Chapter 127. Setting Up a Stall

In other words, he was willing to give her absolute trust and face everything that would happen in the future with her.

His voice was steady and authoritative, his gaze firm and confident, as if he was conveying to her: "No need to worry, your man has the ability to earn money!

Gu Zi found Su Shen incredibly charming. "Then I'll accept it. Don't worry, I'll take good care of it!"

Her fascination with money amused Su Shen, and he suddenly reached out, placing his warm palm on her head.

"After marriage, a man should bring money home, but he shouldn't interfere with the household finances. I must maintain this self-discipline; feel free to use and manage the finances," he explained.

Su Shen felt that he had to be aware of this when dealing with this little money-grubber. Otherwise, he was worried that the little money-grubber would have a change of heart.

Gu Zi nodded eagerly, quickly locked the wooden box, and concealed it in a more discreet spot.

As she stood up, Su Shen took the initiative, asking, "Do you want a hug?"

Gu Zi revealed a sweet smile, walked towards him, and nestled into his embrace, whispering softly, "Goodnight, Mr. Su!"

Su Shen patted her back gently. "Goodnight, Miss Gu!"

After Su Shen left, Gu Zi spent some time reading before falling asleep. The night's dreams were sweet as well.

The next day, Gu Zi woke up very early. She quickly washed up and went to the kitchen to make breakfast. It was her favorite peanut butter noodles. The taste was rich and mellow, and it left an endless aftertaste!

When Su Shen, Su Bing, and Su Li came down, they were enticed by the aroma. They quickly pulled out chairs and sat down.

They took a bite and their appetite surged. The three plates of mixed noodles were soon wiped clean.

Gu Zi handed the prepared nutritious lunchboxes to Su Bing and Su Li as they headed to school.

When Su Shen was about to leave, Gu Zi called out to him, taking the initiative to give him a big hug.

"What would you like for lunch today? Tell me, I'll make it for you!" she offered.

Seeing her eager demeanor, Su Shen couldn't bear to refuse. He didn't mind what he ate, especially when Gu Zi's cooking was so delicious.

He ruffled Gu Zi's hair. "Let's have whatever you want. If you like it, I'll like it. What are you planning to make today?"

Gu Zi said, "I prepared some herbal jelly in advance yesterday. Since today is market day, I thought I'd set up a stall!"

Su Shen's eyebrows furrowed slightly. "You can use the money from yesterday however you want; don't worry about not having enough money to spend."

Gu Zi did not want him to misunderstand. So she explained, "I was thinking there wasn't much to do, so I'm going to the market to set up a stall. It's also a good chance to soak up some sun with Lele!"

"Okay," Su Shen didn't say much more. Gu Zi was a woman with ideas, and he should support what she chose to do.

He had to go to the city in the morning to deal with Tian Hai's matter.

Once that was settled, he would take Gu Zi to get the marriage certificate.

Gu Zi took Lele and pushed the stroller out. At the market, she chose a spot near the intersection.

She took out a large pot of herbal jelly and placed small bowls made from banana leaves in a prominent position.

Then, she set up various toppings, along with a sign that read: "Cooling herbal jelly, 1 cent per bowl!"

The setting up of the stall was thus completed.

As Gu Zi's stall was relatively new, many people quickly came to watch. Among the crowd were Zhang Cuihua and her grandson.

Zhang Cuihua bought two bowls with a wave of her hand, promoting them to the people around as she ate.

She promoted, "After eating this, you'll feel refreshed, no dry mouth, no irritability. This is totally worth your one cent!"

Someone gulped and remarked, "One cent per bowl is too expensive. It could buy a pound of vegetables."

Gu Zi smiled, "Whether it's worth it or not, you'll only know after trying it. This herbal jelly is made purely from herbs, mainly for clearing heat, reducing swelling, and removing dampness. The toppings are all selected with care."

Her array of toppings included goji berries, raisins, canned fruit chunks, fresh watermelon bits, and homemade syrup.

Setting aside other things, just the raisins and canned fruits were usually reserved for special occasions like festivals. So, when combined in this way, the price seemed reasonable.

"Then give me a bowl to try. I've had a recent heatiness and my teeth ache. Will it work?" someone asked.

