Wen Yan drank the porridge, but Jiang Zhou insisted that he should lie down for a while.

Jiang Zhou sat beside the bed, warming himself by the fire, and discussed the preparations for the 100-day banquet with Wen Yan.

“Have you finalized the guest list for the banquet?”

“I’ve invited Uncle Yu, Lu Dalang, and Aunt Lu. What about your side?”

After some thought, Wen Yan replied, “My mother invited my eldest aunt and uncle’s family. As for the others, they’re just close friends.”

Jiang Zhou checked the number of guests and considered the banquet arrangements. “How will you prepare for the banquet? Will you cook it yourself or hire a master chef?”

He knew that some villages had master chefs who often catered for various events.

Wen Yan thought for a moment and said, “My parents initially planned to hire a master chef, but I heard they’re currently unavailable. So, we might have to do it ourselves.”

Jiang Zhou’s eyes brightened. “That’s good.”

Wen Yan was puzzled. “What’s good?”

Jiang Zhou grinned. “Don’t bother your parents. I’ll prepare the banquet.”

Wen Yan was surprised. He had faith in his husband, but hosting an entire banquet was a significant task, and he wasn’t sure if Jiang Zhou could handle it.

Seeing Wen Yan’s skeptical expression, Jiang Zhou confidently declared, “Just wait!”

.

On the 100th day of the lunar month, the weather was kind. The rain and light snow from the previous days had ceased, leaving a muddy landscape. Jiang Zhou brought Wen Yan to his parents’ home early and, after some persuasion, gained the right to host the banquet. The condition was that Wen Yan would watch from the side.

With his wife watching, Jiang Zhou saw this as an excellent opportunity to showcase his culinary talents and eagerly agreed.

Not many guests attended, all of them familiar faces. Jiang Zhou first welcomed the guests as they arrived.

Wen Yan’s eldest aunt still carried her intimidating demeanor. When she learned that Xiao Yi’s 100-day banquet was hosted at the Wen family, her eyes were filled with disdain. She didn’t voice her disapproval openly, but her thoughts were apparent in her gaze.

However, Jiang Zhou, following his newfound Buddhist principles, wasn’t easily provoked. As long as people’s remarks didn’t infringe upon his principles or beliefs, he paid them little mind. He cordially welcomed the guests without a second thought.

After all the guests had arrived, Jiang Zhou headed to the kitchen to prepare the food. Wen Yan chose to stay with the guests, but he couldn’t help but feel restless, continually thinking about Jiang Zhou.

His eldest aunt noticed Wen Yan’s preoccupation and remarked in a mocking tone, “Look at you, lost in your own thoughts. What are you daydreaming about? Don’t you know what you are doing?”

This particular aunt had always been against Wen Yan marrying Jiang Zhou, and her harsh words persisted even after all this time. She used to taunt Jiang Zhou and Wen Yan relentlessly, and while her behavior remained consistent, Wen Yan no longer took her words to heart.

Despite the discouraging comments, Wen Yan’s parents disliked her harshness, especially towards Wen Yan. They thought it was inconsiderate and harsh. Uncle Yu and the others present also felt that family matters should not be subjected to outside interference, so they remained silent.

Wen Yan’s uncle, who had played a role as wooden stake, sat silently, further contributing to the tension. The room was filled with nothing but the relentless chatter of the eldest aunt and the occasional cries of the baby.

As time passed, Wen Yan’s eldest aunt realized that her words were no longer welcome, and she eventually fell silent.

Once she stopped talking, the conversation in the room resumed. Uncle Yu, Lu Dalang, and Lu Xiangxi primarily discussed Jiang Zhou’s business, and this was when the eldest aunt learned that Jiang Zhou’s business began with sponge cakes.

She felt somewhat embarrassed, having previously heard about famous Jiang Da’s sponge cakes but not grasping their value. She expressed her thoughts at length, but Wen Yan and Jiang Zhou pretended not to hear her.

.

When the room was almost empty, Wen Yan went to the back to watch Jiang Zhou cooking. He observed that Jiang Zhou’s culinary skills had improved significantly. Despite the crowd of guests, his movements were precise and steady as he chopped and cooked various dishes.

While Jiang Zhou frying twice-cooked pork with chili peppers, Wen Yan, who was leaning against the kitchen door frame, said, “I’ve found your temperament had improved.”

“Really?”

“It’s not so much an improvement in my temper as it is that I’m too lazy to argue. We’re all relatives, and it’s a rare gathering, so there’s no need for quarrels.”

Wen Yan embraced him affectionately, and as he left the kitchen, he overheard the conversation about Jiang Zhou’s business in the yard, once again, coming from his eldest aunt.

Despite her disdain for Jiang Zhou as a person, she was secretly envious of his successful business with two distinctive products. She was curious why Jiang Zhou had started producing these novelty pastries after he and Wen Yan separated their households. She even suspected that the Wen family had been keeping the recipes from them intentionally.

In a hushed tone, she whispered her speculations to her younger brother.

Wen Yan interrupted their conversation, “Zhou-ge no longer in the sponge cake business.”

The guests were surprised and asked, “Then, what did he do now?”

Wen Yan replied, “Oden!”

This revelation shocked his eldest aunt. She immediately inquired about the fate of the sponge cake business. Wen Yan replied, “Zhou-ge had given it to someone else.”

His aunt was flabbergasted and exclaimed, “Give it to someone else?!”

Her voice was piercing and high-pitched, causing Xiao Yi to cry loudly in response. The guests were taken aback by the sudden outburst, while Lu Xiangxi, who was in the background, cleared his throat discreetly.

Jiang Zhou had just finished cooking and appeared on the scene, asking someone to assist with bringing out the dishes. He raised an eyebrow and faced his agitated aunt. Her tone had lost its composure as she questioned, “What is going on? Why did you suddenly give it to someone else? This… this business is so profitable! Why did you pass it on outsider!”

‘Outsider’ Lu Xiangxi looked left and right, then coughed lightly.

Jiang Zhou, with a sardonic tone, remarked, “Aunt, what a coincidence! My business has been handed to an outsider. What do you suggest we do?”

His directness only infuriated his aunt further. She exclaimed, “You kid! You’re too young and naive! How could you casually give away such a profitable business? We should have consulted our relatives before making such a decision!”

Jiang Zhou sneered, tossing the cloth onto the table. “Consult relatives? I have never asked for their opinion when I took charge of my business. Why should I now? It’s my business, and I decide what to do with it. Besides, I have a new venture with oden, which I’m fully capable of managing. Why, if I want to transfer my own business to someone else, do I have to ask you, a relative who isn’t the same surname as me?”