Chapter 49: Once Bitten, Twice Shy

A bowl of fragrant noodles was placed before Mother Song, who looked at the delicacy with eyes full of anticipation.

"Auntie, eat up!"

Huanya handed her the chopsticks, then picked up another bowl. "I'll take this over to Brother Tiancheng."

Hearing this, Mother Song, who was just about to sit down, popped right back up. "I'll take it, I'll take it!"

She picked up the bowl in front of her and said, "You hurry up and eat. You've been busy all morning, you must be hungrier than me. Eat first!"

Without waiting for Huanya to reply, she carried the bowl and hurried out first.

Watching Mother Song's hasty retreating figure, Huanya was stunned for a moment, then quickly called out, "Auntie, walk slowly, watch your step!"

"I'm fine, I'm fine," Mother Song replied, and shortly after, she entered Song Tiancheng's room.

Seeing that everything was fine, Huanya picked up her own bowl. She pondered for a moment, but couldn't come up with anything else. "Never mind, I'll eat the noodles first, then I can head up the mountain."

Mother Song placed the noodles in front of Song Tiancheng and said, "Eat while it's hot."

Glancing at the aromatic noodles, Song Tiancheng didn't even have to guess to know they were made by Huanya.

Picking up the bowl, he blew on the steaming broth and took a small sip. A rich, savory flavor burst across his palate, carrying the distinct essence of fish, yet entirely devoid of any fishy odor—leaving only an exceptional, exquisite freshness.

He lifted a strand of noodles with his chopsticks. Upon entering his mouth, the noodles felt smooth and tender, yet retained a hint of chewiness as he chewed, intermingled with the lingering fragrance of fish.

One bite went down, leaving him yearning for another. By the time Song Tiancheng came to his senses, the noodles in the bowl were long gone, the broth was completely finished, and not even a single piece of scallion remained.

He froze for a moment, suddenly feeling that his appetite lately had gotten a bit out of hand.

Yet, with this food sitting right in front of him, he simply couldn't resist eating it.

"Oh well," Song Tiancheng sighed softly, deciding it was better not to put on airs.

Seeing that Song Tiancheng was enjoying his meal, Mother Song returned to the kitchen. She was hungry too!

Even after finishing her noodles, she still felt a lingering reluctance, wishing she could have a little more.

However, catching sight of the remaining fish soup in the pot, Mother Song suddenly remembered herself from the previous night and instantly restrained the impulse.

Oh well, moderation is best, moderation is best.

One had to admit that mother and son were quite alike in certain respects.

After tidying up the kitchen, Huanya shouldered her carrying pole and strapped a bamboo basket to her back before heading out.

Mother Song chased after her again to ask, "Do you really not want Auntie to go with you?"

"I don't need to, Auntie," Huanya said firmly. "I promise I won't go deep into the mountains this time!"

"All right then, do be careful."

"Don't worry, Auntie!" As if recalling something, Huanya added, "Oh, right, Auntie, the weather is nice these past couple of days. You can let Brother Tiancheng come out to bask in the sun more often, just as long as the wound doesn't get exposed to it."

Mother Song nodded. "I know. You must be extremely careful!"

"Got it!"

Huanwa waved her hand, holding a sickle in one hand, her carrying pole in the other, and the basket on her back, as she headed up the mountain.

Watching Huanya's retreating figure, Mother Song still felt uneasy and quietly followed behind. Seeing other villagers heading up the mountain not far ahead, she finally set her mind at ease and scurried back in secret.

Hearing the commotion and seeing his mother's stealthy demeanor, Song Tiancheng asked, "Mother, what are you doing?"

"Ah? Nothing much." Mother Song closed the door and sighed. "I was just worried about Huanya. I offered to go up the mountain with her, but she wouldn't have it and insisted on going alone."

"What if she takes a fall?"

Song Tiancheng paused in turning a page of his book and said somewhat helplessly, "Mother, you can't be bitten by a snake once and live in fear of well ropes for ten years. My fall last time was just an accident, wasn't it?"

"It was no accident! If it weren't for those heartless people from the Liu family, we wouldn't have gone there in the first place!" The mere mention of this infuriated Mother Song.