Zeng Xiaoyan thought the same. Whether it was drinking brown sugar water or eating snacks, she did it secretly.
But after all, they are still one family, and it won't lasts forever, and people will always find out.
The eldest brother and sister-in-law don’t have any objections. After all, she bought them with her own money. It is enough to sometimes give out a handful of melon seeds and two candied fruits to her nephews and nieces. Which adult would dare to eye her snacks?
The second sister-in-law, Mrs. Zhao, however was very aggrieved. She said angrily that she was being selfish, she was quarreling with her own husband, complaining to her parents-in-law that they were being unfair. Asking why the third sister-in-law would eat so much but was lazy every day?
At first, the Village Head's wife was too lazy to pay attention to her, but later when Mrs. Zhao brought up the matter again, she became angry and said, "She bought it with her own money. If you buy it with your own money, you can do the same. No matter what the third daughter-in-law is like, your two children have eaten a lot from her food from time to time and gained a lot from her. What else do you want to do?"
Mrs. Zhao was skillful with her hands and would embroider handkerchiefs from time to time and sell them for money. She said that since this was the case, she would keep all the money she earned from selling the handkerchiefs and not give any money to the household.
The Village Head's wife was even more angry and said with a sneer: "Don't you know that your third brother's wife have given six acres of fertile land to the household? I only collected 70% of the money you get for selling the handkerchiefs. Didn't I leave 30% to you? I did not take all of it. If you dare to keep anything for yourself, then we'll separate the family. You and the second child can go on your own!"
Mrs. Zhao was so angry that she didn't dare to make any more trouble.
She would be foolish if they separated from the family.
After the family is separated, what can she do with just the money she earns from embroidering handkerchiefs? Both her children are still so young, and raising them also costs money.
Although Zhao publicly did not dare to make trouble, secretly she still had strong opinions, especially getting along with Zeng Xiaoyan.
Zeng Xiaoyan cannot stand people she dislikes but she is extremely fond of those she likes.
She recognized Xu Zhichun as her kindred spirit. Thinking of how she had lost too much blood and that brown sugar could help replenish her blood. Seeing that there was about half a pound of brown sugar left, she simply took it all to give it to her to use for recovery.
Half a pound of brown sugar is neither too much nor too little. It can’t be hidden by wrapping it in yellow paper.
Zeng Xiaoyan went out with the brown sugar, and met Zhao, their paths crossing like foes on a narrow road.
When two people who have never gotten along meet privately, its only natural for them to snort at each other and exchange glares. A few exchange of sharp words would not be surprising either.
But today Zeng Xiaoyan was busy going to eat chicken and delicious delicacies made from lantern fruits, and was too lazy to waste time with Zhao, so she ignored her.
Ms. Zhao didn't want to pay attention to her, but her eyes fell uncontrollably on the half wrapped brown sugar.
“Where are you going?”
Zhao couldn't help but ask.
She really didn’t care where Zeng Xiaoyan was going. What she wanted to know was where Zeng Xiaoyan was going with such a big bag of brown sugar.
“None of your business!”
Zeng Xiaoyan didn’t even look back.
Zhao was stunned for a moment, cursed in a low voice, and quietly followed Zeng Xiaoyan.
She wanted to see what she will do with so much brown sugar.
Seeing Zeng Xiaoyan enter Xu Zhichun's yard from a distance, Zhao sneered and turned to leave.
The more Zhao thought about it, the angrier she became.
The third sister-in-law selfishly keeps the food for herself and refused to share it within their own family. Yet she gave it so eagerly to outsiders without hesitation.
Such a big bag of brown sugar, she is so generous! What a fool, bending her elbow outward.
So what if Xu Zhichun threw herself off a cliff to die with her husband and did not die? Is that really something to make such a big deal about? Does it warrant her rushing to bring her brown sugar?
The more Zhao thought about it, the angrier she became, and she even became disgusted with Xu Zhichun.
