As the sun sets over the western hills, the white clouds hanging beside the sun are tinged red by the afterglow, and the walls and stones around the dining table also turn orange-red.
The mother and her two children sat at the dining table.
A bowl of sweet potato porridge to cool off, a plate of stir-fried ferns with eggs, and a plate of stir-fried bamboo shoots. Zhou Chenyu admired the real-life sunset clouds, held the bowl in his palm, picked up a piece of fern coated with golden-brown egg flakes, and ate it.
Fresh bracken, stir-fried in oil, retains its original natural flavor, making it crisp and refreshing with a slightly astringent taste that is different from other vegetables. It is not greasy at all.
The bamboo shoots were the last bit left over, stir-fried with just scallions. The shoots were pale yellow and tender, covered with bright green scallions. Regardless of the taste, just looking at them made me want to eat more rice. And the taste was even better. They were crisp, tender and delicious, and the dried bamboo shoots were fresh, fragrant and juicy. They were the perfect side dish for porridge. After finishing one bowl of porridge, I would want to have another. I would never get tired of them.
Zhou Chenyu had never felt that she had such a good appetite. After drinking two bowls of porridge, her stomach was so bloated that she had to put down the bowl to control her weight. She kept eating her favorite dishes, saying, "These bamboo shoots are so delicious, and these bracken ferns are delicious too."
Seeing their hearty appetites, Li Xiuju put down her chopsticks and said, "Once the planting is finished, these bamboo shoots will be out of season. Although summer bamboo shoots are edible, they don't taste nearly as fresh and delicious as the ones from spring. If you like them, I'll go to the nearby bamboo grove in a few days to see if I can get some more."
After finishing the last mouthful of porridge, Baoyu patted his round belly and smiled contentedly, "Mother, I'll do this chore."
"Mom knows you're filial. You can keep these for yourself. I'll go."
After saying this, Li Xiuju prepared to collect the bowls and take them to wash, but Baoyu quickly stopped her.
"Mom, I'll wash up. You go take a bath. It'll get dark if we go any later."
Seeing that the sun was about to set, Li Xiuju nodded, went inside to get her clothes, prepared warm water, and headed straight for the bathhouse.
Zhou Chenyu looked at Baoyu, who was collecting the bowls, and asked, "Are you sure you don't need my help?"
Zhou Baoyu shook his head, picked up the bowl and put it into the basin, "Sister, this is no big deal, I can handle it myself."
She stood next to him, waving her hands, "You're a boy, how can a man go into the kitchen to cook and wash dishes? Aren't you afraid people will laugh at you if word gets out?"
“Who…who said that?” Baoyu frowned.
Zhou Chenyu stared at him, "Those people who treat their sons like treasures and their daughters like weeds."
Zhou Baoyu's mind suddenly clicked, and he asked blankly, "Sister, are you talking about Uncle's house?"
Um?
Uncle's house?
Zhou Chenyu was just making things up to brainwash him; did he really just stumble upon a lucky coincidence?
"Oh dear, you've already finished eating and washed the dishes? I'm so sorry I came at the wrong time. I was thinking of bringing you some steamed buns to eat while they're hot, but now I'll have to wait until tomorrow."
A middle-aged woman of medium to short stature and plump figure called from outside the door. Zhou Chenyu looked at her face and saw that she was not smiling in the flesh, but her eyes were full of shrewd calculation. It was not that she was superstitious, but there was a reason why one's appearance reflects one's heart.
This feeling was very similar to her first instinct when she met that disgusting leader, and subsequent experiences indeed confirmed this intuition.
However, the pretty young girl carrying a bamboo basket following behind the woman was alright; she looked overly demure, even somewhat timid.
Zhou Baoyu put down his bowl, stood up, and reluctantly called out, "Auntie, Sister Ruyi, what brings you here?"
Aunt?
The wife of the uncle who swindled Li Xiuju out of a sum of money.
