Witty Wife, Better Life
Chapter 689 - 679: Brewing the Enchanting Soup

Chapter 689: Chapter 679: Brewing the Enchanting Soup

"Dad doesn’t want to go to eldest brother’s place anymore, and I have no idea how sister-in-law managed to offend him." Li Hongjun instinctively felt it was not as simple as his father had said.

"Yeah, I actually do know about that." And so, Shen Yunfang went on to talk about how Wang Dan didn’t wash father-in-law’s underpants.

Listening to this, Li Hongjun was also at a loss for words. Both of them really had enough to say.

If it were him, he wouldn’t have let his daughter-in-law wash these private items until the day he was incapable of movement. How could a man be so bold as to do that? Besides, the sister-in-law was also at fault. If something happened and she was unwilling, she should have talked to the eldest brother. If the sister-in-law didn’t want to wash clothes for the father-in-law, it would have been fine for the son to do it. Instead, the sister-in-law complained unreservedly, and now it has turned into such an awkward situation. Old Li couldn’t even lift his head in the presence of his eldest daughter-in-law, and surely he couldn’t stay at the eldest son’s home for his retirement.

"Looking at it this way, we truly can’t go to eldest brother’s home, and eldest sister’s home also isn’t easy. My brother-in-law has grievances against us, so we can’t trouble them either." Li Hongjun analyzed for his wife to hear.

Shen Yunfang of course understood this reasoning, but she didn’t join in the conversation, just watching how Li Hongjun would handle it.

"Sigh, looking at it this way, it really is my wife who is the best, the most kind-hearted, and the most filial." Li Hongjun snuggled up to his wife, trying to curry favor.

"Don’t try to sweet-talk me, I’m not buying it." Shen Yunfang was unimpressed.

"Heh, no need for sweet-talking here." Li Hongjun grabbed his wife’s resisting hand and continued to snuggle closer.

"If you have something to say, then say it properly, don’t think you can get through by bamboozling me."

"I just knew my wife understands me best and is the most considerate toward me," Li Hongjun said, caressing her hand and buttering her up.

"Speak."

"I talked to Dad, and I said that if he wants to stay with us, that’s fine too."

Shen Yunfang turned her head to look at him; how could his face be so thick? The house belonged to both of them, yet he decided on his own, who gave him permission?

"Don’t be hasty, wife. How could I forget what I promised you?" Li Hongjun dared not forget, not that he was afraid his wife was unfilial, but rather, he felt if his wife couldn’t get along with the old man and they still had to live together, it would just be a tragedy. With constant chaos in the house, no one could have a good life, and it’d be better for everyone to live separately for peace of mind and potentially a couple more years of life.

"I told Dad that our place isn’t that big. If he truly can’t stand it here, I’ll rent a spot next to ours for him and hire a caregiver to look after him. We’ll just spend a bit more money. He can live however he wants, without anyone supervising him, and have some comfort."

Shen Yunfang seriously considered Li Hongjun’s proposal, knowing it was the best solution. She didn’t really care about the money.

"If your dad really doesn’t want to stay here, then let him go to the farm. They have single dormitories there; he can just pack up his stuff and move in. There are always people around, so it’s not worrying if he lives there alone in case of accidents."

"My dad is not that old yet and still in pretty good health. He could also help you out with some work over there."

"My place doesn’t lack one more person to work, but if your dad really can do some work, then I’ll pay him a salary. It’s good to be occupied with something, prevents him from sitting around with his thoughts wandering all day."

"Yeah, having something to do would certainly save him from unfounded worries."

"I have no objections to this. It depends on what your dad wants. But for now, don’t mention going to my farm, and don’t say that I own a farm."

"Yeah, I know..."

The next morning, Shen Yunfang got up early to start cooking.

She made rice porridge accompanied by a couple of doughy steamed buns (provided by Li’s eldest sister) and shredded Chinese cabbage with a little seaweed as a salty dish.

The rice and flour they got from Big Sister Li weren’t too much; given the way Shen Yunfang and her family ate, there was no way it could last more than a few days. Moreover, with the New Year approaching, the eldest across the street’s family would surely come over from time to time, increasing consumption significantly. So she decided to take advantage of the large market before the New Year to buy some extra supplies.

After finishing the meal and tidying up the bowls and chopsticks, Shen Yunfang started to dress the children. Because it was cold, she put them in their warmest outfits.

After everyone was ready, Li Hongxing was waiting outside with the donkey cart.

Now that each household had been allotted livestock such as cows and horses, Li Hongxing received a donkey. That meant they would have a donkey cart to ride to the market this time.

"Second Aunt, are you all ready? It’s time for us to go," Goudan, who was sixteen now and well-fed, had the build of a young adult.

"Yes, we’re ready," Shen Yunfang finished putting gloves on her daughter and started getting dressed herself.

"Let’s go, Goudan brother, ride the cart," said Manman, who was dressed like a little ball, pulling Goudan toward the door, her curiosity piqued by the local transportation.

"Second Aunt, I’ll take the little brother and sister out first, hurry up, we’ll wait for you outside," Goudan called back into the house and was then pulled outside by Manman.

"Alright," Shen Yunfang got herself ready, then picked up Li Hongjun’s hat and gloves, thought for a moment, and also took out the oldest quilt before heading outside.

Just as she stepped out the door, there was a burst of laughter from outside.

Seeing his wife coming out with things in her arms, Li Hongjun quickly went over to take the quilt from her and placed it on the donkey cart.

A layer of straw had been spread over the donkey cart, offering a bit of insulation so it wouldn’t feel too cold beneath them.

"What’s so funny?" asked Shen Yunfang.

"It’s your daughter, she insisted on climbing onto the cart by herself, but she wasn’t tall enough. She struggled and still couldn’t get up, and now everyone is laughing at her," replied Li Hongjun, somewhat helplessly, as his daughter wouldn’t allow him to lift her onto the cart and wanted to climb up by herself, just like her brother, which led to this comedic situation.

"Oh, really? So Manman is the one causing a scene," said Shen Yunfang as they made their way to the door.

"Mom, come sit here," called Manman, who was already seated on the cart. It was unclear whether she had climbed up herself or had been lifted. Now she was patting the space beside her, beckoning her mother over.

"Alright," Shen Yunfang looked over the cart at Big Sister, Sandan, Manman, and a few others, then got onto the cart and sat down beside her daughter.

Li Hongjun made sure his wife was seated comfortably and covered his daughter and wife with the quilt. He didn’t bother with the others who were out of reach.

Shen Yunfang also handed over the hat and gloves she was holding to Li Hongjun, gesturing him to put them on quickly.

"Everyone’s here, let’s get going," announced Li Hongxing, and with a flick of the whip in his hand, the donkey cart started clip-clopping forward.

"Yunfang, what is your daughter wearing? It looks so light and fluttery. Is it warm enough?" asked Wang Dan, touching Manman’s down jacket.

Actually, she had noticed early on that the second brother’s family was all dressed in similar clothing, but she felt awkward asking about the adults’ clothes.

"This is a down jacket. It’s filled with the softest feathers from chickens, ducks, and geese. It’s quite warm," Shen Yunfang explained.

"My goodness, you’re so resourceful. Manman said you made these. When you have time, could you make one for each of my three mischievous boys?" Wang Dan asked unapologetically for favors.

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