Chapter 9.2

As Jiang Rou escorted her guest to the door, she was about to turn around and go back when she saw Aunt Wang next door poking her head out.

Aunt Wang met Jiang Rou’s gaze and smiled awkwardly. “Your uncle is watching the stall. I came back to cook lunch. I wanted to tell you about the morning, but when I walked to the door, I heard people talking in your yard, so I didn’t go in. Is everything okay?”

Ending with a careful question, her face carried a bit of gossip.

The voice in the yard was quite loud, and Aunt Wang couldn’t help eavesdropping for a while. Then she heard what Jiang Rou was saying. She didn’t expect that Jiang Rou, who appeared gentle and refined, could be fierce, defending her man staunchly. There was not a single bad word about Li Xiao.

In her mind, this kid was good, and Li Xiao had chosen the right person.

People are like that. Everyone says someone is not good, even if that person has never offended them. Over time, they start to think negatively.

But if one day someone starts speaking up for that person—even if it’s just one person coming forward—some people might have a change in perception.

Aunt Wang was like that. She couldn’t say Li Xiao left a good impression on her yet, but she liked Jiang Rou’s attitude. She felt that this kid, who genuinely wanted to live with Li Xiao, was steady and sensible. If she had a son, she would definitely want to bring Jiang Rou home.

Being able to marry such a sensible wife, Li Xiao should not continue to walk down the wrong path in the future.

Jiang Rou smiled nonchalantly and said, “It’s okay. They were just former classmates, not very close.”

Not wanting to say much, she instead changed the topic. “How was the situation this morning? Did anyone buy it?”

Aunt Wang could read expressions, so she didn’t press further. However, she thought she should tell Li Xiao about this when he came back, so he wouldn’t mistreat Jiang Rou in the future. It wasn’t easy for her at such a young age to follow him; she shouldn’t have to endure all the hardships.

Smiling in response to her question, Aunt Wang said, “Yes, your uncle followed your instructions. He cut a plate for people to try a piece or so. Those who tried it almost all bought some to take home. Your uncle said the business was so good in the morning; it will definitely be good in the future. He asked me to tell you not to worry.”

“That’s good.”

Aunt Wang had to go back to cook, so she didn’t chat with Jiang Rou in detail. After a few words, she went back.

Jiang Rou also went back to the house to cook.

She thought the day would end like this, but in the evening, someone else came to the house—this time, it was Li Xiao’s friend.

He was of average height with particularly dark skin, and he had a dimple on his right cheek when he smiled.

Probably afraid that Jiang Rou wouldn’t recognize him, he introduced himself: “Sister-in-law, I’m Zhou Jian. Brother greeted me when he left, asking me to come by often and see if there’s anything needed.”

He had initially planned to go with Li Xiao, but his mother fell ill, and there was no one else at home, so he had to stay behind to take care of her. Before leaving, the boss gave him a hundred yuan, asking him to come by often and make up for anything lacking.

So, he came.

Upon hearing this name, Jiang Rou immediately knew who he was.

He had the best relationship with Li Xiao and had been inseparable since childhood. However, the records mentioned one crucial detail: this person had followed Li Xiao south during the SARS outbreak but couldn’t survive it. His widowed mother also fell ill and never recovered, and it was Li Xiao who had seen him off.

Because of this, Li Xiao’s reputation in his hometown has worsened, and many people believe that he caused the death of Zhou Jian.

They followed him to make money, but in the end, they lost their lives.

Jiang Rou looked at the young man with a bright smile in front of her, feeling a bit complicated, but still said, “There’s nothing lacking at home. Our family is doing well; you don’t need to worry.”

“That’s good. If your sister-in-law needs anything, just call me. My house is the last one on the street near the old bus station.”

“Okay.”

As the young man was about to leave, Jiang Rou asked him to wait. She went inside and returned with a large bowl of braised pig intestines and marinated chicken feet that she had cooked herself. “Take this home to eat.”

Zhou Jian was taken aback and quickly waved his hand. “Sister-in-law, there’s no need. This is too expensive. You should eat it yourself.”

“It’s okay, I made it myself; it doesn’t cost much money. I still have it at home. You can take it back to eat. I don’t know when Li Xiao will come back, so there might be troubles in the future that we’ll need your help with.”

Jiang Rou has said so, and it’s not easy for Zhou Jian to say anything more.

On the way back home, he felt warm inside. Initially, he had just agreed to come and fulfill his promise to his friend, not thinking much of it. But now, seeing Jiang Rou’s warm personality, he felt it was worth the trip. His sister-in-law remembered his kindness.

When he returned home, Zhou Jian brought the stewed pig intestines and chicken feet to his mother’s room to eat. When his mother knew where they came from, her haggard face showed some emotion. “This child is considerate. Little Xiao is fortunate. Now it depends on you. Find a wife for yourself sometime.”

After hearing this, Zhou Jian was speechless. He thought that his mother was daydreaming. He wasn’t as good-looking as his brother Xiao, and he was not as capable as him. He was still poor. Where could he find a wife? Just having enough to eat and drink would be good enough.