The next day.
To show off in front of the Lu family, Nan Honghong got up early to cook.
As soon as she entered the kitchen.
Nan Honghong said with a blushing face, “Mother, Second Aunt, Yueyue, I’m here to help with the cooking.”
The Lu old lady had three sons and two daughters in her lifetime.
The eldest was Lu Jianguo’s father, the second was Lu’s second uncle, and the third was Lu Baiyang.
The two daughters happened to be the oldest and the youngest.
The oldest daughter already had grandchildren.
The youngest daughter got married the year before last.
Besides Lu Jianguo, the eldest Lu family also had a daughter in high school, who lived on campus in the county town.
The second uncle’s family also had a boy and a girl. The eldest was a boy named Lu Jianjun, and the second was a girl, Lu Xiaoyue, who was currently helping with breakfast in the kitchen.
Seeing Nan Honghong.
Lu’s mother said with a smile, “That’s our daughter-in-law for you. Not like the other one—the sun is already high, and she hasn’t even shown her face.”
Lu’s second aunt was a woman of few words.
Hearing this.
She didn’t say anything.
Lu’s mother sneered, “This family needs to set some rules. How can a new bride sleep until daybreak and have her sister-in-law cook and serve her? Does she really think she’s a pampered young lady?”
Nan Honghong said softly, “I—I don’t mind doing a bit more work. Qingqing never did anything at home either. After so many years, we’re used to it.”
Lu Xiaoyue instinctively glanced at Nan Honghong.
But was immediately pressed down by Lu’s second aunt.
Lu’s second aunt muttered, “Tend to your stove.”
In the yard.
Lu Jianjun was chasing after Lu Baiyang, asking about military matters. Lu Baiyang could only pick and choose some non-confidential details to satisfy his curiosity.
Lu Jianjun said enviously, “If my mother hadn’t stopped me from joining the army, I would’ve definitely gone.”
Lu Jianguo walked over.
He glanced at Lu Jianjun and said, “You, join the army? Look how skinny you are, like a little chick.”
Lu Jianjun had never gotten along with Lu Jianguo.
Hearing this.
Lu Jianjun retorted without hesitation, “You’re so great, huh? Well, no matter how great you are, your wife got up so early, while Third Aunt still hasn’t gotten out of bed.”
Lu Jianguo’s eyes darkened.
He clenched his fists, “Lu Jianjun, are you asking for a beating?”
Lu Jianjun said mockingly, “I was chatting with Third Uncle, and you’re the one who butted in. Who’s really asking for a beating here?”
Lu Baiyang growled lowly, “Enough, both of you, cut it out!”
Lu Jianjun obediently shut his mouth.
He tugged at Lu Baiyang and said, “Third Uncle, let’s go for a run? Let’s see if I can catch up with you this time.”
Lu Baiyang raised an eyebrow, “Alright.”
Uncle and nephew walked out side by side.
No sooner had they left than Nan Qingqing emerged from the room.
Lu Jianguo instinctively turned around.
And saw Nan Qingqing standing on the doorstep in the orange light of the morning, raising her arms in a stretch.
Her face was tilted upward.
Her fair, clean little face was free of any blemishes, as clear and pure as icicles in winter.
Her small mouth was a vivid red, as if she had pressed it against red paper.
As she stretched, her waist was slender, her hips curved—every contour pronounced where it should be, and tapered where it should recede.
Even her neck was impossibly beautiful.
Lu Jianguo was stunned.
How had he not noticed yesterday how good-looking Nan Qingqing was?
Aside from yesterday, he had only met Nan Qingqing once before, during their matchmaking session.
On the day of the blind date.
Nan Qingqing was wearing a dark blue Dacron jacket, having just returned from the fields. Covered in dust with mud still on her face, it was impossible to tell whether her figure was attractive or not.
Lu Jianguo stared at her in a daze.
Nan Qingqing noticed a gaze filled with ill intentions.
She instantly looked over.
And saw Lu Jianguo’s foolish expression.
