My Villainess Is Definitely Not a Black Lotus - Chapter 10

Beneath the makeshift stove, dry firewood crackled and popped. After Zhou Daya finished preparing the fish, Fu Jianxu inspected it thoroughly, ensuring all the pungent parts—gills, dark bones, and bl00d—had been removed. She even reached into the gills to pluck out the fish teeth before finally adding the bones to the pot.

Zhou Daya clicked her tongue in amazement. Even killing a fish has so many rules!

Fu Jianxu nodded. After simmering the broth, she added pickled cabbage from their own batch to the boiling water, then sprinkled in some Sichuan peppercorns for seasoning. The sour and spicy aromas mingled in the steam, making everyone’s mouths water.

Should we send a bowl to Lao Hu too? Fu Jianxu hesitated before scooping out a generous portion, carefully selecting the fattiest part of the fish belly.

Zhou Daya understood immediately. Her younger sister was grateful for Lao Hu’s kindness but too shy to admit it. She eagerly took the bowl and hurried outside. Soon, she returned beaming with an empty bowl.

Hey, what were you doing at Lao Hu’s place, Daya? Hao Hong plopped down beside them, beads of sweat still clinging to her nose after unloading goods.

Helping Sister Jianxu deliver soup to Lao Hu! The remaining fish soup was divided into three bowls. Zhou Daya grabbed her bowl and began gulping it down eagerly, hissing from the heat but refusing to stop. My goodness! This sourness… She didn’t finish her sentence before burying her face in the bowl, slurping noisily.

How could she not know that sour ingredients made fish taste so delicious?

Hao Hong eagerly slurped a mouthful of the fish soup, her eyes widening after just one sip.

Fu Jianxu sipped the soup slowly, the tangy, fragrant broth sliding down her throat. The aches in her body seemed to ease slightly.

Clang! Zhou Daya slammed her licked-clean bowl onto the ground and suddenly grabbed Fu Jianxu’s hand. Good sister, she said, her eyes gleaming unnervingly, I’ve never asked anyone for anything in my life… From now on, you’re in charge of the cooking, and I’ll be your assistant, okay? I’ll bring the pot and take care of killing the fish!

Exactly! Hao Hong chimed in hastily. After tasting your cooking, I can’t stomach Daya’s dishwater anymore!

Fu Jianxu smiled and agreed. Of course she wanted Zhou Daya to cook—even if she hadn’t asked, Zhou Daya would have insisted. She couldn’t stomach Sister Zhou’s cooking either.

As she ate the sauerkraut fish soup and chewed on the flatbread she’d brought from home, she sighed unconsciously, secretly lamenting, It still needs more spice to really hit the spot. Too bad there are no chili peppers in this era…

As she gazed at the clear fish soup in her bowl, she couldn’t help but yearn for the fiery red chili oil she used to enjoy in modern times. Adding it to sauerkraut fish would make it truly tangy and exhilarating.

Zhou Daya and Hao Hong had raved about the sauerkraut fish she made today. I should buy some fish to take home, she thought, so my little sister can try it too.

When Lao Hu distributed wages at the end of the day, she mustered her courage, rehearsed her words in her mind, and asked, Uncle Hu, how much are the small fish? I… I’d like to buy one for my sister to try.

To her surprise, Lao Hu immediately pulled out two plump fish, twice as large as yesterday’s, and thrust them into her hands. You’ve got quite the knack for cooking fish, girl! Take these home for your sister! Before she could protest, Lao Hu waved his hand dismissively. Just make sure to cook an extra portion for me from now on!

Fu Jianxu hadn’t expected such a pleasant surprise. She stammered, unsure how to respond, but by the time she regained her composure, Lao Hu had already walked away.

Clutching the heavy, plump fish, she hurried home with light steps. Xiaoyu will finally get to eat fish today!

Suddenly, she remembered something and turned back toward town.

Ji Xiaoyu hadn’t expected fish for dinner tonight. She watched with mixed emotions as the woman excitedly showed off the two large grass carp she’d gotten for free.

These grass carp are especially plump today! I’ll definitely make them even tastier than yesterday! Fu Jianxu declared, swiftly killing both fish. Since they couldn’t be kept alive at home, they had to be eaten tonight.

Fu Jianxu worked with practiced efficiency, scaling, gutting, and removing the gills as fish bl00d mingled with clear water in the wooden basin. Remembering how Xiaoyu had choked on a bone yesterday, she carefully sliced the fish into paper-thin fillets and spent extra time meticulously removing every last bone.

