Chapter 31


    The morning sun was exceptionally bright.


    The morning air was particrly fresh.


    However, this morning was a bit different from the usual. The sun was still as bright, but the air was not as fresh. Early in the morning, a faint, unpleasant odor lingered in the air.


    No doubt, it was the smell of atrine.


    Fortunately, it was a cold winter. If it were summer, it would definitely be unbearable.


    Whether others thought so or not, Zhuang Zhixi and his wife Ming Mei certainly did. It was early morning, and there were still people in the courtyard. The fights fromst night—first, second, and third rounds—hadsted quite a while, and there were still follow-up performances.


    In short, the matter hadn''t been resolved yet.


    Although it wasn''t resolved, a few things were clear. First, the issue with the little thief. Afterst night''s interrogation, it was now certain that Jii was not the habitual thief who had been roaming around recently.


    His skills were far from reaching that level.


    It was... truly sad. The group of people who had been trying to catch the thief were all very disappointed, looking like wilted eggnts.


    In the end, it was all in vain.


    As for Jii, although he did indeed break into houses, the value of the theft was minimal. Plus, he had already suffered a real punishment—falling into thetrine. So, as everyone had spected, after a round of criticism and education, he wasn''t detained.


    It was understandable. In the current social climate, a child stealing a small amount didn''t warrant a call to the police.


    Of course, even though Jii wasn''t dealt with severely, the group still had the merit of catching a thief. However, the difference between catching a big thief and a small one was significant. Their disappointment deepened, almost reaching Tianjin.


    The reason the mediation hadn''t ended wasn''t about how much responsibility the little thief should bear or how much credit the group deserved for catching the thief. It was about... who wouldpensate for the mess. Those who had suffered this unwarranted disaster wanted to seek justice.


    Also, the actual victims, the Lao Zhuang and Lao Zhou families.


    With that mess, who could eat? Definitely not. They neededpensation.


    However, even if Aunt Su wanted to return the items, she couldn''t. It was rare to encounter such a situation. Yesterday''s "stolen goods," truly stolen goods, had been lost because they weren''t picked up in time.


    Who knows who took them.


    This was quite absurd, extremely absurd!


    If these were normal items, it would be normal for someone to take them. But, but, they were covered in poop!


    To take such a thing was truly baffling.


    In any case, the stolen goods were indeed lost, butpensation was still necessary. Zhao Guihua wouldn''t let it go, and neither would Aunt Zhou. There were also the onlookers covered in poop. Those with minor issues could wash it off, but those with major issues wanted to talk about it.


    This had been going on all night. Zhuang Zhixi left for work in the morning, but these people still hadn''t dispersed, and the entire courtyard was filled with an unbearable smell.


    Breakfast, breakfast was out of the question, not just for Zhuang Zhixi, but for the entire courtyard.


    Not because they weren''t hungry, but because it was too disgusting.


    With that smell, no one could eat.


    Zhuang Zhixi had only slept for about an hour. His wife was about the same. The couple felt a bit sluggish, but among the few people in the courtyard who had slept, they were among them. Their sister-inw, Liang Meifen, had dark circles under her eyes like a panda.


    Despite this, she was still energetic. If it weren''t for the strong smell, she might have stayed outside all night. Zhuang Zhixi and Ming Mei didn''t eat breakfast but were worried about getting hungry, so each of them packed three pieces of peach cake in their bags. Hutou stared longingly, and Ming Mei said without hesitation, "Why don''t you take some yourself?"


    Hutou tugged at his shirt hem and said, "Grandma will scold me."


    Ming Mei thought, that''s true. But today''s situation, who could cook? The adults were too disgusted to eat, but the children weren''t. They could eat even with thetrine smell. She said, "It''s okay today, no one can cook. I''ll give you some."


    She distributed the peach cakes to the children. Seeing Liang Meifen looking at her with expectation, hoping Ming Mei would give her some too, Ming Mei didn''t bother.


