Back to the 70s: My Childhood Sweetheart Spoils Me Rotten-Chapter 49 - 48: Little Cotton Jacket

Zhan Jing watched the two of them play around, and her heart, which had been tense, finally relaxed a bit. However, she couldn’t completely relax since Zhao Gang and the others hadn’t returned yet.

Zhan Jing was reading a medical book while glancing at the clock from time to time, and occasionally pricking up her ears to listen for any sound from the back door.

"Someone’s opening the door." Although Zhao Guangran appeared to be playing around with Gong Ruini, he was actually watching the back door and dashed out as soon as he heard the noise from behind.

This kid was really quite sharp, and Gong Ruini also heard the noise from behind, but she wasn’t as quick as Zhao Guangran.

"Dad, you’re back." Zhao Guangran rushed over just as Zhao Gang and the others opened the door.

"Brother, you’ve worked hard." Zhao Guangran grinned at Zhao Xuran and reached out to take what was in his hands.

Zhao Xuran dodged, "It’s a bit heavy."

Hearing Zhao Xuran’s words, Zhao Guangran’s initially slightly crestfallen expression instantly recovered, "No problem, I can help."

Standing on tiptoe, he intended to help Zhao Xuran. Seeing his younger brother trying so hard to help, Zhao Xuran didn’t want to dampen the kid’s enthusiasm and moved the items inside with him.

Gong Ruini knew her own limits. If she tried to help, she’d only be a hindrance, so why bother doing something thankless?

So, upon receiving Zhao Guangran’s flaunting look, Gong Ruini smiled. This kid was really oblivious—didn’t he notice that Zhao Xuran’s body was tilting slightly?

But since someone wanted to play the role of the so-called good brother, why should she play the bad guy?

"Uncle Zhao, Dad, Mom, Brother Xu Ran, you’ve all worked so hard." Although she couldn’t do any heavy lifting, she could greet them with a sweet smile.

"There’s hot water at home."

"And warm chicken soup." This chicken soup was specially left over from lunch by her own mother.

Everyone had eaten a lot at lunch, and they might not crave meat, so a sip of chicken soup was the best way to ward off the chill.

After eating her meal, Gong Ruini added some mushrooms. This stuff was truly a good addition, "I just added some greens, and the flavor is definitely great."

The golden chicken soup was still a bit oily. Adding mushrooms and greens could balance the oil and allow the mushrooms and greens to absorb it, making it even more delicious.

"Are you hungry? If you are, I can add some rice to make some chicken soup porridge." Gong Ruini asked again.

Chicken soup porridge? Is that porridge made with chicken soup? Is it good?

Since it was made with chicken soup, the taste probably wouldn’t be bad. Some folks gently patted their stomachs indicating they were a bit hungry, but it wasn’t urgent.

Now that there was a dish they hadn’t tried before, everyone’s interest was piqued.

"Ni Zi, sorry to trouble you." Zhao Gang chuckled and ruffled Gong Ruini’s hair.

Gong Ruini unhappily shook her head. Although her hair was already messy, it couldn’t get any messier, or she might as well compete with Mei Chaofeng.

Cai Meina actually wasn’t too tired, having mainly been on lookout duty and helped transport things afterward, "I’ll do it. You tell mom how to make it."

It’s usually fine to instruct mom, but today mom was surely tired, and Gong Ruini couldn’t bear to have Cai Meina do the work.

Seeing her mother slightly hunched indicated she was likely exhausted, "Mom, I’ll do it. I’ll ask Brother to wash the rice."

To be a good brother doesn’t just mean pampering sisters or taking the lead in danger, but one must also do plenty of work and strive to become an all-around brother.

Gong Ruini had made up her mind to nurture Gong Ruwen from now on, ensuring he learns how to cook.

Ah, asking Ruwen to wash the rice, Cai Meina instinctively didn’t want her son to work. Whether before or after marriage, Cai Meina was used to doing all household chores, not expecting men or even boys to do them.

Gong Tao pulled Cai Meina aside, "Let Ruwen do some work."

Gong Tao, although not often doing housework himself, didn’t believe that household chores should exclusively be done by women.

Moreover, they would soon spend more time at home, but once spring comes and they’re busy, they’d have to work the fields all day, and it wouldn’t be feasible to rush home to cook lunch. Gong Tao was thinking about teaching the two kids at home to cook, ensuring at least one learns to cook and the other learns to tend the fire.

Being held back by Gong Tao, though Cai Meina was still reluctant, her husband’s determined look made it clear that their son definitely needed to work, and she could only agree.

"I can wash the rice." Unlike Cai Meina, who wasn’t keen on her son doing housework, Gong Ruwen was quite happy, "I’ll go wash the rice."

It’s not easy being a good brother; at the very least, one can’t let the sister outshine him.

Zhao Gang and the others sat on the kang, sipping hot chicken soup, "This really tastes good, not greasy at all."

"The mushrooms are tasty, and the greens are nice too." Seeing them enjoy the soup, Zhan Jing realized she felt a bit hungry herself and casually grabbed a bowl.

Although the chicken soup was initially brewed by Cai Meina, Gong Ruini must have added some seasoning when she put in the extras.

"Hmm, Ni Zi’s skills are quite good." Though they didn’t explicitly praise Ni Zi, Cai Meina discerned the admiration in their words, making her quite pleased as a mother.

"I said having a little cotton jacket is nice, but unfortunately, I seem only destined to have sons." Having a third child, and still sons, how could Zhan Jing not be disheartened?

"Having sons is a good thing." Although having a son is essential to uphold the family, having a daughter is wonderful too, like greeting them sweetly to ask if they’re tired, or preparing food for them.

Not to say sons aren’t good, just that they might not think of such things.

"The chicken soup porridge is ready." After tasting a bit, Gong Ruini finally nodded amidst Gong Ruwen’s drooling gaze.

"Save some for me." Compared to the sister who had just eaten not long ago, sitting by the stove continuously stoking the fire, the aroma wafting was tantalizing for Gong Ruwen.

"Don’t worry, there’s plenty for everyone." Porridge is something that with a bit more rice can become another bowl, and Gong Ruini added some greens again before serving it.

The white rice, pale yellow chicken soup, and green vegetables provided a visual feast.

Looking at the porridge, Gong Ruini felt she shouldn’t have used up all the fresh mushrooms in the chicken soup earlier—adding them to the porridge would create an even more aesthetic appeal.

Oh well, there needs to be some regrets; if everything were perfect at the start, there might never be the urge to recreate it.

While Gong Ruini saw the porridge as having a flaw, Zhao Gang and the rest saw it differently.

They looked at the porridge in astonishment, as it was something they had never imagined before.

Especially a porridge with chicken soup added to it.

Had an adult instructed her, it wouldn’t be surprising, but it was astounding that this young girl came up with it on her own.

Of course, a bowl of porridge’s worth isn’t just based on appearance; ultimately, it must taste good.

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