Chapter 99 Little Thoughts

It turned out to be my maternal grandmother's family.

The uncles said goodbye to their maternal grandfather and then went to find Chen's father. Jinran happily welcomed her maternal grandmother and five aunts into the house.

The five aunts didn't even come inside; they all immediately reached out to help with the chores. Compared to the eldest aunt, the difference in their abilities was immediately apparent.

Grandma Shen came into the room and chatted with Grandma Wang. They were very friendly and the atmosphere was wonderful. In the end, she kept praising Jinran.

Jinran, though fond of flattering words, still found them somewhat unbearable and hurriedly went outside.

The children from my aunts' families had already run out to play. They were familiar with the area.

When the eldest aunt saw the show of force from Wang Cuifen's family, she didn't dare to say a single sarcastic word.

Jinran then asked sullenly, "How's Auntie? My maternal grandparents' family is here. Is there anything else you want to say? You're not going to say my mother is siding with her family, are you? I raised this pig, and this meat is my way of showing respect. What else do you want to say?"

Shen Yanhong said with dissatisfaction, "Why are you talking so much? My mother didn't say anything, she was just joking."

Jinran chuckled and nodded repeatedly, saying, "Oh dear, then it really seems like I can't afford to play along. I remember I only invited your uncle, so why are you all here to eat and drink for free? I was just joking, you won't be angry, will you?"

The eldest aunt and Shen Yanhong were so angry that their faces turned red.

Jinran continued, "I heard about what happened to my aunt a few days ago. I really feel sorry for her. I'm just curious, is the same dress you're wearing that day? It smells a bit strange to me. Oh, I was just kidding."

Shen Yanhong was almost in tears from anger. Her aunt was furious.

Jinran felt much better and refreshed.

After helping out, the villagers gradually left. Wang Cuifen warmly distributed meat to everyone, saying that if they wanted to exchange it for some meat, they could come back a little later. There was plenty to go around.

Everyone expressed their gratitude loudly.

The eldest aunt looked at the meat being sent away, feeling an unbearable pain, as if her own flesh was being cut off. If it weren't for Shen Yanhong's desperate intervention, the eldest aunt would probably have pulled another crazy move.

The group of men outside was even more interesting. Jinran's five uncles were subtly putting down her eldest uncle's family, and the key was that they were all unable to refute them.

The meal of pork stew left my uncle's family feeling utterly miserable and resentful.

After everyone sat down, Wang Cuifen didn't hold back at all and directly replaced the meat dishes in front of her aunt and Shen Yanhong with pickled cabbage and cold dishes.

They even warmly urged, "Eat up, I remember you love pickled cabbage, eat more."

Auntie: "............." Who would eat sauerkraut if there's meat?

Shen Yanhong moved her lips, but in the end, she didn't say anything.

Jinran ate with gusto, then said to her mother in a spoiled tone, "Mom, look how good I am! My pigs smell delicious, don't they? My brothers are so unlucky! Mom, don't forget to pack some for them to take back later."

Wang Cuifen pretended to be impatient and said, "I know, you've already said it so many times. I know you're worried about your brother, okay?"

Jinran chuckled and continued showing off her physique.

Everyone said the meat was delicious and not greasy at all, and Grandpa Shen invited the county officials to stay for dinner.

After taking a bite of the meat, they exclaimed in amazement, "This meat has such a delicate fragrance! It's so delicious! Grandpa, your child is amazing! I have to report him to the authorities. Maybe he'll even get a speech in the city. Who knows, he might even win a model worker award. That would really make our county magistrate proud."

Upon hearing this, Jinran thought, "Can't you just let her finish her meal without feeling guilty?"

The pressure came crashing down on us once again.

The people at the table each had their own thoughts. Meng Fan and Shen Qing kept trying to curry favor with the county officials, but the county officials kept saying nice things to Shen's father and grandfather.

Finally, both Shen Qing and Meng Fan looked rather unwell.

After Meng Fan and Shen Yanhong returned home, Meng Fan said casually, "Your sister is really capable. If I had gotten the credit, we would have been able to return to the capital long ago."

Shen Yanhong's eyes flickered, and she lowered her head in thought.

Meng Fan didn't say anything more, but that night, he actually slept with Shen Yanhong in his arms, which made Shen Yanhong make up her mind.

Meng Fan is right. Giving the credit to Shen Jinran wouldn't be of much use. It would be better to give it to her family. They will find an opportunity to repay her when they return to the capital.