The air was filled with the rich aroma of meat. Xu Keke sat in front of the stove, her gaze shifting from the bubbling broth to Da Cui.
Da Cui's young face showed a hint of excitement. As Xu Keke fell silent, she gradually calmed down and became somewhat at a loss.
"There are some women in the alley who love to gather together when they have nothing to do, gossiping about other people's affairs. In our village, we call it 'gossiping.' They especially love to talk about women, particularly pretty women. Do you know why?"
Da Cui shook her head blankly.
"Because of jealousy, this person is prettier than them, and beauty is such an obvious thing. They can see it clearly without it being spread. How can they allow someone to be so obviously better than them? They want to prove that she is good for nothing except being pretty. They talk at length about how bad and despicable this person is, just to create a sense of superiority in their own minds. I am not as beautiful as her, but I am cleaner than her. In fact, the hearts of these gossipy women are sometimes the dirtiest."
Xu Keke's serious expression startled Da Cui. "Mom, what's wrong? Are you angry?"
“Da Cui, the day before yesterday you came back and told me that the girl next door named Yingzi said you were from the village and wouldn’t let those kids play with you. You were unhappy, so what did I say when you came back?”
Da Cui blinked. "Mother said, 'Look at a person's heart, not anything else.' She said that because she didn't understand anything. Truly cultured, well-mannered, and kind-hearted people wouldn't act like that, like Mr. Cao and A Qiu."
Xu Keke held her hands. Youth is truly wonderful; in just a few days, her thin arms have already gained some flesh.
Although Xu Keke didn't laugh, her expression softened considerably. "Think carefully about how Mr. Cao and A Qiu treat people. Don't try to emulate those shady characters. Some things are beyond our control. Like being born in the countryside. Is that something you can choose? Besides, is it wrong for you to be born in the countryside? Are people right to criticize you for it?"
Since coming to the city, well, actually, her mother has rarely been angry with her. Today's sudden outburst left Da Cui somewhat bewildered and a little aggrieved.
She didn't really understand why her mother was suddenly so angry. This wasn't a small matter. However, her mother was right; Mr. Cao and his Aunt Qiu had always treated Miss Feng with great courtesy. The way they looked at Miss Feng was completely different from the way her classmate looked at her today.
"Also, in the future, when others say something to you, you should think about whether what they say is right or wrong. I have told you and Yuanbao many times that once you enter the city, you will come into contact with more and more people. You should learn from the people around you who you admire, like Mr. Cao, and learn how he does things and how he treats people."
Xu Keke knew that sometimes what you say and what others hear are not the same thing. So Xu Keke set an example for Da Cui. She hoped that by constantly learning from the strengths of others, Da Cui would establish her own values and ways of dealing with people. In this way, she wouldn't be easily swayed onto the wrong path like she had in her previous life.
"Go and get three small bowls, and bring the large soup bowl over. I'll take one bowl to Mr. Cao and the others."
Da Cui agreed, took a soup bowl from the cupboard, and placed it on the table. Xu Keke first ladled a small bowl for her, "Try it to see if it's salty enough? Do you need to add more salt? I prefer it salty, so I always feel it's bland."
Da Cui took the bowl; there was still a small piece of mutton inside. "Mom, you eat!"
Da Cui pushed the bowl in front of her.
Xu Keke laughed, "This whole pot is just for you to taste. I was worried it might be too bland, but it's okay if it's a little bland, just have A Qiu add more salt."
As she spoke, Xu Keke seemed to suddenly realize something and stopped waiting for her. She directly took the large soup bowl and ladled out a full bowl of soup and meat from the casserole.
Da Cui knew in her heart that her mother was deliberately letting her eat first. Back in their hometown, when her grandmother was alive, Yuanbao always got to have such good food.
"Mom, this soup is so delicious." Da Cui finished her drink, pursed her lips with a hint of lingering satisfaction, and put the bowl back on the table.
"If it tastes good, then we'll eat in a bit. I put a lot of mutton in it today. I don't know how to cook city food, so I'll just make a soup or something, which will save me some trouble."
Xu Keke placed a thick towel over the large soup bowl, turned her body to the side to avoid Da Cui's outstretched hand, and said, "Don't move. Go and call Yuanbao to come home for dinner. I'll take it to Mr. Cao."
The two came out of the house together, and Da Cui went straight outside. Xu Keke carried a large soup bowl into Mr. Cao's room.
Unexpectedly, besides Mr. Cao, there was another person sitting on the sofa.
"Excuse me, I didn't expect you to have a guest." Xu Keke had something in her hand and hadn't knocked. She called out to A Qiu from outside the door, but no one answered, so she pushed the door open and came in.
"It's nothing, Qiu went shopping. Here, what are you stewing this time? It smells delicious. We're in for a treat today." Mr. Cao's words were no different from before, but his tone was somewhat somber, lacking his usual cheerfulness.
Is it related to the visitor? After setting down the soup bowl, Xu Keke looked up at the man sitting on the sofa as she stood up.
The man was wearing the most common gray long gown. His complexion was sallow, and his appearance was ordinary. He was the kind of person you could easily lose in a crowd. He had really nothing special about him. If there was anything different about him, it was that he seemed to be quite tall. He sat on the sofa, his two legs curled up, giving the impression that he didn't know where to put them.
“This is my wife’s nephew from her family. He came to the city on business and happened to come and see me.”
That day, Mr. Cao gave Da Cui and Yuan Bao each a small painting, telling them to choose from the cabinet in the inner room. He followed them in. On the wall hung a photograph of Mrs. Cao in her youth; her features were exquisite, with almond-shaped eyes and peach-blossom cheeks—she was undoubtedly a beauty. She was far superior to the person in front of him; he probably wasn't a proper relative.
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