Chapter 145: 145

Chapter 145: 145

◎My dear daughter-in-law, you've worked hard. Thank you, my dear.◎

Just as Peach Blossom had placed the freshly cut noodles into the pot, her mother entered.

Zhao Sufen glanced at the boiling water in the pot and rolled up her sleeves. She squatted down by the wooden bucket beneath the stove to wash her hands. In just this short while, her daughter had already stir-fried the toppings. A half-basin of minced meat, steaming hot, was laid on the table, emitting an inviting aroma.

After washing her hands, she casually grabbed a lid to cover the basin, ensuring it wouldn't cool down by the time they were ready to eat.

"What's cooking in this pot?" She leaned over to peek into the smallest pot at the far end of the stove, lifting the lid to find rice porridge simmering away, the boiling water bubbling with the rolling grains. Nodding her head, she watched her daughter stir the doughy lumps in the pot with chopsticks, smiling as she said, "You're so thoughtful. I was just thinking about brewing some rice porridge for your second aunt's sister. The poor girl is skin and bones; who knows how much suffering she's endured at her in-laws. Her spine sticks out, and she's pregnant too. I can't fathom what that family must be thinking..."

"How's Big Sister Ya doing?" Peach Blossom stood by the stove, occasionally stirring the pot to prevent the dough from sticking together. She was deeply worried but feared that entering the room to help might only get in the way. With Tiger feeling hungry, she had conveniently started a pot of porridge. Uncertain about Big Sister Ya's condition, she saved some minced meat while stir-frying the topping and chopped a bit of greens, planning to cook her a meat and vegetable porridge. A sprinkle of salt upon serving would make it more flavorful than plain porridge.

Winter vegetables were precious, and everyone was contemplating clearing a section of the woods beside the courtyard, enclosing it with a fence to serve as a dedicated vegetable garden for Second Aunt.

"The girl has endured much torment." Zhao Sufen glanced outside, seeing no one around, before whispering to her daughter with a look of horror on her face. Peach Blossom's expression shifted from shock to terror, her eyes widening as her mother described the situation, until finally, she dropped one of the chopsticks into the pot out of fright.

"Ho, how could it be like this?" She hastily grabbed another chopstick from the bamboo holder, retrieving the one that fell into the pot. "How could there be such people in this world? How could they do such a thing?"

The topic was one that would typically make people blush, but Peach Blossom felt no trace of shyness; her face was as pale as paper. Before she married, she had only heard the women in the village whisper about how men transformed in bed, becoming inventive and full of tricks. But these "tricks" referred merely to positions and locations—how could rustic men know anything about those messy gadgets?

Even after marriage, Big Tiger had his share of playfulness in that regard. Just thinking about the chestnut tree made her body heat up with every recollection. This was already the most daring marital intimacy she had experienced. As for candles and ropes, the marks they left were indelible. How could this be considered mere variety? It was clearly torture.

Her mother described that place as "unrecognizable," causing Peach Blossom to involuntarily shudder.

Big Tiger was strong, and Second Tiger was even more imposing, both causing her discomfort beyond measure. The thought of being left with scars was unimaginable...

"This mustn't be spoken of, allowing outsiders to know, not even Big Tiger," Zhao Sufen warned. She had no qualms telling her daughter, as they were both women, both married. She watched her daughter's expression carefully as she spoke, fearing for Daya. Indeed, a woman's skin is thin; if beaten by a man, a slap on the face leaves a visible mark, but who would see the damage done elsewhere? Every mother of a married daughter worries, fearing there might be secrets between her daughter and son-in-law that cannot be revealed to others.

Fortunately, there were no signs of discomfort or awkwardness on Peach Blossom's face, suggesting that her son-in-law didn't have such peculiar tastes.

How could Peach Blossom not know what her mother was thinking? Her face flushed red, but she couldn't talk about bedroom matters. She merely nodded repeatedly, promising to keep her mouth shut. After all, it involved a woman's body, and it wasn't proper for an outsider, especially a man, to know. Otherwise, Elder Sister Daya would have trouble holding her head high in the future.

