Chapter 115 won't get any dirtier, will it?

The four people were washing clothes by the reservoir. Chu De'an casually rubbed them a couple of times and then didn't want to wash anymore.

He threw the piece of clothing he was wearing into the bucket and then stepped in to stomp on it.

Shen Xuewei was squatting on the ground rubbing the mosquito net in her hands when she glanced at Chu De'an and saw his big black feet.

Her lips twitched slightly.

Won't her clothes get even dirtier after this kid washes them like that?

Thinking of this, she quickly said, "De'an, you go sit over there, my second aunt, my youngest aunt, and I will wash up."

Chu De'an shook his head seriously, "How can that be? Sister, don't worry, I'm not tired, I can help you wash."

Shen Xuewei thought to herself: She wasn't worried about him being tired, but rather about him getting her clothes dirty while washing them...

Chen Fangli stopped talking to Chen Fanglan, glanced at the two of them, and told them to leave.

"Alright, your aunt and I are here, we don't need you two. You two should go to the side and stop causing trouble."

Chu De'an shrank back and pulled Shen Xuewei aside.

"Never mind, sis, let my mom and aunt help you wash."

The two wandered around the neighborhood, and Shen Xuewei took the machete she had brought earlier and cut two large cabbages in the vegetable garden.

She and Chu De'an each carried a banana tree out. As she closed the garden gate, Chu De'an turned his head and glanced at the banana trees not far away.

He yelled at Chen Xuewei, "Sister, some of those bananas are yellow, I want to eat bananas!"

Shen Xuewei looked up at the banana trees.

I did see a cluster of banana trees, mostly green, but some of the branches had already turned yellow and were ready to be cut.

She waved Chu De'an away, saying, "Go away, I'll cut down the banana tree and get the bananas down."

Chu De'an responded loudly with a "Okay," and hopped back a few steps.

He glanced at Shen Xuewei's expression, then took a few more steps back before finally standing still.

After seeing that he was standing far enough away, Shen Xuewei picked up her machete and began to chop at the banana tree.

It took more than ten cuts before the banana tree finally fell down with a crash.

She swung her machete and chopped the banana tree down with one stroke.

Chu De'an cheered, stepped forward and picked down the bananas that had turned yellow. He gave one to Shen Xuewei, then ran to give one to Chen Fangli and Chen Fanglan, and put the remaining three in his pocket.

Shen Xuewei ate one, then called him back and asked him to carry both cabbages so they could go home together.

When she got home, she placed the still-green banana leaves she was carrying on the second floor.

Seeing that it was almost time, and estimating that the people who had gone out to work would be back in about half an hour, she went downstairs to cook.

Chu De'an followed closely beside her, chattering away.

Shen Xuewei didn't know where he got so much to say all day long.

Although she found him a bit too talkative, Shen Xuewei didn't interrupt him, occasionally responding to show that she was still listening.

After Chu De'an finally finished saying everything he had been holding back, he changed his target and went to torment Da Huang.

Seeing this, Shen Xuewei finally breathed a sigh of relief.

When Chen Fanglan and Chen Fangli returned after washing the food, the three elderly people who had been working in the fields also came back.

It was a rare treat to see Chen Fanglan return, and ever since she put down her basket, Grandma Xi had been surrounding her, asking her questions incessantly.

For example, questions like, "Have you met any suitable men recently?" or "How's work?"

Chen Fanglan just listened with a smile, and when Grandma Xi pressed her for answers, she simply gave a few perfunctory replies.

There are many things she no longer tells her family. If she does, disagreements often lead to arguments.

Given the current situation, it's better not to say anything. I'll just come back to visit when I have time, and I won't bring up work or relationship issues.

Just as it was time to eat, Chen Fangqiu returned from outside.

The family was unusually large, and neighbors from the village came to talk to the Chen family, making it exceptionally lively.

Grandpa Chen sat on the threshing ground, smoking and watching the lively crowd, a faint smile on his face.

With everyone's meals prepared, the neighbors went home to eat, and the Chen family's dinner began.

Everyone sat around the table in the main room to eat, and Grandma Xi chatted with her two daughters from time to time.

At first, things were quite harmonious, but Chen Fangli and her sister learned about the house that was going to be built in their home a few days ago.

Grandma Xi looked at Chen Fanglan with some guilt, "Alan, we need to build a two-story house, but your father and I don't have enough money. We might have to use the money you left with us first..."

"After the house is built, we'll plant more land next year and then we'll make up the difference to you."

Chen Fanglan flew into a rage and said, "Mom, how many times have I told you? The money given to you is for you. You can use it if you want."

"Don't say you're saving it for me. I didn't want it back. It was originally meant for you."

"Don't say things like 'I'll pay you back' anymore. Am I not your daughter anymore? You always say such distant things. I don't like hearing it."

Grandma Xi was taken aback by her tone, but she wasn't angry; instead, she felt somewhat gratified.

"Okay, okay, I won't say anything more. Don't be angry. Let's eat first."

Seeing that she had quieted down, Chen Fanglan had more to say.

"Also, didn't I tell you? Don't farm so much land anymore. Just enough for your own family to eat is enough. You won't get a good price for it anyway, and you'll just ruin your health."

"Ah Yang has money. If you don't have enough, you can ask me for it. I'm begging you, please plant less land, okay?"

Grandma Xi's lips moved slightly. "We're farmers. What else can we do if we don't farm? Just stay at home all day doing nothing?"

"We've already planted far less land this year, we can't plant any less."

Grandpa Chen also said with a stern face, "When you come back, eat well. Don't worry about things at home. Just take care of yourself."

When Chen's father spoke, Chen Fanglan's arrogance subsided. She muttered something and stopped talking, quietly eating her meal.

Shen Xuewei glanced at everyone's faces, then lowered her head to eat, letting out a quiet sigh.

She knew that when everyone got together, this kind of thing was bound to happen.

After finishing the meal, before Shen Xuewei could even clear the dishes, Chen Fangli had already pulled her aside.

“You’ve gotten so tanned over the summer vacation, you must have spent a lot of time working in the fields with your grandpa and the others.”

"Your school is about to start, and you still have homework to finish, right? Go and do it. As for any chores around the house, your aunt is here. There's no need for you to do them."

Shen Xuewei hesitated for a moment, "Second Aunt, then...then I'll go back to my room to do my homework?"

Chen Fangli patted her head and said softly, "Go ahead. If your grandparents ask, your second aunt will cover for you."

Seeing that Shen Xuewei still looked worried, she lowered her voice and said, "Don't worry, I won't tell your grandparents that you haven't finished your homework. I've also sent De'an away. You can go back and do your homework without worry."

Shen Xuewei felt relieved and gave her a bright smile: "Thank you, Second Aunt."

"No need to thank me, go on your way."

Shen Xuewei nodded and quickly ran back to her room.