Chapter 07 A Flavorful and Aromatic New Year's Meal!

Today, after hearing such words, she was a mix of embarrassment and anger. She threw the radish carving onto the ground and trampled it with her leather shoes a few times, but as she was about to glare fiercely at Gu Qiaoqiao, her heart trembled.

Bai Yun turned her head too but ended up meeting Gu Qiaoqiao's gaze unexpectedly.

That gaze, deep and inscrutable, was black as if without boundaries.

And devoid of any warmth.

Bai Yun's heart startled, yet as she frowned, Gu Qiaoqiao smiled.

It was as if a full tree of pear blossoms had burst into bloom in an instant.

Bai Yun shook her head. That feeling just now must have been an illusion.

How could that wretched woman, so riddled with inferiority, dare to look at her like that?

Grandma Qin looked at the radish mush under Qin Xiaoyu's feet and sighed. She glanced at Bai Yun, whose seemingly kind face harbored thoughtful expressions.

Aunt Shen couldn't help but scrutinize Gu Qiaoqiao, this daughter-in-law who usually only nodded in agreement, was incompetent at doing good but could always spoil matters. Today, however, she seemed like a different person.

Standing there quietly, she actually looked serene and lovely.

Shen Manru thought, why she would have such an idea? She must be mad.

Gu Qiaoqiao spoke unhurriedly, "Our country's food carving has a long history, dating back to the Spring and Autumn period. It's not just about beautifying the banquet or setting the atmosphere; it's an art form that can also complement the dish and showcase its unique charm, not only adding splendor but also constituting an artistic treasure."

Bai Yun was stunned.

Grandma Qin smiled and said, "Qiaoqiao is right, that's the point. This food carving is a treasure in our nation's five thousand years of culinary culture..."

"So, in your mouth, it becomes a stinking radish?" Gu Qiaoqiao didn't wait for Bai Yun to retort and continued, "You're well read and knowledgeable. Xiao Yu is still young and doesn't understand many things. You should have been the one to tell her this, but instead, you misled her."

"Gu Qiaoqiao, you..." Bai Yun was a mix of embarrassment and anger in the moment.

That stupid woman spoke too quickly; she hadn't even had time to react.

Suddenly, the sound of firecrackers burst from the courtyard.

At this time, during the Spring Festival in the Imperial Capital, setting off fireworks and firecrackers was not yet banned.

Gu Qiaoqiao hadn't spoken so freely in a long time.

Seeing Bai Yun's shocked and angry expression, a sense of satisfaction rose in her heart.

It must be said that Bai Yun was quick to react, grabbing Aunt Shen's arm and suddenly said coquettishly, "Aunt Shen, the Qin Family is a scholarly family, not a culinary one. So, I spoke without thinking. I'm sorry."

"It's fine, why are you apologizing?" Shen Manru, who never had much interest in cooking, laughed. "Besides, you're right. We're not running a restaurant; it's good enough to have some understanding of these things."

"Then I'm relieved. I was worried that you'd be angry at me, Aunt Shen, and not dote on me anymore." Bai Yun acted spoiled.

Then she took Xiao Yu's hand. "I'll take you to watch the fireworks tonight."

"Okay!" Qin Xiaoyu was naturally happy.

Though, her heart felt a bit of regret.

She didn't understand culinary culture, but the carved flowers were truly beautiful.

Gu Qiaoqiao averted her gaze.

This girl, despite being the same age as herself, was really not an ordinary child.

Her past self, naive and foolish, timid and weak, how could she have not been played in the palm of the hand by such a girl?

She scoffed self-deprecatingly and curved her lips slightly.

The door opened.

Qin Yize and Qin Xuan, who had been setting off firecrackers, entered the room.

The originally elegant and noble living room immediately felt dull when Qin Yize stood there.

Bai Yun stood up, her gaze involuntarily falling on Qin Yize. With each look, her heart fluttered.

