Chapter Forty-Six Apology
Xinli has been getting good things while going to the beach for several days in a row, which the people on the island find amazing.
Several women wanted to learn a skill from Xinli, but they were worried that Xinli would be resentful because of what they had said about her behind her back and would be unwilling to teach them. After thinking it over and discussing it several times, they still packed some things and went to find Sister Lu, Zhang Jinhua.
Zhang Jinhua was a little puzzled when he saw so many people coming.
What are you doing here? Has something happened?
Worried that Zhang Jinhua might misunderstand and think something serious had happened on the island that had prompted so many of them to come, the group quickly explained, "Sister-in-law Lu, it's nothing, we just have a favor to ask."
Zhang Jinhua breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this.
She was genuinely startled to see so many women come together.
I've never seen such a big spectacle except during holidays.
"So many of you all want something from me?"
After the initial shock, Zhang Jinhua was also very puzzled.
These women usually go about their own business and rarely come to see her.
Whenever something happens, it's always Zhang Jinhua who takes the initiative to reach out to them and do ideological work with them.
Isn't it strange that everyone is coming to look for her all of a sudden?
"Yes."
Zhang Jinhua said solemnly, "Tell me what you think. We're all from the same island and related by blood. If there's anything I can do to help, I'll definitely do it."
Upon hearing Zhang Jinhua's words, everyone quickly said, "You can definitely help."
"We just want you to help us talk to Xinli..."
"Xinli?"
Zhang Jinhua frowned and waved his hand to refuse before they could finish speaking: "What do you want to do to Xinli now? It was because of your gossip on the island that she has been criticized and looked down upon."
"They've finally managed to improve their lives through their own hard work, and now you want to cause trouble again? I can't help you with this, so you'd better leave."
Zhang Jinhua was angry, but ultimately didn't say anything too harsh.
These people are too idle; all they think about is causing trouble for a young girl.
She had to remind Xinxin to be careful of these people, as petty people are usually the most troublesome, especially since everyone lives together and any oversight could lead to them being targeted.
Zhang Jinhua had previously witnessed two women arguing, and one of them deliberately placed a snake under the stone slab where others washed clothes.
Although it was a non-venomous snake, being bitten by it was still quite a shock, and the person was terrified, causing chaos and unrest for the whole family.
Although Zhang Jinhua knew she couldn't condemn everyone, these people were the ones who wronged Xinli first. Xinli was just a young girl who didn't know how terrible human nature could be, so she, as her sister-in-law, could only help her keep an eye on things.
Otherwise, when Xiao He returns to the army after his leave, Xin Li's life will probably be even more difficult.
"This... Sister-in-law, that's not what we meant..."
After hearing Zhang Jinhua's words, those people were so ashamed that they couldn't lift their heads.
But since they were the ones who gossiped, they couldn't really refute it.
Embarrassed and unable to speak, they said, "We would like to ask you to help us find Xinli."
"We know we did something wrong before, and we want to apologize."
"And also..."
They had offended someone and yet still wanted to learn their skills. These people weren't thick-skinned enough to do that. For a moment, they were all so embarrassed that their eyes darted around, and they didn't dare to meet Zhang Jinhua's gaze.
"What is it?"
Those people thought that there was so much seafood lately, and if they could learn the techniques to catch a lot, they could not only improve their meals, but also sell it to exchange for meat coupons or something. So they made up their minds, not caring about losing face, and directly told them their purpose.
Zhang Jinhua then suddenly realized what was going on.
"So you want to learn beachcombing skills from Xinxin."
Zhang Jinhua couldn't help but smile: "How can you, who are all native to this place, learn how to beachcomb from a pampered young lady from Shanghai?"
Everyone knew that Zhang Jinhua was saying this on purpose to vent Xin Li's anger, so they didn't dare to refute her. They just shamelessly said, "Sister-in-law Lu, please help us. We really know we were wrong."
Zhang Jinhua thought for a moment and said, "I can't make the decision on this. You should go back and wait for news. I'll go ask Xinxin and I'll contact you again once she has an answer."
Everyone was extremely grateful upon hearing this, saying, "Thank you so much, Sister-in-law Lu, we feel much more at ease now."
Zhang Jinhua shook his head: "You should apologize to Xinxin properly after things are settled. You were already too much to treat a young girl like that, and now that you need her help, you should be more polite. Don't be like before, or don't blame me for not being able to help you."
"Of course, of course."
Everyone left overjoyed. Zhang Jinhua looked at the gifts that those people had deliberately left behind. After examining them, he found that they were all ingredients. The quantity was not large, but it was definitely the limit that those people could provide.
Seeing their sincerity, her expression softened considerably.
At least these people genuinely know how to repent.
Zhang Jinhua tidied up his things and then took them to Xin Li's house.
Xin Li was still fiddling with the television when she realized that He Mingzhou had actually taken her words to heart and had gone out of his way to find someone to help her make the connection.
However, it's not ideal to put the TV anywhere, and Xinli is still struggling with the decision.
Seeing Zhang Jinhua arrive, Xin Li felt like she had seen a savior: "Sister-in-law, you've come at the right time. Can you help me see where I should put the TV?"
I heard that people in this era are very particular about the arrangement of things in their rooms. Xin Li, a person from the post-apocalyptic world, knows nothing about this and can only ask Zhang Jinhua for help.
"Oh, you even have a TV? That's a rare find."
Xinli smiled and pushed them all onto the dowry.
Zhang Jinhua found it strange: "Did your family really empty their fortune to give you as a dowry when you married into this family? That's odd. Didn't they say before that your family didn't think much of Xiao He?"
Zhang Jinhua only dared to ask this question now that he had become familiar with Xin Li.
If it were when Xin Li first arrived, she definitely wouldn't have spoken up.
Xin Li didn't shy away from the topic and nodded, saying, "They do look down on He Mingzhou, and they look down on me too, but that's my home. All the things were left to me by my mother, so if I'm getting married, I'll definitely bring them with me. They can't keep a single penny of my property."
"Oh, I didn't know you had such a past. I've never heard you mention it before."
Zhang Jinhua only knew that Xin Li was a wealthy heiress from Shanghai, but she had no idea that her family background was so complicated.
Fearing she would recall those painful memories, Zhang Jinhua joked, "It's a good thing for our Xiao He; it's like one person's success bringing benefits to their entire family."
Xin Li laughed heartily.
"Right? He Mingzhou will definitely not lose out by marrying me!"
"That's right, that's right."
The dowry was secondary; the main thing was that Xinli was indeed a good girl.
"By the way, I came here today because there's something I need to discuss with you."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
