"If they truly understood the meaning of propriety, righteousness, integrity, and a sense of shame, they wouldn't be so aggressive. Xiangling, let's not dwell on that. Let's talk about you. It's been so long since the New Year; haven't you spoken to your aunt about why she dislikes Yuan Qiang?"
Mao Xiangling looked out the window and sighed.
"Sis, my mom's a powder keg when it comes to this. She'll explode if you even mention it. How could I dare to say that?"
"You didn't see it. I remember the scene when she kicked Yuan Qiang out of the house. I want to crawl into a hole and disappear when I think about it now. The neighbors almost laughed at us to death!"
Mao Xiangling couldn't bear to recall the embarrassing situation during the New Year, when her mother threw the things Yuan Qiang had bought directly into the alleyway.
Yuan Qiang was also pushed out. Her expression was more serious and indifferent than ever before, as if she had seen an enemy.
Hearing the noise, the neighbors all opened their doors and looked in their direction. I will never forget that scene.
"There might be some misunderstanding, otherwise there wouldn't be such resentment. Let's take it slow, find the root of the problem, and resolve it."
Xia Enru patted Mao Xiangling on the shoulder to comfort her.
**
When the two arrived at her home, Wang Yaqin was making dumplings. These days, dumplings are the best dish to serve guests.
Seeing Xia Enruo come in, Wang Yaqin didn't even have time to wash her hands while kneading dough. She just wiped her hands on her apron and went out.
"This must be Enruo, come inside quickly."
"Hello, Auntie!"
Wang Yaqin pulled Xia Enruo's arm and led her into the house.
"You silly child, you're already here, but you brought so many things. You've always helped Xiangling a lot, and she talks about you as soon as she gets home. Your aunt is so grateful to you, how could she accept your things?"
Xia Enruo placed the fruit, milk powder, and other items on the ground and said unhurriedly:
"Auntie, please don't say that. It's my first time visiting, so I can't come empty-handed. Besides, I've eaten so much of your dried fruit; I can never repay that favor!"
"Hey, those things aren't worth much. They're just things people show off to pass the time."
Wang Yaqin thought Xia Enruo was a good talker and likable.
No wonder Xiangling said that the business was so successful; business people are very eloquent.
"Xiangling, lead Enruo to sit down quickly and pour her some water. I've already washed the candied dates on the table; they're just waiting for you."
Wang Yaqin was not old; in her previous life, she was the same age as her parents. She had a fair complexion and excellent skin tone.
Although she was a bit older, she was extremely elegant, especially when she smiled. You could tell she must have been a beauty when she was young; it seems Mao Xiangling took after her.
"Sis, have some freshly washed jujubes."
Xia Enruo took one and put it in her mouth; it was sweet.
"Sister, please don't be shy about coming to our house. We have no outsiders here. I talk about you to my mom every day when I go home. She's heard about you before she's even seen you!"
“That’s right, Enruo. Don’t be shy here. Xiangling’s father passed away early, so it’s usually just the two of us at home. We rarely have guests.”
"I'm so happy you came! I heard you're not from Yongning City. If you have time in the future, come over with Xiangling, and I'll cook you something delicious."
When Xia Enru saw Wang Yaqin making dumplings, she was about to get up and help, but Wang Yaqin refused to let her.
"Sit down and chat with Xiangling. Auntie isn't old yet! I can handle this little bit of work."
Xia Enruo stopped refusing and followed Mao Xiangling to tour the house.
Mao Xiangling's house was quite big, at least much bigger than her own.
There are two small rooms at the entrance of a large courtyard. The house itself has three rooms: a living room on the left, a kitchen and dining room in the middle, and two bedrooms on the right.
Mao Xiangling's room was at the very back.
"Sister, this is my father. He died in a mining accident five years ago!"
Mao Xiangling pointed to the photo under the glass on the table and said.
In those days, most families would store photos like this: arrange them neatly and press them down with a thick glass plate.
"Your uncle is very handsome, and you inherited his good genes."
"Sister, these are my two uncles. They don't live in Yongning anymore after they got married. That's why my mom says it's usually just the two of us at home, because our relatives live too far away."
“This photo was taken by my mom’s colleague when she worked at the sugar factory.”
Mao Xiangling pointed to the photos and introduced them one by one.
"A sugar factory? You mean your aunt works at a sugar factory?"
"Yes, my mom was assigned to work in a sugar factory after graduating from vocational school, and she's been doing it for over ten years."
Xia Enruo seemed to know something? But she wasn't sure, though her intuition told her she was definitely involved.
"Sis, what's wrong?"
Mao Xiangling noticed that Xia Enruo's tone was off.
"Hmm, nothing? The sugar factory is fine!"
Xia Enruo still clearly remembered that Gu Shaoxuan had once asked Yuan Qiang to find her a job.
At that time, Yuan Qiang had told me that his father was the director of the sugar factory and could arrange dormitories for him. Could it be that Wang Yaqin disliked Yuan Qiang because of his father?
But Xia Enruo dared not be so sure.
During the meal, Wang Yaqin's dumplings, with their large fillings and thin wrappers, were very delicious.
Mao Xiangling specifically instructed her mother that Xia Enruo was pregnant.
This time, Wang Yaqin deliberately used less seasoning when cooking, and she also added a few drops of sesame oil and vinegar to the steamed egg custard.
Xia Enruo finds the smell of sour and spicy food incredibly appealing now.
I can't eat anything greasy, but I love spicy and sour food the most.
"Enruo, your husband is very busy in the army and must not have much time to spend with you. You must be having a hard time being pregnant all by yourself."
"Yes, Auntie, my husband and Yuan Qiang were comrades-in-arms! They graduated from military academy together, and he took the last two days off to stay home with me."
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