    Hutou and Xiao Yanzi were children, but was her sister-inw, a grown woman, going to make her take the lead? If she wanted to eat, she should take it herself and exin to her mother-inw. Why involve her? So it really wasn''t surprising that Zhuang Zhixi didn''t like his sister-inw. She was too calcting.


    She wanted to take advantage but didn''t want to take the initiative.


    No one indulged her.


    Ming Mei and Zhuang Zhixi didn''t care about her and left directly. Liang Meifen watched her son and daughter holding peach cakes. She bit her lip and said, "Give me some."


    Hutou firmly said, "You ask Grandma!"


    There were clearly some in the box, why ask him for it!


    Hutou took his sister''s hand and ran out.


    Liang Meifen was furious: "I really raised you for nothing. You won''t even give me a piece of peach cake."


    She looked back at the peach cake box and sighed, but she didn''t take any. This person wanted to eat but hoped someone else would take the lead.


    Hutou and Xiao Yanzi ran to the courtyard, but soon couldn''t take it anymore. The two kids held hands and went to the street. As soon as they left the gate, they retched and came back. The smell outside was also strong.


    They were young, but not stupid.


    As for what Ming Mei thought—that children could eat with thetrine smell—the kids didn''t know. If they did, they would definitely argue that they weren''t so shameless. Impossible, absolutely impossible.


    The two kids ran back to their little room and closed the door tightly.


    They couldn''t take it.


    Due to work, the number of people had decreased. Those left were mostly not working. Zhuang Zhixi and Ming Mei parted ways at the crossroad, each going their own way. Zhuang Zhixi walked but quickly arrived at his unit, almost on time.


    As soon as he entered the clinic, Doctor Wang frowned and said, "Why do you smell a bit off?"


    Zhuang Zhixi sniffed himself and said, "Is there? Probably the smell of thetrine."


    Everyone looked up at him.


    Zhuang Zhixi: "I didn''t fall into thetrine, but our area had a bigtrine incidentst night. The smell hasn''t dissipated yet, and I didn''t eat breakfast today."


    "Atrine incident? What''s that?"


    Such a topic was always intriguing.


    Zhuang Zhixi: "It''s all because of the thief incident. You know, our area has been having trouble with thieves recently. Originally..."


    The story was too convoluted, with twists and turns. The situationst night wasn''t veryplicated, but in Zhuang Zhixi''s telling, it was full of ups and downs.


    Starting from catching the thief, to Bai Fendou''s scolding of the thief.


    Then it turned to recognizing the child, and in the process of snatching the stolen goods, falling into the toilet, every detail was included...


    He kept talking, and soon even the security guard who hade by and Director Chen, who happened toe looking for Doctor Wang, listened with great interest and didn''t want to leave. Such a grand scene, they hadn''t seen it, which was a big loss.


    Security guard Xiao Jia stroked his chin and said, "No wonder Bai Fendou took the day off today."


    Security guard Xiao Yi: "His dad also took the day off."


    Not just them, several others had taken the day off too.


    Zhuang Zhixi: "They were like heroes saving beautyst night! Especially Uncle Bai, who bravely rushed forward at the crucial moment, not only fighting with the women to protect Aunt Su but also paying for her grandson''s medical treatment."


    "He''s really devoted," Doctor Wang sighed.


    Zhuang Zhixi nodded: "Exactly. Actually, Aunt Su, Aunt Zhou, and Uncle Bai didn''t fall in. They shouldn''t have ended up like that, but they all fought over the little thief, so they got covered... Aunt Zhou was because of the fierce fight."


    "Your courtyard is really lively," someonemented.


    Zhuang Zhixi: "That''s right, but it''s a pity, they made such a ruckusst night. They only caught Jii, a petty thief, but the real seasoned thief got away. They were all fighting fiercelyst night, I wonder if they still have the energy to patrol today."


    Doctor Wang: "..."


    Others: "..."


