Chapter 17
Entering the kitchen she gathered the remaining firewood and lit a fire. Rinsing the clay pot she prepared to cook the fish. There was no ingredient here except the ginger and scallions which she had found in the mountain early today. She went to the bucket and scooped two carp fishes and the shrimps as they were few anyways. The carp fish here was more meaty and bigger than then. She attributed it to the free and unpolluted era which made the water habitat safe and allowed the fishes grow naturally.
Going to the kitchen she saw that children had entered to help her with something. She didn't need their help to cook the fishes but she figured out it would make them feel bad and unwanted so she changed her mind.
"Since you both are so eager to help then watch me. If I need help with anything I will immediately assign you to do it. Understood?"
They both nodded and then quietly made way for her to cook. Taking at the fishes she killed them both in larger pieces. She asked them to fetch water from the water barrel outside and then started washing the fishes and shrimps neatly. Placing it into the clay pot she made a mental note to buy a wok when she had money. They only had one clay pot to cook anything which was inconvenient.
Placing them into the pot she added water and the remaining ginger from cooking the pheasant chicken into it which could remove the fishy smell. Adding water she placed it over the fire and added water leaving it to boil and added the remaining salt as a condiment. Using the excuse of asking them to go get her water she quickly added lake water as the children left. When they came back she washed the scallions and chopped them also adding it into the pot leaving all to boil.
Su Ying then told the kids to go outside due to the smoke in the room and play a bit. She reckoned that her cheap husband would be back anytime soon. So leaving the fish to boil for 10-15 minutes she went to the outhouse to relieve herself. The outhouse was indeed inconvenient and disgusting as she imagined.
'I have to make money if I want to live a comfortable life'
The urge to make more money became more urgent. After barely doing her thing she came out and entered the kitchen after washing her hands thoroughly. The fish was almost done so she brought out the plates and chopsticks which would be used. Sure enough she had the kids happy call of father knowing that her cheap husband was back she took the pot off the food and began serving.
Xiao Shan Cam back late. It was almost 7pm so he hurried home before it was late. He was relieved to find the kids playing around in the courtyard. It was obvious they had bathed as they were putting on clothes different from the one they wore this morning. The name that woman gave them was good so he went with it.
"Xiao Yu and Xiao Ming, father is home, you both have taken a bath. That's great! Have you eaten yet?
"No father. Mother said we should wait for you. She is almost done in the kitchen". The both answered simultaneously.
Smiling at them both he couldn't help but notice how the younger one looked so much like the woman and the older one like him. It was his first time seeing their faces so well. They were always muddy and dirty which hindered their features from being seen.
With that thought he went into the kitchen to speak with the woman. The aroma of the fish was making his stomach growl with hunger.
Su Ying felt the man enter but paid no attention to him. Scooping the soup on the three plates she added two fishes in each plate. Xiao Shan stood stunned by the scenery in front him. The woman who was chubby exuded elegance as she scooped the food from the pot int the plate. Her hair flowed behind her back as didn't tie it probably because she finished bathing before hastily entering the kitchen.
The steam from the pot made her silhouette seem hazy and thinner. He didn't know if it was his eyes but her skin seemed fairer and her body a bit thin compared to her fat self.
Su Ying felt someone's gaze on her and turned snapping the man from his trance. She looked him up and down before saying.
"Husband, you're back. I prepared fish soup for dinner so take a bath and come eat before it gets cold".
"Hm"
Su Ying rolled her eyes before carrying the plate to the room and placing it on the table and calling the kids to come and eat. Xiao Shan went outside to bathe and entered some minutes later already changed. He was taken back seeing the food placed on the table untouched as they waited for him to come back. Feeling warmth in his heart he took his chair and said
"Let's eat".
Everyone took their chopsticks and started eating. The first bite made them moan in the delight. The fish was not fishy as expected. It was soft and chewy, not under cooked or overcooked just the right taste. Their taste buds exploded in delight as the food went down their throat. Before they knew they were already wolfing everything down. The plates were swept clean in minutes as they held their bulging stomach in bliss.
The food tasted better than Su Ying expected. Watching them feel stuffed she asked them to come outside for a walk in the courtyard. Standing in the moonlight she felt exceptionally free. The mosquitoes had already buzzing everywhere but their surroundings remained cool and quiet. After the walk they retired inside for the day. Su Ying washed the plates and tucked the kids in bed.
The house had only two rooms. Her room and the kids room. Xiao Shan usually slept outside or in the kitchen which was unacceptable to her. She then made a quick decision.
"Xiao Ming come sleep with mummy in her bed so daddy can sleep with brother okay?"
Xiao Ming grinned immediately and shot out from the bed in agreement. Xiao Yu who wasn't called felt a bit jealous but pretended to be understanding and mature.
"It's okay mother. I can stay with daddy while younger brother sleeps with you in your room. Xiao Shan who was called was surprised at her initiative to give him a room. He has thought he would sleep outside as usual so seeing this surprised him but he quickly understood her intentions.