Steamed flying fish, braised flying fish.
Steamed sea urchin with egg.
Candied bananas.
Wild vegetable soup.
One dish after another was served, and the third brother's mouth was so full it could practically hold a whole bucket.
Upon seeing who was approaching, the third brother's smile faded.
Duan, holding her son Fan Hao's hand and carrying a wooden bucket, walked towards the stone house.
"Third brother, this is what my husband picked up while we were beachcombing. He asked me to bring some over, you can try some..."
The third brother didn't move, but the eldest sister-in-law heard this and came out to greet him.
He carried the wooden bucket to the kitchen, just as Ruan Meng had fried two plates of candied bananas.
The elder sister-in-law looked at Ruan Meng's expression questioningly, and Ruan Meng nodded before the elder sister-in-law brought out a plate.
Fan Hao clapped his hands in delight. He had sent them a plate of the dish made by Aunt Ruan last time, and Fan Hao liked it very much.
Duan suddenly remembered that no matter what Ruan Meng did, she would send some to her family and the Song family. Thinking of her previous thoughts, she felt a little ashamed.
His tone was warmer, though he was hesitant to speak, but he still opened his mouth.
"Sister-in-law..."
She moved closer to the kitchen so that Ruan Meng could hear her.
"I was narrow-minded before!"
Duan's voice seemed to choke slightly, "I didn't want to either, but I don't know why, ever since Hao Hao was born, even though everyone has been so good to me, I always tend to think the worst..."
"People tend to think the worst and speculate in the dark. I despise myself for this, but I can't control it."
"My elder brother and sister-in-law didn't say anything harsh, but their attitude made me feel utterly ashamed. I know that saying anything more at this point would just be making excuses..."
"But I just want to say that I'm not targeting my younger sister, but others, my husband, myself, and sometimes I am too."
"Haohao is very cute, but sometimes I also feel unmotivated."
"Sister-in-law, I'm not defending myself, but every day I feel like I'm just enduring... "
"Everyone is so kind to me every day. But it feels like I'm sick, and I'm not letting myself off the hook!"
Hearing this, the elder sister-in-law felt a pang of sympathy and casually asked:
Have you seen a doctor?
Madam Duan sighed, "When Hao Hao was born, the family immediately called a doctor, who said it was due to emotional distress caused by childbirth..."
"Then, things went on and on. The household's fortunes steadily declined, and later, they were exiled and their property confiscated..."
"My husband has been very tolerant of me. But perhaps everyone thinks it's just my temperament; that I'm petty and narrow-minded..."
The sister-in-law remained silent, unsure how to offer advice, still harboring resentment.
The eldest sister-in-law didn't know anything about the Duan family from the beginning.
But during their exile, he did see her looking depressed and unhappy. The second son of the Fan family took care of her, which was no less strenuous than he had taken care of his sick and weak husband.
After Duan left, the eldest sister-in-law sighed and said to Ruan Meng:
"From what she said, it seems that she has been depressed ever since she gave birth."
"Later, something happened in the household. I wonder if she looked like this before she was married..."
The third son stood outside the door, watching Duan's departing figure, his face grim.
"My sister-in-law is just too soft-hearted..."
He doesn't have that kind of good temper!
Just because you're in a bad mood doesn't mean everyone has to give in to you.
I won't tolerate you!
The elder sister-in-law sighed, "Childbirth greatly affects a woman's physical strength and temperament."
"Some people's temperaments change drastically within six months. Others experience less time, depending on family care and their own circumstances."
"Perhaps she was frail and hadn't fully recovered, and then something happened at home, so she remained depressed and didn't recover..."
Ruan Meng, however, keenly sensed the regret in her sister-in-law's sigh.
She had been married into the household for nearly four years.
The mistress of the house died early, leaving her to manage the household affairs herself. Her eldest brother was in poor health, and then misfortune befell the family...
The eldest sister-in-law might not know about Duan's health, because she hadn't had the chance to become a mother yet.
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