“Mother, we know,” Huang Laoda said in a simple and honest voice. “Although you are frugal, you have never neglected our lives.”
Hearing this, Jiang Nuan felt like she was about to choke on blood, but she couldn't say anything.
These compliments just sound awkward no matter how you look at them!
“Yes,” Huang Lao Er echoed, “Mother has always been decisive. She should make the decisions about our family matters.”
“Mother’s words are never wrong,” Xie said with a smile. “There is no one in the whole village who has a better idea than you.”
...
Jiang Nuan was so overwhelmed by the flattery that she could no longer maintain her composure.
She coughed lightly, suppressing a laugh, before speaking, "That's how it is. Trust me, you won't go wrong. Go to sleep, Mother will take care of this tomorrow."
"Mm," Xie said softly, "Mother, you should go to sleep early too. I'll go with you tomorrow."
She didn't like going to her uncle's house at all, but she could bear it in order to spend more time with her mother. With that thought, Xie's eyes shone even brighter, like a thousand stars blooming.
The next day, after breakfast, Jiang Nuan took two packets of brown sugar and planned to go to the village chief's house alone.
Just as I reached the door, I heard a resentful voice, "Mother, didn't we agree yesterday that your daughter-in-law would go with you?"
“Jiaojiao,” Jiang Nuan stopped in her tracks guiltily, “I’m afraid I’ll delay your plans.”
"Jiaojiao," Xie murmured, her eyes lighting up as she snuggled closer like a boneless boneless beast. "Mother, I like it when you call me that. Will you call me that from now on?"
“Okay,” Jiang Nuan readily agreed, “it’s not a big deal. Go ahead if you want.”
“Okay,” Madam Xie said solicitously as she took the brown sugar. “Mother, it’s too heavy. I’ll carry it. Don’t tire yourself out.”
"Alright," Jiang Nuan said helplessly, "Let's hurry up and get it done so we can go back sooner."
The saying "practice makes perfect" was perfectly exemplified by Jiang Nuan.
Just as they arrived at the village chief's house, before Xie could speak, Jiang Nuan called out crisply, "Dad, Mom, your daughter-in-law has come to see you."
"Yaya's here," the elderly couple inside heard the voice and helped each other out to open the door.
"Yaya," Old Mrs. Huang smiled and said, "Come in quickly."
"Yaya, what brings you here today?" Old Huang asked with a smile.
"Father, Mother, there's something I need your help with." Jiang Nuan softened her posture, her voice was particularly sweet, and a sweet smile appeared on her face.
"You silly girl, you only remember us two old folks when you need something," Old Man Gu said with a squinty smile.
He was getting carried away by those who said that only the two elders could be praised.
"No, I think of you two all the time, whether there's something to do or not," Jiang Nuan coaxed softly. "A family is like a treasure, and we have two treasures in our family. Your daughter-in-law cherishes them very much."
"You little rascal, you still have such a sweet tongue." Old Mrs. Huang laughed happily.
If it weren't for the village rule that the eldest child should take care of the elderly, she would really want to live with Ya Ya. Not for any other reason, just her mouth alone could have allowed her to live several more years.
As the group entered the hall, Sister-in-law Huang promptly served them tea.
"Father, Mother, Yaya, Nephew's Wife, have some tea." Sister-in-law Huang explained, "The tea was just given to us by our relatives, please have a taste."
Madam Xie took the bowl with trepidation and quickly thanked her, "Thank you, Auntie."
She had never received such good treatment before, and was flattered and surprised. She smiled gratefully at Sister-in-law Huang.
"It's nothing, just something I did on the side," Sister-in-law Huang said expressionlessly.
Although these words made Xie feel a little uncomfortable, she did not show it. She smiled, lowered her head to drink her tea, and did not speak again.
When they arrived at Jiang Nuan's place, Sister-in-law Huang's expression changed instantly, her eyes crinkling with laughter. "Yaya, drink up! The person who brought it said it's some kind of cloud and mist tea, very rare. Try it!"
"Thank you, sister-in-law," Jiang Nuan said, taking a sip. "It smells so good, it tastes so good."
"Drink more if you like it. I'll pack some for you to take home later." Sister-in-law Huang's smile deepened.
"Eldest daughter-in-law, make some of that cake at home for Yaya to try," said Old Mrs. Huang.
"Yes, Mother, don't worry, your daughter-in-law understands," Sister-in-law Huang replied.
"Ya Ya, you just said you needed to talk to us. What is it that requires the two old fogies to come?"
As he got older, his legs and feet became less agile, and he became useless. Old Huang spent his days eating his fill and basking in the sun, having nothing better to do than live a life of leisure.
People tend to overthink when they have free time.
He felt either that he was old and useless and was disliked, or that he was a burden who was just eating for free. Even though his children and grandchildren were filial, Old Man Huang still felt uneasy.
Now, hearing that Jiang Nuan needed his help, he was extremely anxious.
"Father, do you remember my ninth cousin and his family from the next branch of the family?"
“I remember,” Old Man Huang nodded. “I remember those two children died young, leaving only a half-grown child. How is it related to this?”
“Yes,” Jiang Nuan nodded, “They left, leaving behind a child who is pitiful. Father doesn’t know, that child was so young that his whole body was swollen from hunger, and he had to fill his stomach with clay. He is pitiful.”
Taking a sip of tea, she continued, "That child is close to our fourth son; they're sworn brothers. There's some bond between them, so we can't just watch the child starve to death."
The daughter-in-law thought it best to bring the child home and raise him there. Although her family wasn't well-off, at least the child wouldn't starve to death.
“That’s not right,” Sister-in-law Huang spoke first. “Yaya, this won’t do. You mean well, but they’ll just think you’re after that family’s offspring. You’ll only be putting in a lot of effort for nothing. Why bother?”
“Sister-in-law, I know that’s the way it is,” Jiang Nuan sighed. “It’s just that Xiao Si is very close to him. He begged him to stay at home with tears streaming down his face. I also felt sorry for the child, so I thought I’d do him a good deed and raise him for a few years until he’s grown up. Then I’ll let him go back home.”
"Yaya, you still spoil the kids so much," Aunt Huang complained with exasperation. "You just keep indulging them. If you spoil them so much that they become unruly, you'll regret it."
"Sister-in-law," Jiang Nuan awkwardly touched her nose and retorted softly, "I didn't."
"Yaya," Grandma Huang asked, "Do you mean we shouldn't adopt the child and just raise it for nothing?"
“Yes,” Jiang Nuan nodded, “My daughter-in-law has so many sons, we don’t need another one, there’s no need for that.”
"But raising them for free doesn't give them any official status?" Old Mrs. Huang murmured.
"So what?" Old Huang said nonchalantly. "Isn't it true that Xiao Si became sworn brothers with him and became godparents? Once they're relatives, the third branch of the family has no excuse to refuse."
Jiang Nuanshu gave a thumbs up, not holding back her praise, "Old ginger is spicier, Dad's idea is excellent."
“That’s right,” Old Huang stroked his beard proudly. “Your father was the village chief for decades. If I hadn’t retired early, your older brother wouldn’t be able to show off his power now.”
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