Shen ng brought Xiao Kai into the room, Xifeng was feeding Wang Lianhua so rice porridge, the dim kerosene lamp cast light on their faces, making their features less distinct.
"Sister-in-law ng is here, co on in." Xifeng put down the bowl in her hand, called Shen ng into the room, and then ran out to pour a bowl of warm water.
"Aunt, please sit. There’s no hot water kettle in my second sister-in-law’s room, so I poured this from mine. Please have so, it’s at just the right temperature!"
"There’s no rush, I’m just here to check on Sister-in-law Lianhua. It’s really my fault for not considering everything thoroughly and causing her to suffer."
Wang Lianhua was leaning against the kang cabinet, wearing a headscarf, and her face was blotchy with colorful bruises, which looked quite scary.
"What are you saying, sister? You were kind-hearted, giving such good food to Daqing and Erqing, and even brought so for and Xifeng. I heard from the kids, they ate dumplings with white flour and at stuffing, sister, you’re really generous. If this were soone else’s family, who could be so open-handed?" Wang Lianhua said haltingly, writhing in pain, barely able to speak with strength.
Xifeng was nodding constantly by the side. She had eaten quite a few of the dumplings yesterday, which tasted incredibly good. She had never had such delicious dumplings in her life. Although they were made with mixed flours, she could tell there was more white flour, less cornal.
"I heard that your mother-in-law and your elder sister-in-law compensated you three yuan. You better hide the money well, so it doesn’t get taken away from you later on."
"Oh, sister, don’t worry, I’ve hidden it securely. My mother-in-law is like a miserly rooster. This ti, even though she plucked her feathers, it’s all thanks to you. Otherwise, the beating I got would have been in vain."
Wang Lianhua’s nose twitched slightly as she spoke, her voice heavy with a sobbing tone.
Shen ng shook her head and took out so items from her basket.
"This is half a pound of brown sugar, and one pound of egg cake. I originally wanted to bring eggs, but I was afraid that Second Aunt would use them as an excuse to cause trouble. These I asked soone to buy before, hide them and eat them yourself."
"No, no, sister. I’ve already enjoyed your dumplings, and taking all this from you, we might well stop eting. These items are so precious, even hard to buy, I can’t allow you to waste them on ."
Shen ng stuffed the items into Wang Lianhua’s hands, gripping her hands firmly.
"Don’t refuse it. I may have been out of touch before, but the kids have always been looked after by you all. I’m deeply grateful. Besides, we are all cousins and sisters-in-law. We should keep in touch more often!"
Wang Lianhua was still trying to refuse, but Xifeng smiled and said, "Second sister-in-law, just take it. This is Sister-in-law ng’s sincerity, and she’s right. We are sisters and should keep in touch with each other."
With both of them insisting like this, Wang Lianhua didn’t know what else to say. In front of them, she took out three pieces of the egg cake, gave half to each of the kids, and had Xifeng lock away the rest in the kang cabinet.
"That’s the spirit. But, I still have sothing to say. If Sister-in-law Lianhua and Xifeng feel there’s sothing wrong with what I’m about to say, just pretend I never said it, alright?"
"Just said we’re sisters, why acting all polite again, Xiao ng? If you have sothing to say, just speak up, we’re all ears!"
Though I haven’t had much close contact before, ever since Shen ng hit her head, her way of dealing with people has beco so much kinder, much richer in human touch, making her conversations less awkward for others, and she’s always shown understanding and respect. Such a person, if befriended, would surely bring a lifeti’s worth of friendship.
"Then I’ll just say it, Sister-in-law Lianhua, Second Aunt is not an easy person to deal with, and you both as daughters-in-law surely understand this in your hearts. Yet, Zhao Jingui can get along with her well, not just because they’re from the sa place, but also Zhao Jingui has a strong presence. Xifeng is sowhat stronger than you, sister-in-law. Daqing and Erqing are good kids, and since they’re boys, the Lu Family won’t give them trouble, but Yaoyao is a girl. She was really frightened today, sister-in-law, and this isn’t just about a dumpling. They know you didn’t hide food or money, they’re just seeing you as an easy target. If you keep this up, it’s Yaoyao’s whole life that will be affected."
Shen ng’s words left Xifeng and Wang Lianhua stunned; both won turned to look at Yaoyao, who, after the morning’s ordeal, had withdrawn to a quiet corner to watch Xiao Kai, Daqing, and Erqing play. Yaoyao had been down all day, expressionless, and had barely eaten at lunch.
Wang Lianhua was filled with regret. A good number of people had co to visit her this afternoon, with Xifeng bustling about hosting the guests and taking care of her, and neither of them had noticed Yaoyao’s state.
"It’s good that you reminded ; I hadn’t noticed at all. Ah, it’s getting so late, why hasn’t the kid’s father co back yet? If he were here, he could..."
"He could what? Help you take care of the kids? Second sister-in-law, you were beaten up like this today and still haven’t co to your senses? Isn’t it always said that the onlookers see things more clearly than those involved? Sister-in-law ng is right. The reason for your daze is that you can’t rely on your man. Erge is always running around, never ho, busy with who knows what. Let tell you, if you dare to give the items Sister-in-law ng gave you to Erge to eat, then I’m done with you."
Wang Lianhua felt a bit awkward, holding her energy while remaining silent. Shen ng saw that it was about ti to leave. She still had to bathe the kids back ho, and Xie Jinghao was waiting with the children to make clothes; she couldn’t stay much longer.
"Well then, I’ll be going. Oh right, this is the Red Flower Oil that Zhenping sent from Diannan. You should apply so on Sister-in-law Lianhua later, Xifeng, to help with the blood circulation and reduce bruising."
"Ah, thank you, Sister-in-law ng. I won’t see you out. Wait until my second sister-in-law feels better and can get out of bed, and we’ll both co to visit you, alright?"
"Sure, take care."
After Shen ng left, Xifeng clutched the Red Flower Oil and returned to the house. Wang Lianhua lay on the bed, her gaze distant, lost in her own thoughts,
Xifeng sighed, placing the Red Flower Oil on the kang table, and said quietly, "Who would’ve thought, elder sister-in-law has beco so clear-headed now. In the past, when she wasn’t busy trying to please Third Aunt, it was the various Sister Hu’s. Claiming to be from a military family, but in reality, she was just a nanny brought by the Lu Family to take care of their kids. Now things are different. She gets along so well with the children; they’ll treat her as their real mother in the future. Having shaken off her confusion, she’ll definitely live a better life. Second sister-in-law, you see, even Sister-in-law ng has managed to turn things around for the better, you should also think more for yourself and for the children."
Wang Lianhua didn’t say a word, her heart a mix of emotions, unsure of what to do.
Shen ng took Lu Mingkai ho; it was already getting dark. The little fellow was a bit scared, clinging tightly to his mother.
Suddenly, a dark figure whizzed down onto the ground. He stiffened in fright and pulled at Shen ng’s clothes with a trembling voice.
"Mom, a ghost fell down. Did you see it?"
Shen ng was jolted by what the little one said, nearly pulling the child into her space. She was scared too, especially on these rural paths without streetlights, where the moonlight wasn’t very bright. The yellow leaves on the trees rustled in the wind, and the occasional cries of insects and birds made her feel incredibly tense. Recognizing sothing after Lu Mingkai pointed it out, she too saw the "ghost" the little guy was talking about in his mouth.
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