Divorce with three kids? I'll build a house and eat meat, driving my in-laws crazy.

Chapter 75 Don't Just Be Idle
Li Chaochao did not answer her question. The wood ash had been sitting for a long time, and there was some sediment at the bottom, making it look grayish.

That's when Wu Shuihua noticed something was amiss.

Li Chaochao scooped a ladle of water from the water vat, poured it into a large basin, swirled it a few times, and then poured the water into the swill bucket.

She moved swiftly, completing the series of actions right under Wu Shuihua's nose in just a few moments.

By the time Wu Shuihua realized what was happening and tried to stop it, it was too late, and she was extremely annoyed.

Did she almost discover the secret recipe for konjac tofu just now?

It was all her fault for asking one more question, which aroused Li Chaochao's suspicion, causing her to pour the thing into the swill bucket.

Wu Shuihua stared at the slop bucket for a few moments, then craned her neck to look at the konjac tofu in the pot.

Li Chaochao had already mixed the wood ash water well. She stirred it a few times and rubbed her shoulders.

He said to Wu Shuihua, who was standing to the side, "You can stir things up."

Didn't you say you were coming to help? Why are you just standing there watching?

Wu Shuihua didn't want to do any work. She took a few steps back and said, "This is your family's work. How can you push it onto me?"

Li Chaochao raised her eyebrows and looked at her, "You're right, this is my home, please go back."

Don't get in her way while she's working.

Wu Shuihua didn't want to leave; she wanted to see the process of making konjac tofu.

"I'll help you." Ren Si Niang had arrived in the kitchen at some point, and Wu Ruolong followed her in.

Li Chaochao smiled and said, "Then I'll have to trouble you, Auntie. But let the men do the heavy work."

As she spoke, she handed the rolling pin to Wu Ruolong.

Wu Ruolong was stunned, as he was the type of person who wouldn't even pick up a fallen oil bottle at home.

Why do we have to do chores when we're at someone else's house?
"Hurry up." Ren Si Niang gave him a push and then winked at her son.

Wu Ruolong reluctantly picked up the rolling pin and started stirring.

But after stirring it a few times, he couldn't continue and couldn't help but ask, "Is it done? When will it be done?"

Li Chaochao said, "It's still early, what's wrong with you?"

Wu Ruolong frowned, his face darkened, and without saying a word, he started stirring again.

This time, however, he put all his strength into it, determined not to let anyone say he was incompetent.

Li Chaochao showed a relieved expression, and then said to Wu Shuihua, "Go and continue shoveling dog poop, and chopping wood and cutting grass."

Wu Shuihua didn't want to go, but Ren Si Niang comforted her with her eyes: Go ahead, Mother will be here watching. Don't worry, Mother will definitely learn her family's secret recipe.

Wu Shuihua received comfort from her mother and reluctantly left the kitchen.

She picked up a shovel, cleaned up the dog poop around the doghouse, and then went to clean the chicken coop.

She thought that if she worked harder, she could buy her mother more time. If her mother could succeed, then their hard work today would not have been in vain.

Ren Si Niang's eyes darted around, scanning every corner of the kitchen, but she still couldn't find anything unusual.

She opened a salt shaker and casually asked, "Miss Li, do you use a lot of salt at home?"

She figured the so-called secret recipe must be kept in the kitchen.

The principle should be the same as adding brine when making tofu.

There are only so many things in the kitchen, so whichever one is used the most is probably the secret recipe.

Li Chaochao didn't have as many twists and turns as her, and simply said, "So-so."

Ren Si Niang persisted, "What about the vinegar?"

"good."

"And what about the oil?"

"Normal amount".

"Then... what about the soy sauce?"

Ren Si Niang kept asking Li Chaochao questions about each of the seasonings, which annoyed Li Chaochao.

She clasped her hands together and looked at her, saying, "Auntie, don't just sit there, come and tend the fire." With that, she got up, pulled Ren Si Niang over, and pressed her down onto a small stool next to the stove.

Ren Si Niang's lips twitched, "I..."

"What?" Li Chaochao interrupted her. "Auntie, I don't want to force anyone. If you don't want to work, go back to your home."

What are you doing staying here?!

It's so annoying that she keeps walking around in front of her.

There are three people working now, but they are not as fast as Li Chaochao working alone.

Wu Ruolong was already covered in sweat, but he still didn't stop.

Today, even if it's not about fighting for a steamed bun, it's about fighting for pride.

He wanted to show Li Chaochao what a persistent and formidable man he was.

After tending the fire for a while, Ren Si Niang couldn't stand the heat any longer and asked directly, "Miss Li, what's the secret recipe you use to make this konjac tofu?"

Li Chaochao finally understood why these three people were lingering here and refusing to leave.

No wonder these three were so kind as to help her with the work; it turns out they were after her family's secret recipe.

But since it's a secret recipe, how could she possibly tell anyone?

Li Chaochao forced a harmless smile, "Auntie, do you really want to know?"

Ren Si Niang nodded hurriedly, perking up her ears.

If she had known this girl would be so straightforward, she would have just asked directly and wouldn't have had to make herself so tired.

Li Chaochao kept everyone in suspense, saying, "The secret recipe is in the last step. Your aunt will know once all this is done."

She paused for a moment and then said, "Auntie, your family sells tofu, which doesn't conflict with my family's business."

If you find out, don't tell anyone, okay?

Ren Si Niang and Wu Ruolong exchanged a glance; the big fish had taken the bait!

Ren Si Niang nodded, "Don't worry, Auntie definitely won't say anything. I'm just curious, I won't steal your business."

With Li Chaochao's help, the mother and son worked even harder.

Wu Ruolong's rolling pin stirred the dough quickly and steadily, and Ren Si Niang added just the right amount of fire, afraid that it would burn and prevent people from seeing the later steps.

Wu Shuihua was still tidying up the chicken coop in the yard, pinching her nose.

Li Ruru, along with Peipei and Yinyin, had already gone up the mountain, each of the three carrying a basket on their backs.

Yinyin's basket was small, and she held a small sickle, carefully cutting grass.

Li Ruru and Peipei searched for a long time but couldn't find any trace of konjac.

The worthless things that usually fill the mountains and fields have vanished as if they've disappeared into thin air; not a single one could be found.

Li Ruru remembered Chen Jingang's words: they had dug up all the nearby ones, but their family had a yard full of konjac.

She turned to her two daughters and said, "Let's go inside."

Yinyin had already cut some grass, and she skipped and hopped ahead of me, carrying a small basket on her back.

Peipei followed behind Li Ruru, and said anxiously, "Mother, what will happen to our business if we really run out of konjac?"

Her older sister used to nag her about these things all the time, and she used to scoff at her sister's unfounded worries.

Now that this has happened, she simply can't remain calm.

Li Ruru thought about it seriously, "Don't worry, at worst we can just stop selling konjac tofu. We can still sell French fries, bread, and chili sauce."

Peipei, who was just extremely anxious, suddenly felt a sense of relief after hearing her mother's words.

Yes, Mom can cook so many delicious dishes. With such skills, what is there to worry about?

"Mother, look there!"

Yinyin, who was walking ahead, suddenly pointed to the roadside. Li Ruru and Peipei went over to take a look and both of them gasped in surprise.

(End of this chapter)