Cannon Fodder in an Era Drama — I Survive with Acting-Chapter 35: Not to be Outdone

"Yeah, my mom told me that really tasty food usually looks plain. Look how fancy this food is—it can’t be any good to eat."

"Aunt Zhou wouldn’t even come to eat. She’d rather go back to her room and lie down. Isn’t it obvious?"

"She’s an elder. She knows more than we do."

"It smells so good... Maybe they added something to it!"

"Right, right! It’s not because of that weird sickness, is it?"

A moment ago, while Song Qingya was away, Zhou Huaihua had gotten up from her lounge chair and started gossiping, insinuating that Song Qingya’s illness was incurable.

That it might be the highly contagious tuberculosis.

The only reason they had come was out of respect for the Fei Village Chief.

They never expected that after arriving, it would be the Fei Village Chief’s sick wife doing the cooking. They were afraid that eating her food would make them sick too.

Therefore, even though the spread of food on the table looked incredibly sumptuous...

...and the sound of people swallowing their saliva filled the air, not a single person dared to pick up their chopsticks.

Fang Huihui glanced around and, noticing Fei Jin was gone, asked.

"Where did the Fei Village Chief go?"

"It seems there was some urgent matter with the troops. He was just called away."

"I see. So you only dare to talk like this because the Fei Village Chief isn’t here. Would you say such things if he were present?"

’Thank goodness Sister Qingya hasn’t come out with the dishes yet.’

’She’s such a gentle person. If she heard this gossip, she’d be so upset she’d cry.’

The thought made Fang Huihui even angrier.

’Bullying a new bride like this while her husband is away... If this isn’t deliberate, what is?’

"She was kind enough to host a meal for everyone, and here you are being picky. Do you really think she’d enjoy poisoning the food?"

"Fang Huihui, what are you talking about?"

Zhou Huaihua’s face was etched with displeasure.

"Who are you saying is unworthy?"

Fang Huihui, not one to back down, retorted forcefully.

"I’m saying you are! So what? Bullying someone just because her husband isn’t around, you’ve gone too far!"

"What happened? You go to the kitchen once and suddenly you’re just like that Song woman. Don’t tell me she gave you something for it?"

Zhou Huaihua’s tone was dripping with sarcasm.

She stared intently at Fang Huihui.

"Nonsense! Stop spouting garbage. If you don’t want to eat, then don’t waste the food."

Fang Huihui was clearly enraged as well.

She practically roared her response.

"Fang Huihui, you—"

Zhou Huaihua was about to retort.

But just as their argument was heating up,

a shriek pierced the air.

"Xiaobao, what did you eat? Spit it out, quick!"

a woman’s voice suddenly cried out.

The voice immediately drew everyone’s attention.

"Er’ya, what are you chewing? Didn’t I tell you not to eat anything?"

Another woman rushed forward, trying to stop the food in her child’s hand from reaching her mouth.

"Mom, it’s really good! I want to eat it."

"Don’t be silly, spit it out for me right now!"

The woman’s voice grew sterner.

"I won’t spit it out. It’s really delicious. You should try some too."

The little girl still refused to give in, even trying to convince her mother to taste the food in her hand.

"Agh, you’re still eating! Keep eating and you’ll get a spanking!"

The woman was about to lose her mind.

But she was helpless against her own child and could only try to scare her with a loud voice.

"Go ahead and hit me, Mom. I won’t spit it out even if you beat me to death."

the little girl said stubbornly, completely unfazed by her mother’s threat.

...

Song Qingya walked out of the kitchen.

With just one look, everyone froze.

’What’s going on?’

’Didn’t Zhou Huaihua swear up and down that her niece-in-law was a consumptive ghost who was contagious?’

’But this so-called "consumptive ghost" before them not only had a rosy complexion, but her features were also delicate and refined.’

’She looked perfectly healthy!’

Everyone looked from the dishes on the table to Song Qingya, finding it hard to believe that all this fine food had come from her hands.

The dishes were vibrant in color and their fragrance assailed the senses.

"Sister Qingya, what are you doing out here? The sun is so strong, be careful not to get a tan."

Fang Huihui said hurriedly, her face full of concern.

"It’s fine. I just came out to see how everyone is enjoying the meal."

Song Qingya replied softly.

In truth, she had heard every word from outside crystal clear.

But she had remained silent, only revealing herself now.

However, Fang Huihui thought she was oblivious to the discussions outside.

Worried that she would be sad because no one was eating, she immediately picked up her chopsticks, grabbed a piece of crispy sweet and sour pork, and popped it into her mouth.

"Everyone is digging in, Qingya! This crispy sweet and sour pork is absolutely delicious."

As she chewed the piece of pork, her eyes suddenly flew wide open.

The texture of the pork was unbelievably good.

The outside was crispy without being greasy, and the meat inside was tender and succulent.

After devouring several pieces in one go, Fang Huihui’s mouth was stuffed with food.

"This... mmph... this crispy pork is so good! Oh my god... mmm... h-how did you make this? You have to teach me!"

She spoke with a slight muffle in her voice.

Seeing her eat with such gusto, the people sitting nearby began to get curious.

Even the usually quiet and well-behaved Xiao Ya was swept up in the excitement, tugging at her mother’s clothes with her little hands and saying, "Mom, you have to eat some too! It’s really, really good!"

After all, children don’t usually lie.

The crowd exchanged glances, their eyes filled with anticipation.

After picking up their chopsticks, they started scrambling for the meat.

"So this is the legendary braised pork! The color is so beautiful, as enticing as amber. And it’s even sprinkled with osmanthus flowers!"

one person exclaimed while grabbing a piece.

"This fish is so flavorful! It’s so delicious I can’t stop eating. The aroma is incredible."

"Hey, leave some for me! How is all the meat gone already?"

a voice suddenly piped up.

"Hey, isn’t this the rapeseed from our fields? I can’t believe it’s been stir-fried so fragrantly. There’s not even a hint of that earthy taste. It’s even better than what you get in the city!"

Someone had discovered a new delicacy on the table.

"Stop fighting over it, Old Man Sun! You’re at your age, have you no shame, snatching meatballs from a child? What’s wrong with eating a few bites less?"

a woman said to the old man beside her.

"I didn’t see you eating any less. Who was it that said they wouldn’t eat, but then started stuffing their face?"

another person retorted loudly.

"I was just worried all this food would go to waste! Hey, why are you drinking all the soup? Leave some for me!!"

The person who had just spoken hurriedly tried to stop their companion, who was gulping down the soup.

Once everyone picked up their chopsticks, they couldn’t put them down.

The food was simply too delicious.

No one was gossiping anymore.

Everyone was too reluctant to waste time talking.

In less than ten minutes, the dishes Fang Huihui had brought out were wiped clean.

Only empty plates were left on the table.

An auntie wiped the grease from her mouth.

She looked at Fang Huihui, who was cleaning up the aftermath, and asked.

"Huihui, is there any more food? I’m not full yet."

Fang Huihui snorted, standing up ramrod straight.

"Earlier, you all said you wouldn’t eat. I told you Sister Qingya’s cooking was delicious, but you didn’t believe me. Why the change of heart now??"

"Heh heh, I guess we were all fooled."

A man chuckled awkwardly.