Chapter 59: Sharing all the snails with everyone

After washing his hands, Ji Xiaoming couldn't resist grabbing a snail with his bare hands and stuffing it into his mouth to suck out the flavor. He exclaimed, "Delicious, Mom, it's so delicious! It's even better than fish, even better than cured meat! Mom, you're amazing! You're a master chef!"

Wang Yuqing picked up a bamboo skewer and handed it to him: "Eat the meat inside."

She picked out a lot of meat for Ji Meimei, and Ji Meimei ate happily, waving her little hands and even spinning around and dancing in place.

She said, "This is the most, most delicious thing in the world."

Although Ji Xiaoming thought it tasted good, he felt it wasn't flavorful enough, so he secretly ate several snails with chili peppers. As a result, he was so spicy that he cried, which made Wang Yuqing laugh.

When it was time for the villagers to finish work, they could smell the delicious aroma wafting from the Ji family's house from several nearby houses. Everyone stood at their doorways, craning their necks to look.

Someone said, "The new daughter-in-law of the Ji family is cooking delicious food again."

Someone said sourly, "All they care about is food. Aren't they afraid of eating their whole family's clothes off?"

Some people mocked, "You're just envious. If it were me, I'd be happy to eat it too. We just don't have that kind of luck, nor that kind of taste."

The aroma of the snails traveled far and wide, reaching even the homes of Chen E, Lei Yongxia, Grandma Cai, Chen Xiang, and Tang Wan, who were all clamoring to eat them.

In particular, Liu Li's son cried out, "I want to eat, Mom, go and get some, I want to eat."

Liu Li yelled in the direction of the Ji family: "You're lazy and gluttonous! You stay home all day, not working, just eating. Aren't you afraid your whole family will starve?"

Grandma Cai's daughter-in-law, Niu Zhenzhen, sneered, "What are we going to do? Didn't she go to your husband's house today and get back 37 jin of grain? By the way, Liu Li, did your brother really borrow 37 jin of grain from Ji Xuening in the army?"

Upon hearing this, Liu Li's face darkened: "Of course not, is my brother that kind of person?"

Niu Zhenzhen muttered under her breath, "He's just that kind of person, yet he's so stubborn."

Wang Yuqing told Ji Xiaoming and Ji Meimei to eat less and not too much. Then she divided the snails into seven portions, took five portions, and went out.

Just as everyone was drooling with envy, Wang Yuqing delivered a portion to Chen Xiang, Lei Yongxia, Grandma Cai, Niu Zhenzhen, and Chen E.

They were all overjoyed, thanking her repeatedly. When they tasted the snails, they praised them highly, especially Lei Yongxia, who excitedly asked how she made them.

Wang Yuqing generously told her the steps.

She laughed and said, "I think you're the real chef; your cooking skills are much better than mine."

Those around Wang Yuqing who didn't get along with her were all incredibly envious.

Wang Yuqing also returned Chen E's money and borrowed some oil from their homes, telling them, "I'll make another batch before dawn tomorrow and take it to the market to sell; tomorrow is the big market day."

Although they all thought it tasted good, they weren't sure if it would sell, since this stuff was everywhere and city people didn't really care about it.

However, Lei Yongxia said that they would go to the market together tomorrow. She would also be going to the market tomorrow morning, so the two of them would have company on the way and she could also help Wang Yuqing carry her things.

Upon hearing this, Chen E also said, "I'm going to the market tomorrow too, and I can help you set up your stall."

Wang Yuqing: "..."

She later went to Old Man Li's house. Although Ji Xuening only mentioned Old Man Li to her briefly, she felt that Old Man Li was a good person and that she should repay the favor.

Old Li was quite surprised to receive the snails, and after the surprise came the emotion. With tears in his eyes, he said, "You and Ji Laosi are both excellent people, both kind-hearted people."

Wang Yuqing felt a little ashamed: "Old Li, these snails are nothing compared to the grain you gave me."

Old Man Li doesn't eat spicy food, after all, he's old and doesn't really like that kind of flavor, but the male educated youth staying at his house really like it.

The male educated youth added some chili peppers to it and ate it with relish.

Wang Yuqing could tell that although this male educated youth had a sweet tooth, he was very kind to Old Man Li. When he ate, he would pour Old Man Li a cup of hot tea.

