Transmigration: On the Gossip Front
Chapter 149: Brother-in-law is the Ex 49_1

Chapter 149: Chapter 149: Brother-in-law is the Ex 49_1

Huang Jing and Xia Ke, who had left, had no idea about this at all.

"It was still a bit noisy." Even though she knew bars were noisy, after actually staying inside for a while, she still felt her head couldn’t quite take it.

Xia Ke, seeing Huang Jing continuously touch her forehead, knew she must be feeling uncomfortable, "Are you okay?"

"I’m okay, really, just that my forehead."

"Really doesn’t suit me."

"Every day my brain is a bit overworked, and then hearing such loud music, it’s really a bit too much."

Whether it was because her brain was overworked or because of her old mindset, Huang Jing sincerely felt that bars really weren’t for her.

"I won’t go to bars anymore."

"If I want to drink, I’d rather make some wine myself."

Right, she could make wine herself, "When the green plums are in season, I’ll make some green plum wine."

"And bayberries, and kiwis, too."

Huang Jing suddenly realized there were indeed many fruits suitable for making wine, and she really could try one or two.

Fruits can make wine? Although Xia Ke had never made any, she thought of green plum wine, bayberry wine, grape wine—aren’t those all fruit wines?

But the question was, "Do you know how?" She had never seen Huang Jing make it before, nor did she know how skilled she was.

After thinking it over, Xia Ke felt she still needed to caution Huang Jing, "If you’ve never tried it before, maybe you shouldn’t?"

"No problem, it’s just liquor and fruit, not that difficult, it’s mainly about the alcohol content."

"If it tastes good, we can try it, if not, then forget it."

Huang Jing knew that since she had never attempted making fruit wine before, it was normal for Xia Ke to be skeptical.

Anyway, once the fruit wine was ready, she would believe it, "Do you want to come over to my place for a drink? I have some red wine."

"I bought some chicken feet at the supermarket yesterday and made spicy pickled chicken feet and lemon chicken feet."

Huang Jing quite liked chicken feet, and seeing them on special offer at the supermarket, she got a craving and decided to make some.

Having wine or not really wasn’t important to Xia Ke; she wasn’t an alcoholic, attracted to wine at the slightest mention.

But she was very interested in the chicken feet made by Huang Jing, "Alright, let’s go to your place. I’ll pick up some barbecue or marinated food on the way."

This time of evening, it was uncertain whether the most popular marinated food shop at the entrance of the community still had anything left.

"Okay." Huang Jing had no objections, "I’ll pick up some fruit on the way and make some fruit tea."

Although it was already the end of March, the temperature at night was still a bit cold, so they could turn on the heating later.

"Sounds good." Xia Ke knew that Huang Jing’s cooking skills should be quite good, given that she had been a homemaker for many years.

But it wasn’t until after she moved in here that Xia Ke realized how much she had underestimated Huang Jing—her cooking skills were truly amazing.

Whether it was cold dishes or hot dishes, even marinated foods were top-notch, and Xia Ke blurted out a comment.

"I suddenly remember, with your cooking skills being so good, after we go abroad, our occasional food improvements will really depend on you," Xia Ke said with a beaming smile.

She also knew that Huang Jing was busy, cooking every day was a significant burden, and being able to have a special meal once or twice a month was already pretty good.

Improving their meals from time to time was, of course, no problem for Huang Jing, "Why don’t you improve a bit too?"

Wouldn’t it be better if she could cook? Huang Jing sincerely suggested.

"I can cook. Occasionally, I’ll make food for myself, but it’s just enough to get it cooked."

She couldn’t help it, really. It wasn’t for lack of wanting to improve her culinary skills, but no matter how she tried, she just couldn’t get better, which was quite frustrating for her.

She watched, with a puzzled face, not understanding why her culinary skills just couldn’t improve.

Huang Jing just listened quietly as Xia Ke rambled on. Cooking skills—how should I put it?—some people try as hard as they might, but they just can’t improve their cooking skills.

It’s not that they’re not putting in the effort; it’s that cooking really does require some talent.

Looking at Xia Ke’s demeanor, it was clear she likely lacked that talent, "Being able to cook simple dishes is enough."

"At the very least, know how to make scrambled eggs with tomatoes, and being able to cook fried rice is sufficient," comforted Huang Jing.

Listening to Huang Jing’s comforting words, Xia Ke felt that they didn’t comfort her at all; instead, it felt like a subtle dig.

But she couldn’t ask about it. Looking at Huang Jing, she seemed very sincere, incredibly sincere.

Although she initially took it as a joke, on second thought, she realized there wasn’t anything wrong with it. Many parents have very simple expectations for their children: to study hard.

As for cooking and a whole series of household chores, they really never considered them.

If the child doesn’t go abroad, then it’s not a big problem; parents can go over and help out.

But now, staying abroad, with parents having to work to earn money for the children’s tuition and living expenses, there’s simply no way for them to accompany their children overseas.

"Yeah, nowadays children are really pampered," Xia Ke said.

"Given the condition of your family, I really can’t imagine how you came to be so good at cooking," Xia Ke knew the Huang family was well-off.

"My family may be well-off, but we had to provide for the education of two children. Huang Lei needed to take piano and dance lessons."

"As you know, those things cost money, a lot of money."

"My dad was just a junior staff member back then. He got promoted later. My mom was a teacher then, and the money from tutoring wasn’t much."

"They were so busy earning money that they couldn’t take care of the house. Huang Lei had to practice piano and dance, so it had to be me doing the chores."

Xia Ke had not imagined Huang Jing’s childhood had been so tough, "I’m sorry."

One could only do household chores while the other could study the arts; it was obvious who had the tougher life.

Sorry? Huang Jing laughed, "Really, there’s nothing to apologize for."

"Honestly, sometimes I’m really thankful for them. Playing the piano and dancing really can improve one’s temperament."

"But having said that, if I had to choose, I’d still prefer to learn cooking."

"At least no matter where I go, I can take good care of myself."

"You say you can dance and play the piano, but what good are those?"

"It’s better to learn something practical."

Huang Lixin and his wife had spent quite a bit to cultivate Huang Lei’s artistic temperament.

But what was the result? Huang Lei had achieved the highest level in piano examinations, but so what?

After all these years, she hadn’t touched the piano again. If she were asked to play now, she might have mostly forgotten everything.

"Huang Lei has long stopped playing the piano. I guess she’s pretty much forgotten it all by now," Huang Jing conjectured.

"You say, apart from producing a thick stack of certificates to prove she once learned piano, but what else?"

"She might be able to play a few pieces proficiently, I guess it would be the songs she had to practice for the exams," Huang Jing guessed.

It was not that Huang Jing was mocking Huang Lei; it’s just that piano grading exams are like that.

Xia Ke hadn’t learned these things, but she had heard people complain, "There’s no way around it—the exam dictates these pieces, and if they want to pass, what else can they do but practice hard?"

"That’s why I really don’t see the necessity."

Huang Jing knew that Huang Lixin and his wife had invested so much in Huang Lei in the hope that she would find a man from a good family with good abilities, to help support their own family.

But now, all those investments seemed like a waste, all sunk into the water.