The next day, Granny Liu got up early and started preparing. She had invited quite a few people over for dinner, so she had to make preparations early.
When Bai Tingmei arrived, she made a point of checking on Xuemei and asked in a low voice, "Sister-in-law, Xuemei hasn't gotten up yet? Why are you all busy here while the younger ones are still sleeping in? If you ask me, you're just too kind, sister-in-law. How can a mother-in-law be busy while her daughter-in-law sleeps in..."
Seeing that her second sister-in-law was losing patience with her incessant chatter, Sun Honghua pulled her aside and whispered, "Second sister-in-law, please stop talking. Your eldest sister-in-law isn't that wicked mother-in-law."
Upon hearing this, Bai Tingmei sensed something was amiss and turned to look at Sun Honghua suspiciously, asking, "Are you implying something about me? Are you saying I'm a wicked mother-in-law?"
"I didn't say that, you're overthinking it." Sun Honghua couldn't understand why her second sister-in-law was so nosy about something her eldest sister-in-law didn't care about, making herself unpopular for no reason.
Xu Hongshan was overjoyed today. He went from table to table toasting with a wine glass in hand, his eyes crinkling with laughter as he listened to the flattery.
"Look at Old Man Xu, what a lucky life! His son built him a new house, gives him money to spend, and now he's taking him to work in the city. I wish I had that kind of life," someone nearby said enviously.
"Yes, the Xu family used to be just so-so, not even as good as mine. Look at them now, they've really risen up."
But some people who were not convinced muttered: "Old Xu is already fifty years old and still has to go to work. If you ask me, if we really care about him, we should let him rest. Look at Granny Liu, she is still taking care of her son's child."
"Hey, that's not a nice thing to say. Which of us grandchildren here wasn't raised by our grandparents? At least they paid for it. Some people give money and effort but don't even get any thanks! Besides, Old Man Xu just can't stay idle and insists on going to work. What does that have to do with his kids? I think you're just jealous of them."
"Ha, I'm jealous? What am I jealous of? You're funny..."
"Alright, alright, we're here to eat, not to argue. You guys are really something..."
Xu Yanhong and Chu Xiaoxiao had no time to notice what was happening here; they were currently surrounded by several middle-aged women chatting.
"Hey, you're Minghe's wife, Xu Yanhong, right? I heard you're a teacher. That's great! You can teach your own children from now on."
"Right, Yanhong, do you have some free time? Could you help my grandson with his homework? This old woman can't understand it, and he doesn't know how to do it..."
Xu Yanhong didn't know how to refuse for a moment, so she could only look awkwardly at Chu Xiaoxiao beside her, hoping that she could help her out.
Chu Xiaoxiao received her distress signal and smiled at her aunt who was speaking, "Auntie, what grade is your grandson in? Where does he go to school? My fourth sister-in-law teaches first grade, and she's afraid she won't be able to teach him well if he goes deeper."
"Ah," the auntie who spoke was taken aback, "There's such a saying? But my grandson is already in fifth grade, so she can't teach him. I don't want her to corrupt the child."
Xu Yanhong quickly chimed in, "Yes, yes, I'm in fifth grade now, so I probably can't teach you. I'm really sorry."
The aunt rolled her eyes and looked at Chu Xiaoxiao again, asking, "So, Mingjiang's wife, what do you do? Or do you just stay at home?"
"Oh, my cousin and I run a shop selling pants, just barely making ends meet," Chu Xiaoxiao said modestly.
"I knew it! Your whole family is capable. Auntie has something to tell you. I have a daughter..."
"Xiaoxiao, Yanhong, you're here! I was wondering why I couldn't find you anywhere. Come here, Mom needs to talk to you." Before she could finish speaking, Zhang Xuemei interrupted her as she walked over.
"Have you all finished eating, ladies? My mom needs to talk to these two, so we'll be going now!" With that, she led the two women into the house.
Xu Yanhong jogged up to catch up and asked in a low voice, "Third Sister-in-law, what does Mom want to see us about?"
"It wasn't Mom looking for you. I saw those aunties talking to you and I was worried you'd feel uncomfortable, so I made up an excuse to call you away." Zhang Xuemei smiled and led the two girls upstairs.
Xu Yanhong nodded quickly, "Yes, that auntie just asked me to tutor her grandson. I didn't know how to refuse, and Xiaoxiao had to speak up for me."
Chu Xiaoxiao covered her mouth and laughed, "Fourth Sister-in-law is just too thin-skinned. If you ask me, she could just make up an excuse to refuse."
"That's because I'm afraid of offending people. They're all villagers, and I'm also afraid it will make my parents look bad," Xu Yanhong said softly.
Zhang Xuemei glanced at her two sister-in-laws; their personalities were truly worlds apart. "Then you two can rest upstairs. I'll go downstairs first."
"Third Sister-in-law, come and call us when it's time to clear the dishes."
"Okay, you guys lie down for a bit!"
The Xu family's housewarming party was a great success, and both the host and guests were very happy. Of course, the happiest person was Old Man Xu, who was now fast asleep in bed after drinking too much!
"Look at your dad, he's drunk and smells terrible. He just lies on the bed like that, what a waste of my new sheets." Granny Liu muttered to herself as she washed the dishes and looked into the inner room.
Xu Yanhong smiled and said, "Mom, Dad is happy too. You don't need to wash. Let me and Xiaoxiao do it. You've been busy all morning. You should go back to your room and rest."
Granny Liu was really too tired to stand up, so she stood up and rubbed her back, saying, "I don't want to go back inside, it smells terrible."
Zhang Xuemei thought for a moment and then went to the living room to bring over a recliner. "Mom, you can lie down here and talk to us."
Bai Tingmei looked on with envy, "Look, sister-in-law, you've taught them so well. All these daughters-in-law are so filial. Unlike my two daughters-in-law, they're really not as good."
Sun Honghua looked at her second sister-in-law speechlessly. She had said both good and bad things. She was stirring up trouble in the morning, and now she was praising her.
Granny Liu understood her sister-in-law's thoughts perfectly well, and said without any politeness, "I think Chen Jing and Tang Qin are quite good together. You shouldn't be ungrateful. The young couple is doing just fine, so you should stop worrying about them."
Bai Tingmei's face turned bright red. Her sister-in-law was telling her to mind her own business, but wasn't she implying that she was a troublemaker? Did she think she hadn't realized it? She was smart; if she didn't need something from her, she would have left long ago.
Thinking about it, Bai Tingmei forced a smile and looked at Zhang Xuemei with a fawning expression, "Xuemei, you see, Mingyue is also your sister. I'm really worried about her marriage. Do you know any good boys you can introduce to me? They don't have to be too good, just someone better than Xiaowan."
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