Chapter 19

The news that Tang Laidi had severed ties with her family had already spread throughout the village.

People were saying that Tang Laidi had been driven out because she was jealous of her own younger brother, greedy for credit and glory, and disrespectful to her parents.

Old Madam Tang naturally didn’t believe a word of it. Tang Jin had already explained the whole story to her earlier when she went to fetch the bedding.

Moreover, Old Madam Tang trusted her own judgment. Tang Laidi had grown up right in front of her eyes and was far more accomplished than that unlucky granddaughter.

What a wonderful child she was—smart and capable. Those fools truly had no sense of decency.

Tang Laidi could only nod. What else could she do? Old Madam Tang had bestowed this favor on her with just a few words, so she accepted it.

She had already jumped into the pit anyway. It was a pit of her own choosing, and she’d fill it even if she had to do so through tears.

Fortunately, when she had gone to buy wine earlier, she had made a detour to the County Yamen to collect her wages for the final month. No matter what, she couldn’t let Tang Jin and her wife know about those two taels of silver.

Tang Jin had gone numb. Old Madam Tang kept talking about breaking legs, and those weren’t idle threats. She was clearly the type to prioritize righteousness over family ties. Tang Jin didn’t dare act rashly—of course, she hadn’t planned to anyway.

With one burden off her mind, Old Madam Tang glanced at the position of the sun and said casually, “It’s about time for lunch. Tang Jin, what are you dawdling for? Hurry and take Lingyue to prepare the meal.”

She had been craving that steamed pork for two nights straight. After all the worry and aggravation over the unlucky granddaughter, this time she intended to eat her fill.

As for how Chu Lingyue managed to make such delicious dishes, Old Madam Tang knew her limits. That was someone else’s private skill, and she had no intention of prying. That was simply proper behavior.

At these words, Chu Lingyue gave Tang Jin a deep look.

They had previously coaxed Old Madam Tang into believing that all the dishes were Chu Lingyue’s handiwork. Now, how would this person handle it…

Meeting Old Madam Tang’s expectant gaze, Tang Jin had no choice but to lead Chu Lingyue to the kitchen. Fortunately, Old Madam Tang didn’t suggest coming along, or Tang Jin would have had to wrack her brains for yet another excuse to dissuade her.

Seeing the situation, Tang Laidi instantly forgot her earlier bitterness. Old Madam Tang was so perceptive.

“Grandmother Tang, you go sit down. I’ll steam the rice right away.” There was good food to eat—hey hey.

Meanwhile, the kitchen door opened and then shut. Tang Jin turned to Chu Lingyue.

“Wife, you can head out in a moment. I’ll bring the food out myself.”

She had no intention of revealing the dishes in front of Chu Lingyue. This final veil concealing her secret absolutely had to remain intact.

Chu Lingyue paused in silence, saying nothing.

She was deeply curious—curious about how this person conjured meals out of thin air, and whether she had truly mended her ways.

Seeing Chu Lingyue remain quiet, a flicker of wariness rose in Tang Jin’s eyes. “Wife, my cooking skills can’t be shown to others. You promised to play along.”

Otherwise, she would go back on her word. No more twenty percent of the profits.

Chu Lingyue pursed her lips and shook her head faintly. “A-Jin, you’re overthinking it. I’ll cooperate, of course.”

She had patience.

The two stood in mutual silence for a moment. Tang Jin considered that she needed to produce at least one dish soon and came up with an idea.

One dish short—it had to be made up. Was that merely a dish? That was five taels of silver!

But to claim the System’s reward, someone had to lie directly to her.

Right now, the perfect candidate was Chu Lingyue. So, what to chat about?

After a moment’s thought, Tang Jin probed cautiously. “Wife, what do you think of me as a person?”

Chu Lingyue was momentarily taken aback. Tang Jin had asked this very question before, and she had already answered it.

Why repeat it now?

She gave Tang Jin a profound look and replied slowly, “A-Jin is a good person—someone worth entrusting your future to.”

[Ding, reward: a pot of abalone chicken wing stew.]