    At this moment, it was Director Chen, Doctor Wang''s husband, who caught the key point, saying, "Yesterday, Bai Fendou caught the one who pulled Zhou Qun down..."


    Zhuang Zhixi: "..."


    Are you a leader who only cares about such things?


    But he was an honest man, not one to lie or hide things, so he nodded solemnly, saying, "Isn''t that right? Zhou Qun''s wife was furious, they were fighting up a storm. I wasn''t in the front, didn''t see clearly, but they were all in chaos. By the way, did theye to work today?"


    He left in the morning, not too early, so he didn''t encounter anyone.


    "I don''t know, probably not? After all that, wouldn''t they need to rest for a day?" Director Chen spected.


    "They didn''te!" Xiao Jia from the security team, responsible for the gate, said, "Both of them didn''te to work, but Wang Xiangxiu did. She''s really something, after encountering such a thingst night, she didn''t miss a single day of work today."


    It has to be said, such a woman is really something.


    "So brave."


    "Indeed, you don''t know, our courtyard still smells, I stayed far awayst night, but when they took hot showers, the smell along with the hot water was even stronger, I felt like I couldn''t breathe."


    Nurse Sister kindly offered, "You didn''t eat breakfast, did you? I still have a sweet potato here, you..."


    Before she could finish, Zhuang Zhixi''s head was shaking like a rattle drum, saying, "No! Absolutely not!"


    He was firm: "I don''t want this! I really can''t eat it!"


    He forced a smile, saying, "I can''t handle it."


    Everyone was stunned, bursting intoughter, Zhuang Zhixi sighed, "I''m in a tough spot."


    "I remember we have egg drop soup for lunch today..."


    Zhuang Zhixiined, "This won''t do either, I''m suffering."


    He loved egg drop soup, but today, absolutely not, it was out of the question.


    Anything yellow, he just couldn''t stomach it.


    Nausea!


    "You have it rough."


    "Who says otherwise."


    While Zhuang Zhixi was spreading the news at the clinic, other ces were notgging behind either. After all, such a spectacr event, who wouldn''t want to share it with good friends?


    In the kitchen, Li the Cook and Yang Lixin were passionately describing the scene, focusing on the big brawl, the Golden Warrior!


    And in the workshop... in short, everyone was lively, even livelier than during the New Year a few days ago.


    But everyone was quite tacit, the final words almost always being: "I''ve lived for XXX years, and I''ve never seen such a thing."


    No exception.


    Zhuang Zhixi was no different.


    This morning, the topic spread from one to ten, from ten to a hundred, and in a factory with tens of thousands of people, by noon, everyone knew about it.


    So much so that Zhuang Zhixi had received several rounds of inquiries from small leaders. After all, the workshop was busy, and small leaders couldn''t just go to the workshop and pull people over to ask, but the clinic was different, not so busy, so Zhuang Zhixi wanted to take a nap?


    Sorry, no way, not happening.


    He was like the doorman at the Old Moscow Restaurant, receiving endlessly.


    Zhuang Zhixi had no time to rest, and neither did Ming Mei. Ming Mei rushed to work, herplexion not good, inevitably being asked about it.


    A few older sisters joked, "You young people really don''t know how to take it easy."


    This was full of insinuation.


    But Ming Mei didn''t catch on, she wasn''t paying attention, hurriedly telling everyone, "You don''t know,st night in our courtyard... I barely slept... they were falling into the cesspit with a bang..."


    Ming Mei was excited, gesturing wildly.


    Not that she hadn''t seen the world, but this kind of thing was just too rare.


    Didn''t you see, it stunned all the sisters in the office?


    "Ah, my god, Xiao Wang, switch shifts with Ming Mei today, Ming Mei, don''t go out, don''t leave, tell us in detail..."


    "Yes, yes!"


    "Ah, I don''t want to go either, I want to hear too, tell me tomorrow after you''ve heard, ah no, tell me after work, I can''t wait till tomorrow..."


    "Okay, okay."


    Curiosity is universal.


