The Eldest Daughter of a Rural Family
Chapter 107 Visitors from Mother’s Home (2)_1

Chapter 107: Chapter 107 Visitors from Mother’s Home (2)_1

The weather cleared up, and Lady Yu came over, bringing them three cabbages, a few radishes, and a block of tofu. Along with her was her daughter, Fang Fang, an eleven-year-old girl who was tall and chubby. Lady Yu had her call out to them with a broad grin on her face.

Since they hadn’t accepted any money last time, Fang Da had even come over to complain that they were asking for money, could they really be bearing goodwill this time by bringing them vegetables? Si Ya kept her guard up against Lady Yu.

As the mother and daughter arrived in all openness, Lady Fang was momentarily taken aback, then filled with joy. She and this younger sister-in-law had been close since childhood, and even if her birth family didn’t acknowledge her, she was happy that Lady Yu came to see them.

Seeing they had new cotton-padded jackets on, Lady Yu took Lady Fang’s hand and asked, "I heard people say that you’ve made some money selling bamboo rats; is it true? Do you have enough provisions for the winter?"

"Enough to last us through the New Year," Lady Fang nodded.

Lady Yu breathed a sigh of relief, "As long as there is enough to eat! Our mother at home... has also been worried about you. You know how stubborn father can be. But splitting off from the family seems to have really been a good thing. Mother mentioned sending you some vegetables; father pretended not to hear, so I brought them over myself. Without these, you would still have to buy some to eat."

"We have enough at home, and you carried them all over from seven or eight miles away..." Her own brother didn’t care about them, yet her sister-in-law was supportive.

While they chatted, Fang Fang spotted the handcart, found it fascinating, and insisted on pushing it.

Si Ya stepped forward to stop her, not allowing her to touch it, "This is a precious item! You’re not allowed to touch it!"

"I just want to push it a bit, and you still call me cousin, don’t you?" Fang Fang said discontentedly, eyeing the handcart, "With wheels, it looks like a cart, it’s just so strange!"

Si Ya pushed her out and quickly locked the door to the house.

Fang Fang pouted, "Fine, I won’t look!"

Knowing they had enough provisions for the winter, Lady Yu felt relieved and stood up to leave after delivering the vegetables.

Lady Fang asked them to stay for a meal, "... after all that way you’ve come, and the road isn’t easy to travel."

There was still some meat left from last time, more than a pound. Lady Fang sliced the cabbage and radishes, made vinegar slaw with cabbage, stir-fried the radish slices, and braised the meat with winter bamboo shoots, serving it all with white rice porridge.

"There’s still meat!" Fang Fang saw the meat and was overjoyed, her eyes fixed on the dish.

Lady Yu stopped her, telling her not to be rude and whispered a scolding, "Behave yourself, or else your grandfather will scold you again!"

"He can’t see me right now anyway!" Fang Fang retorted, hurriedly grabbing a piece of meat and stuffing it into her mouth, "Delicious!"

Si Ya’s expression wasn’t great. She put down her bowl of rice porridge, sat down, and quickly took a piece too.

San Ya and Wendong, however, seemed somewhat hesitant to dig in.

Pei Qin never bothered to serve anyone else; taking care of her own hunger was enough.

After eating a piece of meat, Lady Yu expressed her relief, "Seeing you still have meat to eat, I can rest assured."

After the meal, Lady Yu said it was time to go.

Fang Fang noticed her mother was ready to leave but hadn’t spoken, so she reminded her, "Mother! You forgot what father said?"

"I haven’t forgotten! Let’s hurry on back now!" Lady Yu gave her a warning glance and then excused herself and left.

Fang Fang, pulled along by her mother, turned and called out loudly to Lady Fang, "Auntie! We came to borrow money! Grandma is sick, she can’t even get up from the heated brick bed!"

Lady Yu’s face darkened as she gave her a strong pat, "What nonsense are you spouting? Cursing your grandma!" She turned back to Lady Fang, "...It’s nothing, you all head back now, no need to see us out!"

"But it’s true! I heard father say it. Grandma is coughing up blood!" Fang Fang struggled, refusing to leave.

Upon hearing this, Lady Fang’s face changed immediately, "Mother... What illness has she got? Why would she cough up blood?"