Chapter 168: Chapter 168 Grandma Xia’s Evasive Arguments
Neither of them replied at first, so Xia Chuyi singled out one person and asked, “Grandma?”
Grandma Xia remained silent.
She smiled and then looked towards Aunt Xia, “Elder aunt?”
Aunt Xia’s eyes darted around, and she stammered, “I, I can’t tell.”
“Oh, elder aunt can’t taste the family flavor? So, you’re saying that my flavor is different from that of the family?” She smiled slyly upon hearing this.
“No, that’s not what I meant…” Aunt Xia said in panic, looking at Xia Chuyi.
That wasn’t her intention!
She quickly looked towards Grandma Xia, who indeed had an unpleasant expression.
“What’s not? Not the same flavor?”
“Everyone already knows it’s not the same flavor as at home, so there’s no need for you to repeat it, elder aunt!” Xia Chuyi wouldn’t let her off the hook and kept her eyes locked on her, saying, “Or do you think the flavor is the same?”
Aunt Xia bowed her head to avoid her gaze and didn’t speak.
How could she say they were the same?
This glaring lie could be easily exposed.
Grandma Xia was scary, and the girl from the second son’s family was getting even more formidable; she didn’t dare to provoke her.
Aunt Xia moved behind Grandma Xia and said, “Better if mother says it!”
Grandma Xia gave her a sharp look before turning to face Xia Chuyi, her face masked with kindness, and said, “The flavor is indeed a little different from that at home.”
She paused deliberately then continued, “However, the marinade recipes are quite similar, once you have the basic spices, it’s easy to adjust.”
What she meant was, the flavor was different because Xia Chuyi’s marinade was an improvement on the Old Xia Family’s recipe.
Anyway, she insisted on taking credit for herself.
Anticipating the Xia Family’s shamelessness, Xia Chuyi said, “That’s true, isn’t it? In our village, doesn’t every household use the marinade recipe from my production team, modified slightly?”
“You!” Xia Chuyi’s words shut Grandma Xia up.
Indeed, in earlier years during the communal kitchen period, the production team chef in the village was very generous and taught the members many cooking methods.
Though what was taught was the most basic version, as Grandma had said, it was possible to create new marinade recipes by making adjustments.
“Grandma, elder aunt? Do you have anything else? If not, I need to get back to work, since I’ve left the Xia Family, I must fend for myself,” Xia Chuyi continued.
“Surely unlike you, who have my father’s pension and the money and grain sent by my uncle.” She looked innocently, “Oh, right, I also have to save up for my mother’s living expenses.
Every word reiterating: the Xia Family was living off the flesh and blood of the second branch.
Grandma Xia’s face reddened with shame and she dropped her pretense of kindness, raising her voice, “Chuyi, have you ever thought about it? When you get married as a girl, you’ll need support from your maternal home.”
“Without a strong maternal home, stepping into a marriage would be endlessly difficult.”
“The shop you’ve worked hard to establish will also become someone else’s.”
“So you see, my visit today is to give you a chance to come back to the Xia Family.”
“As for the shop, hand it over to the family to manage, and when you’re married, Chengzu, Chengzong, and the Cheng Family will all be your pillars, ensuring you aren’t bullied by your in-laws!”
Her speech was delivered with profound sincerity and force.
Hehe, Xia Chuyi sneered internally, just about to speak.
Meanwhile, having been silent, Xia Chengzong stepped forward and said, “Even if Chuyi doesn’t return to the Xia Family, I’m still her brother. If anyone bullies her in the future, I will naturally help her.”