    Everyone listened with shining eyes, undoubtedly, this news would continue to spread. Don''t just say it''s in Beijing, maybe in a few days, Tianjin would know too. And after a while, who knows how far it could spread...


    Ming Mei thought to herself, today I have to leave work early and go back to my parents'' ce, such big news, how could they not have heard yet? Ming Mei felt she had to pass this news on, can''t fall behind on news.


    Ming, a gossipy beauty.


    This day, how many rted people passed this news on, Aunt Zhao argued for a morning, finally sorted out, her salted fish, the Su familypensated one yuan.


    The price of fish dropped a bit after the New Year, after all, a pound of meat was more suitable than a fish, not for the auspiciousness, fewer people bought fish than meat.


    But Zhao Guihua''s fish was salted, salt is money too, can''t not count it.


    So in the end, a rtively suitable one yuan was settled, Aunt Su tearfully paid; Zhao Guihua got one yuan inpensation, Aunt Zhou also got one yuan inpensation, half a roast chicken, some peanuts, not sure if it was suitable or not.


    But since the police were there, rtively speaking, it was a suitable price.


    As for others, the Su family didn''t recognize it, this stealing was caught, had no choice. But being sshed with "gold," this couldn''tpletely me them, she cried miserably, even fainted once, finally forcing everyone to let it go.


    Can''t do anything else.


    As for the mutual fighting of their few families, it was mutually forgiven.


    Of course, they still needed to be educated, fighting in public, what a bad influence that caused. But considering everyone was a first-time offender, and the initial motive was good, this matter was let go.


    Besides these, they caught thieves, although only a child, the motive was good, it should be praised. These had nothing to do with Zhao Guihua, after all, she didn''t rush to catch the thief first, did she?


    Besides, not being sshed with "gold," it''s not good to say you caught a thief.


    The follow-up matters, Zhao Guihua didn''t get involved, she nned to rest well, fortunately the olddy didn''t need to go to work, she slept solidly for an afternoon, didn''t eat breakfast or lunch, when she woke up, her stomach was really hungry, but she always felt there was still a smell in the courtyard, didn''t have much of an appetite.


    "There''s no refreshing side dish at home."


    Liang Meifen didn''t eat either today, she had no appetite. She didn''t sleep, lingering in this smell for a day, really couldn''t eat. Although she wanted sesame cookies, not to eat, but to secretly store them.


    To eat, couldn''t eat.


    She asked, "Mom, what are we making tonight? Stew some cabbage or cook some radish strips?"


    Winter vegetables are just these, besides cabbage, it''s radish.


    Other varieties, even if you have money, you can''t buy, they''re not in the south.


    Although it''s actually spring now, the spring cold snap is still cold, still no variety of vegetables.


    Zhao Guihua: "Make some radish!"


    She was hungry but had no appetite, but Zhao Guihua suddenly thought of something, saying, "Ah, I can make some pickled vegetables."


    Actually, spicy pickled cabbage is also good!


    Actually, she wasn''t particrly fond of this, but who let the variety of vegetables be so few now, many people use radish to make pickles, but it''s not the same taste as pickled vegetables. If you want to eat something fresh, have more variety, preparing some is very good.


    Thinking of this, Zhao Guihua got energized, she said, "Come to think of it, making some pickled vegetables and spicy pickled cabbage really works."


    Liang Meifen: "???" What''s that?


    Zhao Guihua didn''t exin much, simply saying, "Let''s make some mixed flour steamed buns tonight and cook a radish soup. I''m going to the toilet."


    She stood up, but as soon as she reached the door, she paused, struggling to ask, "Has the toilet been cleaned?"


    Liang Meifen nodded, "I went over this afternoon, and it was already cleaned. I heard Old Man Bao, the nightsoil collector, cursed for twenty minutes in anger."


    They had made such a mess, leaving it all over the ce, and Old Man Bao had to clean up after them. It was quite unreasonable.


