Chapter Fifty-Three: The Persistent Wild Greens

After much effort calming Da Xi, Su Wan Ning’s midnight snacking crew had gained another small member. Together, their collective appetite was formidable—they devoured every bit of meat Su Wan Ning had prepared.

It wasn’t until early the next morning, when the production team awoke, that they learned what had happened.

Chen Rui and Wang Zan sat inside a tent, both of their expressions grim.

“Director, what is Su Wan Ning playing at? Is she planning to break away and go solo?” Chen Rui was still brooding over being scolded by Su Wan Ning last time; his eyes were clouded with resentment as he mentioned her.

Wang Zan’s brows furrowed tighter with every word, and he snorted coldly, “Her? If it weren’t for us, who in the entertainment industry would dare take her in?”

The tent fell silent. Both men knew perfectly well that Su Wan Ning was no longer the person she once was.

Back then, scandal swirled around her; everyone assumed she would fade away from the limelight. But Wang Zan had given her an opportunity.

Now, thanks to the show’s popularity, Su Wan Ning’s fame was rising, her fan numbers swelling with each passing day.

“Exactly! She doesn’t even acknowledge your kindness, and now she bites the hand that feeds her. We need to teach her a lesson.”

After some discussion, the two reached a decision. Before the guests could have breakfast, they gathered everyone together.

The livestream had already begun. The families, accustomed to the production team’s schemes, were waiting expectantly for the breakfast assignment.

But to their surprise, Wang Zan announced publicly, “This morning, there will be no breakfast for anyone.”

“Why?”

“I want breakfast, I want breakfast!” Ming Ming was the first to protest loudly.

“Ming Ming, don’t be upset. Let’s hear what the director has to say,” Yang Yang, standing nearby, soothed him.

[Yang Yang is so warm, such a caring big brother.]
[The production team is heartless.]
[After all that midnight feasting, they still want breakfast? Ming Ming’s stomach is impressive.]
“The production team had prepared a sumptuous breakfast for everyone, but last night those supplies were stolen. Now, we can’t replenish them in time, so everyone will have to go without.”

“Who did it?” Feng Rui voiced her displeasure first.

“Exactly, who would be so inconsiderate as to eat up everyone’s breakfast?” Yu Xin chimed in, her tone pointed.

Last night, Da Xi had returned late; Yu Xin was well aware of Su Wan Ning’s midnight barbecue. Her words now were clearly meant to stir up trouble.

[Who else could it be but Su Wan Ning?]

[I wondered why there was a sudden eating stream last night—it turns out it was everyone’s breakfast being consumed.]
[But except for Yin Shan Shan’s group, every family had someone eating barbecue.]
Su Wan Ning stepped forward calmly. “I was a bit hungry last night, so I made some barbecue. I didn’t realize those were breakfast provisions.”

Her tone was honest, without a hint of guilt. When she finished, she looked meaningfully at the director. “I just didn’t expect you, Director, to be so generous, preparing so much meat for breakfast.”

She deliberately emphasized the word “breakfast.”

[Seriously, who eats barbecue meat for breakfast?]
[Su Wan Ning is a master at twisting words—she dares to break rules but won’t admit fault.]
[So what if they ate it? It’s just food. Why all the fuss?]
[Why not let them take the seat of the Giant Buddha of Leshan, these saints?]
Wang Zan was left speechless by Su Wan Ning’s pointed question, but she didn’t wait for his response. With a toss of her hand, she declared, “I’ll sort out breakfast. Just wait.”

Su Wan Ning took Sui Sui and Nian Nian up the mountain.

“Mama, maybe we shouldn’t have snuck food last night,” Nian Nian pouted, worry written across her little face.

“It was Mama’s greed, and besides, no one told us those things were off-limits, right?” With just a few words, Su Wan Ning brought a smile back to Nian Nian’s face.

As they walked toward the mountain, Su Wan Ning muttered to the camera, “Ladies, as much as I don’t want to, it seems I’ll be digging wild vegetables again.”

“Luckily, I’m not actually obsessed with romance, so don’t call me out in the chat!”

[That ‘again’ is spot-on.]
[Come on, don’t make this so comical!]
[The everlasting wild vegetable gag…]
Last night, while completing a task on the mountain, Su Wan Ning had spotted a patch of wild greens. With her two children in tow, she easily found the spot and began digging.

Next, she headed to the riverbank, lifting stones to catch a few lively river crabs.

In less than an hour, she returned fully loaded.

The three people who had stayed behind were waiting to see her make a fool of herself. When Su Wan Ning brought back a bundle of dusty wild greens, Feng Rui was the first to speak up, “What’s this? It’s filthy. You’re not planning to feed us this, are you?”

“You’re welcome not to eat. Ming Ming, would you like some?” Su Wan Ning smiled down at him.

Ming Ming eyed the basket of wild vegetables, hesitated, but trusting Su Wan Ning, he nodded firmly. “Yes, I’ll eat!”

[I’m dying—Ming Ming’s expression, does he think Su Wan Ning is serving poison?]
[Ming Ming: marching bravely to his doom.]
Su Wan Ning went to the riverbank, quickly cleaned the vegetables, prepared the crabs, tossed the greens into a pot of porridge, and added the fresh crab. In less than half an hour, a steaming, aromatic pot of seafood porridge was ready.

The fragrance stirred everyone’s appetite. Yin Shan Shan and Yu Xin drew closer, and even Feng Rui couldn’t help but follow.

“Wow, Aunt Su, do you know magic?” Ming Ming stared at the pot in disbelief, his eyes shining.

“Aunt Su is amazing,” Yang Yang chimed in.

“Ming Ming, you ate barbecue last night—maybe go easy on the porridge today, so you don’t get indigestion!” Feng Rui complained, but her gaze lingered on the pot.

[Feng Rui’s eyes are about to fall into the pot.]
[Daring to steal Ming Ming the Great’s porridge—has Feng Rui forgotten the pain of past lessons?]
[It looks and smells delicious. I wish I had a magic phone to jump right in…]
After a hearty meal, everyone returned from the island to Yunshui Village.

Wang Zan announced the next task, “Today, parents and children will help Grandpa Li feed his chickens.”

“Families who complete the task will be rewarded with a chicken from Grandpa Li for their lunch. Off you go!”

Grandpa Li was a villager in Yunshui Village, who made his living raising chickens and owned the largest coop in the area.

The group didn’t think much of it at first, but when they reached the coop, the pungent smell of chicken manure and the fierce-looking birds gave them pause.

Nian Nian shrank behind Su Wan Ning. “Mama, I don’t want to go in.”