Uncle Yang Sanzhu’s house in Yang Village
"Husband, I heard from my sister-in-law today that Second Brother’s family has repaid all the debts they owed!"
She really got an earful from her sister-in-law’s mouth today; not only had Yang Ming’s wife repaid five taels of silver within a few days, but she had also sweet-talked the old stick-in-the-mud at ho, hurrying to discuss it with her own husband upon returning.
"So quickly? Wasn’t it supposed to be a one-month deadline?"
Everyone knew about Xiaoxiao’s situation more or less, but they all pretended not to know, simply shaking it off as none of their business.
"What do you know! All you know is how to make tofu!" The thought that her husband was good for nothing but making tofu, and turned aggressive only at ho, irked her to no end.
"As if you know so much, fussing like an old woman all the ti, look at yourself!" Yang Sanzhu muttered quietly.
"I’m telling you, the wife Second Brother married might turn out to be a real moneymaker! We must get on good terms with them!"
"Hmph, if it weren’t for your ddling in the first place, Second Brother’s family wouldn’t have had to repay ten taels of silver. Now you want to get cozy with them?"
Although relations between the two households hadn’t turned sour, it was her ddling that had made Second Brother’s family live in such poverty over the years.
"So what? We had our own difficulties back then. Don’t worry about this matter; we need to establish a good relationship regardless. Our second son still hasn’t found a wife yet!" Having said that, she grabbed two pounds of tofu and headed out the door.
"Eh! Where are you going?" Yang Sanzhu called after her, but she did not reply!
Xiaoxiao had never imagined that she, a complete layabout in life, unable to ’cheat’ her way through, would beco a hot commodity that others coveted!
Xiaoxiao and her two sisters-in-law were busy in the kitchen when suddenly, she heard her second sister-in-law say:
"Isn’t that Third Auntie outside? Why has she co? She rarely visits us!"
Following her second sister-in-law’s words, Xiaoxiao turned her head and saw that there was a visitor. The woman appeared to be in her forties, dressed neatly and cleanly, in fairly good-quality clothes that contrasted with her own family’s patched clothing. She also wore a silver hairpin; life at Uncle Sanzhu’s seed to be quite good indeed.
Xiaoxiao and the other two hurried out of the kitchen, and as soon as they did, Third Auntie stopped them.
"Oh, this must be Yang Ming’s wife. Co, let Third Auntie have a look at you." While speaking, she dragged Xiaoxiao toward the main house.
"..." The two sisters-in-law stood looking at each other, bewildered. Third Auntie seed to have had a change of heart today, showing such warmth toward their youngest sister-in-law.
Xiaoxiao followed Third Auntie to Mother-in-law’s room. Once inside, Third Auntie and Mother-in-law started chatting away, lavishing praise on Xiaoxiao, the new daughter-in-law, to the extent that Xiaoxiao almost didn’t recognize whom Third Auntie was talking about!
"You really did marry an excellent daughter-in-law!"
"I saw your mother today, and she went on and on praising your daughter-in-law. I’m so jealous I could die. If our family had such a good daughter-in-law, I’d wake up laughing from my dreams!"
"Your daughter-in-law even helps repay your debts. The one in our family is already good enough not to take from her parents’ ho!"
Xiaoxiao kept silent, just listened as Third Auntie and Mother-in-law talked, finally managing to send Third Auntie on her way.
"Niece-in-law, we may not have much, but we have plenty of tofu at Third Auntie’s house. If you want so, just co and take it, all right! Co over to Third Auntie’s house often, hang around with your cousin-in-law, and let her learn a thing or two from you!" Third Auntie continued to speak as she escorted her to the front door.
"Sure thing! Third Auntie!"
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