Chapter 13: The Beautiful Sister‑in‑Law

After carefully putting away the Manuscript Fee Slip, Chen Qiaoqiao went to the kitchen to pick vegetables, turned on the faucet and washed the greens clean, then plucked off the leaves and proceeded to peel two potatoes.

Xu Yuexin bought a jin of pork from the state‑owned Meat Union's retail department, brought it home, and in the kitchen sliced the pork into strips while Chen Qiaoqiao, standing beside him, was in charge of shredding the potatoes and chilies.

The two of them divided the work and cooperated, truly like a little married couple living together at home.

After Xu Yuexin finished cutting the meat, Chen Qiaoqiao took sole charge of the kitchen.

After a clatter of pots and pans, Chen Qiaoqiao carried the stir‑fried greens, green‑pepper pork strips, hot‑and‑sour shredded potatoes, and a tomato‑egg soup to the table.

Each dish was colorful and fragrant, and just the smell alone could whet anyone's appetite.

Xu Yuexin picked up a strip of meat and put it in his mouth, immediately praising, "Great skill, I didn't notice when you cut in line."

"I practiced after coming back."

"Since that time you burned the whole team's rice, I've felt I should learn to cook."

Chen Qiaoqiao, in a soft and cute voice, inadvertently brought up Xu Yuexin's dark past.

Xu Yuexin's face flushed; that was back when he was an Educated Youth in the countryside. He had never cooked a big rural stove, and when he was in charge of the youth team's meals he misjudged the heat, leading to the incident Chen Qiaoqiao mentioned.

Fortunately, having lived two lives, Xu Yuexin's thick skin automatically doubled, so Chen Qiaoqiao didn't notice anything amiss.

"Then keep working hard on your cooking, and next time you get a chance to take the helm, see if you've improved."

Xu Yuexin assumed the pose of a food critic and said, "As for this time, overall it's fine. The potatoes could be a bit crispier…"

"Mm‑mm, I understand. Next time I'll soak the shredded potatoes longer…"

Chen Qiaoqiao wore an obedient expression, nodded earnestly, and habitually took every word Xu Yuexin said to heart.

After lunch, Xu Yuexin took Qiaoqiao for a walk around the Qinghua campus, and escorted her home until night fell.

Before leaving, Chen Qiaoqiao checked repeatedly, and after confirming the Manuscript Fee Slip was tucked inside the People's Literature Sample Issue, she got into the car with peace of mind.

Chen Qiaoqiao, upon arriving home, ate dinner with her family.

Because Chen Yixue was performing elsewhere today, the dinner table also included Chen Qiaoqiao's younger sister, who is still in kindergarten, making four people in total.

"Mom, I went to Xin Ge's place today and saw something."

After the meal, Chen Qiaoqiao turned, fetched the Sample Issue from the coffee table, took out the Manuscript Fee Slip, and proudly slapped it onto the table.

Chen Shi adjusted his glasses, trying to read the text, and asked, "What's this?"

Zhou Zhifeng reached for the Manuscript Fee Slip, lowered her head, and examined it closely.

People's Literature Magazine Manuscript Fee Slip, author: Xu Yuexin (pen name: Chunfeng), RMB (in words): five hundred fifty‑one yuan six jiao eight fen, work: "The Flower Wreath Beneath the High Mountain", acceptance date: April 25, 1979, slated for publication in: 1979 Issue 5.

Zhou Zhifeng's heart gave a sudden thump: the Xu family's youngster had actually earned a manuscript fee, and it was over six hundred yuan at once.

Facing the Manuscript Fee Slip stamped with a big red seal, Zhou Zhifeng, recalling her earlier doubts, felt both shocked and deeply ashamed.

Chen Shi saw Zhou Zhifeng's flushed, reddened face and felt a bit odd.

"What is it? Let me see."

Chen Shi took the Manuscript Fee Slip from Zhou Zhifeng's hand and immediately cheered, "Xiao Xu, this kid, has got promise, becoming a famous author."

Chen Shi stared carefully at every character on the Manuscript Fee Slip, excitedly asking, "By the way, Qiaoqiao, how did you get his Manuscript Fee Slip?"

"I'm dating Xin Ge."

Chen Qiaoqiao, embarrassed, averted her gaze and honestly explained, "I just said hello to him earlier, and brought the Manuscript Fee Slip home."

Chen Shi, hearing his daughter's revelation, was so delighted his mouth wouldn't stay shut.

"Dating Xiao Xu? Good thing. He's talented, and can write a novel like 'High Mountain', so his philosophical realm must be high as well."

Just upon discovering a rising new star in the literary world, and then his daughter telling him the two are already in a romantic relationship, Chen Shi felt this was a heaven‑sent joy.

At the table, Chen Qiaoqiao's sister Chen Panpan, taking advantage of the adults' distraction, gathered the chopsticks and tried to calculate how many times 600 yuan is of 100 yuan.

She remembered Mom saying Dad's monthly salary is 100 yuan.

"I've figured it out, his manuscript fee is six dads!"

After half a day of meticulous calculation, Chen Panpan shouted the answer.

Chen Shi, hearing his daughter's naive and cute remark, was both amused and exasperated: "Panpan, you're right. But it's not 'six dads'; it should be six times Dad's salary."

"Oh…"

Chen Panpan nodded as if half‑understood.

"Mom, the Manuscript Fee Slip is here; from now on you can't criticize Xin Ge any more."

Chen Qiaoqiao advised her mother, "I know this is what you care about."

"Writing a good novel doesn't mean you excel in other aspects."

"You're young and don't understand; this relationship must be evaluated holistically. If there's only one advantage but major flaws elsewhere, it may not be a good choice…"

Zhou Zhifeng's face couldn't stay composed, and she said in a hoarse, muffled tone.

At that moment, a door opening sound came from outside, interrupting her endless chatter.

"Who has the Manuscript Fee Slip?"

At the doorway, Chen Yixue, carrying a black lacquered leather bag, pushed the door open and walked in, "Is it Qiaoqiao or Dad?"

"Neither, it's Xin Ge's."

Chen Qiaoqiao took the Manuscript Fee Slip back from her mother, stepped forward, took the handbag from Chen Yixue, and handed the Manuscript Fee Slip to her.

"Oh, your boyfriend?"

Chen Yixue gave a simple, casual acknowledgment, and casually took the Manuscript Fee Slip to glance at it.

"The Flower Wreath Beneath the High Mountain"? Seeing the title, Chen Yixue's expression changed; a few hints of surprise flickered across her usually elegant, indifferent face.

(End of chapter)