Hearing that familiar yet unfamiliar voice, Li Shulan felt no emotional stir.
She stepped out of the house carrying some potatoes.
“Cui Ping’s here. I heard you were sick—are you feeling better?”
Zhang Cuiping, granddaughter of the former secretary of Yangjiao Brigade and daughter of the captain of the neighboring Xishan Brigade, was very spoiled.
She had liked Li Shulan’s eldest son since childhood.
In her previous life, she had liked this girl too.
Who knew that when the eldest son returned home, he had unexpectedly rescued Meng Yue and ended up marrying her?
Cui Ping had no influence in the brigade, and she wasn’t as physically strong. Moreover, her eyes were enchanting, and Li Shulan feared that Meng Yue would cling to her eldest son and affect his work.
So, she had always looked down on Meng Yue.
When Zhang Cuiping visited, Li Shulan would criticize Meng Yue in every possible way, even asking Zhang Cuiping to request her grandfather assign Meng Yue the dirtiest and hardest tasks.
Within three months, Meng Yue would collapse in the fields and suffer a miscarriage that left her unable to bear children.
In her previous life, upon learning this, Li Shulan had been more pleased than saddened.
She thought that since Meng Yue could no longer have children, her eldest son would surely leave her, and then he could marry Zhang Cuiping.
But her eldest son refused to divorce.
Now, Zhang Cuiping didn’t have time to talk about her grandmother—her mind was filled with thoughts of her brother Qin Zihuai marrying another woman.
“Aunt Lan, didn’t you say you’d arrange a betrothal when Zihuai came back? How come in less than ten days he’s married someone else?”
“Cuiping, no one expected this. But your brother Qin is already married. Since you can’t be my daughter-in-law, be my goddaughter instead. When you marry, Aunt Lan will prepare a dowry for you.”
“No, I don’t want that. Aunt Lan, you know I’ve liked Zihuai since I was little. Please, Aunt Lan, make him divorce her!”
“Cuiping!”
Li Shulan’s tone became more serious.
“Since your brother Qin is already married, how could I, as his mother, ask him to divorce? Don’t ever say that again, or you’ll make me angry!”
Zhang Cuiping couldn’t believe the usually kind Aunt Lan would suddenly speak to her so coldly.
But she still tried to plead.
“Aunt Lan, I don’t mind that Zihuai’s married—”
“Shut up!” Li Shulan’s face turned completely cold. “Zhang Cuiping, my son will not divorce. If you came to visit me today, you’re welcome. But if you came to spout nonsense, leave now. You’re not welcome here!”
Zhang Cuiping froze at Li Shulan’s harsh words.
When she recovered, her eyes glimmered with resentment, and after a long moment, she turned and ran off.
Li Shulan remained entirely unmoved.
In her previous life, she had lacked foresight.
Her two sons didn’t earn a living in the brigade—why seek a daughter-in-law with a local background?
City-educated youth were beautiful, cultured, and well-read—perfect matches for her two exceptional sons.
Besides, Zhang Cuiping’s grandfather was just a retired secretary—what kind of influence could he really wield? At most, he could arrange for his son to be a small team leader, nothing more.
Li Shulan was just a woman—otherwise, the Yangjiao Brigade’s secretary position could have gone to someone else.
Her two sons: one a company commander in the army—anyone wanting to enlist in the brigade would have to curry favor with him; the other an engineer at a provincial machinery factory—anyone wanting tractors or machinery would have to go through her son.
With this background, why marry some secretary’s granddaughter?
Ah, in her previous life, she had suffered from foolishness.
Li Shulan didn’t think too much and, seeing that time was short, brought the potatoes into the kitchen to start cooking.
For lunch, she planned to make braised pork with potatoes, stir-fry some romaine lettuce, and steam three rustic eggs!
In the evening, she planned to slaughter a chicken and make chicken soup to nourish her daughters-in-law, especially the eldest daughter-in-law, who already carried a child of the Qin family. She had to take good care of her—no miscarriages like last life!
“Wow, it smells so good, Mom! What are you cooking now? I can smell it from far away!”
Su Xiao’s voice came from the yard.
Li Shulan happened to be lifting the pot of greens.
“You’re back—wash your hands and get the table ready. The food’s all done.”
“Okay!”
By the time the food was on the table, Meng Yue and Su Xiao were already mesmerized by the aroma of the braised pork in the middle of the table.
“Mom, this braised pork smells amazing! Even better than what I’ve had in Shanghai hotels!”
Su Xiao’s mouth watered, and Meng Yue nodded repeatedly.
Li Shulan smiled and sat down.
“All right, let’s eat!”
At once, both daughters-in-law reached for the braised pork and simultaneously placed a piece in her bowl.
“Mom, you eat first!”
Li Shulan paused for a moment.
She had always known how good-hearted her daughters-in-law were, even in her previous life…
“All right, eat your own first. I’ll serve myself. Hurry up!”
The two then laughed and picked up a second piece.
“Mm, it’s so fragrant and tender. Mom, you’re such a good cook!”
Su Xiao’s praise was full of genuine enthusiasm.
Meng Yue didn’t speak as much, but her eyes shone brightly at her mother-in-law.
“Mom, you’re amazing.”
Li Shulan thoroughly enjoyed their admiring gazes. She took a bite of rice to hide her smile before saying,
“This afternoon I plan to stew a chicken for you. Do you like mushrooms or red dates in it?”
“Ah! White noodles in the morning, pork for lunch, and chicken for dinner? Mom, aren’t we eating a bit too well?” Su Xiao wondered if she was dreaming.
Meng Yue was surprised too.
“Mom, the hen is still laying eggs, don’t kill it.”
“Just tell me if you like savory or sweet. Don’t overthink it. You’re both too skinny—if you don’t get fat now, how will you give me grandchildren later!”
Hearing this, both daughters-in-law blushed deeply.
But Su Xiao whispered, “Mom, don’t worry. My sister-in-law and I will work hard to give you lots of grandchildren!”
Meng Yue’s face turned even redder.
[Ding!] Cooking for daughters-in-law: Reward 10 yuan ×2, Industrial Coupons ×4.
Industrial coupons! Wow—four at once! These were very valuable in the countryside.
The system’s rewards were indeed getting more valuable.
Li Shulan looked at her daughters-in-law’s empty wrists, thinking that she needed to go to the county department store sometime to buy watches for them.
Watch vouchers were rare even in major factories, but with enough industrial coupons, she could buy watches. If the system kept awarding them, she could save up to buy watches for her daughters-in-law.
Those two boys had been lucky—marrying two such beautiful daughters-in-law for just a 200-yuan dowry. After all, their deaths in the previous life had been a result of schemes—they had truly gained a windfall.
“I went to the supply and marketing cooperative today and brought a few things for both of you. They’re in my room—come get them after clearing the table.”