Over the years, Qi Taiguo's stipend had always been sent back home, so the Qi family's finances had significantly improved compared to the past. Now, with Taiguo getting married and being the eldest son, the family naturally placed great importance on the event, resulting in a lavish banquet that was very lively.
There were a lot of leftovers after the banquet. Last night, Mother Qi had already distributed quite a bit to others, and the family kept a lot for themselves too, thinking they would not need to buy meat or vegetables for a few days and could save some money.
She was a person terrified of poverty, always frugal. It was common for her to eat leftovers until they could no longer be eaten, and she planned to do the same this time. No one in the family would have any objections.
Who from a poor family background had the right to complain whether the food was leftovers? Despite the era of reform and opening up improving the lives of the common people compared to the past, there were still not a few who went hungry.
The Qi family lived a relatively comfortable life thanks to the monthly stipend from Taiguo, but even so, they did not eat meat every day. They would buy meat only now and then for a special treat.
But now, Cheng Su had spoiled Mother Qi's perfect plan, dumping the leftovers into the slops bucket.
Mother Qi, seeing the bucket brimming with leftovers, was so heartbroken that she beat her chest and wished she could scoop them all back out.
This prodigal daughter-in-law, such a wasteful woman, it's just too much, she has no idea how hard life is!
"Tell me, why did you do this?" Mother Qi glared at Cheng Su, unable to contain her anger.
Startled by her fury, Cheng Su frowned and said, "I saw that the dish had gone bad, it was sour, so I threw it away."
"Elder Sister, although it's May and the weather is indeed hotter, it's been only one night. How could it go bad so quickly? You wanted to eat fresh food, so you deliberately threw it away, didn't you?" Qi Fengping interjected, "Our Qi family is not a capitalist household; we've never lived lavishly. However, even though your ancestors were accustomed to a life of luxury, wearing gold and silver, you're not rich now, are you? How can you not know the value of thriftiness?"
Cheng Su's expression darkened as she replied, "Little sister-in-law, since you call me 'Elder Sister', you should speak more politely. This intentional or unintentional talk, I don't have as many thoughts as you. I simply noticed that the food smelled and tasted spoiled, and I threw it away to prevent sickness. I was just considering everyone's health!"
Qi Fengping pursed her lips and rolled her eyes.
"You talk better than you act. Why didn't you ask me before doing something like that?" Mother Qi was still pained over the wasted food and didn't mince her words.
"I thought that such a small matter didn't require your approval. It seems I was wrong!" Cheng Su replied.
Listen to that sarcasm. Who was she mocking?
Mother Qi still wanted to lecture her on the duties of a daughter-in-law, but Father Qi spoke up, "Alright, if it's spoiled and inedible, then let it be thrown away. We raise pigs at home, and they can eat it and fatten up, and in the end, we'll still eat the pork."
A twitch appeared at the corners of Cheng Su's mouth.
"Let's all sit down and eat, otherwise the food will get cold," Father Qi invited everyone to the table, then turned to Cheng Su and praised, "Taiguo's wife has cooked quite well, it's delicious!"
"Dad, this rice tastes burnt!" Qi Fengping noticed the burnt smell and glanced at Cheng Su.
Cheng Su said nothing.
Mother Qi saw that there was fried bacon with garlic on the table and felt pain in her heart anew. She said through gritted teeth, "We ate so much meat yesterday, why make bacon? One doesn't know the cost of firewood and rice unless they manage a household..."
"Enough!" Father Qi frowned with a stern look, warning her with a glare.
Seeing this, Mother Qi grew even angrier, her face darkened further, but she could only sarcastically chastise Cheng Su, and then picked faults while eating.
For Cheng Su, the food was nearly impossible to swallow, and she didn't say another word throughout the meal.
On this first day as a daughter-in-law, with the mother-in-law relationship so strained, how would she manage in the days to come?