Erniu chased after her, but Liu Shi squatted in the corner by the door, secretly wiping away her tears.
Jin Erniu walked over and gently squatted down beside her: "Don't cry. Now that you're in our family, take good care of her and let her live a few more years. It's much better than letting your heartless sister-in-law suffer!"
"But, but our family's situation isn't good either. We just fled here from famine, and Mother made steamed buns to sell in order to earn money to support our family. The whole family depends on Mother to survive. Now, two more people have been added to our family out of nowhere. Mother, how can I tell you this?"
Jin Erniu was impulsive and had never inquired carefully about Liu's family affairs. Now, seeing Liu's helpless and pitiful appearance, he patted her shoulder and said, "It's alright, Mother will understand you. How about this, I'll find a job in town and go out to earn money so as not to add to Mother's burden, okay? Let's go back."
Liang Shuyan hid in the corner, her thin body convulsing. Erniu, a careless man, even knew to care about his wife at this moment, and Liang Shuyan's eyes welled up with tears.
She walked over to Liu Shi and said, "What nonsense are you talking about? How many strong men are there in our family? Do you think we can't support your mother and your sister? Quickly wipe away your tears so your sister doesn't see them. Come back with your mother. Your mother won't be angry anymore. From now on, our family will stick together and make money!"
Liang Shuyan stroked Liu's head twice, and Liu immediately felt a warm feeling. She wiped away her tears and said, "Mother, thank you. Your daughter-in-law will definitely take good care of you and listen to your words!"
"Silly child, run!"
Erniu glanced timidly at Liang Shuyan: "Mother, your son thanks you on behalf of Chouya!"
Liang Shuyan turned around in surprise: "Ugly Girl, who is Ugly Girl?"
Ugly Girl was Liu's nickname, which Liang Shuyan had never heard of. In ancient times, people used surnames after marriage and rarely called each other by nicknames. When Erniu said this, Liu blushed and grabbed Erniu, saying, "You, how could you say my nickname? It's embarrassing, such an awful name!"
Liang Shuyan then understood and smiled, "It's alright. I thought it was something serious. If you don't like it, I'll think of a nice nickname for you and your sister-in-law, okay?"
Liu nodded excitedly and followed her mother-in-law home.
Inside the main room, Niu Niu carried in a plate of steamed buns and placed her hands on the kang table.
"Grandma, Niu Niu, go pour some tea!"
Seeing how sensible this little girl of just over five years old was, Ru Yan felt sorry for her and took Niu Niu's arm, saying, "Don't be busy, little sister!"
Niu Niu broke free from Ru Yan's arm, poured two glasses of water, and handed them to Old Mrs. Liu and Ru Yan on the kang (a heated brick bed).
Liang Shuyan came in and sat down on the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed): "In-law, try the steamed buns I made. Have some. My two daughters-in-law are cooking in the kitchen. Ruyan, come and have some with your mother."
The old lady of the Liu family looked embarrassed and said apologetically, "My dear in-law, I was confused and misunderstood you before. Please don't be angry. I never thought that you would save this old woman's life at such a critical moment!"
Liang Shuyan roughly understood what she meant, and then chuckled: "It's all in the past, no misunderstandings. Your daughter is a well-behaved and obedient child in our family. After I heard about what happened to you and Ruyan, I asked Erniu to accompany my wife to pick you up. Since you're here, don't be shy, we're all family now."
Ruyan never expected her sister's mother-in-law to be so understanding. Wasn't her mother-in-law very fierce before? Now, she has become so gentle and kind.
"Auntie, thank you. My sister-in-law gouged out my mother's eyes. If my sister and brother-in-law hadn't arrived in time, my sister-in-law would have sold me to a brothel. Auntie, thank you. From now on, Ruyan will definitely listen to you!"
Liang Shuyan stepped forward and quickly helped Ruyan up: "What nonsense are you talking about? Now that you're here, your sister is my wife, and you are naturally like my daughter. Get up and eat something first!"
Grandma Liu hadn't eaten for a long time. She picked up a steamed bun and ate it bite by bite, saying, "My dear in-law, I've never seen such a soft and fluffy steamed bun before. Even though I can't see, I imagine it must be plump and white."
Ruyan picked up the steamed bun, her bright eyes looking at it as she said, "Mom, you can't see, but the steamed bun Auntie made is so beautiful. It even has flowers carved on it. It's so pretty, I don't even want to take a bite!"
"Really? Your aunt is really skillful! She even carved patterns on these steamed buns."
Zhang placed two bowls of glistening jelly on the kang table and said politely, "Auntie, this is jelly made by my mother. It's delicious. Please try some."
"Ruyan, have a taste!"
The old lady of the Liu family twitched her ears. She could tell that it wasn't her daughter Chou Ya's voice, so she asked, "Wasn't that Chou Ya's voice just now?"
"My dear in-law, that was my eldest daughter-in-law just now!"
It was clear that the old lady missed her daughter. Liang Shuyan glanced at Niu Niu, who was squatting on the doorstep, and said, "Niu Niu, go and call your second sister-in-law!"
Soon, Liu came in, and Liang Shuyan said, "What's wrong? Your mother is here, are you going to eat something with her?"
Only then did Madam Liu sit down: "Mother, have some food and try my mother-in-law's cooking!"
Grandma Liu's hands trembled with excitement as she picked up the bowl, used her chopsticks to take a piece of jelly, and put it in her mouth.
"It's so delicious! Oh my, it's so smooth and has a hint of spiciness. It's so good, really good! My dear in-law, what's this made of?"
Liang Shuyan said with a smile, "It's made from dried potatoes from home. My dear in-law, if you like it, have some more."
Ruyan's eyes reddened with excitement: "Really, Auntie's cooking is so good! You can make such delicious food. Auntie, can Ruyan learn your cooking skills from you?"
Liang Shuyan laughed and said, "When you want to learn it later, it won't be a problem!"
“My dear in-law, from now on you can stay at home with my mother-in-law and chat with her when you have nothing to do. It'll be good company. My mother-in-law is about the same age as you, so you can get along well!”
"Okay, Auntie, sit down. It's a pity my eyesight isn't very good, but from the way you speak, I can tell you must be a good person!"
Li Lanfang felt a little resentful: "Auntie? A woman in her sixties is calling me auntie? Am I really that old?"
"Hehe, that's all. You should eat quickly, and we can chat slowly after you finish."
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