Once the noodles in the pot were cooked, Peach Blossom brought out three large bowls and a big basin. She ladled the noodles into them, topped them with sauce, and finally sprinkled some chopped green onions on top. Thus, a bowl of pork offal noodle soup was ready. Together with her mother, Peach Blossom carried the large bowls to the main room. She walked back and forth through the brightly lit room, and when they passed through the courtyard, there was no need to call out. Seeing his basin, Wei Dahu suddenly lost interest in talking to his uncles. Nothing was more important than eating. Rubbing his stomach, which was so hungry he didn't even want to make a sound, he headed to the main room.

Pulling up a stool at random, Peach Blossom handed him the chopsticks. Wei Dahu took them and first scooped two mouthfuls of the sauce to eat. The finely chopped pork mixed with garlic and soy sauce had been stir-fried, and it was incredibly fragrant. After finishing the sauce on top of the noodles, he picked up the spoon in the center of the table and scooped another ladle of sauce into his basin. This time, he mixed it well before burying his head and devouring the food.

"Eat slowly, have some hot water." Peach Blossom poured half a bowl of hot water next to him and left him alone. Wiping her hands, she stepped into her grandfather's room.

Fang Qiuyan was helping Mother Huang and her daughter make the bed. Ever since they had moved into the mountains, she had been cleaning their house every day, including Old Master's room. Although no one lived there, everything in the room was spotless. In fact, because it was an old house, the furniture was made of high-quality materials, and the wardrobe was already in place. It was better equipped than their own empty rooms that were waiting for Chen Ershi to make new furniture.

Mother Huang and her daughter only brought their most valuable clothes and money. They didn't bring any bedding, and even the two baskets they carried weren't filled with food but rather jars and bottles. Chen Sanzhi, the boy, had shown rare prudence by carrying all their belongings into the room instead of leaving them in the main hall. They were now piled up in a corner. Fang Qiuyan, being observant, fetched two quilts from Second Aunt's room and had just finished making the bed. She left the rest of the tidying up to Mother Huang and her son.

"Mother Huang, Rice Straw, why don't you have something to eat before you start working? The warm noodles will be comforting while they're still hot." Peach Blossom entered the room with a smile. Since becoming pregnant, she seemed even more gentle. She was naturally kind-hearted, and now, standing among people, others would notice her first, finding her the most approachable. "The mountain path is difficult, especially at night. You must be exhausted. Let's fill our bellies with some food. There's also hot water on the stove for washing up later. It looks like dawn is approaching. Since there's nothing pressing during the day, you should take a good rest."

When Liu Daocao heard Peach Blossom speak, she felt an instant connection. She wasn't a shy person; if she liked someone, she couldn't help but look at them, her eyes full of curiosity.

Peach Blossom noticed this and turned to smile at her. Seeing this, Liu Daocao's heart swelled with joy, and she bared her white teeth in a wide grin. "If you call me Rice Straw, what should I call you?"

"As I am a bit older than you, could you call me Sister Peach Blossom?" Peach Blossom tentatively suggested.

Liu Daocao studied her face carefully, then cast a glance at her belly before leaning in to whisper beside her ear, "Are you expecting?"

Peach Blossom, widening her eyes, looked down at her still-flat belly, and in sudden shock asked, "How did you figure it out?"

"My mother is a midwife; she's delivered countless babies. Although I'm not yet married and she doesn't take me along when she assists in births, I can tell whether an unmarried woman is pregnant or not, hehe." She teasingly added, "You must be my 'sister-in-law,' right?"

Taohua wore a look of utter bafflement, prompting Liu Daocao to lean in and whisper the tale of what had unfolded in Xiaogou Village after Wei Dahu's arrival. As the story reached the part where he falsely claimed Aunt Huang as his cousin, Taohua burst into laughter. By this twisted logic, wouldn't that make Liu Daocao a cousin to both her and Dahu?

Though it was all in jest, this playful banter did indeed bring the two closer together.

