Chapter 275 - 273: The Words to Be "Most Regretted

Chapter 275: Chapter 273: The Words to Be "Most Regretted

Lin Qiao leaned in and whispered to Gu Nuan Nuan, "Actually, my mom and her sisters get their talent from my maternal grandfather. His skills are the best; I heard he even studied under an Imperial Chef from a former dynasty. So for any big event, like New Year’s, festivals, or other family celebrations, my grandfather is always the head cook. He passed most of his culinary skills on to my uncle. My mom told me that Grandpa always said she and my aunts would eventually marry into other families, so he never taught them his craft. They only learned the barest of basics. But, even though my grandfather and uncle are incredibly skilled, they rarely cook on a normal day at home."

"Oh, so that’s how it is." Gu Nuan Nuan nodded in understanding.

However, Gu Nuan Nuan didn’t take the story about Lin Qiao’s grandfather having studied under an Imperial Chef too seriously. ’The man himself is so particular about only passing skills to men, not women,’ she thought, ’so why would someone else have been so generous to him? Many traditional crafts are lost precisely because of this kind of narrow-minded thinking. Even if Lin Qiao’s grandfather really did learn from an Imperial Chef, he probably only picked up a thing or two. It’s not like you can easily master an Imperial Chef’s skills unless you’re his own son.’

Then again, cooking was also a matter of talent, and it was true that most men were more gifted in this area than women. In most households, the women did the cooking, but weren’t most of the famous chefs out in the world men? Not everyone who cooked a lot would improve. Without talent or an understanding of innovation and moving with the times, someone could spend their entire life in a kitchen and still produce food that was absolutely dreadful. She glanced over at Lin Qiao. "Even if your mother only learned the basics, her cooking is already delicious. Like mother, like daughter. Does that mean your cooking is pretty good, too?"

"Me? No, I’m not good at all. My mom says my technique is still a long way off." Lin Qiao shook her head humbly, but she couldn’t hide the look of pride in her eyes.

"It’s fine. Just practice slowly. You’ll definitely have a chance to shine in the future. I’ll be waiting to enjoy a feast when your culinary skills have been perfected," Gu Nuan Nuan said with a smile and a nod.

"Deal. I’ll practice some more, and when I get the chance, I’ll cook for you," Lin Qiao agreed readily, without a hint of hesitation.

After lunch, Lin Qiao pulled Gu Nuan Nuan back to the room she shared with her two younger sisters. Once inside, she didn’t forget the deed of sale Gu Nuan Nuan had kept mentioning. She actually found a pen and paper, wrote one out for Gu Nuan Nuan, and placed it solemnly in her hand. "There, are you satisfied now?"

Gu Nuan Nuan read it over carefully, then nodded in satisfaction. Smiling, she held up the deed of sale—a document whose future significance Lin Qiao couldn’t yet fathom—and asked again, very seriously, "Have you thought this through? I’m giving you one last chance to back out. Once this is settled, you won’t be able to change your mind!"

"Alright, alright, why are you being so long-winded? It’s so weird. You’re like a completely different person at school versus in private." Lin Qiao shot her an exasperated look. "A gentleman never goes back on his word. And even if I’m no gentleman, my word is my bond."

"You said it yourself; I didn’t force you." Gu Nuan Nuan carefully folded the paper, put it in her pocket, and patted it. "I’ll say it again: I’m serious, so don’t treat this as a joke. It’s in black and white now. Don’t come crying to me later, because changing your mind will be impossible."

After speaking, she saw Lin Long and Lin He staring at them with wide, curious eyes, not understanding what they were doing. Gu Nuan Nuan smiled and said, "See? Your two little sisters are our witnesses."

Hearing Gu Nuan Nuan mention them, the two girls beamed at her. A child’s world is very simple. They genuinely liked this older sister who gave them delicious candy, chocolate, and big, tasty red apples.

That’s right—they had eaten the apples Gu Nuan Nuan brought, and they both thought they were the prettiest and most delicious apples they had ever had.

"Why don’t you trust people? I said I won’t regret it, and I won’t." Lin Qiao waved her hand impatiently, speaking the words she would later consider the "most regrettable" she had ever said in her life.

"Heh." Gu Nuan Nuan just smiled, nodding without saying anything more.

Then, before Gu Nuan Nuan could ask, Lin Qiao took the initiative to bring up Liu Li and her mother again.

Gu Nuan Nuan already knew that Yao Hui Zhen had been crippled by a broken leg and disfigured, so hearing Lin Qiao repeat it didn’t elicit much of a reaction from her. She listened as Lin Qiao continued, "And Liu Li’s dad is a real piece of work. He used to be so lovey-dovey with my second aunt—they were the most affectionate couple I’d ever seen. It was so shameless, they were disgustingly mushy in front of everyone, always feeding each other and saving the best bites for one another. Hmph. I really thought their relationship was amazing and was even envious. But the moment something happened to my aunt, his attitude changed faster than anyone’s."

"Heh, that’s not surprising at all. I’ve heard that the more publicly affectionate a couple seems, the more unreliable they are when it really counts. For example, if one spouse passes away, it’s often the one from the seemingly ’perfect’ couple who finds a new partner the fastest," Gu Nuan Nuan said with a faint smile.

"Really?" Lin Qiao stared at Gu Nuan Nuan, stunned. "Why is it like that?"

"I don’t know. Maybe couples who are overly affectionate in public have a stronger need for attention, so they can’t stand the thought of being alone?" Gu Nuan Nuan shrugged and said casually.

’If they weren’t seeking attention, how many couples in such a conservative era would be so ostentatious in public? Even the best relationships eventually settle into a comfortable quietness. Love ferments in that tranquility, growing more fragrant and mellow over time, just like wine that’s been properly sealed.’

’If a wine bottle is always left open, just imagine how much of its aroma would be left over time? Life isn’t some grand play that you have to perform for an audience.’

Lin Qiao stood with her mouth agape, thinking for a long time before finally nodding as if she only half-understood.

She didn’t dwell on it for long before starting to talk about Liu Li and her mother again. "Nuannuan, you probably don’t know this, but my mother and my second aunt are very close in age—only a year apart. Back then, my maternal grandparents were poor, so they waited a few years before arranging marriages for their daughters. The man who became my second aunt’s husband was originally meant for my mom, while my dad was supposed to be matched with my second aunt. But my second aunt saw that my dad’s prospects weren’t as good as the other man’s, so she schemed to snatch him for herself. I’m so relieved. If she hadn’t done that, my mother would be the one in that terrible situation, right? It’s terrifying. I feel so lucky just thinking about it. I would never want a father like Liu Li’s."