Cheng Su belonged to the sort of person who would act upon an idea as soon as it struck her. For instance, when she wanted to make some ice desserts with jam, she bought a whole basket of pineapples and also prepared clean glass jars for later use.
While Qi Taiguo hadn't yet returned, Cheng Su, like a bird freed from its cage, was hardly absent from the small courtyard. She now had a new idea and started fiddling with the pineapple jam once again.
A basket of pineapples didn't cost much; peeling, chopping, and soaking them was tiring work, her hands aching with the effort. But the scent of the jam cooking in the air, sweet and tart, brought her joy. Especially when she saw the silky jam being poured into the clear glass jars, the sense of satisfaction was immense.
