We've been on the road back to Beijing, and my uncle was exhausted long ago. He's been forcing himself to stay awake all day at the Chen family's house.
My aunt pricked up her ears, listening to the sounds outside while waiting for my uncle's response.
After waiting for a while, I heard snoring behind me.
When Aunt turned around, she realized that Uncle had fallen asleep sometime earlier.
My aunt was so angry she stomped her feet.
In winter, Xu Ruantang often had cold hands and feet, and Chen Ji would prepare hot water for her to soak her feet every night.
It will gradually become a habit.
Normally, he would soak in the tub after taking a shower, but Chen Ji was clearly doing it on purpose today.
When he came out of the bathroom with a towel, Xu Ruantang quietly waved to him, "Come here."
With a smile in his eyes, Chen Ji walked over, bent down, and put his ear close to hers.
The movements are so smooth, it's just a habit.
Xu Ruantang laughed along. The contrast between Chen Ji's easygoing attitude towards her and his lack of temper was so striking that it was strangely endearing.
"Is your aunt asleep too?"
Xu Ruantang's voice was very soft, tickling Chen Ji's ear.
Chen Ji turned his head to look at her, his Adam's apple bobbing involuntarily, his eyes deep, and his voice a little hoarse: "No, it was my uncle who was snoring. I just passed by their room, and my aunt was peeking in."
Knowing she was curious, he simply told her everything.
Xu Ruantang rolled her eyes, using Chen Ji as cover.
Sure enough, their room door was ajar, and a figure was lurking around suspiciously.
"Honey, want to watch some TV?"
Chen Ji sat down next to Xu Ruantang, naturally picked up a towel to dry her feet, and gently patted her ankles to dry them.
"OK."
She agreed quickly.
Chen Ji usually forbids her from staying up late to watch TV or draw, never giving her the chance to do so.
It's rare for them to be so proactive this time.
The TV volume wasn't very loud, so Xu Ruantang found the remote and turned the volume up.
The video playing was a foreign war film, with gunshots and cannon fire louder than human voices, and the volume would suddenly increase from time to time.
My aunt had just lain down on the bed; she's the type who falls asleep the moment her head hits the pillow. But just as she was about to drift off, she was jolted awake by a noise from outside.
She angrily got out of bed, opened the door, and was about to teach them a lesson.
"Late at night..."
Before she could finish her sentence, her aunt stood frozen in place.
On the sofa, Xu Ruantang leaned against Chen Ji, and the two snuggled together watching TV.
To be precise, it was Xu Ruantang who was watching TV, and Chen Ji who was watching her.
My aunt-in-law has been through this before, so how could she not know what this meant?
What are you two doing up so late at night?
My aunt was furious, and her voice was trembling.
Xu Ruantang and Chen Ji turned their heads at the same time. She blinked and looked at Chen Ji with a wronged expression.
Chen Ji calmly patted her shoulder to comfort her, but when he turned to look at his aunt, his eyes were cold and his tone was sharp.
"Aunt, go to sleep."
Chen Ji showed no intention of explaining, his face completely at ease.
My aunt couldn't save face, but she still couldn't help grumbling, "It's so late, if you're not sleeping, others are."
"Auntie, didn't you tell us to hurry up and have a baby?"
Xu Ruantang said innocently, "I was deeply moved by what you said today, and I think what you said makes a lot of sense! I was just talking to Chen Ji about it. We're both usually so busy, and now that we finally have some free time, of course we have to make the most of it!"
She was talking about that kind of thing, but her tone was frank and she wasn't embarrassed at all.
On the contrary, it was her aunt who blushed with embarrassment after hearing what she said.
Ironically, these were the very words she had said that afternoon, and Xu Ruantang simply repeated them verbatim.
She couldn't very well contradict herself right after she finished speaking, leaving her speechless.
Aunt Xu glared angrily at Xu Ruantang, then turned and went back to her room.
This was the first time she had ever been speechless after being told what to do. This feeling of being wronged left her aunt-in-law feeling very angry, and she didn't sleep well all night.
In addition to the sound of the television, laughter and playful noises occasionally drifted from the main room.
The next morning, my aunt got up with dark circles under her eyes and a droopy face.
Xu Ruantang and Chen Ji were already up, and the two were busy with something in the courtyard.
Aunt rolled her eyes at Xu Ruantang.
Turning his head and seeing the large steamed buns on the table, he instantly beamed with joy again.
At least Chen Ji has a conscience; he knows to make breakfast for her and his uncle.
My uncle was reading the newspaper while eating a steamed bun.
My aunt leaned closer mysteriously, "Jianjun, I bet these steamed buns were bought from the cafeteria, right? Tell me, how come Chen Ji's wife can't do anything right? What's the difference between raising her and raising a good-for-nothing?!"
The eldest uncle frowned, glanced at the yard, and turned back to warn in a low voice, "Keep your voice down! She's not your wife, why are you worrying so much? Eat your buns."
Steamed buns can't shut her up!
My aunt completely ignored my uncle's warning, picked up a steamed bun and stuffed it into her mouth, swallowing it down before she had even chewed it properly.
My uncle was looking at the newspaper when he heard a loud crash.
When I looked up, my aunt was mumbling incoherently, her mouth agape as she looked for water.
In the dead of winter, besides the hot water in the thermos, there was only cold water in the kitchen.
Boiling water scalds my mouth, cold water chills my teeth, and I can't stand not drinking spicy food.
My aunt almost broke down.
She can't eat spicy food! But this bun is made with chili peppers.
Finally, having no other choice, my aunt rushed to the kitchen, scooped a ladle of cold water from the vat, and drank it down her throat.
Early in the morning, my aunt couldn't eat anything because of the spiciness.
She had originally planned to go to the Chen family today, and having finally caught Ye Lan in the act, she was not about to let it go so easily.
But after drinking the cold water, she had to go to the toilet five, six, seven, or eight times that morning.
Let alone going to the Chen family's house, it's difficult to even leave the small courtyard.
Xu Ruantang and Chen Ji were both free today, and since the sun was shining brightly, they sat in the courtyard basking in the sun.
It wasn't even lunchtime when someone knocked on the door.
Xu Ruantang opened the door and was shocked by the scene outside.
Li Shuhe and Li Shuyang were with Wang Xiuxiu, followed by Lu Shishen, who was holding Lu Xiaozhao's hand with his right hand.
What day is it today?
Xu Ruantang was completely confused.
Li Shuyang stepped forward with a smile and slowly unfolded the paper in his hand. "Third Sister-in-law, congratulations! You've won first prize!"
"Congratulations, Ruan Tang!"
Xu Ruantang's mind went blank, and she didn't react for a moment.
She had forgotten that Dean Jin had previously said that the results of the international art competition would be announced before the end of the year.
She never imagined that one day she would win first prize in an international competition.
But the certificate clearly states that she, Xu Ruantang, won first place in the international art competition.
As they talked, they walked into the courtyard.
Wang Xiuxiu and Lu Shishen were each carrying a large cloth bag.
The green vegetables inside poked their heads out, swaying precariously.
The place was bustling with noise, and my aunt and uncle, attracted by the sounds, also stood at the door of the main room looking out.
My uncle was literate and immediately saw the contents above.
"First place? Ruan Tang is amazing!"
As soon as he finished speaking, his uncle was nudged in the elbow again.
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