"Not bad, it looks simple and clean, perfect for returning the salt."
Xiaomei pursed her lips, picked up a small box of face cream from the dressing table, and gently applied a little to her wrists and behind her ears.
A delicate jasmine fragrance immediately filled the air.
"Don't apply too much."
Grandma Zhou reminded her.
"If it smells too good, it'll seem contrived."
Xiaomei put down the face cream and checked it again in the mirror.
She deliberately didn't wear lipstick, but gently bit her lips with her teeth to make them look naturally rosy.
Finally, she unbuttoned the top button, opening the neckline wider to reveal more of her fair skin.
"Okay, I'm going."
Xiaomei picked up the small cloth bag that had been prepared on the table; it contained the salt she had borrowed yesterday.
Grandma Zhou grabbed her wrist and whispered some instructions.
"Remember, be natural. Start by talking to the old lady at the house, then wait for the boy to come out."
Xiaomei impatiently shook off her mother-in-law's hand.
"Okay, it's not like it's the first time."
Pushing open the courtyard gate, the morning air carried a slight chill.
Xiaomei took a deep breath, adjusted her expression, and made herself look both gentle and a little shy.
She walked slowly toward the gate of the Su family's house next door, her heart beating faster than usual.
The gate to the Su family's courtyard was tightly closed. Xiaomei raised her hand and knocked three times gently, then took a step back, folded her hands in front of her, and adopted a docile and waiting posture.
Footsteps could be heard coming from inside the courtyard, growing louder as they approached.
Xiaomei immediately straightened her back and a perfectly timed smile appeared on her lips.
The door creaked open, and Wang Xiulan's face appeared in the crack.
She was wearing a casual gray cloth jacket, and her hair was casually tied up.
Who is it?
Wang Xiulan asked casually.
Xiaomei lowered her head slightly and spoke softly.
"Good morning, Auntie. I'm Xiaomei, the new neighbor next door. I borrowed some salt from you yesterday and came to return it."
Wang Xiulan then fully opened the door and looked the young woman up and down.
The sunlight shone on Xiaomei, outlining her slender figure.
Wang Xiulan's gaze lingered for a moment on Xiaomei's slightly open neckline, and her brows furrowed involuntarily.
She suddenly remembered how her third son had rushed out the door yesterday, clutching the salt jar in a great hurry.
Wang Xiulan frowned, looking at Xiaomei, a very beautiful widow.
Deep down, Wang Xiulan disliked her son associating with such people.
"Oh, it's for salt."
Wang Xiulan's voice turned somewhat cold.
"Just leave it there."
She pointed to a small stone stool next to the door, clearly indicating that she did not intend to let Xiaomei in.
Xiaomei's smile froze for a moment, but she quickly recovered.
She took a step forward, placed the salt bag on the stone bench, and deliberately slowed her movements, as if waiting for something.
"Auntie, we really owe you so much for your salt yesterday, otherwise we wouldn't have been able to cook dinner."
Xiaomei's voice was sickeningly sweet.
"Your family is so kind; my mother-in-law said she must thank you properly."
Wang Xiulan's brows furrowed even more.
Although she has a good personality, she grew up in the countryside and has seen all sorts of monsters and demons in her life.
The young widow in front of me had her eyes darting around like a spinning top; she clearly had ill intentions.
"Helping each other out among neighbors is no big deal."
Wang Xiulan was about to close the door when she spoke.
"If there's nothing else..."
Just then, a series of hurried footsteps came from inside the courtyard.
"Mom, who's here?"
Su Mingfu's voice grew closer as he approached, filled with undisguised anticipation.
Wang Xiulan turned around and glared at her son who was rushing over, her heart skipped a beat.
Su Mingfu had his hair slicked back and was wearing a white shirt that he only wore during the New Year. Even his cloth shoes were spotless.
Xiaomei's eyes immediately lit up, and her smile deepened.
She turned slightly to let the sunlight shine on her better, and casually brushed a stray hair behind her ear.
"It's Xiaomei from next door returning the salt."
Before his mother could answer, Su Mingfu squeezed to the front of the door, his face beaming with smiles.
"Good morning, Sister Xiaomei!"
Wang Xiulan's face instantly turned ashen.
She knew her son too well; his obsequious manner clearly showed that he had been bewitched by this vixen!
Xiaomei lowered her head slightly, revealing a shy smile.
"Comrade Mingfu, thank you so much for yesterday. I don't know what I would have done without your help."
"Oh, not at all, we're all neighbors!"
Su Mingfu's voice was eight octaves higher than usual, and his eyes were fixed on Xiaomei's face, completely unaware of his mother's increasingly unpleasant expression.
Wang Xiulan cleared her throat, trying to interrupt this conversation that she found offensive.
"The salt has been returned, Mingfu. Your father will be back soon. Go sweep the yard."
Su Mingfu acted as if he hadn't heard her and continued to speak enthusiastically to Xiaomei.
"Sister Xiaomei, you've just moved in, so please don't hesitate to ask if you need any help!"
Xiaomei's eyes darted around, and she suddenly sighed.
"Actually...it's quite a problem. There are some large pieces of furniture in the house that my mother-in-law and I, two women, simply can't move..."
"I'll help!"
Su Mingfu immediately chimed in, his voice full of eagerness.
"I'm very strong!"
Wang Xiulan could no longer hold back and grabbed her son's arm.
"Mingfu! Your father told you to stay home and wait; you're not allowed to go anywhere!"
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