WBSGVS Chapter 66 V1

The brief interruption did not disrupt Qingli’s plans.

After returning from town, Qingli began making egg cakes.

At this time, the variety of food was quite limited, but people’s purchasing power wasn’t too bad. In the past few years, everyone had money but not much to buy, so now that they had options, they naturally wanted to buy well.

Egg cakes were primarily aimed at children. Adults might hesitate to spend on themselves, but they were generally quite generous when it came to their kids.

Of course, besides making egg cakes, Qingli had to manage daily life as well. To save time, she took money to her neighbors to buy groceries.

Not only were the prices cheaper, but the vendors were also warm and friendly. They were probably embarrassed to take her money, fearing she might feel taken advantage of, and kept trying to give her extra.

So, for her first meal alone at home, Qingli enjoyed herself greatly. The stewed noodles with green beans looked simple, but with meat, vegetables, and noodles as the main dish, the moment she lifted the lid, the aroma of the meat mixed with a refreshing scent wafted into the air.

Not far away, the Du family was eating their usual bland dumpling soup, which only had a hint of salt. Since they had just lost six hundred yuan, Zhang Shuangshuang, who was responsible for cooking, was feeling the pinch, and the dumpling soup was even thinner than usual.

Just as they started eating, a faint meaty smell wafted in.

“Whose house is cooking meat? Mom, I want to eat meat!” Du Qing’s eldest son, holding his bowl, found it hard to eat, recalling the taste of meat and smacking his lips.

The others glanced enviously toward the source of the delicious smell, and then their expressions froze, making them even less inclined to eat.

Had they not caught a whiff of that appetizing meat, they would have been satisfied with their meal. However, now, in contrast to the meat prepared by Du Qingli, the food in their bowls suddenly seemed tasteless.

He Dan also realized who was cooking the meat, and her face darkened immediately. “Having something to eat is good enough!”

The eldest son shrank back, quieting down.

But Du Chuan couldn’t hold back, frowning and muttering, “I said we shouldn’t have given that little girl any money. She knows nothing! Now that she has money, she eats so well—what will happen later!”

Du Qing replied sullenly, “Six hundred yuan is enough for her to eat meat every day for two or three years.”

Meat only costs around sixty or seventy cents per pound. If she, as a young girl, truly doesn’t return to the Xiang family, that money would last a long time, and if she saved a bit, it would last even longer.

Thinking of the six hundred yuan made Du Chuan even more upset. He complained, “She could at least have sent some back to show respect for her elders. All that care was wasted.”

Just then, the savory aroma intensified—not just the smell of meat but also a delightful fragrance that stirred their appetites. The little grandson, who had been quietly eating, could no longer resist and ran over to He Dan. “Mom, I want to eat meat! I want to eat meat!”

“Eat what meat! Finish your dumpling soup first, or I’ll spank you!” Du Qing stood up, using the thick end of his chopsticks as if to threaten him.

The little grandson was unafraid; he started to cry. “No, no! I want to eat meat! Waaaah… I want to eat meat!”

“You deserve a spanking!” Du Qing put down his bowl and chopsticks, moving toward the boy.

He Yue quickly intervened, saying, “Enough! It’s been a while since our family has eaten meat. What’s wrong with Xiao Bao wanting some meat?!”

“That doesn’t mean we should waste food! This is all earned with my blood and sweat!” Du Qing said coldly, insisting on pulling his younger son over to punish him.

Soon, familiar sounds of a child’s loud wailing echoed throughout the village.

He Dan felt heartbroken. She was a mother who always protected her cubs. Both her sons had been spoiled by her since childhood. As soon as her husband raised his hand, she rushed in to shield her child.

Since Du Qing could only hit her, he couldn’t help but speak harshly. “Keep spoiling him; you’ll raise a useless child one day!”

“Is it that serious? It’s just a bit of meat. Our family can afford it!” He Dan completely ignored him, hugging her son who had been hit a couple of times, and soothing him. “Okay, Mommy will buy you some meat tomorrow.”

Du Qing responded coldly, “The money has all gone to that dead girl. Where’s the money to buy meat from?”

