed with work these past few days, and at this moment she couldn’t remember when her aunt and uncle would be back. “Why don’t you call ahead and let me know if you want some rice cooked?”
Seeing that He Qinqin was still arguing with her, Shi Yanping complained, "Oh dear, this trip was all about taking care of the younger generation at home, but when I got back, there wasn't even a ready-made meal. I had to do everything myself, from cooking rice to everything else."
"Aunt, please say less."
Shi Yanping then fell silent, her cloudy eyes darting around.
Shi Yao took the eggs from her and brought them to He Qinqin's side.
"Qinqin, let me help you."
Then Shi Yao opened his phone and found a video tutorial for He Qinqin on how to make scallion omelets.
"Qinqin, scallion omelet is very easy to make. Just follow this video to learn. I've already found it for you."
He Qinqin thought Shi Yao was going to cook for her, but when she saw the instructional video he handed her, she was a little confused and pouted.
But what Shi Yao said next made her realize something immediately.
Shi Yao said earnestly, "This is your aunt's test for you."
“Your aunt is quite picky. If you pass this test, she will be more willing to accept you as her niece-in-law.”
"You need to become proficient in household chores like chopping and cooking, otherwise your aunt will think you're just a pretty face and a rich heiress."
"I believe my Qinqin is very capable, and she will definitely be able to do these things very well."
Shi Yao pinched He Qinqin's cheek: "This video explains it in great detail. I believe that with your master's degree level of understanding, you can make this dish independently."
He Qinqin studied in the UK for three years for her undergraduate degree and one year for her master's degree. Although it wasn't easy, at least she got a master's degree.
Shi Yao's words immediately put He Qinqin in a difficult position.
After saying this, he comforted others, saying, "Even if the food doesn't taste good, it's okay to show some attitude."
"I'll go and put in a good word for you with your aunt right now, and ask her to be more understanding of you."
Shi Yao's words were barbed and sarcastic, leaving He Qinqin feeling dizzy, but she showed gratitude on her face, saying, "Shi Yao, you are so understanding."
Her man always kept her in mind, afraid that she would suffer any grievances, and he really took care of her feelings.
The Si family only ever suppressed their own feelings, making themselves feel misunderstood.
"You and my aunt are both my family, and I hope you two can get along well."
After patting He Qinqin's hair, Shi Yao went to the living room to take care of his aunt and help her pack her luggage.
He Qinqin watched the tutorial with a sweet smile and learned how to make scallion omelets.
*
Meanwhile, Shi Yao pulled Shi Yanping aside and asked, "Aunt, how's that retirement investment project you went to see going?"
My aunt and uncle went to a small town near Haicheng to look at investment projects these past few days.
The scandals involving unethical nursing homes reported on television last week have brought increasing attention to the enduring social issue of elder care.
Besides the nursing home project that Li Han is promoting, which has a director who is a member of the post-2000 generation, several other elderly care projects have emerged.
Shi Yanping heard from a fellow villager who came to Haicheng with her that there was an eco-friendly nursing home project in Mi Village, and that investing now would get you a lifetime bed in the nursing home.
When the nursing home is built, retirees will not need to pay admission fees, and there will be subsidies for meals and medical care.
Shi Yao asked impatiently, "Is it really that good?"
Shi Yanping glanced smugly at the tea oil, eggs, and vegetables placed in the corner: "They're great, let me tell you."
"These were all given to us during our visit to Mi Village, and we've arranged for us to stay at a resort for the next few days!"
"The person who introduced us said that not only can you reserve a future bed by investing in the initial stage, but they will also give you a small plot of land to grow vegetables and flowers."
Shi Yanping thought about it and felt very comfortable: "Their place is very natural. They acquired a tea oil factory, so we can eat healthy tea oil made from the tea trees they grow."
"Moreover, chickens can be raised in the tea garden, and the eggs laid by the free-range chickens are extremely nutritious."
"It's so good for your health! It's so good for your well-being!"
Shi Yanping pulled Shi Yao aside and talked non-stop, clearly very satisfied with the nursing home project they had visited.
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