Normally, Ji Xiaoyu avoided being near this woman. Like her father, being around her meant inevitable beatings, so she naturally kept her distance to avoid trouble.

But after tasting Fu Jianxu’s cooking these past two days, even with her limited experience, she could tell the woman was a skilled cook.

Leaning against the kitchen doorway, Ji Xiaoyu cautiously peeked inside, her gaze fixed on Fu Jianxu’s every move.

I need to learn from her while she’s in a good mood, she thought. That way, I’ll never starve, no matter what happens.

Ji Xiaoyu knew so little. Skills that others learned as children had been beaten and scolded into her.

She remembered the first time she washed clothes. She couldn’t get them clean and even rubbed a hole in one. Her father beat her so badly her face was swollen for half a month. Only after watching the neighboring women scrub and pound the clothes, and mimicking their movements, did she finally learn to wash properly. When her father refused to feed her, she was so hungry she wanted to gnaw on tree bark. It was her neighbor’s elder sister who took pity on her and taught her how to identify edible wild plants…

If you want to watch, just watch, Fu Jianxu said, amused by the little girl’s peeking. She beckoned Xiaoyu over.

Caught red-handed, Xiaoyu hastily lowered her head and tried to shrink back, but then she heard Fu Jianxu say, Let’s make pickled fish tonight.

Ji Xiaoyu looked up in surprise.

Though they were supposed to make it together, Xiaoyu mostly watched as Fu Jianxu cooked.

First, Fu Jianxu stir-fried ginger slices and Sichuan peppercorns until fragrant, then added pickled cabbage, releasing a tangy, savory aroma. She pan-fried the fish bones until golden brown, then simmered them in water to make a broth, adding a spoonful of fermented rice wine for umami. Once the broth was boiling, she slid in the fish fillets, which instantly curled and turned white.

This Sichuan peppercorn’s spiciness just isn’t quite right… Fu Jianxu stirred the fish soup with a wooden ladle, then suddenly stopped. Oh, Xiaoyu, does anyone in our village grow chili peppers? She paused, mentally searching for a way to explain this unfamiliar term. With her fingertip, she drew a long, pointed shape on the stove. A red fruit, pointy, and much spicier than Sichuan peppercorns.

Chili peppers? She had never heard of such a thing. Where did this woman learn about such strange things? Could it be… something mentioned by the immortals in her dreams? Or perhaps something her friends from town had told her?

Her expression shifted slightly. Could she be regaining her memories?

No, I haven’t, she replied, lowering her lashes to hide her expression. The firewood crackled in the stove as she casually inquired, What’s this thing you mentioned, Sister Jianxu? I’m not very knowledgeable. If you need it, I’ll ask Aunt Chunhao about it tomorrow.

I… I dreamed about it, ha ha ha! In the dream, they said chili peppers add flavor to dishes, Fu Jianxu laughed, adding defensively, When I woke up that day, my mind was suddenly filled with recipes and all sorts of dishes I’d never seen before, ha ha!

Ignoring whether Ji Xiaoyu believed her, Fu Jianxu served the fish and then placed coarse wheat pancakes on the griddle.

She set aside pancakes for tomorrow’s meal and deliberately made three extra to give to the neighboring family. She remembered Aunt Chunhao’s generous gift of cabbages on her first day, and this fish was her way of returning the favor.

Pickled cabbage fish was quick to prepare the fish slices cooked almost instantly in the hot broth. By the time she finished in the kitchen, daylight still lingered outside. Fu Jianxu removed the pancakes from the griddle, arranged them on a plate, and portioned out the food for the neighbors. Xiaoyu, take this bowl to Aunt Chunhao and her family first.

Ji Xiaoyu obediently carried the bowl outside.

Fu Jianxu carefully arranged glistening white fish slices in Ji Xiaoyu’s bowl, then placed the two brimming ceramic bowls and a plate on the table. She sat upright, waiting for Ji Xiaoyu to return.

The tantalizing aroma had already awakened Fu Jianxu’s appetite. Her almond-shaped eyes widened as she gazed longingly at the doorway, like a puppy waiting for its owner to come home.

You’re back! Let’s eat! Fu Jianxu exclaimed excitedly as soon as Ji Xiaoyu’s figure appeared in sight.

Mom, I’m home! What’s cooking? It smells amazing! Fu Zhixiao exclaimed as she stepped through the courtyard gate, sniffing the air eagerly. She didn’t even bother to take off the basket on her back, drawn irresistibly toward the kitchen by the tantalizing aroma.

Dazhuang followed closely behind her, step for step.

