The most important thing for a person to excel at something is to have a genuine passion for it.
If Huaihua didn't truly enjoy working in the kitchen, she probably wouldn't have made such delicious food.
If she hadn't been willing to put her heart into it, she wouldn't have grasped the essence of fine cuisine. Everything she made was basically delicious.
Moreover, she had discussed this with Su Xiaoqi. When she used to do other things, she would constantly recall past events. These weren't pleasant memories, but nightmares that felt like being in hell.
Every time she remembered, she would feel as if she were falling into an abyss, her body growing cold, and she couldn't do anything well.
But only in the kitchen, watching the dancing flames and preparing the food she wanted to make, did her heart find peace.
Su Xiaoqi understood.
Huaihua was only a little over ten years old; she was still young.
She had been deceived by a scumbag, body and soul, gotten pregnant early, but was then violently beaten to a miscarriage, and even driven out of her home.
On top of that, she was scrutinized and deemed undesirable for over half a month by the Meng Ya people.
She had endured far too much for someone her age.
Sometimes, Su Xiaoqi couldn't help but think that if she were Huaihua, she probably couldn't have done any better.
Despite experiencing such setbacks and pain, she hadn't completely succumbed. Instead, she quickly picked herself up and found a way to bring peace to her heart.
She had found her own salvation, and her heart was now at peace.
Su Xiaoqi was, of course, happy to see this.
She certainly didn't want Huaihua to live in pain forever.
If Huaihua could move past it, it was a great thing. Furthermore, it also gave her an opportunity to freely come up with ideas and enjoy delicious food.
This time, Huaihua had received instructions from Madam Zhao, knowing that the master placed great importance on these guests from the southwest.
So, early in the morning, she, along with her mother Lian, had been busy in the kitchen making dishes.
As soon as the guests arrived at the second gate, Su Xiaoqi had Guor help inform them that they could prepare for the feast.
Su Xiaoqi herself went to the second gate to welcome them.
She saw Xiao Yi jump off the carriage first and then turn back to help all his younger siblings down.
They then lined up and came before Su Xiaoqi to pay their respects.
Led by Xiao Yi, they all sweetly called out:
"Sister Xiaoqi."
Su Xiaoqi looked at each of them. They were still wearing the cotton clothes she had bought for them in Mianzhou City before.
Their faces showed slight fatigue, but their eyes were very bright.
Especially Xiao Xique.
She was already attached to Su Xiaoqi, and after not seeing her for so long, she was overcome with emotion upon seeing her.
If Xiao Yi hadn't suppressed her with his gaze, she would have already rushed into Su Xiaoqi's arms.
Su Xiaoqi said gently, "No need for so many formalities. You've traveled far, you must be tired. Go wash up first, and come for dinner later."
Hearing this, Xiao Xique, who had been about to step forward, froze. Xiao Yi glanced at her, patted her hand, and softly comforted her, "We're covered in dust. Let's get clean and change our clothes before coming."
Xiao Xique listened and looked at her clothes. They were indeed dusty. She then looked at Su Xiaoqi's clothes, which were so bright and clean.
If she went up now, she would surely dirty Sister Xiaoqi's clothes.
Since she was already here, she would have plenty of time and opportunities to find Sister Xiaoqi later.
Xiao Xique quickly understood and followed Guor, who was there to lead them to the back courtyard.
Half an hour later, everyone gathered in the side hall.
Su Xiaoqi had converted this into a dining room.
At this moment, the round table with vermilion lacquer was already filled with dishes.
Su Xiaoqi glanced at them; they were all made according to the menu she had provided.
She had arranged them specifically to match the preferences of Xiao Yi and the others.
It was quite thoughtful.
Xiao Yi and the others had bathed and changed into the new clothes Su Xiaoqi had prepared for them. They were all spirited and looked much more refined.
One by one, they walked up to Su Xiaoqi and bowed to her again.
Shen Yun was also present this time, and the children obediently stepped forward and called him "Brother-in-law."
Shen Yun was pleased and gestured to the seats below, inviting them to sit.
"You must be hungry after such a long journey. Please eat first."
Xiao Yi eagerly agreed and gestured for his younger siblings to sit down.
Su Xiaoqi watched him, and she couldn't find any fault with his behavior, habits, or etiquette. She nodded with satisfaction.
It seemed that during her absence, Xiao Yi hadn't forgotten to learn and improve himself.
She liked such proactive young people.
Indeed, a person's background and origins cannot be chosen.
However, how a person wants to live their life can be changed through their own efforts.
Xiao Yi and the others were like this, and Shen Yun was the most typical example.
Of course, his success was unique and couldn't be replicated, especially given his intelligence. Few people could compare to him.
There was a table full of delicious dishes, but Xiao Yi and the others were no longer the beggars who had emerged from the dilapidated city god temple.
They had followed Su Xiaoqi and, with the platform she provided, had also earned a good amount of money.
With money in their pockets, they were not flustered.
Moreover, living in the backyard of the supermarket, Granny Wen, who had no children, took care of them as if they were her own.
They had good food and drink year-round.
Now, they no longer had to ruin their image for a meal.
They all ate very gracefully.
Especially Xiao Xique, Xiao Liu, and Xiao Jiu, the three young girls.
They chewed slowly, were elegant, and well-mannered.
Su Xiaoqi watched with some surprise and, immediately after the meal, asked, "Did Aunt Wen teach you these manners?"
Xiao Liu and Xiao Jiu lowered their heads and pursed their lips, saying nothing.
Xiao Xique nodded repeatedly, "Yes, yes, yes, Sister Xiaoqi. Please check if our manners are correct."
Su Xiaoqi frowned slightly, "The manners are correct, but they're a bit too elaborate. It's fine if you act like this outside, but we are family, so there's no need for this, right, husband?"
Su Xiaoqi looked at Shen Yun.
She hoped he would say a few words to ease their constraint.
"That's right, this is your elder sister's home; there's no need for such formality." Shen Yun looked at Su Xiaoqi dotingly and said as she wished, like a tool.
"But, but Aunt Wen said, she said that the capital is full of wealthy families, and their rules are extremely strict.
If we don't learn the rules well, we will embarrass Sister Xiaoqi when we go out."
This sentence was enough for Xique and the others to put in twelve points of effort into learning manners.
Sister Xiaoqi treated them so well; how could they let Sister Xiaoqi lose face in front of outsiders?
"You, you all, I'm not that pedantic." Su Xiaoqi said, then felt it was not quite right. Granny Wen taught them that way for their own good, and also for her own.
Compared to the small Mianzhou City, the capital was naturally different. A mistake here or there could easily lead to problems. It was never wrong to understand some major rules.
She just didn't want them, who were originally innocent and cute, to become too mechanical.
Like wooden figures, wouldn't that diminish their childlike innocence?