One side of the meat stall was piled high with unwanted pig offal, while the other side was neatly arranged with good cuts of meat from various parts.

Xu Cuifen and a group of people squeezed in front of the stall. She subconsciously glanced at Wen Zhaoye, and after making her selection, she deliberately raised her voice and said:

"My husband broke his leg. He needs to eat something to help him recover. Boss, could you weigh this pork knuckle and two pig trotters for me?"

Wen Zhaoye was not fooled by her words. He knew that given Xu Cuifen's frugal nature, such a large donation could only have come from Wen Jiaojiao.

A barely perceptible smile appeared on his lips: "..."

He's not very big, but he looks like he has a big appetite.

When Xu Cuifen heard the shopkeeper ask for five catties of meat coupons, she immediately realized that if she handed over the coupons in her bag, Jiaojiao would have to buy them at a high price on the black market if she wanted to eat meat again.

A thought struck her, and she stuffed the half-empty ticket back into her bag, shouting:

"Oh dear, I can't find where I put the hostage. Zhao Ye, did you bring it with you?"

As she spoke her last sentence, she secretly glanced at Wen Zhaoye's expression. Wen Jiaojiao caught their subtle expressions, and under the scrutinizing gazes of the crowd, her brows furrowed slightly.

Are you afraid people won't know you're faking it?

Wen Zhaoye often ate at the factory, and Xu Cuifen kept all the receipts that the village gave him.

His eyes were cold, and he was about to speak when Xu Cuifen noticed something was wrong with his expression. She quickly pulled out the ticket and handed it to the shopkeeper, saying:

"Hey, found it, Zhaoye, you don't need to pay anymore." This brat, with so much money, must have bought tickets on the black market quite a bit, yet he acts like paying for these few pounds of meat is taking his life.

After leaving the supply and marketing cooperative, we arrived at the nearby farmers' market.

Wen Jiaojiao's eyes were fixed on the fruit on the stall. She noticed Wen Zhaoye's gaze on her.

She nudged Xu Cuifen with her elbow, covered her lips, lowered her voice, and mumbled:

"Mom, buy me a watermelon." Life is so miserable; I have to be subservient to people even when I ask for a penny.

Xu Cuifen subconsciously glanced back at Wen Zhaoye, and deliberately raised her voice:

“My daughter just cares about your dad; she even knows to buy a watermelon for him to eat.”

Looking at the mother and daughter who had put on an act again, Wen Zhaoye suddenly felt a mischievous urge and said in a light tone:

"My dad is prone to needing to use the restroom or getting diarrhea if he eats too much. Don't you even consider that?"

Wen Jiaojiao was squatting on the stall directing Xu Cuifen to choose which item to pick when she heard this, she paused, and her face fell: "..."

If someone marries a man like that, they'll probably be searched from head to toe when they go back to their parents' home.

Xu Cuifen cursed inwardly, but still picked a round watermelon, and smiled as she said:

"Eating a little won't hurt."

Wen Zhaoye continued teasingly, "Let's just forget about it."

Wen Jiaojiao thought he just didn't want to give her any, and she was so angry that she secretly slapped the watermelon.

With a "snap," the watermelon made a crisp sound, and a winding crack appeared in the middle, revealing the bright red flesh inside.

She squatted down, picked up the watermelon, turned her head, and looked at Wen Zhaoye with a bright smile on her face, her voice ingratiating:

"Bro, this melon exploded on its own. The owner must have had a tough time. Let's buy it. Kindness brings wealth." My life is worse than a dog's.

Wen Zhaoye gazed intently at her beautiful face, seemingly charmed by her flattery. He raised his starry eyes slightly, his handsome face softening with a gentle smile, and exposed her deception:

"Fine, you have the nerve to smash someone's watermelon, if you don't buy it you'll be chased and beaten up."

Wen Jiaojiao noticed the looks she was getting from others, which implied that this girl was really greedy. Her face flushed red: "..."

You've really shown yourself, you chatterbox.

Xu Cuifen awkwardly paid the money, put the watermelon and meat into a yellow fertilizer bag, carried it on her back, and then made up various excuses to buy food for Wen Jiaojiao.

Wen Zhaoye followed behind without making things difficult, glancing at the girl beside him who was sucking on a pineapple-flavored popsicle.

Her lips were crimson, glistening with moisture, like pink, translucent jelly.

He swallowed hard, a soft moan rising in his throat, his mind uncontrollably conjuring up an image of something soft and sweet that would taste like this:

He's so obsessed with women that he can even crave her.

The farmers' market was noisy and bustling, with vendors hawking their wares and the air thick with a sultry, fishy smell.

After finishing her popsicle, Wen Jiaojiao brushed her hair back with one hand and fanned her flushed face with her other hand.

"Mom, we've bought enough, let's go now. I can't stand staying any longer."

Xu Cuifen, tall and strong, carried a bulging bag of fertilizer on her back without appearing clumsy at all, and said:

"Okay, honey, Mom will take you to buy two outfits to take home right away."

As they walked out of the farmers' market, Xu Cuifen didn't take Wen Jiaojiao to the state-run store, but instead went to the Meili Clothing Store, which had a wide variety of attractive clothing styles.

The proprietress, with short curly hair, green eyeshadow, and wearing loose flared pants and a fuchsia short-sleeved shirt, looked at Wen Jiaojiao with curiosity and said:

"Oh, isn't this Jiaojiao?"

Wen Jiaojiao didn't recognize anyone. She raised her hand to fan herself, looked around the shop, nodded perfunctorily, and let out two "uh-huh" sounds.

Xu Meili got up from the cashier and walked over to say:

"What's wrong? Judging from your expression, you don't recognize your beautiful auntie?"

Wen Jiaojiao was taken aback by the name's rusticity. Under Wen Zhaoye's scrutinizing gaze, she gave an awkward laugh and said:

"Yes, yes, it's me, Aunt Meili! You just look especially beautiful today."

Given that I've been away from home for the past two years, I initially mistook her for a stunningly beautiful woman shopping for clothes.

"Oh my, Jiaojiao, why are you so sweet-talking? You look much more well-behaved than before. Did you bring Dajun back to meet your mother this time?"

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