Gu Zi replied, "Of course, it will work. You'll know once you try it." Gu Zi sealed her second successful deal.

After someone set the pace, more and more people came to buy. Gu Zi quickly sold out.

The last bowl was purchased by Li Zhu's mother, and Gu Zi gave her all the remaining toppings. Li Zhu's mother enjoyed it thoroughly.

"Those who talk behind your back, saying you're after the Su family's wealth, don't take a good look at your capabilities. You probably could earn quite a bit on your own."

A woman like Gu Zi did not bother to engage in such petty schemes. Even if she spent Su Shen's money, it was because Su Shen was willing..

...

Chapter 128. Deeper Understanding

"I can't control other people from gossiping. I'll just focus on myself and take good care of Lele," Gu Zi said, while packing up her stall, smiling.

Li Zhu's mother had finished eating the herbal jelly and praised, "You're skilled. Eating this makes me feel so comfortable, neither troubled nor overheated. I feel refreshed!"

Gu Zi replied, "If I have time, I'll set up the stall again. Whenever you're free, come over for a taste."

"Definitely. Your mindset wins over most people. Let me tell you, that Aunt Fang was nearly beaten to death by her husband. Early this morning, he took her to the bus station, saying from now on, they would go out to work together."

Recalling her encounter with Aunt Fang earlier, Li Zhu's mother felt pity. Her face was all bruised.

Initially, her husband had been good to her. After marrying her, he did everything she asked without hesitation.

However, she didn't act properly. She often stirred up trouble and even brought wild men home to sleep with.

Any man would find this intolerable, especially given how much her husband had done for her.

"Didn't you say that her husband is always out of town?" Gu Zi was a little puzzled.

This matter had only spread yesterday. How could it have reached Aunt Fang's husband's ears so quickly?

In that case, it could only be that someone had informed him in advance. That's why he had rushed back from overseas.

The only person who knew about it initially was Aunt Zhang, but she couldn't have done it. It would take too much effort.

Su Jing found out yesterday, but it wasn't possible either. Besides, Su Jing didn't have that capability.

That left only her and Su Shen. Was it Su Shen who informed Aunt Fang's husband?

Li Zhu's mother was also perplexed. "Maybe it's a heaven-sent intervention. Anyway, her husband suddenly returned, and I think it's good they're leaving together. It will reduce a lot of troubles in the village. I'll head back to my stall now. "

"Sure." As Li Zhu's mother turned away, the faint smile on Gu Zi's face vanished.

Perhaps she had gained a deeper understanding of Su Shen. She saw the real, cruel and indifferent side behind the man's elegance.

Su Shen had dealt quite ruthlessly with Aunt Fang's situation, a deadly blow, completely eradicating the potential threat she posed.

Even the previous incident with Chu Xi, he had resolved it in the most efficient manner.

To put it bluntly, when he decided to act, his methods were quite ruthless.

Thinking so, Gu Zi left the market, pushing Lele along.

The flowers and grass along the way were full of life.

On the way home, she met a fisherman who was fishing. She took a look at the fish he caught and found that it was her favorite kind of mandarin fish.

This kind of fish was called mandarin fish in Gu Zi's original hometown.

Among freshwater fish, the mandarin fish had relatively fewer bones, and its meat was more tender. Its nutritional value was higher than that of animal meat such as pork, chicken, and duck. It was easily digested and absorbed by the human body.

She bought two fish in one go and planned to make one for Su Shen for lunch. She would make steamed mandarin fish.

She planned to cook the other one for the two boys.

After buying the fish, she and Lele walked back slowly. Occasionally, she taught Lele to say a few words, and then hummed a little song along the way. Lele also learned to sing from her.

She enjoyed such a slow pace of life. Such a life was a luxury in the 21st century, but it was easily achievable in this era.

Upon returning home, Gu Zi continued drying the freshly picked bean jelly grass in the courtyard.

She and Lele had a small bowl of herbal jelly each before she started preparing lunch.

The main dish for lunch today was steamed mandarin fish, plus a fried egg with chives and green peppers.

She tied her apron neatly, boiled water, and then washed the vegetables and ingredients needed for lunch, soaking the green onions and chili strips in clean water.

