Chapter 22

The morning sunlight pierced through the thin layer of clouds, illuminating every corner of the small town. In this quiet morning, Liu Cunxiu rose early to prepare a delicious breakfast for her family. She was skilled in cooking all kinds of delicacies, especially egg drop soup and scallion pancakes. Today, she decided to make both dishes for the family. Meanwhile, Wang Xiaoyan and Madam Xu joined the kitchen, with Wang Xiaoyan helping to tend the fire. Liu Cunxiu busied herself in the kitchen as the stove fire crackled and the water in the pot slowly began to boil. She gently cracked eggs into the pot, and instantly, wisps of egg ribbons bloomed across the boiling water like opening flowers. The mouthwatering aroma filled the air. Madam Xu's culinary skills were equally exquisite; she began making scallion pancakes, her practiced movements sending the flatbreads flipping through the air above the pan, releasing an enticing fragrance. Wang Danlu also woke up early. She helped ladle the egg drop soup into a large wooden bucket and covered it tightly. Liu Ye'er, the most worldly-wise child in the family, knew she had to take the lead today. Han Yuling pulled over a flatbed cart, and together they loaded the tables, chairs, bowls, chopsticks, and wooden buckets onto it.