Chapter 39 Lip Balm

Auntie Guo Feng from Liu Alley was, on the surface, good sisters with Zhang Shuying. But people’s hearts are hidden beneath their skin—everyone secretly wanted to see others suffer. Yet Zhang Shuying’s life was the one that everyone envied.

She was the youngest among the cadre wives in their circle, and her life was the smoothest. Her husband held a high-ranking position and still cared deeply about the family. Her son had a stable official post, had been promoted several times, and was favored by higher-ups. Naturally, she was the target of many behind-the-back complaints.

The only thing they could mock was her son’s so-called ridiculous engagement—to a bumpkin girl from the countryside. They hadn’t been in touch for years, and now she suddenly showed up again. Everyone was waiting for the drama. Even though Zhang Shuying seemed cheerful these past few days, they had all seen her with a worried face not long ago. Likely worrying about her son’s country bride. After all, he didn’t even have children yet—so what if she had a great husband and a great son? Without grandkids, old age would still be lonely and bleak.

Guo Feng, in her dull gray cloth shoes, had come just to watch the show. She noticed Zhang Shuying even pushing her own bicycle—none of them even owned one. Luckily, Zhang Shuying had a daughter-in-law who wasn’t easy to get along with, or else their jealousy would be unbearable.

“She’s my future daughter-in-law,” Zhang Shuying said with her chin slightly raised, eyes glowing with pride. She had once been the star of the performing arts troupe. Wearing black patent leather heels and a white trench coat slightly parted, she stood tall and graceful. She didn’t bother talking further, busying herself with adding a warm cushion to the ladies’ bike seat.

Guo Feng caught only a glance of Zhang Shuying’s daughter-in-law—fair-skinned, she had to admit—but the surprise quickly faded. After all, with such a pretty mother-in-law above her, how pretty could the daughter-in-law be? And she was wearing one of those garish country-style floral jackets—so tacky.

Xue Qingdai, feeling cold, had dug out a red-and-green floral jacket handmade by her mother, Yang Xiaomin. Because there’s a kind of cold—”the kind your mom thinks you’ll catch.”

Hunched over, she lazily ate a boiled egg, half-asleep with droopy eyes. Through the window lattice, she noticed an old woman bent over and staring at her. Arms behind her back, her face full of deep wrinkles like a carefully crafted maze. Her skin sagged in folds, making it hard to read her expression.

Xue Qingdai sipped warm tofu pudding slowly. She didn’t like talking while eating. Internally, she wondered—was this era really so tolerant of beggars? They could just waltz into people’s homes and stare?

Zhang Shuying called out, “Daidai, there’s still tofu pudding in the pot. Xie Yan queued up for it this morning.”

Xue Qingdai smiled, little dimples blooming. “Okay, Auntie Shuying.”

How did Xie Yan know she liked tofu pudding—especially with soybeans and chive flower paste? Add a bit of chili oil and it was perfect.

Zhang Shuying patted Guo Feng’s back and explained, “My daughter-in-law doesn’t like to talk while eating. Don’t mind her.”

These old women were full of schemes—she couldn’t let them bully Daidai.

Xue Qingdai forced a polite smile, pretending not to mind. She had almost mistaken the woman for a beggar and was about to tell her off.

Guo Feng stared, dumbfounded. So this was Xie Yan’s little wife?! She looked even younger and more radiant than Zhang Shuying. Despite wearing that tacky floral jacket, she still outshone everyone without even trying. Prettier than the Finance Director’s daughter, fairer than city girls, with eyes that sparkled like they could talk—she had the kind of face that both the old and the young liked.

Guo Feng pouted dramatically. No way. Zhang Shuying can’t be that lucky.

She comforted herself: The girl eats without speaking—obviously difficult to get along with. Zhang Shuying probably has a sweet face but a bitter heart. Guo Feng twisted her lips. And look at that breakfast! Eggs and tofu pudding? She’s not even married in yet and already spending money like water.

She suddenly smiled. Maybe this daughter-in-law will give Zhang Shuying some headaches—likes to spend, bad attitude, only good for her looks.

Guo Feng said, “Shuying, I’ll head off now. My girls keep begging for that thing you use on your lips. All three of them love looking pretty. Just give me one, girls don’t need too much.”

Then she added with fake generosity, “Maybe buy one for little Xie’s wife too. She looks quite simple—probably hasn’t used Snow Cream before.”

She thought Xue Qingdai still lived in a village and might not even know what skincare was. This was a subtle way to push her into spending money, hoping to stir up trouble in the household. Guo Feng carefully covered her mouth, afraid she’d laugh out loud from the anticipation.