    However, this matter had nothing to do with Zhao Guihua. She tucked her hands into her sleeves and went out. Ah, the strong smell still lingered. She didn''t know how long it would take for the smell to dissipate. At this moment, Zhao Guihua was once again grateful that it was a cold winter. If it were summer, she couldn''t even imagine what would happen.


    She pondered for a moment, and if it were summer, she would have to muster the courage to stay at a rtive''s house.


    It was absolutely unbearable to stay here.


    She shook her head and left the courtyard. As soon as she exited the toilet, she saw a few people pointing and whispering around the toilet. Zhao Guihua''s heart skipped a beat. She quickly asked, "What''s wrong with the toilet?"


    Oh, dear, I hope no one fell in again.


    Zhao Guihua felt that she might have developed, that... what was it called again?


    It was some foreign word.


    Something like P... something D, and something T.


    Anyway, it was a condition where she felt a sudden jolt at the mention of the toilet.


    Some kind of toilet phobia syndrome.


    Zhao Guihua cautiously inquired, and one of the aunties said, "It''s nothing, I was just showing a few old friends which toilet had the incidentst night."


    The otherdiesmented, "We live far away, we didn''t hear anythingst night. We missed out on the excitement."


    Zhao Guihua: "..."


    She widened her eyes in surprise, once again silentlymenting that she was clearly not the coolest olddy on this street.


    Her mentality just wasn''t up to par!


    She quietly entered the toilet and quickly finished her business, only to find the group still pointing and whispering around the toilet. Zhao Guihua: "..."


    They really have a lot of energy, aren''t they afraid of the smell?


    However... Zhao Guihua recognized a familiar face. Who was this? Wasn''t this the seasoned auntie who sold ck dog blood for superstitious and spective purposes? Zhao Guihua''s eyes darted around and then she smiled. She had been thinking of getting to know this olddy.


    At this moment, she didn''t care about the smell anymore. She approached them and said, "There''s not much to see here. How abouting to our courtyard? I''ll show you where the homes of the people involved are."


    "Ah, really?"


    "That sounds great!"


    The few aunties felt they had found a kindred spirit. Look, this suggestion was so tempting.


    Zhao Guihua waved her hand, "Follow me!"


    She led the group into the courtyard, acting like a tour guide, "This is our courtyard, a two-partpound. They all live in the front part, including me. This house here belongs to one of the families involved. And this one here belongs to another family involved..."


    She continued pointing, "And this is the third family involved, they all fell into the cesspit. Out of the four families in our front courtyard, only mine was spared. Thank goodness."


    "Oh my."


    "Oh dear, they really got into something."


    Zhao Guihua asked, "What are your names, sisters?"


    "I''m Sister Fang."


    "I''m from the back street, called Lian. Some call me Aunt Lian, but my old friends call me Lian."


    This Lian was the one with the ck dog blood.


    As they were introducing themselves, Jiang Lu came out. Not exactly by chance. Madam Zhou Li heard the chatter in the courtyard and didn''t know what was going on, so she sent her daughter-inw to check.


    When Jiang Lu saw Aunt Lian, she panicked and froze.


    Zhao Guihua quickly said, "Xiao Jiang, these are my old friends. They heard about what happened here and came to see the excitement."


    Jiang Lu''s mouth twitched: "..."


    Are you even human?


    Zhao Guihua: "You go about your business."


    Jiang Lu wanted to argue, but she felt Zhao Guihua was not someone to mess with. Seeing Aunt Lian again, she hesitated and turned to leave.


    She''d better not provoke these olddies.


    She was afraid her secret about the ck dog blood would be exposed. She was still hoping to have a child.


    Aunt Lian also recognized Jiang Lu, but as a businesswoman, she didn''t care. After all, no one could expose her secrets. She was quite indifferent. She said, "Oh, by the way, the smell is still here in this courtyard."


    "Of course, what did you expect! I haven''t eaten all day because of it." Zhao Guihua quickly bonded with the aunties.


