Rebirth to Save Myself

Su Xia has been staying at Chen Yuan's house for a month now, with only one month left until the end of summer vacation. Chen's mother originally planned to go home in a few days, worried that the two children weren't eating well at home. However, after talking to Chen Meili on the phone, she learned that Su Xia and the others hadn't been eating out much from the beginning. They either asked Chen Meili to help them buy groceries, or the two children went to the market to buy them themselves.

Every time Chen Meili visited, she saw the two children eating the meals she had cooked. Chen's mother called Chen Yuan, who praised Su Xia from head to toe and recounted the delicious food Su Xia had prepared for her. Chen's mother, Chen Chunqi, was relieved. Chen Jianguo, Chen Yuan's father, told her to stay with them and not go back, since the two children could take care of themselves.

Meanwhile, upon learning that Su Xia was staying at a classmate's house, Su's mother was also very angry, but she couldn't argue directly with her grandmother lest she take her anger out on Su Xia, so she could only sulk. Recently, Su's mother went to the hospital because she wasn't feeling well and learned that she was pregnant again, which calmed her down a bit.

"Again? Can you be sure it's a boy this time?" This was the first thing Mr. Su asked upon returning home and learning of Mrs. Su's pregnancy.

"It's not certain yet, it's not time, and the hospital won't let us do the test," Su's mother replied cautiously.

"What's wrong with not being allowed to check? You can check it when you go back to the city." Su's father didn't take it seriously. If this pregnancy was also a girl, he would just have it aborted.

"it is good."

Su Xia had a passion for food in her past life. Having helped with housework and cooking since childhood, and knowing that cooking was cheaper than takeout after she started working, she had some knowledge of various cuisines. This made Chen Yuan very happy, as she looked forward to Su Xia's meals every day. Chen Wenwei, however, was puzzled: was Su Xia's cooking really that delicious?

"If you can't do it, I'll have Xiaxia make one for you tonight, then you'll understand me," Chen Yuan said angrily.

“Sure, what if it doesn’t taste good?” Chen Wenwei retorted without backing down.

"Then tell me what you want?" Chen Yuan was also angry and blurted it out before Su Xia could stop her.

"Then you'll owe me a favor. I'll tell you if I have anything I want to do, okay?" Chen Wenwei was shrewd; he pulled this stunt.

“Okay. If you lose, you owe me a request.” After saying that, Chen Yuan said to Su Xia, “Xia Xia, quickly broaden his horizons.”

Su Xia sighed, thinking, "This silly child is being sold out and still helping count the money!" She could only go to the kitchen to make dinner: cold noodles. Although it wasn't as hot as later in the summer, it still affected her appetite. This kind of sour and spicy cold noodle dish was perfect, and she'd even researched some cold skin noodles to mix in later.

First, shred the cucumber and carrot. Then, boil the carrot until cooked and rinse with cold water. Next, cook the noodles. Then, prepare the noodles: put minced garlic, sesame seeds, chili rings, pepper, and five-spice powder in a bowl, pour hot oil over them to release their aroma, then add light soy sauce, dark soy sauce, oyster sauce, and sugar, and mix well. In another bowl, combine half noodles and half cold noodles, along with a few pieces of gluten. Add shredded cucumber, carrot, and ham, and finally mix in the seasonings. Your cold noodles are now ready!

Su Xia followed the instructions and made three bowls, then called Chen Yuan and Chen Wenwei down to eat.

When Chen Yuan came downstairs and saw the bowl full of noodles, cold skin noodles, gluten, and peanuts, she immediately picked up her chopsticks, ate a piece, and then her pupils dilated as she quickly gave Su Xia a thumbs up.

Chen Wenwei thought Chen Yuan's performance was a bit exaggerated, but it was the first time he had ever seen this kind of noodle, so he carefully picked up a little bit and put it in his mouth, and then he was stunned.

"Hey, Chen Wenwei, if you're not going to eat, give me your bowl. I haven't had enough yet. If you hadn't been so persistent in insisting on eating together, most of your bowl would have been mine, okay?"

"What's this called?" Chen Wenwei asked Su Xia.

"Cold noodles are a specialty of the North," Su Xia explained. They live in the South, where people usually eat rice. So there aren't many innovative ways to prepare noodles, and Su Xia took advantage of this to make it seem fresh and delicious to everyone.

"You've never been to the North, how would you know about the food there?" Chen Wenwei continued to ask.

"What are computers for? Are they only for playing games?" Su Xia asked back.

"You talk too much. Are you going to eat or not?" Chen Yuan pretended to take the bowl from Chen Wenwei's hand, but Chen Wenwei stopped her.

"I didn't say I wouldn't eat it, don't take mine."

"Hmph, I told you Xiaxia's cooking skills were pretty good."

"Ah."

"So, Chen Yuan wins this time, do you accept it?" Su Xia suddenly asked, startling Chen Wenwei.

"Oh right, we made a bet before, hahaha, you lost." Chen Yuan stood up excitedly, pointed at Chen Wenwei and burst into laughter.

"You win," Chen Wenwei said before continuing to eat.

Ever since that meal, Chen Wenwei has been coming over for meals every few days, making Chen Meili feel embarrassed. Chen Chunqi had clearly told her to take good care of Chen Yuan before leaving, but those two children hadn't given her any trouble, while her own son was going to bother others. Yet, when she scolded Chen Wenwei, he would verbally agree but then immediately go off to freeload again.

Forced into a corner, Chen Meili had no choice but to buy an extra portion for her son every day when she went grocery shopping, and give it to Su Xia. She then explained the situation to Su Xia, asking her to be understanding. Su Xia was also overwhelmed; she was only supposed to cook for herself and Chen Yuan. But then Chen Wenwei arrived, and since he was a boy, his appetite was enormous, so she had to cook enough for four people.

"You're shameless. You have food to eat, yet you still come to my place to freeload."

"Chen Yuan, don't you know how many meals you've eaten at my house since you were a child? Besides, my mom also prepared a portion for me."

"That was me eating for free, not Xiaxia."

"Su Xia didn't say anything, so why are you yelling?"

"Xiaxia is my good friend, of course I have to stand up for her."

"Alright, you two shut up. Otherwise, I won't cook today, and you'll have to fend for yourselves." Su Xia couldn't stand these two childish brats anymore. They were so mature and calm at school, but at home they acted like little kids.

Upon hearing this, Chen Yuan and Chen Wenwei immediately shut up, exchanged sharp glances, and then sat down to continue reading.

With the three of them together, Su Xia felt like an elder, constantly having to stop the two from arguing, and ensuring fairness and impartiality, dividing everything into three equal portions. Su Xia felt like she was taking care of a younger brother or sister. Thinking of her brother, Su Xia calculated the time; Su Yaoche was almost due to be born.