Chapter 375 - 328: Vase
Chapter 375: Chapter 328: Vase
Hearing Fang Qinglan occasionally giving Ai Wenli pointers on what to do, Wu Xiaowen took in the scene. Ai Wenli was plump and round, but she was quick on her feet, flitting about like a chubby butterfly, first east, then west. She always had a simple, cheerful smile on her face, like a good-natured country girl. Wu Xiaowen shot her a disdainful glance, but her eyes couldn’t help but betray a hint of something close to jealousy. ’The old hag never spoke to me in such a kind and gentle tone, nor did she ever give me pointers on anything. We’re both daughters-in-law of the Tang family. I was the first one, and I gave the Tang family two heirs. It’s one thing not to treat us equally, but on what grounds is this newcomer the one who gets all the attention and affection?’
Lin Aizhen saw her daughter staring at the plump young woman with a less-than-friendly expression, her feelings a little too obvious. She secretly tugged on the corner of Wu Xiaowen’s clothes and plastered a smile on her face as she turned to Fang Qinglan. Feigning ignorance, she asked, "In-law, this young lady is so diligent and gentle. She has such a kind face. Is she your family’s new maid?"
How could Fang Qinglan not see through Lin Aizhen’s little tricks? She hadn’t bothered to introduce the new daughter-in-law to them earlier, and now Lin Aizhen was using the opportunity to take a jab at her. She sneered. "Her? That’s my eldest son’s wife, Qingshan’s wife. But you’re right about one thing. The girl has such delicate skin and soft features, she looks like a twenty-year-old. When my Manman first met her, she called her ’little auntie,’ too. She insisted that Qingshan take ’little auntie’ to get their marriage license before she would finally change her tune and call her Mom!"
"Oh, so Qingshan got married? This is the new daughter-in-law? My, my, the new daughter-in-law is quite nice!" Lin Aizhen said, her smile growing ever more sincere.
"Of course! She’s smart, capable, and skilled with her hands. Most importantly, she didn’t mind that Qingshan came with children. And the way she treats my Manman... ten biological mothers couldn’t compare!" Fang Qinglan rarely agreed with Lin Aizhen, but she did so now, casually sweeping her gaze over Wu Xiaowen.
Lin Aizhen’s smile froze on her face. Wu Xiaowen lowered her gaze, nearly grinding her back teeth to dust. ’That damned girl really is an enemy from a past life, here to collect her debt in this one!’
’What does Tang Qingshan’s marriage have to do with her? Why did she have to get involved! And calling another woman ’Mom’... isn’t she disgusted with herself!’
’Her own mother is right here, but she doesn’t want me. Instead, she goes to curry favor with someone else, giving them a chance to show off, and letting that old hag viciously humiliate and trample all over her own mother!’
’Tang Manman, you won’t cry until you see the coffin, is that it? Are there any stepmothers in this world who will be truly good to you? One day, you will regret this!’
Suddenly, a rich, sweet aroma wafted over from the kitchen. Wu Yu Xuan, who had been sitting on another sofa with Hao Hao looking over a chess manual, lifted his head and exclaimed, "Ah! What a wonderful smell! So fragrant! It’s been many years since I’ve smelled such a pure, natural food aroma!"
Hao Hao asked Fang Qinglan, "Grandma, is that the red date and honey steamed cake? Is my thousand-layer cake almost ready too? I’ve been waiting to eat it!"
Fang Qinglan laughed. "Look how impatient you are. Your sister got everything ready before she went out, and your Aunt is watching it. Once it’s steamed, don’t you think she’ll bring it to you?"
Just as she finished speaking, Ai Wenli emerged carrying a tray. On the tray were four small plates, each holding steaming, golden-red, triangular pastries. She walked over, placed the plates on the coffee table, and smiled. "This is the red date and honey steamed cake. It’s our Manman’s handiwork. I was just in charge of watching the heat. Everyone, please try some while it’s hot!"
Then she looked at Hao Hao. "Your thousand-layer cake needs another three minutes!"
Hao Hao said, "Oh. Aunt, the red date and honey steamed cake is for Uncle, for you to take with you tomorrow. In that case, I’ll take some of my thousand-layer cake to school later."
"I know, I’ve already prepared a big insulated container for you. I guarantee it’ll still be warm when you eat it tomorrow morning!"
