Back To The 80s: President's Doted Wife Chapter 1608 - 1609: Cooking Personally

Upon arriving home from the local market, and just as she was heading upstairs, Cheng Su and Mother Cheng could distinctly hear the wails of Qi Xiaoqi. Mother Cheng commented, "It's surely your mother-in-law again, insisting on holding Xiao Qi, which is upsetting him."

Cheng Su let out a soft laugh. Upon entering the room, she saw Mother Qi holding Qi Xiaoqi as she moved about. The infant was crying inconsolably, and though Father Qi was attempting to take the child, Mother Qi refused to let go.

"Awake now?" Cheng Su inquired, setting down her belongings and approaching them.

Seeing her daughter-in-law return, Mother Qi appeared a little flustered, attempting to mask the situation. "He just woke up. Perhaps he didn't get enough rest, hence the loud crying," she offered.

Cheng Su didn't challenge her assertion. "He might be hungry. I'll give him some milk," she stated.

Despite her evident reluctance, Mother Qi had no choice but to hand the baby over to Cheng Su. As soon as he was with Cheng Su, Qi Xiaoqi pouted, showing his displeasure, his sobs intermittently breaking your heart.

The moment he was transferred, his crying ceased. Mother Qi's embarrassment deepened, tinged with a hint of bitterness. "He's naturally closer to his mother. Whichever person cares for him the most, that's who he'll favor," she mused, conveniently overlooking the specific reason for the child's distress. Her tone was as sharp as if she had just consumed vinegar that had aged for a century.

A quiet air settled over the room. Cheng Su took the infant to nurse, while Mother Cheng began preparing dinner. To ease the palpable tension, Mother Qi joined her in the kitchen.

Cheng Su reflected that she hadn't cooked extensively in some time. With her elder sister's partner's visit and her in-laws' presence, once Qi Xiaoqi was satisfied, she entrusted him to her father-in-law and then proceeded to the kitchen herself, rolling up her sleeves to begin cooking.

"Mom, your legs haven't fully healed yet. Why don't you rest? I'll manage the cooking," Cheng Su told Mother Qi.

Mother Qi acknowledged the suggestion but was clearly captivated by her grandson, so she comfortably sat to observe him instead.

It was, after all, only her second time seeing her grandson, and his adorable presence made it impossible to look away.

"She's certainly acting the part of a mother-in-law without any pretense," Mother Cheng remarked wryly while rinsing vegetables at the sink.

"Mom, please refrain from such comments. Walls have ears," Cheng Su chuckled, adding, "You've been working diligently these past few months. Why don't you head to the living room, watch some television, and chat with Dad? I'll prepare tonight's meal."

Mother Cheng heeded her daughter's advice. After finishing the vegetables, she ceded the primary cooking duties to Cheng Su and retired to the living room.

Though she had spent a year dedicated to childbirth and nurturing her child, Cheng Su's culinary prowess remained undiminished. Her movements were swift and precise as she washed and chopped ingredients, efficiently preparing everything needed in a short amount of time.

She approached cooking with an unyielding dedication to flavor. For the braised lamb, she first employed cooking wine and dried tangerine peel to neutralize any gamey notes. Next, she sautéed ginger and garlic to release their fragrant oils before introducing the lamb, adding cinnamon, star anise, and small pieces of sugarcane for a slow simmer that permeated the kitchen with an enticing aroma.

Sister-in-law Song arrived to assist with the cooking. Drawn by the inviting scent, she approached Cheng Su with a smile. Observing the generous amount of oil Cheng Su was using, Sister-in-law Song couldn't help but express her surprise.

She inwardly noted that Cheng Su must be quite affluent to be so liberal with the oil.

Unbeknownst to her, even if Cheng Su were not wealthy, she would still employ a similar quantity of oil, prioritizing the exquisite taste of the dish above all else.

Cheng Su covered the pot to allow the lamb to simmer, engaging in conversation with Sister-in-law Song while simultaneously preparing other components for the hot pot.

"That's quite a large pot of lamb! It looks like you're expecting many guests today," Sister-in-law Song commented.

"Indeed. My in-laws and my father are here, and my elder sister's family will be joining us later. With so many relatives, I worry we won't have enough food," Cheng Su replied with a smile. Consequently, she had also procured crispy fish fillets, renowned for their fresh flavor when paired with lamb, along with meatballs, prawns, and other delicacies.

She even purchased two bottles of wine, intended for the gentlemen to enjoy at their leisure.