The aroma of cooking filled the house: I sent my eldest brother to become the Grand Secretary.

After the braised pork and bamboo shoot soup was ready, Granny Zhang was over five points happy.

This yellow croaker noodle dish made her 90% happy. It was Grandma Zhou's favorite dish when she was in Hangzhou.

Over the years, due to changes in Mrs. Zhou's tastes, and the fact that the chef from Hangzhou was unwilling to leave with them, things have changed.

This was the first time she had seen this dish again in so many years.

Just like with the previous pickled bamboo shoots and pork soup, she was a little puzzled. This young girl looked quite young and wasn't from Hangzhou, so how could she make such an authentic dish?

Putting aside her doubts, she ordered someone to bring two clay pots.

"Miss Shen, how did you come to know about these two dishes?"

“I’ve heard Mr. Zhou say that Mrs. Zhou is a native of Suzhou and Hangzhou.”

"Mr. Zhou also mentioned that Mrs. Zhou had been missing her hometown a lot recently, so I thought I'd try making these two dishes."

"As for how to make these two dishes, my master taught me. He used to travel all over the country when he was young, so I suppose that's when he learned them."

So that's how it is, no wonder.

"Miss Shen's master must be a very good cook. These two dishes are very authentic, just like the ones I remember."

"No, it tastes even better than I remember," Zhang Mama praised with a smile.

Shen Cao was a little embarrassed, "Then please take it to the old lady while it's still hot, and see if it can improve her appetite."

Granny Zhang nodded and led her people to the old lady's place.

A short while later, Granny Zhang came to the kitchen again. She smiled and said to Shen Cao, "Miss Cao, our old lady says she wants to see you."

Shen Cao was a little puzzled. She had already finished her work, but the old lady wanted to see her, and she couldn't refuse.

Then they followed Granny Zhang to the front yard.

Granny Zhang led Shen Cao to a quaint courtyard. She first went to the room to announce her arrival before leading Shen Cao inside.

After Shen Cao went inside, she saw the old lady Zhou.

She looked even more kind and gentle than she had imagined, just like her great-grandmother from her previous life.

However, his kind face was so thin that you could see his cheekbones.

He looked very weak.

When she saw Shen Cao walk in, she smiled and waved, "Child, come here to Grandma."

Shen Cao slowly walked up to Grandma Zhou and greeted her with a smile, "Hello, Grandma Zhou."

She continued in a gentle yet somewhat weak voice, "Child, I heard you cooked today's meal?"

Shen Cao nodded. "Grandma Zhou, I heard you miss your hometown, so I made two dishes from your hometown."

"Really? You're so thoughtful, child."

Shen Cao then realized that Old Mrs. Zhou hadn't eaten yet, and she hadn't even glanced at Shen Cao before inviting her over.

She was indeed as kind as the rumors said.

Even if she might not like the food she cooked, she called her over when she heard that it was a junior chef who had cooked for her.

After saying that, Grandma Zhou took off the bracelet from her wrist and placed it in Shen Cao's hand. "Child, I feel especially close to you. I don't have a granddaughter either, so this is a gift for you."

Shen Cao looked at the very clear jade bracelet in her hand. This bracelet was obviously of high quality and very valuable.

She said somewhat nervously, "Grandma Zhou, this is no, this bracelet is too valuable, I can't accept it."

“Child, take it; one should not refuse a gift from an elder.”

Shen Cao glanced at Master Zhou again, and seeing him nod, she carefully accepted the bracelet.

We'll return it to Master Zhou later.

"Grandma Zhou, I heard you love my chicken soup wontons, so you must try my braised pork and bamboo shoot soup and yellow croaker noodles."

Grandma Zhou never expected that Shen Cao could make braised pork and bamboo shoot soup and yellow croaker noodles.

She hadn't heard the names of these two dishes for many years.

She glanced at Granny Zhang and said, "Then I'll have to try it and see if it's authentic."

Zhang Mama, who was standing to the side, said with a smile, "I just watched Miss Shen make it, and it looks very authentic."

Granny Zhang had someone open the two dishes and place them in front of Old Madam Zhou for her to look at.

Grandma Zhou's face lit up with joy, "It is indeed very authentic."

"Quick, give me a bowl of yellow croaker noodles to try."

Everyone in the room was surprised to hear her words, but then their faces lit up with joy.

You know, before, when Grandma Zhou looked at the food prepared by the cooks, she would look uncomfortable and start to feel nauseous.

Let alone actively trying it.

Today, instead of feeling nauseous, she was actually quite happy to let people try it for her.

Granny Zhang smiled and prepared to serve.

"I'll do it, I'll do it." Old Master Zhou smiled and wiped away his tears, speaking first.

For so many days, his mother has never said she would try any food on her own initiative. Even the chicken soup wontons she ate before were only eaten after being persuaded by her family.

He really made the right choice in inviting Shen Cao this time. He was wondering why Shen Cao asked those questions when they were at Zuixianlou that day.

Now he finally understood Shen Cao's intention.

He placed the bowl in front of the old lady.

Looking at the bowl of noodles, Grandma Zhou said, "I still remember that when I was little, my older sister loved to make yellow croaker noodles for me."

"Every year when yellow croakers are in season, my older sister would always buy the freshest and fattest ones to make yellow croaker noodles for me." She was lost in memories, a slight smile appearing on her lips.

This bowl of noodles unlocked her long-forgotten memories; she remembered things she had forgotten before.

She didn't let Master Zhou feed her; instead, she picked up the bowl and wanted to eat by herself.

She first scooped up a spoonful of soup. The broth was rich and flavorful. The moment it entered her mouth, she recalled even more memories, and tears quickly streamed down her face.

She missed her older sister, especially the rich yellow croaker soup her sister used to cook for her.

She took another sip; the rich broth was even a little cloying, just like the taste she remembered.

"Little sister, the soup base for this yellow croaker noodle soup needs to be simmered vigorously with fried fish bones until the soup becomes gelatinous and thick enough to make your mouth feel sticky."

"You'd better cover your little mouth up so you won't talk back to me."

Sister, I miss you so much.

Her older sister was separated from them during the war years ago and has not been found to this day.

They must be long gone by now.

Before she knew it, Grandma Zhou had finished the small bowl of fragrant yellow croaker noodles without even realizing it.

She stared blankly at the empty bowl in front of her, as if it held endless memories and emotions.

Suddenly, a crystal tear slid down her wrinkled cheek. She raised her hand and gently wiped away the tear stain from the corner of her eye.

"Is there anything else?" Old Mrs. Zhou asked in a slightly trembling voice, her eyes revealing a hint of longing and expectation.

"Yes, yes, Grandma, there's still plenty cooking in the pot!" Granny Zhang quickly replied, wiping away tears that had somehow streamed down her face. Then, a warm and kind smile appeared on her face. "I'll go get you another big bowlful!"