    They all felt a deep connection, but Aunt Lian happily said, "Actually, such an incident is quite good. You know, not eating means saving a meal, right?"


    The others: "?????"


    What are you talking about?


    People need to eat or they''ll starve.


    You can''t save like that.


    Aunt Lian sighed, "I wish something like this would happen in our courtyard."


    Zhao Guihua: "No one wants such a thing."


    Aunt Lian: "Nonsense, I want it."


    She really thought the smell was quite nice. The aunties looked around some more before bidding farewell to Zhao Guihua, but they quickly became good friends. So, sometimes friendship is a strange thing. It can form in an instant.


    When Zhuang Zhixi came home from work, he just happened to see these people leaving. Aunt Lian looked at Zhuang Zhixi''s face and said, "Your son has a good face."


    Another auntie quickly pulled her, how could she promote superstition in public?


    That wouldn''t do.


    However, Zhuang Zhixi acted as if he didn''t notice, smiling and saying, "Since I was young, people have alwaysplimented me on my looks."


    He was good at turning the conversation from superstition topliments about appearance. The aunties all nodded, feeling this young man was quite nice. His mother was nice, and the son was nice too.


    "Lao Zhao, is this your son? Is he married?"


    Zhao Guihua: "Yes, he got marriedst year."


    They allmented, "He married young, we lost a potential matchmaker opportunity. We aunties always know who''s avable."


    Zhao Guihua saw them off and went home with her son. Zhuang Zhixi asked curiously, "Who were those people?"


    Zhao Guihua: "Just met them. Did you see Aunt Lian, the one who said you had a good face? She specializes in superstition, Jiang Lu''s infertility treatment is from her." She whispered.


    Zhuang Zhixi rubbed his chin and said, "She must have some skills."


    Zhao Guihua: "..."


    She rolled her eyes, "Saying you''re good-looking means she has skills, you''re really something."


    Zhuang Zhixi: "So, Mom, why did you suddenly start hanging out with them? You didn''t know them before, right?"


    His mother wouldn''t suddenly make new friends, especially in today''s context.


    Zhao Guihua whispered again, "Aunt Lian has a way to get cloth. Once I get a bit closer to her and gain her trust, I''ll buy some from her to make clothes for you."


    If she approached directly to buy, they definitely wouldn''t sell. Spective trading also depends on who the buyer is!


    Zhuang Zhixi was shocked, "Mom, are we so frugal that we can''t even buy fabric for clothes? Do we have to use cloth scraps?"


    No one could save like his mom.


    Zhao Guihua: "You better shut up. Good stuff that doesn''t require coupons and is cheap doesn''te often."


    She snorted and went inside.


    Zhuang Zhixi: "Indeed, my mom is still my mom! Not an ordinary person."


    It was already past work hours, and everyone was gradually returning home. However, only Wang Xiangxiu, one of the people involved in the incidentst night, went to work. She supported her whole family and couldn''t afford to miss a day of work. That was money, and she couldn''t afford to lose it.


    However, Wang Xiangxiu had a very difficult day.


    Wang Xiangxiu usually enjoyed going to work. After all, she was not unattractive and could be considered a charming widow. While many might not want to marry her, there were plenty who were eager to court her. She managed to benefit from this attention, so she was always eager to go to work.


    However, today was different. Despite being surrounded as usual, the atmosphere was entirely different.


    Her heart ached especially today. Everyone who came to see her inevitably asked about what happenedst night—her son beingbeled a thief, falling into a cesspool, and the bravery of the Bai father and son.


    None of these topics were pleasant for Wang Xiangxiu.


    What was even more infuriating was that a woman who didn''t get along with her deliberately made egg drop soup at noon and asked, "What do you think this looks like?"


    These people, merely talking without experiencingst night''s ordeal, could still eat and drink without a care. But she couldn''t; she had dry heaves several times at noon. Some even thought she might be pregnant.


    This was extremely frustrating.


