Old Mrs. Song is reborn; get out of here, you scumbag husband and illegitimate child!

Shen Huijun came in from outside carrying a large enamel basin.

The basin was full of cleaned fish.

"Mom, I've cleaned and gutted the fish." Shen Huijun placed the basin on the stove. "The clothes are washed and hanging out to dry in the yard too."

Shen Huijun peeked into the steaming iron pot.

"Should we cook this mixed fish for lunch, or should we cook it this morning?"

"I cooked some pork rib congee this morning. You can also wash the shrimp and put them in the fish pot later," Song Xianglan said while keeping an eye on the heat.

"Okay."

Shen Huijun then went to clean the shrimp.

After waiting for about half an hour, the rice was fully cooked and burst open.

Lifting the lid, a thick layer of rice oil floats on the surface.

Song Xianglan poured the cleaned tiger prawns, shells and all, directly into the pot, covered it, and simmered them.

Three or four minutes passed.

The shrimp's body turned bright red.

Song Xianglan picked up the drained oysters and poured them in.

Oyster meat is tender and cannot withstand long cooking time; just cover the pot and simmer for one minute.

Upon opening the lid, the bright red of the shrimp contrasts beautifully with the tender white of the oysters.

Song Xianglan grabbed a handful of chopped celery and sprinkled it in, then drizzled a spoonful of shallot oil on top.

The fresh sweetness of the seafood blends with the meaty aroma of the pork ribs.

It instantly filled the entire kitchen.

"This tastes amazing!" Shen Huijun's stomach rumbled as she smelled it.

Song Xianglan poured the cooked pork rib and seafood porridge into a stainless steel pot.

He turned around and went to wash the iron pot.

Heat the cleaned iron wok, add oil, and then add crushed ginger slices and garlic to sauté until fragrant.

Yellowfin tuna, blackfin tuna, pomfret, and stinky tofu are laid flat at the bottom of the pot.

A few seconds later, pour in soy sauce and cooking wine, then add a small bowl of water.

Add the shrimp as well.

Song Xianglan grabbed a handful of homemade pickled cucumbers and preserved radishes from a ceramic jar in the corner, cut them into pieces, and sprinkled them on the fish.

This is the soul of cooking mixed fish in soy sauce.

Reduce the sauce over high heat.

The broth became thick and shiny.

Before taking it off the heat, throw in a handful of diagonally sliced ​​green garlic.

"Alright, it's ready." Song Xianglan held the pot handle and slid the fish into a large white porcelain plate.

The salty and savory flavor of the pickled cucumber blends perfectly with the freshness of the seafood.

It makes your mouth water.

"Huijun, go upstairs and call those two mischievous boys to get up and have some porridge. I'll bring the fried dough sticks and peanut soup to the main room." Song Xianglan wiped her hands and took off her apron.

In the backyard, the morning light had just peeked over the wall.

Da Bao, wearing a long-sleeved sweatshirt, was practicing boxing in the open space.

His punches were powerful and his footwork was solid; every move was swift and decisive.

Song Xianglan went to the backyard and looked at the young man who had already grown to 1.8 meters tall.

"Dabao," Song Xianglan called out, "Put it away, it's time for breakfast. Did your parents say when they'll be back?"

Da Bao stopped what he was doing, calmed his breathing, and walked over.

"My mom's been so busy at the hospital these past few days, she just can't get away. I called yesterday, and she'll be home by the next day or two at the latest." Da Bao wiped his face with the towel hanging around his neck. "Grandma, how was my punch just now? You usually get up early, how about I teach you a couple of health-preserving exercises?"

"Health preservation techniques?"

Song Xianglan became interested. "What kind of tricks are they?"

"There are Taoist and Buddhist schools of thought. They all emphasize relaxing muscles and tendons, and strengthening the body," Da Bao explained.

"How long does it take to practice once?" Song Xianglan asked.

"It only takes a few minutes to complete, not much effort at all," Da Bao replied.

"Okay. I'll learn them all then. You can teach me slowly after the New Year, and I'll also get some exercise for these old bones."

The two walked to the front yard.

On the stairs, Fu Bao led You Bao down.

