Chapter 34

Chapter 34

Liu Xiaoe was badly bruised, and Chen Fang and Zhao Cuihua helped her up.

"Second Sister-in-Law, are you alright?" Chen Fang asked worriedly.

Though she didn't like to socialize with her sisters-in-law and thought it useless to associate with this family of paupers, she wouldn't wish anyone real harm.

"Mom, come over here quickly!" Ahead, Zhou Jiaojiao shouted excitedly.

Zhao Cuihua inwardly found it strange.

Sure enough, she should have listened to her eldest sister-in-law!

When they approached, they saw Zhou Jiaojiao by a small ditch where she had discovered a large patch of goji berry vines. The vines were entangled with the pine trees on the mountainside, and the goji berries on them were so densely packed and bright red that Zhao Guifen's eyes widened in amazement.

What a treasure trove!

Why were there so many good things in the mountains this year?

Where had she stumbled upon this place? Why hadn't she been here before?

Zhao Cuihua and the others also noticed that this area was remote and difficult to traverse, so people generally didn't come here.

"Hurry up and pick them. After we finish this patch, we'll see if there's anything else further ahead," Zhao Guifen said, feeling more and more aggrieved. It would take a long time to make up for giving such valuable items to the eldest household.

The old man was really something!

Compared to the mountains, things were much quieter at home.

Bai Xiuxiu cooked a special meal for her two children in their room and told them stories.

After the children fell asleep, she started knitting a sweater, completely ignoring what was happening outside!

What did it matter to her if the Wangs worked themselves to death?

If she continued to be an eyesore to the Wangs, Zhou Jiaojiao might develop murderous intentions toward her. Perhaps the same person who had harmed her in her previous life would do so again.

She would not let anyone off who tried to harm her.

The Wangs, who were cruel to Wang Qinghe and her children and lived off his hard work, would not have an easy life either.

Her net would soon catch some prey.

"Mommy, your smile is scary. Did someone bully you?" Mingming, who had woken up halfway through his nap, rubbed his eyes and looked at his mother's odd expression, puzzled.

Bai Xiuxiu looked up and softened when she saw her son's worried face.

She picked up her son and ruffled his hair. "Yes, someone bullied Mommy, and I'm thinking about how to get back at them."

Upon hearing this, Mingming's eyes lit up. "Mommy, Mingming will help you beat up the bad guys. Anyone who bullies Mommy is a bad guy!"

Bai Xiuxiu couldn't help laughing at his words, but when she thought about her precious son growing up to be a delinquent, her smile faded, and she looked at him sternly. "Mingming, if someone bullies you, use your brain and retaliate in a civilized manner. It's better to think than to fight, understand?

Of course, while Mommy is around, no one will bully you."

He was still too young to understand such profound issues at the age of two, his eyes clear and innocent.

After coaxing her son back to sleep, Bai Xiuxiu looked at her two children and began to consider how she would educate them in the future!

As dusk approached,

the entire family returned from the mountains.

When everyone entered the courtyard, Bai Xiuxiu saw her mother-in-law, Zhao Guifen, being supported by Chen Fang with a dark expression on her face. She was limping, and her face was covered in scratches.

Following them was Zhao Cuihua, carrying Liu Xiaoe on her back.

Behind them was Zhou Jiaojiao, carrying a pile of items.

And at the very end was her husband, Wang Qinghe.

Once they entered the courtyard, Zhao Guifen, despite her injuries, remembered her main concern. "Eldest Son, where are your game?"

Wang Qinghe took out his catches after entering the courtyard.

Five rabbits—it seemed he had found a rabbit burrow.

There were also two wild chickens.

In any other family, encountering such a feast of meat would bring great joy.

However, Zhao Guifen felt differently.

"Aren't you usually able to hunt bigger game? Are you trying to fool me?" Zhao Guifen narrowed her triangular eyes and looked at her eldest son disapprovingly.

Wang Qinghe remained unperturbed. "Mom, I've already said that it's not the season yet. This is all I could find in the mountains. If you're not satisfied, then I won't go from tomorrow."

"What? You want to quit just because I criticized you? You ungrateful brat! You've been corrupted by your wife!"

Zhao Guifen cursed angrily.

Old Lady Feng from next door happened to come out to pour water.

Hearing her cursing, she curiously glanced into the courtyard, which made Zhao Guifen hastily hide the game behind her back.

"Ah, scolding your eldest son again?" Grandma Feng was sturdy and nearly sixty this year.

She wore her hair in a bun and had a pair of silver earrings on her ears.

Dressed in a blue cotton robe, though faded from washing, it was free of patches.

At first glance, she looked like a spirited elderly woman. She had three sons and two daughters, with three grandsons and four granddaughters, all school-aged.

Their life was neither particularly good nor bad.

Seeing them enter the courtyard, she couldn't help but wear a mocking expression.

Zhao Guifen's face darkened as she snapped back, "What's it to you?"

Zhao Guifen couldn't stand this neighboring elderly woman, who, taking advantage of her seniority, often meddled in her family affairs!

"It's nothing, I just don't like it. Your eldest son works hard and endures suffering, Guifen. You're too partial; be careful of retribution." With that, the elderly woman carried her bucket back into her own courtyard.

Zhao Guifen's face turned ashen with anger. "Who deserves retribution? Me? How could I deserve retribution for scolding my own son? You old hag, mind your own business!"

"Enough! What's all the fuss about?" Wang Shoucheng, who had been working, scolded her with a grim face.

His gaze fell on Bai Xiuxiu, who had just opened the door.

He had intended to let his wife scold their eldest son some more to prevent him from slacking off later.

However... his eldest daughter-in-law had emerged!

This eldest daughter-in-law was a troublemaker! Whenever she appeared, something was bound to happen! It was best to calm things down quickly.

He put down his work and glanced at the small pile of game, hoping his son could have obtained better prey.

But these were already decent catches.

"The eldest has done well enough; what more do you want? Let's go inside."

Wang Shoucheng showed a rare display of paternal kindness.

Though Zhao Guifen was reluctant, feeling that her eldest son's family had gotten the better of her today, she still listened to her husband.

With the harvest, those working in the mountains lost their motivation to continue laboring.

They all followed into the house.

Bai Xiuxiu took Wang Qinghe's hand as they entered.

She was quite satisfied with his moderate haul of game today.

The moment Wang Qinghe felt her hand, his heart swelled with sweetness, as if he had tasted honey.

Today, he had seen a wild beehive in the mountains. Tomorrow, he would find some tools and bring back some honey for Xiuxiu.

There wasn't much honey left at home.

As they entered the house, Zhao Guifen, like a victorious general, proudly displayed their haul before everyone. "These are all ours!"