Chapter 474: Education

"That friend of yours is so nice. You have to invite them over for dinner someday."

Mrs. Fu felt her daughter had excellent judgment when it came to making friends.

She always made such kind and helpful friends.

There was the one who lent her daughter money to buy a house.

And then there was the friend who was always able to help buy groceries and grain, no matter where they were.

Although, she had never met a single one of her daughter’s helpful friends.

But she was genuinely grateful to them.

Fu Mingxue said without batting an eye, "Mom, they’re busy. Besides, I’ll treat them at the state-run restaurant. You don’t need to worry about it. Oh, right, I’m craving braised pork belly tonight, so please make a lot."

Mrs. Fu was in high spirits and very agreeable. "Alright, I’ll make it for you."

She picked up the meat, fish, and other vegetables and went into the kitchen.

Fu Mingxue followed her in to help, but Mrs. Fu shooed her out.

"Don’t get in the way. I can work faster on my own. If you’re really that bored, go keep an eye on the children."

Fu Mingxue: ...?

’How am I getting in the way?’

’I happen to think I’m a pretty good cook.’

However, she saw that the rice was already cooked, and a few dishes were already stir-fried.

She could also smell chicken soup. "Mom, are you making chicken soup?"

"Yes."

"Where did the chicken come from? Did you buy it?"

"No, your mother-in-law brought it over."

Still, Mrs. Fu was thinking about buying a few chickens herself.

With four children in the house, plus a daughter who worked so hard, they needed to keep up with their nutrition.

In the past, Mrs. Fu had been rather frugal.

Even when Fu Mingxue had just gotten married, she was reluctant to spend too much money.

But then her daughter started earning a lot, and she worked so hard.

She felt her daughter’s health was paramount.

So, when it came to food and drink, she was no longer as stingy as she used to be.

Half an hour later, Mrs. Fu brought the dishes to the table.

The family gathered around the table.

Mrs. Fu was about to serve rice for the children.

But Fu Mingxue spoke up first. "Yu Yu, this is just like your own home, so go get your own rice. Your sister can get her own, too. The two little ones are still too young, so Grandma can get it for them. But next year, you’ll have to get it yourselves."

After all, the rice was just scooped from the pot and placed nearby.

It was at a perfect height for the brother and sister to reach.

Mrs. Fu: ...?

’What’s the big deal about her serving them?’

’What if they burn themselves?’

However, Qin Yue was clearly delighted that his aunt was letting him serve his own rice.

"I’ll get rice for my little brother and sister!"

"Alright. And what do you two say?"

Hearing their mother’s words, the twins immediately said, "Thank you, big brother!"

Qin Yue smiled shyly. "You’re welcome."

He first filled two small bowls with rice and placed them in front of the twins.

Then he prepared to get some for his own sister.

But Qin Ruqiao pulled her bowl away. "I—I’ll do it myself."

At home, either Aunt Li or their grandmother always served their rice.

So, the act of serving her own rice was a novel experience for her.

Seeing this, Qin Yue handed her the rice paddle first.

Qin Ruqiao took the paddle and carefully added two scoops to her bowl.

Then she gave the paddle back to her brother.

Cradling her bowl of freshly scooped rice, she sat down on her chair, looking very pleased.

Qin Yue was very considerate. He not only served Fu Mingxue her rice but was also about to serve Mrs. Fu.

However, Mrs. Fu said she would get her own.

The whole family ate with gusto.

Especially Qin Ruqiao—she even went back for a second bowl.

Fu Mingxue noticed that the little girl seemed much less withdrawn today compared to yesterday.