Chapter 174: Only Two Eggs

The next day, Yu Xiangnian was woken up by Cheng Jingmo.

“Nian Nian, does it still hurt?”

Yu Xiangnian closed her eyes again. “No, it doesn’t hurt anymore.”

“There’s a lot of work today, so I won’t be home for lunch. If you feel unwell, have Laoliu and Xiao Jie come get me.”

“Mm.”

When Yu Xiangnian finally got up, it was already late. She remembered what Cheng Jingmo had said.

Not coming home for lunch—does that mean they’ll be hungry all day?

In the kitchen, Cheng Shuanqin was cooking. She said, “I’ll deliver it to them when it’s ready.”

Yu Xiangnian looked at what Cheng Shuanqin was making: steamed buns, stir-fried shredded potatoes, and a plate of pickled radishes.

So many people working to earn money, and Cheng Jingmo also sends money home, yet they’re still this poor?!

Yu Xiangnian returned to the room and brought the eggs she had bought yesterday to the kitchen.

She had bought twenty, seven were eaten yesterday, and she handed the remaining thirteen to Laowu. “Boil all of these.”

This way, the eggs would retain the most nutrients.

Once the meal was ready, Yu Xiangnian gave an egg each to Laowu, Laoliu, Xiao Jie, Damao, Xiao Mao, and An Zi.

There were seven eggs left, just enough for the seven working outside.

However, she didn’t want to give any to Cheng Shuansuo and his wife.

But if she excluded only those two, it would be too obvious.

So she took two more eggs, giving one as a reward to Laowu for cooking and another to Laoliu for letting Xiao Jie sleep over.

Then she put two eggs in the lunch basket and instructed Laowu, “Later, give these two eggs to your parents, but no one else.”

Cheng Jingmo is grateful for their upbringing, so she would be a bit lenient.

Lastly, she put three eggs in her jacket pocket and went with Laowu to deliver the meal.

It was a busy farming season, and the fields were full of people.

Wherever Yu Xiangnian went, she became the center of attention.

The incident from the previous day had spread throughout the village.

She had personally paid for Monkey’s wound to be stitched up and even bought eggs and sugar for him.

Such a beautiful and kind-hearted person received admiring looks from the villagers everywhere she went.

Hearing the increasing chatter among the crowd, Cheng Jingmo looked up from his hoeing and saw Yu Xiangnian walking towards him with a smile.

Except for the day of the banquet, Yu Xiangnian wore the same dark gray cotton jacket every day, alternating between two sets.

Her attire was similar to the other village women, but she always looked better in it.

Cheng Jingmo couldn’t pinpoint exactly why, but she just looked the best.

Standing at the edge of the field, Yu Xiangnian called out, “Cheng Jingmo, time to eat!”

Because of the rush to plant, these past few days everyone had their lunch delivered to the fields.

Many people had already left the fields and were eating by the roadside or on the field ridge.

Cheng Jingmo washed his hands in a bucket used for watering and walked over to Yu Xiangnian.

Laowu lifted the lid of the lunch basket, and everyone took a steamed bun.

Seeing two eggs, Cheng Shuansuo’s eyes lit up, and he reached for one.

Laowu said, “Those are for Father and Mother!”

Cheng Shuansuo’s hand paused. “Why only two?”

Laowu replied, “These are from Sister-in-law to honor Father and Mother.”

Cheng Shuansuo snorted in dissatisfaction and looked at Yu Xiangnian. “Sister-in-law, isn’t it a bit stingy to give only to Father and Mother?”

Yu Xiangnian replied calmly, “These are the last two eggs, specially saved for Father and Mother. If you can eat them with a clear conscience, go ahead.”

Cheng Shuansuo: “…”

Yu Xiangnian tugged at Cheng Jingmo’s sleeve.

Cheng Jingmo understood and led Yu Xiangnian away to a tree.

“Does your stomach still hurt?” he asked.

“No.” Yu Xiangnian took out three eggs from her pocket. “These are for you.”

Cheng Jingmo held her hand and said, “I don’t need them; you eat them.”

“The food at home is so poor, you’ve lost weight!” Yu Xiangnian complained. “You come home and still have to work every day! They’re just taking advantage of your work points!”

Cheng Jingmo smiled forgivingly. “I don’t care about work points. It’s the busy farming season, and everyone in the village is working hard. I do what I can. Once things settle down, I’ll take you and Xiao Jie out for a trip.”

Yu Xiangnian said, “Then eat the eggs! I had two meals of eggs yesterday and don’t want any more!”

Cheng Jingmo replied, “I can handle it. You take them home and give them to the kids.”

“The kids already have some!”

Cheng Jingmo immediately understood that Yu Xiangnian had given eggs to everyone except Cheng Shuan and Cheng Shuansuo’s families. She was clearly showing no favor to those two.

Cheng Shuan’s family wasn’t too bad.

“Give them to Monkey,” Cheng Jingmo suggested.

Yu Xiangnian followed Cheng Jingmo’s gaze and saw Monkey, with a hat on his head, still plowing the field with an ox.

It was true; with only a paralyzed father at home, no one would bring him food.

He had fainted from an injury just yesterday, yet today he had to work again to survive.

He needed the eggs more than Cheng Jingmo did.

“Monkey!” Yu Xiangnian called out.

Monkey turned his head. Yu Xiangnian waved him over.

Monkey stopped the ox to rest and ran over.

“Aunt, did you call me?”

Yu Xiangnian handed him the eggs. “Eat these before you continue working.”

Monkey looked at the eggs and then at Yu Xiangnian, his lips trembling with gratitude. “Aunt…”

Yu Xiangnian pushed the eggs into his hands. “Quick, eat them. Lower your head so I can check your wound.”

Monkey lowered his head. Yu Xiangnian removed the bandage, checked the wound, and rewrapped it.

“The wound is healing. Keep it bandaged while you work to protect it and avoid getting it wet.”

Monkey’s hands trembled as he peeled the eggs, responding with a choked voice, “Mm…”

Cheng Shuansuo watched this scene, angrily shook his hands, and left.

When Cheng Jingmo had taken Yu Xiangnian away earlier, Cheng Shuansuo had followed them.

Sure enough, he had guessed right!

Yu Xiangnian was secretly giving eggs to Cheng Jingmo!

Cheng Shuansuo returned and angrily told everyone, “She gave Jianwa three eggs, while Father and Mother only get one!”

Cheng Shuan scolded him, “Stop calling him Jianwa and add ‘Brother’ after it. It won’t hurt your mouth! Besides, she bought the eggs; she can give them to whoever she wants!”

“Ugh!” Cheng Shuansuo curled his lip in dissatisfaction. “You and your wife are always defending them. What are you trying to get from them?”

Cheng Shuan said, “I just want everyone to get along!”

“You think of him as family, but does he think of you as family?” Cheng Shuansuo retorted. “He doesn’t even give you eggs!”

Cheng Huazi coughed lightly and then said, “You brothers and sisters-in-law argue about them every day. What’s that about?”

Zhang Hongli instigated, “Dad, Jianwa’s wife is tough! Look at Jianwa; she’s got him wrapped around her finger!”

Cheng Huazi smoked his pipe, lost in thought.