Chapter 20 – Don’t Be a Coward

Grandma Chen already knew it was about money, having just heard Manman mention it. “Alright, it’s good that she came to see this old woman. Come on, let’s sit inside.”

Chen Manman was busy tending the fire in the kitchen, and before long, the fragrance of mung beans filled the entire yard.

At that moment, Xu Zhi was playing in the courtyard. Smelling the aroma, he rushed into the kitchen. “Hick! What are you cooking? I want some!” The child looked at her arrogantly, as if demanding, Why haven’t you served me yet?

Chen Manman’s tone was cold. “Speak nicely! Or you won’t get any.”

Xu Zhi was in disbelief at her words. When he saw the icy coldness in her eyes, he shivered. “You just wait! Hick! I’m going to tell my mom!” he yelled, then ran out of the kitchen.

Chen Manman: “……”
Looks like he really went to get reinforcements. She now fully understood—troublemaking really runs in their blood!

“Chen Manman! What do you mean by this? Is this how you treat your younger cousin? It’s just some food for Xiao Zhi!”
Chen Shufang came storming out of the room, furious after hearing that her son had been mistreated, and immediately began scolding Chen Manman.

Chen Manman glanced at Xu Zhi, who was hiding behind Chen Shufang, making faces and rolling his eyes with arrogance.

“Why don’t you ask what your son just called me?” Manman said calmly.

“What could he possibly have said? I think you’re just bullying Xiao Zhi and refusing to share food!”
Chen Shufang moved forward to grab Chen Manman’s hair, but Manman nimbly dodged.

“Your son kept calling me ‘hick’—I didn’t slap him twice out of respect for you, and he still wants food? Dream on!”
Chen Manman was done tolerating this. When it’s time to be tough, don’t be a coward!

“Oh, so now you’re saying you want to hit Xiao Zhi!”
Chen Shufang raised her hand to strike, but Manman had already seen it coming. She had figured out that Chen Shufang was nothing but trouble.

“Grandma! Aunt is hitting me!”
Chen Manman pushed Chen Shufang aside and ran toward Grandma Chen’s room.

“Grandma, Aunt hit me! I was just trying to make some mung bean soup for everyone, but it wasn’t done cooking yet. Xiao Zhi came and demanded some. I didn’t give him any, so he ran to Aunt to tattle, and she came rushing over to hit me, saying I was bullying Xiao Zhi. Waaaah… I didn’t do anything wrong! I was just being kind!”
Chen Manman cried beautifully, tears like falling petals.

Grandma Chen looked at her most beloved granddaughter crying so pitifully, and her heart ached.
“My sweet granddaughter, Grandma will stand up for you!”

Clearly, Grandma still loved her the most. Manman thought to herself.

Right at that moment, Chen Shufang arrived and ran right into Grandma Chen.
“Mom! That granddaughter of yours is too much! Xiao Zhi just wanted something to eat and she refused! She even tried to hit him…”

“Shut up! I think the problem is you. My granddaughter is a good and well-behaved girl! Chen Shufang, if you didn’t come here to see this old woman, then get lost! Stop causing drama every single day!”
Grandma Chen scolded harshly. In her eyes, Manman was obedient and sensible. After yesterday, she liked her even more—she wouldn’t allow anyone to talk bad about her.

Chen Shufang was in disbelief, completely stunned.
“Mom! Can you be reasonable? It really was Manman bullying Xiao Zhi, you can’t just…”

“Enough! What did you even come here for? If it’s nothing important, take Xiao Zhi and go home!”
Grandma Chen had made up her mind and gave her a clear dismissal.

“Mom! How can you say that? I finally made time to visit you!”

Chen Shufang hadn’t expected the old lady to be so different today. Has she changed her temper or what? No! I haven’t even gotten the 300 yuan yet!

She clung to Grandma Chen’s arm and acted coquettishly,
“Mom~ I was wrong, okay? I really just came to see you. Xiao Zhi missed you too!”

Only then did Grandma Chen’s expression soften a little. She didn’t say anything and turned around, sat on the heated brick bed, and continued sewing.

Chen Manman looked at the situation and realized that Grandma still wanted Aunt to stay for a bit.

“Grandma, I’ll go finish the mung bean porridge.”

As she left the room, Xu Zhi followed behind her. “Hick, just you wait!” he growled.

“Tch! Brat! All you know how to do is tattle. You little snitch!”
Chen Manman didn’t even bother arguing with him.

Back in the kitchen, she scooped the cooked mung bean porridge into bowls for Grandma, her sister-in-law, and secretly added some fresh milk to the bowls for Dahu and Erhu.

She went to her sister-in-law’s room to explain what had happened and asked her to watch the two kids. After settling Dahu and Erhu, Chen Manman poured the rest of the mung bean porridge into an aluminum pot, carried it in her basket, and headed to the fields.

On the way, she quietly added milk and ice to the pot.

She checked the time—it was already past 4 p.m. Chen Manman quickened her pace. Looking at the hardworking commune members in the fields, their faces glowing with joy and contentment, she felt a warm feeling rise in her heart.

As usual, she brought afternoon tea to her father, mother, and older brother in the field. This time, when Lin Shuhe saw her coming, he immediately walked up to her.

“Manman~”
His gaze was gentle as water, and his shining eyes held an inexplicable light.

Chen Manman almost got goosebumps—Does this male lead have the wrong idea?

But she couldn’t really blame him. Thinking back on all the dumb things the original host had done, she covered her forehead and shook her head. No wonder he misunderstood. It’s kind of justified, honestly!

“Manman, are you feeling okay? The weather’s so hot—you should head home and rest. I’ll bring this pot back later.”
Lin Shuhe looked worried. Seeing her gesture just now, he thought she was dizzy from heatstroke.

Chen Manman: “……”
That’s really unnecessary!

“I’m fine. You guys enjoy it—I’ll head back first.”
She didn’t want to stick around any longer, afraid this clueless male lead might say something embarrassing again.

“Oh, right—Dad, Aunt came over.”
Before leaving, Chen Manman briefly mentioned the matter with Chen Shufang.

Father Chen nodded, “Alright, got it.”

Then Chen Manman went over to tell her mom too.

When she got home, she checked on Dahu and Erhu. The kids were unusually well-behaved today. Knowing that guests were over, they didn’t cry or fuss. She once again asked her sister-in-law to look after them, and then decided to head out.

Her grandpa had gone up the back mountain to chop wood again. The old man just couldn’t sit still. Even though she told him not to go in the morning, he’d still gone while she was out at the county.

“Grandma, I’m going to the back mountain to dig up some wild vegetables.”
Without giving anyone time to object, Chen Manman grabbed a small hoe and her basket and left.

On the hillside, she asked a few kids about her grandpa’s location. After rewarding each of them with a fruit candy, she continued walking. Along the way, she carefully observed her surroundings. This was the main trail up the mountain. Soon, she spotted her grandfather.

“Grandpa!”

Old Master Chen looked up and saw his granddaughter beaming brightly.
“Manman’s here! Why aren’t you resting at home? Grandpa’s almost done here.”

“Grandpa, I came to pick some wild veggies—and maybe some mushrooms too.”
Chen Manman walked over and mentioned that her aunt had come to visit.

Old Master Chen didn’t say much. Instead, he asked, “How was your trip to the county this afternoon?”