Aunt Wang gave a meaningful "oh," and when giving her change, she deliberately counted the coins one by one, as if she were a stupid person who couldn't count.
As Li Jinhua stepped out of the convenience store, her face instantly darkened.
She went into the market and bought a live fish, half a chicken, and a piece of pork belly.
The heavy basket made her fingers go numb, but compared to the humiliation in her heart, this pain was nothing.
"Just wait and see..."
She stared at the fish thrashing about in the vegetable basket; the fish's mouths opened and closed as if mocking her.
"Let's see who has the last laugh."
At the entrance of the residential compound, several elderly women who were cooling off were so surprised to see Li Jinhua returning with large and small bags that they couldn't stop smiling.
"Wow, Jinhua bought so many groceries today?"
Grandma Zhang deliberately raised her voice.
Li Jinhua's face was plastered with an cloyingly sweet smile.
"Yes, Grandpa and Grandma are here, we must treat them well."
She walked quickly past, and behind her she could hear the whispers of the old ladies.
"Did the sun rise in the west today?"
"Just putting on an act..."
"I heard she got caught stealing money..."
Li Jinhua's back was taut and straight until she turned into the courtyard, at which point her shoulders slumped.
She took three deep breaths at the door before going inside.
"Grandpa, Grandma, I'm home!"
Her voice was so sweet it could drip honey.
In the living room, Grandpa Su was sitting in a wicker chair reading the newspaper, while Grandma Su was knitting a sweater beside him.
When the two elderly people saw Li Jinhua come in carrying large and small bags, they were clearly taken aback.
"Jinhua, why are you buying so much stuff?"
Grandma Su put down the yarn.
Li Jinhua placed the vegetable basket on the table and wiped away non-existent sweat.
"Knowing that it's rare for you two to come, I should cook you a good meal."
She quickly tied on her apron and peeked out from the kitchen.
"Grandpa, I bought your favorite Erguotou!"
Grandpa Su put down his newspaper and gave her a calm look.
He simply couldn't believe that the shrew who was wielding a kitchen knife yesterday had suddenly changed her nature today.
Li Jinhua pretended not to see the old man's look and started cleaning the fish while humming a little tune.
The fish was thrashing about on the cutting board. She tapped it with the back of her knife, and the fish immediately stopped moving.
She stared at the fish's white eyes, a cold smile playing on her lips.
An enticing aroma soon wafted from the kitchen.
Li Jinhua blanched the chicken and then stewed it, and also cut up some pork belly to make braised pork.
She added extra sugar on purpose.
He muttered to himself as he put it down.
"It's so sweet it'll kill you, so sweet it'll kill you."
The fish is steamed, sprinkled with shredded scallions and ginger, and drizzled with hot oil, sizzling as it goes.
When Su Mingqiang got off work and went home, he almost thought he had gone to the wrong house.
On the table were four dishes and a soup: the braised pork was glistening with oil, the steamed fish was fragrant, the stir-fried greens were vibrant green, and there was a bowl of golden chicken soup.
Li Jinhua was carrying bowls and chopsticks out of the kitchen when she saw him standing there in the doorway, and said coquettishly.
"What are you standing there for? Wash your hands and eat!"
"You...did this?"
Su Mingqiang asked, stammering.
Li Jinhua rolled her eyes at him.
"Who else could it be but me? Go and call Grandpa and Grandma for dinner."
Grandpa Su walked over with his cane and was surprised to see the table full of food.
Li Jinhua pulled out a chair with great enthusiasm.
"Grandpa, please sit here; this is the seat of honor."
She poured the old man another glass of wine.
"Knowing you enjoy a drink or two, I bought this especially for you."
Su Mingqiang felt uneasy seeing his wife's unusual behavior.
Married for five years, Li Jinhua had never cooked him a single bowl of noodles, yet today she actually prepared such a huge feast?
At the dinner table, Li Jinhua kept serving food to the two elderly people.
"Grandpa, please try this braised pork. I stewed it a little longer than usual."
"Grandma, have a bowl of chicken soup to nourish your body."
Grandma Su was flattered and repeatedly said that it was enough.
Grandpa Su sipped his wine without saying a word.
Seeing this, Li Jinhua turned to Su Mingqiang and said.
"You keep Grandpa company while I get the rice."
After finishing her meal, Li Jinhua immediately got up to clear the dishes.
Su Mingqiang tried to help, but she pushed him away.
"Go play chess with Grandpa," is a woman's saying.
Su Mingqiang walked into the living room in a daze, feeling as if everything today was a dream.
Grandpa Su had already set up the chessboard. When he saw him coming over, he lowered his voice and asked.
"What? You're not used to having a daughter-in-law like this?"
"Sir, she...she might know she was wrong."
Su Mingqiang scratched his head.
The old man snorted and said nothing more.
In the kitchen, Li Jinhua slammed the last stack of bowls into the cupboard, the porcelain bowls clattering together with a jarring sound.
She stared at her reddened fingers, a ferocious smile twisting her lips.
"You old geezer..."
She cursed under her breath through gritted teeth, her fingers unconsciously rubbing the sharp edge of the cleaver.
"Let's see how long you can be so smug."
The sound of the faucet running drowned out her whispers.
Li Jinhua turned off the water, shook the water droplets off her hands, and glanced at the thermos on the stove.
A wicked thought suddenly popped into her head, causing her to involuntarily lick her dry lips.
"grandfather!"
She walked out of the kitchen carrying a basin of water, her voice sickeningly sweet.
"I've prepared some water for you to wash your feet; soaking them will feel soothing."
In the living room, Grandpa Su was playing chess with Su Mingqiang. Hearing this, he didn't even look up, but just snorted through his nose.
"Just leave it there, I'll take care of it myself later."
Li Jinhua stood stubbornly at the old man's feet, holding the basin of steaming water.
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