Wang Nuannuan sat in Old Master Wang’s arms, her dark eyes rolling back and forth.
She felt that things were not so simple. Although she didn’t know exactly what had happened between Eldest Aunt-in-law and her maternal family, Eldest Aunt-in-law’s tone at first hadn’t been friendly. She had been here for quite some time; usually Eldest Aunt-in-law was a bit feisty, but she was always very good to the family.
Moreover, as soon as Zhang Eldest entered the courtyard, he kept looking around. Even while talking to Eldest Aunt-in-law in the main room, his eyes kept glancing at the dining table. Although his tone sounded urgent, both his steps in and out were leisurely.
Hopefully nothing would go wrong. After all, she liked the kind-hearted Eldest Uncle and the protective Eldest Aunt-in-law very much.
The peaceful breakfast had been interrupted, and no one spoke. Wang Nuannuan patted her grandfather’s hand vigorously, opened her little mouth, and began to babble: “Ah, ah, oh.” Her voice finally broke the tense atmosphere.
Zhang Xiuer and Wang Dazhu arrived at the Zhang family home and saw her mother lying pale on the kang, looking as if she might not survive. Zhang Xiuer’s legs went weak, but Wang Dazhu was right behind her to support her; otherwise, she would have collapsed.
Wang Dazhu helped Zhang Xiuer sit beside Old Madam Zhang, gently patting his wife. Zhang Xiuer’s mouth opened, and she began to cry:“Mother! What’s happened to you? Why are you so seriously ill?”
Zhang Xiuer hiccupped repeatedly from crying. Old Madam Zhang was truly uncomfortable herself. She had planned to feign illness, but to avoid being discovered, she had spent the previous night standing in the courtyard in wet clothes, catching the cold. Unexpectedly, she developed a high fever by early morning, and to make it seem worse, she hadn’t even taken any medicine.
“Xiuer, Mother misses you so much. I know what happened last year disappointed you, but Mother couldn’t help it. Your eldest sister-in-law isn’t my own child.”
Old Madam Zhang paused to catch her breath after speaking. Zhang Xiuer, though upset, knew this was her own mother. Seeing her in such a state, she immediately nodded:“Mother, I… I understand. You rest well… hic… what do you want to eat? I’ll cook it for you.”
Hiccupping as she spoke, Zhang Xiuer’s words were broken. Wang Dazhu quickly added:“Yes, Mother. We also brought a wild chicken. Xiuer can stew it for you to nourish your body.”
Old Madam Zhang immediately protested:“No, no need. I just want some goat’s milk. The doctor checked me and said my body is weak. Goat’s milk will help supplement my strength.”
Wang Dazhu hurriedly responded:“Alright, Mother. A while ago, we picked a few sheep from the mountain, including a female goat. I’ll go home and milk some for you. If you can’t finish it, we’ll hang it in the well to keep it cool, and I’ll bring more when needed.”
Zhang Xiuer immediately sensed something was off. She knew her mother well. Also, she had never heard of a doctor prescribing goat’s milk as a supplement for illness. Out of all the animals they had, why did it have to be goat’s milk? Surely her mother had heard about the family’s goats and had set her sights on them.
She cautiously said:“Mother, how can goat’s milk strengthen your body? You still need meat. Look, my mother-in-law brought a wild chicken specifically to nourish you.”
Old Madam Zhang’s eyes widened:“I want goat’s milk! If I say it helps, it helps. Your family has goats—why not just bring one to me? I can milk it myself whenever I want.”
Zhang Xiuer felt bitter. So it was true—her mother really wanted the family’s goat. Even if goat’s milk could help, why should it go to her maternal family? Just milking it was giving face; bringing the goat over was even more. Not to mention, they had a small child, Nuannuan, who still needed milk!
Wang Dazhu understood his mother-in-law’s intentions. His fists clenched tightly. He was simple, but not foolish. He could let go of the events from a year ago, but this time they were targeting his own household—he could not accept it.
Zhang Xiuer stood up:“Mother, the goats cannot be brought over. They belong to our family, not me. Don’t even think about it. In the basket on the kang, there’s a chicken, some eggs, and wild mushrooms for you to supplement your health. I don’t need to do anything else.”
She looked at Wang Dazhu:“Dazhu, let’s go home.”
Wang Dazhu looked at his wife, struggling not to give in. He relaxed his hands and followed her out.
Old Madam Zhang’s piercing voice rang in Zhang Xiuer’s ears:“Zhang Xiuer! If you don’t bring the goats today, I won’t consider you my daughter!”
Zhang Xiuer paused, then hurried with Wang Dazhu far from the house, crouching and crying bitterly.
Wang Dazhu stood frozen, unsure what to do. Finally, he squatted beside her, patted her shoulder, and sighed:“Xiuer, stop crying. I’m here with you.”
Even with a blush on his face, this was probably the kindest thing Wang Dazhu had ever said.
Zhang Xiuer, knowing her husband was simple but well-meaning, snorted a laugh. She stood up, wiped her tears fiercely, and said softly:“Yes, I was angry—they can’t act like this! Alright, I’ve cried enough. Let’s go home.”
They hurried back. Having eaten little in the morning, it was almost dark. Zhang Xiuer wondered if they would make it home in time for dinner. Returning to one’s maternal home could be so miserable, she thought, feeling bitter—but she silently made a decision in her heart.
When they arrived, the family was eating. Old Madam Wang saw Zhang Xiuer’s red and swollen eyes and just gestured for them to eat. No one asked questions, and seeing Old Madam Wang’s arrangements, no one spoke.
Before bed, Wang Dazhu explained the situation briefly to Old Master Wang and Old Madam Wang. Old Master Wang said nothing. Old Madam Wang sighed:“Xiuer isn’t having it easy. It will take time for her to get over it. Comfort her as best you can.”
Wang Dazhu muttered in agreement and went back to his room.
Wang Nuannuan felt a pang in her heart. How could everyone be as kind as her grandparents?
But she only pondered briefly—she had more important things to do!
Lying beside Old Madam Wang with her eyes closed, Wang Nuannuan busied herself in her spatial dimension. She found that crops picked inside the space always remained fresh. Whenever she had free time, she worked in the space. Because of this, the warehouse in the space was full, and the little pigs, calves, and lambs from before had all grown very healthy.
All the members of the Wang family—including the three mischievous little boys—knew that the bountiful finds from the back mountain were thanks to Nuannuan. Before her birth, the family had never found such treasures.
Because of this, Old Master Wang and Old Madam Wang, along with Wang Tiezhu and Qian Jinping, agreed to have the children raised in their room, forming an unspoken understanding within the household.