Then, she prepared the mandarin fish. She cleaned out the innards, made an incision on the back, rubbed the fish with cooking wine and salt evenly.

She stuffed ginger slices into the belly and sprinkled some ginger shreds on top.

The water in the pot was boiling by then, so Gu Zi placed the prepared Gui fish in to steam on high heat.

There was a ten-minute gap during steaming, enough time for her to finish the garlic chives with eggs and the stir-fried vegetables with green peppers. As she was preparing to serve the two dishes, Gu Zi heard Lele calling for 'Dad.'

Knowing it was Su Shen who had returned, she walked to the door gently and asked, "Mr. Su, could you help me bring these two dishes to the table?"

...

Chapter 129. Are You Afraid Of Me?

"Of course." Su Shen picked up Su Le and walked over.

While Su Shen was serving dishes, Gu Zi had finished steaming the fish.

She poured out the excess water from the fish plate, drizzled soy sauce over it, and added the soaked green onion and chili shreds on top.

Then, she heated oil in a pan. Once it was hot, she drizzled the oil over the fish. In that instant, the fragrance of ginger, green onions, and chilies was released, blending with the fish aroma, making it enticing and mouthwatering.

Gu Zi could already imagine taking a piece of fish, dipping it into the soy sauce in the plate, enveloping it with the condiments, and savoring the exquisite taste.

She brought the fish to the table and scooped two bowls of rice. She resisted the craving in her heart and said to Su Shen, "Try it!"

Her fair complexion, smile at the corner of her mouth, and sparkling eyes blinked at him, looking so lovely and irresistible.

Su Shen tasted a piece of fish. It was tender and delicious, with a combination of the broth's sauce and a mix of oil fragrances.

"I've never had steamed fish this delicious before. Your culinary skills are getting better," he complimented.

Gu Zi's smile deepened. With such a handsome face and the increasing praise from his lips, how could she not be fond of him?

Gu Zi also started eating the fish. Using the same approach, the fish in this era was tastier than in the 21st century; it was incredibly delicious!

Lost in the delight of her meal, she didn't forget the important task of taking care of Su Shen's health.

"Eat more. Let me carry Lele. She likes me to feed her. I will slowly teach her to eat by herself." As Gu Zi spoke, she picked up a large piece of egg and chives for him and carried Lele back.

Chives were warm in nature, and when eaten appropriately, they had a certain therapeutic effect on male impotence, premature ejaculation, and nocturnal emissions due to the zinc and vitamin C in them.

Although the effect on male potency was not strong, Gu Zi felt it was better than nothing.

She knew healing Su Shen's hidden illnesses wouldn't be a short-term task; consistency was key!

Su Shen furrowed his brows slightly, hesitating as he held the chopsticks.

Eventually, he ate it.

Gu Zi saw this and was happy in her heart. As expected, using chives was not as obvious as using snow clams. She did not know that her little thoughts had long been seen through by the man.

After the meal, Gu Zi pulled the man aside to talk. She wanted to know if Su Shen was the one who informed Aunt Fang's husband to return.

Not for anything else, she just wanted to understand this man who would sleep next to her pillow.

Sitting on the sofa, Su Shen's clenched hands made his knuckles particularly prominent.

When she finished speaking, Su Shen raised his eyes and simply responded with a soft "Mm."

"I asked someone to contact him. That woman can't stay in this village anymore. Also, Tian Hai's unfortunate injury was also intentionally and indirectly orchestrated by my men."

He didn't want Aunt Fang to become another Chu Xi, nor did he want his family to get hurt again when risks could be avoided.

However, these actions indeed involved some manipulation. He didn't directly intervene, but it was quite ruthless.

Su Shen hesitated whether to be completely honest with Gu Zi, but since she had asked today, he had no reason to conceal it.

However, seeing Gu Zi frozen, he felt a bit panicked. He asked nervously, "Gu Zi, does this make you afraid of me?"

Gu Zi didn't respond immediately. She was thinking that everyone had many facets. When one person looked at another, they usually saw only one side.

Her previous impression of Su Shen had always been one of depth, elegance, and nobility. But this incident made her understand that this man was just better at concealing his wolfish nature. Behind his elegant exterior, there lurked a wild wolf eager for flesh.

