Chapter 35: The Ways of the World

But right now, there was nothing she could do.

Zhou Ying carefully got out of bed, intending to go to the kitchen to cook.

However, when she arrived, she hadn’t expected Liu Xiaolan to be there as well.

The kitchen was already filled with the aroma of meat.

Zhou Ying walked to the stove and lifted the lid of the pot.

Inside, she saw large marrow bones simmering in the broth.

The surface of the water bubbled as it boiled, and the glistening oil floating atop the soup shimmered in the light.

Zhou Ying swallowed with difficulty.

She thought to herself that this must have been specially prepared for her by Liu Xiaolan. After all, she was now pregnant, and there was a good chance it was a grandson. Because of that, Liu Xiaolan had begun to cherish her.

As expected, having a grandson really did make a difference in status.

The resentment Zhou Ying had felt all morning instantly vanished at the sight of the bone broth.

Her heart felt warm and comforted.

“What are you doing?”

Suddenly, a sharp voice rang out beside her, startling Zhou Ying so much that her hand trembled and the lid fell back onto the pot.

“Mother, I just smelled something delicious and wanted to see what was cooking.”

Liu Xiaolan stared at Zhou Ying as if she were a thief.

“Smelling it has nothing to do with you. Old Third bought this for Jiaojiao himself. It’s not for any of you.”

Zhou Ying’s face turned pale.

So it was for Shen Jiaojiao.

Again, Shen Jiaojiao.

Her mother-in-law was truly playing favorites!

A surge of resentment welled up in Zhou Ying’s heart once more.

However, she did not let any of it show on her face.

“I was just looking, I didn’t want to eat it. Mother, let me tend to the fire for you!”

Zhou Ying immediately sat in front of the stove and added firewood to the flames.

After the family had eaten, Liu Xiaolan poured the finished bone broth into a lunchbox.

Just as Xu Mo reached out to take it, Liu Xiaolan quickly pulled it away.

“Either go rest or go to work. From now on, I’ll be the one delivering the food.”

Xu Mo: “……”

Was she guarding against him?

Ah!

Forget it. In any case, in half a month, he and Shen Jiaojiao would be married.

Xu Mo didn’t insist on grabbing the lunchbox.

After most of the family members had left, he took a parchment-wrapped package from the kitchen cabinet, then walked out of the courtyard, pushing his bicycle.

However, this scene was witnessed by Zhou Ying, who had returned unexpectedly.

Her brother-in-law had taken something good from the house again.

That parchment package looked quite big—there must have been a lot inside.

Zhou Ying went back inside and entered the kitchen.

She noticed that the cabinet where they usually stored grain hadn’t been locked.

A surge of excitement filled her. She opened the cabinet and saw that there was still some white sugar inside.

Glancing nervously toward the kitchen entrance, she made sure no one was around.

Then, she opened the sugar jar, scooped out a large spoonful, and stuffed it into her mouth.

Afterward, she stealthily placed the jar back in its original position.

Once the sugar had completely melted in her mouth, she smacked her lips in satisfaction, then left the kitchen and headed toward the latrine.

Meanwhile, Xu Mo pushed his bicycle toward the Captain’s house.

At that moment, the Captain’s family was eating in the courtyard.

Xu Mo wheeled his bicycle inside.

“Uncle, Aunt, I’m here to return the bicycle.”

“Just leave it there. Xu family’s Old Third, have you eaten yet?” the Captain’s wife asked.

“Mm, I have.”

Xu Mo parked the bicycle properly, then walked up to the Captain with the parchment package in hand.

“Uncle, Aunt, this is just a small token of appreciation for lending me the bicycle.”

As he unwrapped the package, a pound of fresh pork was revealed inside.

Then he pulled out thirty yuan from his pocket.

“This is the thirty yuan I borrowed from you.”

Captain and his wife were momentarily taken aback, quickly shaking their heads in refusal.

Although pork was indeed tempting in that era, they could not accept it, no matter the circumstances.

Captain’s wife insisted: “We are neighbors, and borrowing things is quite normal. As long as you remember the kindness of your aunt and uncle, that is enough. You must take this meat back; we cannot accept it.”

“Auntie, you must accept it, or I will feel uneasy in my heart.”

“This child, your mother helped me with work last time. I did not give her any gift in return. It is said that neighbors should engage in mutual exchanges, and this is quite normal.” Captain’s wife firmly declared, unwilling to accept.

Captain added: “Xu Mo, just take your things back. If I were to accept your gift, it would be as if I am receiving a bribe. If anyone saw, they would have much to say; you should not cause trouble for your uncle!”

Xu Mo, naturally lacking in verbal communication and understanding of social niceties, found himself at a loss.

Initially, he intended to simply leave the pork behind and walk away, but Captain’s wife noticed his intentions and promptly shoved the meat into Xu Mo’s arms, urging him to take it quickly.

With no other option, Xu Mo reluctantly complied.

Just as he was about to turn and exit, he caught sight of a small head peeking through the gate.

Upon noticing Xu Mo, the head promptly withdrew.

Xu Mo frowned and swiftly walked outside the gate.

There he saw the graceful silhouette of a girl.

The girl, tiptoeing, limped as she made her way forward.

With tightly pressed lips, Xu Mo quickly approached and blocked her path.

With a hint of exasperation, he said: “Shen Jiaojiao, didn’t the doctor instruct you to rest at home? Why have you come outside?”

Caught in the act, Shen Jiaojiao felt somewhat embarrassed.

She offered a sheepish smile, attempting to deflect.

“I’m actually not in pain anymore, so I thought I would come out for a stroll.”

“What is it that you are carrying in your hand?”

Shen Jiaojiao glanced at the box of peach crisps she was holding.

Very well!

She admitted she intended to return the borrowed money along with a token of appreciation.

In truth, she was quite familiar with the ways of human relationships.

After all, during her time at home, her family frequently prepared gifts to express gratitude for others’ assistance, and conversely, others would bring gifts to their home.

Thus, having been immersed in such customs from a young age, Shen Jiaojiao understood what was appropriate.

“I came to return the money I borrowed from Captain’s family. Didn’t we borrow thirty yuan from them yesterday? And this box of peach crisps is meant to thank them.”

She had risen early, fearing that Xu Mo or Liu Xiaolan would arrive before her to repay the money.

After all, she had offered Liu Xiaolan money yesterday, but Liu Xiaolan had declined.

Yet, to her chagrin, she was still one step too late today.

Xu Mo sighed. “You should return. I have already repaid Captain.”

“Then they should at least accept the peach crisps!”

“They will not accept them; I just offered them a piece of pork, and they refused.”

Shen Jiaojiao let out a small gasp, surprised that Xu Mo, usually so awkward, would understand the significance of bringing a gift!

He had potential.

With a mischievous glint in her eyes, Shen Jiaojiao remarked: “It’s fine; I have ways to ensure they accept these peach crisps.”

With unwavering confidence, she made her way toward Captain’s home.

However, after a few steps, she felt something amiss.

Then, under Xu Mo’s watchful gaze, she limped her way to Captain’s house, awkwardly moving forward.

Shen Jiaojiao let out a deep breath.

That was close; she had nearly been discovered regarding the fact that her foot had healed.

It was her fault for having consumed too much spiritual spring water yesterday, resulting in her rapid recovery.

How troublesome indeed!

Meanwhile, Captain and his wife had finished their meal and were preparing to clean up when they noticed Shen Jiaojiao entering through the door, followed by the returning Xu Mo behind her.