Chapter 135

Chapter 135

Zhao Guifen’s angry shouts carried over the wall and into this courtyard.

Zhao Cuihua, who was talking inside the house, heard the shouts faintly and was startled. "Oh no, they’re calling me over there. I think it’s time for dinner. Sister-in-law, I’ll come back later to discuss this with you in detail. I need to go now."

With that, Zhao Cuihua rushed out hurriedly.

However, before leaving the gate, she looked around to make sure no one had seen her there, then darted away.

Back at her own courtyard, Zhao Guifen stood holding a large basin, her eyes sharp.

Seeing her third daughter-in-law return, she tossed the basin to her. "Where did you go so early in the morning?"

"Mom, I just went out for a walk since breakfast wasn’t ready yet. What’s going on?" Zhao Guifen looked at the basin, not understanding what the old lady meant.

Zhao Guifen snorted. "The fifth daughter-in-law said we need to soak some glutinous rice. Go to the storage room and get the rice out to soak. If you delay this, don’t blame me for not giving you any money later."

"Such a big basin?" Zhao Cuihua was stunned. How much glutinous rice did they have at home?

This year, the village hadn’t planted any, and they only had a few pounds left, reserved for the New Year.

Using such a large basin, it probably wouldn’t even fill the bottom. Was the old lady looking for trouble?

"What are you complaining about? I’ve already sent the fourth son to trade with others. Once he gets it back, soak it all. If it’s not enough, we might have to use food coupons to buy more from the supply store," Zhao Guifen said in a low voice, glaring at Zhao Cuihua.

This third daughter-in-law really meddles too much.

"I understand. I’ll go do it right away." Zhao Cuihua felt scared. Was this family going crazy?

Using so much glutinous rice, how much food were they planning to make?

Was Zhou Jiaojiao’s talk about a found recipe reliable?

If they couldn’t sell it, wouldn’t the whole family be in trouble?

For the first time, Zhao Cuihua began to doubt her decision. No, she needed to watch closely. If this family was really going to ruin themselves, she couldn’t follow them down that path.

She would take her son and husband and separate from them.

In Bai Xiuxiu’s courtyard, the family had finished their breakfast.

Wang Qinghe sent his wife and children to the brigade and quickly left.

At the brigade, it was bustling with activity. The supply store had delivered everything, and the brigade members were sorting and counting the items.

They planned to distribute them after finishing, allowing villagers to choose what they needed.

It was still early, and Chen Jinhua and the others had just started working. Seeing Bai Xiuxiu arrive with her children, Chen Jinhua called out to her, "Xiuxiu, leave your children here and come help us."

"Okay, I’m coming." Bai Xiuxiu placed the two children inside the house.

"Mommy…" Yueyue looked outside longingly, wanting to follow.

Mingming, as usual, remained silent.

"It’s cold outside. Stay inside and don’t go out," Bai Xiuxiu refused her daughter’s pleading gaze.

After closing the door, she joined them to help.

By the time they finished sorting everything, it was almost noon, and everyone got a chance to rest.

Chen Jinhua poured hot water for the women in the Women’s Federation room. "Drink some hot water to warm up. This is the busiest time for our brigade. Once we finish distributing everything, there won’t be much work left. The brigade leader promised to give each of us two enamel cups for our efforts these past two days."

Chen Jinhua spoke with anticipation.

These cups were hard-won; they managed to secure thirty extra ones for the village.

Besides distributing them among the brigade members, the remaining cups would be given to those who performed well during spring work, as model workers.

Hearing about the rewards, everyone felt less tired.

Chen Jinhua sat next to Bai Xiuxiu. "Xiuxiu, did the Wang family cause any trouble yesterday? Did they bother you again? If they do, come directly to Uncle Chen. You’ve already separated from them, so don’t get involved in their affairs.

Yesterday, Uncle Chen told me what happened. They probably know what’s going on themselves.

Otherwise, with Wang Laoer’s never-losing attitude, he wouldn’t have stayed quiet."

Chen Jinhua had no good feelings towards the Wang family.

She was worried that they might harass the newly separated couple.

Bai Xiuxiu accepted the hot water, touched by Aunt Jinhua’s concern. "Auntie, don’t worry. They didn’t bother us. They were busy with their own issues yesterday and had no time for us. And if they did, we wouldn’t let them get away with it like before."

"That’s good. Your husband is kind and honest. I was afraid you wouldn’t stand up to that family and end up getting bullied."

Liu Xiaohui and Miaomiao initially listened in confusion but finally understood that Xiuxiu had successfully separated from the family.

That meant better days were ahead.

Although it wasn’t encouraged for families to live separately, few dared to do so in the village.

Most followed their parents’ wishes.

Being able to live independently meant they could make their own decisions.

Liu Xiaohui looked at Bai Xiuxiu with envy.

"Xiuxiu Jiejie." Outside, a young girl entered the room. She appeared to be in her early twenties, lively and energetic, with two braids.

As soon as she came in, she headed straight for Bai Xiuxiu.

"Isn't that Zhao Xiaoru?" Chen Jinhua was surprised to see her. Why did this young girl come here?

And to look for Xiuxiu?

Zhao Xiaoru is the daughter of the carpenter from the east side of the village. After finishing junior high school, she started working at the commune and rarely visited the village. Last year, she got married and moved to the county, where her in-laws found her a job.

Many people in the village haven't even seen her since then.

Zhao Xiaoru nodded and greeted Chen Jinhua before approaching Bai Xiuxiu. "Xiuxiu Jiejie, I have something to discuss with you. Can we talk outside?"

Bai Xiuxiu wasn't familiar with Zhao Xiaoru, but she knew about her in-laws. She had married into a family surnamed Gao, and her husband was close friends with Xiao Zhang.

She must be here because of Xiao Zhang?

"Let's talk in the courtyard," Zhao Xiaoru suggested, seeing that Bai Xiuxiu didn't respond, assuming she didn't want to go out with someone she didn't know well.

Bai Xiuxiu thought for a moment and agreed. "Sure."

The two left the house, and Zhao Xiaoru led her to a spot near the entrance of the village committee, where no one was passing by at the moment.

"Xiuxiu Jiejie, it was Brother Zhang who asked me to deliver a message for him. He came to the village earlier, and I was visiting my mother back home. We happened to be on the same route, but when he arrived at your place, no one was there.

He had urgent matters to attend to and was worried that coming to find you would draw too much attention.

So, he asked me to pass on a few words to you."