My whole family sucked my blood; after being reborn, the little cook went on a killing spree.

Xu Lingxi not only has a story, but Su Wanning is also afraid that if Xu Lingxi dares to tell it, Su Wanning will not dare to listen.

Holding back her tears, she ate most of the mille-feuille and began to nitpick, "The crepes seem too soft, not chewy enough, the cream is a bit hard and a bit too sweet. The highest standard for dessert is not too sweet! The mulberry jam isn't good. I want peach, strawberry, mango, or durian jam..."

She almost cried again as she spoke.

There are no durians in this world.

"It seems the ratio of milk to sugar needs to be adjusted; we can try different types of sugar."

Su Wanning stood up and pulled her towards the small kitchen. "Did you get the frying pan you mentioned made?"

"Of course, with Miss Xu involved, we must expedite the process!"

Xu Lingxi found a blacksmith and had all the kitchen utensils she remembered made out, hoping that this time it would go smoothly so that she could ask her ancestor for help when he was pleased.

The two chatted as they studied the food in the small kitchen.

Su Wanning finally confirmed the identity of her ancestor.

The ancestor of the Li family was indeed the cook Li she knew.

When Chef Li left the palace, she was already forty-five years old. Alone and with a large amount of money, she was supported by her younger brother, Old Master Li.

Although it was said to be providing for him, in reality, Old Master Li lived a life of luxury because of his sister, not only because of her money, but also because of her intelligence.

When his sister said to buy a house, he bought a house; when his sister said to open a shop, he opened a shop. He was good at obeying her, and the Li family gradually prospered, with businesses in both the north and south.

After Old Master Li passed away, the second branch of the family managed the land and property in the south, while the first branch became the one in Xiushui Village.

The south was hot and humid, and Li the cook couldn't get used to living there, so she stayed with Master Li. The whole clan, young and old, had benefited from her kindness, so they all respectfully called her "Grandmother".

Master Li had three sons and one daughter. His daughter married into the Xu family in the capital, and was Xu Lingxi's mother, Miss Li Rouhui.

Li Rouhui grew up spoiled by her three older brothers, and Xu Lingxi was also greatly loved as a result. She lived on the estate from a young age and was taught by the ancestor.

"So, your great-great-grandmother was actually your ancestor?"

Su Wan Ning spent a long time calculating in her mind, and her head was a little dizzy from listening. The old ancestor was turning seventy this year, but was only sixty-nine years old in reality. However, she left the palace at the age of forty-five and had helped the Li family rise to prominence in just twenty years. This shows that she was decisive and swift in her actions and had a great vision.

"Yes, Grandpa Li was my great-grandfather, and he and my great-grandfather were twins. Grandpa Li was my maternal grandfather."

Xu Lingxi counted on her fingers, "My third uncle is on the estate now, my second and eldest uncles should be able to arrive tomorrow, and my mother will arrive this afternoon, hehe."

Su Wan Ning looked at her with a complicated expression, "Have you forgotten that you snuck here?"

"..."

Xu Lingxi made a face. "Why don't you just make me a bitter melon mille-feuille? My mom will definitely beat me up."

Just then, a maid came to report that Fourth Aunt had returned, and the matriarch wanted all the young masters and ladies of the household to hurry to her courtyard.

"Go quickly."

Su Wanning pushed her.

He casually packed the freshly made mille-feuille into a food box. "Forget the bitter melon mille-feuille, use this to appease your mother."

Before Xu Lingxi could speak, the maid said that the matriarch wanted Lady Su to go along as well, so that everyone could get to know each other and there would be no outsiders.

"Exactly! You're my best friend, I'd be there for you through thick and thin!"

Xu Lingxi immediately smiled.

"Okay, I'll go with you."

Su Wan Ning smiled, but her hands inside her sleeves were trembling uncontrollably.

Of all the times she'd visited the estate, besides Xu Lingxi and the old ancestor, she'd only ever met Li Xuzhi.

But clearly Li Xuzhi wasn't as gentle as she appeared. What about the other members of the Li family? In her past life, how many members of the Li family stood by and watched her being tortured to death?

How incredibly stupid and cold-blooded they are to torture and kill someone simply because of a fabricated charge.

With the ham incident already in the picture, who knows how many other dirty deeds the Li family has committed? In my past life, I was accused of stealing and selling the secret recipe. Well, perhaps, I'll be meeting the real culprit soon!

Su Wanning couldn't explain what was wrong with her.

She should have been afraid, but at that moment she felt her breath was burning hot, every inch of her skin was aching, and every bone felt like it was shattered.

My heart is pounding.

She wanted to find that person herself and skin him alive!

When the two arrived at the ancestral courtyard, it was already filled with laughter and cheerful conversation.

As soon as the maid lifted the curtain, a beautiful woman rushed over, grabbed Xu Lingxi, and started beating her. "You brat! You've got some nerve! Do you know how far it is from the capital to Jizhou? Do you know how worried your father and I were?"

The hand was raised high, then gently lowered.

Only the tears were falling steadily, truly streaming down my face.

Xu Lingxi didn't flinch, but threw herself into Li Rouhui's arms. "Mother! I've missed you every day, so much so that I can't eat or sleep! Waaah, Mother, you've finally come!"

"Wow, I heard you made a good friend who's an amazing cook!"

Li Rouhui chuckled in exasperation, reaching out to pinch her cheek. "It's only been a few days, and your face is all chubby!"

Su Wanning quickly glanced at everyone in the room, then focused her gaze on Li Rouhui and Xu Lingxi.

So this is what it's like to see family again? In her past life, when she returned to the Lin family, that whole family of ingrates treated her with feigned affection. In this life, they still go through the same thing, but they've never had such genuine laughter and tears.

"Alright, alright, you two are giving me a headache! Come here, both of you!"

The old man smiled and smoothed things over.

Su Wanning snapped out of her reverie and bowed to Li Rouhui, saying, "Wanning greets Madam Xu."

"Oh dear, call me Auntie! 'Madam Xu' sounds too formal."

Li Rouhui pushed Xu Lingxi aside, then pulled Su Wanning over, "Good girl, thanks to you, come on, let's sit down and have a good talk."

"Yes, Auntie."

The two were very close; Li Rouhui had a faint fragrance and a warm, cozy aura.

Su Wan Ning tried her best to keep her steps short and make every movement precise and beautiful. Although Xu Ling Xi was quite favored in the manor, she was still just a junior. If she could please Li Rou Hui, things would be different, and things would definitely be much easier for her.

"Mother! You don't want your own daughter anymore!"

Xu Lingxi stomped her foot, causing all the young masters and ladies to burst into laughter.

"Heh...cough cough cough."

Li Xuzhi chuckled twice and then started coughing, which made Madam Feng, the third wife, frown slightly and scold her gently, "If you're not feeling well, you should rest more. Why are you always running around outside?"

"Mother is right."

Li Xuzhi lowered his head and looked down, behaving very obediently, but showed no intention of leaving.

The matriarch glared at Madam Feng, "You talk too much! I called all the children over, what, you have a problem with that? You know the child isn't feeling well, yet you don't try to help him recover, all you do is spout useless nonsense!"

The atmosphere in the room suddenly turned cold.

Li Xuzhi hurriedly explained, "My mother is just concerned about me. Besides, I've come to visit my aunt and also to see Lady Su."

In short, everyone's eyes in the room fell on Su Wan Ning.