Chapter 67: Chapter 67: Climbing over Each Other
Cheng Family’s eldest daughter-in-law heard this and her face was full of disdain, “Oh, your house is too small, getting married and you’re already forcing your daughter out.
Not like our Yinglan, the in-laws were eager, and even after the marriage, there was still room in her house.”
Thinking about her second younger sister-in-law’s family conditions, she sneered, both families were not much different, just right for each other.
Mother Zhao seemed to not hear her criticizing, and kept chatting with Mrs. Cheng on her own.
Cheng Yinghe was not one to take things lying down, upon hearing this, she immediately retorted, “I can’t compare with my big cousin, the couple stepped on their good friend to get where they are today.
You see, people are really different, some are just heartless, professing to like someone one moment, then seeing their stupidity, they immediately turn around and change partners.
If changing partners wasn’t enough, they went with someone who climbed up by stepping on the shoulders of the man they once liked, being together without any awkwardness.”
Sister-in-law Cheng was so angered she was at a loss for words, looking at Cheng Yinghe and raising her palm.
Mrs. Cheng was honest, but Mother Zhao was not someone to be trifled with, since her daughter had married into the family, they were now one family, and family should not stand by and watch one of their own being bullied, she quickly stepped forward.
She directly stepped in front of Cheng Yinghe, grabbing Sister-in-law Cheng’s wrist, “What are you doing? Planning to start a fight in my house?
I’ll have you know that the Zhao family is not to be bullied.”
Sister-in-law Cheng looked towards Mrs. Cheng, “Second sister-in-law, your Yinghe has no discipline, as her elder aunt, naturally, I should teach her a lesson.
If you as a mother are ineffective, what’s wrong with me teaching her?”
Mrs. Cheng was visibly troubled, reluctant to let her daughter be mistreated, yet dared not offend her own sister-in-law.
Cheng Yinghe was not afraid, “Elder aunt, you’d better focus on teaching my big cousin properly first. I won’t trouble you with myself.”
With that, she turned around and walked back into the house with Mother Zhao.
Sister-in-law Cheng’s chest heaved with anger, Mrs. Cheng glanced at her and ultimately said nothing, following them into the house.
Frustrated and unable to do anything, Sister-in-law Cheng could only suppress her anger and follow them.
“Aunt, I’ll go to the kitchen and help elder sister, you all chat here.” Cheng Yinghe said before turning her head and heading to the kitchen.
She felt a bit bad looking at Eldest Sister-in-law Xu, if not for her marriage to Shubo, Yinghan wouldn’t have had to give up her room.
Looking at Eldest Sister-in-law Xu, Cheng Yinghe wanted to make a good impression, “Elder sister, let me help you.”
Eldest Sister-in-law Xu was easy to talk to, and soon they were chatting and laughing.
Cheng Yinghe was only worried about the little aunt being difficult, but now she felt relieved.
Eldest Sister-in-law Xu was also initially worried that her own sister-in-law was not an easy person, but after a bit of testing, everyone felt reassured.
“Mom, Aunt Cheng!” Zhao Shubo came back pushing a bicycle with his younger brother Zhao Shufeng following behind.
Zhao Shufeng politely called out a greeting.
Mrs. Cheng nodded her head.
Today, everyone gathered just to have a meal, as the matter of the bride price had already been settled.
US$ 88 for the bride price, nearly plus a bicycle and a sewing machine.
Mrs. Cheng had agreed that both the bicycle and the sewing machine would be given as part of her daughter’s dowry.
That meant the Zhao family only needed to pay US$ 88 for the bride price.
Mr. Zhao and his two sons were all working at the meat processing factory, earning a good monthly salary.
Mr. Zhao had been there almost his entire life and was now making fifty to sixty.
His two sons, the eldest in his thirties, the youngest in his twenties.
Mother Zhao worked at the food processing factory and her monthly salary was not insignificant.
