Jiang Meier walked out of the door with a resentful expression, then turned and headed towards the educated youth dormitory. The people gathered outside, seeing that she had been humiliated, thought there would be a good show to watch.
Inside the house, Jiang Yu was completely unaware of what was happening outside. She urged her two children to finish their meal while it was still hot. She had to go to town soon, and she was afraid she would miss the bus if she was late.
After the meal, Jiang Yu picked out a few pieces of meat and took two flatbreads before leaving. Before she left, she told the children not to open the door for anyone until she returned.
Shen Sui Sui nodded and tidied the table.
Knowing her mother's personality, she must have taken the meat to please Lu Yi because of Jiang Meier's words. Even if she wasn't satisfied, she wouldn't dare say a word. They were already being very kind to each other; how could she dare ask for anything more?
Jiang Yu carried the meat out the door, and on the way she encountered two or three people pointing and whispering about her, and some even asked her questions.
"Shen's daughter-in-law? Is she going to find Lu Wenqing?"
Other busybodies gathered together, waiting to see her make a fool of herself.
Jiang Yu knew her; this was Zhang Xinhua, the village's most notorious gossip. If she knew anything about someone's affairs in the village, it would spread throughout the entire village in the time it takes to eat a meal. Not only that, her ability to distort the truth was also unparalleled.
Moreover, in that era, she was the only one who dared to argue and challenge her mother-in-law.
Her husband was incompetent and had little say in the family. Shen Ying, on the other hand, was the only promising man in the village, and he was stuck with such a troublesome wife as the original owner of this body. Jealousy can make people change beyond recognition.
If the original owner had heard her words, she would definitely have gone along with it and chatted with her for a bit.
But Jiang Yu is not like her; she doesn't give gossip a chance at all.
"I don't even know him well, why would I go to see him?"
Those present clearly did not believe her words, and they all scoffed at her.
"Just two days ago you were so mad for him, and now you're all strangers? Could it be that you secretly brought him some good food and are deliberately keeping it from us?"
Seeing that she had become clever, Zhang Xinhua couldn't help but laugh at her. Jokes aside, her eyes lit up when she saw the generous amount of meat in the bowl.
Jiang Yu was too lazy to waste words with her and knocked on the door of Wang Cuihua's house next door in full view of everyone.
Wang Cuihua and Jiang Yu lived next door to each other, separated only by a wall, and had been neighbors for many years. Unlike the gossipy people in the village, she never spoke ill of Jiang Yu outside, and would do her best to help her.
Not only that, the original owner often went hungry, so she would take out some cakes for the children to eat at home, and the two children liked her very much.
Hearing the knock at the door, Wang Cuihua shuffled to open it. She was clearly taken aback to see Jiang Yu outside. Then, glancing at the fragrant bowl of meat in Jiang Yu's hand, she was momentarily confused.
"Sister-in-law, I'd like to ask you for a small favor."
Jiang Yu's voice was gentle, and her expression kind, a stark contrast to her usual fiery temper. Wang Cuihua had just finished washing the vegetables, her hands still wet. She lifted the apron tied around her waist to wipe them, then opened the door to let her in.
In the past, the original owner would ask her for help, but she always had a fierce look on her face, as if someone owed her eight hundred yuan.
"Wang family, don't be fooled. Everyone in this village knows Jiang Yu's character; she always takes advantage of others. She brought meat here for no reason; who knows what bad ideas she has in mind."
Zhang Xinhua stood at the door with her hands on her hips, speaking in a very loud voice.
Jiang Yu rolled her eyes:
"The leaders of the new era have all said that we should maintain good neighborly relations and help each other. Is there a problem with me asking my sister-in-law for some food? Unlike some people, who are always thinking about how to ruin other people's relationships, as if they can't find anything to do. What, can't they afford to live?"
The women who followed Zhang Xinhua weren't fools either. After hearing what Jiang Yu said, they realized it made sense and began to distance themselves from her.
"you..."
Zhang Xinhua, lacking education, couldn't find a rebuttal and glared angrily at Jiang Yu.
Fearing a quarrel, Wang Cuihua quickly spoke up.
"Jiang Yu, come inside and we can talk about it."
Jiang Yu knew that she was on Zhang Xinhua's side, and fearing that she would suffer if Zhang Xinhua got angry and started a fight, she ignored her and followed her inside.
The people outside found it boring and dispersed to go home. On the way, Zhang Xinhua grew angrier and angrier. After all, she was the village bully, so how could she have been bullied by Jiang Yu today and suffered such inexplicable injustice?
Jiang Yu placed the bowl on the table, somewhat embarrassed.
"Sister-in-law, I'm going to the city today and I don't know what time I'll be back. Could you please help take care of Sui Sui and Nian Nian?"
Jiang Yu has a troublesome younger sister, Jiang Meier, and Lu Yi, whom she has never met. She is worried that the two of them will come to her house to cause trouble, and since she will not be able to come back for a while, her two children will be bullied.
"Are you going to the city?"
Wang Cuihua couldn't believe her ears. She could get lost even when leaving the village, so how could she have thought of going outside? Especially to the city, which was so far away. What if she got lost?
"Yes, I have something to take care of, it's quite urgent."
Jiang Yu didn't know how to explain it to her and looked embarrassed. Fortunately, seeing that she was anxious, Wang Cuihua didn't ask for details. She patted her chest and promised.
"Don't worry, girl. We can't help with anything else, but taking care of a child is no problem. Here's what we'll do: you take the meat back, and I'll bring the child home in a bit."
Jiang Yu was right. It's just a neighbor helping out, and it's a small thing like taking care of a child. It's not worth making the girl spend money.
"No need, no need, I've made plenty at home."
Jiang Yu refused and walked out.
Wang Cuihua has a son who attends primary school in town and only comes home in the evenings. Her husband also works away from home and doesn't return for more than a year or two. She and her mother-in-law separated their household two years ago, and the family is quite relaxed now.
Jiang Yu tried to return before the children got out of school.
Looking at the meat on the table, Wang Cuihua felt a mix of emotions. Her family was poor; her children rarely ate meat, even once a year. This bowl of meat that Jiang Yu brought was enough for her son to have a hearty meal when he came home from school.
She put the meat in the cupboard and hurriedly went out to see Jiang Yu off.
The two lived close by, and Jiang Yu had already returned home when Wang Cuihua left. After settling the two children in, she found a bag, put the pickled vegetables she had prepared that morning into it, and also put two flatbreads in her pocket to eat at noon.
"Mom, where are you going?"
Seeing her busy, Shen Niannian thought she was going to abandon her and her sister and leave them behind.
That's how kids are; no matter how bad things were before, as long as things improve a little, they'll forget all the unpleasantness. Besides, Jiang Yu made them pancakes and stewed meat, so Shen Niannian had long since forgotten all the grievances she had suffered over the years.
But Shen Sui Sui didn't think that way. She felt that her mother was only pretending to be nice because she was about to leave, so that they wouldn't hold a grudge against her in the future.
Jiang Yu squatted down and gently stroked Chen Niannian's hair.
"Be good, Niannian. Mommy has something to do. I've already told Aunt Wang next door that she'll take you home in a little while. How about I bring you some candied hawthorns tonight?"
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