Chapter 574 - 14: The Cannon Fodder Daughter and Her Cannon Fodder Dad (Part 14)

The most important thing is that every time, Sister Yao Yao would end up being bullied to tears by her.

So Jiang Li doesn’t like her.

But now, he realizes that Jiang Lila isn’t as bad as he thought. Even if she’s still petty and stingy about food, she stands up for him when he’s being hit, and that’s enough.

Jiang Li likes people who value loyalty.

Which is exactly why he has some resentment towards Shen Yaoyao, even though she explained that she went back to find help at that time because she was afraid she’d make things worse by staying.

The logic does make sense.

But Jiang Li still has a knot in his heart.

Because Shen Yaoyao ran so fast back then, without a second thought.

"Sis, if you fancy anything, just grab it, I’ll buy it for you."

Jiang Lai’s gaze fell on a set of kitchen knives.

There are very few items at the supply and marketing cooperative that don’t require tickets, and this set of knives happened to be one, but the price was absurdly high.

But the brand of the knives is quite famous; I remember Jiang Hai has a meat cleaver from the same brand.

"Please wrap this up for me."

Jiang Li was eagerly preparing to pay, but when he saw the price, his eyes nearly popped out.

"Fifty?!"

Then he looked at Jiang Lai.

"Are you crazy?"

Jiang Lai was already paying, his expression calm.

"Do you know what investment means?"

"Huh?"

"You don’t understand, shut up, from now on your dad’s hat will be mine."

"Huh??"

What is she talking about?

Jiang Li couldn’t understand a word of it.

All the money earned from picking coal over the years was spent by Jiang Lai on knives.

As soon as they got home, Jiang Lai was still storing the knives when they heard Shen Yan calling for dinner outside.

This time she’s even more ruthless, only calling Shen Yaoyao and Shen Ping, not even her own three sons.

Everyone went to the backyard when it was time, and saw that Shen Yan had made a meal for three people, with just three pairs of chopsticks and three bowls on the table, and a pot full of mushroom stew in the middle.

The aroma was enticing.

Jiang Li went to sit down to grab chopsticks, but Shen Yan slapped his hand away.

"Not for you! If you want to eat, get your dad to cook."

Jiang Li was shocked.

"Mom! What are you doing; you’re not even giving your son food?"

Shen Yan sneered coldly.

"You Jiang Family still needs an outsider like me to cook? Your dad is so capable, why don’t you let him handle the household and cook from now on."

Jiang Li listened, furious inside.

"Mom, if you’re arguing with Dad, just argue. Do you really have to say such things!"

Shen Yan remained indifferent.

"Sons are ungrateful; they don’t care if their mom is bullied. All day long, they just look for a maid to cook for them! Wash dishes! Wash clothes!

If you’re so independent, then fly on your own from now on!

Whether I’m in this house or not makes no difference; your dad won’t let you starve."

After speaking, she urged Shen Ping and Shen Yaoyao.

"You two hurry up and eat; I just cut this meat in the morning, it won’t taste good if it gets cold."

Shen Yaoyao whispered a plea.

"Aunt, Ali is still young, he doesn’t understand anything, just let him sit down and eat, I can’t finish all of it anyway."

"If you can’t finish, let Aping eat more."

Upon hearing this, Shen Yaoyao helplessly glanced at Jiang Li.

Just then Jiang Hu came back and, seeing the scene, immediately understood what was going on.

The two brothers stayed home hungry, waiting until Jiang Hai returned. After hearing Jiang Li’s account, he snorted coldly.

"Ignore her, I brought a lot of dishes today, Ali, go fetch some wine, and borrow a bit of steamed bread from Aunt Wang next door, tell her we’ll return it tomorrow."

Jiang Li dashed out.

Jiang Hu helped tidy the table, and Jiang Shun laid out the food from the lunchbox.

Sweet and sour pork strips, minced meat tofu, and braised ribs—despite being cold, the aroma still tempted the nose.

"Dad, why so much today?"

Usually having one meat dish is amazing, but today all three were meat dishes! And they seem untouched.

"The steel plant leaders had a banquet, I was in charge; we made extra dishes we couldn’t finish, so I brought them back."

"The steel plant is really generous, to leave such good dishes without a care."

Jiang Hai sighed.

"Comparison leads to envy; you should’ve seen the extravagance, even the wine was Maotai, I tasted it... remarkable."

"When is the steel plant hiring? My elder brother and I should try."

Jiang Hai waved his hand.

"Don’t even think about it. They pass it on to their sons and sons-in-law; there’s no way they’d hire outsiders. If they do, it’s for odd jobs without prospects.

You should just follow me and learn the trade; as long as you can make a few dishes, you definitely won’t starve."

In the backyard, all the Jiang names came together around a table.

"Jiang Lai, tomorrow, you’re coming with me to a great place."

Jiang Hai got a bit tipsy and raised his voice.

"What place?"

"The steel plant manager’s house!"

The sons thought he was drunk and started talking nonsense.

But then Jiang Hai continued.

"Tomorrow, the manager’s wife is celebrating her birthday; they’re inviting guests at home for a meal, and specifically asked me to cater! They need an assistant, so you’re coming with me."

Jiang Li listened enviously.

"Dad, I want to go too, to help you."

"You clumsy boy, no way, we need a careful girl to avoid any mistakes that could ruin my reputation!"

Jiang Lai nodded.

This plot is just unfolding nicely.

If I’m not wrong, Shen Yaoyao is hiding somewhere listening.

Because of the wine, the dinner lasted much longer than usual.

Jiang Lai was beside Jiang Hai and Jiang Hu pouring wine, when someone came out from the shadows.

It was Shen Yaoyao, carrying a bowl of unfinished mushroom stew and a small overturned bowl, obscuring its contents.

"Uncle, I’ve brought you some dishes."

Seeing this, Jiang Shun promptly stood up and offered her his seat.

"Sit down and eat together."

But Shen Yaoyao shook her head and, after placing the bowls down, stood obediently by the side.

"I won’t eat, I’m not hungry. Uncle, have more; Aunt really cares for you, knowing you have a bad stomach, she added herbs to the dishes."

This opened up the conversation.

Jiang Shun naturally began to persuade too.

"Yes, Mom is tough-talking but soft-hearted; she actually kept some food for you. Don’t fuss over it, drink less and talk to Mom."

Jiang Hai stared at the food in front of him without speaking, then frowned and asked.

"What’s inside that?"

With that, he lifted the overturned small bowl, releasing a fragrant steam.

"Wow, where did this Mei Cai Kou Rou come from?"

Shen Yaoyao’s eyes sparkled with a hint of anticipation.

"Uncle, taste it and see how it is."

Jiang Hai picked up a piece with his chopsticks and tasted it.

"Hmm, not bad; it can’t be your aunt who made it, did you make it?"

Shen Yaoyao took a deep breath, controlling her emotions.

"Just messing around, Uncle, if you like it, have more."