US$ 88—between the couple along with the eldest son’s money, saving for over a year or two would mostly suffice to buy a bicycle and a sewing machine and to also cover the betrothal gifts.
It was an era when houses could not be purchased at marriage; everyone lived in houses distributed by their workplaces, otherwise, it would take over a decade of earnings to marry.
It was also due to every member of Zhao Family being formal employees. If even one had been unemployed, life would have been much harder.
“Brother, Little Brother, I’m back, let’s get ready for dinner.” The meal she prepared was a feast.
Mr. Zhao and his three sons worked at the meat processing plant, bringing home plenty of pig offal, which wasn’t worth much.
They even brought back several pig trotters.
Eldest Sister-in-law Xu had stewed everything today. She started stewing them at nine and now it was past noon, having stewed for several hours.
There was stir-fried pork, pork strips with green peppers, braised pork intestines, pork with cabbage and tofu stew, fried pork liver, fried kidney flowers, and cold-sliced pork head.
Each dish was substantial.
Atop of that, Eldest Sister-in-law Xu’s culinary skills were improving; the entire yard was filled with delicious aromas, and neighbors holding bowls appeared, driven by curiosity, asking, “Why has Lingzi come back at this time?”
Everyone knew that whenever Eldest Sister-in-law Xu returned, it meant she had been bullied.
Yet today, she had also come back and everyone was waiting to see the excitement.
Mother Zhao stood up and directly said, “My daughter’s in-laws have made some money. Remembering the kindness we showed them in the past, they let Lingzi come back to bring some gifts.”
“My daughter brought pork and also brought a piece of red fabric—so much!” Mother Zhao even gestured a big hug.
Not only were these people surprised, even Mr. Zhao, Brother Zhao, and Little Brother Zhao, who had just returned from work, were all staggered.
Could it be true? The sun must have risen from the west for her in-laws to become so generous.
Mrs. Xu didn’t know she had risen in everyone else’s eyes; she was currently chatting next door.
“Indeed, my daughter has made something of herself. Isn’t it tough to be a state-owned chef?
Only my daughter could do it, anyone else would definitely fail.”
Zhang Lancao nodded, her heart filled with envy.
She just hoped her son would grow up and find a job as well.
“Sister-in-law, you’re truly blessed. Your husband is good to you and your children are filial. But you are also capable, each of your children turned out better than the next.”
Mrs. Xu waved her hand, “It’s not my doing; it’s the children’s own efforts, each found their jobs on their own.
Even if I wanted to help, I wouldn’t have the chance.” Mrs. Xu boasted enough and then went home cracking sunflower seeds.
In Zhao Family’s house, everyone was swallowing their saliva. As soon as they started eating, Cheng Family’s eldest daughter-in-law no longer pretended, devouring the meat as if she hadn’t eaten in ages while speaking,
“In the future, Yinghe will be lucky, with your father-in-law and husband both working at the meat processing plant. Wanting to eat meat in the future will be easy.
But don’t forget your elder aunt. If there’s good meat, remember to share some with your elder aunt.”
Cheng Yinghe didn’t want to argue and just nodded symbolically. She could save some, but it would definitely cost money; otherwise, it was useless.
After lunch, Eldest Sister-in-law Xu chatted briefly with her mother, and Shitou and Hu Zi began clamoring to go home, saying they were worried their little aunt missed them too much.
Eldest Sister-in-law Xu had no choice but to get up to prepare to return home.
Mother Zhao hastily held back her daughter. Having let out her daughter’s room already made her heartache, feeling she had wronged her daughter.
Now with her daughter returning with big and small bags, her heart hardened, and she took out a pound of candy and a bottle of Malt Milk Essence, addressing her daughter, “Don’t go back empty-handed, since you came with big and small bags.
Take these so that your mother-in-law won’t gossip. Take this candy back to spread some joy, and give this Malt Milk Essence to your little aunt.
Doesn’t your mother-in-law dote on her the most? If you give the Malt Milk Essence to your little aunt, your mother-in-law will also think highly of you.”