Chapter 165: Setting a Grand Ambition

Although Li Zhirong did not say anything out loud, he felt a lingering sense of guilt deep down towards Li Xihua.

He knew how much his eldest daughter had sacrificed for this family, and how she had been dragged down by their poverty in the past.

He was a useless father, and thankfully his eldest son had married a wonderful wife who helped rescue the eldest daughter from that fiery pit.

Even though Li Zhirong hadn't voiced it at the time, he had secretly resolved that he would support his eldest daughter for the rest of her life if necessary.

So, when all was said and done, wasn't what they needed still money?

Li Zhiqi’s arrival was merely a brief interlude. Although everyone in the family had been displeased and fearful at first—if the father insisted on lending out the money, there was truly nothing they could do about it.

The old man usually took a hands-off approach, but in reality, as the elder, he was the true master of the household.

At that time, Madam Fang had hidden alone in her room, on the verge of tears, thinking that the money her daughter-in-law had so painstakingly helped save was about to vanish again.

Never in her wildest dreams had she expected that the old man, who had been muddle-headed for most of his life, would finally show some backbone this once.

Overjoyed, Madam Fang immediately set to making dried sweet potatoes again!

In truth, apart from Tang Xin, everyone else in the Li family wore a completely bewildered expression.

Mother was making dried sweet potatoes again?

Because Madam Fang's method for making dried sweet potatoes involved complicated steps, she rarely made them, but whenever she did, she made huge batches.

At first, she made extra because her eldest daughter-in-law liked eating them. Later, her eldest daughter-in-law claimed she had other uses for them and asked her to make more.

As a result, for the past few days, aside from regular meals, the only other thing the Li family had eaten was dried sweet potatoes.

Even the most delicious food would become tiresome after being eaten for days on end. Mother was saying she wanted to make them again, and in large quantities?

Good heavens, save them—

Tang Xin was well aware of how her family members felt and could not help but be amused secretly.

Thus, she generously brought out a novel pastry for everyone to share: cake.

Of course, this wasn't the ordinary square cake currently available on the market made simply by mixing eggs and flour, but rather one Tang Xin had specially crafted in her Happy Farm workshop.

It resembled the modern miniature cream cakes. Not only was it aesthetically pleasing and delicious, but it was also extremely precious.

Therefore, she only produced three pieces in total, cutting them into small portions to share with the family.

Gazing at the gorgeous and delectable cake, Madam Fang’s eyes nearly popped out of her head: "Goodness me, where did you buy this? It must cost a fortune, right?"

Tang Xin hurriedly shook her head. "No, no, this isn't sold on the market."

"It's a secret recipe from a friend of mine. I spent a long time figuring out how to make it, just so everyone could try something fresh."

Given the current level of economic development, even a decade from now, cake shops would not sell this kind of delicate cream cake.

Even if Li Sheng wasn't skilled in culinary arts, having traveled extensively outside, he could still guess the basic ingredients: "This cake must take a lot of ingredients. Does it have eggs, white flour, sugar, and milk in it?"

Li Xihua looked at the cake with a trembling heart. With so many good things put into it, it would be a crime against nature if it didn't taste amazing!

It was utterly extravagant. She initially wanted to make a few remarks, but seeing her younger brothers eating with such radiant joy, she ultimately swallowed the words that were on the tip of her tongue.

Tang Xin was somewhat astonished. What had gotten into the eldest sister? Had she turned over a new leaf?

With a smile, she explained to her parents-in-law and her husband:

"This dish requires a lot of ingredients, and I wasn't even sure if I could pull it off, which is why I didn't mention it beforehand. Anyway, I'm only making it this once, so let's all try a fresh treat. Don't worry, life at home will only get better, and we'll be able to eat even more delicious things in the future."

After all, she understood people of this era very well, especially her parents-in-law's habitual thriftiness.

Usually, she was quite generous with money, but it was always spent on daily necessities or hearty meats. A luxury like cake, which looked delicious yet was expensive and impractical, was another matter.

The elderly might not easily accept it. Once in a while was fine, but doing this frequently would definitely label her as a wasteful woman.

Such was reality, and she was merely an ordinary mortal with no better way to handle it.

When human survival instincts were not yet fully satisfied, pursuing higher-level enjoyment was simply being oblivious to circumstances.

Madam Fang was now a completely biased old woman. She didn't think her daughter-in-law was being wasteful or spending recklessly at all; instead—

"I know you mean well and want us all to have a taste. But my good child, you need to save your money; there will be many places that need it in the future. The family doesn't lack anything right now, so keep your own money for yourself."

How wonderful! Her mother-in-law wasn't her birth mother, yet she was even better than one. Every word she spoke was entirely out of genuine care.

Therefore, Tang Xin nodded obediently.

Li Sheng naturally chimed in to support his wife: "Alright, it's just this once. Everyone, come and have a taste."

The cake had already been cut. Tang Xin portioned it out according to the head count, giving a piece not only to her father-in-law and mother-in-law, but also to Gu Laosan and Gu Nan.

Although Tang Xin had used the recipe for modern mini cream cakes, she had actually made them somewhat larger, and combined, the two cakes yielded a generous slice for everyone.

Li Jiang and Li Hai cautiously picked up their respective portions of cake, took a gentle bite, and instantly widened their eyes.

Good heavens, what kind of food was this, and why was it so delicious?

Gu Nan was equally stunned. He had never imagined such delicious food existed in the world; the texture was rich, delicate, and melted instantly on the tongue.

No, his vocabulary was still too limited, and he didn't know how to describe the sensation in his heart.

"Sister-in-law, this cake is so delicious! When I grow up, I'm going to work hard to make money too," Gu Nan said with a completely earnest expression. "I want to eat cake every day."

Ah, thinking of the brilliant score Gu Nan would achieve on the college entrance examination in the book, if he could smoothly attend university and secure a good job—

Eating cake every day would be nothing; he could afford any luxury he desired.

Thus, Tang Xin patted the little fellow's head, instilling a grand vision in him:

"That's why you need to study hard. The more you study and the more knowledge you acquire, the higher the chance you'll have to make big money in the future. Only when you have money in your hands can you do whatever you want."

Although money wasn't everything in this world, it was indeed true that without money, one could do absolutely nothing!

Gu Nan waved his small fist and declared like making an oath: "I will work hard and always score first place."

Li Jiang and Li Hai exchanged glances and chimed in simultaneously: "We will study hard too, and after we make money and buy cakes in the future, we'll share them with everyone."

The two brothers thought about it: since first place belonged to Gu Nan, they could at least settle for second or third place as a gesture of effort, right?

Watching the children looking so motivated and full of drive, Li Father once again agreed wholeheartedly with the old woman's words.

Their daughter-in-law was truly capable. Look at how wonderfully she had taught the children.