Chapter 134 Visiting the Eldest Uncle’s Family

Chapter 134 Visiting the Eldest Uncle's Family

The onlookers listened to Wang Xiaocui's boasting, their eyes flashing with envy.

"Xiaocui sure is lucky. I wonder if I'll ever get to wear such precious clothes in my lifetime. It would take a full-time worker in a big factory a whole month's salary without saving a penny."

Another person stared at the things in Su Ping's hands and swallowed, "No wonder I smelled something delicious as soon as you got close. The roast chicken from City C is famous, isn't it? It must be expensive."

Wang Xiaocui forced a smile, "Of course it’s expensive! More than five yuan for one. It’s the kids’ way of showing their love, saying they want me and their uncles and grandma to taste it."

"Ah, my Ping and An are so thoughtful. You could’ve just bought one, sliced it, and let everyone try a piece. But they insisted on buying one for each of the two uncles' families and even bought one separately for me, saying I should treat myself."

"You know, even those full-time workers don’t spend money like this, do they? So extravagant. Luckily, my son’s doing well now and making good money."

Seeing her mother exaggeratingly boasting to the village’s biggest gossip, Aunt Jinhua, Su An couldn't help but stifle a laugh.

Aunt Jinhua had a nephew working at the town's post office, and she’d probably never missed a chance to gossip about Su An and her brother. Now her face was a bit stiff, but she still forced a smile to agree with Wang Xiaocui.

"Ah, Xiaocui, no wonder you went through so much hardship. It's like what they say, bitterness first, sweetness later. Good days are ahead."

Wang Xiaocui was thrilled, "Alright, let's chat another time. We still have to visit my second brother’s place. We'll talk later!"

As soon as Wang Xiaocui turned around with Su An and her brother, Aunt Jinhua’s fake smile dropped.

Seeing everyone around her flattering Wang Xiaocui and praising her for her future blessings, Aunt Jinhua said sourly, "Even if her children really bought those things for her, everyone knows how she used to work herself to death, getting up early and working late, eating nothing but sweet potatoes, selling all the new grain without keeping any. I heard from my nephew that she kept sending money to the city. Maybe the money was earned through her own hardship, and now she's just attributing it to her children, putting gold on her own face!"

"Besides, if they were really doing well in the city, who would come back to the countryside with their tails between their legs? Maybe they couldn't make it in the city and came back with their tails between their legs."

Seeing everyone's gossipy faces, Aunt Jinhua became even more excited, "Liu Zhiqing said that after Su Jianjun returned to the city, he divorced Wang Xiaocui and immediately married a new wife, and they had a chubby son."

"That’s his pride and joy now. Who would care about the previous ones?"

"You know, after returning to the city, a single salary can only stretch so far. With such a big family, how much could be left for Su An and Su Ping? Moreover, Su Ping is still a fool. Wouldn't they focus on the new one? Wang Xiaocui’s just putting on a brave face..."

Hearing Aunt Jinhua's words, everyone immediately started speculating about everything. Some said the Su siblings had made it and were taking Wang Xiaocui to the city to enjoy life, while others said the Su siblings couldn't make it in the city, were not favored by Su Jianjun, and were driven back to the countryside to farm.

Wang Yongshun was sitting in the yard weaving a basket when Wang Xiaocui led Su An and her brother in.

"Uncle."

"Uncle."

"Ah, is it? Is it Su Ping and An An?"

"You're back? Hehe, great, come on, sit inside."

Wang Yongshun gave a warm, genuine smile, picked up the crutch by the chair, stood up with its support, and happily invited Wang Xiaocui and her children into the house.

Inside the house, Wang Xuanying, who was cutting radish strips, heard the voices outside and hurriedly stopped what she was doing and came out.

"Aunt."

Su An looked up and saw Wang Xuanying wearing an apron and two braids, and quickly went up to her, "Sister Xuanying."

Wang Xuanying's eyes lit up, and she stepped forward to take Su An's hand, "You're An An? Wow, An An, you finally decided to come back for a visit?"

Wang Xuanying was a year older than Su An, now nineteen. The two cousins had a good relationship and often went together to wash clothes, chop firewood, and gather pig feed when they were young.

