Chapter 23.1

The next morning, after Li Xiao finished cooking, he rode his bike to the city hospital.

When he came back, it was already 11:30 in the morning. 

Jiang Rou asked about Uncle Wang’s situation and heard Li Xiao say that Uncle Wang had not woken up yet—he had multiple fractures, especially in the right hand. It was likely that he would never be able to slaughter pigs again.

Jiang Rou frowned and said, “It’s good that he’s still alive.”

Li Xiao could not dispute this.

Since Uncle Wang had an accident, the cooperation between the two families was also off. Li Xiao estimated that Uncle Wang would have to stay in the hospital for at least another month.

While a month without income might not have a significant impact on the Wang family, it would be quite hard for their small family, especially with the New Year approaching in two months.

After some thought, Li Xiao went out the next noon.

He went straight to the vegetable market. Zhou Jian usually sets up his stall by the back door of the market. Li Xiao knew this because he came to buy vegetables at the market every morning and occasionally ran into him.

However, because the backdoor stalls did not require rent, the vendors’ locations were quite mobile. Li Xiao searched for a while today before finally finding Zhou Jian in a corner.

It looked like he hadn’t gotten a good spot today.

When Li Xiao approached, Zhou Jian was chatting and laughing with an older woman, swiftly cleaning a big grass carp. “Don’t worry, my fish is the freshest. All of the fish I have here were caught from the river in the countryside last night. I can guarantee that this will be delicious when cooked. Alas, not to criticize, but some people are getting lazier nowadays. Many fish vendors use feed to raise their fish. How can people eat that fish? It’s so fishy and greasy.”

Seeing Li Xiao coming to his side, Zhou Jian immediately sped up his movements. He swiftly removed the gills and liver of the fish, then bundled it with a straw and handed it to the older woman with a sweet tone, “Sister, come again next time.”

The old woman felt sweet at being called “sister” and said, “Next time, make sure to pick a good spot.”

Of course, I’ll come early just for you.”

The old woman, who was easily coaxed by Zhou Jian, smiled.

Li Xiao watched silently from the side. After the woman left, Zhou Jian washed his hands with water from a nearby bucket and cheerfully said, “Brother, what brings you here?”

He then asked, “Do you want fish? There are still two crucian carp in the bucket. You can take them home for my sister-in-law.”

Li Xiao glanced at the stall and said directly, “No need; there are still two live fish at home, and we haven’t finished the ones you gave us. I came to find you to talk about something.”

His eyes swept over the bucket with several fish, and he added, “Dell these fish first, and after you’re done, let’s go eat at a restaurant.”

He had come out after making lunch and hadn’t eaten himself. Since it was almost noon, he decided to have a meal with Zhou Jian outside.

Zhou Jian was eager to join Li Xiao. Since his sister-in-law got pregnant, his big brother hadn’t come to see him for a long time. “Okay, then, brother, wait for me a bit. This sells quickly.”

“Hmm, I’ll go buy some seasonings first and come back.”

Li Xiao turned around and went to a nearby stall, picking out several seasonings he needed. After buying, he noticed a stall selling women’s hair ties and couldn’t resist checking them out.

When he returned, he saw a familiar face at Zhou Jian’s stall.

As he approached, he heard Wang Tao’s flattering voice say, “This fish looks pretty good. Can I see it?”

Zhou Jian did not move, rolling his eyes and asking bluntly, “Do you have money?”

Wang Tao hurriedly replied, “Yes, I brought money today.”

Zhou Jian snorted coldly and took out the fish Wang Tao had chosen to weigh—the fish was still alive and kicking. 

Wang Tao said again: “If you weigh it in this way, it won’t be accurate; you have to kill it and then weigh it.” 

When Zhou Jian heard this, his face immediately turned sour. He tossed the fish and scale onto the ground, angrily asking, “So you want me to kill the fish and then say you didn’t bring enough money, huh?”

“Damn it, Wang Tao! How many times have you done this? If you continue to do this, can I still earn money?”

Wang Tao’s expression flickered. “This… it’s just that my family is too poor. How about a smaller fish instead?”

Zhou Jian remained unmoved.

Wang Tao looked embarrassed, forcing a smile but refusing to leave.

Li Xiao stepped in to break the deadlock. “I’ll take this one. I’ll pay.”

Only then did Wang Tao notice Li Xiao standing right behind him, his face stiffened, “Boss.”

Li Xiao nodded to him without saying anything.

Wang Tao lowered his head.

Zhou Jian could only tolerate it for the sake of Li Xiao’s face. He killed the fish, but his expression remained blank throughout.

When handing the fish to Wang Tao, he spat out a single word, “Scram.”

Wang Tao took the fish and ran away in shame.

Seeing him like that, Zhou Jian couldn’t help but curse: “His wife really knows how to disgust people.”

Li Xiao also glanced at Wang Tao’s back and suddenly felt that this man seemed like a completely different person from the “Wang Tao” he remembered.

After a moment of silence, he withdrew his gaze, then took out a piece of money from his pocket and threw it to Zhou Jian: “I’ll take the remaining fish. Let’s go eat.”

“No, you don’t have to pay me. I’m willing to cover the cost for my sister-in-law. Wang Tao’s wife can’t compare to her. I’d rather throw it away than give it to them.”

Li Xiao laughed upon hearing this and wondered why Jiang Rou was so liked by everyone. The neighbors liked her, and Zhou Jian also had a very good impression of her.

Thinking about it, although he was the worst among his siblings, his wife was the best.

On the way, Zhou Jian continued to complain, saying how Wang Tao was like a different person now. He also mentioned the time he passed by Wang Tao’s house and heard his wife scolding Wang Tao for being useless. She also said that the house of the Zhu Qiang family was going to be demolished, so he might get a large sum of money, unlike their family, who had nothing.

“Brother, do you think something’s wrong with her head? Whether other people are living a good or bad life is none of her business. If she’s that envious, go earn it herself.”

Li Xiao didn’t say anything—he felt that Jiang Rou was still the best, and he knew that she would never say such things.

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