Chapter 117
Chen Hongxia rubbed the corner of her clothes with an awkward and uneasy smile on her face, and looked at Mu Qingxuan with eyes full of uneasiness.
She hesitated for a long time, then took out an object carefully wrapped in blue cloth from her pocket.
As they unfolded the pages layer by layer, a passbook with frayed corners was revealed. It was obvious that it had been carefully preserved for a long time.
"Qingxuan girl, I came here today just to give you this."
Chen Hongxia's voice trembled a little. She handed the passbook to Mu Qingxuan with both hands. Her rough fingers were still stained with oil stains from cooking.
Mu Qingxuan was stunned, her eyes fell on the passbook, and then looked at Chen Hongxia in confusion: "Aunt Chen, what does this mean?"
Chen Hongxia pursed her dry lips and sighed, her eyes full of guilt: "Before you got married, you gave me money to help take care of grandma. But to be honest, I didn't go there many times."
"Every time I go there, your grandmother treats me like a guest and never lets me do anything. I feel guilty holding this money, so after thinking it over, I think it would be better to return it to you."
She paused, looked at Yao Jinglan, and said with helplessness and admiration: "We are neighbors. Even if you don't give me money, it is my responsibility to take care of grandma."
"But your grandmother has such a strong temper. I went to cook her a meal the day before, and she had to get up early the next day to go to the market. She insisted on cutting a pound of meat for me, saying that she couldn't owe me a favor."
Chen Hongxia's thoughts drifted away, and she continued, "The last time I followed Director Huo's people to the capital to look for you, I originally wanted to return the money. But when I heard that something might have happened to you, I was so anxious that I didn't care about anything else. Only halfway through the journey did I remember that I didn't bring the money."
"During this period of time, this matter has been like a big rock, weighing on my heart. Fortunately, you came back this time, otherwise I really don't know how to return the money to you."
As Mu Qingxuan listened, her eyes gradually turned red.
She did not take the passbook, but reached out and held Chen Hongxia's rough hand: "Aunt Chen, don't say that. Even if you don't go there often, as long as you go, I feel at ease."
"Besides, I know my grandma's temper best. She doesn't like to trouble others. I am already very grateful that you can take care of her. Take this money and consider it my filial piety to you."
Chen Hongxia hurriedly shook her head and tried to pull her hand back: "No way! I can't take your money!"
As the two were pushing and shoving each other, Yao Jinglan came over and gently patted Chen Hongxia on the shoulder.
"Hongxia, listen to Xiaoxuan. If you don't accept it, it will seem strange."
Chen Hongxia has not been able to have children for many years since her son died.
The villagers' mindsets are not civilized to begin with, and they regard having a son as the most important event.
Now, in the eyes of the villagers, Chen Hongxia’s husband’s family has no descendants.
Although her son's death was an accident, her mother-in-law and father-in-law blamed her for everything.
Chen Hongxia's husband is a silent farmer. Even if he wants to protect his wife, he dare not disobey his own mother.
Otherwise he would be scolded by everyone.
Therefore, Chen Hongxia's life was also very difficult.
Yao Jinglan has always been unwilling to accept Chen Hongxia's kindness, partly because she is unwilling to admit that she is getting old.
On the other hand, I just don’t want to make Chen Hongxia’s already unhappy life any worse.
It is not easy for her to serve her parents-in-law alone and deal with their difficulties.
Mu Qingxuan also spoke at the right time: "Aunt Chen, this money is not much, just take it."
"Just think of it as my reward for your last trip all the way to the capital to help."
Mu Qingxuan tried to impress Chen Hongxia in this way and make her feel at ease taking the money.
Chen Hongxia's eyes became moist as she looked at the sincere expressions of the grandparents and grandchildren.
Finally, with red eyes, she carefully rewrapped the passbook and put it in her pocket, muttering, "Then...then I'll take it first. When Qingxuan gives birth to a child, I'll give it back in a big red envelope..."
Seeing Chen Hongxia finally put the passbook back into her pocket, Mu Qingxuan's eyebrows curved, revealing two shallow dimples: "That's right! By the way, Aunt Chen, do you want to stay and have lunch together? I'll be the chef today, so you can taste my cooking skills!"
She rolled up her sleeves excitedly, looking eager to try.
Before Chen Hongxia could speak, Yao Jinglan tapped Mu Qingxuan on the forehead and glared at her in pretend anger.
"You little girl, you're so pregnant and still messing around! What are you doing holding the spoon? Just sit still!"
Her other wrinkled hand gently stroked Mu Qingxuan's slightly bulging belly, her eyes full of worry and love.
Then, Yao Jinglan turned to Chen Hongxia with a bit of pride in her eyes: "I heard that your parents-in-law are not at home today, bring your man to our house for dinner!"
"It's a good opportunity for you to try my cooking skills. Even though I'm an old woman with half my body buried in the ground, there are some dishes that only I can cook. You young people can't control the heat and seasonings properly, so you can't make the same taste!"
As she spoke, she grabbed Chen Hongxia's hand, not giving Chen Hongxia any chance to refuse.
Mu Qingxuan also chimed in, pulling Chen Hongxia's other hand and dragging her into the house: "Aunt Chen, please don't be polite! The braised pork and preserved vegetable pork made by grandma are so delicious, I'm sure you will like them!"
Chen Hongxia was dragged into the house by the grandparents, with a helpless yet happy smile on her face: "Okay, okay, thank you Aunt Yao, thank you Qingxuan girl!"
As soon as she entered the house, Yao Jinglan rolled up her sleeves in a hurry and rushed to the kitchen.
Chen Hongxia naturally wouldn't be idle either, so she quickly followed to help: "Aunt Yao, I'll help you pick the vegetables!"
The two of them started busying themselves in the kitchen.
Mu Qingxuan was about to go into the kitchen to help, but was stopped by Yao Jinglan and Chen Hongxia at the same time.
The two looked at each other and said in unison: "Go to the main room and rest!"
Yao Jinglan even yelled at the top of her voice: "Huo Changfeng, take your wife away and don't let her cause any more trouble here!"
Huo Changfeng stood aside, watching this warm and lively scene, the corners of his mouth unconsciously raised.
He walked forward, gently held Mu Qingxuan's shoulders, and said with a smile: "Let's go, the two chefs have spoken, let's not make trouble."
Mu Qingxuan looked towards the kitchen unwillingly, muttering, "I just want to help..."
But he still followed Huo Changfeng obediently to the main room and sat down at the eight-immortals table.
In the main room, sunlight shines in through the window, illuminating the quaint furniture.
Huo Changfeng considerately poured Mu Qingxuan a cup of warm water and moved a cushion to place behind her.
"No one has lived here for a few days. I'll sweep the floor first. Xuanxuan, do you want to listen to the radio?"
Huo Changfeng saw an old-fashioned radio on the table, which he probably listened to regularly.
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