Chapter 158 Third Sister

Zhou Zaibang was too nervous, and in his haste, he got up and knocked over the small tea pot used for brewing tea.

"Oh dear, don't be nervous, my little sister is just stubborn." Song Chunxiang got up, picked up the tea canister, and put it back on the tea stove. "Don't rush, let's talk slowly."

She playfully slapped Song Chunxue, saying, "Speak properly. They're being sincere. Don't scare them."

Song Chunxue frowned slightly, a nameless anger rising in her heart.

She took a deep breath and extinguished the fire.

She could sense Zhou Zaibang's sincerity, but instead of feeling sweet and shy after hearing his words, she felt somewhat annoyed and irritated.

Serving a few heartless brats is enough; if you're not careful and say the wrong thing, they might blame you for the rest of your life.

The child was born of her own flesh and blood, and she deserved to suffer this pain her whole life. Now that she has finally managed to settle things and is about to enjoy a peaceful retirement, she suddenly finds another one?

Oh!

She's had experience living with two people before.

Everyone has a temper, and we should always consider the other person's feelings when we speak and act, otherwise we won't be able to enjoy our ordinary days.

Saying the wrong thing, doing the wrong thing, cooking food that doesn't suit your taste, even trivial matters can lead to arguments.

Let alone living together in the future, just a few words were enough to make her uncomfortable.

If everyone thinks she needs a man right now and just needs to relieve some stress, then why should she sacrifice her whole life for that fleeting pleasure?

Now that she has money, she can still solve the problem by spending some money.

It's not clean, but it's not a hassle, is it?

Dealing with people is too tiring. She gave birth to her own child, so there's nothing she can do about it. It's not that she particularly likes living together. She'd rather raise poultry and livestock, scold them when she's angry, and praise them when she's happy.

But people can't.

"Chunxue, I'm not good with words and my speech isn't very pleasant. I'll be more careful in the future. Please don't rush to refuse. How about you come to my house first?"

Zhou Zaibang was so anxious that his tongue almost tied itself in knots. "I... although my legs are not good, I can do farm work and housework. I can also make tables and chairs. I made a kang cabinet for you, it just needs to be painted. Why don't you go and take a look?"

Second sister Song Chunxiang wanted to pinch her leg again.

Song Chunxue deftly avoided the question, saying, "Alright, but I don't want to go when there are many people. I'll go with my second sister after everyone has finished eating and taken a nap."

"Okay, I'll go back and pack up." He pointed somewhat awkwardly to the door. "Then I won't bother you any longer."

Seeing him looking back every few steps, Song Chunxiang shook her head and sighed, "I didn't expect that you really don't like him."

“It’s not that I look down on him, it’s just that I find him troublesome and don’t like having another person in the house,” Song Chunxue said calmly. “Even if I can’t forget a certain man, I won’t live with him now. For the rest of my life, I just want peace and quiet.”

Song Chunxiang was taken aback. "Then who have you taken a fancy to?"

"No, I meant if." With that, Song Chunxue turned around and packed her bag.

"Hey, what are you doing? Didn't we agree to leave tomorrow?"

Song Chunxue said seriously, "Next time, I'll stay a few more days next time. I've already refused them, yet I still went to their house to look at their things, and then refused them again. My conscience wouldn't allow it."

"Then have lunch before you leave, what's the rush?" Song Chunxiang poked her forehead in annoyance. "You, you were a sweetheart when you were little, how come you've turned into a stubborn mush now?"

Song Chunxue said expressionlessly, "I'm forced by life's circumstances and have been trained by a few kids. I don't want to jump in mud puddles anymore."

As she spoke, she took off the bracelet she had bought a few days ago for ten copper coins.

"Second sister, don't be angry. I've made up my mind. I'm sorry to make things difficult for you. This isn't worth much money. You can wear it casually without feeling bad. I'll just have a drink of water and then leave."

Song Chunxiang sighed, "Fine, this isn't like breeding livestock, you can't force it. I won't arrange anything for you anymore."

"..." The words may be rough, but the principle is sound.

"I'll come see you before we start planting after the New Year." As she spoke, her second sister stuffed a tael of silver into her hand. "One tael is more than enough. I don't want any more. You can take it and spend it yourself. Eat and dress as you please. At least we have someone to take care of us, but it's different for you. If your son and daughter-in-law are not filial, you'll have to pay for even a bowl of water."

"..." Second sister knew how to stab her in the heart.

"Save your money and when you get old, spend it to buy a maid to serve you. It's better than lying on the bed with no one to take care of you."

As she spoke, her second sister straightened her clothes, tears streaming down her face.

"Second sister, I'm not that stupid. I'll definitely keep some for myself." As she spoke, Song Chunxue poured the silver down her collar and then jumped onto the donkey's back.

"I'm leaving now. I'm returning your words to you: if you're feeling unwell, don't delay taking your medicine. Don't push yourself. I want to see you a few more times."

Suppressing her sorrow, Song Chunxue gave her a bright smile and said, "Go back, Second Sister. Don't worry about me. I'm doing very well now."

Second Sister watched as the donkey trotted away from her sight. The wind blew through her hair and brushed against her weathered face, and tears welled up in her wrinkles.

Her younger sister is truly different now. She has shed her former timidity and shyness. Although she is still as slender as before, her demeanor and her clear, determined eyes bring her both comfort and heartache.

*

Song Chunxue walked very fast, afraid that the man from the Zhou family would catch up with her.

However, I felt regretful that I had only glanced at my second sister and hadn't had a chance to say many things to her.

But as she walked along the mountaintop where the north wind howled, she felt at ease.

She was already very content to be able to see her second sister again and to receive something she liked.

After getting married, the sisters will separate. If they are not doing well or are too busy to leave their families, even if they live very close by, they will not see each other many times in the second half of their lives.

She will never see her eldest sister again, who has passed away.

Now, she has three and four older sisters to visit. What God has given her is more than just a rebirth; it is compensation and redemption for a group of people.

She will live a good life from now on. A woman's life shouldn't only consist of children.

The third sister's home was in Hanjiaji Township, about the same distance as the second sister's and her mother's home. Just around noon, Song Chunxue arrived at their doorstep.

Third Sister is very diligent. She sweeps the open space in front of the courtyard clean and stacks the haystacks very neatly. You can tell from a distance that the lady of the house is very capable.

Song Chunxue dismounted from the donkey and walked closer, just in time to see her third sister carrying a bucket of pig feed out of the yard.

Just as she was about to say something, she heard people from the courtyard chasing after her, cursing her third sister.

Song Chunxue narrowed her eyes slightly and picked up a stick from the pile of firewood next to her.

She had heard before that her third sister's husband loved to beat her third sister, but she never expected to see it with her own eyes today.

"Where are you going? I told you this morning I wanted long noodles, but you insisted on making buckwheat dumplings for me. Are you deliberately trying to make things difficult for me?"

The man who chased after her from the courtyard kicked the third sister to the ground.

The third sister said in a tearful voice, "I already told you there's no wheat flour at home. Where am I supposed to conjure up long noodles for you? You gave all the wheat in the house to your mother, have you forgotten?"

"I think you've eaten him up, you old hag, and you still dare to argue." With that, he raised his foot to kick him again.

Song Chunxue rushed over like a gust of wind and struck him on the back with a stick.

"Stop it, you son of a bitch!"