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"I don't mind! Mom is relieved to hear you say that. You did the right thing not acknowledging them anymore! San Ni, as long as you can differentiate right from wrong, mom will never bla you for being unfilial. Those who give birth without raising are worse than pigs and dogs, and their favoritism knows no bounds. They don't even think about the fact that their family's good days have all been thanks to you!"
While Xiuhua was washing vegetables, she interrupted her unfinished words, also defending her vehently.
Obviously, grandma really knew a lot about the troubles in Zhang Shan Ni's family.
Godsend, Zhang Shan Ni gave her a loyal, starry-eyed glance:
"Right. Ever since Brother Shitou handed over the silver, I have considered myself a Xie Family mber, with no second thoughts!"
As long as Xie Jingchen does not betray her in their marital loyalty, she is not going to change her initial intentions.
Moreover, from what she has learned about the Old Xie Family so far, they're really not that bad. Therefore, Zhang Shan Ni very wisely brushed up on the good graces in front of her mother-in-law.
"Good, good, mom was worried you were too young to understand Rong Wei's hardships! Xiao San is only on leave for ten days this ti, and two days will be spent on the road; this year, this is his only leave, and he won't be back until after next Spring Festival."
"Brother Shitou can't make it back for New Year?" Zhang Shan Ni asked in surprise. She had always heard her mother-in-law calling for Shitou, and she followed suit.
"He said he's swapped his duty shift with his partner because his partner's wife is about to give birth, with the due date around New Year, so he ca back early on leave. Originally..."
Xiuhua, getting along well with Xiao San's wife, was about to blurt out that San'er ca back for a matchmaking, then realized the young girl in front of her was already San'er's fiancée! She hurriedly changed the topic:
"You see, so of his comrades already have two or three children, and he's just getting married now, sigh!"
"Mom, originally what?" Zhang Shan Ni paused her stirring, looked back at her, and tentatively said, "Was it for matchmaking?"
"Ah,"
Xiuhua didn't expect Zhang Shan Ni, this young girl, to have such a quick mind, guessing it right on! Thinking that this wasn't any important secret, and that it was better for Xiao San to explain clearly to avoid discomfort between the couple later, she simply said:
"Right. Brother Shitou's commander thinks that his main task now is to settle down the big event of his life, that's why he got ten days off. So, he ca back this ti for marriage. Little girl, don't mind, okay?"
"Then mom, have you decided on a match?" If it was because of her that a woman was hurt, she'd feel uneasy; she definitely didn't want to turn into a mistress from ancient tis!
"Not really! Shitou always has his own ideas, he said he'll decide after coming back and having a look!"
"Having a look? So he already has a target?" Zhang Shan Ni anxiously inquired.
"There actually is a target, little girl, mom won't lie to you. But you see, the target mom likes includes you, haha, it seems we really are ant to be mother- and daughter-in-law!"
At this mont, Zhang Shan Ni realized that grandma had changed how she addressed her from San Ni to little girl; was this a sign of greater closeness?
Being looked at a few tis by Xiuhua, her dark face darkened further, she shyly returned her gaze, "That's really great! Mom, I was afraid of ruining soone's marriage, that would be a huge sin!"
"No, no, I haven't told anyone, I was just thinking of letting Shitou see for himself when he cos back, after all, I'm not the one in their marriage, how can I make decisions for Shitou! Little girl, you really do have marital fate!"
Zhou Xiuhua said she had her eyes on Zhang Shanni and it wasn't a lie, she really did think highly of Zhang Shanni.
However, due to Zhang Zhiguo and his wife's dysfunction, she dismissed the thought.
Who knew that whatever you fear might co true?! Luckily, Xiao San was clever and imdiately saw through the true nature of Zhang Zhiguo and his wife, thus cutting off their familial ties.
In this way, Xiao San's wife truly beca their Xie Family's daughter-in-law, without any outside interests, which led her to believe that the outco was quite good indeed!
"Mom!!" Zhang Shanni blushed deeper; this ti she was genuinely embarrassed, too much pretending had actually made it real.
"Alright, alright, I won't tease you, do you know how to cook?" Zhou Xiuhua casually changed the topic.
"I do, Mom, you can leave it to !" Zhang Shanni naturally took the winnowing basket from her hands and placed it beside the stove.
Just in ti, the sweet potato porridge was ready, and apart from the mist, there was a faint sweet aroma of sweet potatoes drifting through the air.
"Grandma, grandma, it slls so good!" Xiao Si and the others were attracted by the sll; the sweet potato porridge never had any sweet taste before.
Of course, this was because when no one was in the kitchen, Zhang Shanni stuffed the burlap bag full, and also casually placed it in the sweet potato pile behind the door. Due to it being superficial, Zhou Xiuhua casually picked several, naturally making the porridge sweet.
The food in the future had its sweetness and texture improved several tis over, not like now where it was mostly in its primitive form. The future saw more hybrids that improved quality or yield, or both, and certainly tasted better than the original strains.
"Co co co, first greet your Second Aunt, from now on she will be your Second Uncle's wife, make sure to rember that!" Seeing Zhang Shanni adeptly cooking, Zhou Xiuhua introduced her to the little ones happily, making them recognize and address her.
Because of the earlier clean-up Zhang Shanni did for these little 'radishes', the kids had a good impression of her, especially liking this older sister who wasn't much older than their little aunt, feeling she was very generous for willing to use food to coax them!
Nowadays, for children, having food given to them made them feel the person was genuinely good and reliable. For children who have grown up hungry, food is an extrely important possession! Even their own biological parents might not be willing to let them eat potatoes as snacks!
"Hello, Second Aunt!" After receiving Zhang Shanni's 'bribe', the children's greeting was really loud and clear, which made her even more embarrassed!
"Hey, you're so well-behaved!" Zhang Shanni's face blushed slightly, but she gracefully responded.
She felt that although these kids were a bit dirty, it wasn't their nature but the environnt that forced them. And they were all obedient and sensible, definitely good children.
She placed the cooked dishes aside, and from the steaming hot stove, she pulled out two thoroughly cooked, fragrant potatoes, quickly peeled them, and roughly divided them into four little wooden bowls, then scooped so porridge into the bowls to avoid having them dry while eating:
"Co, Xiao Si, Xiao Wu, Xiao Liu, Xiaoqi, sit in line, one bowl each, be cautious as it's very hot, Xiao Si, you are responsible for looking after your younger siblings, don't make a ss everywhere, understand?"
There was a square table by the stove, not very high, about 70 centiters, surrounded by low stools. Zhang Shanni asked the eldest, Xiao Si, to look after his younger siblings. He nodded seriously and confidently said, "Don't worry, Second Aunt, I will take good care of them."
All the younger ones nodded, in their little hearts, food was extrely precious, how could they possibly allow the grains to spill!
"Very well-behaved, all are good children!"
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