Chapter 35: A Feast to Celebrate!

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Hearing this, Song’s mother smiled and shook her head. “I’m fine, but Huan is scaring everyone away with her scolding.” She sighed, “I used to think that girl was too timid and shy, and that she’d be bullied once she went out. But now I see I was worrying too much.”

Song Tiancheng glanced through the window toward the courtyard. Outside, Huan lowered her head, carefully spreading out the mulberry leaves one by one to dry in the sun. Her movements were meticulous, as if afraid that a single careless touch might ruin the leaves. She seemed incredibly cautious.

“Ouch!” The little girl accidentally pricked her hand with a bamboo skewer. She let out a soft cry, then bit the spot where she was hurt and sucked on it briefly before shaking it off and continuing her work as if nothing had happened.

Song Tiancheng had seen many girls around Huan’s age who had taken on household responsibilities early, but few carried with them such pure innocence regardless of their circumstances.

Huan truly bore the mark of her father—a person who could take root and thrive anywhere, always growing strong and upright.

“Hey, what are you looking at?” Song’s mother said after a while, noticing no response. Following Song Tiancheng’s gaze, she looked outside.

“Oh, the girl is drying medicinal herbs. I’ll go help. Chengzi, call me if you need anything.”

Without waiting for a reply, she hurried out to join Huan in spreading the mulberry leaves.

Watching the two of them chatting and working together, Song Tiancheng’s lips curved into a gentle smile.

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Since Huan arrived, the smile on mother’s face had grown more frequent—it was truly wonderful.

Outside the house, after Huan and Song’s mother finished spreading and sorting the mulberry leaves, the entire courtyard was filled with a faint, fragrant scent.

“Hmm, this smell is quite pleasant.”

Song’s mother sniffed her own hand and then pulled Huan to smell it as well. “It’s really fragrant, but I wonder if it’s edible.”

Huan’s eyes lit up immediately. “It is! It tastes delicious when stir-fried!”

“Really?” Song’s mother was surprised. “Isn’t this a medicinal herb?”

Huan smiled, “It is medicinal, but it’s also tasty when cooked! Especially with chili peppers, though that can make you feel a bit overheated.”

“I see.” Song’s mother nodded without further question.

Huan quietly asked, “Auntie, would you like to try some? I can stir-fry a bit tonight, and we can taste it together!”

Song’s mother was usually indifferent about flavors; for her, as long as it filled the belly, that was enough.

But seeing the spark in Huan’s eyes, she nodded almost instinctively. “Alright.”

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“Great!” Huan clapped her hands happily. Noticing the smile on Song’s mother’s face, she shyly added, “I just want to make something tasty for you.”

She said, “My mother used to tell me, when you’re feeling down, eat something delicious! If one meal isn’t enough, eat two! And when you’re happy, you should celebrate with good food!”

As she spoke, she looked at the pile of mulberry leaves on the ground with a bright smile, “We gathered so many leaves today. Once dried, they’ll be worth at least a hundred wen! That’s a good thing!”

Song’s mother laughed at her earnest words. “Mm, so we need to eat something tasty to celebrate?”

“Hehe, yes!”

“Then let’s eat,” Song’s mother said. “I’ll go to the village to get some meat. Tonight, we’ll carry your big brother Tiancheng out and have a feast!”

“Okay!” Huan nodded firmly, then suddenly asked, “Auntie, is there fish sold in the village?”

Song’s mother shook her head, sounding a bit disdainful, “People don’t really eat that much of it, but there’s some in the river. Why, do you want some?”