Chapter 009 Reaction_1

Qiao Lianhua still harbored a measure of fear towards Qiao Dazhi. She shrank her neck back but was still unwilling to submit, saying, "But she deliberately provoked me. Am I just supposed to let her bully me without fighting back?"

Mrs. Ji actually felt indignant as well. The grudge over those three slaps was something she truly couldn't let go of. Unfortunately, her son and daughter bringing up the matter again had instantly rekindled her anger, which she had just managed to suppress. With a cold snort, she said, "Her mother is a sickly wreck, and the man she married is an idiot. It's truly divine justice. She deserves a lifetime of poverty. Just wait until the attention dies down, and the village's gaze shifts away from the Qiao family to somewhere else, will we then be short of opportunities to deal with her? Hmph!"

Qiao Lianhua actually couldn't bear it, but when she thought of Qiao Dazhi's violent temper, she really didn't dare to rile him up. Besides, her fifth uncle was about to take part in the child student examination, so if she brought any disgrace to the family at this time, her grandfather would certainly not let her off.

The next morning, Muniang was busy in the kitchen preparing breakfast. Eryou crouched on the small stool by the stove, resting his head on his hands as he watched Muniang work. After what had happened the previous night, Muniang's previous perception of raising him as a child had vanished in an instant.

Could the child have a reaction?!

Now, being watched by him, she felt as though there were thorns in her back, and she sent him away. But then she remembered that just yesterday, he had finished chopping all the firewood, suddenly unsure of what to ask him to do.

Muniang was actually still a bit shocked. This man was all brawn and no brains, more efficient than two men when it came to working. Though slow-witted, his strength was immense, and he could definitely be put to good use in the fields during spring plowing, as strong as an ox—ahem!

Lost in thought, Muniang soon noticed Mrs. Du coming in with a basket in her arms, smiling as she said, "I saw the gate was open, so I let myself in."

Muniang hurriedly greeted her with a smile, "What brings you here?" In her memory, Mrs. Du was kind-hearted and had given her family quite a bit of help over the years, often bringing them some food.

Mrs. Du immediately saw Eryou sitting under the stove—the news of him being an idiot must have reached her. She gave him a few more glances.

Muniang smiled and said, "This is my husband," giving Eryou a cue with her eyes.

Eryou obediently greeted her, "Hello, Mrs. Du."

Mrs. Du's smile was a bit awkward, her eyes filled with pity as she looked at Muniang, yet she still suppressed her emotions and laughed, "He is quite handsome, though."

"Mrs. Du, let's talk outside, the kitchen is a bit cramped."

"Oh, there's no need for that. I just came to see how you and your mother are doing, and also to bring something along," said Mrs. Du as she placed the basket on the stove. "Here's some cornmeal and millet, nothing fancy. I thought since your wedding was so low-key and I couldn't come over to see, I'd at least bring this as a wedding gift."

Muniang was touched, "What are you talking about, a wedding gift? In our situation, where do we have the extra money to reciprocate?"

Mrs. Du smiled warmly, "It's the thought that counts. You and your mother are pitiable, and we should help each other as villagers; why fuss over such trivialities?"

Muniang broke into a smile, "Mrs. Du, the help you've given our family over the years is more than enough. If I were to truly repay you, it would take a lifetime and still not be settled."

Then she turned to retrieve some dried fish she had prepared the day before from the small cupboard and placed it in Mrs. Du's basket, "These fish I caught yesterday, I sliced and dried them. Take them for your children to snack on."

Mrs. Du promptly demurred, "Oh, don't bother, your family is also struggling. I came to bring some cornmeal, not to carry these back. Keep them for yourself."

But Muniang insisted firmly, "Don't worry, Mrs. Du, we have food now, and if need be, I can just catch a few more fish. Please, take it. Otherwise, I would feel uneasy."

Mrs. Du had no other choice but to comply, "If you need anything in the future, come to our house and find me."

Muniang nodded, "Mm, okay."

"I'll go see your mother," Mrs. Du hoisted her basket and walked out.

Muniang looked at the cornmeal and millet on the stove and felt in high spirits, most of the villagers here were still very simple in nature.

"Husband, we have rice to eat today!" Muniang said with a smile, thinking he would be happy, but saw that his expression wasn't very good.

Muniang squatted down, "What's wrong? Aren't you happy to have rice to eat?"

Erliang's face seemed a bit downcast, and his voice carried a trace of grievance, "Wife, do you think it's pitiful that you married me?"

Muniang was slightly stunned; she had thought he was foolish and wouldn't pay much attention to the subtle changes in the outside world, but it turned out his observational skills were quite sharp, surely he had noticed the emotion in Mrs. Du's eyes.

Muniang rubbed his head and spoke as if comforting a child, "What are you saying? I don't feel pitiful at all. Those who wallow in self-pity are the most hopeless."

Erliang's gaze instantly became firm, "Then I also don't want to be pitiful, I definitely won't be the hopeless one!"

Muniang smiled, "Go and wash the rice, we'll cook porridge this morning!"

Mrs. Du arrived at Mrs. Lin's room, where Mrs. Lin was half-leaning on the bed doing some needlework. Seeing that it was Mrs. Du who came to see her, she smiled and put down her work, "You've come?"

Mrs. Du had always been close with Mrs. Lin, and seeing Mrs. Lin in such straits was disheartening, "I initially wanted to introduce Muniang to my nephew, he's not rich either, but at least he can ensure a full belly. But who could have expected such a sudden turn of events? Muniang was perfectly fine, so why did she suddenly get married, and to such a—sigh."

Mrs. Lin just smiled, "Let it be, what's done is done; there's no use sighing about it. Muniang has her own mind, and even I can't guess her thoughts, but I have to trust her." As to the true reason behind Muniang and Erliang getting together, Mrs. Lin didn't plan to tell anyone—such news could ruin her daughter's life if it got out.

Mrs. Du nodded, "It's good that you can think that way. I was afraid you'd be upset and your health would worsen. But looking at you now, your complexion doesn't seem so pale."

"I am doing much better. Muniang is very filial and always tells me to rest and heal. I can't disregard her kindness. I reckon in another couple of days, I'll be able to get out of bed."

Muniang, listening through the door for a while and seeing that Mrs. Lin had opened her heart, let out a sigh of relief. Occupying someone else's body, she naturally wanted to fulfill the daughter's filial duties, and considering Mrs. Lin's kindness towards her, she naturally thought of properly paying her back.

Muniang pushed the door open, placed the rice porridge and fish she carried on the table beside them. Seeing this, Mrs. Du stood up to leave, and Muniang offered, "Why don't you eat here? I've made extra anyway."

Mrs. Du waved her hands repeatedly, "I just had breakfast before coming here, I'm full. And I have a lot of chores to do at home, I can't stay long. I'll come to see you again another time."

Muniang didn't insist, so she saw Mrs. Du out. Mrs. Du glanced at the fish on the table and smiled, "It seems I worried too much. Your life now seems much more comfortable than before."

Mrs. Lin smiled, her expression not without pride, "It's all thanks to Muniang's capabilities."