Zhao originally wanted to tell her mother-in-law about this, but she felt a little disheartened when she thought that her mother-in-law always favored her younger son and daughter-in-law. Even if she tells her mother-in-law, she would only be generous and say, "It's her own thing and she can do with it whatever she wants, bah!"
She got even more angry.
Zhao was disheartened, so she didn't say anything in front of Aunt Liang, but stirred up trouble in front of her eldest sister-in-law, Mrs. Liu.
Liu was a little helpless, knowing that her second sister-in-law's old habit has flared up again.
Ms. Liu believed her mother-in-law's words even more. Her mother-in-law said that a person's capabilities match the size of the bowl they can handle. Why focus on what others have? What others have or don't have is none of your business. Living your own life well is what truly matters.
Besides, the third sister-in-law will never take the initiative to stir up trouble. Just considering the six acres of fertile land she brought, the whole family can now eat white rice almost every meal, and will only occasionally cook a few meals from coarse grains. The surplus grains are all sold and paid into the household funds. Isn't this enough?
The money in her hand belongs to her, so why bother staring at it?
The second sister-in-law is becoming more and more domineering. She always wanted to control third sister-in-law and get the upper hand over her but how could third-sister-in-law be willing?
The third sister-in-law refused, and since she was incapable of manipulating others, she became angry. What can one say about this?
Although Ms. Liu despised Ms. Zhao in her heart, she could not openly criticize her.
After all, her mother-in-law has already suppressed Ms. Zhao, otherwise Ms. Zhao would have made a scene publicly. If mother-in-law played the strict role, she would have to play the softer one, otherwise, the household would descend into chaos.
Ms. Liu then comforted Ms. Zhao with kind words.
Who would have known that what Ms. Zhao wanted was an ally, a teammate, someone who will share the same hatred and will criticize Zeng Xiaoyan, rather than someone providing comforting words.
After Ms. Liu said a few words, Ms. Zhao became impatient. With a sullen face, she snapped back at Ms. Liu and left angrily.
Ms. Liu was stunned for a moment, then sneered slightly and whispered: "That ungrateful thing. Father and Mother have been far too lenient with her. Sooner or later she will fall hard."
Zeng Xiaoyan brought such a large bag of brown sugar, which shocked both Xu Zhichun and Aunt Zhu'er.
Xu Zhichun said hurriedly: "Why did you bring so much? Just a little to mix with the syrup is enough. You can bring the rest back later."
"Why are you giving it back? I specially brought it to Sister Zhichun to replenish your body. This brown sugar water replenishes the blood. Sister Zhichun should drink two bowls of it every day, so you can be nourished."
"This--"
“Sister Zhichun, don’t be polite to me, I don’t lack this. If you refuse, it would make things awkward.”
Xu Zhichun had no choice but to smile and thank her, and made three bowls on the spot, one for each of the three people.
After drinking the brown sugar water, Zeng Xiaoyan also joined in to peeling the lantern fruit. Getting the seeds inside, they quickly peeled about a pound, which was enough.
Xu Zhichun took two pieces of cotton gauze and wrapped the seeds. She washed her hands, took a clean basin, poured spring water into it, and rubbed them gently. After a while, a gelatinous substance oozed out.
“See that? Just knead it repeatedly like this until the gelatin oozes out. Once the gelatin all seeped out, we can do the next step.”
Zeng Xiaoyan and Aunt Zhu'er both tried it and were very pleasantly surprised.
“Something is really seeping out, it’s slippery.”
"Exactly! I didn't expect that the seeds of this little lantern fruit can make something like this. It's really amazing. Zhichun, how did you know about it?"
Zeng Xiaoyan also looked at her curiously.
Xu Zhichun was well prepared and smiled calmly: "This is a snack from my hometown."
Zeng Xiaoyan suddenly realized it and asked casually: "Have you done this before?"
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