QTIMP -Chapter 11 Character Persona – Greedy (Part 11)

Feng Fan quickly realized during their brief interaction that this younger sister was independent and strong-willed, so he didn’t bother beating around the bush.

First, he placed the brown paper bag he was holding onto the table and nudged it toward her.

Then he said directly, “This is some beef jerky I had someone get for you. Take it home and give it a try. I also know what’s been going on at home recently. I know you’ve been upset, but I can tell you clearly—none of us family members harbor any ill intentions toward you.”

She pried open a slit in the brown paper bag, and the aroma of the beef jerky wafted straight to her nose. Si Qiu struggled to look away.

“You’re only seeing the truth in a sanitized way; otherwise, you wouldn’t be able to say that,” Si Qiu snapped bluntly.

Feng Fan remembered what the second brother had said about the third sister taking the fourth sister’s place at university. What he had just said was basically slapping himself in the face.

“You’re a young woman in your prime, so it’s inevitable that some people outside might look down on you. If anything happens, just tell me. I’ll be home during this period. And if I’m not home, you can still go to them. Don’t be so stubborn—otherwise, you’ll be the one to suffer.”

Si Qiu accepted the dumplings Shengnan had handed over under the pretense of helping her, shooting her a glare while thinking how nosy she was.

After all, at this state-run restaurant, no one was going to serve you at the table.

“You don’t need to worry so much. I’ve managed on my own for sixteen years, haven’t I? And I’ve been fine,” she said.

Feng Fan was momentarily speechless. Indeed, this sister had hardly been under their family’s supervision. “No matter what, I’m your real brother, and you’re my real sister. That blood relation can’t be faked.”

Having said his shameless piece, he lowered his head and started eating the dumplings.

Si Qiu now understood how stubborn this man was and didn’t bother arguing with him on that point.

“If you really care, then manage Feng Yu properly and keep her away from me. If she tries to show off in front of me again, even if you’re my real brother, it won’t matter.”

Feng Fan picked up a dumpling with his chopsticks, gave her a deep look, and sighed—his youngest sister really did resist them. “Got it.”

After that, neither spoke further. Si Qiu felt a bit uncomfortable from the meal, so she quickly said her goodbyes and left.

Feng Fan stepped out a little later, turned a corner, and saw two men leaning against the wall. He walked over, and the taller and shorter men flicked their cigarettes to the ground and crushed them with their feet.

“Feng Company Leader, done with your business? That girl who just came out—is she your sister? She’s really beautiful! I’m telling you, man, I’m single right now! You should—” The man didn’t finish before getting a kick to the leg.

The man behind him said in a low voice, “Watch yourself.”

Wang Kai hurriedly straightened his expression and apologized. “Sorry, Company Leader Feng. I have a loose tongue, but I really meant no harm. And I’m not bad-looking either—you could consider it.”

Seeing his friend’s increasingly serious gaze, he quickly gestured to seal his mouth.

Feng Fan relaxed slightly and took a deep breath. “For the sake of the Chief of Criminal Camp, let it slide. As for my sister, I don’t make that decision—that’s up to her. But even so, I’m her real brother, and I won’t allow anyone to ruin her reputation.”

Wang Kai hit his own mouth with his hand, putting some effort into it. “You’re right, I was wrong, I was really wrong.”

“All right, let’s find a place to cross-check information and analyze our next course of action.” Although Xing Huaien’s features were handsome, his tone carried an authority that made people naturally obedient.

The three of them turned and left.

Si Qiu had taken a long detour, carrying a basket filled to the brim and covered with a clean but worn cloth.

If it weren’t for her strength, it would have been quite heavy to carry. She reached the back door of the state-run restaurant and knocked a few times. Sure enough, it was Shengnan who opened the door.

She reached out to take the basket, but Si Qiu waved her off. “It’s too heavy. I’ll carry it.”

Shengnan knew this little girl was strong and didn’t argue. She quickly closed the back door and hurried to catch up, leaning close to Si Qiu’s ear.

“It’s just after closing, so everyone else has left. I already told them. There’s no meat lately, so using this braising sauce to marinate something will at least give it some flavor. I even gave them each a two-pound portion. So even if we cook with fire, and the aroma spreads, no one will mind.”

When she said “two pounds each,” it wasn’t like they were getting chunks of meat. It meant they were given a two-pound quota from whatever was being braised—meat or other ingredients simmered in the broth—so it would taste better than just boiling it in water.

With that, the two of them entered the kitchen. Si Qiu quickly greeted Chef Qiao. “Uncle Qiao, sorry to trouble you again. But I really got something good here. If I cook it myself, it just feels like wasting it.”

She lifted the curtain to reveal the basket, about a foot in diameter. Inside were two meticulously cleaned large pig’s trotters, two big chicken legs, and some other items tightly packed beneath.

Qiao Jinshan wanted to be polite, but the food immediately drew his attention. His hands instinctively reached for the basket to inspect the contents.

His words changed mid-sentence: “This would be a waste if braised as-is. Look at these chicken legs—I could wrap them in wontons; once boiled, they’d barely taste any different. Oh, this is beef! A rare item. Even if you don’t stew it, wrapping it in dumplings would work.”

“Uncle, you’re the chef, it’s up to you,” Si Qiu said.

Si Qiu wasn’t opposed to trying different preparations, but she didn’t want to trouble anyone, nor did she want strong aromas to spread and cause unnecessary trouble.

Braising takes time. Si Qiu helped tidy the vegetables, wrapped dumplings and wontons, and boiled some for everyone to eat together for dinner.

They had collaborated many times before, so everyone knew she liked to stock up on food. No one asked unnecessary questions—they followed the usual rule: leave one-third and take the rest.

After all, the stove, the seasonings, and the skills were all theirs.

The next day, she set an alarm and got up early, hurrying to the state-run restaurant. From a distance, the aroma of braised meat reached her. A group of people were already sniffing the scent, lining up in front of the door.

Even though Shengnan kept shouting that there was no meat—only braised vegetables—no one gave up or left. Reading Shengnan’s expression, Si Qiu circled around and entered through the back door.

Before she could even greet him, Qiao Jinshan swiftly started filling her basket. “Hurry, hurry, hurry. There’s braised food today. Those two people specifically came early. Your lunchboxes aren’t enough, so I put the rest in a basin. After using it, bring it back to me.”

With that, the basket was filled and covered again with the cloth.

“Thank you, Uncle. Your ancestral skills are amazing. Just smelling this, I could eat two bowls of rice.”

“You little girl, stop talking nonsense. Hurry up and do what you need to do!”

Seeing how busy he was, Si Qiu didn’t disturb him further. She took the basket and turned to leave.

Before she even reached the alley’s entrance, the basket disappeared, replaced by two lunchboxes in her hands. She headed straight for the neighborhood committee, entering without first cleaning like usual.