Chapter 112: It’s Too Early to Draw Conclusions

Chapter 112: It's Too Early to Draw Conclusions

The people in the compound had various thoughts about Zeng Chang's marriage.

Jiang Yu didn’t care what they were thinking and, carrying some items, set out again with He Tingyue.

They went to several places. First, they went to Xie Feifei's house and brought chestnuts and persimmons.

Huang Ying was taken aback but also felt a bit awkward.

"This is making me feel awkward."

Jiang Yu wouldn’t take her refusal, "These are just homemade treats; they aren’t worth much. Feifei can have a taste of something fresh."

Huang Ying sighed, "Feifei is so lucky to have a friend like you."

It wasn’t about the gifts; it was that Jiang Yu always thought of her when she had something good.

"Aunt Huang, I need to head to another place, but I’ll come by again soon."

Before leaving, Huang Ying stuffed her with some bacon and sausages.

"My friend sent a big box last time, and Feifei has had enough of it. You can take it back for the children."

Jiang Yu nodded and accepted them, feeling warm inside.

This was meat; who could ever get tired of it?

Moved by Huang Ying’s kindness, she didn’t refuse and followed He Tingyue to Da Xin Alley to find Sixie.

They knew exactly where to find him.

"Chestnuts and persimmons, specially brought for you to try."

Sixie was both surprised and deeply touched.

He was an orphan, picked up by his foster father when he was a child, and when he passed away at the age of ten, he became a complete orphan.

With no one to support him, he had to find ways to get by; otherwise, who would want to do this kind of shady business?

He operated in the black market, but most of his goods were sold before they even got there.

Jiang Yu was the first person to remember him, which moved him to tears.

"Sis..."

Jiang Yu got goosebumps, "I’m actually a year younger than you. Is it right for you to call me sister?"

Sixie was stunned, "Really? How old are you?"

"Twenty."

"I'm twenty-one. You really are younger than me! It's fine, then I’ll call Brother Yue and call you sister-in-law, okay?"

Jiang Yu didn’t care what he called her.

"Take a look at these chestnuts and persimmons. Are you interested?"

Sixie looked down, "A lot?"

"We have a lot! Do you want to collect them?"

"Of course, it's almost winter now, and everyone is short of food supplies, especially fruits and vegetables. Once the temperature drops, the chestnuts can stay outside for a while."

So, as long as it's edible, he'll take it.

"Alright, I'll go pick the chestnuts and persimmons early tomorrow morning, and you can come collect them in the afternoon, okay?"

Sixie thought for a moment, "Chestnuts and persimmons are pretty heavy. Can you handle carrying them down? If not, I can bring some people to help. We'll pay you by the weight anyway."

Since the topic had come up, they had to discuss the price.

"Apples at the fruit market are ten cents per jin. I'll buy persimmons from you at eight cents, and chestnuts at five cents. You just help with the picking. How to bring them down the mountain is our concern."

It's not as profitable as cotton, but Jiang Yu knew he was offering a fair price.

"Alright, tomorrow I'll take you up the mountain via a shortcut to avoid the villagers."

After making arrangements with Sixie, the couple went to Ya Xiangling's house for dinner.

Ya Xiangling saw they had brought something and said, "You could have come empty-handed. Why bring anything?"

"Great-aunt, these are from the countryside. They're not worth much." Jiang Yu left her five or six big persimmons and quite a few chestnuts.

If the chicken had already been slaughtered, she would have cooked some and brought a bowl over.

Ya Xiangling waved her hand, "Take half of these back. Eating too much can cause indigestion."

"You can take the rest to the neighborhood office and give them away. That way, I don't have to carry them back."

Only then did Ya Xiangling say no more. She invited them to eat but didn't cook the meal herself; instead, she had ordered dishes from a state-run restaurant.

She didn’t eat much but enjoyed sitting with the younger generation during meals.

After dinner, while it was still not completely dark, she urged them to head home.

"Riding a bike at night isn't safe. You should go home early."

"Great-aunt, we're going back then."

Ya Xiangling nodded, "Go on, go on."

As they walked downstairs, Jiang Yu looked up and happened to see Ya Xiangling's figure.

He Tingyue, seeing this, said, "Why don't we stay here for the night?"

Jiang Yu shook her head, "I'll come back and keep the old lady company when I have time."

When they returned home, He Zhengdong and He Lilan were eyeing the chicken and drooling.

"Big brother!"

"Sister-in-law!"

"Have you eaten?" Jiang Yu asked.

He Lilan replied, "Yes, my sister ordered dishes from the canteen."

But compared to the meals He Tingyue had cooked recently, the food from the mill canteen was barely edible.

We're full, but still a little unsatisfied.

"Do you see the persimmons on the table?"

Jiang Yu looked up and saw that the persimmons hadn't been touched.

"My sister went to a friend's house, and we weren't sure if we were allowed to eat the persimmons, so we left them alone."

In fact, He Zhengdong wanted to eat them, but He Lilan stopped him, thinking they should check with Jiang Yu first.

Jiang Yu led her into the house and waved at He Zhengdong.

"You two, come inside."

The siblings stood in front of her, looking nervous, like they were about to get in trouble.

"Whether it's these persimmons or the chestnuts, they're from our home. They aren't worth much, and you can eat them without asking anyone."

The siblings looked stunned, staring at her blankly.

Even before Jiang Yu arrived, they never felt completely comfortable around Uncle He.

Because the time they spent in their hometown had left them feeling uneasy and constrained.

He Lilan moved her lips, muttering, "If I eat the persimmons without asking Sister-in-law, will she get mad?"

Jiang Yu shook her head, "No, why would you think that?"

He Lilan said, "But these are things Sister-in-law brought back."

"But I'm part of this family too, just like you guys."

"A family?"

Jiang Yu nodded, "Yes, everything in this house is for all of us to enjoy. You can eat and use whatever you want. But there's one thing: you need to eat in moderation, no bingeing, and also..."

"I know, we have to wash our hands before eating!" He Lilan immediately interjected, giving He Zhengdong a playful glance.

He Zhengdong’s face turned red. "I do wash my hands before eating now!"

"Hmph, not as often as I do."

Ignoring their bickering, Jiang Yu handed each of them a persimmon.

"Go wash them in the yard before eating."

The two of them, dying to try the persimmons, ran outside and sat by the door to eat them, making everyone in the courtyard, adults and children alike, envious.

He Lilan muttered, "Brother, I think Sister-in-law is really nice. She treats us like family. So, Grandpa and Grandma never really treated us like family, huh?"

He Zhengdong said in a low voice, "It's too early to conclude."

"How can you say that? Sister-in-law is clearly good."

"But she made new clothes for her brother and not for us. Does that sound like she treats us like family?" He Zhengdong had his own logic and reasoning.

Just as He Lilan was about to retort, Xu Lihua's voice came from above, "Zhengdong, if what you're saying is true, she made clothes for her brother and not for you? I told you, this sister-in-law of yours isn't a good person! She's really not treating you well!"

He Zhengdong pressed his lips together, not speaking, and pulled He Lilan back into the house.