Reborn into the 70: Turning Adversity into Her Dazzling Path

”Why did you come over? Is there something you need?” Wang Shuxia asked. ”You see, I’m quite busy right now. How about I come over to find you after I’m done?”

”No worries, I just came to see how you’re handling these things. I was thinking of coming over to help,” Jiang Hong’s mother, Liu Xiaoqin, said with a smile.

Her eyes, however, were fixed on the kitchen, and her mouth involuntarily pouted a bit.

Indeed, there were many more things divided than at their own home.

But she didn’t stop to think that her husband, Jiang Jiuming, was just an instructor, not on the same level as the top official, Liu Jianping.

This was also because Liu Jianping and Jiang Jiuming were from the same hometown. In the past, Wang Shuxia couldn’t make cured meat, so she would specially invite her to make it, and as a way of thanks, she would send them a string of meat as a gift.

Ever since the meat was divided up yesterday, she had been waiting for Wang Shuxia to come by.

Yet, even by today, there was still no sign of her.

Liu Xiaoqin was afraid of losing the opportunity to someone else. You must know that their family wasn’t as well-off as Wang Shuxia’s—not needing to eat at the community cafeteria nearly every day, which required so many food stamps.

And as for the meat, whoever helped would get a string of it. That amount of meat could be enough for an ordinary family to celebrate a good New Year.

Yet she didn’t anticipate that being quick still left her behind someone else.

And that someone turned out to be a little girl.

”Sis, are you really comfortable letting her handle all that meat?” Liu Xiaoqin pulled Wang Shuxia out of the kitchen and pointed inside at Gu Lingling. ”You wouldn’t want to waste all that food. If so much meat spoils, it would be such a pity.”

The real pity is not having that string of meat, right?

Liu Yating rolled her eyes rather ungracefully. Liu Xiaoqin’s love for small advantages was something everyone in the neighborhood knew.

However, she was skillful. Whether it was curing vegetables, smoking meats, or sewing clothes, she was highly capable. So everyone turned a blind eye to this little flaw of hers.

After all, who doesn’t have a time when they need help?

This was also why in the past, whenever Wang Shuxia invited Liu Xiaoqin over to help, she offered such a generous gift. Either way, missing that string of meat wouldn’t make it hard for their family to get by.

”It’s fine. I’m just taking the chance to learn from the young lady. I can’t bother you every year,” Wang Shuxia said with a smile.

When Liu Xiaoqin came to their house to cure meat or pickle vegetables, she never allowed her to be around.

She claimed not to need help and could manage alone, but in reality, it was her fear that Wang Shuxia would learn and not need to call her next year.

Wang Shuxia was aware of these little schemes, but she had no choice but to ask for help, having no other option.

Now with Gu Lingling around, her cooking skills had improved significantly. Even Old Liu would now come back to eat more often and praised her every time.

These were all taught by Gu Lingling, who was now also going to teach her how to make smoked meat and pickled vegetables. Wang Shuxia’s confidence could be said to be at an all-time high.

Gu Lingling was right; regardless of what it is, as long as you grasp the knack and put in the effort, nothing is impossible to achieve, and cooking is of the same principle.

Now, she wasn’t willing to deal with Liu Xiaoqin’s attitude or trade a string of meat for her help anymore.

It’s better to rely on oneself than depend on others.

What’s more, Liu Xiaoqin always acted as if she had done a huge favor and spread the word among everyone, so the whole compound knew.

Especially whenever Liu Xiaoqin stepped into the kitchen, she acted like she was guarding against a thief, afraid that she might learn something, which really bothered Wang Shuxia.

Now, with Gu Lingling, who had cooking skills surpassing Liu Xiaoqin by countless levels and without holding back, just short of hand-holding to teach her.

Wang Shuxia couldn’t be happier. She never liked going to the kitchen, but now she would rush there as soon as she got off work.

She was hooked on cooking.