Youbao had a fever all night last night.

My steps are still a bit unsteady today.

Erbao was squatting at the entrance of the main room, holding a toothbrush in his hand, his mouth full of toothpaste foam.

He saw Song Xianglan walking over and quickly spat out mouthwash.

He hastily splashed some cold water on his face and stood up.

"Grandma, I need to let you know. I had a fever last night, and I'm still feeling dizzy and weak. I'm not fully recovered yet, so I absolutely cannot get a beating today."

Song Xianglan glared at him.

"Who said I hit you today?" Song Xianglan said coldly. "I'll put it on your tab for now. I'll hit you whenever I want."

Erbao breathed a sigh of relief.

"As long as we don't fight today, it's fine," Erbao muttered to himself.

The kitchen door curtain was lifted.

Shen Huijun carried the stainless steel pot out and placed it on the table in the main room.

Then she turned back and brought out a large plate of mixed fish in soy sauce and a bowl of stir-fried clams with ginger and scallions.

On the table were peanut soup and fried dough sticks that Song Xianglan had bought.

Shen Huijun lifted the pot lid.

The steam from the mixture of pork ribs and seafood billowed out.

Erbao's eyes widened in astonishment.

He leaped to the table and plopped down on the bench.

"Grandma, this breakfast is amazing!" Erbao rubbed his belly and sniffed exaggeratedly. "This is the most lavish breakfast I've ever seen in my life."

Song Xianglan used a long-handled iron ladle to serve porridge to everyone's bowls. "Since this breakfast is so lavish, it's not unreasonable for you to wash the dishes after you finish eating, is it?"

Erbao's smile froze.

He picked up the bowl of freshly filled porridge, his eyes darted around, and he immediately raised his other hand to support his forehead.

"Not at all. Not at all."

Erbao sighed dramatically, his voice weak, "I'm suddenly feeling really dizzy. It must be because I had a high fever last night. I need to go back and lie down to catch up on sleep after dinner. I'll have my older brother do the dishes for me. I promise, I'll do the dishes tomorrow."

Song Xianglan was so angry she laughed.

"Fine, you can wash tomorrow. If you dare to pretend to be sick again then, I'll settle the score with you for today as well."

Everyone sat down around the table to eat.

Fu Bao took a small stainless steel spoon, scooped up a mouthful of pork rib porridge, and put it in her mouth.

I chewed it a few times.

Fu Bao's eyes lit up, and she gave Song Xianglan a thumbs up.

"Grandma's pork rib congee is the best in the world. It's even better than the ones I had at that fancy restaurant in Shenzhen."

Upon hearing this, Song Xianglan laughed so hard her eyes disappeared.

"If our Fubao likes it, Grandma will make you pork rib porridge again next time."

Fu Bao thought for a moment.

"Let's have seafood porridge next time," Fu Bao suggested, "the kind with lots of seafood."

"no problem."

Song Xianglan readily agreed, "Next time Grandma will make you pure seafood. I'll put in two big crabs, some fresh shrimp, fish, and a handful of oysters and squid."

Song Xianglan held chopsticks.

Pick a small tiger prawn from your own bowl and put it into Fu Bao's plate.

Fu Bao picked up the shrimp without peeling it with her hands.

She put the whole shrimp in her mouth and puffed out her cheeks a few times.

With a flick of her little mouth, the whole shrimp shell landed on the table; the shrimp meat had already been eaten.

"What kind of amazing skill is that?" Da Bao was stunned.

Fu Bao made a face at him and then lowered her head to continue drinking her porridge.

Song Xianglan looked at the table full of children and listened to them bickering.

It's better to have more people.

Having grandchildren bickering and making noise around you, that's what life is all about.

Shen Huijun took a sip of peanut soup and turned to ask Song Xianglan.

"Mom, you bought so much meat today, are you going to fry it this afternoon?"

"Fry it this afternoon." Song Xianglan nodded. "We'll save those few pounds of pork leg meat for frying in vinegar sauce. Don't you like pork heart soup? I picked out a fresh pork heart, and I'll stew it with goji berries and American ginseng for you at noon to replenish your qi and blood."