The three sisters of Anning thought of the treatnt they would receive at their old ho, and they all hurriedly stuffed dumplings into their mouths.
Third stuffed a bunch of snacks into a bag: "Let’s bring these when we leave, just in case we get hungry later."
To prevent Xiao Hua from starving, Third actually brought cat food and even filled a cup with purified water for Xiao Hua to drink.
Anning felt that Third’s care for the cat was too ticulous, even more troubleso than raising a child.
But when Anning saw the way Xiao Hua looked at Third, she decided not to say anything.
Forget it, to each their own. Why should she ddle? Say too much, and soone might just end up hating her.
By the ti the family was ready to leave, it was already nine o’clock.
Anning drove the car, with Mr. Jiang sitting in the passenger seat. Mrs. Jiang, Eldest, and Third squeezed into the back, while the trunk was filled with things to bring to the old ho.
Leaving N City and heading straight onto the highway, they arrived at Uncle Jiang’s house just after ten o’clock.
When Anning’s family arrived, Grandpa Jiang was sitting at the doorway basking in the sun and was startled for a mont to see Anning driving the car.
Mr. Jiang got out of the car and went over to talk to Grandpa Jiang.
Anning parked the car on the side of the road, and Mrs. Jiang helped unload the things.
When the aunt heard the commotion, she ca out and imdiately smiled upon seeing Anning’s family with so many items: "Your grandma was just saying why haven’t you arrived, and here you are, isn’t it so true about not ntioning certain things?"
Anning quickly went over with a smile to greet the aunt.
Once the family entered the house, they saw Grandma Jiang sitting under the eaves with a cold face.
Seeing her like that, Mrs. Jiang didn’t say much and went straight into the house with the aunt.
Once they put their things inside, the three daughters-in-law from the uncle’s family ca over to chat.
It wasn’t long before the third uncle’s family also arrived.
This year, the third uncle’s family didn’t bring as much stuff as Anning’s house, and the aunt didn’t show a good face to the third aunt, but was all smiles when talking to Mrs. Jiang.
Third quietly said to Anning: "I really admire how quick the aunt can change her face. How was she last year when our family ca, and how is she this year? It’s really..."
Anning just smiled: "We don’t co back many tis a year. Whatever she does is none of our business. Let’s just do what we’re supposed to do."
Indeed.
Third started cracking sunflower seeds with a smile.
The weather was good this New Year, and it was quite warm outside. The courtyard of the uncle’s house was enclosed with glass, and sitting under the sun in the yard was even warr than inside. At noon, the feast was set up in the courtyard.
With quite a few people this year, there were two tables set up, one for n and one for won.
The n’s table was quite quiet, but the won’s table was bustling.
As soon as the aunt took her seat, she asked Mrs. Jiang: "I saw Anning driving back. Did you guys buy a new car? How much did it cost?"
Third aunt was also all ears.
Mrs. Jiang just smiled: "Anning bought it herself with the money she earned. It wasn’t expensive, just around one hundred thousand."
"Why didn’t you buy a better one?"
Anna from the third uncle’s family asked Anning: "For one hundred thousand, just pay the down paynt and get a better car. It saves the hassle of having to change it later."
Anning just smiled: "It’s just a tool for getting around. As long as it runs, it’s fine. Besides, I don’t like to take out loans to buy cars. I think it’s too much hassle. It’s simpler to pay in full. When I have the money later and want to upgrade, this car can be used by either my dad or my sister."
That made sense.
Third aunt then said with a smile: "Our Ningning has grown capable."
Hai Chao’s newlywed bride, sitting on the other side, heard about Anning’s car purchase and got an idea: "How old is Ningning? Does she have a partner yet? If not, let introduce one. My family has..."
Before Anning could reply, Third interjected: "She has a partner. My brother-in-law has visited our ho several tis. They’re planning for both families to et after the New Year."
Hai Chao’s bride imdiately fell silent.
Her face didn’t look too good, though.
The aunt raised her glass: "Co, everyone, let’s have a toast. It’s the New Year after all. We should make it lively. Let’s just hope that everyone is safe and sound this upcoming year. Let’s drink up."
After drinking the wine or soda from their glasses, the aunt asked Mrs. Jiang: "What does Ningning’s partner do? How is his family? I’m telling you, you really need to be picky for her. You can’t let her end up with soone poor. At least he should have a car and a house, right? Even if he didn’t pay for the house in full, at least a down paynt for a purchase."
Third aunt also nodded along: "Elder sister-in-law is right. Our girl shouldn’t suffer. We need to find soone with similar conditions."
Mrs. Jiang always kept a cheerful mood.
Third found the conversation quite grating.
What did this an?
Looking down on soone?
Was it because they think their own people lack ability and will end up with a poor partner?
She pouted her lips and could no longer bother eating. She put down her chopsticks and said, "My sister is capable herself, graduated from a top school, with both IQ and EQ off the charts, and she’s this beautiful. How could she end up with soone bad? My brother-in-law is a doctoral student from dical College, under the tutelage of a fad teacher, and he’s already entered the Departnt of Health even before graduating. His family bought them a house here, fully paid. It’s a large 180 square ters apartnt. They also bought a car. His family even feels they have wronged my sister. They originally wanted to buy her a villa, but my sister thought it was too far from our house, so she said it was unnecessary. However, his family gave my sister a set of jade jewelry, worth as much as a villa."
As soon as Third spoke, the whole table quieted down.
Third aunt’s hand stiffened while she was picking up food: "Is that so? What does your brother-in-law’s family do? Own a business or sothing? As I see it, we can’t aim too high. Haven’t you heard how much suffering there is marrying into a rich family? Just finding soone decent is good enough..."
Third just laughed: "Not a business owner, just a farr from the mountainous region. Don’t look down on farrs. My brother-in-law’s family leases a reservoir, they have their own mountain, their own forest, and land. They grow organic vegetables, organic grains, and the aquatic products they raise in the reservoir are also the particularly expensive kind. Anyway, I can’t describe it all."
The aunt and third aunt looked at each other, both thinking it was just bragging. Who are they kidding? How could a farr have that much money? We’ve been farming our whole lives without ever making big money.
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