The men of the Yang family went up the mountain to find timber, and the children played in front of Xiao Yunying's house. Only Aunt Yang and Fang Rou were in the yard.

Fang Rou, who was in the courtyard, said, "She's not doing well now. It's the same whether she has a man or not. She has to do everything herself. I feel tired just thinking about it. Why don't you go and talk to Aunt Mu and ask her to divorce that man? Then Tianyun will have a chance."

Aunt Yang said with a slightly serious tone, "Nonsense, her husband is not dead. Besides, who would interfere in a couple's divorce? Does the girl have any reputation to maintain? Let alone whether you, Aunt Mu, would agree, Yunying has been so good to our family, we can't do this."

Actually, Aunt Yang also had this idea. Her son was stubborn. For so many years, he had been thinking about that girl and was very resistant to meeting other girls.

He's nineteen and still unmarried, and many busybodies in the village are already asking if there's something wrong with their son.

If this continues, he'll really become an unwanted old man.

Although she didn't like her son's feelings for a woman who had been married before, the woman was a good person, hardworking and capable, and she had watched her grow up. Xiao Shan Hai's family was also a good family, which helped to offset some of her discomfort.

But she didn't know if the girl had feelings for her son. Besides, divorce would ruin a woman's reputation, and she couldn't let the girl's reputation be damaged for no reason.

Hearing the conversation coming from inside, Xiao Yunying was so shocked that she froze on the spot, as if she had been frozen in place. She even forgot to put down her hand that was raised to knock on the door.

What is that?

She didn't hear wrong, did she?

Is it what she thinks? Yang Tianyun likes her?!

Fang Rou continued, "So it turns out that Tianyun is so old and still doesn't want to meet girls. Why didn't you help Tianyun reconcile back then?"

Aunt Yang's tone was helpless and regretful: "That brat Tianyun kept it to himself all this time. How was I supposed to know? It wasn't until around the time of the girl's wedding that he locked himself in his room for several days and refused to come out. I sensed something was wrong and asked him about it."

"If he had said so earlier, I would have discussed it with your Aunt Mu and sent a matchmaker to propose marriage. Now, it's too late. The girl is already married, and there's no chance for them."

Xiao Yunying gently lowered her hand, even slowing her breathing, and slowly walked backward.

The current situation is not suitable for sending water chestnut cake.

Having retreated a bit further, Xiao Yunying tiptoed and tried to turn and leave, but the Yang family's courtyard gate was suddenly opened.

She couldn't hide in the supermarket in broad daylight; if someone saw her, she'd be in big trouble.

In a moment of desperation, Xiao Yunying had a flash of inspiration and continued walking forward, pretending that she had just come over.

She joked with Fang Rou as usual: "You came out just in time. Did you smell the pastries and know I was bringing you some? You came to greet me."

Fang Rou was slightly taken aback: "Yun Ying, when did you arrive?"

Xiao Yunying approached: "Didn't you see me just arrived? What's wrong? Aren't you welcome?"

Aunt Yang came over to greet her: "Who said you're not welcome? Come in quickly."

Xiao Yunying entered the courtyard and secretly breathed a sigh of relief as she turned her back to them.

Thank goodness she was quick-witted.

This unspoken understanding cannot be revealed, otherwise, to avoid suspicion, the two families cannot have too much contact.

She liked Aunt Yang and Fang Rou quite a bit, and she didn't want to become estranged from them because of this.

However, Yang Tianyun...

We should try to avoid him as much as possible in the future. It would be best to think of a way to stop his idea without revealing the truth.

Xiao Yunying turned around and handed the plate to Fang Rou: "I just made water chestnut cake this afternoon, have a taste."

Fang Rou put down the bamboo tube in her hand, scooped water from the water vat in the corner, washed her hands with Aunt Yang, and each took a piece to eat.

"How does it taste?"

To be honest, Fang Rou had lost her appetite.

She had just spoken with her mother-in-law about Xiao Yunying's family in the courtyard. Although she didn't say anything bad about them, it wasn't exactly kind of talk to suggest they get a divorce, and she felt a little guilty.

Fang Rou didn't know what to say, but Aunt Yang chimed in, "This pastry is delicious. I've never eaten one like this in all my years. What's it called?"

Xiao Yunying pretended not to notice Fang Rou's unease: "It's the water chestnut, also called a water caltrop. It's not common here. It's made from a vegetable that was brought from the south."

"Oh my, these are things from the South. They must have cost a lot of copper coins. Why did you send so many over?"

Xiao Yunying had no intention of showing off her investment in Huiweilou. She said jokingly, "It didn't cost any money. It was a gift from someone. I brought more so that Auntie can eat a few more pieces. Otherwise, she would have saved them all for her grandson."

Aunt Yang smiled broadly: "Then thank you, Auntie."

Fang Rou seems to have adjusted her mindset. Without feeling guilty, she regained her usual straightforwardness: "I'll go clear out the plate for you."

When she came out, she had five steaming hot red bean buns (filled with red beans) about the size of a child's fist on a plate: "My mother and I steamed these red bean buns this afternoon with brown sugar in them. We're taking them back for the children to eat."

Farmers didn't have much spare money to buy pastries for their children, so they would steam these sweetened bean buns or brown sugar buns instead of pastries to satisfy their children's cravings.

This is already very good; it's something only well-off families who love their children would do, since brown sugar isn't cheap.

Xiao Yunying did not refuse: "Then I've come at just the right time. It must be fresh out of the pot, still steaming hot."

"That's right, you said I have a keen sense of smell, but your nose is quite keen too."

Xiao Yunying smiled brightly: "I won't stay any longer. The bean buns smell really good. I have to go back and eat one while it's still hot."

Aunt Yang said, "It's delicious when it's fresh out of the pot. I won't keep you any longer. Go home now, it's cold, it'll get cold soon."

Fang Rou picked up the bamboo tube next to the water vat: "I'll go with you. The two kids at home said they went to your place to play with bubble water with Luo Li. There aren't enough bubble rings for them to share, so I'll take these two over."

"Give it to me, I'll take it over, you won't have to make another trip."

"Can I take it now?"

"Yes, you can put it in my arms."

Xiao Yunying carried the plate and two bamboo tubes out of the Yang family courtyard: "I'm leaving now, Auntie, don't bother seeing me off."

When she got home, she gave the bamboo tube to the children and went to the kitchen to put the bean buns into the still-warm pot and cover them.

She leaned against the stove, troubled about how to end Yang Tianyun's feelings for her.