Chapter 10: Da Dan and the Others Come to Eat

“Jingshu, the Zhang family really is terrible.” Zhang Xiuying didn’t expect the Zhang family to be so disgusting—five burly men who refuse to do proper work. But thinking of her younger daughter-in-law’s care for the Zhang family, she felt she had spoken out of turn and worried her daughter-in-law might get angry.

“They really are terrible,” He Jingshu said, having just tricked them and feeling quite pleased.

Zhang Xiuying saw that her daughter-in-law was not angry and began to believe she truly had changed for the better. She hurriedly called her two sons to help He Jingshu carry the grain back.

The brothers Zhong Youguo and Zhong Youjia, after seeing how their younger sister-in-law clearly laid out the old Zhang family’s wrongdoings, changed their attitude toward her significantly. Carrying the grain, they headed to their younger brother’s home.

“You’re much clearer-headed now,” Wang Dahong said awkwardly.

Zhang Xiuying gave her a sharp look, wondering why she spoke that way, though she also agreed it was true.

“It’s impossible to never be clear forever. Being a beast of burden, people won’t thank me,” He Jingshu knew this second sister-in-law’s nature was straightforward and was happy to get along well. Since she was raising Lingling, divorce from Zhong Youliang was not an option. Not to mention it wasn’t a military marriage, but divorcing at this time was unrealistic.

Wang Dahong genuinely felt happy for her young brother-in-law Zhong Youliang. Since the Zhong family treated her so well, she hoped all the Zhong family members would be well.

“Alright then, call us if you need anything. There are quite a few of us in the Zhong family; the old Zhang family won’t be able to bully you,” Wang Dahong said confidently.

The group chatted and laughed and quickly arrived home.

Little Zhong Ling and Da Dan had been waiting at home for a while. Just now, He Jingshu tried to keep her tone calm when calling the kids to find their grandparents, but little Zhong Ling, being sensitive, insisted on coming back. Her brothers escorted her home.

“Mom, can I share these pastries with my brothers?” Little Zhong Ling asked anxiously, worried her mom might not be in the mood to eat.

“Yes, but don’t eat too much. We still have to eat dinner,” He Jingshu replied kindly.

Little Zhong Ling ran back to her room, grabbed the pastries, and shared them with her brothers. Da Dan and the others felt a little embarrassed.

“Brother, I asked mom, and she said these are for me, so I can share them with you,” Little Zhong Ling said in a soft childish voice.

“Sis, you eat yourself. We don’t like sweets,” Dan swallowed nervously.

“No, if you don’t eat, then I won’t eat either,” Little Zhong Ling didn’t understand why her brothers never accepted her offerings and her eyes reddened with hurt.

The brothers hurriedly comforted her, each took a piece of pastry, and Little Zhong Ling finally stopped crying. The siblings happily ate together.

“There’s more here. I want to give some to grandpa and grandma, Uncle Da and Auntie, Uncle Er and Auntie,” Little Zhong Ling said, struggling to hold up the tray while tugging on He Jingshu’s clothes.

After her mom ate, she took the brothers back to the old residence and shared the pastries with everyone.

Everyone loved Little Zhong Ling and wanted to keep the pastries for her to eat, but seeing her sad face, they stuffed the pastries into their mouths. These pastries were really delicious; the last time they ate them was at Zhong Youliang’s wedding.

He Jingshu began preparing the daily nutritious meal, thinking about the grain she had managed to get. She directed Er Dan, who had just gone to the toilet alone, to the old house to call Little Zhong Ling and the others for dinner.

When Little Zhong Ling heard that mom called the brothers to eat together, she happily jumped up and down. Zhang Xiuying and the others wanted to stop them but swallowed their words. They could only watch helplessly as the children ran to the younger son’s house.

Zhang Dafen moved quickly, carrying a bag of grain for Da Dan to take over. These days, no family had much grain.

He Yashu saw the grain but said nothing and called everyone to eat once all had arrived.

Da Dan and the others looked at the table laden with steamed pork ribs with rice powder, stir-fried chili meat, braised eggplant, mapo tofu, and meatball soup. It was better than what they ate during New Year at home. Each of them was a bit hesitant to eat, so He Yashu helped serve them.

Seeing the kids eat happily, He Yashu felt joyful; isn’t this the true meaning of cooking?

Da Dan and the others enthusiastically washed the dishes, then took their sister out to play.