Chapter 72 : Eating secretly

“Guoliang family, have you struck it rich? Even eating such fine foods now!”  

“My little baby is still growing. He needs more nutritious food to get strong and healthy, just like his father,” Jiang Hongmei replied smugly.  

Zhuang Xiaobao, growing impatient while being led by her, clamored for two candies, grabbed them, and ran off to play with the village children.  

After flaunting her situation to her satisfaction, Jiang Hongmei turned and walked away, leaving the disgruntled villagers behind to gossip about her.  

“She’s not right in the head, being so pleased about being someone’s stepmother. Strange woman!”  

“Where is the Zhuang family getting the money to buy fine grains and sugar? The other day, I saw Cheng Yanyan with greasy lips smelling of pork.”  

“The men in their family haven’t been working the fields lately. What’s going on there?”  

“Who knows? Probably up to something shady.”  

“They better not be making a living through speculation!”  

The villagers’ resentment toward the Zhuang family ran deep. Zhao Xiangyu had a reputation for taking advantage wherever possible, even sampling the saltiness of manure carts when they passed her door. Her sons and daughters-in-law, except for Gao Xiuqin from the third son’s family, were also seen as troublemakers in their own ways.  

Jiang Hongmei, however, paid no attention to the gossip. Even if she overheard it, she would dismiss it by claiming they were just jealous of her.  

—

“Lizi, hurry up!” Chen Xianyun called out to Jiang Li. “The Liu family is probably ready by now. I’ll head over first. Stay here with Xiaoting and make sure she doesn’t get nervous.”  

After Liu Lixin escorted Qin Xiaoting back to the village that day, no one knew what the two had discussed. But a few days later, the Liu family sent a matchmaker to her home.  

Since the youth cadre training center where Qin Xiaoting was staying wasn’t suitable for a meeting, the Liu family asked to borrow the Qi family’s house for the occasion. Jiang Li, as a relative of the bride-to-be, was there to accompany her.  

Qin Xiaoting was dressed in new clothes that day, with a touch of light lipstick. She looked radiant.  

As soon as they arrived, she pulled Jiang Li aside nervously. “Lizi, do you think I look okay like this?”  

“Perfect! You look like a lovely beauty,” Jiang Li teased. Qin Xiaoting took a deep breath and tugged at the hem of her slightly wrinkled dress, while Jiang Li tidied up a few stray hairs around her ears.  

“In my past life, I never got to meet my mother-in-law. I don’t know if I’ll get along with her now,” she said worriedly.  

Jiang Li reassured her, “Don’t worry. Everyone will like a girl like you. Besides, Liu Lixin is here to support you. You’ll be fine.”  

“Hey! They’re here!” someone called out.  

Leading the group was Liu Lixin, carrying gifts. He wore a gray Zhongshan suit, and his face turned red the moment he spotted Qin Xiaoting. The way the two of them looked at each other was so sweet, it seemed like they could melt sugar. Jiang Li smiled and invited him to sit.  

Following him were the matchmaker and Lin Huaihua, accompanied by Chen Xianyun. At the back of the group was a girl with two long black braids who bore a striking resemblance to Liu Lixin. Her features were sharper and more confident, marking her as Liu Lixin’s twin sister, Liu Yue.  

The matchmaker immediately began showering Qin Xiaoting with praise her beauty, abilities, and education were all lauded. After praising the bride-to-be to the skies, she shifted her compliments to the groom.  

She was inwardly delighted. With the couple clearly smitten with each other, her job was just a formality. Collecting the matchmaking fee would be an easy task.  

“Sister Xiaoting, you are so beautiful! Mom, don’t you agree?” Liu Yue exclaimed boldly, hugging Qin Xiaoting and scrutinizing her with admiration.  

Lin Huaihua’s smile was a little stiff. She had her own plans for her son’s future. Her parents had selected a strong and capable country girl for him. Who would have thought that her son would fall for a frail-looking, educated youth?  

To Lin Huaihua, Qin Xiaoting seemed delicate and unsuited for fieldwork. This would only add to Liu Lixin’s burdens in the future.  

Before she could voice her concerns, Liu Lixin chimed in enthusiastically, “Yes!”  

Hearing this, Lin Huaihua felt a pang of discomfort, as if her son was slipping away from her grasp.  

Qin Xiaoting felt a flutter of anxiety, and Jiang Li quickly noticed Lin Huaihua’s discontent. But since Liu Lixin was firm in his choice, Lin Huaihua had no choice but to reluctantly agree.  

Once the bride price and the date for the marriage proposal were settled, the couple was left alone to chat. Meanwhile, Lin Huaihua was pulled aside by her daughter on the way home.  

—

“Mom, why do you look so upset about my brother’s blind date?” Liu Yue asked teasingly.  

“You impudent girl! When did I show any attitude?”  

“You still say you didn’t? Are you unhappy with my future sister-in-law? Have you forgotten how Grandma treated you and Dad back then? Now that you’re a mother-in-law, are you going to act like Grandma and bully your new daughter-in-law?”  

Lin Huaihua glared at her, tempted to slap her cheeky daughter. “Are you even my child? Whose side are you on?”  

“I’m on the side of reason, Mom,” Liu Yue replied smartly.  

Seeing her mother fuming, Liu Yue softened her tone. “Mom, Qin Xiaoting is educated, pretty, and a great match for my brother. You should feel proud to have her as a daughter-in-law.”  

Lin Huaihua sighed. “The girl I picked for your brother is simple, hardworking, and a good helper. She would’ve been perfect for our family.”  

“But Big Brother doesn’t like the girl you introduced. How can he live happily with someone he doesn’t like? Do you want him to have an unhappy marriage?”  

“Mom, marriages are now based on personal choice. Arranged marriages are old-fashioned and outdated. You shouldn’t cling to those ideas.”  

Lin Huaihua sighed again, poking her daughter playfully. “You’ve learned too many modern ideas at school. All you do is argue with me and twist my words!”  

Liu Yue grinned. “When we get home, take that piece of fabric you locked in the cupboard, along with ten dollars, and tell Big Brother to have two new dresses made for Xiaoting at Dashuping.”  

Liu Yue smiled brightly. “That’s my mom! Admitting mistakes is a virtue. Don’t listen to those gossiping villagers. They’re just jealous you’ve got an educated and pretty daughter-in-law!”  

“Silly girl,” Lin Huaihua muttered, shaking her head. “You’re just here to torment me. But you’re right, Xiaoting has a certain charm about her.”  

“Exactly, Mom. I think my sister-in-law will be wonderful. Just wait, and they’ll both take good care of you in the future.”  

Liu Yue’s cheerful encouragement lifted Lin Huaihua’s mood. Despite her reservations, she smiled. At least her son’s marriage was settled, and now it was time to prepare for the wedding.  

—

As Qin Xiaoting departed, loud quarreling erupted from the neighboring house.  

Wu Meili leaned against the kitchen door, hands on her hips, yelling, “We’re all from the same village! Why do they sneak off to eat alone while we watch? Aren’t they afraid of eating themselves sick?”  

Inside, ignoring the shouting, Cheng Yanyan focused on wolfing down boiled pork slices as if nothing had happened.  

Zhuang Er wasn’t far behind, gobbling food and occasionally feeding a few pieces to Zhuang Da Bao. The entire family ate intently, not even bothering to lift their heads amidst the commotion.