Chapter 116: A Gesture of Goodwill

The entire village was filled with joyous laughter.

Ten women gathered around Chuntao Xiang and Juying Wang, expressing their gratitude both openly and in subtle ways.

Juying Wang felt shy and uneasy.

Chuntao Xiang, bold and confident, spoke loudly, “This is nothing. Next time we have a chance to make money, I’ll treat all of you sisters-in-law.”

“Chuntao, Juying, we’re not good with words. But your kindness is noted. If there’s work in the future, just call us. We may not be skilled, but we have strength and we obey orders.”

“Yes, yes, you can count on us. We won’t say no, sisters-in-law.”

Chuntao Xiang said frankly, “Don’t worry, sisters-in-law. As long as Aunt Tao’s business is thriving, we’ll definitely need mushrooms again. Even if not mushrooms, there will be other things we’ll need help with. We will surely ask you then.”

Li Erniu, carrying firewood, passed by. Seeing so many people gathered, she, usually fierce and spirited, hung her head low, took a turn, and kept walking silently.

“Bao Yu’s mother has lost so much weight and changed her temperament. If it were before and we blocked her way, she’d have scolded us by now.”

“She’s constantly bullied by her mother-in-law and has no strength to offend anyone. Plus, her son vents his anger on her when things don’t go well outside. Now she no longer dotes on Tang Baoshi like a precious treasure. She looks at him like he’s a ghost.”

“She was too arrogant before; now karma’s finally caught up with her. Such a person doesn’t deserve sympathy. If you sympathize, one day she might strike like a poisonous snake.”

After Chuntao Xiang’s words, the pity in everyone’s eyes vanished. They quickly divided the money and went home. Some saved their earnings, others bought meat.

Song Tieniu and Zhang Jieba arrived driving an ox cart.

“Stinky man, we’re here…” Chuntao Xiang waved her hand.

Song Tieniu scoffed, “What kind of wife calls her own husband like that?”

“I’ll call him whatever I want. Who cares what others think? They call him the dad of their kids, but I have to have kids first…” Chuntao Xiang shot him a cold glare.

“All right, all right, call him whatever you like. You take your sister-in-law home to rest for a bit. We’ll return the cart and come back. There are still things to discuss.”

Juying Wang noticed her husband’s unusually good mood today. When she looked at him, he even gave a bright smile. His eyes were lively, no longer dull like before.

***

Juying Wang’s marriage to Zhang Jieba was a compromise between two weak souls. Juying was too small and unattractive to find a husband. In farming villages, brides were chosen for their sturdy hips and strength to bear children. She looked like a twelve or thirteen-year-old malnourished sprout, so no one came to propose.

Zhang Jieba was the type who couldn’t find a wife. He was thin, barely spoke a word, and was despised by his family. They decided to find him a bride and then separate him out. After inquiries, they settled on Juying Wang. Since she turned fifteen with no suitors, her family accepted fifty jin of cornmeal as bride price and married her off.

On their wedding day, Zhang’s parents and siblings immediately separated the couple. Neither was capable: Zhang was useless, and Juying was too frail to do much work. Their house was a dilapidated shack no one else wanted. For ten jin of cornmeal, the village chief let them live there.

They held a wedding feast because it was a chance to collect gifts, which Zhang’s parents didn’t want to miss. Once the feast ended, the young couple was left alone in the broken house. The house leaked wind and rain, the pots were broken, the bed was ready to collapse, and there was no blanket.

The newlyweds showed no joy looking at the ruin. They knew they were nothing in their families and the wedding was merely a joke for others to watch.

At that moment, Song Tieniu and Chuntao Xiang appeared with large bundles. On the pitch-dark night, they brought the couple their first ray of light.

They cleaned the house inside and out, replaced the broken pots and bedding, provided washcloths and water basins, and more.

“Juying sister, once we earn a bit more money, we’ll build a new house. Judging by the looks on our men’s faces, they must have made a good earning today.”

“Thank you, sister.” Juying held Chuntao’s arm, looking at her with admiration and gratitude.

Sister-in-law was amazing—not only eloquent but also sharp at making money.

Chuntao Xiang scratched her cheek bashfully. “No need to thank me. You’re like my own little sister. We take care of each other, right?”

That night, Qin Huiyin and others washed and soaked dozens of jin of soybeans.

After finishing her tasks, Qin Huiyin rested in her room.

No homework was assigned to Tang Luwu and Tang Yixiao today. After all, balance between work and rest was important; everyone was so tired that learning would be futile.

Hmm…

Except next door.

“Honey, I haven’t written anything today…”

Qin Huiyin covered her head, blocking out the noise from next door.

“Go away,” Li Taohua cursed, “I’m dead tired. Get lost.”

“I’ll massage you, dear.”

“Tang Dafu, are you a reincarnated pervert?” Li Taohua lowered her voice, “I’m telling you, there’s work early tomorrow. If you’re so energetic, just don’t sleep tonight and get to work now.”

Tang Dafu: “...I’ll sleep.”

“If you snore that loudly again tonight, I’m kicking you out. My daughter’s been exhausted all day; how’s she supposed to sleep with your loud snoring?” Li Taohua kicked Tang Dafu twice. “Tomorrow, talk to the village chief about building the house. Didn’t his son build a house for someone? Might as well use that favor with the chief.”

Building a house involved many concerns. Materials could be gathered from the mountain, but someone had to plan it. Then labor must be arranged, progress supervised, and every detail ensured. Tang Dafu could manage the labor, but might not handle the entire project’s planning.

Qin Huiyin glanced sideways and saw Tang Luwu still writing at the table. “Luwu sister, why aren’t you sleeping yet?”

“I’m recording today’s expenses.”

“Oh right, I forgot.”

“Don’t get up. I finished writing; I’ll show you. My handwriting’s ugly, don’t mind it.”

Tang Luwu was genuinely eager to learn. Qin Huiyin taught her to read and write; she practiced secretly. Qin also taught her bookkeeping, and she studied diligently.

Qin Huiyin took the paper Tang Luwu handed her. It detailed all expenses today—from ingredients purchased, pottery bought, crabs and mushrooms gathered—to the total sum.

“That’s right. The numbers and total are correct. Luwu sister, you’ve improved so quickly. Well done!”

Receiving praise, Tang Luwu’s eyes sparkled like stars.

“I will study hard.”

A story of a transmigrated poor farming sister-in-law cherished by powerful brothers. Please bookmark: (xiakezw) The Transmigrated Farming Sister-in-Law Cherished by Powerful Brothers.