Xue Qingdai wiped her mouth, ready to leave, but paused when she heard her name again. Her apricot eyes landed lightly on Guo Feng, silent but observant.

Zhang Shuying didn’t want Daidai’s time wasted. “Daidai’s working at the clinic. She made that lip balm herself and gave it to me as a gift. I treasure it too much to use, let alone have a second one.”

Xue Qingdai added, “Auntie Shuying, it’s nothing special. You could use one a day and I could still make more for you. Use it freely. I’m happy you like to look nice—women should enjoy dressing up.”

Xue Qingdai always hit where it hurt the most. She could afford it. And seeing a sour old hen hopping mad always brought a strange kind of joy.

But she herself had to choose warmth over beauty. With her frail body, catching a chill now would shave years off her life.

Zhang Shuying felt warmed by the words “our family”. Her son might not express care, but her daughter-in-law did. Even her old husband couldn’t say anything that reassuring.

She had never been one to lie low, and now she was already planning to show off later while Daidai was at work. Her heart burned bright like the afternoon sun. Even Guo Feng’s wrinkled face started to look pleasing.

Even without a grandchild to show off, Zhang Shuying had a daughter-in-law.

She helped adjust Xue Qingdai’s collar and handed her a pair of her own cashmere gloves. “Auntie will wait for you at home. Go slow on the road.”

She was desperate. Son, hurry up and marry her already. When will Daidai finally call me “Mom”?

Zhang Shuying watched Xue Qingdai leave, and for the first time, felt the bittersweet ache of watching a loved one walk away.

A daughter-in-law is the real treasure, a son is just grass.

Guo Feng stood frozen in place, stunned. Was Zhang Shuying’s daughter-in-law really that impressive?

“No way! Shuying, are you saying your daughter-in-law really made this herself?” she asked in disbelief.

Zhang Shuying raised an eyebrow, clearly seeing through Guo Feng’s skepticism. “My daughter-in-law’s very handy and is learning medicine. Her skin’s so fair and delicate—there’s no one in this whole compound who can compare.”

“It’s just a lip balm to her. She doesn’t even bother using it,” she added smugly.

Her daughter-in-law had such delicate skin—how could she be compared to rough-skinned old ladies like them?

Guo Feng’s mouth fell open, trembling. These days, whose lips aren’t dry and peeling, turning purple from the cold?

Just a few days ago, Zhang Shuying had strolled around the shared courtyard without mentioning the lip balm once. But anyone with eyes could see how radiant she looked—her lips were glossy and pink, not thick and greasy like they’d been smeared with lard. The vibrant glow on her lips gnawed at the other women’s hearts.

Times weren’t terribly hard anymore, and most people could afford a small skincare item if they saved up. That little thing Zhang Shuying used gave off a faint fragrance and made her look even more beautiful. Naturally, others started to wonder—if Zhang Shuying could look prettier using it, maybe they could too.

But Zhang Shuying, with her happy marriage and enviable life, had always been left out of the women’s circle. Most of them were wives from educated elite families. Still, only a few dared to thicken their skin and ask her about the balm.

And Guo Feng? She had the thickest face of them all, actually chasing Zhang Shuying down at her home.

Now, her face was twisted in pure frustration, like she’d just eaten a hot pile of fresh dog poop from the roadside—disgusted but unable to spit it out.

Back at home, her yellow, withered face furiously scolded her three daughters as money-wasting brats—wanting everything they see!

She was bitter and uncomfortable. Why is Zhang Shuying’s life so damn charmed? Her daughter-in-law isn’t even officially married in yet and already treats her that well. It’s enough to make your teeth ache with jealousy.

Grumbling to herself, she spread the word that Zhang Shuying’s future daughter-in-law could make lip balm.

It wasn’t just her family that wanted some—soon everyone would. If Zhang Shuying started offending people by refusing, that would be a drama worth watching.

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When Xie Yan returned home, he was surprised to find the usually quiet house buzzing with activity. Suspicion immediately rose in his chest.

“Mom… are we showing a movie or something? Why are there so many people here…”

Aside from watching a movie or walking down a busy street, Xie Yan couldn’t think of any other place that attracted such a crowd. For a moment, he even thought he had walked into the wrong house.

The moment the words left his mouth, he remembered something. He immediately picked up the pace and rushed to collect the clothes Xue Qingdai had hung up to dry—he didn’t want anyone else seeing them.