243 Why Is This So Delicious?
Baili Jinghua heaved a sigh of relief when she thought of the peaceful and simple life. She focused on looking into the fields in the distance, and a relaxed smile gradually appeared on her face.
Her son also curiously widened his eyes and looked around. He was curious at heart but carefully looked at his mother. He was very sensible and did not speak nonsense.
Baili Jinghua’s heart clenched when she looked into her son’s eyes. The little boy was sensible and had a maturity that did not match his age. He was curious about his surroundings, but he dared not ask anything.
The little boy was afraid of saying the wrong things in front of others, causing trouble for his mother. In contrast, Baili Jinghua was not a careful and gentle person as she had grown accustomed to being careless.
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However, she would always involuntarily become gentle regarding her son. “Do you like this place, Xihong?”
Baili Xihong nodded thoughtfully and replied, “Yes, I do, Mom.” His eyes were full of curiosity at that moment.
“It’s good that you do. We’ll live here from now on, so you won’t have to be afraid or worry anymore. We can live stable lives here,” Baili Jinghua said smilingly.
Baili Xihong understood his mother’s words as he revealed a joyful expression. “I like this place a lot, Mother. I will quickly grow up and care for you.”
Baili Jinghua felt guilty when she heard her son’s words. “No need, I will be okay. I just want you to be happy.”
She placed her palm on her son’s head and felt she had let him down. She had not settled down anywhere over the past two to three years because she did not want those people to know she was still alive.
However, those people probably thought she could not have survived the fire and came searching for her now.
Su Binglan listened to the mother and son’s conversation and felt a trace of bitterness in her heart. She knew most people did not have it easy, and there was a limit to what she could do. Still, she felt everything would be okay if she did her best.
The sun was about to set in the west as they journeyed home. The setting sun’s afterglow shone on the land, causing it to shine with a moving radiance.
Baili Jinghua was amazed. “It’s so beautiful.”
She had lived in the capital city before and had never seen such a beautiful scene. She felt very relaxed and comfortable just looking at it.
“Is that smoke?” Baili Jinghua looked at her surroundings and felt curious.
Su Binglan explained smilingly, “That’s cooking smoke. Every household emits it when the families cook.”
Baili Jinghua sighed, “We had a kitchen at home too. People would also be cooking, and there would also be smoke. I didn’t think much of it then, but everything here is different. The chimney smoke here seems lovely.”
The trio sat on the oxcart and could see the village from afar. The village was full of ordinary houses, not the big mansions and courtyards of the capital city.
However, those houses were close to the foot of the mountain, and the setting sun made them look wonderful.
Baili Jinghua did not know if it had a psychological effect, but she felt this place was perfect. She wanted to settle down here. When the time came, she would start a small business and send her son to Blue Mountain Academy.
Still, she did not want her son to take the imperial exams. She just knew that studying at the academy would allow Baili Xihong to make friends and learn many things. Perhaps her son would meet a child of the same age and be more cheerful.
With that plan in mind, Baili Jinghua became excited. As she looked at her surroundings and thought about her future, she started looking forward to it.
Instead of feeling numb like before, she felt alive coming here.
…
Su Binglan brought Baili Jinghua and the little boy to her parent’s house first. Shen Qiuhua was stunned when she saw Su Binglan bring back a mother and son.
“Are they your friends, Binglan?” Shen Qiuhua knew her daughter would not bring strangers home so casually. After all, the other two were mother and son, so Su Binglan should know them.
Su Binglan said, “Yes, they are, Mother. I plan to settle them in the village, so are there any extra houses around?”
She knew her grandfather’s eldest brother managed these affairs, so she asked Shen Qiuhua.
Baili Jinghua greeted Shen Qiuhua, “Hello, ma’am.”
“Quick, come in. It’s cold outside. Our house has a heated brick platform so that you can stay warm.” Shen Qiuhua looked at the little boy, and her heart melted.
The handsome and obedient child reminded her of her grandsons. It just so happened she was just playing with them.
Baili Jinghua knew her son was a little shy, so she said, “You can call the lady ‘Ma’am.’”
Baili Xihong said, “Hello, ma’am.”
“Come in, come in.” Shen Qiuhua was busy entertaining the mother and son, forgetting to answer Su Binglan’s question.
She hurriedly washed her hands and went to get some snacks. After placing the snacks on the table, she said, “My daughter made these. Try some. They’re delicious. We’ll have dinner soon, so I hope you join us.”
If the mother and son were still out there, they would not dare to eat anything so recklessly. At that moment, the mother and son looked at the tasty snacks on their plates, and their eyes lit up.
‘Are these delicious? They have patterns on them too.’ Baili Jinghua had lived in the capital since she was a kid and had never seen dumplings like these.
Meanwhile, Baili Xihong revealed a fond expression but dared not reach out to take one. Instead, he instinctively looked at his mother.
Baili Jinghua knew what her son wanted to ask her. She said, “The nice lady gave these to you. Hurry up and eat before they get cold.” She took a dumpling and gave it to her son as she spoke. Only then did the little boy begin eating.
Baili Xihong’s eyes lit up as he ate. His mother looked at him and heaved a sigh of relief. Baili Jinghua was worried her son would not adapt to this lifestyle, but after looking at his reaction, she finally felt like her son behaved his age.
Shen Qiuhua looked at Baili Jinghua and said smilingly, “You should eat too.”
Baili Jinghua was a little embarrassed, but Shen Qiuhua warmly welcomed her so she could not be rude. Finally, Baili Jinghua took a piece and ate it. She was stunned when he took a bite. “Why is this so delicious?”
When the Baili family was doing well in the past, Baili Jinghua was the most honorable eldest miss of General Baili’s residence. She had enjoyed eating delicious foods since she was a child.
Her parents spoiled her and made plenty of tasty foods for her. Baili Jinghua became so picky that she could not even eat ordinary food.
Of course, over the past few years, she could not care less about what she ate as long as she could be full for the day. However, she was amazed by the dumplings she ate. ‘I never knew such a delicious snack existed.’
Baili Jinghua excitedly took another snack and ate it piece by piece. Of course, she did not forget to share with her son.
She accidentally ate the whole plate of snacks. Immediately after, she realized what she had just done and became utterly embarrassed. “W-Well, the snacks were insanely delicious, so…”
Shen Qiuhua heard this and happily said, “I’ll go get some more.”
As expected, her daughter’s snacks were delicious. She was delighted that everyone enjoyed her daughter’s dishes.