After the sun set, Xu Yi led everyone home. Before they even reached the door, they heard a loud voice coming from inside, which sounded like Second Madam Yang's.

When the group went inside, they found that it was indeed her. Besides Yang, there was also a young man, Yang's youngest son, Xu Xueyi.

"Oh, your Xu family has made so much money, yet you still let the children pick wild fruits to eat? You can't afford to buy them?"

Yang was sitting on the stool by the main entrance. When she saw that they had some wild fruits in their hands, she immediately started to mock them.

Thinking to myself, they must be a family used to being poor; they probably wouldn't be willing to spend the money they earn.

"Second Grandma, we love eating wild fruits from the mountains. They're both sour and sweet, just as good as the ones we buy," Xu Mao said. Although he wasn't as clever as his older brother, he knew who was good to their family.

The original text comes from Ta&Read Novels App. More free books are available for download. Download Ta&Read Novels app.

This second mistress rarely comes here, but whenever she does, she makes sarcastic remarks that annoy people.

Fu Man'er walked at the very back. This was the second time she had seen Madam Yang. The first time they met, she had boldly locked her out. For some reason, she just didn't like this plump second mistress.

She stole a glance at Madam Yang, whose gaze was also fixed on her. At first glance, she didn't recognize the little girl.

After taking a second look, I realized that this was the cheap item I picked up. It had gotten noticeably plumper and was now fair and tender.

The dress she wore and the hair tie on her head were no worse than her granddaughter's, and even much better. Moreover, this brat actually looked quite good in that dress.

"Sister-in-law, you buy such dresses for a girl you picked up from the street. Even my daughters, Lai Di and Pan Di, don't dress this well. Aren't you being too biased?" Madam Yang turned around and accused Old Madam Xu.

Although she wouldn't buy such nice clothes for her own granddaughter, she would still be willing to accept them if the eldest son's family bought them.

Grandma Xu rolled her eyes at her. "You really dare to say that with that big face of yours. If I don't favor my own granddaughter, who will? You, my foot!"

“Sister-in-law, that’s not how it works. Lai Di and Pan Di have the blood of the Xu family flowing through their veins. They should be the ones who get the most out of the purchases, since we’re all family.”

When Grandma Xu heard her say "family," she felt it was grating. "We separated a long time ago, we're not family anymore. If you want to favor your two granddaughters, then go ahead, but don't just buy everything for your eldest grandson."

TaDu - Novels, ad-free online reading!

"You say your second branch is rich, that you have enough to eat every day? Look at your two granddaughters, they're even thinner than my granddaughter. I don't know whose family is poor."

Xu Laidi and Xu Pandi are a few years older than Fu Man'er, and they look even thinner than Fu Man'er now.

“Those two brats, it’s not that we don’t let them eat, it’s just that they love their little brother so much, they want to give him everything. As their grandmother, how can I not let them give him anything?”

Yang's words sound nice, but in reality, whenever there was food, Xu Laidi and Xu Pandi were either scolded or beaten if they weren't given any. How could she not give them any?

Old Mrs. Xu didn't want to hear about the messy affairs of the second wife at all. She knew that Yang's nagging and complaining must not be anything good.

Xu Xueyi, who had been silent, reached out and quietly tugged at Yang's clothes, giving her a look. Only then did Yang straighten her expression.

He restrained himself slightly, "Sister-in-law, I heard that Genshan and his group are selling... you know... in town..."

She couldn't think of it at first, but Xu Xueyi chimed in, "Braised food."

Because the Xu family now sells both meat and vegetable dishes, they've changed their name to braised dishes.

“Yes, yes, braised food.” Yang slapped her leg and leaned towards Old Mrs. Xu. “Sister-in-law, how do you know how to make this braised food? I heard that Genshan and his family sell a lot of it every day. Is it very profitable?”

This novel was first published on: TaDu Novels@App

Old Mrs. Xu had already guessed that Yang had probably come for this matter, and was probably up to some bad idea again. "What's it to you?"

Five words made Yang's expression change several times. She really didn't expect Old Madam Xu to be so impolite, and she even felt her spitting on her face.

Seeing that Madam Yang was about to launch into another tirade, Xu Xueyi quickly spoke up, "Auntie, we didn't mean anything by it, it's just..."

"What do you mean by 'no other meaning'? What else do you want to mean?"

“Our main branch has neither borrowed money from you nor begged for food from you. It’s none of your business what we do. Stop messing around with me all day. Don’t mention anything about the braised food. If you do, get out of here immediately.”

Old Mrs. Xu had long since witnessed how disgusting the second wife's family was; speaking politely would not get her any favors.

Xu Xueyi's face also darkened considerably. This old lady's temper had remained as fiery as ever all these years.

"Auntie," he said, forcing back his displeasure, "we really didn't mean anything by it. I'm just happy that my brother and sister-in-law have found a way out. It's a good thing. We've come to congratulate you."

Mrs. Yang glanced at her son sideways. What congratulations? They clearly came to ask for a recipe for braised food. (cascoo.net)

“My father’s birthday is in a few days. We’ve all been busy with our own things these past few years and haven’t had time to eat together. This is a good opportunity for me to pick up my aunt’s family and have a meal together.”

ID card-

Xu Xueyi, fearing Yang would speak, quickly said something, but his words nearly set Yang on fire. "Xueyi, what are you saying? How could you..."

"How can we let these down-and-out people eat at our house?" Before she could finish speaking, Xu Xueyi interrupted her again.

“Mother, it’s alright. Although it’s still a few days away, we can do it ahead of schedule.” Xu Xueyi pressed down on Yang’s hand, signaling her not to speak.

Mrs. Yang was seething with anger, and she had no idea what her son was up to. She was so angry that she turned her head away.

Just then, she saw Fu Man'er standing to the side, staring at her with wide eyes. Fu Man'er wasn't afraid either, and her eyes widened even more.

Seeing the two of them looking like this, it was clear they hadn't discussed it properly and were both after his family's braised food. "Is there anything else? If not, go back home. We need to cook."

This was a blatant attempt to kick them out. Normally, neighbors would politely offer to stay for a meal, but Old Mrs. Xu really didn't take them seriously at all.

Xu Xueyi's face couldn't even manage a smile anymore. He got up and pulled Yang Shi outside, saying, "Auntie, please go ahead with your work. We won't see you off. We're going back now."

Fu Man'er glanced at her grandmother, who remained motionless, and realized that no one was offering to see them off.

She went to deliver it, but Xu Xueyi still had one foot in the yard. Fu Man'er had already closed one door, and if she hadn't pulled her other foot back quickly, it would have been trapped.

This article was first published on: TaDu Novel & App. Welcome to download the App for free reading.

That wasn't the most infuriating part. What was even more infuriating was that after Fu Man'er closed the back door, she leaned against it and shouted at Grandma Xu, "Grandma, I know, my uncle taught me that this is a weasel paying respects to a chicken."