Wang Yuqing borrowed some liquor from Old Man Li, who said, "Kid, you don't need to pay it back. Take it home and use it."

The male educated youth also said, "Yes, don't return it. If you return it, Old Man Li will be tempted to drink it again. He can't drink this stuff anymore."

She took the borrowed oil and liquor home, along with a portion of snails. After thinking for a moment, she heated them up, and finally, with five yuan and two jin of grain, she pushed her bicycle to Tang Wan's house.

Tang Wan was washing clothes at the door.

Wang Yuqing noticed that her face was very pale, her brows were furrowed from time to time, and her hand was covering her stomach.

She walked into the yard: "Sister Tang, are you washing clothes? I've come to return your bicycle and pay you back your money. I'll exchange the grain coupons for grain to pay you back. I'm so grateful to you that day."

Tang Wan wiped her hands, stood up, and although her expression remained aloof, her tone was gentle: "Why are you returning it to me so quickly? You can keep it for now. Isn't Grandma Ji still in the hospital?"

Wang Yuqing said with a smile, "My family has food and money now. Haven't you heard about what happened to me today?"

Tang Wan suddenly remembered that when she went to work that afternoon, everyone was talking about Wang Yuqing going to Liu Huo's house to ask for grain, with some praising her and others mocking her.

She said, "Okay, but you can keep the bicycle for now. It's quite a long way to travel, and I don't need it right now."

Wang Yuqing really needed the bicycle, and she said gratefully, "Sister Tang, thank you so much."

After saying that, she quickly took out the snails: "They're still warm. I made them. Why don't you try some?"

Tang Wan was clearly flattered and stammered, "Given to me? For me?"

Wang Yuqing nodded: "Yes, I don't know if it suits your taste, it's very spicy."

Tang Wan reached out and took the snails, smiling, "I really like spicy food. I smelled the aroma coming from your house a long time ago, and I was wondering what delicious food you were making at home."

Wang Yuqing noticed that Tang Wan was weak, pale, and sweating profusely, as if she was enduring pain. She hurriedly asked worriedly, "Are you feeling unwell? You look terrible."

Tang Wan reached out and covered her lower abdomen, giving a bitter smile: "You noticed it all, but the two people in the room seemed not to notice, and even said I was faking illness."

After saying that, she whispered, "I've started my period, and I have some menstrual cramps."

Wang Yuqing touched the water in the basin: "Then why are you washing clothes with cold water? You need to go back inside and rest."

Tang Wan shook her head: "I haven't made dinner yet. I have to wash the clothes and then cook, and I also have to boil water for my in-laws to wash their feet."

The next second.

Tang Wan almost fainted.

Wang Yuqing was startled and quickly helped her up, shouting, "Sister Tang, are you alright?" Tang Wan was in so much pain that she couldn't speak for a moment.

She called out to the people inside the house, "Uncle, Aunt, Tang Wan has fainted."

The people inside clearly heard it, but no one came out.

Wang Yuqing called out several more times before Tang Wan's mother-in-law slowly came out from inside, her face fierce: "She faints even when she can't do anything, like washing clothes. People in the city are just so delicate."

After saying that, he pointed to a room on the right side of the courtyard: "There, her room."

Wang Yuqing couldn't help but speak up: "She fainted. How can you say such a thing? Aren't you worried at all?"

Granny Yang glared at her: "You really know how to meddle in other people's business. Don't come to my house again. What kind of person are you, running around in my house?" After saying that, she muttered to herself, "They're all the same kind of people."

Wang Yuqing helped Tang Wan inside, laid her on the bed, and poured her a glass of warm water.

Tang Wan lay weakly on the bed, a bitter smile on her lips, but she did not speak.

Wang Yuqing sat on the edge of the bed without asking any questions. If she wanted to speak, she would naturally do so. She simply asked in an inquiring tone, "Sister Tang, shall I give you a tummy massage? It can relieve your menstrual cramps. Would you like to try?"

Tang Wan nodded.

Wang Yuqing rubbed her hands together to warm them up before massaging her stomach. Before leaving, she reminded her that since she was menstruating, she should try to avoid contact with cold water, drink more hot water, and apply a hot towel to her stomach. She also advised her not to eat the snails.

As for her family affairs, Wang Yuqing didn't ask a single question.

She walked ahead, and Tang Wan's old woman came in behind her, took the snails back to her room and ate them herself, ignoring Tang Wan's illness.