Seeing her childhood playmate, not only was Su An happy, but Wang Xuanying was also overjoyed.

"Su Ping, Auntie, come on in and have a seat."

Wang Xuanying held Su An’s hand and ushered everyone into the house.

Once inside, she urged everyone to sit down, then served bowls of peanuts and homemade sweet potato chips, placing them on the table. She grabbed the thermos to pour tea for everyone.

Wang Yongshun warmly greeted Su An and her brother, "When did you get back? Have some tea. These peanuts were grown by your aunt, and the sweet potato chips were homemade. Nothing fancy, haha."

"We just got back today, Uncle, and came to see you right away!"

Su An, to be polite, picked up a piece of sweet potato chip to eat. These were made from sweet potatoes harvested from the fields, sliced thin and fried. Back then, in the countryside, it was a fancy treat for guests.

The sweet potato chips in front of her were even sweetened with sugar. Su An ate two pieces in a row, then looked up and said, "Uncle, these are delicious, crispy, and you even added sugar."

Wang Yongshun scratched his head, a bit embarrassed, "Your cousin Xuanying got engaged last year, and she’s getting married this winter. So, your aunt dug up some sweet potatoes and bought some sugar, and we just fried these yesterday, hehe. It’s something nice to serve guests."

Su An looked at Wang Xuanying with delight, "Sister Xuanying, you’re engaged? Who is it?"

Wang Xuanying nodded shyly and said to Su An, "It’s someone from the neighboring Liu family village. You know him, it’s the brother of Liu Yu’e, the one we used to play hopscotch and kick the shuttlecock with."

Su An leaned in and whispered in Wang Xuanying’s ear, "I know, I know, it’s Liu Hongmin, right? The one who always tried to take our spot after school."

Wang Xuanying’s face turned bright red, "What do you mean? He was grabbing it for his sister, not for me. Besides, you were jumping too."

Su An chuckled, "I didn’t say he was grabbing it for you."

The room was buzzing with energy when Liu Xiaomei walked in carrying a bucket of water.

Su An quickly stood up and called out to her, "Auntie."

Su Ping, remembering what Su An had said, also stood up to greet her.

Liu Xiaomei glanced at Su An and her brother but didn’t say anything.

Wang Yongshun, feeling a bit awkward, quickly tried to ease the tension, "Xiaomei, this is An An and Ping Ping. Look how much they’ve grown since we last met. They just got back and came to visit their uncle."

Liu Xiaomei then nodded slightly to Wang Xiaocui and the others as a greeting, then put the carrying pole behind the door and went back to slicing radishes.

With Liu Xiaomei back, Wang Xiaocui couldn’t stay seated any longer and stood up to leave, "Yongshun, we still need to head over to Yongzheng’s place. An An and the others haven’t visited their grandma yet."

Su Ping, who didn’t like Liu Xiaomei, quickly agreed, "Yes, yes, we still need to visit Grandma."

Wang Xiaocui pointed to the things she had brought and placed on the stool for Wang Yongshun, "The kids got you some ointment from the city. You’ve been having leg pain, right? Try it and see if it works."

"They also bought a roast chicken, brought all the way from C City. Just heat it up and it’s ready to eat. Don’t let it spoil. Oh, and there’s a scarf for Xiaomei, gloves for Xuanying, and a liberation cap for Jianyong..."

Wang Yongshun looked flustered, "This, this is too much. I’ll keep the ointment, but take the roast chicken back, or give it to Mom. Look, I don’t have anything to give in return..."

Wang Xiaocui pressed Wang Yongshun’s hand, "Enough, enough, no need to be so formal with me. It’s not like I told them to do this. The kids bought these for you themselves from the city. They’ve always been thinking of their uncle and aunt’s family."

Seeing that Wang Yongshun was about to say more, Wang Xiaocui quickly pulled Su An and headed out, "Alright, we’re off to Mom’s place now. Xuanying, come visit An An at our place when you have time."

As Wang Xiaocui and her family left, Wang Yongshun felt extremely embarrassed.

Wang Xuanying walked over to Liu Xiaomei, stomping her feet in frustration, "Mom, what are you doing? What are you doing? They came all the way from the city with gifts to visit us, and you couldn’t even give them a friendly face? Who do you think owes you?"