Their family was nothing like the eldest brother’s family, where they had dozens of yuan to spend each month and never worried about food or clothing.

He Dan rolled her eyes at him. “As long as it doesn’t come from your pocket, that’s fine.”

Du Qing huffed in response, satisfied that he wouldn’t have to contribute money.

Seeing that he didn’t press further, He Dan relaxed inwardly.

Even her husband didn’t know that the bride price given to Du Qingli from the Xiang family was in her hands. That girl had been easy to fool back then, and now, busy applying for a pension, she had completely forgotten about the bride price.

Anyway, they had already given away six hundred, and since the over one hundred bride price from the Xiang family had supposedly been given, she could directly tell Du Qingli to return it. At that time, she would firmly claim that the bride price had already been given to Du Qingli, and no one could say she was wrong.

Of course, if she were truly coaxed back by the Xiang family, that would be even better, as no one would pursue the bride price then.

On the other side of the village, the Xiang family,

The second son’s new wife left just a couple of days after coming, and Xiang Lifeng’s three children returned to their grandparents’ home. They lived with the eldest brother, who already had three children. Adding the three new ones and four adults, ten people were living together, creating a lively atmosphere.

The family didn’t have much food, and the children often fought. Sure enough, they were at it again now.

Xiang Lifeng’s eldest son, Dabao, was fighting with the two girls from the eldest brother’s family. Erbao, fearing that his sister would be outnumbered, rushed over to join in. The four children ended up in a scuffle, with the youngest boy from the eldest brother’s family also getting dragged into it.

Eventually, the kids were wailing loudly, and the older ones had red eyes. The few biscuits they had been fighting overlay in scattered crumbs on the ground.

The eldest brother’s wife approached with a dark expression, picking up her youngest son while brandishing a stick as if to discipline the older kids.

As she raised her hand, Dabao stuck out his tongue and quickly led Erbao away, leaving the eldest brother’s wife even more annoyed.

Fuming, the eldest brother’s wife stormed into the house and complained to the grandmother. “Mom, what’s the deal here? If the second son hadn’t proposed, that would be fine, but now that he has, and the bride price has been paid, when will this end with these three kids?”

Zhang Cui was also upset, but upon hearing this, she immediately retorted, “The second son hasn’t failed to give living expenses! Is it not enough for three kids? Who told Dajia to go and steal from Dabao?”

The eldest brother’s wife’s anger subsided a little, but she still maintained a stern expression. “Sure, he gave money, but he didn’t cover my child’s medical expenses. Dabao was hurt! Look at his face; he’s got blood scratches!”

Zhang Cui glanced over and saw her grandson still crying. Heartbroken, she went to the room and took out two pieces of candy, giving one to her grandson and coaxing, “Here, have some candy. Stop crying.”

In these times, candy is a rarity, and the child stopped crying.

However, Zhang Cui still felt uneasy. Yesterday, she hadn’t dared to tell her family that Du Qingli no longer wanted to be a stepmother. She figured that the child’s behavior must have hurt her feelings. Once Du Qingli returned to her family home to rest for a few days, she would surely come back.

After all, her maternal family had nothing; her mother had died early, and her father was also gone. She was all alone. If she went back, living with her uncle wouldn’t be easy. Would that aunt even want her?

She felt distasteful about herself and began to think of the Xiang family.

It wasn’t such a big deal just to not get along with the child, was it?

But after waiting a whole day, she still hadn’t received any news. Zhang Cui felt uncertain but thought it might still take some time. After returning home, Du Qingli’s aunt would surely pretend to be warm and welcoming.

After soothing the only male child in the family, Zhang Cui sighed and went outside. The third child from the second son’s family was also crying, so she hurriedly picked up the child, gave him a piece of candy, and took him outside to visit the neighbors.

During lunchtime, there was usually a break, and not many people in the village were accustomed to taking naps. Zhang Cui easily found someone to chat with and began to complain, “The eldest daughter-in-law is taking advantage of the situation. I don’t know how much the second son has given, but she still feels like she’s at a loss.”