"It’s okay, you go ahead; whoever is free at home will do the dishes," Ji Ying said, noticing her worried look. She couldn’t help but explain, as she feared Zhou He would feel burdened.
"Mom, I’d better wash the dishes before I look for Nianhua," Zhou He replied, still feeling it wasn’t right to leave Ji Ying with the dishes.
"No need," Ji Ying tried to stop her, but Zhou He moved quickly. As she washed, she said, "Mom, it’s really quick, I’ll have the dishes done in no time."
Ji Ying watched Zhou He helplessly and helped rinse the dishes once more.
After cleaning the kitchen spotlessly, Zhou He went to find Xu Nianhua.
Ji Ying called Xu Nianji over and said, "Nianji, have a good talk with Xiaohe. It’s not our family’s practice to have the new daughter-in-law do all the housework. Just give me a plump grandson early, and I’ll be happy."
Xu Nianji’s face turned red.
In the room, Zhou He handed the handkerchiefs she had just embroidered to Xu Nianhua, saying, "I know you like osmanthus, so I embroidered osmanthus on all of them, just with different designs."
Xu Nianhua looked over the handkerchiefs, each one embroidered beautifully. In these times, unlike the future where you could use paper tissues anytime you wanted, having several handkerchiefs to switch between was very convenient.
"Big sister, thank you," Xu Nianhua said happily, "I really like them."
She carefully folded the handkerchiefs and placed them in the wardrobe.
"As long as you like them," Zhou He said, relieved to see Xu Nianhua truly liked them.
Yesterday, they had a banquet, and there was no leftover food, especially meat. They had eaten everything, not leaving a trace on the plates.
Today, all they had to do was tidy up the yard, sort out the dishes and cutlery, and return the tables and chairs to their respective owners.
Xu Qinghe, leading Xu Nianji and Xu Nian’an, efficiently took care of the physical labor.
Xu Nianhua and the three of them tidied up the cluttered yard.
After tidying up most of the day, they nearly finished organizing the house. After lunch, Xu Nianji and Xu Nian’an went to their rented place in town.
They hadn’t checked on the bean sprouts all day yesterday and didn’t know if they had spoiled?
Bean sprouts, for them, were money!
Luckily, the bean sprouts were well cared for, had not spoiled, and had grown even stronger.
The Xu brothers sold the grown bean sprouts, and after selling them, they soaked the soybeans and rushed home.
"Big brother, after school starts, my sister and I probably won’t have much time. How about you and big sister-in-law live in town?" Xu Nian’an suggested.
"No need," Xu Nianji replied. "My wife, Xiaohe, and I will live at home. You and sister will stay in town. That way, you don’t have to stay in a dormitory, and we can save some money. Plus, my sister will be safer at home." Xu Nianji was wary of the Yue Family’s intentions. What if they harbored ill will? At school, with Nian’an looking after her, things would be fine, but what about back at the dorm?
The girls’ dormitories were separate from the boys’.
"Let’s go home and discuss it. Oh, have you talked to big sister-in-law about selling the bean sprouts?" Xu Nian’an suddenly asked.
Xu Nianji paused, saying, "I haven’t had a chance to tell her yet."
They had only spoken briefly last night, and afterward...
Xu Nianji’s ears turned slightly red. Clearing his throat, he quickened his pace and said, "I’ll tell her when I get home."
"Big brother, why are you walking so fast? Big sister-in-law won’t run away from home," Xu Nian’an mused, suddenly noticing Xu Nianji speeding up and couldn’t help but mutter.