Chapter 280: The Taste of Home
Chapter 280: Chapter 280: The Taste of Home
"Nowadays, if you listen again, everyone’s opinion has changed; it has turned into sympathy for Fang Zhenzhen, who is truly pitiful, being sold out by her own family." Fu Xiaoxiao hears talks about Fang Zhenzhen everywhere she goes these days when she picks up the kids, and people’s attitude has shifted from initial disgust to sympathy for her plight.
"I... I haven’t even heard about it." Wu Yingying surprisingly hasn’t heard about it.
"Who would dare talk about it in front of you!" Fu Xiaoxiao chuckled; no one would dare discuss such matters in front of the main person involved, right?
"That’s true, no wonder they walk away mysteriously whenever they see me. I thought..." Wu Yingying thought they were still talking about her, not realizing they were discussing her brother now.
"Your matter has moved on; there’s no longer any novelty for them. Now, Fang Zhenzhen and your brother are the hottest topics." Fu Xiaoxiao laughed, as public opinion always follows the latest events.
Wu Yingying’s case has cooled down, and there’s no need to discuss it anymore.
"Alright! Then what should my brother do now? Just hiding isn’t a solution, right? If this keeps going, people might say my brother should marry her." Wu Yingying couldn’t help but complain.
"People are already saying that." Fu Xiaoxiao coincidentally has heard talks going in that direction.
"What!" Wu Yingying stood up in shock.
Fu Xiaoxiao pulled her to sit down.
"Don’t rush, the only solution to this is for your brother to find someone else to get engaged to." Fu Xiaoxiao glanced at Wu Yingying; the best solution now is to change the lead actress.
"But who would agree to that in such a short time!" Wu Yingying grabbed her head in frustration, looking at Fu Xiaoxiao with regret.
"If you were single, that would be great; I’d wish you could marry into my family." Wu Yingying’s words made Fu Xiaoxiao chuckle.
"Don’t let my vinegar jar hear it, or you’ll never get through my door." Fu Xiaoxiao warned.
"... Just saying! If you were willing to marry him, I’d feel he doesn’t deserve you!" Wu Yingying grinned, she was just daydreaming.
Suddenly feeling a chill on her back, Wu Yingying instinctively said, "I’m just joking, you and your husband are the perfect couple! No one matches better than you two."
"Ha." Lu Feng’s laughter came from behind, and Wu Yingying jumped up in surprise. "Um, brother-in-law, you’re back, I won’t disturb you now, I’ll come to play with Xiaoxiao in the afternoon."
Not waiting for Lu Feng to speak, she hurriedly slipped away.
"Next time she comes, lock the door." Lu Feng huffed coldly, dominantly hugging Fu Xiaoxiao.
"Just a joke, don’t be so petty." Fu Xiaoxiao gently patted his hand.
Fu Xiaoxiao walked into the kitchen, preparing to fry the vegetables, everything was ready, just waiting for Lu Feng to cook it fresh.
"By the way, that person is coming over later." Lu Feng came to Fu Xiaoxiao’s side and whispered.
"Who?" Fu Xiaoxiao didn’t react, who else is coming?
"You know... the person from last time." Lu Feng reminded her.
"Oh, that old comrade?" Fu Xiaoxiao remembered and asked.
"When we were reviewing stuff today, he mentioned your cooking reminded him of his partner, my heart softened, and I invited him to taste your cooking again." Lu Feng had seen his lonely expression and invited him.
"Where’s his family?" Fu Xiaoxiao asked curiously.
Given his status, he should have people taking care of him, but from what she saw, he seemed to only have someone like Wang Zhijun taking care of him?
"I didn’t dare to ask, I never pry into such private matters." Lu Feng touched his nose, mostly discussing tactics and formations with him.
"Indeed, you two are all about strategy, sandboards, and reviews." Fu Xiaoxiao gave him an amused look; once he delves into it, he even dreams about reviews at night.
"Ah, you’re so annoying, hurry and get out, don’t disturb me while I’m cooking!" Fu Xiaoxiao pushed away the clingy Lu Feng disdainfully.
Lu Feng gave her a forlorn look but obediently went outside to wait.
When Fu Xiaoxiao finished cooking, she turned to see a forlorn Lu Feng standing at the kitchen door, looking like an abandoned dog, his tail drooping without wagging.
"Be good." Fu Xiaoxiao handed him the dish.
Lu Feng held the dish, like a dog waiting for a reward.
Fu Xiaoxiao chuckled lightly, kissed his cheek.
His previously drooping tail immediately started wagging.
After the dishes were all served, the familiar old man slowly walked over.
"Sorry to trouble you again." The old man smiled upon seeing Fu Xiaoxiao.
"You’re too kind, let me know if you need anything, my cooking is just home-style, you might have to make do." Fu Xiaoxiao welcomed him with a smile, inviting him to sit.
"Not at all, this is the best food I’ve ever had, which is why I’m shamelessly coming to enjoy it again." The old man shook his head; Fu Xiaoxiao’s food contained the most nostalgic element: the heart of cooking for one’s family, something restaurants and canteens absolutely cannot replicate.
It’s the taste only home can provide.
It makes one feel close, like returning to their youth.
"If you like it, feel free to come often, you’re always welcome." Fu Xiaoxiao helped him with some vegetables into his empty bowl, smiling.
"Though what you said is a polite remark, it truly warms my heart." The old man picked up the food and tasted it, just the familiar taste he longed for.
"Your cooking reminds me of my wife; she liked using minced garlic to enhance the aroma when frying vegetables, just like you." The old man reminisced.
"I just feel that frying vegetables this way smells very nice." Fu Xiaoxiao explained with a smile, she didn’t learn this anywhere; she always believed cooking like this would taste delicious.
"She said the same, while others just smash a whole clove to toss into the pan, she always preferred chopping them into pieces." The old man smiled at Fu Xiaoxiao.
"And she..." Fu Xiaoxiao paused and asked.
"She left years ago." The old man’s eyes darkened, taking out a pocket watch to show a picture of his wife to Fu Xiaoxiao.
Fu Xiaoxiao looked at the old-time photo, the woman in the picture looking gentle and graceful, smiling softly, eyes filled with determination, clearly a tender yet strong and confident girl.
But this face...
Fu Xiaoxiao paused, Lu Feng came over, glancing at it, and instinctively looked at Fu Xiaoxiao.
"What’s wrong?" The old man noticed both of them froze and asked curiously.
Fu Xiaoxiao looked at the old man, returning the photo to him. "What’s her name? Do you have other family?"
"My wife was called Wang Xiu’e. We had two children, a son and a daughter. Due to the turmoil, my daughter went missing, my son... died on the battlefield, unable to leave any descendants." The old man looked at the photo, gently touching the woman in it.
Suddenly, seeing the familiar face, his hand froze, turning back to look at Fu Xiaoxiao.