Only Xun Liangfen, who was in the kitchen, watched this scene with disapproval. This family had gone mad, indulging in the antics of a little girl.
This person really shouldn't eat too much; he's always looking for trouble.
But the laughter that came from the courtyard from time to time made her feel restless, as if everyone was ostracizing her.
There was even a slight illusion that, since she wasn't outside, the whole family was laughing so happily...
Hua Xiangyun also asked Hua Zhiping, but seeing that he really wasn't interested, she stopped bringing it up.
Just a wall away, behind their yard, Zhou Xiaolan was staring blankly at their yard.
She ran away from home; ever since her grandparents came over this morning, the whole house has been in chaos.
What was once a peaceful home is now in complete chaos.
She had worked so hard to prepare the New Year's Eve dinner, but she couldn't even sit at the table. That old hag threw her a mixed grain bun and sent her away.
What she found most unbearable was that the multigrain bun smelled sour. It must have been stale from being carried on the road, and she couldn't bring herself to eat it, but she couldn't bear to throw it away, so she kept it.
She felt wronged, but her parents were only concerned with pleasing the two old people and even told her not to make a fuss and to be more sensible.
Now the whole family is sitting there happily, eating the food she cooked. But she is starving, with nowhere to stand in this big courtyard.
If it were before, she could have gone to Hua Xiangyun, but for some reason, that bitch was so wary of her that she couldn't even find a chance to get close to Hua Erge.
The aroma wafted from every household, and the entire courtyard was filled with the fragrance of meat.
She was pressing on her stomach, having thought she could have a good meal today. She had just eaten a few bites for lunch, and the multigrain buns she had just eaten had been thrown outside the wall. She knew they wouldn't let her put them on the table when she went back.
She glanced at the Hua family courtyard one last time, then turned and walked towards the backyard. "Shuixin, can you come out for a moment?"
She stood outside the Li family's house, where the whole family was eating around the table. She could only call out from outside.
Upon hearing this voice, Xu Tiancao's face changed. "Shuixing, why are you still associating with her?"
Li Wenhua also put down his chopsticks and bowl. "Today is the Little New Year. Why is she here instead of eating at home?"
Xu Tiancao sneered, "You're always at the factory, but you don't care about things at home. Zhou Jinfeng's parents came. Last night was relatively quiet, but today they've been walking around the yard several times. Anyone who didn't know better would think Zhou Jinfeng is a big leader who brought them to the city to enjoy their retirement."
Bai Ailian's mother-in-law looks difficult to get along with; her coming at this time probably means they had some kind of argument.
This person really has no sense of propriety. Knowing everyone is celebrating today, why is he coming here to cause trouble?
Li Shuiniu said, "Mom, they've all arrived, we can't just ignore them. Why don't we let Shuixin go out and take a look?"
Li Wenhua said, "Then go out and take a look. Quickly send them away, or the food will get cold."
Li Shuixin responded and then ran to Zhou Xiaolan's side to ask, "Why did you come at this time?"
Zhou Xiaolan complained, "My grandma just doesn't like anything about me, she won't even let me sit at the table to eat. I've been busy all day, and my stomach is about to burst. Shuixin, do you have anything to eat? Give me some first."
"This is too much!" Li Shuixin protested, but didn't move her feet. "We're having dinner right now, my parents are here, how can I get you something?"
You know, ever since that incident, my parents scolded me, and there's no way they'll let me bring anything out. Why don't you try asking around at other people's houses?
Zhou Xiaolan pressed her stomach, "But I really can't take it anymore. You're the best friend in our neighborhood, I'll take any steamed bun."
Li Shuixin couldn't refuse any longer, so she bit her lip and said, "Then wait a moment..."
Seeing her daughter rush in, grab a steamed bun, and run out again, Xu Tiancao's face darkened.
When Li Shuixin sat down again, Xu Tiancao knew Zhou Xiaolan's purpose and disliked the Zhou family even more. "How many times have I told you not to hang out with her? If you hang out with someone like that, you'll never get any good things, and all the bad things will fall on your head..."
"Alright, let's eat," Li Wenhua said, afraid that if his wife continued talking, they wouldn't be able to finish the meal.
Zhou Xiaolan received a steamed bun, squatted in a sheltered spot, and swallowed it whole, her resentment growing ever deeper.
No one knows what she was thinking, but after finishing her steamed bun, she simply went outside the Hua family's courtyard, squatted in a corner, and quietly listened to the sounds inside.
After Hua Xiangyun finished teaching one round, she let Hua Zhian demonstrate on his own. Unexpectedly, Hua Baoguo's movements were even more standard than Hua Zhian's, and the family couldn't help but tease him.
Hua Baoguo, however, felt a little regretful, saying, "It turns out my talent lies here; what a pity."
"Dad, please stop criticizing me." Hua Zhian protested to Hua Baoguo, who was causing trouble beside him, after being corrected in another movement. "I can't bring myself to strike you down with you here."
"..."
Xun Liangfen finished what she was doing and sat quietly in the corner watching them.
Tian Guihua walked over and sat down next to her. "There's no one else around now, so let's have a chat, just the two of us, mother and daughter-in-law."
Having decided to be frank, Tian Guihua didn't give her a chance to refuse and went straight to the point, "What are your thoughts on what's happened these past few days?"
"Mother, I know I did something wrong," Xun Liangfen said, head bowed. She had finally come...
"Even though you said the wrong thing, do you feel wronged inside?" Tian Guihua has lived for decades and has seen all kinds of people. "Your father and I have never stopped you from helping your family, but we didn't know you were so bold."
There should be a bottom line in how you conduct yourself and in your work. Gu Yu was probably testing you at first, but you had no principles and always gave in to her.
If Baoguo hadn't voluntarily handed the memorial to me this time, I imagine it would have ended up with Guyu anyway.
“No,” Xun Liangfen’s voice lowered considerably, “My mother didn’t mention it, and besides, didn’t Father take it back this time too…”
Tian Guihua's expression remained unchanged. "Do you also think I shouldn't take your salary?"
"Your own mother can take this money, so why can't I, as her mother-in-law, take it?"
Xun Liangfen, “…”
“Let’s do the math. Over the years, you’ve been at home whenever you’re resting, eating, or sleeping. Every holiday, my son buys gifts for you, and you carry them back in big bags. Isn’t that right?”
Xun Liangfen said, "...We're all family..."
Upon hearing this, Tian Guihua felt a pang of heartache, but she had to lay everything out on the table today, no matter what. "You're right, we're all family."
Then I'd like to ask you what you've done for this family over the years.
Oh... all three children came from your belly, but I, this old woman, haven't treated you badly. I've provided you with all the good food, and I haven't let you lift a finger, either at home or outside..."
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