Guan Ailian nodded, "He should have been in the second grade, but his academic performance was not good, so he was held back."

It is very common to repeat a grade these days, so some children are still in junior high school when they should be in high school.

This is the way the times are, and Yang Niannian can’t say anything.

Breakfast consisted of rice porridge, steamed sweet potatoes, and boiled eggs. Although these foods looked simple, they were considered a rich meal in the entire village.

Most families just put a handful of rice into the pot, cut a few pieces of sweet potato into it, cook a pot of soup, and just drink a little.

Some families even only eat two meals a day.

After breakfast, Ma Xiuzhu began to assign work.

"I'll take Jiaojiao out to play for a while. Ruoling, go upstairs and take care of the second child. Nian Nian, go help your sister-in-law clean up the dishes."

She knew clearly that her daughter-in-law was capable now and she also knew that she should not provoke her. However, when she saw her daughter-in-law, Ma Xiuzhu would feel uncomfortable unless she showed some of her remaining affection as a mother-in-law.

Guan Ailian said as she cleaned up the dishes, "There are only a few dishes. I don't need your help. I can clean them up by myself."

She worked efficiently and in no time she piled up the dishes and carried them into the kitchen.

Lu Qingyuan said, "Sister-in-law, there are only a few bowls. You don't have to wash them. Just let your sister-in-law wash them. Come on, I'll take you to the mountain to have a look."

Yang Niannian's stomach hurt a little. "Wait for me for a moment. I'm going to the toilet."

As soon as she ran into the bathroom, Ma Xiuzhu carried Jiaojiao to the kitchen and spoke in a strange tone.

"You are so capable at home that you rush to do all the work. You don't even know how to use the helpers assigned to you. Otherwise, why do people say that Nian Nian is destined to enjoy a good life, while you are destined to work hard?"

Guan Ailian was not at all instigated by her and said dissatisfiedly.

"Mom, you can't say that. Aren't Xingxing and I the ones who usually wash the dishes in our house? I never see you helping out."

"Now my brother, sister-in-law and Ruoling's family finally come back to celebrate the New Year, so I just need to wash a few more sets of dishes, which is not tiring. Besides, when relatives come over, there are also more dishes, but I haven't seen you ask my aunt to help wash the dishes? My sister-in-law treats me better than my own sister. I won't be as confused as you."

My mother-in-law is now making sarcastic remarks, isn't she targeting my brother and sister-in-law?

If she is instigated, does she still have a conscience?

Ma Xiuzhu couldn't argue with her, so she said unhappily.

"You like to wash dishes, so I'll let you wash all the dishes at home from now on. You guys are better than each other, I can't say a word."

Although she was angry, she did not dare to speak loudly, for fear that her husband and son would hear her and scold her again.

Just as I was about to carry Jiaojiao out, I heard the laughing voices of Niu and Cao from the door.

"Wow, there are so many people at home? It's more lively than Chinese New Year."

Ma Xiuzhu heard the sound and came out holding the child. She saw her sister-in-law and her eldest nephew Ma Yuejie coming over. They were both holding gifts in their hands and their faces were full of smiles.

Ever since the eldest son contracted the mountain and the fish pond, the second brother's family took the initiative to visit and show goodwill, and the relationship between the two families has eased.

Seeing someone coming from her mother's family, Ma Xiuzhu happily went to greet them while holding Jiaojiao in her arms.

"Why are you here so early?"

Niu and Cao glanced at Lu Shishen secretly, then said with a smile.

"Didn't I hear that the children are back? It's been a long time since I last saw Shi Shen and Ruo Ling, so I hurried over to see them."

Her eyes fell on Jiaojiao, "Oh, this is Ruoling's daughter Jiaojiao, right? She looks just like Ruoling when she was a child."

Out of politeness, Lu Qingyuan and Lu Guozhi also greeted Niu Hecao and introduced Li Fengyi to her.

The cow and the straw man didn't even see clearly and just praised them. Then, as if remembering something, they said to Ma Yuejie.

"Hurry up and carry the things into the main room!"

When Ma Xiuzhu saw the things, her eyes widened. "It's enough to just come here. Why bring anything? What did you buy? They look very heavy."

Ma Yuejie continued, "Aunt, this is the liquor I bought for my uncle. This is the medicinal liquor brewed by the teacher's family in our school. It is very effective for leg and back pain. You can't buy it outside even if you have money."

Guan Ailian heard the noise and came out of the kitchen. She saw Niu and Cao bringing some things, and she felt something was wrong. Every time her aunt-in-law came, she was asking for money. How could she have mentioned any gifts?

This time, most likely, he needs help from his brother.

Lu Guozhi had originally planned to go to the top of the mountain, but now that relatives had come to his house, he couldn't go anymore. He could only invite them into the house to sit down.

From beginning to end, Lu Shishen had no intention of greeting his aunt and cousin, so Niu Hecao just smiled and said.

"Shi Shen, you are not still angry about what happened a few years ago, are you? We are all blood relatives, broken bones are still connected, it has been a few years, don't take it to heart. Besides, didn't you beat Ma Hao up at that time? It took him a long time to heal his arm, and now he can't do heavy work."

Lu Shishen's face was grim. "You came here today to settle that account with me?"

Ma Hecao quickly explained, "How could that be possible? That's all in the past, why bring it up again?"

Ma Yuejie felt that his mother couldn't speak, so he pulled her back and said.

"Shi Shen, Ma Hao was wrong at the beginning. I taught him a lesson after I went back that time. He is now paying the price for his evil deeds. He is infertile and his wife divorced him and remarried."

Before Lu Shishen could say anything, Niu Hecao noticed that Yang Niannian had come to the door. She rolled her eyes and immediately greeted her with a lick on her face.

"Nian Nian, I haven't seen you for a few years. You are getting more and more beautiful. It's cold outside. Come inside and sit down."

When Yang Niannian saw Niu Hecao and her son, her face immediately turned cold. She walked to Lu Shishen and didn't give Niu Hecao a good look.

Niu and Cao laughed awkwardly, "Nian Nian, are you still angry about what happened before?"

Faced with such a person, Yang Niannian no longer spoke politely and asked directly back.

"Are you happy that your man has a baby with someone else outside?"

Niu Hecao was unhappy when she heard this, as if her husband had found someone else outside. If she hadn't come to Yang Niannian for help, she would have wanted to lose her temper.

Ma Yuejie took over the conversation with an air of being a good person.

"Sister-in-law, this is indeed my family's problem. I didn't know it at the time. If I had known, I would never have let them come up with such a bad idea. When I found out, I criticized them."

Yang Niannian glanced at him and opened her mouth.

"Your mother doesn't love you anymore. Such a good thing didn't even get the chance for you as the eldest brother. If you intervene in this matter, it will be much better than others. At least you are her bloodline, and we are a family anyway."

Ma Yuejie, "..."

Seeing that Yang Niannian was being unreasonable, Niu Hecao nudged Ma Xiuzhu with their elbows, wanting her to stand up and say something for them.

Ma Xiuzhu was afraid that everyone would remember that she was involved in this matter, so she wanted to hide outside the door. How could she dare to say a word?

She stood behind Lu Guozhi and didn't dare to say a word.