[Ding, reward: a pot of garlic honey chicken wings]

Tang Jin heard the System’s chimes and saw the two new dishes materialize on the goods shelf in the void. She nearly failed to suppress the grin tugging at her lips.

These two large clay pots were brimming with portions.

Hahaha, just as she had anticipated. The System was the System—far easier to fool than any human.

She was simply too clever. As long as Chu Lingyue kept cooperating, she could exploit this loophole indefinitely.

She resolved on the spot: she would ask this question every day, once per day.

Truth be told, she was tempted to ask it several more times right then, but she feared Chu Lingyue would think her deranged.

In high spirits, Tang Jin gazed at Chu Lingyue, her eyes alight with amusement. “You’re wonderful too, Wife. No complaints here. Go keep Grandmother company. I’ll have the dishes out shortly.”

For lunch, they would savor the Abalone Chicken Wing Stew. A single massive clay pot would suffice for all of them.

Chu Lingyue noted the shift in Tang Jin’s demeanor, a trace of contemplation flashing in her eyes. Ever since this person had changed her tune, she had taken to asking these peculiar questions.

Why peculiar? Because they both knew the answers weren’t genuine.

Most crucially, every time Chu Lingyue responded, this person’s delight was plain to see.

Her instincts told her something was amiss. She committed it to memory and departed obediently.

Moments later, Tang Jin emerged from the kitchen bearing a large clay pot.

The other three watched the pot with eager curiosity.

Tang Jin briskly lifted the lid. The stewed chicken broth enveloped tender abalone, and as soon as it was uncovered, an intoxicating aroma filled the air.

Old Madam Tang’s appetite roared to life. “Quick, fetch a spoon.”

This broth would pair perfectly with the rice.

After downing two bowls of rice, Old Madam Tang ate to her heart’s content. Her gaze toward Chu Lingyue grew all the warmer.

“Lingyue, our Tang family simply can’t get by without you. Tang Jin has wronged you. If she ever treats you poorly again, we’ll have no more to do with her. This old lady will take care of you for life.” Old Madam Tang clasped Chu Lingyue’s hand, her eyes overflowing with grandmotherly affection.

Such exceptional culinary talent—so delicious. If the unlucky granddaughter dared wrong Chu Lingyue, she would be the first to stand against it.

Chu Lingyue’s expression stiffened slightly. She wasn’t used to this, and more than that, she felt undeserving. She had no idea how to reply.

After all, those dishes weren’t her creation…

Just then, Tang Laidi shoveled down her final bite of rice. A little scheme sparked in her mind. She sidled up to Old Madam Tang, her eyes brimming with anticipation. “Grandmother Tang, you should come often—no, every single day!”

Tang Jin was always stingy about sharing her cooking with her. She certainly wouldn’t deny it to Grandmother.

Old Madam Tang patted the back of Chu Lingyue’s hand and nodded vigorously. “I’ll come every day, without fail. From now on, Lingyue is my own granddaughter, my precious treasure. This old lady will watch over you closely.”

As for the unlucky granddaughter, let whoever wants her have her.

Tang Laidi beamed with delight. “Grandmother Tang, you’re my real grandmother from here on out.” She could tag along and enjoy the benefits every day—woo woo, it was too moving.

Tang Jin watched as the three thoroughly ignored her, the corner of her mouth twitching. Heh, who was she? Where even was she?

Did these people have any idea who had produced the food?

Without her, they’d be eating air!

Time slipped away amid the laughter and chatter. Tang Jin glanced at the trio still deep in animated conversation and opened the restaurant door half an hour ahead of schedule.

The moment the door swung open, Chu Shaoyang arrived with Tang Second Aunt in tow.

She first curtsied toward Old Madam Tang. “Old Madam.”

Then she turned to Chu Lingyue with a gentle smile. “Miss Lingyue.”

At the sight, Old Madam Tang’s heart clenched. “Miss Chu, your timing is perfect. Tang Jin, quickly return the silver to her.”

Chu Shaoyang’s brows and eyes remained serene as she replied, “There’s no hurry about that. I’m not here to collect a debt.”