Chapter Forty-Two: A Battle of Wits and Courage

The sound of Bian grew closer, and she walked in carrying the meal.
“Auntie, let me help,” Li Le hurriedly stood up to assist, taking one of the bowls carefully and placing it on the table.
The bowl was about the same size as those used at home, cool to the touch at the base.
The food inside was vibrant in color, with bits of minced meat scattered throughout, promising a delicious flavor.
“Hurry and eat… Children need to eat more while they're growing,” the old man pushed the bowl with the most food in front of Li Le, stroking his beard, his wrinkled face full of kindness.
Yet, inexplicably, there was something odd in his expression—a hint of complexity.
Li Le stared at the obviously larger stone bowl, blinking in confusion.
“Grandpa is right, children should eat more. How else will they gain strength?”
Bian, for once, nodded in agreement, placing a wooden spoon in Li Le’s bowl and gently patting her head with a smile.
Eating equals strength equals good for the child.
So direct and simple.
Seeing the loving gazes from the two, Li Le gradually realized how people in this world raised their young:
Eat more, fight more.
For reasons unknown, Li Le’s right eyelid twitched, a smile appearing on her fair face.
Under their expectant eyes, she quickly scooped up a spoonful of rice and stuffed it in her mouth, her cheeks puffing slightly.
She swore, even when feasting on delicacies in her previous life, she never behaved so extravagantly.
As the rice entered her mouth, her eyes brightened noticeably, her cheeks flushing.
Swallowing the food, she looked at Bian, raised a thumb, and praised,
“Auntie, your cooking is amazing! Could I come learn to cook from you in the future?”
Her eyes sparkled, sincerity shining through.
Seeing Li Le’s reaction, the old man’s hand that stroked his beard trembled, and he accidentally pulled out two hairs.
Bian’s eyes lit up, excitement evident as she asked, “Really? Is it that delicious?”
Somehow, tears glistened in Li Le’s eyes, but she still looked at the woman and nodded vigorously, her voice a little hoarse:

“Yes, Auntie! It’s so delicious I can’t help but cry.”
Li Le’s tone was heartfelt; she wiped her ever-growing tears with her sleeve, her eyes reddening from the effort.
“Good child…” The woman seemed moved, gently wiping Li Le’s tears and saying,
“Don’t rush, don’t rush, there’s more here. Poor thing, what kind of life have you been living, to not even have enough to eat?”
As she spoke, she kindly scooped half of her own bowl into Li Le’s.
The old man beside them glanced at Li Le and her bowl, suspicion growing in his eyes.
He knew his granddaughter’s cooking well—calling it ‘dark cuisine’ would be generous. For some reason, the most ordinary ingredients would turn into unspeakable flavors in her hands…
Yet his granddaughter always believed her cooking was superb, and the family never had the heart to correct her.
Luckily, she didn’t cook often, so the family endured with pinched noses when necessary.
But watching this child eat, eyes reddened and full of genuine emotion, he couldn’t help but wonder:
Maybe, just maybe, his granddaughter had finally made a proper meal this time?
The old man hesitantly scooped a small spoonful of rice and put it in his mouth.
Spicy!
Too spicy!
Instantly, his face flushed, and even his beard trembled from the heat.
“Cough, cough—”
He was about to spit out the mouthful, but when he turned, he met his granddaughter’s rather unfriendly gaze.
District Elder, caught in an awkward dilemma: “…”
Li Le hid behind Bian, watching the old man forcibly swallow the mouthful, his wrinkled face a mix of pale and flushed, a shimmer of tears in his eyes.
She couldn’t help but admire him, respectfully giving a thumbs-up.
After all, she was a young woman hardened by spicy hot pot in her previous life!
Even so, tasting this strange, unbelievably spicy meal made her want to spit it out instantly;
Yet this elderly man, living in a primitive society with presumably bland tastes, managed to swallow it whole…
A true District Elder!

Li Le clicked her tongue inwardly but kept an innocent expression, hiding behind the woman and watching the old man.
Meanwhile, deep in her eyes flashed a hint of amusement and mischief:
Serves him right for swapping her bowl for a bigger one just now!
She’d even felt moved for a moment!
How could he set such a trap for a junior?
Her gloating became obvious, and the old man, recovering from the spiciness, turned and caught it.
He felt both amused and helpless: this child certainly holds a grudge.
Just like Ye Zi, truly, ‘birds of a feather flock together.’
This temperament really runs in the family.
But the old man was worthy of his title; whatever he thought inside, nothing showed on his face. Sitting upright with his cane, he smiled cheerfully at Li Le:
“Child, eat up. If it’s not enough, I’ll share mine with you too.”
Before Li Le could refuse, he deftly scooped another half bowl into hers.
Watching the mountain of rice pile up in her basin-sized bowl, Li Le couldn’t help but grin inwardly:
The old man truly has vigor and quick hands!
She hadn’t managed to stop him at all…
What a riot.
Never in her past life did she imagine she’d ever match wits with an old man over a bowl of rice.
Seeing the old man’s playful smile and Bian’s shifting attention, she nearly cracked on the spot.
Li Le wanted to tell him: your dignified persona has collapsed!
Could you please return the wise, authoritative elder?
Is it really appropriate to sell out the younger generation just to eat less yourself?
She grumbled inwardly while quickly managing her expression, looked at Bian, wiped her tears, and said: