Chapter 13 Giving Gifts

Shi Qingqian politely greeted, “Hello, Second Uncle, Second Aunt.”

Zhang Xiu, beaming with a smile, grabbed Shi Qingqian’s hand and looked her up and down, constantly praising her. “Oh my, what a lovely girl! Huai’an is lucky. When my husband told me he brought a wife home, I thought he was joking—but it turns out it’s true.”

Shi Qingqian blushed slightly at the compliment and smiled. “Second Aunt, you flatter me.”

Xu Wu chuckled. “Your Second Aunt speaks the truth.”

Zhang Lanxiang smiled as well. “Of course. Qingqian really is a good child. Come on, don’t just stand there—sit down. We’ll have a meal together and make it lively.”

Zhang Xiu continued chatting with Shi Qingqian, asking how she and Xu Huai’an had met. The children played nearby, occasionally bursting into laughter, creating a warm and cozy atmosphere.

Before long, the meal was ready. Zhang Lanxiang called everyone to the table. The family sat together, the mood initially very harmonious.

However, the manners of Eldest Sister-in-law Li Guihua and her son Qifan quickly disrupted the peace.

The moment Li Guihua saw the chicken and other good dishes, her eyes lit up. She paid no attention to anyone else and began piling meat into her own bowl. Qifan, following his mother’s example, frantically grabbed food as well, moving his small hands between the plates and his bowl as if trying to take everything for himself.

Their greedy behavior was bad enough, but they also smacked and chewed loudly, making everyone uncomfortable.

Xu Huaiguo, embarrassed, tried to subtly remind them by clearing his throat, but the mother and son ignored him completely, absorbed in the food. Young Qifan, inexperienced, only knew to imitate his mother.

Zhang Lanxiang frowned slightly but, considering the situation, didn’t say anything. Xu Huai’an carefully picked untouched dishes and served them to Shi Qingqian.

After the meal, Shi Qingqian brought out the gifts she had prepared for the family. Smiling, she said to Zhang Lanxiang, “Auntie, these are small gifts I prepared for everyone. It’s our first meeting, so I hope you’ll like them.”

She handed two boxes of snow cream to Zhang Lanxiang and Zhang Xiu. Both women looked at the gifts with delight.

Zhang Lanxiang quickly accepted them. “Qingqian, you are so thoughtful. I heard these cost three yuan a box—they’re precious!”

Zhang Xiu laughed. “Yes, Qingqian, I really shouldn’t accept these.”

Shi Qingqian insisted, “Second Aunt, please accept them. It’s just a small token. You can’t refuse on our first meeting.”

Zhang Xiu looked at Zhang Lanxiang awkwardly. Zhang Lanxiang smiled and said, “Xiu’er, just take them. Qingqian’s intentions are sincere.”

Only then did Zhang Xiu nod and accept the snow cream. “Thank you, Qingqian.”

Shi Qingqian continued distributing gifts. She gave Xu Wu and Xu Huai’an’s father tobacco and Xifeng wine.

“Xifeng wine! This is a famous fine wine!” Xu Wu exclaimed excitedly.

“Really?” Xu Huai’an’s father was also interested in the wine, but even more in the tobacco. He immediately emptied his tobacco pipe, refilled it with the new tobacco, lit it, and took a satisfied puff. Squinting his eyes, he exhaled slowly. “This tobacco is rich and smooth. Excellent.”

Zhang Lanxiang, observing their reactions, smiled. “Qingqian really knows you two well.”

Shi Qingqian smiled. “As long as you like it. I don’t know much about these things; I just heard this tobacco and wine are good, so I bought them.”

“We like it, very much,” Xu Wu and Xu Huai’an’s father said in unison. Then the brothers exchanged a glance and went outside to show off their gifts.

Gifts for Xu Huaiguo and Xu Huaimin were also Xifeng wine, but without tobacco.

“Thank you, Third Sister-in-law,” they said.

For the children, she gave half a pound of candy each. “Thank you, Third Aunt,” they all said.

Li Guihua and Zhang Youdi received one bottle of shell oil each. Zhang Youdi quickly thanked her. “Thank you, Third Sister-in-law. You even thought of us.”

Li Guihua looked at her shell oil, then at the snow cream in Zhang Lanxiang and Zhang Xiu’s hands, and felt it was unfair. She stood up.

“Third Sister-in-law, you can’t be so stingy. Why do Mother and Second Aunt get snow cream, and I only get shell oil? This shell oil can’t compare to snow cream!”

“Besides, my family only has two children. That’s only one pound of candy. Second Sister-in-law has three children, that’s a whole pound and a half. They’re all our relatives. It should be even. Give me half a pound more candy and I won’t complain.”

Her words cast a shadow over everyone at the table. Xu Huai’an was about to speak, but Shi Qingqian stopped him. Matters between women didn’t need his intervention.

Trying to keep her tone calm, she said, “Eldest Sister-in-law, the snow cream is for the elders. The shell oil is also very useful. As for the candy, it was divided according to the number of children. There’s no unfairness.”

Li Guihua wouldn’t relent. “That’s not the same! Snow cream is much better than shell oil. You’re not short of money, so why not give snow cream too? And the candy—you have to give me half a pound more!”

Xu Huaiguo’s face darkened, and he shouted, “Li Guihua, don’t go too far! Third Sister-in-law prepared gifts for everyone. What right do you have to pick and choose?”

Li Guihua, intimidated, still stubbornly replied, “I’m not going too far! I just think it’s unfair.”

Shi Qingqian walked over to Li Guihua. Just as Li Guihua expected her to give her snow cream, Shi Qingqian grabbed the two bottles of shell oil from her hands.

“Eldest Sister-in-law, since you don’t like my gifts, forget it. Buy whatever you like yourself.”

Li Guihua’s eyes widened in shock. She hadn’t expected Shi Qingqian to act this way. She had wanted more, but now even what was in her hands was gone.

Regaining her composure, she stammered, “Third Sister-in-law, I didn’t mean that, I…”

Shi Qingqian snorted coldly. “I don’t care what you mean. I bought these gifts myself. If I want them back, I will.”