    She was already unhappy, and the people in her courtyard didn''t help, discussing the incident in great detail, as if they were afraid no one would know. As a result, she had no peace all day, with peopleing to watch the spectacle or strike up conversations.


    If not for the fact that hitting someone would cost money, she really wanted to p those gawkers.


    Bastards, utter bastards!


    And her son, he really mustn''t steal anymore.


    Exhausted, Wang Xiangxiu returned home. As soon as she entered the alley, she could faintly smell that lingering stench. It was even more pronounced in the courtyard, as the smell hadn''t dissipated all day. She pushed the door open and went inside. Aunt Suy on the bed, silent.


    Wang Xiangxiu softly asked, "Mom, what''s wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"


    Aunt Su remained silent. Just as Wang Xiangxiu began to worry, she finally spoke, "Xiangxiu, you should remarry."


    Wang Xiangxiu was taken aback and immediately said sternly and firmly, "Mom, what are you talking about? I''m not that kind of person. If I leave, what will happen to you all? How could I be so heartless?"


    Aunt Su softly replied, "But we''re always a burden to you. Without us, you could find a good man and live a better life. It''s because of us that you struggle. Remarry, and I''ll take care of the three children. Don''t worry, they''ll still call you Mom, and you''ll still be our daughter-inw. No, you''re my daughter. Even if I starve or wear myself out, I''ll raise the children. They can''t keep stealing; it''s not right. They''re getting older now; if they get caught, it''ll be serious. And it''s not good for our family''s reputation. How will they find wives in the future? So, I think I should work harder to ensure they eat well, so they won''t covet others'' things. Even if I have to sell my blood, I''ll make sure they live well."


    Wang Xiangxiu immediately held her mother-inw''s hand and said, "No, Mom, I absolutely won''t remarry. I was born into the Su family, and I''ll die as a member of the Su family. I, Wang Xiangxiu, will never leave. The children are my life. I''ll earn money, and I''ll make sure we all live well."


    She sighed softly and continued, "If I leave, you''ll be even worse off. Mom, what can you do to earn money? Your health isn''t good; do you want to wear yourself out? Little Su was good to me, and so were you. I''m part of the Su family. I''ll raise the children and take care of you in your old age. Don''t make me leave. I''m not heartless. I won''t leave this family. We''ll always be one family."


    Aunt Su sighed heavily and said, "You''re a good child, but you''ve had a tough life. Only when the children grow up will your days get better. Your life will certainly be better than mine with your three sons."


    Hearing this, Wang Xiangxiu smiled slightly and nodded, "Yes, I have three sons. How could I not care for them?"


    Aunt Su blinked and said, "Then... take some time off tomorrow and call your two sisters-inw back. Tell them I''m sick and ask them toe see me. They shouldn''te empty-handed..."


    Wang Xiangxiu: "Okay."


    Aunt Su: "Make my condition sound more serious."


    Wang Xiangxiu: "I know."


    Wang Xiangxiu took a deep breath and said, "Then I''ll go make dinner."


    Aunt Su: "I''ll do it."


    Wang Xiangxiu: "It''s alright, I''ll do it. I''ll go get some water."


    As she went to the yard to work, Aunt Su watched her figure and smiled triumphantly.


    As long as someone fell into her hands, they couldn''t outsmart her!


    She had just lost two yuan today, and if she didn''t push her daughter-inw a bit, how could she work harder for the family? Aunt Su was pleased with herself, though she didn''t show it on her face. Their family wasn''t as strong as the Zhou family.


    She couldn''t treat her daughter-inw like Madam Zhou Li, ordering her around. That would risk losing her.


    But by taking this approach, she was actually better off.


    Wang Xiangxiu wasn''t very clever.


    She secretly chuckled, feeling satisfied.


    Although Wang Xiangxiu was an unfaithful woman, she was good at bringing benefits to the family. The children weren''t grown yet, so they relied on her. This was good. When the children grew up, she''d kick this woman who had cuckolded her son to the curb.


