Chapter 56: Do Your Waist and Legs Hurt?

Jiang Rou saw Lin Yulan and immediately greeted her with a bright smile.

First, she placed Zhou Xiaohua on a small stool beside her, then stood up and affectionately called out, “Sister Yulan.”

The last time Lin Yulan had come to deliver supplies, the Zhou family’s house had been bare. After a few days of tidying up, thanks to Jiang Rou’s efforts, the room had taken on a warm appearance.

All the necessary daily supplies had also been added.

Jiang Rou prepared tea for Lin Yulan using a newly bought glass cup.

While it was called tea, it was actually not real tea leaves but rather sugar water tea.

She added two full spoons of white sugar into the glass and poured in hot water, watching as the sugar dissolved quickly, swirling gracefully in the syrup.

In that era, as everyone could hardly afford sugar, sugar water tea was the best way to entertain guests.

While Jiang Rou was making the tea, Zhou Xiaohua blinked her big, shiny eyes beside her, watching intently, licking her lips, clearly craving it earnestly.

Her round, cute face provoked a loving smile from Lin Yulan.

She remarked, “Sister Rou, it’s not easy to have some sugar at home; you should save it for Xiao Hua and the others. Kids love sweets.”

“Sister Yulan, it’s perfectly fine. You brought so many things for our family last time—vegetables and eggs. I don’t even know how to thank you. Right now, it’s just a cup of tea, so don’t be so polite with me.”

As Jiang Rou spoke, she placed the warm cup into Lin Yulan’s hands.

At the same time, she handed Zhou Xiaohua the small spoon she had just used to scoop sugar from the jar.

On the white spoon, there were tiny grains of white sugar, coated with a thin layer.

Zhou Xiaohua stared blankly at the spoon, tilting her head and looking at Jiang Rou with confusion, momentarily unable to comprehend what was happening.

Jiang Rou patted her little head and gently said, “Take it and have a few licks; we’ll be having lunch soon, so don’t eat too many sweets.”

It wasn’t that Jiang Rou was reluctant to give away the white sugar; it was just not the right time.

Now Zhou Xiaohua understood. She treated the small spoon like a treasure, grinning widely.

She immediately extended her little tongue and licked it.

So sweet!

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Jiang Rou and Lin Yulan didn’t sit inside the house but rather chatted in the courtyard, basking in the sunlight.

The reason Lin Yulan had come this time was partly to check on Jiang Rou’s situation and to see the two children, especially Zhou Xiaochuan.

The news that Zhou Xiaochuan had fallen ill during the stormy night had spread throughout the neighborhood.

Even though everyone knew that Jiang Rou had braved the night carrying the child to the Military Camp, each person held their own stereotypes.

Especially regarding stepparents and stepchildren.

In homes where there were stepparents, it was commonly believed that no stepchild could live well.

What’s more, Jiang Rou was a young and beautiful stepmother.

In the neighborhood, there were whispers and wild rumors circulating.

Some even claimed that Zhou Xiaochuan’s illness was actually caused by Jiang Rou.

Although later on, the events involving Xu Chunxiang and Xu Dashen were revealed, and the whole truth came to light,

but the murmurs and gossip from the community could not be silenced.

Now that Lin Yulan had come, she not only observed that Zhou Xiaochuan’s complexion was rosy and his spirits seemed much improved—he looked nothing like a sick child—but she also saw that Zhou Xiaohua had transformed as well.

The previously dirty and disheveled child had now turned into a plump, creamy-skinned little girl.

Her big, shiny eyes sparkled with vitality as she looked at people.

Lin Yulan could hardly believe her eyes.

She glanced over to the side of the courtyard, where Zhou Xiaohua, with the candy-covered little spoon in hand, was gleefully showing off to Zhou Xiaochuan. The two children huddled closely together, silently communicating with each other.

She asked aloud, “Has Xiaochuan completely recovered from his illness?”

Jiang Rou replied, “He’s gotten a bit better. But his stomach isn’t strong yet; he needs to be nurtured slowly in order to fully recover.”

“That’s right… with stomach issues, you can’t rush things; it has to be taken slowly. Xiaochuan is still young; children bounce back quickly, and he will surely be fine. Don’t worry too much.”

Lin Yulan spoke gently, her entire demeanor warm and caring, and her words were thoughtful and considerate.

Jiang Rou smiled slightly and nodded.

Another reason Lin Yulan had come this time was to inform Jiang Rou about the verdict concerning Xu Chunxiang and Xu Dashen.

“Sister Rou, if it weren’t for your keen observation that identified Xiaochuan’s issue as food poisoning rather than acute gastroenteritis, we might still be in the dark about Xu Chunxiang’s actions. That Regiment Commander Zhou gave her so much money for her work each month, and yet she could do something like this, even putting a child so young in harm’s way… it’s unimaginable how Xiaochuan and Xiao Hua must have lived before…”

As she spoke, Lin Yulan’s expression was one of deep sorrow, feeling the pain alongside Jiang Rou.

Her eyes nearly reddened with emotion.

Lin Yulan’s emotions were stirred yet restrained. She took a deep breath and shook her head.

“Let’s not talk about these sad things anymore. Let’s focus on something good. Sister Hong has already received reports from the village committee…”

Xu Dashen had taken all the blame upon himself, and with evidence solidly against her, she admitted to her actions. As a result, she was taken away by the police station, likely to spend at least six months in prison.

As for Xu Chunxiang…

Her actions weren’t necessarily illegal, but the situation right was different.

“Xu Chunxiang has been arranged for labor re-education. The Production Brigade in the village needed someone to feed the pigs, so they sent her there. Sister Rou, that’s about the situation. Do you have any other requests?”

When Jiang Rou heard this, her heart slightly lifted.

Feeding pigs!

Would Xu Chunxiang be willing to do such dirty and exhausting work?

She would certainly have a rough time ahead.

The two of them—mother and daughter—had finally received the punishment they deserve.

Jiang Rou felt a sense of relief inside.

She nodded and said: “Sister Yulan, I trust the organization. If Sister Hong thinks it’s fine, then I’m okay with it too. Thank you for the organization’s care and concern for our family.”

Lin Yulan hadn’t expected Jiang Rou to be so calm and composed.

After all, she had heard that Jiang Rou had been furious when she was at Xu Chunxiang’s home, almost like she wanted to swallow Xu Chunxiang alive.

This made Lin Yulan’s job considerably easier.

At the same time, the way she looked at Jiang Rou subtly changed.

Lin Yulan took the time to appraise Jiang Rou. Here was a delicate, beautiful woman with fair skin, and when she smiled, there was a faint dimple that made one feel warm and comfortable inside.

A person as charming as this, it wasn’t just men who would like her; even another woman would feel drawn to her.

But…

Jiang Rou was sitting on a low stool, her legs casually apart, her knees bent in a relaxed manner.

Lin Yulan pondered for a moment, hesitated, and then lowered her voice, gently asking, “Sister Rou, how is your health? Are you feeling any discomfort?”

“Me?” Jiang Rou was taken aback. “I’m doing well! Eating and sleeping fine, life here on the island is quite good.”

Jiang Rou’s cheerful response silenced Lin Yulan, who had been about to say something else.

Lin Yulan opened her mouth several times, struggling to find the right words.

Just as she was battling with her thoughts, a loud voice suddenly called out from the courtyard.

“Sister Rou, Yulan wants to know if your waist hurts or if your legs ache! How can you sit comfortably on that little stool? Aren’t you uncomfortable at all?”