From Broken Family to Life Winner: A Reborn Mother's Journey

Wu Qihua had raised Wu Sheng all by herself in this day and age. She’d been through it all.

She could see the anxiety in Su Li’s heart as clear as day.

She knew exactly how Su Li felt. She had experienced everything Su Li had and then some.

Her heart was filled with emotion, but a faint smile played on her lips.

It wasn’t for any other reason. She simply admired Su Li.

Anxious as Su Li was, she didn’t hide a thing, laying out her actual circumstances.

She looked her in the eye and told her everything candidly.

She was nervous, but she was also brave. Wu Qihua believed that if she said anything harsh, the young woman before her would hold her head high and walk away.

She would be hurt, but she would never beg or cause a scene. She would leave with her dignity intact.

Wu Qihua admired that strength and independence. In Su Li, she saw a reflection of her younger self.

Wu Qihua’s gentle, wise eyes rested on Su Li as she shared her thoughts.

Su Li had imagined a million different outcomes, and this was the one she had hoped for most. But now that it was actually happening, she was a little stunned.

’Wu Sheng’s mother, Wu Qihua, doesn’t object to us being together...’

’She doesn’t object...’

It took a moment for it to sink in, so she had to process it again and again.

She was stunned for a good few seconds.

Once it fully registered, her eyes filled with sheer joy, and she quickly glanced toward the kitchen.

Wu Sheng was winking and making faces at her, his excitement a perfect match for her own.

Of course, besides the excitement, there was also a hint of pride.

’Hmph, see? I told Su Li she didn’t need to be afraid of my mom. My mom is great!’

After winking at Su Li, he turned and winked at Wu Qihua, giving her a big thumbs-up.

Wu Qihua watched his antics and pursed her lips.

”Do you still think you’re five or six and cute no matter what? Now get back in there and cook.”

Wu Qihua really didn’t hold back with Wu Sheng.

Wu Sheng was used to it. He huffed and obediently returned to the kitchen.

He’d been eavesdropping the whole time, so he hadn’t been able to concentrate. Now, he could finally get started for real.

’Heh heh heh, today I’ll show Su Li what a great cook I am!’

Su Li watched the mother and son interact, smiling to herself.

Wu Qihua started sharing her experiences with Su Li. ”Ah, children are so much cuter when they’re little. They’re fun to tease, too. Once they grow up all big and brawny, they’re not cute anymore.”

After speaking, she asked Su Li, ”You said your son will be seven after the New Year? That’s such an adorable age. What’s his name? Where is he now?”

”His name is Tang Mo. He’s at school taking his final exams right now.”

”Oh, then we have to go get him! We can’t just leave the poor thing all by himself. Have Wu Sheng go pick him up. He’ll be back just in time for dinner.”

Wu Qihua was about to call for Wu Sheng.

Su Li quickly stopped her. ”Oh, no, it’s alright, Auntie. One of his classmates is having a birthday today. They made plans to celebrate together after their exams. I can just go home and pick him up later.”

Wu Qihua nodded. ”Oh, I see. Well, I guess we’ll have to meet him next time, then.”

”I’ll bring him for a proper visit next time,” Su Li replied quickly.

Seeing how tense Su Li still was, Wu Qihua couldn’t help but smile. ”Su Li, you don’t have to be so nervous. Just relax. It’s alright.”

”Personally, even though we’ve only just met, I like you very much. So you don’t need to be so formal, really.”

Su Li nodded and let out a breath. ”Okay.”

The sound of ingredients hitting hot oil sizzled from the kitchen, and Su Li turned her head to look.

”Auntie, I’d like to go help Wu Sheng.”

Wu Qihua waved her off. ”No, no, let him handle it. All that hot oil is bad for your skin. We can just sit here, eat some fruit, and chat.”

’How could I let my future daughter-in-law cook the first time she comes to meet me!’

Su Li laughed. ”You just told me not to be so formal. Going to the kitchen is my way of relaxing.”

”I wouldn’t say I’m a master chef, but my cooking is decent. Let me just whip up a few dishes for you to try. It would be my pleasure.”

Since Su Li put it that way, Wu Qihua clapped her hands together and stood up. ”Alright, then. Let’s go take a look.”

When Su Li and Wu Qihua got to the kitchen, Wu Sheng was just finishing up a dish.

”Here, have a taste and see if it’s good. Ah, nothing’s more delicious than when it’s fresh off the wok.”

Wu Sheng held out the plate for them.

Wu Qihua took a bite and nodded. ”Mm, it’s delicious.”

Wu Sheng grinned proudly. ”Of course it is! I told you I’m a good cook.”

’I may not be on the same level as a natural-born chef like Ge Bayi,’ he thought, ’but my skills are still pretty good compared to the average person.’

With a touch of swagger, Wu Sheng offered a bite to Su Li.

Su Li took a bite, and her expression froze for a second. She chewed carefully, studying Wu Sheng’s and Wu Qihua’s faces.

’They don’t seem to be kidding. They really think it’s good...’

”It’s okay,” Su Li said honestly, unable to praise it against her conscience.

’Alright, fine.’ On Wu Sheng’s birthday, he had insisted on cooking, and she’d tasted it then. But she hadn’t eaten it right away and only had some after it was reheated, so she’d blamed its bad taste on the fact that it had gotten cold.

’But today...’

Su Li put down her chopsticks. She glanced at the prepped ingredients in the kitchen, then beckoned to Wu Sheng with her finger. ”Come here.”

Wu Sheng was baffled. Su Li pointed to the apron he was wearing. ”Let me cook a few things. It’ll be quick.”

”No need,” Wu Sheng said, waving his hand. ’Su Li looks so beautiful today; she should just stay that way.’

Su Li didn’t bother with the apron; she just turned and got straight to work.

Wash the wok, pour the oil, slice the ginger, toss it in. Her movements were crisp and efficient as she cranked the heat to high.

With a few quick tosses of the wok, the simplest of dishes—stir-fried pork with scallions—was done.

Su Li held out the plate to the stunned Wu Sheng and Wu Qihua, who were standing frozen in the doorway. ”You two, have a taste.”

Wu Sheng and Wu Qihua looked at the plate. They hadn’t even taken a bite, but the aroma alone made them swallow hard.

Wu Sheng carried the dish he had made to the dining table. He and Wu Qihua exchanged a glance, then simultaneously reached with their chopsticks for the stir-fried pork and scallions Su Li had made.

After the first bite, they both froze for a second. Then, they suddenly picked up their pace and went in for a second piece!

Nodding continuously, the mother and son devoured one piece after another. By the time they came to their senses, more than half the plate was already gone.

”We have to stop!”

Wu Qihua suddenly slapped Wu Sheng’s hand. ”Hurry up and set the table!”

Wu Sheng stopped, smacking his lips with relish.

’Come to think of it, I don’t think I’ve ever really had Su Li’s cooking before. We usually eat out or I take her somewhere. I had no idea her skills were this amazing!’

’Ge Bayi is a great cook too, but this is completely different from his food.’

Su Li’s food was home cooking, and it had a certain flavor that Ge Bayi’s dishes lacked.

Half an hour later, a full spread of dishes was on the table.

Wu Sheng and Wu Qihua sat before the table, their eyes filled with disbelief.

They were the ones who had washed and cut the ingredients beforehand. They were familiar with some of these dishes; in fact, they had made them countless times.

They were made from the exact same ingredients, so why did Su Li’s versions look so much more appealing?

Once they started eating, Wu Sheng and Wu Qihua were completely won over. They were utterly blown away. The way they looked at Su Li, their eyes were practically shining.