Chapter 86: Truer Than Pearls

Xia Yan instinctively glanced at Lin You, and only when he nodded at her did she shuffle her feet and sit across from Lü Hongxia.

Lü Hongxia put on her glasses from the table and scrutinized Xia Yan. Had she not heard Zhou Shimao say that this girl had jumped into a river for another man, she would have been thoroughly pleased. “Xia, how old are you this year?”

“Nineteen, and after the New Year, I’ll be twenty.”

Lin You interjected from the side, “Auntie, didn’t you already know Xia Yan is nineteen? I just told you last time.”

Lü Hongxia shot Lin You an annoyed glance. “What? Am I not allowed to ask? You take the children out to play, and let me have a proper conversation with Xia.”

Lin You wanted to say more, but Lü Hongxia continued, “What’s wrong? Are you afraid I’ll make things difficult for her?”

“I don’t mean that. Xia Yan, I’ll take the kids outside. You talk with Auntie.”

Embarrassed to have his thoughts guessed, he could only lead the three children outside to play.

Lü Hongxia finally turned to Xia Yan. “Xia, I’m a straightforward person. If I have something to say, I’ll ask directly.”

“Yes, Auntie, please go ahead.”

Xia Yan shifted in her seat, sitting up straight. She realized she was more nervous facing Lü Hongxia than Lin You’s parents.

“I heard from my husband Zhou that you had a boyfriend back home?”

Xia Yan didn’t hesitate, nodding. After all, she was now in the body of the original Xia Yan, and had to own up to her past. “Yes, it was an engagement arranged when I was a child.”

“Oh, engaged since childhood. It seems your families are close. I heard you were very fond of that man?”

Xia Yan had prepared answers for all sorts of questions before coming, but Lü Hongxia’s inquiry caught her off guard. She could only brace herself and reply, “Auntie, I admit I had feelings for Huo Ting.”

“You’re honest, at least.” Lü Hongxia smiled. “If you’d said you had no feelings, I’d be disappointed.”

With that, Lü Hongxia poured Xia Yan a glass of water. “Your marriage application wasn’t approved this time. I assume Lin You has told you the reason?”

Xia Yan nodded. “Yes, he explained. Because I jumped into the river, the organization feels I might cause trouble again after marrying Lin You.”

“Yes, that’s the main reason. I’ve watched Lin You progress step by step into the army. You’ve gotten to know him a bit these days. I don’t want him to marry a woman who might be unfaithful.”

“And this incident happened less than a month ago,” Lü Hongxia spoke bluntly, watching Xia Yan, hoping for an explanation.

Xia Yan understood. If she were an elder and heard that her junior’s partner had jumped into a river for someone else, she wouldn’t be happy either.

“Auntie, I admit that. Before coming yesterday, I spoke to Lin You. When I first heard I’d be coming to the Northwest, I wasn’t pleased at all.”

“But after arriving, I realized this place isn’t as bad as I imagined.”

She repeated almost word for word what she’d said to Lin You yesterday, including those bold declarations of affection, which left Lü Hongxia quite astonished.

“Auntie, if I really didn’t want to live with Lin You, I would have left when he told me to go.”

After finishing, Xia Yan took a big sip of water, soothing her throat.

Lü Hongxia took some time to absorb Xia Yan’s words. “So, you’re truly devoted to Lin You and the three children now?”

“Yes, as genuine as a pearl.”

Lü Hongxia laughed, “You little rascal, do you think I don’t know words? The ‘pearl’ and ‘genuine’ aren’t even the same character.”

Xia Yan laughed along. “Auntie, it’s just a figure of speech.”

“You really are something. No wonder little Zhuo was willing to change how he calls you. You’re different, and Auntie likes you more and more. Don’t worry, I’ll persuade your Uncle Zhou for you. As for Commander Peng, I believe if everything you say is true, there shouldn’t be any problem.”

“Auntie, rest assured, I’ll try my best. I won’t let such a good man as Lin You slip away.”

Xia Yan clenched her fist and waved it with determination.

Lü Hongxia glanced at the clock on the wall. “Let’s have lunch at home. I’ll go cook.”

“Auntie, let me help you.”

In the kitchen, the two women worked together, bustling with energy. Lü Hongxia had cooked all her life, but realized her skills paled in comparison to Xia Yan’s.

“Xia, I often make braised beef myself, and we use the same ingredients. Why can’t I get your flavor?”

Lü Hongxia tasted a piece of potato stewed beef from the bowl in front of her, her eyes shining.

“Auntie, the order of the ingredients, the timing, and the quantities all matter. If even one step goes wrong, the taste changes. For example, with sugar, if you add too much, it becomes cloying; if you add it too early, it turns bitter over time.”

Xia Yan scooped up a spoonful of sugar to explain.

Lü Hongxia nodded like an eager student, afraid to miss a step, wishing she could jot everything down.

Hearing that Zhou Shimao was from Sichuan, Xia Yan prepared a few spicy dishes.

Just as the dishes were brought to the table, a robust voice sounded at the door, “That aroma! I can tell it’s authentic without even tasting it. Old girl, when did you learn Sichuan cuisine? I thought you didn’t eat spicy food?”

“Grandpa Zhou, my mom definitely made these dishes!” Lin Hongzhuo said proudly. He remembered the spicy aroma from a previous dish Xia Yan had made.

Zhou Shimao let out an “Oh” and walked to the table, examining the dishes. The color and fragrance were indeed something his wife couldn’t achieve.

At that moment, Xia Yan brought out sizzling Mapo tofu from the kitchen, followed closely by Lü Hongxia. “Xia, this is your Uncle Zhou.”

“Hello, Uncle Zhou.” Xia Yan greeted politely.

Zhou Shimao was slightly surprised when he saw Xia Yan. She looked even younger than he’d imagined, and his wife’s attitude toward her was even more unexpected.

Just last night, when discussing Lin You’s marriage, Lü Hongxia had been angry and thoroughly dissatisfied with Xia Yan. How had they grown so close in just half a day?

Zhou Shimao nodded. “Hello. Lin You, go get a bottle of liquor from the cabinet. How can we have authentic Sichuan cuisine without a drink?”

“Alright.”

Everyone took their seats. Lin You poured Zhou Shimao a full glass, then glanced at Xia Yan. Seeing her staring at the Maotai in his hand, he couldn’t help but want to laugh. “Do you want a drink too?”

Xia Yan bashfully waved her hand. “No… I think I’ll pass.”