Chen Lishu was so amused by her shameless words that she held up two fingers, "Second sister-in-law, even a sparrow has a face this big. A child's urine isn't dirty, why don't you wash your face with it? It would save more water."
"You!"
Liu Yuemin choked, remembering her purpose for coming. She said with a stiff neck, "We're not talking about the quilt now. How can you, an aunt, instigate my son like that? And say your husband and I hid food? Which eye of yours saw any food? Now the child is crying like this, you should compensate."
Hearing her words, the two children sobbed twice and looked at Chen Lishu with hopeful eyes.
Chen Lishu looked at her and sneered, "Second sister-in-law, if there's no food hidden in the house, why did you let the children sleep in my room?"
"That's because there's no space in my room. I'm pregnant again and easily get hot. Since you and third brother aren't here, it's just a broken quilt. You're so precious. What's wrong with peeing on your quilt? Are you talking nonsense in front of the children?"
"What are you two arguing about now?"
Li Xiulan and Zhang Qin, hearing the noise from outside, quickly put down their work and came over. Seeing Liu Yuemin blocking Chen Lishu's door, they knew she was causing trouble again. Li Xiulan's face darkened as she scolded, "Second daughter-in-law, why are you never at peace? Lishu just got back, and you're causing trouble again?"
"Mom, we are all daughters-in-law. Why are you scolding me without asking for details? Why don't you ask what that Chen person did?"
Liu Yuemin pointed at Chen Lishu and recounted the entire incident, "Mom, elder sister, please judge. Is there anyone like her? She's so old, instigating the child to cry and howl and ask me for food."
Hearing her words, Li Xiulan's eyes fell on the unwashed quilt cover that had just been removed from the kang. Her face immediately turned displeased, "Second daughter-in-law, how can you have the nerve to complain? Didn't I tell you to lay a mattress for the children when they sleep in third brother's room and not to wet their kang quilt? Look at you!"
"Mom, it's not that we don't have enough mattresses at home. The one in my room is even dirtier than this. We two still use it, but she's being so fussy."
Li Xiulan was so angry she didn't know what to say, "Just be useless then!"
"Second sister-in-law, whether your room is dirty or not is none of my business, and I can't control it. But now my quilt is soiled. The child is young and doesn't know any better, so I won't blame them. But you, as the mother, can't just let it go."
Chen Lishu had originally thought it was better to swallow the grievance and wash it herself, but seeing her attitude now, she realized some people couldn't be indulged.
"I'm telling you clearly today, you must wash this quilt cover for me."
Liu Yuemin was not intimidated by her threat, "Don't try to scare me. I won't wash it today. What can you do?"
Chen Lishu nodded and said nothing more, walking directly towards the kitchen.
Liu Yuemin's heart skipped a beat when she saw her actions. She quickly followed and, upon seeing Chen Lishu drawing water from the water缸, her heart leaped, "Third sister-in-law, what are you doing?"
Chen Lishu smiled, "Second sister-in-law, didn't you say the quilt in your room is dirtier than mine? I'll wash it for you."
Liu Yuemin saw her posture and realized she wasn't going to wash her quilt, but rather flood her room.
It was only then that she remembered Chen Lishu was not Zhang Qin or Zhang Xiaoju. She was capable of anything.
Seeing her carrying the basin and walking out, Liu Yuemin broke out in a cold sweat and quickly stepped forward to stop her, "It's just a broken quilt. I'll wash it for you another day, alright?"
Chen Lishu stopped, "Today, wash it for me right now."
Liu Yuemin had originally planned to drag it out for a couple of days, thinking Chen Lishu would eventually wash it herself. Hearing Chen Lishu tell her to wash it now, she was extremely unwilling.
Chen Lishu didn't bother with more talk, picked up the water basin, and walked out.
Liu Yuemin was both angry and anxious, saying rudely behind her, "I'll wash it now, alright?!"
...
In the evening, Gu Shoufu and his four sons returned after helping neighbors build houses. Just as Li Xiulan's handmade noodles were ready, the family washed up and sat at the table for dinner.
Liu Yuemin's face was sullen because Chen Lishu had forced her to wash the quilt cover, but no one noticed as they were all eating.
"Third sister-in-law, how was the clothing issue resolved?" Gu Xingye asked, looking up.
Chen Lishu smiled, "It's basically resolved."
"My father-in-law's house is finished being built. Tomorrow, I want to go to town with you, third sister-in-law. I also want to sell soda and snacks at the train station."
Zhang Xiaoju worked at the supply and marketing cooperative, and snacks were also available there. It was the slack farming season, and with the baby due in less than two months, he needed to earn money quickly.
Gu Shoufu nodded, "After all, we sold them last year. As long as we pay attention, there shouldn't be any problems."
Liu Yuemin heard Gu Xingye and nudged Gu Xingmin with her elbow, whispering, "Husband, since we're not busy at home, why don't you go too?"
Gu Xingmin didn't want to go, as the family wasn't short of money. Besides, it was finally the slack season, and he wanted to gamble with others.
"It's this hot weather, and we won't earn much for a trip."
He had gone with them last year. It took a lot of effort to earn one yuan for a case of soda, and then they had to split it.
"Fourth brother, I'll go with you tomorrow." Gu Xingguo said.
After dinner, Chen Lishu returned to her maiden home. Her family was very happy to see her. She spent some time chatting with Chen Mantun, his wife, and the younger ones. Seeing that it was getting dark, she got up to leave.
"We planted a few melon vines in our private plot this year. Two of them have ripened. I asked your father to pick them for you to taste."
"Yes, wait a moment, I'll go pick them now." Chen Mantun said, getting up to go out.
Chen Lishu quickly stopped him, "Dad, don't pick them. Keep them for you, Mom, and your younger daughters."
"Eldest sister, you eat first. I count them every day. There are five melon buds on them. We'll be able to eat them soon too." Chen Lijuan said, looking up.
Chen Lishu smiled and teased, "Little sister Six is so capable, she can count now?"
Hearing her words, Chen Lijuan immediately puffed out her chest, "Third sister taught me. I can count to a hundred."
Soon, Chen Mantun returned with two cantaloupes. Chen Lishu couldn't refuse and took them home.
The next day, Chen Lishu, Gu Xingguo, and Gu Xingye went to town together.
Liu Xiaoting, just coming out of the supply and marketing cooperative, saw Chen Lishu and, remembering what the store clerk had said, her expression darkened. She quickly walked over.
"Chen Lishu!"
Chen Lishu heard the voice and turned her head. Seeing that it was Liu Xiaoting, she stopped.
Just as Liu Xiaoting was about to speak, her gaze fell on Gu Xingye next to her, and her expression froze.
After two years of not seeing each other, Gu Xingye had changed quite a bit. He had shed his immaturity and appeared more reserved and mature, attracting more attention than before.
Liu Xiaoting's heart couldn't help but skip a beat.
But then she remembered the words of humiliation that she and her sister-in-law had said to her back then. A hint of ruthlessness flashed in Liu Xiaoting's eyes.