Chapter 22: Growing Bold

She occasionally patrolled, pointing at this and saying that, looking as if she was quite imposing.

Knowing that Hu Yao was going to dig bamboo shoots with these children instead of picking tea, Li Zhen’s smile faded, and she secretly cursed her in her heart, thinking that she really thought she was the mistress of the house, not doing her job but playing with a bunch of children.

“Alright, then go ahead, sister-in-law.” Li Zhen nodded impatiently.

Hu Yao was a quiet and gentle person, and after she recovered, she treated everyone kindly. Li Zhen had tried to curry favor with her, but her efforts had been in vain.

People are all about judging others based on their appearance. Li Zhen thought Hu Yao was soft-tempered and easy to manipulate. She didn’t really care about Hu Yao as her sister-in-law, and now she looked down on her even more.

Hu Yao heard her reluctant tone and saw the obvious contempt in her eyes. After finishing the last bit of tea leaves, she said softly and casually, “I heard from Uncle and Aunt that Jiang Han gives them one yuan a day, but Liu Jie reported two yuan and two jiao the other day. Why is there such a big difference?”

Even if people had the chance to work in a factory outside, the average monthly salary was only about thirty yuan. Jiang Han hired people to pick tea, and even if he paid one yuan a day, there would be many villagers eager to do this work.

Not to mention that Jiang Han was even more generous with his wages than outside, it was obvious that Liu Jie and Li Zhen had embezzled more than half of it.

One person had already taken so much money, not to mention that Jiang Han would give them additional compensation.

Li Zhen was taken aback, and then her reaction was unexpected by Hu Yao. She was furious and her voice became sharp, “This matter of wages was discussed with Brother Han and us, he knows everything, you don’t understand this and it’s none of your business! Go and dig your bamboo shoots!”

Her words clearly didn’t take Hu Yao seriously, and her current tone was blatantly and undisguisedly unpleasant.

“Why are you yelling at Yaoyao?” Jiang Xiaochao said unhappily, protecting Hu Yao. He wouldn’t allow anyone to yell at her, not even his father.

Li Zhen softened her expression when she met his gaze, and she was more patient with him than with Hu Yao. “Auntie wasn’t yelling at your mother, she just spoke a little too quickly.”

“Sister-in-law, don’t mind me.” Saying that, Li Zhen gave a casual smile to Hu Yao.

Hu Yao didn’t give her the expected smile and step down as she expected, but pulled Jiang Xiaochao’s hand and turned to leave, not giving her the chance to step down.

“Let’s go, we’ll go dig bamboo shoots, and I’ll get you some crispy cakes later, okay?” Hu Yao’s voice was gentle to the children.

Li Zhen watched her retreating figure, her face not looking good. This Hu Yao dared to give her a cold shoulder! Did she really think she was someone to be pampered? Didn’t she know what she was?

She was also a spendthrift, relying entirely on Jiang Han to support her. She also shared things from the house with others. She had been smiling at her for so many days, but she hadn’t seen her give her a single cent! What a stingy thing! Xu Xuzhu was more sensible than her! Let’s see when Jiang Han throws her out and she becomes a streetwalker!

Li Zhen’s malice towards Hu Yao was inexplicable. Before, Hu Yao was fine when she was stupid, but now that she was better, she was even more disliked. The main reason was the jealousy and imbalance in her heart towards Hu Yao.

…

Hu Yao went home and got a small shovel, then went up the mountain with the little ones to dig bamboo shoots.

The thinner ones, they could break directly, but the thicker ones couldn’t.

Children always have endless things to say, any little thing can be a topic of joy for them to talk about for hours.

Hu Yao smiled at Jiang Xiaochao who was running among them, her eyes curved, and she couldn’t help but smile.

The mountain was full of bamboo shoots, and their baskets were full in no time.

The little ones were small, but they were capable of doing work.

Hu Yao wiped their little hands one by one, then took them home together, and gave them the crispy cakes as promised.

“Thank you, Yaoyao~!”

“Wow! So delicious~”

The little ones’ childish voices were full of happiness, they were chattering and bouncing around as they ate the cakes.

These children who played with Jiang Xiaochao were all about the same age as him, all three or four-year-old boys, except for one little girl.

The little girl was three years old, thin and small, the same age as Jiang Xiaochao, but she looked even smaller than him.

She spoke in a small voice, and her eyes were a little shy but bright when she looked at Hu Yao.

Hu Yao’s heart softened, and she gave her an extra piece of crispy cake.

Jiang Xiaochao watched and was jealous, his mouth pouted.

He squeezed next to Hu Yao, wanting her to braid his hair too.

Hu Yao smiled and satisfied him, braiding a small bun on top of his head.

Only his little hair was a little long, so it could be braided.

“Done.”

Jiang Xiaochao was finally satisfied.

After the little ones finished their crispy cakes, Hu Yao divided the dug bamboo shoots, giving each of the little ones a bundle to carry back to their own homes.

The little girl, Xiaoya, wasn’t very willing to leave, she hugged the bamboo shoots and clung to Hu Yao, Jiang Xiaochao domineeringly and unhappily chased her away, she lowered her head, looking very dejected.

Hu Yao gently coaxed her for a while.

When Jiang Han came back and saw this scene, he glanced at Jiang Fu Chao’s wrinkled face, raised his eyebrows.

And Xiaoya, when she saw him coming back, didn’t need Jiang Xiaochao to chase her away, she hugged the bamboo shoots and ran away quickly, afraid…

He disappeared in a matter of seconds.

Hu Yao found it somewhat amusing and curved her eyes. It was true that even children were afraid of him.

“What are you laughing at?” Jiang Han pinched her chin, his voice low and questioning, his tone displeased.

He always liked to hold her chin like this, his grip not light, making her uncomfortable.

“I wasn’t laughing at you.” Hu Yao pursed her lips.

“Did I say you were laughing at me? You’re caught red-handed.” Jiang Han snorted, his fingers feeling the softness of her skin. He narrowed his eyes and leaned closer to her: “Now you’re getting bold, daring to laugh at me.”

Hu Yao felt he was being unreasonable, but she knew his unpredictable temperament well. She didn’t argue or say anything, letting him have his say.

He found it amusing to see her, who used to argue, make trouble, and be defiant, now enduring the humiliation, not daring to contradict him. Jiang Han had a playful intention in teasing her.

He only pinched her chin for a few seconds, leaving behind obvious red marks. He glanced at them, frowning as something came to mind, and lifted her skirt to look at her waist.

“!!” Hu Yao’s eyes widened, she reacted slowly and pressed down on her clothes, her face slowly turning red: “You, you…”

She blushed and couldn’t speak. It was still daytime, and they were in the courtyard! Jiang Xiaochao was still nearby!