Liu Straw didn't call her Peach Blossom Sister; she addressed her as Cousin-in-Law right off the bat, and the fabricated familial ties that Wei Dahu had spun became solidified once they entered the mountain. Old Lady Huang found this amusing but didn't comment on it. She felt uneasy and unsettled, suddenly in a new place surrounded by strangers whose true natures were unknown to her. Just by looking at this small courtyard, she could tell they led a "communal life," living under one roof where harmonious relationships with others would surely make life easier.

Moreover, she quite liked Fang Qiuyan, who helped her arrange the bedding. The young woman was straightforward and seemed to lack ulterior motives, making her very easy to get along with. Then there was Peach Blossom, Wei Dahu's wife. Though not formally introduced, it was clear at first glance that they were husband and wife—their eyes couldn't help but linger on each other. This young couple was clearly affectionate, with the wife, pregnant and all, still helping out with meals, greeting everyone with a smile and a warm demeanor. Old Lady Huang couldn't help but feel relieved.

In the main room, Wei Dahu and Chen Sanshi had already finished eating. By the time they left, the table was empty, the used bowls taken to the kitchen, and the table wiped clean.

Liu Straw didn't hesitate to help her mother pull out a stool, waiting for her to sit down before handing her the chopsticks. As they ate, Peach Blossom casually poured them both a bowl of hot water, then, without lingering, greeted them and went to the kitchen.

Zhao Sufen watched over the pot of porridge in the kitchen, the minced meat already added. Just before it was ready to be served, she would stir in the chopped greens, then sprinkle some salt on top, and the large pot of porridge would be ready to eat. When Peach Blossom entered, Zhao Sufen was stirring the pot with a ladle. Seeing her come in, she scooped a bowl first and set it aside to cool; her daughter, pregnant, couldn't go hungry, this was for her.

Immediately after, she took another clean bowl and filled it more than halfway. The freshly cooked porridge was hot to the touch, so she placed a spoon inside, hissing: "I'll take this bowl of porridge to your Elder Sister first. The one on the stove is yours, have some. There's nothing much for you to do at home, once you've eaten, go back to your room and rest."

"Alright." Peach Blossom didn't put up a front; she indeed hadn't slept well all night, her stomach was a bit empty, and her eyelids felt heavy.

After saying this, Zhao Sufen left the kitchen. In the courtyard, she saw her son-in-law coming out of the outhouse carrying a wooden bucket, wearing only a thin single-layered shirt. He could probably bear the cold, but seeing this, she called out loudly: "Dahu, put on some clothes. It's chilly in the morning, don't catch a cold."

"I know." Wei Dahu wasn't feeling cold at all, but when his mother-in-law spoke, how could he dare not listen? Putting down the bucket, he went into the house to put on some clothes.

At this hour, with dawn barely breaking, it should have been time to rise; instead, those who had partaken in the morning meal retreated behind closed doors for a second round of slumber.

Having bathed and dined, with his wife nestled in his arms, Wei Dahu felt his eyelids weighed down as if by a thousand pounds. His thick, large hands gently rested on her belly, cradling the life within, afraid that his child might not bear the weight of his overwhelming paternal love.

"Dear wife, dear wife," he murmured, almost unconsciously.

"Mmm?" Peach Blossom was equally drowsy, finding a comfortable position in his embrace, yawning widely without even opening her eyes.

"I won't mistreat you, I'll treat you well, I'll cherish you." Wei Dahu nuzzled her cheek, his palm caressing her stomach. "My wife has worked hard, thank you, my wife."

Peach Blossom's eyes warmed, her heart filled with a tender glow as she softly uttered an affirming "Mm-hmm."

In the room, it wasn't long before snores echoed.

"Author's Note:"

"Apologies, my dear readers, I've been swamped lately. I was away from home dealing with some matters yesterday and couldn't get to my computer to write in the evening, so I posted a notice for my absence. I hope everyone saw it."

(Toward the latter part of this story, there's likely not much in the way of dramatic twists and turns left; it's inching towards its conclusion as we go through the daily lives. Admittedly, reading about everyday routines can get monotonous after a while, right? Hehe. Of course, before the end, I'm planning one last trip down the mountain to stir things up with the Wu family.)