Chapter 976: Bona Fide Wealth

Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

Su Jing barely noticed the heat rising from the grill. With one hand occupied copying Gu Zi’s barbecuing technique, she had already devoured four or five skewers.

The golden, glistening pork belly and crispy-on-the-outside, tender-on-the-inside chicken drumsticks were so delicious that Su Jing found herself at a loss for words.

Suddenly struck by inspiration, she dropped everything and dashed into the house.

Gu Zi glanced after her but didn’t bother asking. The kids were devouring the skewers as fast as they came off the grill, and if Su Bing hadn’t stepped in to help, Gu Zi would’ve been completely overwhelmed.

Before long, the rich aroma of grilled meat filled the Su family courtyard. A gust of wind carried the scent farther, drawing curious glances from passersby—children and adults alike—who couldn’t help but steal envious looks through the Su family’s gates, swallowing their drool.

These were hard times. An outbreak of swine fever had left even the wealthiest families struggling to put pork on the table. Yet here was the Su family, throwing an impromptu barbecue with enough meat to feed an army.

This wasn’t some gaudy display of new money, as Huang Fei often snidely suggested—this was bona fide wealth. Rumor had it the Su family’s pig farm was now supplying pork exclusively to the military and research institutions.

Military personnel and scientists in the region owed their access to pork in these lean times entirely to the Su family’s farm. The local government, eager to support those contributing to the nation’s progress, had prioritized the Su farm’s operations. This wasn’t the kind of influence a nouveau riche family could buy—it was genuine prestige.

Across the street, several people glanced toward the Xu household and spotted young Xu Sheng—the so-called child prodigy—hovering near his gate, staring longingly in the Su family’s direction.

Someone snickered, “And Huang Fei keeps bragging that her son is too refined to care about worldly pleasures. Looks like even geniuses crave barbecue!”

Another voice chimed in, “Huang Fei’s too strict with him. She’s pushing that kid too hard. I’ve never seen him play outside. Meanwhile, look at the Su kids—they’re always out and about, laughing and having fun with Gao Ming. They’ve brought so much life to this neighborhood. Kids should enjoy their childhood. What’s Huang Fei so worried about?”

“Oh, come on,” someone said. “She’s from a big-shot family in the capital. Her education philosophy is different—elitist, you know? But let’s not be too harsh. That kid’s carrying a lot on his shoulders for someone so young. Poor thing.”

Xu Sheng must’ve felt their eyes on him because he quickly lowered his head and took another bite of his dry, flavorless bread.

Just then, Huang Fei stepped outside. He glanced at her and, from the way her eyes lingered toward the Su family courtyard, knew she’d been drawn by the scent too.

Xu Sheng couldn’t explain why, but he felt his mother should try to get along with the Su family. Yet he dared not voice his thoughts—just as he never dared to resist the endless classes and workbooks she piled on him. Instead, he swallowed his feelings, resigned to being the obedient son she expected.

Meanwhile, Su Li and Gao Ming had finished eating and were now marching out of the house with skewers in hand. They dragged Jiang Nuan along with them. She lived nearby in Jifu New Village and often visited the Su family on weekends. Her parents approved, trusting their housekeeper to drop her off safely.

Su Bing, ever the serious one, stayed behind to either read or help with chores. So Jiang Nuan usually teamed up with Su Li and Gao Ming. The trio strolled through the neighborhood, skewers in hand, attracting stares from both kids and adults.

Jiang Nuan handed out meat skewers to younger children along the way, and seeing this, Su Li and Gao Ming followed suit. The adults, however, were left empty-handed, forced to watch in silence.

By the time they reached the old apartment blocks outside the neighborhood, their skewers had dwindled. But this didn’t stop Su Li from lingering there the longest.

Both Jiang Nuan and Gao Ming knew exactly what he was doing—trying to drive the kids from the apartment block crazy with jealousy.

Jiang Nuan didn’t pity them. Those kids had no sense of right or wrong and didn’t deserve sympathy. The sight of Su Li’s skewers had them practically drooling. Some hadn’t even smelled meat in ages, let alone tasted it.

Unlike the well-off kids in Jifu New Village, whose families could still afford meat even in these tough times, the children in the old apartments came from struggling households. Even before the outbreak, meat had been a rare luxury for them. Now, with the swine fever crisis, it was nearly impossible to come by.

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