However, An Hegui counted out thirty coins and pushed them toward An Jing and Xiao Changyi, "You brought so many blocks of tofu from my family, we should give you a discount."
An Jing smiled and pushed the coins back, "Uncle, let’s not worry about a discount for now. Your family also has it tough. Let’s wait for the future. If I buy even more tofu later, even if you don’t mention it, I’ll definitely ask you to give us a discount."
At that, An Hegui gave up, but his heart swelled with even greater gratitude toward An Jing and Xiao Changyi.
Seeing a medicinal jar on the side and the lingering smell of Chinese herbs, An Jing asked, "Uncle, is someone in your family taking medicine?"
An Hegui sighed, "It’s your aunt and I who are useless. We’ve always been in poor health, but we had no money for medicine before. Thankfully, with you buying so much tofu from us, we have a little savings now. Fu Zi and Xiao Lan are so filial, they went out and bought us some tonic herbs to brew. Thankfully, we’re feeling a bit better. It’s just too costly."
An Jing comforted him, "Uncle, you must spend what needs to be spent. Don’t hesitate to use the money, health is what’s important."
After exchanging a few more pleasantries, An Jing and Xiao Changyi got up to leave. An Hegui, Yun Dame, and An Fu saw them to the courtyard door, while Shi Xiaolan accompanied An Jing and Xiao Changyi all the way to the entrance of An Village.
It wasn’t until they got home that An Jing asked Xiao Changyi, "Who’s better, Xiao Lan or me?"
Xiao Changyi didn’t even need to think before saying, "The two of you can’t be compared." One held a special place in his heart, the other meant nothing to him.
"Why can’t we be compared? Both she and I are women. When I was speaking with Brother An Fu’s dad just now, Xiao Lan didn’t say a word. The perfect daughter-in-law — polite and sensible, just silently sitting there listening. If it were me, I would’ve definitely joined in the conversation."
Xiao Changyi extended a finger and gently tapped her forehead, "What are you thinking about all this? You’re not from here, you can completely ignore those rules and not worry about them." After a pause, "I like you just the way you are.
An Jing immediately hugged his waist, tilting her little face up, smiling, "Husband, I really do love you so much. How did you make me love you this much~"
Xiao Changyi’s lips curled slightly, "I like you too."
"...Don’t do it on purpose just to annoy me."
"Alright, I’ll stop teasing. Don’t be angry. I’m just upset that women’s status here is so low."
Xiao Changyi held her tight, "My status is lower than yours." A man who marries into his wife’s family has lower status than a woman.
Understanding his implication, An Jing immediately said, "But your status in my heart is higher than anyone else’s!"
Xiao Changyi felt incredibly content hearing that, he lowered his head and kissed her once, "Say it again."
An Jing immediately obliged him, "Your status in my heart is higher than anyone else’s!" She paused, then added, "You are the only one in my heart, of course your status is the highest."
Xiao Changyi felt even better; as he leaned down to kiss An Jing again, he hadn’t yet reached her when they heard someone’s arrogant voice at the entrance of their courtyard—
"Is anyone there? I am the Shopkeeper of Jadeite Tavern, here to buy your fermented tofu."
His words carried a thick air of show-off pride; Jadeite Tavern was the biggest tavern in Sixteen Town.
An Jing laughed, "Husband, why do I feel like punching this guy so much?"
"Mutual feeling." Xiao Changyi’s face returned to expressionless.