CHAPTER 201: CHAPTER 201: BEATEN (2)_1

"I bought it at the supermarket because it looked good, and I heard it’s delicious too," Shangguan You raised her eyebrows. How would she know what kind of fish it was? Why keep it in the space just to look pretty? She wanted to see how it tasted. And maybe this fish was some kind of Spirit Fish—eating it could perhaps be beneficial for health.

"The things Miss buys are always good," Nanny Zhang praised with a smile and then skillfully began to clean the fish. Shangguan You took a Spirit Fruit and started nibbling on it, watching Nanny Zhang and Liu Ruoling as she ate. She was here to learn as well. Later on, she would cook some of her signature dishes for them herself.

"Auntie, let me help." Shangguan You saw Liu Ruoling washing vegetables and quickly spoke up. She accurately tossed the fruit pit into the trash can and snatched the vegetables from Liu Ruoling’s hands to wash them at the sink.

"Hehe, the girl has grown up and knows how to care for others now," Liu Ruoling chuckled softly, letting Shangguan You roll up her sleeves to wash the vegetables while she herself started cooking. Having the girl help out was really nice.

"Mommy, Nanny Zhang, I’ll come help too." A gentle voice rang out, followed by the slender figure of Shangguan Qing appearing in the kitchen. Shangguan Qing’s brows furrowed slightly as he looked at the busy Shangguan You. Isn’t this girl afraid of the cold? Washing with such cold water, and she seems so happy doing it.

"Sure, you help her wash the vegetables," Liu Ruoling laughed softly, suggesting that Shangguan Qing help Shangguan You.

"Did you go out alone just now?" Shangguan Qing rolled up his sleeves, put his hands into the cold water, and began to wash the vegetables alongside Shangguan You, one on each side.

"Yeah, Brother Qing, I’ll tell you, I bought a very beautiful fish and some really tasty fruits, and some tomatoes too," Shangguan You continued. "I’m going to cook my best scrambled eggs with tomatoes for you guys in a bit. You must have a taste, Brother Qing," she said proudly, waiting for his praise.

"You’re not allowed to go out alone anymore. If you must go, only if I come with you. Do you hear?" Shangguan Qing’s gentle voice came through by her ear, and she could clearly feel his breath on her ear.

Shangguan You nodded.

The corners of Shangguan Qing’s mouth lifted slightly as he saw her nod in agreement before he spoke again.

"No matter how bad the dishes you make taste, I will surely finish them."

"Really? Brother Qing is the best!" Shangguan You cheered, dispelling the ambiguous tension between them.

"If you know I’m good, then make it tasty and spare my stomach the torture," Shangguan Qing said lightly, smiling as he watched Shangguan You run to the side to chop tomatoes. He resignedly started washing the vegetables she hadn’t finished.

"Auntie, when I went out just now, I ran into Auntie Li." Shangguan You’s sudden words stiffened everyone’s smiles once again. Li Wanying dared to show her face in front of You? How shameless!

"She actually begged me in front of everyone to let her come home to cook the New Year’s Eve dinner for us. She was crying, saying that without her, she wouldn’t be at ease about us. But later on, for some reason, Auntie Li accidentally spilled her true intentions: she wished for my death. She said that once I’m gone, everything of the Shangguan Family would belong to Sister Rou."

"That shameless woman! If I see her again, I’ll definitely slap her hard several times!" Liu Ruoling exclaimed angrily.

"Such a vicious woman would have been pelted with eggs in ancient times!" Nanny Zhang chimed in.

"Hehehe, Nanny Zhang really got it right. As soon as Li Wanying spouted her venomous words, she was bombarded with eggs by the uncles and aunts around her. Some even threw stones! She ended up bloodied and with a broken head. It was terrifying!" Shangguan You spoke with a smug expression, vividly recounting the moment Li Wanying was surrounded and attacked. This elicited another round of hearty laughter from everyone in the kitchen.

"Girl, well done. Next time, if she shows up again, treat her the same way. You truly are my silly girl," Shangguan Qing said in praise. Looking at Shangguan You, who was beaming with joy, he felt very satisfied as well.

"Hehe, You did a good job! Let those malicious women learn what it means to reap what they sow," Liu Ruoling praised while stir-frying.

"This is how the Young Miss should be." Nanny Zhang’s face was filled with satisfaction. If the Madam knew about this, she would be so happy. But the Madam... Nanny Zhang sighed deeply as she looked at Shangguan You. The Young Miss still doesn’t know about the Madam’s situation. If she knew, how could she still smile so sweetly?

"Girl, do you really want to cook?"

"Yeah, are you sure you don’t need our help?"

Liu Ruoling and Shangguan Qing both spoke up as they watched Shangguan You rubbing her hands in preparation. Shangguan You had no experience in cooking. Her insisting on entering the kitchen now left everyone a bit worried.

"I know! I can cook this dish, and it will definitely be delicious." Shangguan You had no skill with other dishes, but scrambled eggs with tomatoes was her specialty. Besides, it was the simplest and easiest dish to make.

"Even if it’s not delicious, it doesn’t matter. I’ve got this covered," Shangguan Qing said with a light smile. Even if it turned out to be inedible, he would save face for the girl and finish the dish.

SIZZLE. SIZZLE. SIZZLE. The oil in the pan crackled away. Shangguan You tentatively held the bowl of eggs near it. She was afraid of the splattering oil—what if it popped out? Silently cursing, she jumped back several steps, watching the pan from a distance.

"Brother Qing, you should do the eggs," Shangguan You said, unashamedly handing the bowl of eggs and the spatula to Shangguan Qing. She resignedly picked up the chopped tomatoes, waiting to toss them into the pan after the eggs.

"Hehe, I thought the girl would actually cook a proper meal, but it turns out she’s afraid of the oil!" Shangguan Qing laughed heartily. He took the bowl from her, expertly cracked an egg, and added it to the hissing pan. Shangguan You immediately threw in the tomatoes and then retreated a considerable distance.

"Brother Qing, I’m going to get bowls and prepare for the meal! I’ll leave this to you," Shangguan You said quickly, then dashed off in a flash. Shangguan Qing shook his head. Was this his cooking or the girl’s?

Firecracker noises continuously erupted. Shangguan You covered her ears, watching Shangguan Qing setting off firecrackers in the courtyard. A wave of warmth flowed through her heart unbidden. This was what family felt like. This was the atmosphere of a happy New Year celebration—a family living together joyfully and contentedly.