Zhou Chenyu watched as the middle-aged woman swaggered into the courtyard, looking around as if she were entering her own home. Sure enough, her intuition was right; birds of a feather flock together.
Chen Cuiping ignored the silent Zhou Chenyu and looked at Baoyu, "Where is your mother? Where did my sister-in-law go?"
Just as Baoyu was about to answer, Li Xiuju came out with a change of clothes. Seeing Chen Cuiping standing there, she forced a smile and said, "I just finished taking a bath. It's getting dark. What are you doing here?"
"Sister-in-law, I'm here to bring you some things, aren't I?" Chen Cuiping waved enthusiastically to the girl behind her. "Wanqiu, give the steamed buns you brought to your aunt."
Sending steamed buns?
They previously colluded with outsiders to seize money and land, but now they're offering to give them money and benefits.
Unsolicited kindness is either a sign of malice or theft.
Zhou Chenyu scratched her cheek and covered her upturned smile. She wanted to see what kind of tricks this old ginger could come up with.
Zhou Wanqiu hesitated for a moment, then stepped forward with the basket, saying, "Auntie, these are freshly baked buns, they're still warm."
Li Xiuju felt a tightness in her chest when she thought about her husband, but looking at the innocent children, she couldn't be cold. She quickly glanced at them and handed them back, saying, "Cuiping, there are so many people in your family, I can't accept your buns. You can keep them for the children."
"Sister-in-law, what are you saying?" Chen Cuiping stepped forward affectionately and forcefully stuffed the money into her hand. "Good sister-in-law, just accept it. We're family, no need for formalities. My brother spent so much of the family's money in recent years, where would you have any money left?"
Li Xiuju turned her face away, her tone turning colder, "These days, even without money, we can survive by digging up wild vegetables and fruits. You don't need to worry about it."
Chen Cuiping scoffed, "These two children are at the age where they are growing. Look at Baoyu, he's as thin as a monkey. Don't you think about yourself or the children? We old folks can tolerate going hungry for a few meals, but the children can't stand it."
"Auntie, I'm fine. I've been eating well these past few days, and I have plenty of energy." Zhou Baoyu walked to his mother's side to reassure her.
Looking at Baoyu's feigned satisfied smile, Li Xiuju's emotions, which had only recently calmed down, surged up again.
She bit her lip tightly, her eyes welling up with tears.
Seeing this, Chen Cuiping stepped forward and said, "Sister-in-law, look how considerate the child is to you, please accept it."
"Steamed buns! These are such nice things, Grandma, please accept them." Zhou Chenyu walked over with a smile and took the basket of vegetables. "Thank you for your kindness, Auntie. I'll accept these steamed buns."
This was exactly what Chen Cuiping wanted, and she clapped her hands and cheered, "That's right!"
Li Xiuju clenched her fists, and even Baoyu's eyes widened, because they both knew that if you eat someone's food, you are bound to give up more.
They had seen through the couple's tricks before.
Zhou Baoyu walked to Zhou Chenyu's side, his face full of anxiety, "Sister, we can't accept this."
"Do I need you to remind me?" Zhou Chenyu handed the vegetable basket to Baoyu. Baoyu felt a sense of déjà vu as he listened to his sister's confident tone.
Isn't this the same tactic used against Qian Rushan that day?
I see.
He curled his smirk arrogantly, waiting to see the show.
Zhou Chenyu smiled and turned around, walking up to Chen Cuiping and flattering her, saying, "Although you are my elder and we are family, as the old saying goes, even brothers have to keep clear accounts. Since we have taken your things, we will do whatever you ask us to do from now on, Auntie, without hesitation."
"Really?" Chen Cuiping's eyes narrowed into slits with a smile. She had just been annoyed that Zhou Chenyu didn't greet people, but now she was overjoyed. "Sister-in-law, Chenyu is such a sensible and good child. You've taught her so well. If our Wanqiu were like your Chenyu, that would be so wonderful."
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