She hid the love in her eyes, forced herself to shift her gaze away, and glanced at the dishes on the dining table that looked both appetizing and flavorful, her fingers clenched and then released.

She walked quickly to Gu Qiaoqiao, smiling mischievously, "Sister-in-law, you scolded correctly just now. It was my mistake; I shouldn't have spoken that way. Let's not be formal on New Year's, okay?"

Gu Qiaoqiao fixed her eyes on her, and after a few moments, she smiled, "Alright."

Bai Yun was taken aback, a twisted shadow of darkness flashing through her eyes.

This cheap bitch really thinks she's something special.

She forced a smile and asked, "Can I talk to you after I finish the New Year's dinner?"

What is it to talk about?

She should be teaching her how to kneel in front of Old Grand Master Qin the next day, crying and complaining bitterly.

She was indeed a good gun, hitting wherever directed.

Old Grand Master Qin, the head of the Qin family, valued the family's reputation and traditions most.

And Qin Yize was the successor he had designated, his pride.

On the first day of the New Year, speaking such foolish, unfounded words, how could Old Grand Master Qin not fly into a rage?

What status did she, Gu Qiaoqiao, have in the Qin family?

Probably not even as much as the big black dog in the yard.

Gu Qiaoqiao still stood in place, staring fixedly at Bai Yun, and slowly nodded, "Okay."

"I knew my sister-in-law was the best," Bai Yun said softly, her tone resembling that of someone pleased, before she gathered her long hair, "I'll be leaving first; my family is starting dinner."

"Yes, Bai Yun, come over to play after eating," Shen Manru said with a smile.

"Sure."

No one kept her; today was for the family reunion dinner, which everyone had in their own home.

As Bai Yun passed by Qin Yize, she stole a glance at the tall and graceful man before she gracefully pushed the door open and left the Qin residence.

"Alright, there are no outsiders now, and the firecrackers have been set off. Let's start eating," Grandma Qin spoke.

"Ah Ze, go bring the Maotai," Qin Xuan said, in a much better mood after setting off the firecrackers.

He was in high spirits, instructing his son to get the alcohol.

Then he took his place at the seat next to his elderly mother.

The Qin family's dining table was rectangular.

Grandma Qin sat at the head of the table.

Shen Manru sat across from Qin Xuan, and everyone else took their usual places.

Gu Qiaoqiao slowly took her seat next to Qin Yize, opposite her was Qin Xiaoyu, who had glanced at her with a scowl.

"Although Qiaoqiao is cooking for the first time, by the looks and smells of it, it's definitely not wrong..." Grandma Qin sat at the head of the table; although her line of the family was not prolific, they were all outstanding.

The old lady looked at her family members sitting beside her with contentment, aware that with each passing year, she had fewer years left.

She cherished these days of family reunions dearly.

The old lady followed with a few opening remarks, all auspicious blessings, before she happily picked up her chopsticks.

The others, looking at the dishes on the table that could be described as visually and olfactorily appealing, were unsure about the taste.

No one started eating.

It was somewhat awkward.

Although the Qin family was a scholarly one, there were still some age-old traditions passed down from the ancestors.

The New Year's dinner required the eldest in the family to take the first bite.

Professor Qin, fearful that the taste wouldn't be good and might upset his elderly mother, didn't want to try it first either.

He sighed softly in his heart.

Ever since this daughter-in-law entered the family, peace and refinement were no more.

Grandma Qin looked at Gu Qiaoqiao, who was slightly bowing her head, and reached out with her chopsticks to pick up a piece of eggplant with minced meat in front of her.

With age, her teeth weren't good.

After just one bite, Grandma Qin froze.

Qin Xuan, startled, quickly said, "Mom, if it's not tasty, don't swallow it; your stomach is weak."

Gu Qiaoqiao's mouth curved into a small smile, her expression indifferent.

Qin Yize's deep gaze fell upon her face and, after a few moments, shifted away indifferently.