CHAPTER 50: CHAPTER 50: BROTHER-IN-LAW IS SO GOOD TO SISTER

Ye Xiaotong was startled upon hearing it.

Oh no, how could she have forgotten about this?

Seeing her expression change unpredictably, Ye Manman raised an eyebrow in surprise.

"No way, no way, right? Sister married into the Xie family and even sent ducks to every household in our village, so generous. She can’t possibly be without five bucks, right?"

Who’s the master of sarcasm, if not her?

Ye Manman coldly snorted inwardly, and sure enough, Ye Xiaotong unconsciously stood up straight, even stepping back to make way from the door.

The sarcasm wasn’t just directed at Ye Xiaotong; it also affected Xie Fengmian.

He suddenly remembered that when they first visited, Ye Manman also asked Ye Xiaotong for things. He didn’t bother to inquire then and forgot about it. Now, it sounded like a monthly obligation, almost like long-term debt.

"Do you owe her money?"

And for just five bucks!?

Isn’t this a slap to his face?

Every time Xie Fengmian thought about how he was all grand and glorious outside, but the wife he brought home had a long-term debt, it made him feel very uneasy.

Ye Xiaotong obliged with a nod, the previously arrogant demeanor completely deflated by this meager five bucks.

Xie Fengmian was almost furious to fainting, the embarrassment and anger made him almost slap her on the spot.

If she owed Ye Manman money, doesn’t that mean he also owed Ye Manman money? So why was he pretending to be nice? Why bother sending warmth!

"How much does she owe you? Is there an IOU? I’ll pay it all for her."

Xie Fengmian, with an unpleasant expression, dug his hands into his pocket and took out a small stack of bills.

This time, he couldn’t even pretend to be graceful when looking at Ye Manman. Keeping his composure was as much as he could muster.

Damn it, what’s the point of being graceful when paying back money.

He was so angry with Ye Xiaotong that his teeth itched.

Ye Manman covered her mouth in surprise, glanced at He Chen, then looked at Ye Xiaotong.

"Wow, brother-in-law is so good to sister, even helping to pay her debts. A good husband like this is really rare, you know. There is an IOU, with a fingerprint too, legally binding."

"Too bad, sister only owes me five bucks and a ticket each month, I don’t know how long she’ll live, or how much she will owe in total. Maybe brother-in-law could pay a portion first? I can get the rest from sister later."

She smiled happily, her sweet voice was soft and cheerful, yet this clearly pleasant and charming voice gave Xie Fengmian a jolt of shock.

It’s over.

When Ye Manman went back and showed him the IOU, after reading it, Xie Fengmian felt his blood pressure rise.

It really was a long-term debt!

And an open-ended one!

This silly woman didn’t even know to write a date?

Xie Fengmian turned and gave Ye Xiaotong a vicious glare, making her shiver. Only then did he count out twelve bills to hand to Ye Manman.

"This much first, in two years she’ll repay you herself."

Then he rummaged through his pocket again and came up with three different tickets, not even checking what they were, and handed them over.

"I’ll give the tickets to her later, let her give you two years’ worth, anything else?"

Xie Fengmian’s expression and tone were both gloomy, with a repressed agitation, it was clear his mood was explosive.

Ye Manman happily took the money and tickets, counting them thoroughly before complimenting him again.

"Nope, brother-in-law really has the guts, paid off two years’ debt for sister in one go."

Her praise was unenthusiastic, but she was genuinely happy, immediately turning to stuff the money and tickets into He Chen’s pocket.

Xie Fengmian didn’t even bother maintaining grace or putting on airs, he just wanted to take Ye Xiaotong back home and give her a good scolding.

Lately, because of that booming Sweet and Spicy Duck collaborating with their rival farm, their duck inventory was unsold, and these past months the profit had been dreadful.

He had no choice but to agree with Ye Xiaotong’s idea to deliver warmth, handing out some of their old ducks.

Plus, his parents had already cut his monetary support in half.

Paying off the debt today meant almost no money left for daily expenses.

Damn it, all blamed on this stupid woman, how did she even get into such a debt!

Xie Fengmian turned away in agitation and left. Ye Xiaotong, knowing she had been exposed, didn’t dare to make a scene and swiftly followed him out.

Ye Manman sat back at the dining table, eating the mouth-watering meal, yet somehow feeling that in such a happy moment, there was something missing from the meal.

"What’s wrong? Is one of the dishes not tasty?"

Seeing her odd expression, He Chen quickly tasted every dish on the table, finding nothing wrong.

Ye Manman shook her head.

"No, it’s just that I’m craving fried chicken, I don’t know if you can make it."

"Fried chicken? Chicken meat fried?"

He Chen had never heard of anyone frying chicken meat this way, most people stew or roast it more often, given that chicken meat is already tough, frying would make it even harder to chew.

Ye Manman thoughtfully pondered over what ingredients were available in this era and listed some.

He Chen listened, utterly bewildered.

"Chicken with eggs and flour, what is sweet and spicy sauce, is it like Sweet and Spicy Duck’s method?"

One couldn’t really blame He Chen for not understanding her fried chicken method, as it was completely unheard of for him.

After all, having chicken to eat was already good, and eggs and flour were standalone food items, making them too precious to use for anything else.

Ye Manman understood, considering that the country’s first McSomewhat only started in the late 80s, not to mention becoming popular in such a remote town, that would be in the 90s at least.

And the fried chicken she craved was Korean-style, known for its dipping sauces, like sweet and spicy sauce, honey mustard, etc.

"Never mind, it’s too troublesome. Better not have it."

However, she couldn’t cook, she only occasionally watched short cooking videos from internet celebrities and remembered some recipes, fried chicken seemed simple enough, and those sauces were mostly ready-made.

What was readily available in modern times was exceedingly challenging at this moment.

After all, sweet and spicy sauce was something she didn’t know how to make, only vaguely recalling it had some ground red chili, minced garlic, sweet and sour with a hint of spice.

She truly wasn’t clear on what exactly went into the sauce.

Seeing her mood dampened, He Chen volunteered.

"No worries, I’ll make it. You can tell me approximately, and I’ll let you try it once I’m done, just like how Sweet and Spicy Duck was eventually made to your taste."

Ye Manman did admit he had a gift for cooking, but as for sweet and spicy sauce, she herself wasn’t sure how it was made, only able to try and piece together some ingredients from her vague memory.

So after the meal, she went to write down as detailed as possible the steps for both the fried chicken and sweet and spicy sauce. He Chen, after a brief contemplation, thought that their sweet and sour flavor might need some tomatoes or other sour-tasting fruits.

Ye Manman was instantly enlightened.

"That’s right, exactly, and tomato ketchup, you can make a separate batch of tomato sauce, and for sweet and spicy sauce you only need to prepare chili, minced garlic, sugar, and cornstarch!"

She wondered what she was missing, even thought of adding lemon juice but didn’t think of tomato ketchup.

"You’re so smart! He Chen, you are a genius!"

She pounced in front of him, grabbing his shirt collar, pulling him down to give him a peck on the cheek, then happily hopped and climbed onto his back.

"Come on, let’s catch lots and lots of chickens today, and pick lots of tomatoes, garlic, and chilies. Tomorrow you only need to buy sugar."

"Hehe, am I great at saving money or what!"