Reborn before the famine, kicking away the scumbag's family and living a carefree life.

Su Jinru never expected such a consequence.

"Then...what should we do?"

"What should we do? We should treat them to a meal in return!"

"Will reciprocating by treating them to a meal solve the problem?"

"It can be solved."

"How so? I don't understand."

"I reckon the next few invitations will all be similar. They think I love dumplings, so every household will make dumplings for their guests. Without comparison, there's no harm done. If you reciprocate with a lavish meal, let them see what kind of hospitality is appropriate, and they'll naturally back down."

Su Jinru instantly understood.

"You mean, if I cook a lavish meal to reciprocate their hospitality, then the next time they invite you over, they can't cook anything less than what I've prepared, otherwise it won't be presentable. But I doubt anyone can cook to our family's standard, so they won't dare invite you to dinner again."

"Yes, that's exactly what I mean. Can you prepare such a high-standard meal that they'll back down?"

"Yes, absolutely! I have no shortage of ingredients, but they can't find as many as I do here."

After Su Jinru finished speaking, she saw a fleeting complex expression on Yuan Wenjie's face.

"Wenjie, I know that although you promised me you wouldn't ask me where my food came from, you must be very curious. Today I'm going to tell you my secret."

"I promised you I wouldn't ask or be curious. If it's in your way, you don't have to tell me."

"I can tell you my secret, but before I do, I want to ask you a question."

"What's the problem? Tell me."

“You don’t seem to be very close to your family. Logically speaking, after getting married, shouldn’t you visit your parents? Or, if you really don’t have time, why don’t your parents come to see you? Before, you had no fixed abode because of the nature of your work. Now that you’re stationed here in the military, you’ve settled down and gotten married. Why don’t they come to see you?”

"Also, I know you're from the North, but you still prefer Southern food more in terms of eating habits."

“A person’s stomach has a memory. The foods you loved as a child are also your favorites as an adult. You said your parents have always lived in the north, so you should have grown up in the north, but your stomach tells me that you grew up in the south.”

“You’re right, I did grow up in the south. My biological parents are from the north, but they’ve always done business in the south…”

Facing the sea breeze, gazing at the vast ocean and the magnificent sunset, Yuan Wenjie remained silent for a long time.

Su Jinru followed his gaze to the seawater, which was dyed crimson by the sunset glow.

Yuan Wenjie's voice was slow and slightly hoarse.

“My biological parents were merchants, medicinal herb merchants. Later, when war broke out, they donated supplies and money and did many good deeds. However, in a bombing raid by enemy planes, my parents, younger brother and sister all died... I was the only one left in the family. I was ten years old at the time…”

"Later, I was adopted by my current adoptive parents. Both of my adoptive parents are soldiers. My adoptive father has accepted material donations from my biological parents on many occasions on behalf of the army. My adoptive father is grateful for the help from my biological parents and also sympathizes with my plight. He adopted me without hesitation."

“My adoptive parents have two sons, and they raised me as their youngest son. They loved me dearly, spoiled me, and sent me to study in a stable rear area… Until I was sixteen, I strongly requested to join the army… At first, they strongly opposed it, saying it was to preserve a lineage for my parents. But later, they couldn’t persuade me otherwise, so they agreed. Over the years, they have worried a lot about me and been heartbroken.”

"In two months, during the Chinese New Year, I'll take you to visit them..."

Su Jinru was shocked by Yuan Wenjie's background.

She had long had a vague feeling that he definitely didn't come from an ordinary poor family, because he would occasionally mention things from his childhood, such as that he had learned to play the violin when he was young, or that he had eaten Western food when he was young. These were things that ordinary families couldn't afford to have.

Yuan Wenjie took out a pocket watch from his pocket.

He opened his pocket watch, and underneath it was a photograph—a family portrait.

At that time, Yuan Wenjie was about eight years old, his younger brother was six, and his younger sister was four.

Yuan Wenjie's father, wearing glasses and a suit, was a very refined and charitable person. His mother, wearing a cheongsam and with short hair, was intellectual and elegant.

"Did you notice? You look somewhat like my mother."

Su Jinru looked at it carefully.

"Our hairstyles, eyes, and face shapes are somewhat similar, but other than that, we're not alike. Your mother is the dignified and elegant type, while I am the petite and delicate type."

"You're right. They only look a bit alike, but their personalities are seven parts alike. When doing business, they are decisive, rational, and efficient. But with their family, they are completely different people—gentle, understanding, and reassuring."

"You're mistaking me for your mother?"

"No, but you give me a very familiar, relaxing, and reassuring feeling."

Su Jinru knew that this feeling was how he felt about his mother.

She felt honored to be able to give him that feeling.

Although he projected her onto his mother, she knew that many people looking for a partner are actually looking for the feeling of their mother or father. This was a very fitting feeling, because it contained the love he needed.

"When you called me that day and told me that you wanted me to pretend to be your boyfriend to get rid of someone who kept bothering you, and you also told me that you have a son and a daughter, I immediately made up my mind that I must marry you and protect you and your two children."

"When this thought came to my mind, I thought of my mother and younger siblings. It was as if I had transformed into my father. Protecting you and Anran and Anxin is like my father protecting my mother and younger siblings."

"This feeling made me feel as if they were the family I had been searching for when I first met Anxin and Anran."

"What a wonderful coincidence!" Su Jinru had never understood why Yuan Wenjie had such a natural and deep affection for her and her two children.

She always doubted the reality of the relationship she had.

At least from a worldly perspective, their union was unequal.

But fate is just that magical.

Unbeknownst to Su Jinru, her eyes welled up with tears.

A pair of rough but warm hands wiped away the tears.