In fact, Gu Zi should have realized this earlier. Anyone who started from scratch in any era couldn't possibly be a sheep.

A person without ruthless means and efficient capabilities couldn't succeed in business on their own.

In her past life, Gu Zi had seen the ruthless disputes in the business circle.

They might seem bloodless, but they were often more brutal than bloodshed. The men and women in that circle were wolves, and the sheep were only meant to be eaten.

Seeing his unease, she stood up and approached him, squatting down in front of him, gently brushing his forehead with her hand, feeling a thin layer of cold sweat.

Looking at him, close enough to hear each other's breaths, she said, "No, I'm just happy to understand you a little better."

Upon hearing her words, the tension in the man's jawline finally eased, and the heart that had long been shrouded in darkness beat with immense joy.

Suppressing the trembling in his voice, he asked, "Shall we register our marriage tomorrow? What do you think?"

...

Chapter 130. A Visit to the Lin Family

Gu Zi felt as though everything around her had frozen in time. She gazed up at him, sensing the deep vortex that seemed to draw her in.

Placing her hand on the man's, she smiled and responded, "Sure, I came here to marry you, after all."

Su Le, who had been playing nearby, happily joined her parents' romantic moment, placing her small hand on top of Gu Zi's hand, exclaiming, "Okay, okay!"

Blushing suddenly, Gu Zi hugged Su Le close, and Su Shen pulled her to sit beside him.

Avoiding eye contact, Gu Zi could sense the ambiguous atmosphere swirling in his eyes, seemingly about to engulf her.

Su Shen shifted the topic, saying, "There have been recent rumors causing concern. Your brother and sister-in-law mentioned they and your parents are worried about you. They didn't want to disturb you by coming directly, so they asked me to tell you that they will always stand by your side."

Hearing these words, warmth surged through Gu Zi's heart.

The Lin family truly cared and were concerned about her. She should visit them before getting married.

She looked up and told Su Shen, "I want to go back to the Lin family in the afternoon and tell them that we're getting our marriage certificate. At the same time, I want to explain what happened so that they can feel at ease."

Su Shen nodded lightly. Then, he thought of something and said, "In that case, you can stay at the Lin family's house tonight and accompany them. I'll pick you up tomorrow morning."

After saying that, Su Shen went out. Gu Zi went upstairs to pack some of her and Su Le's things and put them in the cart.

Remembering the fish she hadn't cooked, she headed back to the kitchen. She intended to prepare the Squirrel-shaped Sweet and Sour Mandarin Fish in advance, so they could steam it for dinner.

The method for this dish was a bit more complex than the steamed fish. Since Su Le was taking a nap, she had enough time to complete this dish.

Gu Zi cleaned and cut the fish, reserving the fish head. She made incisions along the back, leaving the tail intact.

Then came the process of deboning. Gu Zi removed the larger bones from the middle and belly of the fish, then continued with the incisions, keeping the fish skin intact.

She placed the sliced fish and fish head in a bowl, pouring in water, salt, and wine to soak away the fishy smell.

During this interval, Gu Zi began simmering the sweet and sour sauce. She poured water into a pot, added the removed fish bones and ginger, and brought it to a boil.

Once boiling, she removed the fish bones and ginger, added tomato sauce, sugar, salt, vinegar, and water starch, continuously stirring with chopsticks until the sauce thickened, then set it aside.

Moving on to frying the fish, she coated the fish head and body thoroughly with dry starch in a bowl.

In another pan, she heated the oil. When the oil showed wrinkles on its surface and started emitting a faint smoke, it was ready.

Gu Zi successively deep-fried the fish head and body until golden brown, then removed them to drain and arranged them on a plate.

The arranged Mandarin Fish resembled a squirrel. She poured the prepared sweet and sour sauce over the fish. As the hot sauce met the fish, it produced a sizzling sound.

A dish with a reddish color, crispy exterior, tender interior, combined with flavor and sound, the classic dish was now ready.

She placed the Squirrel-shaped Sweet and Sour Mandarin Fish on the dining table, covering it with a mosquito net. She wrote down some tips on reheating the dish. Following these instructions would make it taste just as fresh as when it was made.

