Li Xiangqin looked at her drooping head, truly annoyed.
“Clearly, you were worked like a donkey grinding at your maternal home, but now that you’ve moved, you’ve gotten delicate. What, is the feng shui in my house good for people?”
Zhao Meijuan choked, her complexion flushing red, but she couldn't refute it.
“Mother, we’re just having a meal, what are you doing?” Third Brother washed his hands, went to the Kitchen to ladle some soup, and quickly came to his Wife’s defense.
“What am I doing? Are you blind? Old Mother just wants to eat a peaceful meal; you all stop disgusting me.”
Li Xiangqin slapped her chopsticks down and announced directly,
“Both Fourth Child and I have officially started working. Starting tomorrow, the housework and cooking will be rotated between Fifth Child and Meijuan, one day each. No one is allowed to slack off. Lao Liu will be responsible for running errands for the rationed Coal Balls and grain/oil.”
Fifth Child immediately refused when she heard chores were assigned to her.
“Mother, I’m still a student. The academic Pressure is already huge, and I still have homework to write! How can I have time to wash clothes and cook?”
“If you don’t want to eat, you don’t have to do it,” Li Xiangqin was completely unapologetic. That dead girl was very cunning and had often used this point to play hooky.
“Then I want to switch with Lao Liu.” Lining up to haul Coal Balls and buying grain is much easier; it’s only twice a month.
“As long as you don’t mind eating half-cooked rice and getting your clothes dirty, I don’t care,” Lao Liu calmly took a sip of soup, making Old Fifth grit her teeth in anger.
Zhao Meijuan lowered her head, knitting her brows. Not treating her like family, yet still expecting her to do work—that Old Hag knew exactly how to wear down a Daughter-in-law.
Third Brother looked at his Wife’s unhappy appearance, reached out to touch her arm, and coaxed her softly,
“Rest assured, I will help you later.”
“Hmph, anyone who didn’t know would think Third Brother married some Young Miss, pampering her all the time. I’m your biological sister, why don’t you ever help me?” Old Fifth pouted, thoroughly disapproving of this Third Sister-in-law.
In her opinion, this woman was just putting on an act. They all ate together, her appetite wasn't small either, yet she was always being affected and delicate. Who knows if she was truly weak or just pretending?
“Can’t you shut your mouth even while eating? You’re always sticking your nose where it doesn’t belong.”
Third Brother glared at her, then casually placed a strip of eggplant for his Wife.
“Try this, our Mother’s Craftsmanship is excellent.”
“You eat too. You’ve been working all day, so your consumption must be high; you’ll be hungry again tonight if you don’t eat enough,” Zhao Meijuan gave him a gentle smile, urging him to eat quickly.
Then, Third Brother was as if he had fallen into a honey jar, his sweet little face blushing deeply.
Li Xiangqin twitched the corner of her mouth and quickly buried her head in her food; she couldn't hurt her own eyes.
After finishing a bowl of soup, Li Xiangqin had just put down her chopsticks when Old Fifth immediately spoke to Zhao Meijuan, “Third Sister-in-law, you slept until Mother finished cooking; you should at least wash the bowls, right?”
“...Even if you hadn't said anything, I would have done it proactively.”
Zhao Meijuan smiled gently, pushing the leftover food in her bowl toward Third Brother.
“You eat more.”
“Ew~, how disgusting. Aren’t you afraid of getting Saliva on it?”
Old Fifth stood up in disgust, her face showing revulsion.
“Why do you always let Third Brother eat your leftovers?”
Zhao Meijuan’s face reddened. Before she could explain, Third Brother roared at Fourth Child, “What do you know, you little brat? This is called romance.”
“Ahem~, what nonsense are you spouting?”
Zhao Meijuan slapped him with a red face, then looked awkwardly at Old Fifth.
“My Appetite is small, and Third Brother always puts food on my plate for me. If I can’t finish it, it’s wasted.”
Li Xiangqin rubbed her arms subconsciously as she watched the couple being overly affectionate.
She and the Old Man got married through an introduction; they had several children, and she couldn't quite explain this matter of affection.
They were people who had come through difficult times. Forget leftovers, they wished they could lick the bowls clean; even the leftover water used to wash the pots wouldn't fatten a pig.
Therefore, neither she nor the Old Man had ever eaten each other’s leftovers... If they had to, she thought she would be very resistant.
Third Brother and his Wife were in love freely; perhaps it was different from their arranged marriages.
Forget it, it wasn't her eating it, so as long as it didn't disgust her, it was fine.
Li Xiangqin turned and returned to her room to prepare her work clothes. The Weaving Workshop was hot, so besides a single layer of clothing, she only needed the white apron for tools.
In the living room, Third Brother was the last to finish eating, then he started gathering the Bowls and chopsticks to wash them.
Zhao Meijuan followed behind him, looking at him gratefully, and spoke softly, “In this family, only you tolerate me without limits.”
“Of course, you’re my Wife; it’s only right that I dote on you,” Third Brother replied with a chuckle, without lifting his head.
“What should I do if Mother always dislikes me? I’ve been trying hard to integrate into this family, but everyone still rejects me.
When you’re not home, I try my best to hide in my room so as not to be an eyesore to them... Do you think I’m not doing something well enough? I can change it?”
As Zhao Meijuan spoke, she lowered her head, revealing her fair neck. Her long, delicate neck had always been a point of pride for her. As a Woman, one must know how to show weakness; it makes men more affectionate.
Sure enough, when Third Brother saw her like this, he immediately felt Heartache. He quickly finished washing the bowls and pulled his Wife back to the room.
Holding her in his arms, he patted her comfortingly.
“You’re overthinking it. My Mother works at the Textile Factory; her voice is loud. She isn't a bad person, especially when it comes to food. When have you ever seen her skimp on us?”
Hearing this, Zhao Meijuan’s body stiffened. Was Zhao Jianshe implying her mother was stingy with the cooking?
“Don’t just try to placate me with nice words. Your mother clearly dislikes me. She bought a whole bag of fabric and made clothes for Fourth Child and Fifth Child, but not a single one for me.
I was naive; in a Mother-in-law’s eyes, a Daughter and a Daughter-in-law are ultimately different.”
Third Brother: “……”
Mother really was causing him trouble again.
“Mother’s temper has been bad recently. After a while, I’ll ask Mother to make up for it for you.”
Third Brother patted his Wife’s shoulder. He needed to talk to the Team Leader later; he would take one of the loader spots at the Factory. Although it was harder work, he could earn half a month’s extra Salary in a month.
If Mother won’t buy her new clothes, he will.
“Forget it. I don’t want to cause you trouble, nor do I want to invite ridicule. As long as you keep Treating me well, enduring any grievance is worth it.”
Zhao Meijuan nestled in his arms, nuzzling him, and pouted. The thought of having to take on housework later made her furious inside.
She wouldn't get any benefits, yet they expected her to contribute labor? No way.
“My Wife is the one who cares about me the most. Don’t worry, I will work hard in the future and Strive to make something of myself so you can enjoy life with me,” Third Brother pulled his Wife into his embrace, deeply moved.
Indeed, being close to anyone is not as good as being close to one’s Wife.
Zhao Meijuan resisted Third Brother’s advances, rolling her eyes internally.
He really was a simple-minded, strong-limbed fool; once he was full, his head got hot. So annoying.
Li Xiangqin came out of her room and heard the murmuring Movement from Third Brother and his Wife, pausing her steps.
She glanced at the Clock on the table; it was only 7:30 PM, and they were starting already?
Shout out, Wenwen PK is on, send tickets and such, come on over, many thanks!