The first thing after returning home was to report her great harvest.
“What did you say you dug up?”
Xu Guangfen thought she was hearing things, yet hoped she wasn’t.
“Ginseng!” Tang Ximian directly brought it out to show: “Mom, just tell me – didn’t the Old Chu Family make the right choice marrying me!”
Chu Jiangrong was still in shock, but laughed upon hearing this: “Absolutely! My brother has excellent fortune!”
Xu Guangfen felt their family graves must have caught fire, otherwise how could such good fortune keep coming one after another ever since Tang Ximian changed her ways!
“Mom, this needs to be dried in shade. You keep it for now, I’ll sell it later!” Tang Ximian handed the ginseng to Xu Guangfen.
Knowing its importance, Xu Guangfen carried it like gold to a shaded, ventilated spot for drying.
Tang Ximian remained more interested in her barbecue venture.
Following Tang Ximian’s instructions, Chu Jiangchuan prepared everything, spending twenty cents on a large bundle of bamboo skewers and buying four jin of meat.
“All you know how to do is squander money!” The old lady grumbled while cutting the meat.
Tang Ximian emerged like a ghost holding soy sauce: “Mom! What did you say?”
“You scared me to death!” Xu Guangfen tried to kick her but missed, putting more force into cutting the meat: “I said you’re squandering money!”
“If it turns out delicious, I’ll use this to make money! Mom, would that still be squandering?”
Xu Guangfen: “…”
Chu Jiangrong laughed while sewing a dress for Tang Ximian.
Her mother had a sharp tongue but a soft heart – she always cooked Tang Ximian’s favorite dishes, yet her mouth…
Nana carefully carried a basin: “Auntie, will this taste good?”
“Remove the ‘will’ from that sentence.” Tang Ximian remained confident in her skills.
Nana made a strange face for a moment before tentatively asking: “Uncle, will this taste good?”
Chu Jiangchuan, who was setting up the frame in the yard, burst out laughing.
Tang Ximian looked at Nana with mixed feelings: “…You’re really something else.”
“Hehe, Auntie is praising me!”
“…Well, let’s take it as that!”
Chu Jiangrong was already laughing too hard to catch her breath!
She was really going to die laughing!
Her precious daughter had become increasingly witty since her condition stabilized somewhat!
The cubed meat was marinated, bamboo skewers had their rough edges smoothed, charcoal was prepared, and the frame was set up.
After dinner, Tang Ximian simply turned the meat pieces over and decided not to touch them further.
When the young couple lay in bed, Tang Ximian felt she had forgotten something.
Couldn’t remember… probably nothing too important?
Sleep time!
Early next morning, when Tang Ximian got up, she saw an additional person in the yard.
Estimated height around 1.7 meters, neat short hair, sharp facial features – though not as fair-skinned as her, still quite good-looking.
“Sister-in-law.”
The tone carried a hint of…
Reluctance.
Sister-in-law?
Tang Ximian observed her posture and realized: “You’re Jiangchuan’s comrade, right?”
“Yes, I came to see Brother Chu.” Sheng Nan smiled slightly, a hollow smile.
This woman didn’t seem particularly impressive – truly couldn’t understand why Brother Chu would choose her after his leg injury!
Just because she has a pretty face!
“Sheng Nan!” Chu Jiangchuan’s face was cold as he looked over, but his expression softened when he turned to Tang Ximian. “Come, eat first. She’s already eaten.”
Sheng Nan found a seat. “Brother Chu, all these years you’ve refused to go back for a visit. Everyone misses you!”
Tang Ximian remained silent, sitting beside Chu Jiangchuan and serving him food.
Nana stared at Sheng Nan for a long time before leaning close to Chu Jiangchuan. “Uncle, I don’t like this person!”
Tang Ximian couldn’t help but chuckle.
“Jiangchuan is a married man now—he can’t just run around as he pleases! Though it’d be better if he went out with Mianmian!” Xu Guangfen could easily read her gaze.
Chu Jiangchuan looked up, a warning in his eyes. “I’m no longer with the military. From now on, I’m just an ordinary citizen. What’s better than living a steady life?”
Sheng Nan felt uncomfortable, lowering her head before speaking. “Brother Chu, you know I didn’t mean…”
“You’d better think carefully before you speak.” Chu Jiangchuan’s tone was no longer just a warning.
Sheng Nan sulked. “But you used to be so spirited! Now you have to take orders from a woman!”
Tang Ximian burst out laughing.
“What are you laughing at!” Sheng Nan glared at her.
Tang Ximian slammed her bowl down with a thud.
“Miss Sheng Nan, I hope you understand—it’s not that I’m clinging to your Brother Chu. We’re legally married, and that’s protected by law! If you really want to marry into this family, you’ll have to wait until we’re divorced! If you want to bring someone else in, I won’t stop you!”
“You say your Brother Chu takes orders from me? Then why don’t you think about what he was like before? How come I’m the one who can order him around? And why is it that he follows without complaint?”
“Even if we set all that aside, when a woman marries a man, she relies on him for food and clothing!” Tang Ximian served Chu Jiangchuan another bite. “Haven’t you considered that his leg isn’t well, but I can take care of him until he recovers? Can you do that?”
“When you feel sorry for someone else, have you ever considered whether they want your pity?”
Each question made Sheng Nan squirm in her seat.
Chu Jiangchuan simply watched Sheng Nan’s face, remaining silent the entire time.
Tang Ximian guessed that Sheng Nan had once had feelings for Chu Jiangchuan, but what bothered her wasn’t that—it was Sheng Nan’s disdain for her!
What right did she have?
“You were comrades in the same trench, brothers who went through life and death together, but I’m just an unexpected outsider. So you feel sorry for Chu Jiangchuan. In that case, why don’t you marry him yourself!”
Tang Ximian angrily stuffed food into her mouth, then changed clothes and started skewering meat.
Chu Jiangchuan quietly cleared the table and sat across from Tang Ximian, joining her in the work.
Gently brushing her hand, he felt her pinky scratch his palm twice and understood. The corner of his mouth twitched upward before settling. “Sheng Nan, come apologize to your sister-in-law!”
Sheng Nan stood motionless.
Chu Jiangchuan said sharply, “Did you come to see me, or to break up my family?”
“Mianmian used to be immature, but in just half a month, she’s done more than in her entire life before! Do you think anyone could force me to marry?”
Sheng Nan muttered resentfully, “I’m sorry, sister-in-law!”
Her face was full of defiance.
Tang Ximian’s voice was faint. “No need for apologies! I can’t handle apologies from people like you. I’m afraid it might shorten my lifespan!”
“You…”
“Brother Chu!” A sturdy young man bounded in through the door, looking about the same age as Chu Jiangchuan but clearly younger. Judging by his face alone, this kid probably hadn’t even reached adulthood!
“Dacong? What brings you here?” Chu Jiangchuan pulled Tang Ximian to her feet. “Mianmian, this is my buddy Dacong! We used to share a dorm!”