After completing these tasks, Gu Zi changed into a fresh set of clothes and, with Su Le in tow, pushed the cart toward Little Lin Village.

When Su Bing and Su Li returned home, the house was empty. However, there were two bowls of herbal jelly neatly placed on the low table in the living room.

At that moment, both boys were deeply moved. Even though no one was at home, they felt cared for, an unprecedented feeling for them. No one had ever cared for them like this.

Su Bing's eyes were slightly red. He didn't immediately ask his brother to start his homework but sat down to eat the herbal jelly.

His mouth twitched uncontrollably, but he was a little man; he couldn't cry.

Su Li took a bite, suddenly turned his head away, and his vision became blurry. He began to sob uncontrollably.

If Gu Zi had known that her actions would make two little boys cry, she wouldn't have done it.

Seeing his brother cry like that, Su Bing was speechless. He felt the same as his brother, probably because they were so moved by their stepmother's concern.

After a long while, Su Li sobbed, "Our stepmother is so good to us. We used to be so guarded against her. Are we bad? Will she not want us anymore?" Su Bing didn't respond because he didn't want that day to come either.

In a cold tone, he said, "Finish eating and then start your homework.."

...

Chapter 131. A Promise Between Men

Su Bing started clearing the table and wiping it down. He didn't want their stepmother to come back and find a messy table.

He could tell their stepmother was a neat person. Since her arrival, the house not only became spotless, but it also smelled delightful everywhere. Even the scent of osmanthus permeated from the dandelion in the courtyard.

Su Li nodded and opened his school bag. Suddenly, his nose twitched, and he informed Su Bing, "Our stepmother must have made us something delicious. There's a unique aroma of meat!"

The two brothers entered the dining room, unveiling the mosquito net covering the dishes. The sauce-red color and tantalizing aroma pleased their senses.

Beside the plates lay a note, written in elegant handwriting.

"This dish is called Squirrel-shaped Sweet and Sour Mandarin Fish, made from mandarin fish! Hope you enjoy your meal!"

Following the dish's name were the reheating instructions and some notes, meticulous in detail.

With bright eyes, Su Li exclaimed, "It really looks like a squirrel! Big brother, our stepmother is so lovely!"

Su Bing didn't say anything, but his expression confirmed Su Li's words. He replaced the mosquito net over the dish.

When the sky was about to turn dark, Su Bing steamed rice and reheated the Squirrel-shaped Sweet and Sour Mandarin Fish according to the note. He also stir-fried some vegetables, preparing dinner for himself and his brother.

At that moment, Su Shen returned from outside. Seeing the beautifully prepared dish, he felt a sense of pride; his wife truly was remarkable.

He joined his two sons for dinner. The Mandarin Fish was crispy on the outside, tender inside, with a sweet and sour flavor, and the three of them finished everything.

After dinner, Su Shen called Su Bing and Su Li to the living room for a chat. Both brothers sat up straighter, lowering their heads, not daring to meet their stern father's eyes.

Su Shen noticed that Su Li's eyes were red and asked what happened. Su Bing and Su Li truthfully recounted what had just occurred.

Su Shen was moved as well. Gu Zi was indeed a kind woman, but her kindness brought about a certain warm strength.

Such a woman would stir any man's emotions. Therefore, Su Shen was even more aware that he had to treat her well.

He told his sons, "We'll be getting married tomorrow. I thought I should tell you both."

He had been reading many books on parent-child relationships recently and had sought advice from others.

Although the boys were still young, they should feel involved in family matters and understand the decisions made by adults.

Su Bing and Su Li looked at their beloved father. They felt a sense of importance, something they had never experienced before.

This feeling made them clearly understand that their father had never seen them as burdens.

However, boys express themselves subtly, especially between men. Often, a glance or a gesture is enough to convey their thoughts.

They didn't need excessive verbal communication. Su Bing succinctly said,"Dad, I wish you and our stepmother a happy marriage!"

Su Li hesitated with his small hand raised, saying, "Dad, as the men of the Su family, we'll protect our stepmother and little sister."

It wasn't just Su Li's words; it reflected Su Bing's thoughts and even Su Shen's intentions.

This statement was more like an agreement among the Su family men, a manifestation of responsibility!

...