Chapter 221

Li Dani and the five others had already finished eating. Noon was the hottest time of the day, and the Madam said it was easy to get heatstroke, so she didn’t let them work. After lunch, they usually cleaned up the dishes and then went back to their rooms.

Upon hearing the knock on the door, Li Dani got up and quickly ran to open it.

Shuiqing knew from the sound of the knock that trouble was coming.

Hu’s mother and Qin Yilin also stopped chatting, waiting calmly.

Before Li Dani went to open the door, Shuiqing had instructed her not to take the visitors to the tea room but to bring them directly here—the tea room had some fine tea and freshly made yam pastries that they didn’t want to waste on outsiders.

But unexpectedly, the troublemakers didn’t come alone; they brought reinforcements and came in droves!

Not only did Aunt Zhang come, but her daughter Zhang Chunhua also came along, and beside them were her sister-in-law Sun Jinhua and Fan Sanzhu and Fan Sizhu.

“Aunt.”

“Sister-in-law.”

“From the Fan family.”

After greeting them, the five of them fixed their eyes on the cold noodles on the Huangyang wood table, the sound of them swallowing saliva particularly clear.

Shuiqing was glad that they didn’t prepare a large spread like usual at noon, only some simple cold noodles, which wouldn’t attract too much attention.

However, the cold noodles had vinegar and chili oil, making them appetizing, and the visitors couldn’t take their eyes off them.

Qin Yilin, who always had a conflict with Sun Jinhua’s family, acted as if she didn’t see them and started eating her cold noodles in big mouthfuls.

Hu’s mother didn’t act politely as usual either, finishing the remaining noodles in her bowl in a few bites, following Qin Yilin’s lead.

“What is this new thing? Looks quite delicious,” Aunt Zhang said, swallowing her saliva greedily.

They were all waiting for Shuiqing to politely invite them to eat so they could naturally help themselves to a bowl.

Shuiqing said flatly, “It’s nothing special.”

Then she looked at the children, sternly saying, “Why aren’t you eating faster? Jia Jia only made this much, if you don’t eat it, there won’t be any left.”

The children quickly shoveled the food into their mouths.

Sun Jinhua, anxious, stepped forward and pulled her daughter Fan Zhaodi, scolding, “You girl, leave some for your mother and brother!”

A few days ago, Uncle Huang and Second Uncle Huang took a lot of grain, and since then, their family’s food had been halved. She could only eat half a meal a day and thought of coming over at mealtime to get a taste of better food.

She didn’t expect Shuiqing, with her sour face, to not invite them to eat, and Hu’s mother, to not even utter a polite word.

In the past, she could beat and scold Daya and Er’ya whenever she wanted, but things were different now, especially with that boy staring at her. It seemed like if she dared to touch Daya, he would pounce on her. How could she dare to act?

Fortunately, her daughter was here too. If she couldn’t eat others’ food, she could still eat her daughter’s, right?

Fan Zhaodi put down her bowl and chopsticks, hugged her mother’s waist, and wailed, “Mom, are you here to take me home? You’re finally taking me home!

Waaah, fine, I’ll give you all the food in my bowl as long as you take me home!”

Fan Sanzhu’s outstretched hand paused and then retracted.

The family was already eating half-full meals a day; how could they add another mouth to feed?

Sun Jinhua was stunned for a moment and awkwardly said, “What nonsense are you talking about? People might think you’re not living well at your aunt’s place.”

Fan Zhaodi continued crying, “Aunt is very good, but I am your daughter, not Aunt’s daughter. I can’t keep freeloading at Aunt’s place.

Mom, you’re here to take me back today, right? Did my two brothers come to take me too?”

Sun Jinhua remained silent.

It was the Zhang family who said there was something good and asked her to come along. She thought she had nothing to do at home and might as well come over to get a bite.

As long as Dazhu and Erzhu earned money and made a few more trips to earn a few more taels of silver, they would have enough grain to eat again.

She also wanted to see Zhaodi, to remind her she still had a mother, but she had never planned to take her daughter home today!

Fan Sanzhu quickly comforted, “Zhaodi, we don’t have enough food at home now. You’re better off staying at Aunt’s place!”

They couldn’t go home and steal their food.

Fan Sizhu thought simply, how great it was at his aunt’s place. Zhaodi could sit at the table and eat her fill, why go back and suffer?

If it were him, he wouldn’t want to go back either! He’d just stick around at his aunt’s place, as long as there was food.

Although the three had different thoughts, they all stopped mentioning eating Zhaodi’s food.

Seizing the opportunity, Shuiqing signaled to the kids. Da Jiang and Da He helped their sister to the room, while Yanqiu carried the rice bowl over. After eating, they could rest directly in the room.

Xinghui and Fan Hu followed along, and the children quickly scattered, leaving only the “outsiders” Ling Ran and Bai Ziqian.

Seeing Fan Zhaodi limping away with support, Sun Jinhua breathed a sigh of relief. As long as they didn’t take her when they left, it would be fine. Eventually, when Zhaodi’s leg was fully healed and she could work, she’d come to fetch her. Otherwise, not only would they have another mouth to feed at home, but they’d also have to take care of her, which would exhaust her!

Li Dani and the other women cleaned up the dishes from the table and took them to the kitchen to wash, then brought out a few cups of cooled boiled water.

Aunt Zhang, Zhang Chunhua, and the others found chairs and sat down.

Zhang Chunhua held the bamboo cup, sipping the cooled boiled water in small sips, her eyes darting around the dining room, Hu’s mother, and the five quick-handed women.

She had heard that Hu Shuiqing’s house had suddenly gained many servants, including five women.

Villagers usually didn’t even serve others, let alone enjoy being served!

These women belonged to Hu Shuiqing’s family. When she married into the Hu family, as the elder sister-in-law, she could at least assign one or two to help at the Hu family. That way, she’d have people to serve her too…

Hu’s mother secretly observed Zhang Chunhua, noticing her restless eyes and immediately understanding what she was looking at!

She was displeased but kept her face neutral out of politeness.

Aunt Zhang noticed Hu’s mother looking at Chunhua and was pleased. She said with a smile, “Oh, this is my daughter Chunhua. She’s just turned sixteen this year. I brought her out to socialize since we all live in the same village, it’s good to get to know each other.”

The last time she came, Hu Shuiqing was still living in a thatched house. She only knew a big house had been built in front, but she never imagined it would be so grand!

Upon seeing it, she realized Chunhua had a good eye. With such an elder sister-in-law to take care of her, her future would surely be better.

Her husband had previously offended Fan Jin and Hu Shuiqing, vowing never to cooperate again. But once Chunhua became their sister-in-law, how could they refuse to cooperate?

Hu’s mother smiled without responding.

Shuiqing and Qin Yilin did the same.

Ling Ran and Bai Ziqian acted as if they were invisible, only preventing anyone from causing trouble or taking things.

Seeing Hu’s mother smile, Aunt Zhang immediately straightened her back, thinking she was very satisfied with Chunhua.

She looked at Hu’s mother and praised, “Chunhua is obedient, filial, and capable. She’s a great hand both inside and outside the house. The villagers often say whoever marries her will be blessed. Many families have had their eyes on her even before she came of age.”