The False Heiress In The 1980s

6. Cooking for the Family

Lin Yuqi carefully unpacked her belongings in the small room that Mother Xia had shown her.

The room was humble but clean, with a simple bed, a wooden desk, and a small cabinet for clothes.

It felt strange to think of it as hers, but a part of her was starting to hope that this life might offer something her previous one never could—a family.

In her modern life, she had been an orphan, drifting through the world without the warmth of a home. Now, standing in this rural house, she found herself wanting to embrace this opportunity to belong.

After changing into a clean cotton blouse and skirt, she folded away the clothes she had worn on the journey and stepped out of her room.

She noticed Mother Xia by the small wooden sink, busy washing vegetables.

Her hands moved briskly as she scrubbed dirt from the leaves, and Lin Yuqi saw that Mother Xia was preoccupied, perhaps even anxious.

The lines of worry on her face were unmistakable, as if she feared her real daughter would look down on their simple life.

Lin Yuqi approached, determined to make a good start. "Mom, let me help you with that," she said softly, standing beside her. "I can cook tonight's dinner."

Mother Xia looked up, surprise flickering in her eyes. "Oh, there's no need, Yuqi. You must be tired from your journey. I'll take care of it," she replied, her voice warm but hesitant.

Lin Yuqi shook her head and gave a reassuring smile. "Please, let me cook for the first time. I want to make a meal for the family. It's the least I can do."

Mother Xia's hesitation lingered for a moment, but the sincerity in Lin Yuqi's eyes seemed to ease her concerns.

She finally nodded, stepping aside to let Lin Yuqi take over. "All right, then. I'll let you handle it. Just tell me if you need anything," she said, a small smile appearing on her face as she returned to the side to continue washing vegetables.

Lin Yuqi turned her attention to the ingredients available in the modest kitchen.

She noticed a small variety of items: sweet potatoes, a few green chilies, a bundle of sweet potato leaves, a bag of brown coarse rice, a jar of lard, and a small piece of meat.

Although the options were limited, she knew she could prepare a simple but hearty meal with what was available.

She began by washing the sweet potatoes and green chilies thoroughly, then placed them on a wooden board.

She cut the sweet potatoes into thin, even slices, making sure each piece would cook quickly and absorb the flavors of the dish.

Next, she chopped the green chilies into small pieces, releasing a sharp, spicy scent that filled the air. She could already imagine how the dish would come together.

After finishing with the vegetables, Lin Yuqi set a wok on the stove and lit the firewood underneath.

She added a spoonful of lard, which melted and began to sizzle.

The comforting sound of cooking filled the small kitchen as she placed the meat into the hot oil, searing it quickly until it turned golden brown.

The aroma of the meat wafted through the room, bringing a sense of home that she hadn't felt in a long time.

Mother Xia, standing by the side, kept glancing over at Lin Yuqi, as if unable to fully believe that her daughter was cooking for them.