CHAPTER 105: CHAPTER 105: SEAFOOD FEAST

As they spoke, she gritted her teeth and pulled out a big handful of fruit candies from her pocket, stuffing them into her hand: "Xiaoxiao girl, these candies are for you. In the future, if something good like this happens, remember your auntie."

A smiling person is never met with hostility, especially since Su Xiaoxiao never turns down money, so she nodded in agreement right away.

She even generously gave Aunt Wang two packs of dried fish snacks in return.

Aunt Wang was so happy she almost split her mouth to her ears, thinking Xiaoxiao girl is generous, unlike that Zhang Dongmei and her mother who just stir up trouble. She will never trust those two again.

A few other aunties who had been too shy to come forward earlier immediately put on thick-skinned and rushed up, trying to get friendly with Su Xiaoxiao.

From now on, they would be irreconcilable enemies with Zhang Dongmei and her mother.

Had it not been for them stirring things, perhaps they could have eaten seafood tonight.

These days, supermarkets don’t always have seafood in stock, you rarely see it outside of festivals.

This opportunity was wasted in vain.

When everyone had left, Su Xiaoxiao quietly took out her reserved shares from the small warehouse and put them into a burlap sack, her arms full of thank-you gifts from the aunts.

With the profit she made and receiving so many thank-you gifts, she felt overjoyed.

Just as Liu Cuilan entered the house, she was shocked by the stuff piled in the living room.

Unable to help herself, she asked, "Where did all this come from?"

Su Xiaoxiao counted money happily, glancing up casually at her mom: "All sent by the big aunties next door."

Liu Cuilan couldn’t believe it. Despite having lived in the village for so many years, because of Father Su, everyone kept their distance from them, so who would be so kind as to send them things?

Seeing her mom obviously not believing her, Su Xiaoxiao patiently explained the whole situation.

Liu Cuilan’s eyes widened in surprise; she had been prepared to cover for her daughter, not expecting that her daughter was so resourceful and actually helped everyone buy things back.

Suddenly, remembering something, she hurriedly asked, "Old Three, you didn’t forget to reserve our share, right?"

As she finished speaking, Su Xiaoxiao calmly pulled out a big pile of stuff from the burlap sack.

Almost palm-sized large sea prawns, finger-wide big ribbonfish, and a more than fifty-centimeter-long big pomfret.

Liu Cuilan was dumbfounded.

In her life, she had never seen such big prawns or such large fish.

Suddenly remembering something, her face changed, "Old Three, do you have enough money for all this?"

If she remembered correctly, she only gave Su Xiaoxiao five yuan.

Five yuan couldn’t buy this much stuff.

Su Xiaoxiao grinned: "These were all gifts; we didn’t spend a penny."

Such precious things being given as gifts made her wonder if the givers had their eyes on her Old Three.

The more Liu Cuilan thought about it, the more it seemed this was the case; otherwise, who would give so much?

Unable to resist asking, "How old are they? Are they married? How do they look?"

A string of questions left Su Xiaoxiao stunned, but she instinctively answered each of her mom’s questions, "Seems like early forties, married once but divorced early, as for looks..."

Su Xiaoxiao thought of the bald man’s showy photos he sent, his shiny forehead, nouveau riche vibe, and shiny face, and summed it up with two words — hard to judge.

The reason she didn’t say he was ugly was that she had received things from him and felt obliged.

Weighing her words, she gave an honest evaluation, "Looks quite prosperous."

Around her age and bald, divorced...

Involuntarily, Liu Cuilan’s mind conjured up the image of a big-toothed nouveau riche.

She swayed, clutched her chest, suddenly feeling suffocated.

She didn’t mind if he was ugly, and didn’t much care if his family background wasn’t good.

But the age difference meant he could be Old Three’s dad, and he was a divorcee — she would never agree.

Only... Old Three was excited now, probably wouldn’t believe anything said.

Finally, fearing to upset her daughter, Liu Cuilan carefully spoke, "Xiaoxiao, you’re still young, there’s no rush to get married. When you do, make sure to bring him home for mom and your brothers to see."

Su Xiaoxiao scratched her head, puzzled by her mom suddenly bringing this up, but nodded understandingly, "Got it."

Then, excitedly rolled up her sleeves, "Mom, tonight I’ll show you what I’m capable of."

It’s not that Su Xiaoxiao was diligent; she just knew if her mom Liu Cuilan cooked, she’d skimp on everything due to her miserly nature.

Due to family conditions, Chen Cuilan was stingy when cooking, porridge thin enough to see the bowl’s bottom, stir-frying mostly relying on stewing.

This fresh seafood couldn’t be wasted like that.

Liu Cuilan, shocked, didn’t notice what Su Xiaoxiao said and waved her hand casually, "Go ahead."

With permission, Su Xiaoxiao swiftly grabbed the burlap sack and darted into the kitchen.

Looking at the simple seasonings in the kitchen, she decided to make fried ribbonfish, braise the big pomfret, and as for sea prawns, of course, they were best made braised in oil.

Salivating, she quickly began cleaning the fish and prawns.

When Liu Cuilan suddenly realized, she clapped her thigh and rushed into the small kitchen, "Old Three, just make a little, save some for pickling, it can last until New Year..."

Before finishing, she saw Su Xiaoxiao had already deftly gutted the fish, tossing it into the sizzling oil skillet.

Even the prawns and ribbonfish were cleaned and ready for the pan.

Liu Cuilan was heartbroken, so much stuff and her daughter went ahead and cooked everything, using so much oil too.

Oh dear, this prodigal child.

Despite feeling heartbroken, when the dishes were served, Liu Cuilan couldn’t help but swallow; it smelled too good.

In her life, she had never eaten so extravagantly.

Looking at the table full of seafood, Liu Cuilan couldn’t help but feel it was all thanks to her Old Three.

The old lady used to say her Old Three was a jinx, now it seemed she was utterly wrong; her daughter was clearly a blessing.

If not for Old Three’s fortune, she’d never have eaten so well in this lifetime.

No sooner were the dishes on the table, her two younger brothers smelled the aroma and came in.

The city’s public buses stopped several times; upon returning, they had to transfer at the town, reaching home nearly an hour after their third sister.

As soon as they entered, the rich smell made them excitedly rub their hands together like flies.

Closing the courtyard gate behind them as they entered.

The family gathered at the table, ready to enjoy the seafood feast, when suddenly the courtyard gate was banged on loudly.