"Thanks, Aunt! Also, can you get me two jars of ’Fairness Brand’ pickled vegetables?"
Ai Wenli let out a small laugh. "Alright, two jars of ’Fairness Brand’ pickled vegetables. Got it!"
The pickled vegetables Manman made were so good that anyone who tried them assumed they were bought from a famous, time-honored pickle shop. This annoyed Manman, who felt she wasn’t getting her due credit, so she simply named her pickles "Fairness Brand," and the name stuck.
The hot pastries in the dish were vibrant in color and fragrant in aroma, looking utterly delectable. Unfortunately, they were too hot to eat. Lin Aizhen picked up a plate, pretending to admire the pastry, but her eyes kept darting toward Ai Wenli. She asked with a smile, "This girl really does look young. How old are you? Are you from Beijing? It’s all the rage for girls to take the university entrance exams these days. You took them too, right? It’s best to get into a well-known one. Take our Xiao Wen, Hao Hao’s mother, for example. Back in her day, she graduated from a very prestigious university, you know!"
"Is that so?" Ai Wenli smiled and looked at Wu Xiaowen. "Hao Hao’s mother is truly amazing. I barely managed to test into a university a couple of years ago, and I still haven’t managed to get my diploma yet."
Wu Xiaowen lifted her chin, her tone arrogant. "Then you’d better step it up and work harder. A daughter-in-law of the Tang family can’t just be a pretty but useless vase!"
With great refinement, she omitted the thought: ’With a figure like that, you probably don’t even qualify to be a pretty vase!’
Ai Wenli: "..."
Fang Qinglan scoffed, looking at Wu Xiaowen as if she were an idiot.
Hao Hao sighed helplessly and said to Lin Aizhen and Wu Xiaowen, "Grandma, Mom! What are you talking about? My Aunt is studying in the Chinese Department at Kyoto University. She may not have her diploma yet, but she’s been working for many years. She’s a well-known critic, author, and screenwriter! The novel *Time Flies Like a Song*, which is sold out in every bookstore in Beijing, and the movie *Far East Legend*, which everyone is scrambling to see—my Aunt wrote and scripted them! And this is my Aunt’s second time in university. The first time, she also got into a famous university in the country, majoring in engineering design..."
"Alright, alright, that’s enough!" Ai Wenli laughed, stopping Hao Hao from continuing. "You’re starting to sound like a salesman hawking his own wares. Are you tired of your Aunt and trying to sell me off in an advertisement?"
Wu Xiaowen and Lin Aizhen stared at Ai Wenli, dumbfounded and looking utterly foolish. They found it impossible to imagine that such a young woman could possess such talent and achievements. Fang Qinglan, on the other hand, was beaming with joy.
Wu Yu Xuan adjusted his glasses and studied Ai Wenli seriously. He nodded and said, "The movie *Far East Legend*... we screened it at my university. Its use of historical sources was realistic without being exaggerated. Very good! So you were the screenwriter? To be so young and talented is truly rare, truly rare!"
"Professor Wu, you flatter me! Please, have a pastry. They’re getting cold." Ai Wenli said a few humble words and walked back to the kitchen. A moment later, she returned with some savory thousand-layer cakes, Hao Hao’s favorite, which he claimed he could never get tired of.
In reality, the Tang family never tired of eating any of the pastries and foods that Manman made.
Lin Aizhen and Wu Xiaowen were quiet now. Seeing Wu Yu Xuan eating with great relish, Lin Aizhen also lowered her head to take a taste. Wu Xiaowen’s gaze subconsciously swept over to Ai Wenli. When she saw Ai Wenli looking back, she primly picked up a pastry, took a tiny bite, held it in her mouth, then set it down and didn’t touch it again.
Over a decade ago, when the Wu Family was prosperous and stable, they were also extremely particular about their food and had eaten countless delicacies. But the pastries they ate at the Tang family’s home today left Wu Yu Xuan and Lin Aizhen utterly astonished: they had never tasted such delicious pastries with such a unique texture and incredible flavor before!
The couple both had a sweet tooth. They finished the honey cake in a few bites, the aftertaste lingering wonderfully on their palates. Then they tried the thousand-layer cake. A different, savory flavor now swirled around their tongues, an equally marvelous experience. The two couldn’t help but look at each other and nod in endless admiration.