Rebirth: She is Ready for a Counterattack! Chapter 92: New Year’s Eve

Li Xuei was not intimidated; she hadn’t done anything unforgivable, and besides, it was New Year’s, so even Mrs. Gu couldn’t do much to her.

Besides, she got picked on every year, and it was about ti soone else got it for a change.

With a smile, she handed over the basket, lifted the cloth for Mrs. Gu to see, and said, "I was just thinking of adding a few dishes for the New Year’s Eve dinner, so I was busy at ho and got here late."

Mrs. Gu had initially planned to make a fuss over this, but imdiately swallowed her words when she saw the basket and forced a smile, saying, "Well, you go help out in the kitchen. Second son’s wife is there."

She specially instructed, "Divide these dishes into two portions; save one for tomorrow."

Li Xuei agreed and walked out the door into the kitchen.

Gu Xiaoying, now a young lady, followed Li Xuei into the kitchen, thinking to help out.

Mr. Gu invited Gu Ruhai to sit on the kang, an honor never before extended.

Gu Ruhai didn’t stand on ceremony and sat down directly.

Gu Xiaoqing and Gu Xiaojie greeted Mr. and Mrs. Gu politely, "Grandpa, Grandma, hello."

Mr. Gu smiled, squinting his eyes, and nodded, grabbing a handful of candies and sunflower seeds from a bowl on the table to forcefully give to Gu Xiaojie and Gu Xiaoqing.

Gu Xiaojie loved candies and didn’t care about Mrs. Gu’s deadly glare, so he stuffed them into his pants pocket.

Mrs. Gu pushed the bowl on the table towards Gu Xiaofeng and Gu Xiaomin, smiling broadly at them.

Gu Xiaoqing was no longer a child and had no particular interest in these.

She just sat on a bench at the side, watching Gu Xiaojie play.

Gu Rushan and Gu Ruhe also arrived. At this mont, Gu Rushan was also sitting on the edge of the kang, puffing on a cigarette.

It was a gift that Gu Ruhe brought this year for Mr. Gu.

Packed in boxes, the county’s cigarettes were exquisitely packaged and looked quite impressive.

With beautiful patterns on them, Gu Rushan had seen them in Jiang Caifa’s pocket and knew they were fine items smoked by city folks. He didn’t hesitate and asked for a pack from the old man, opened it, and lit up.

Gu Ruhe and Xiao Xue sat in the middle of the kang, with Gu Xiaofeng and Gu Xiaomin on either side, playing with a tin box.

Seeing Gu Ruhai co in, Gu Rushan and Gu Ruhe greeted him, "Big brother, you’re here!"

"Big brother, take a seat."

That was the extent of their conversation.

In reality, the three brothers didn’t see each other often and didn’t have much to say.

No common topics.

Gu Rushan and Gu Ruhe looked down upon Gu Ruhai.

Gu Ruhai didn’t know what to say to his two brothers.

Mr. Gu was in a good mood today, delighted to see his three sons and feeling a sense of hope now that he was older.

Hoping for a harmonious and beautiful family life.

This was probably Mr. Gu’s idea of a good day.

Over in the kitchen, Li Xuei walked in to see a clearly disgruntled Jiang Xiulan, chopping vegetables as if to make the skies rumble, illustrating just how annoyed she was.

Seeing Li Xuei, Jiang Xiulan’s face drooped, and she unceremoniously chided, "Sister-in-law, it’s not your brother’s wife saying this, but you really ca too early, huh? Rushing here at alti; do you think I can cook this al alone?"

Li Xuei rolled up her sleeves and began sorting out the prepared dishes and those already washed.

Many hadn’t been started yet. One could guess that Jiang Xiulan had just arrived too.

"Sister-in-law, there’s no need for that talk. I prepared so small dishes from ho for our parents, just like I did every year. It wasn’t hustling alone before, and yet the als still got made."

Li Xuei wasn’t planning to indulge Jiang Xiulan anymore. She wasn’t currying favor with Jiang Xiulan for anything. Why should she humble herself and be chastised? They’re both sisters-in-law. If Jiang Xiulan is so skilled, she should go pick a bone with Xiao Xue.

Couldn’t bully those with powerful backing, but thought she could bully oneself, the soft-spoken one. Unfortunately for Jiang Xiulan, today’s Li Xuei wasn’t the Li Xuei of the past. If you dare to bully , I can retaliate.

Thus, Jiang Xiulan was at a loss for words, stifled.

She knew she was in the wrong in previous years, yet despite knowing Li Xuei was different now, she still instinctively wanted to follow past precedents, only to bump into a wall once more.

Seriously forgetful.

Li Xuei took out four bowls of dishes from the basket, dividing each one in half, piling the rest into bowls, adding seasoning, and steaming them with boiling water.

This was for steaming dishes.

A chicken had been slaughtered, but Jiang Xiulan hadn’t cleaned it well, leaving lots of fine feathers. Li Xuei had to mix a basin of hot and cold water to clean it properly.

Others may not mind an unclean work, but Li Xuei had three children at ho. She wasn’t willing to eat it dirty; if the kids got sick after, it’d be far worse.

Jiang Xiulan, taking her sweet ti, minced the at for dumplings.

Li Xuei, having sorted her side of things, donned an apron and went to make dumplings.

There were just a few people, finishing early ant going ho early.

Jiang Xiulan, seeing Gu Xiaoying tending the fire, called out, "Xiao Ying, co over and roll out the dough. Your second aunt’s hands hurt and I’m struggling."

Gu Xiaoying was about to agree when she saw Li Xuei give her a look, so she quickly fell silent. Her mother was quite authoritative at ho, having almost absolute say.

Li Xuei rolled up her sleeves and began mixing the dumpling filling with chopsticks, saying to Jiang Xiulan, "Second sister-in-law, you roll out the dough faster; she’s just a kid. The fire can’t be unattended, as there are stead vegetables and fish cooking. Let her oversee that while we finish things up with our hands."

The implication was absolutely not letting Gu Xiaoying leave her task to help.

Jiang Xiulan was quite annoyed internally.

She planned to have Gu Xiaoying take over, so she could slip into the main room for a rest, sip so water, eat so peanuts or sothing, and just not co back.

Just wait to enjoy the al ready-made.

But now, Li Xuei had blocked that route entirely.

No laziness allowed.

Pursing her lips, with a strange tone, she said, "Oh my, never saw sister-in-law making stead dishes before. What’s so fancy this year? Making money changes things indeed; one learns new tricks. Unlike us poor souls with no skills, we deserve to suffer."

Li Xuei didn’t respond. You feel like talking, then talk all you like. It doesn’t affect in the least, nor hurt, nor itch. You’ll still have to finish your tasks.

Say as much as you want.

Without stopping her hands, soon the bamboo tray was lined with dumplings.

The stead dishes were also ready.

Li Xuei had Gu Xiaoying take the dishes over, while she and Jiang Xiulan tead up to prepare the remaining dishes.