Chapter 44: Changes (Part I)

“I think she’s had a shock; she hasn't watched a single minute of television all week.” As soon as Tan You returned from the garden, she heard Tan Deming on the phone. Anyone with half a brain could guess who he was talking to.

She didn't enter the living room, but instead sat under the persimmon tree to pick green beans. As for the reactions of Cheng Wenhui and Tan Lin on the other end of the line, Tan You couldn't have cared less.

“She’s been jumping rope since early morning, then she showers and studies...”

“She’s constantly looking at her textbooks. It’s not like I’m illiterate...”

“She doesn't even nap at noon, she’s always memorizing her books... I think she’s truly focused now; she finally understands the importance of studying.”

“Alright, I’ll call you again if anything seems off with her.”

“Should I call her in to take the call?”

“No need. Alright, let's leave it at that.”

The sound of the phone hanging up clicked from inside. Tan You lowered her eyes and snapped the tender green beans into segments, acting as if she hadn't heard a thing.

When Tan Deming came out of the room, he saw Tan You sitting by the window. He smiled. “Your dad called back to ask how you were doing at home.”

“Oh,” Tan You replied simply. “Just the usual. I'm fine.”

Tan Deming said dryly, “Your parents are just worried about you.”

“I know. Let’s have green bean rice for lunch, and I’ll make some stuffed eggplant; Grandma likes that,” Tan You said, shifting the topic to avoid talking more about Tan Lin and Cheng Wenhui.

Tan Deming was indeed led astray. “Sure, but making stuffed eggplant in this heat? Aren't you afraid of getting too hot?”

Although the house had a gas stove, no one was willing to use it; in the countryside, people mostly used wood-burning stoves. Sitting behind a stove stoking a fire in the middle of summer would leave one drenched in sweat within minutes.

“It’s good to sweat more. It helps with weight loss, so Mom won't nag me about being too fat all day.” Tan You shrugged. “I’m going to go mince the meat.”

The meat had been bought by Tan Deming at the market that morning. He had likely bought it specifically for her to nourish her brain, seeing how she had been studying late into the night lately.

Tan Deming lit a cigarette. “I think you’ve lost some weight. Your face looks clearer, too.”

By "clearer," he meant the acne on Tan You's face had gradually subsided. Now, only some acne scars remained, but the pitted texture on her forehead was gone, and her skin looked extremely fair.

Tan You gave a soft hum of agreement. “Just a regular routine. I haven't been eating much spicy or greasy food.”

In reality, it was mainly the "Ice-Skinned and Jade-like" reward taking effect, but she couldn't say that. She focused on seasoning the minced meat, with a bowl of thick batter sitting beside her.

Tan Deming asked, "Your grandma used to make stuffed eggplant with leek and egg filling. I've never had leek and pork filling before. Will it cook through if you just pan-fry it?"

“That’s why it has to be deep-fried. Pan-frying would take too long.” Tan You didn't even look up. “You don't have to stoke the fire. Don't let the heat exhaust you in this weather.”

Her grandfather, Tan Deming, had always been in poor health, and Tan You didn't feel comfortable letting him help with the fire. Moreover, the old man wasn't very skilled at stoking; what if he threw in too much firewood and burnt the eggplant?

As the two talked, Tan You busied herself between the stove and the prep area. Soon, a pot of steaming hot stuffed eggplant was ready. When Wang Hunu returned carrying some seedlings, she immediately smelled the aroma. She washed her hands by the well, and when she looked up, a bowl of boiled water was already waiting for her.

“Drink some water. I made stuffed eggplant for lunch,” Tan You said briefly before returning to the kitchen to work.

She didn't have much to say to her grandmother. The old woman hadn't treated her well in the past, so now Tan You only treated her with superficial politeness. She didn't go out of her way to care for her, but she ensured she did enough so that no one could find fault with her.

The stuffed eggplant was crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, seemingly bursting with juice when bitten. Naturally, Tan Deming and the old lady ate with great relish. Tan You sat to the side and only ate one; she was consciously controlling her diet. They say fitness is thirty percent exercise and seventy percent diet; if one wants to lose weight healthily, one must focus on what they eat.

After lunch, instead of continuing her studies, Tan You brought a pile of clothes out of her room. She planned to repurpose a few pieces to wear. One of her clothes had been damaged while she was washing it this morning.

Tan Deming watched as she looked at the clothes for a few minutes. Then, without even marking them with chalk, she grabbed a pair of large scissors and went *snip-snip-snip*. Soon, many scraps of fabric were scattered on the table.

Tan Deming sat nearby watching. “Are you... making clothes? Since when did you know how to do this?”

Tan You replied expressionlessly, “I just watched a bit and learned. Grandpa, if you aren't busy, please help me borrow a sewing machine. I have a use for it.”

“Do you know how to use it?” Tan Deming asked suspiciously. “You just 'watched a bit and learned'?”

“Mhm. Just help me borrow one. Don't borrow it from our production team; people will gossip.” Tan You was busy cutting out the usable pieces of fabric and had no patience for small talk. Her grandfather had a wide circle of acquaintances; borrowing a sewing machine wouldn't be difficult for him.

Half-believing, half-doubting, Tan Deming pushed his tricycle out of the village. In less than an hour, he returned with a semi-new sewing machine, along with other tools like a measuring tape and needles and thread.

By then, Tan You had completely dismantled the clothes, laying the various pieces of fabric aside. No one but her could tell which part of the garment each scrap belonged to.

“Where did you borrow it from?” Tan You finally smiled as she looked at the sewing machine set up in the main room.

“From over in Poling,” Tan Deming said, taking a sip of water. “I even covered it with a bag. I ran into a few people on the way back, but I didn't tell them what it was.”

“Alright.” Tan You busied herself adjusting the machine. She had never used such an old-fashioned sewing machine, but after a few moments of handling it, she understood how it worked.

However, when threading the needle, Tan You had to lean in very close. For the hundred and first time, she felt a pang of envy for Han Tingting’s excellent eyesight.

Tan Deming sat to the side watching her work. As she began to pedal the machine, he couldn't help but laugh. “You really do know how to do it?”

Tan You narrowed her eyes slightly. “Didn't I tell you? I just watched a bit and learned.”

She was quite dexterous; she used to enjoy various handicrafts. She loved everything from knotting ropes to folding stars and stringing beads, though in Cheng Wenhui's eyes, these were all useless distractions.

“Once I finish these, I'll make a couple of pieces for you later,” Tan You said, looking down as she pedaled. Her movements gradually shifted from awkward to practiced.

“Alright, I’ll be waiting for you to make me clothes then.” Tan Deming smiled. The old man was a wise person; he never said anything to dampen the mood and always supported whatever Tan You said.

When Wang Hunu woke up from her afternoon nap, she saw two short-sleeved shirts hanging on the rack. She frowned. “Did your grandpa buy these for you? Isn't that a waste of money?”

Tan You clipped the loose threads. “No, my clothes were damaged, so I repurposed some old ones.”

As long as it wasn't money being spent, Wang Hunu didn't care what Tan You did. As long as Tan You didn't watch TV, didn't use the electric fan, and kept the house clean, she wouldn't interfere with anything else.