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Liu Zhoucheng smiled as he stood beside them, saying, “This little one probably also wants to visit the county. If you’re worried about her, you can bring her along. I’ll help keep an eye on her.”
Tan Xiaomei’s heart softened as she thought it over. After a moment, she replied, “Liu Shiye, I’ll first ask my elder brother and sister-in-law. If they agree, then I’ll go.”
Liu Zhoucheng’s face lit up with joy. “Great, I’ll be in Yonghe Village today. If you want to go, just let me know.”
Tan Xiaomei nodded, “Thank you, Liu Shiye.”
“No need to thank me,” Liu Zhoucheng said, lightly nodding. He then turned to leave, but before he did, he gently placed a package of oil paper on the table and paused, saying, “Here are some osmanthus cakes. I saw that you liked them, so I bought a few.”
Tan Xiaomei quickly walked over, holding Little Qiyue in her arms, and said, “Liu Shiye, you shouldn’t have spent your money on this.”
“Don’t be polite, Miss,” Liu Zhoucheng responded in a warm tone. “I just happened to buy them on the way.”
Tan Xiaomei’s heart skipped a beat as she heard his words. She carried Little Qiyue to the door, watching his retreating figure. The face that had once looked worn and haggard now seemed to have a hint of spring to it, a quiet charm she hadn’t noticed before.
Meanwhile, after sending Aunt Yu off, Wan Chunmei turned and headed toward the vegetable garden.
She intended to check how much usable land there was and start planning what vegetables to plant for the coming spring.
However, by coincidence, she bumped into her second sister-in-law, Miao Shi, on the way.
Miao Shi was the eldest daughter-in-law of her stepmother’s family.
Upon seeing Wan Chunmei, Miao Shi immediately waved and called out, “Big Sister! Big Sister!”
Miao Shi was a loud woman with a straightforward personality. Although she didn’t have any bad intentions, she also didn’t have much of a brain and often spoke without thinking.
Wan Chunmei didn’t dislike her but didn’t particularly like her either.
“Xiao Miao, what brings you to our village?” Wan Chunmei asked.
Miao Shi let out a long sigh. “It’s because of Third Sister. I don’t know what bad things she’s been doing at home, but she was sent back to her parents after being divorced. My parents told me to go to her husband’s family and try to talk some sense into them, see if they can reconcile.”
Wan Chunmei sneered coldly, thinking of the third sister Wan, and mockingly said, “She brought this on herself.”
Miao Shi nodded. “Exactly. That’s what I think too, which is why I don’t even want to go.”
Wan Chunmei said directly, “If you don’t want to go, then don’t. the third sister Wan can’t blame you for it.”
Miao Shi looked around cautiously and whispered, “Big Sister, you don’t know, but my parents are both disabled—one’s crippled, the other blind. It’s really not easy for me to take care of them and the three of them. If I don’t find a way to send the third sister Wan away, I’ll be the one exhausted.”
Wan Chunmei understood, thinking about how difficult that situation must be. After a moment of consideration, she offered an idea, “Why don’t you go with Second Brother to the county? Doesn’t he always want to leave the village? This is a good opportunity. If you both leave, Your third sister Wan can stay behind and take care of your parents, and you’ll be free.”
The third sister Wan had been spoiled since childhood—she couldn’t lift a finger, let alone do hard work. Let her stay and take care of the elderly; it would be enough to make her suffer.
Wan Chunmei wasn’t one for compassion. She didn’t want those two to end up as a burden on her.
Miao Shi thought for a moment and then nodded, “That’s a good idea. I’ll go home and ask my husband about it.”