When Wu Lian came over with her big, fat son, Xuemei was peeling an egg. When she saw Wu Lian coming, she swallowed the remaining half of the egg in one gulp.
Wu Lian has lost a lot of weight recently, now weighing only about 100 pounds, probably because of the exhaustion of taking care of her son. Wu Lian's son is already five months old, but now he weighs more than 20 pounds. Zhang Aiping said that Wu Lian treasures her son so much that she has to hold him in her own arms when she goes to pick him up.
As expected, Wu Lian came to find Xuemei. Xuemei lowered her head and chewed the egg and swallowed it. When she was about to drink some water, she saw Wu Lian standing in front of the counter holding her son.
Xuemei took a sip of water before asking, "Comrade Wu, what do you want to buy?"
"I'm not shopping today. Xuemei, I heard that you went to Beijing to visit relatives. How is your mother-in-law? Alas, I know not everyone can marry as well as me. How is your mother-in-law?" Wu Lian said with a gloating look on her face.
Xuemei looked at Wu Lian's shameless look and said nonsense, "My mother-in-law is very good. She has a job and is well-educated. I have lived in Beijing for so many days and have never done anything. I even got a big red envelope. As for how much it was, I won't go into details.
Before leaving, she held my hand and told me that if Han Chen did anything wrong in the future, I could just tell her and she would write to teach him a lesson. She also said that in the future, my husband and I wouldn't have to send anything home, we just had to take care of our own lives and write to her if we needed anything!
Xuemei thought, isn't that just showing off? Who wouldn't? Xuemei knew Wu Lian wouldn't spread the news, because she couldn't stand others doing better than her. She would only speak louder when others were unhappy, but would keep silent when others were happy.
And Zhang Aiping was the only one around, so she wouldn't go out and say anything.
Wu Lian saw Xuemei, not at all guilty, speaking in the same manner as usual. She had no doubts, believing her words. Jealousy flickered in her eyes, and she grew increasingly resentful of her own mother-in-law. She was the housewife, and was she so proud of having a job? She didn't even help when the oil bottle fell over, and she was so stingy. The money and tickets she gave her every month were barely enough for the family to eat and drink. She wondered how she would treat her when she got old.
Wu Lian forced a smile and changed the subject, "I heard from my He Ping that you brought back silk scarves for your colleagues. They're so pretty. I want one too!"
Last night, He Daming brought home a box of snacks. Wu Lian heard that Xuemei had given them to him. Before going to bed, He Ping told her that Xuemei had also brought back some beautiful silk scarves for her colleagues. The colors were so bright and the texture was so smooth.
Wu Lian also wanted one, and now she asked Xuemei for it, hoping that Xuemei would be considerate enough to give her one instead of paying for it. Her father-in-law He Daming was the deputy director of the supply and marketing cooperative.
"What a coincidence, Comrade Wu. I only helped bring back five. My colleagues agreed with me on this before the New Year. I didn't bring any more! Your Comrade He also knows about it." Xuemei said with a smile.
Xuemei would not sell any extra goods to Wu Lian, for she was afraid that Wu Lian would retaliate and report her for speculation.
Wu Lian said unhappily, "It's not like I don't want to pay you. Giving me one is just a piece of cake for you!"
Xuemei explained, "It's not about the money. I only brought this much to help. I don't have any myself. I'm not lying, Comrade Wu!"
Seeing Wu Lian's insistent expression, Zhang Aiping also walked over and said, "Mrs. He, Xuemei was bought based on the number of people who had contacted her. She's really sold out. Those colleagues who didn't get any yesterday are no longer available even if they want to buy!"
Wu Lian still looked unconvinced, thinking that Xuemei and Zhang Aiping were colluding to cheat her, and kept telling Xuemei that she would pay.
When Xuemei met such a scoundrel, she was like a scholar meeting a soldier, and she couldn't explain herself clearly.
Just when Xuemei couldn't help rolling her eyes, the child in Wu Lian's arms started crying, and a few people came behind Wu Lian to buy things.
Xuemei quickly said, "Comrade Wu, your son is hungry. Can you please go back and feed him? Also, could you please move aside? There are comrades behind us here buying things."
Wu Lian looked at her son who was crying loudly and had no choice but to leave.
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