On the stove sat a plate with three flatbreads and a bowl filled with snow-white fish slices so tender you could see their delicate patterns. The unique, mellow fragrance of pickled cabbage mingled with the pungent warmth of prickly ash, infusing the entire main room with its savory scent. Fu Chunhao was stir-frying cabbage when she glanced up to see Fu Zhixiao’s hand already reaching into the bowl.

Were you reborn as a hungry ghost? Fu Chunhao slapped her daughter’s hand. Go wash up. The food’s almost ready.

Mmm! Mom! So… delicious! As soon as the dishes were on the table, Fu Zhixiao eagerly stuffed a mouthful of fish into her mouth. The sour and spicy flavor was irresistible. Living near the river, their meals were usually simple and light. She had never tasted anything like this before, and her eyes lit up as she took another bite. Mom, when did your cooking get so good?

Xiaoyu brought it over. She said it’s sour pickled cabbage fish made by A-Xu, Fu Chunhao replied, taking a bite of fish herself. Her eyes widened involuntarily. How can it be so fragrant?!

She quickly devoured the fish, alternating between mouthfuls of sour cabbage and rice. Before she knew it, she had finished two bowls of rice.

Dazhuang ate with his head down, not even looking up.

Before long, the large bowl of pickled cabbage fish was completely devoured.

Fu Zhixiao clearly hadn’t had enough. She glared resentfully at her mother, as if to say, Mom, you’re always scolding me, but you’re the one who ate the most!

Fu Chunhao turned away, pretending not to notice, and chuckled awkwardly. Heh heh heh, I never knew pickled cabbage fish could taste so good! We’ll have to pickle more after the harvest this year!

By the time dinner was finished, dusk had fallen, and the village gradually quieted down, with only the occasional dog bark breaking the silence.

Fu Jianxu and Ji Xiaoyu had eaten their fill. Perhaps it was just her imagination, but Fu Jianxu thought Ji Xiaoyu’s complexion looked much healthier after the meal, no longer as pale as before. The young girl’s eyes, in particular, seemed to shine with a newfound light. She believed that if things continued this way, Ji Xiaoyu’s health would be fully restored within three months at most.

Imagining Ji Xiaoyu blossoming into a graceful young woman, Fu Jianxu chuckled softly to herself. My family has a daughter coming of age, and I share in her glory!

Sister Jianxu, the water’s hot. Go wash up, Ji Xiaoyu’s voice called from outside the door.

Fu Jianxu quickly responded, wiping the dreamy smile off her face and feeling a pang of concern. Don’t heat any more water tomorrow, Xiaoyu. We need to conserve firewood.

Fu Jianxu was something of a neat freak. After working up a sweat the previous day, she had dragged her aching body to wash herself, despite the pain. Returning home today to find a pile of freshly gathered firewood in the courtyard, she realized how extravagant her daily baths had been. She had planned to endure it today and bathe only every other day from now on, but Ji Xiaoyu had unexpectedly heated water for her.

Tomorrow, after work, I’ll go up the mountain and help her gather firewood, she resolved, gathering clean clothes and heading to the kitchen.

Sister Jianxu, give me your dirty clothes. I’ll wash them by the river, Ji Xiaoyu called from outside the door.

Fu Jianxu, who had just undressed, blushed crimson. I-I’ll wash them myself after I’m done!

How could she possibly let the young girl wash her clothes?

Thinking about laundry, she once again longed for her modern life. Ah, my washing machine…

Despite her grumbling, her hands didn’t stop moving. Noticing the warm water still in the stove, likely for Ji Xiaoyu’s later use, she quickly washed herself.

Carrying the basin outside, she scrubbed her clothes with the bathwater, calling out, Xiaoyu, I’m done! You can wash up now.

Ji Xiaoyu emerged, silently studying her for a moment without moving. Fu Jianxu’s face burned under her gaze. What is it? she asked, confused by the girl’s scrutiny.

Sister Jianxu, Ji Xiaoyu said, we only have one basin.

Fu Jianxu stared blankly.

After washing up, Ji Xiaoyu found Fu Jianxu curled up in bed like a silkworm cocoon, only a few strands of hair peeking out.

A faint smile tugged at Ji Xiaoyu’s lips, a strange amusement bubbling within her. How did this woman become so bashful after losing her memory?

Though Fu Jianxu was buried under the covers, her ears remained perked. She heard Ji Xiaoyu’s footsteps the moment she entered the room.

She listened intently to the sounds outside until Ji Xiaoyu blew out the oil lamp and quietly slipped into bed. Only then did Fu Jianxu dare to peek her head out from under the covers.

What’s going on?! Can’t you see that huge thing on the table?!