Aunt Gongsun Hui had been born a direct daughter of an aristocratic clan, so naturally she would not indulge Wang Luomiao without principles.
She tossed her aside and let her sulk by herself.
Then she happily dined with Wang Luoyi and Wang Shouzhe, the sister and brother chatting and laughing in perfect harmony.
"Aunt, this is Iron-Back Savage Pig belly meat, simmered to precisely the right tenderness. Fat but not greasy, soft and glutinous without turning mushy—it melts on the tongue. Have a taste." Wang Shouzhe used serving chopsticks to place a fine piece of meat in front of Gongsun Hui, vividly describing its flavor as he did.
"Gulp." Wang Luomiao, who was venting her frustration off to the side, swallowed hard.
"Big Sister, did you cook this stir-fried inner tenderloin yourself?" Wang Shouzhe praised as he ate. "Your control of the heat is truly exquisite. It is fresh, tender, and crisp, as though one were tasting the delicacies of immortals."
"Just eat. Why do you have so much to say?" Wang Luoyi rolled her eyes at him irritably, then glanced sympathetically at Wang Luomiao. The little girl was practically drooling.
"Brother, Miao Miao wants to eat too." Wang Luomiao finally could not endure it any longer and pounced toward the table with a howl.
Unfortunately, Wang Shouzhe stopped her little head with one finger and said with a smile, "Call me Good Big Brother, or you get nothing."
"Good Big Brother." Wang Luomiao finally succumbed completely to the temptation of delicious food.
Only then did Wang Shouzhe chuckle, pick her up, and place her on a chair, serving her meat and vegetables. The little girl had been starving, and she wolfed everything down. The meal was incomparably satisfying.
After they had eaten and drunk their fill, the family drank