Reborn into the 70: Turning Adversity into Her Dazzling Path

Liu Yujiao initially didn’t want to pay attention to Gu Lingling, but the dessert was just too delicious. She dawdled and followed Gu Lingling into the kitchen, only to be shocked by the scene inside.

The same surprise struck Gu Chunmei, who had followed Liu Yujiao into the kitchen to help.

”When was this kitchen cleaned up?” Gu Chunmei asked.

In previous visits, she had been in a rush and hadn’t entered the kitchen.

”Yeah, someone was hired to rework this stove,” Gu Lingling said while chopping vegetables.

”Hey, you’d better focus on your chopping and not look at us,” Gu Chunmei urgently said. Being able to chat and make eye contact while chopping, with such fast knife skills, made Gu Chunmei’s heart nearly leap out.

Gu Lingling laughed while looking down at the cutting board, ”Auntie, go chat with Grandpa. There’s no need to help here. Once I finish chopping these vegetables, everything will be pretty much ready.”

”When my elder aunt and the others arrive, we just need to stir-fry, and it’ll be done.”

Looking at it, Gu Chunmei found it indeed so.

”Did you make this aspic yourself?” Gu Chunmei stood in front of the cutting board, checking out the items placed there. The aspic, crystal clear and tempting just by appearance.

”Yes, that’s right.” Gu Lingling smiled.

This aspic was the result of simmering pork skin all night, unexpectedly turning out very successful.

Wow... Gu Chunmei thought that this niece really flies under the radar.

Look at the dishes on the cutting board: three cold dishes, including bean sprouts salad, aspic, and pickles; and two hot dishes, pork and cabbage stew with vermicelli and another main dish still simmering in the pot, from the aroma it was obvious it was chicken.

This was just too lavish.

”Lingling, we’re all family, these dishes are too much; you shouldn’t go overboard,” Gu Chunmei remarked, realizing only now, and quickly grabbed Gu Lingling. ”Listen to Auntie, some noodles will do.”

”Auntie, we’ve got plenty at home,” Gu Lingling smiled and said. ”This year, my dad’s factory sent us a lot of stuff, so it’s just enough for the three of us.”

This chicken was raised by Grandma Yao.

Gu Chunhai intended to keep it for Gu Lingling to make soup, but Gu Lingling wanted to treat her aunts well on the second day of the New Year.

”Then I’ll light the fire for you,” Gu Chunmei said, squatting by the stove.

Letting her niece work alone in the kitchen while she, an adult, slacked off, was something Gu Chunmei was unwilling to do.

Seeing her daughter standing by the door in a daze, Gu Chunmei frowned, ”Jiaojiao, why are you standing there blankly? Check if your sister needs any help.”

”Auntie, there’s really no need, this stove works great. Just let Jiaojiao keep the fire going so it doesn’t go out; we don’t need the bellows,” Gu Lingling said with a smile.

The person Yang Yunhai introduced was incredible. Their home had a single stove, with a small pot attached at the back to store some water, which could be used to wash the pot later with the hot water from that back pot.

Not only that, the fire didn’t need to be fanned with bellows; just occasionally adding a bit of firewood kept it going.

”This...this stove...” Sitting by the stove, Gu Chunmei could hear the flames roaring inside, even more efficiently than their bellows at home.

Eventually, Gu Chunmei was ’shooed’ out by Gu Lingling.

”Are you really Gu Lingling?” Li Yujiao found herself speechless. The Gu Lingling she hadn’t liked much before had changed so much in just a few months.

”As real as it gets,” Gu Lingling replied mischievously with a smile. She glanced at the chicken simmering in the pot, and once it seemed ready, she added the chopped potatoes to stew with the chicken.

Watching Gu Lingling move so skillfully, Li Yujiao suddenly found herself at a loss for words.

”What’s up? Not talking doesn’t seem like you,” Gu Lingling asked with a smile, noticing her sudden quietness.

”You... I heard that couplet was written by you too?”

Though reluctant to admit it, Li Yujiao had been astonished upon seeing that couplet.