Old Mrs. Shen didn't know that Niu had taken the meat, and she joined in cursing the person who stole the pork. Seeing that they were even cursing their ancestors for eighteen generations, Niu couldn't stand it anymore and started dragging Chen Xiuhua into it:
"Grandma, are you just going to watch your daughter-in-law make baseless accusations and slanders?"
The three people in the kitchen had been busy the whole time, but they were actually listening intently to what was happening in the yard. When Chen Xiuhua heard Niu Shi call her directly, she put down her busy hands, took off her apron, and came out to say:
“I don’t think my daughter-in-law is wrong. She’s just a bit loud, but she would never lie. Besides, I understand what she’s saying. She’s talking about a dog that steals meat. Why are you so anxious, auntie?”
Li Taohua said, "Yes, that's what I heard her aunt say too. She didn't mention you at all. Did you overreact by agreeing?"
The two women, working together, infuriated Mrs. Niu, who shouted angrily, "I took that meat! Don't you think she's talking about me?"
Wang Meili replied perfunctorily without any sincerity, "Oh dear, I'm so sorry. You know, Auntie, you took things without saying a word. If you want to eat meat, just come and eat. Why did you sneakily take it home? We're all relatives. It's so embarrassing to be misunderstood."
This shameful thing made Old Mrs. Shen lose face. It's not like there's no meat at home. Her second son even brought some yesterday. Why couldn't he control himself and try to take advantage of her? And now that people have seen it, she felt embarrassed seeing the people around her gossiping.
He glared at Niu Shi fiercely, and Niu Shi shrank back in fear, knowing that she would be scolded again when she got back.
She acted on impulse at the time. She was very envious of all the meat on the cutting board. Although her second son brought back a lot of meat, the old woman kept it all tightly wrapped around her arm.
She wanted to get some money to help her parents' family, so she took a piece of paper when no one was looking. When she got home, she gave it to her parents, who praised her. She was very happy and thought that Li Taohua and Meizi wouldn't tell on her.
Chen Xiuhua stepped forward and pulled Old Lady Shen aside, saying, "Mother-in-law, the kitchen is almost done. Come on, I'll take you to see Xiaobao. Meili, bring back that bracelet. I'll put it on Xiaobao myself. We can't go to see Xiaobao empty-handed today."
Wang Meili knew exactly what her mother-in-law was planning as soon as she heard it, so she quickly took out the bracelet and handed it to Chen Xiuhua: "Here, Mom, I'll put this remaining longevity lock on him. We'll have Xiaobao wear the things his maternal grandma and aunt bought later, and show them off in front of everyone."
Old Mrs. Shen's heart was bleeding. The two women, mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, were deliberately speaking loudly, clearly trying to get her to take out some things as well.
Grandma Shen looked at the people around her, some whispering and others watching the spectacle, all with sarcastic expressions. Oh well, she could always make up for the money from her second son later.
Having made up his mind, he pretended to have just remembered: "Oh dear, I'm getting old and forgetful. I remember giving it to Er Ya's mother yesterday. Er Ya reminded me, and I realized it's still in my pocket. Here, this five yuan is for Er Ya's mother to buy some things for Xiao Bao. We're getting old, and our vision isn't what it used to be. After thinking it over, I think giving money is the most practical thing to do."
Wang Meili pursed her lips, how dare she take it out? It's only five yuan, isn't she ashamed? What she didn't know was that she had just tricked her second brother out of that five yuan.
It's better than nothing; at least it made that old hag feel a pang of heartache, and she affectionately pulled Old Lady Shen into the house.
Er Ya secretly chuckled to herself. Her maternal grandmother and aunt were truly shrewd. This time, they had lost both their money and their dignity, obediently returning the money they had swindled from them and losing face in the village. They had killed two birds with one stone.
A familiar voice rang out; it was Qian Lu, carrying quite a few things. As soon as he entered the courtyard, he called out to Er Ya:
"Er Ya, I'm here! Look what good things I've brought!"
Er Ya greeted him, "What is it? Come on in and sit down."
Qian Lu put down what he was holding and called over Xiao Wang, who was following behind, to signal him to put the things in the car down, which filled the table again.
"How come Er Ya's family knows so many influential relatives?"
"That's right. It would be great if my family had even one wealthy relative like that."
"They're doing well, so we can only watch with envy. Didn't you see how jealous the village chief is?"
Qian Luxing excitedly introduced the things he had brought to Er Ya: various nourishing supplements, fabrics, baby bottles, children's clothes, and all sorts of toys.
"Look, this rattle drum sounds so nice when you shake it, and this toy car, your little brother will definitely like it."
Er Ya looked at the toy in front of her speechlessly: "Brother Lu, he's only a month old, are you sure he'll be able to handle this toy car?"
Qian Lu said embarrassedly, "Then let him keep it and play with it when he grows up."
He paused for a moment, then continued, "These tonics were brought by my mother. She said they are all good medicinal herbs, and that your mother should drink some every morning and evening, as childbirth is very taxing on the body."
Er Ya looked at Qian Lu in surprise: "Your mother? How does your mother know me, and why did she ask you to bring things?"
"It was just last time, on your birthday. I thought what you said made a lot of sense. I've been a bit rude to my mother lately, so after listening to you, I went back and spoke to her seriously..."
Er Ya answered first: "You apologized to her? And you've truly repented and decided to change all your bad habits?"
"How could that be? How could I, a grown man, do such a thing? I went home and gave her a good shoulder and leg massage to thank her for not kicking such a scoundrel like me out of the house. I also told her that it was indeed a bit hard for her to support me."
Er Ya asked in confusion, "That's not right. Why would your mother want to give my mother something? You didn't mention me in this."
"Listen to me again, what's the rush? As soon as my mother heard what I had to say, she immediately decided to go out and find a Taoist priest to see if I was possessed."
She's become very superstitious about these things lately, and even wanted to get me a talisman to carry with me. I just told her that I understood those things from what you said, and she thinks you're a good kid.
His mother was indeed very moved. Her usually unruly child had suddenly become sensible, which made her very excited.
To be continued!
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