Chapter 5: Whispering in Ears

Zhao Xiulan felt a pang in her nose. With no mother to dote on them and a father who turned a deaf ear, they had indeed endured a lot of hardships these past few years.

She handed the eggs to Zhao Xiu Zhu. “You can eat now, Xiu Zhu. With me here, I’ll make sure you have a good life. Even if I have to beg, I’ll make sure you’re well-fed.”

“Okay!” Hearing Zhao Xiulan’s words, Zhao Xiu Zhu inexplicably believed her. She was certain that whatever her sister said, she would do. As long as she could fill her stomach, everything would be fine.

The two sisters peeled and ate the eggs. The smooth and tender eggs were undoubtedly a delicious treat for the hungry sisters.

After finishing, Zhao Xiulan asked Zhao Xiu Zhu to dispose of the eggshells.

She then lay back down on the bed and rested for a while.

While no one was around, Zhao Xiulan secretly took a cup of water from the space and swallowed some fever-reducing medicine. With her body burning up like this, she couldn’t just leave it be; she would suffer too.

Feeling still hungry after just one egg, Zhao Xiulan took out some congee from the space and gobbled it down.

The original host’s stomach had long been accustomed to a lack of oil and meat, so she couldn’t eat anything too rich at first. She had to start with something light like this.

After taking the medicine and having a good meal, Zhao Xiulan felt much better. She lay down on the bed and slept for another day.

Early the next morning, her fever had subsided, and she felt a bit stronger.

Having lain down for so long, Zhao Xiulan’s body was a bit sore. She got up from the bed and went outside for some movement.

Seeing Zhao Xiulan coming out, Li Lijuan glanced at her with a strange expression and said, “Oh, someone finally decided to get up? Thought you’d been hiding in the house and avoiding work!”

Ignoring her, Zhao Xiulan didn’t bother talking to someone like her; it was a waste of time.

Being directly ignored by Zhao Xiulan made Li Lijuan even more furious.

“Xiulan, are you feeling better?” Zhao Weiguo walked out of the house, saw Zhao Xiulan, and asked.

Zhao Xiulan responded indifferently. She didn’t have any good feelings towards her deaf father.

Zhao Weiguo glanced at Zhao Xiulan and continued, “Xiulan, since you’re feeling better, take on more chores at home. Mei is pregnant and not feeling well.”

Hearing this, Zhao Xiulan knew that Ma Yumei must have gone to Zhao Weiguo to whisper in his ear, accusing her of being lazy and avoiding work again.

Not knowing how to be impartial, Zhao Weiguo always sided with Ma Yumei and her daughter, leaving Zhao Xiulan speechless.

Now Zhao Xiulan was ready to plan carefully. She needed to gradually get Zhao Weiguo on her side.

“Yeah, Dad, I understand. I had a high fever these past few days and wasn’t feeling well. If I can help with the chores, I definitely will!” Zhao Xiulan pretended to be weak and pitiful.

Seeing Zhao Xiulan’s pale face and weak body, Zhao Weiguo suddenly felt that he might have gone too far.

His daughter was sensible. She usually did a lot of work. Wasn’t it because she was sick and unable to work? But Ma Yumei said that her daughter was lazy. Thinking of this, Zhao Weiguo felt some dissatisfaction towards Ma Yumei.

“If you’re not feeling well, then rest! Rest well before doing any work!” Zhao Weiguo rarely spoke kindly, then instructed Li Lijuan, “Lijuan, you’ll have to take on more chores these days and cook!”

Li Lijuan was immediately unhappy when Zhao Weiguo ordered her to do chores. She pouted. “Dad… it’s always Xiulan who cooks. How would I know how to cook?”

(End of Chapter 5)