Nan Qingqing spat in disgust and swiftly closed the door.
Only when he heard the loud bang did Lu Jianguo realize what he was doing.
He quickly patted his own face.
What was he doing?
His wife was Nan Honghong.
Not to mention he didn’t fancy Nan Qingqing, even if he did, she was now his third aunt.
That fellow Lu Baiyang was not someone he could afford to provoke.
Lu Jianguo immediately hunched his back and scurried into the main hall to wait for dinner.
At the dinner table
Lu Xiaoyue brought in two boiled eggs.
One was given to the Lu old lady.
The other, Lu Xiaoyue instinctively placed on the dining table.
No one dared to eat it without the Lu old lady speaking first.
However.
Lu Baiyang straightforwardly reached out, took it, and gave it to Nan Qingqing.
For a moment.
Everyone at the table had varied expressions.
Lu’s mother snorted lightly and said, “Baiyang really knows how to pamper his wife. With just one egg, he quickly stuffs it into his wife’s pocket. Jianguo, you should learn well from your third uncle. Only those who aren’t afraid of losing face get to eat eggs.”
Nan Qingqing was baffled.
Was this implying that Lu Baiyang had no shame?
Holding the egg in her hand, she asked, “Sister-in-law, do you want to eat the egg?”
Lu’s mother’s face suddenly flushed red. She said, “It’s just an egg. Who hasn’t eaten one before?”
Nan Qingqing said “Oh,” then added, “Since you don’t want it, what does it matter to you who eats it?”
Lu’s mother: “You…”
Nan Qingqing exclaimed, “Oh dear!”
She said with a smile, “Sister-in-law, please don’t be angry. When you get angry, I feel like this egg was laid by you. Otherwise, why would you react so strongly when no one else did? If that’s the case, I won’t eat it.”
Lu’s mother was so angry she fumed.
How could she respond to that?
If she said even one more word, she would become the hen that laid the egg.
Lu’s mother picked up her porridge and silently slurped it without another word.
Nan Qingqing leisurely peeled the egg and casually broke it in half.
Just as Lu Baiyang was about to say he didn’t want any,
he saw that slender, snow-white hand pass in front of him and give the other half to Lu Xiaoyue.
Lu Xiaoyue, who had never eaten an egg at the dinner table before, stared blankly at Nan Qingqing.
Nan Qingqing blinked and said, “We’re the youngest here, so I’ll share half with you.”
Lu Xiaoyue gave Nan Qingqing a nervous and awkward smile.
Lu Xiaoyue was a good child.
In her previous life, when Lu’s mother deliberately made things difficult for her and forced her to work, Lu Xiaoyue often helped her out.
The dinner table was unusually quiet.
Right after the meal,
Lu’s mother said with a cold face, “Those who didn’t cook this morning will wash the dishes.”
Nan Qingqing looked at Lu’s father and Second Uncle Lu.
Her gaze made the two men blush slightly.
Lu’s mother said through gritted teeth, “I meant you!”
Nan Qingqing said, “I’d like to wash them, but when I was a child, my stepmother had my fortune told. The fortune teller said I would face a water-related disaster this year and must not touch water, or I’ll bring misfortune to the whole family.”
It wasn’t that she truly couldn’t wash them.
She just didn’t want to obey Lu’s mother.
That wretched old woman was utterly despicable.
Nan Honghong hurriedly said, “Let me do it. Qingqing has never been used to washing dishes since she was little.”
Nan Qingqing: “Fine, fine, let’s just promote me like this from now on.”
Lu’s mother scolded in a low voice, “You’re about to return to your maiden home soon. Hurry up and get ready—why are you washing dishes?”
Qingqing responded with an “Oh,” then said, “If someone returning to their maiden home shouldn’t wash dishes, then when sister-in-law told me to wash them today, she must not want me to go back, right? Only when one’s parents are dead does one not return to their maiden home—so sister-in-law is cursing my parents to die!”
Lu’s mother took a deep breath and said, “If you keep spouting nonsense, I’ll tear your mouth apart.”