Wang Xiangxiang glanced at the scoundrel behind her and immediately redirected her gaze, continuing her conversation with Li Fugui, "Keep this drawing safe as a keepsake, and I’ll paint another when I return."
Li Fugui hurriedly stored the portrait away as if he were afraid Chu Lian might see it.
"By the way, our underwear will soon be on sale in other counties, so there will be even bigger opportunities then. Just wait for the news."
"Okay." Li Fugui was filled with gratitude towards Wang Xiangxiang; he had no way to repay her, so all he could do was offer her the communal meals he cooked when she visited, which thankfully she enjoyed.
Seeing the rogue still loitering at the entrance, Wang Xiangxiang inquired, "Have you finished washing the bowls?"
The shrewish woman finally remembered him, huh? What sort of charade were those two playing? He couldn’t understand a word, but he understood very well that the shrewish woman had given her portrait to Li Fugui, telling him to look at it whenever he missed her.
Feeling somewhat angry, he replied irritably, "They’re all shattered."
Upon hearing this, Wang Xiangxiang immediately went to the kitchen and saw the chaos he’d made. He had not even been tasked with washing many bowls, yet he truly acted like an Eldest Young Master!
She extended her hand, frustration evident, "Pay up."
Upon seeing the shrewish woman’s outstretched hand, Chu Lian also felt a surge of annoyance. It was just a few bowls, and she was asking him to compensate, "How much?"
"Are you trying to rob me?" She really had the nerve to demand so much—enough to buy countless bowls. Indeed, she only had eyes for money.
But Wang Xiangxiang’s hand remained extended, clearly determined not to back down until she received payment, "One tael!"
Chu Lian helplessly pulled out a tael of silver from his pocket, "Here."
Wang Xiangxiang took the silver and immediately handed it to Li Fugui, who was cleaning up after the rogue, "For you."
Without a word, Li Fugui accepted it. He had already seen through Wang Xiangxiang’s way of handling things. Let those two bicker as they will, he thought, resuming his tidying of the kitchen.
This infuriated Chu Lian standing nearby. The shrewish woman had the audacity to give the silver he provided directly to Li Fugui right in front of him. What irked him most was that after doing so, she haughtily tilted her head at him with a "hmph."
She then exited the kitchen, and Chu Lian, agitated, flung his sleeves and followed her out without a second thought.
Walking on the road, Wang Xiangxiang felt utterly helpless. What was with this rogue today, sticking to her like a persistent shadow?
Unbeknownst to Chu Lian trailing behind, his eyes kept following the cantankerous woman.
The two eventually made their way back to Yang Ming’s house.
As soon as she entered Xiaoxiao’s room, Wang Xiangxiang announced, "Xiaoxiao, I’m heading back, and I’ll bring you some new fabric in a few days."
"Sister Wang, aren’t you staying the night?" Every time Wang Xiangxiang came, she stayed over, reluctant to leave. Why was she in such a hurry today?
"No, it’s pointless when I’m not staying with you." Having said that, Wang Xiangxiang walked out the door.
Seeing the shrewish woman leave, Chu Lian addressed Yang Ming, "Yang Ming, I’m heading back too. I’ll come over in a few days."
"Eldest Brother Chu, aren’t you staying the night?" They had clearly agreed back in the depression to stay over, but now he was leaving all of a sudden.
"No, I need to go back and prepare. I’ll be back in a few days as I plan to stay here long-term to experience your rural life," he said before exiting.
"..." Was he provoked by something?
With both of them gone, Xiaoxiao remarked, "Husband, did you notice? Those two speak with exactly the same tone."