Rebirth in the 1970s: Refusing to Be a Side Character

Chapter 5: The Scent of Soap

◎ Rumors Abound ◎

After returning home, Dong Jiaojiao immediately went to her space to plant all the seedlings before starting to cook.

Having been given a second chance at life, Dong Jiaojiao's mindset was completely different from her past life. Now, she ate whatever she wanted and prioritized her own feelings, no longer compromising for anyone else.

So, today she cooked plain rice without any mixed grains. Maybe it was the magical spring water she used, but Dong Jiaojiao found the meal especially fragrant. She couldn't resist sneaking several pieces before the vegetables were even done.

She portioned out some stir-fried asparagus with cured meat into a bowl, took the hoe with her, and went next door.

Wang Cuihua's husband, Yang Hongwei, had returned, and the family of four was preparing to eat when Dong Jiaojiao walked in.

In this era, people didn't bother knocking; if the door was open, it was considered an invitation to enter.

"Cuihua, I'm here to return the hoe and brought a bowl of home-cooked food for you. Let Da Mao and Er Mao taste my cooking."

"Thank you, Auntie!" Da Mao ran over immediately, grabbing a piece of cured meat with his hands and stuffing it into his mouth.

Three-year-old Er Mao, having been a step too late, was unable to compete with his six-year-old brother. He cried out anxiously, "I... I want some too!"

In the tenement building, there were no separate kitchens. Everyone used a simple stove set up in the hallway and cooked with coal balls.

Dong Jiaojiao's cooking had already made the neighbors' mouths water. Da Mao and Er Mao had been kept inside by Wang Cuihua, but when they saw Dong Jiaojiao bringing over the dish, they couldn't contain their excitement.

Before Wang Cuihua could even stop them, Da Mao and Er Mao had already started eating, making her feel quite embarrassed.

"Dong, you're too kind."

Dong Jiaojiao placed the hoe against the wall by the door, smiling, "Sister, no need to be formal. It's just a bowl of food, it's nothing."

With that, she turned and went back to her own meal.

Wang Cuihua noticed that there was more meat than asparagus in the bowl and realized that the portion of meat was enough for her family to eat for three days. She marveled again, "Dong is such a sincere person!"

Yang Hongwei took a piece of meat with his chopsticks and immediately praised, "Dong's cooking is really good. He Chengjun must be incredibly lucky to have married someone like Dong."

Wang Cuihua shot her husband a sideways glance and retorted, "What? Are you saying that marrying me was bad luck?"

Yang Hongwei chuckled awkwardly, "Cuihua, don't take it the wrong way. I just genuinely think Dong's cooking is excellent."

Wang Cuihua knew her husband meant no harm, but she still had to keep him in line.

"If you sent less money back home, I might be able to cook something good for you too."

Mentioning this, Yang Hongwei didn't dare say more. He quickly served Wang Cuihua a large piece of cured meat, trying to placate her, "Cuihua, you've worked hard at home. Have more to eat."

Wang Cuihua didn't hold a grudge. After all, this issue had been ongoing for a while.

After dinner, when the children were out playing, Wang Cuihua told Yang Hongwei about the afternoon's events.