    Aunt Su got up and went to the cer to get vegetables. Wang Xiangxiu turned around and said, "Mom, why don''t you rest more if you''re not feeling well?"


    Aunt Su: "My health has never been good. It''s nothing, I''m used to it. Let''s have cabbage soup for dinner tonight."


    Wang Xiangxiu: "Alright."


    Ming Mei rode her bike into the yard and saw the two of them getting along well. She cheerfully called out, "Mom, I''m back!"


    Zhuang Zhixi came out first and said, "Wife, why didn''t you call me?"


    He was even jealous.


    Ming Mei pouted, "I didn''t know if you were off work yet. If I had known you were home first, I would have called you."


    Zhuang Zhixiughed and stepped forward, "Are you tired? Didn''t get any rest today, did you?"


    Ming Mei nodded, "Yeah, not at all. I even went back to my parents'' ce after work."


    She was eager to spread thetest gossip.


    "Go to bed early tonight and get some rest. Staying up all night is exhausting."


    Ming Mei nodded, "I know."


    The young couple went inside together. Wang Xiangxiu watched them being affectionate and felt a surge of jealousy. Zhuang Zhixi had spread plenty of gossip about their family today, yet he acted as if he hadn''t seen her. The bastard!


    Was he blind?


    What did Ming Mei have that was so special? Just because her family was better, she was prettier, and she was younger?


    Did she have as many sons as Wang Xiangxiu?


    Wang Xiangxiu fumed inwardly and muttered, "Bitch!"


    Zhuang Zhixi and Ming Mei didn''t hear her. They went inside together, and Ming Meizily pulled a chair over, saying, "Mom, I''m so tired today."


    Zhao Guihua, understanding her daughter-inw well, said, "You''re never eager to work when you''re not tired."


    Ming Mei: "..."


    She childishly smiled, "You got me."


    There was no hint of embarrassment.


    Under normal circumstances, Ming Mei might have felt a bit embarrassed, but not now. She knew her mother-inw wasn''t the type to nitpick over such things, so she was very rxed.


    Ming Mei leaned on the table and said, "I went to my parents'' ce today. I wanted to have dinner there, but they made sweet potato rice! I immediately ran away."


    "Pfft!"


    Ming Mei: "I was just watching and felt so grossed out. I can''t imagine how they felt after eating it."


    Zhuang Zhixi: "Maybe they liked it more."


    Everyone looked at Zhuang Zhixi.


    Zhuang Zhixi confidently said, "Who knows, maybe they developed a taste for it."


    Ming Mei retorted, "No one would like that. Stop talking nonsense."


    Zhuang Zhixi shrugged. He was just offering a possibility, but no one believed him.


    Zhao Guihua said, "I n to buy a bicycle tomorrow."


    Zhuang Zhixi nodded, "That''s great. Then our family will have two bikes, which is really good."


    Zhao Guihua continued, "After buying the bicycle, I n to go fishing in the mountains."


    Zhuang Zhixi asked, "Now?"


    He was a bit surprised.


    Zhao Guihua exined, "Everyone is busy gossiping now; who would pay attention to me? In this whole situation, I''m just an ordinary person. It''s the perfect time to go fishing without drawing attention. We can eat the fish ourselves."


    This time, she didn''t n to sell them.


    Although if her fishing skills were good, she could catch quite a few to sell, she wasn''t skilled enough. Besides, after the New Year, the market isn''t as good. And the risks have increased; she decided not to take the chance. Eating them at home is just fine.


    "I''ll take a steamed bun with me tomorrow at noon. Liang Meifen, you can cook for the kids at home."


    Liang Meifen replied, "Okay."


    Zhao Guihua added, "If anyone asks about me, just say I couldn''t stand the smell and went out to escape it."


    "That''s a good excuse!"


    Zhao Guihua sighed wistfully, "What excuse? I''m telling the truth. I really couldn''t stand it!"


    A deep sigh!