"I'm in charge of this meat today. We haven't tasted meat in ages. We're not sending it to their family," Mother Li declared decisively.
"Mother, I'm repaying a debt of gratitude. If it weren't for Xiao Rui's father, how deeply would the grass have grown over my grave by now?" Li Youcai said anxiously. He had already agreed with Yu'er that he would bring her meat today.
"Ptooey, ptooey, ptooey! You jinx, what are you babbling about every day?"
Wu Caiwei ignored their bickering and took the meat into the kitchen. No matter what, she was determined to eat this meat.
When Li Youcai turned around, he found the meat and Sun Yuanyue gone. He rushed to the kitchen and saw Sun Yue boiling the meat. He pointed at her, speechless for a long time, stamping his feet in anger.
Liu Yu, next door, watched Li family's every move. As soon as Li Youcai left, she saw Liu Yu standing pitifully at her doorstep, her large, watery eyes filled with unspoken shyness.
Li Youcai said awkwardly, "Uh... uh, Xiao Rui's mother, I had some things to do today and couldn't go to the market to buy meat. I'll definitely bring you the meat tomorrow."
If the meat couldn't be delivered today, it could be tomorrow. The more he spoke, the more he felt he should do this, and the more confident he became.
"You've spent a lot of money again, Brother Li. Xiao Rui is still young, please be more understanding," Sun Yu said, embodying the saying that filial piety makes one appear radiant.
Li Youcai stared at her, his eyes not blinking. Honestly, at this moment, he strongly agreed with Wu Caiwei's suggestion. That way, he could be her husband openly.
Hearing the conversation outside, Mother Li hurried out, "Youcai, who are you talking to?"
Liu Yu knew Mother Li disliked her and quickly returned to her own yard, closing the door.
Seeing her son lost in thought for a long time, she slapped him heavily and warned, "You can't have a woman like that. She was a young lady before, good for nothing, and only Xiao Rui's father could tolerate her. Yuanyue is good. I have no intention of changing my daughter-in-law. I just dislike that she can't have sons."
"She used to be a lady who never touched the water, so it's normal for her to be pampered. Besides, I take good care of her because her family has been kind to me." Li Youcai said unnaturally.
A mother knows her son best. Seeing his expression, Mother Li knew her son was genuinely interested in her. She absolutely disapproved of Liu Yu, not wanting to bring home a pampered ancestor to serve. She was determined not to let that woman in.
A while later, Zhu Tao, who had gone to the fields to gather pig feed, returned. Every time Mother Li saw her, she couldn't help but sigh, wishing she had a grandson.
"Zhu Tao, come here." Wu Caiwei called her from the gap in the door.
Li Zhu Tao, uncharacteristically, didn't see her mother busy in the yard and was somewhat surprised. Hearing her mother call, she quickly entered.
"I've stewed some meat. We'll eat later. You rest in your room. We mother and daughter have never had a moment's rest all year round, yet they don't even spare us a thought," Wu Caiwei said casually while organizing her private savings.
"Some lazy women just need to be taught a lesson. The sun is high in the sky, and they're hiding at home being lazy. Zhu Tao, don't be like your mother. Hurry and clean the yard, wash the clothes, and cook later," Mother Li said sarcastically.
Hearing her grandmother's voice, Li Zhu Tao instinctively got up to work. Wu Caiwei grabbed her hand, "Ignore her. You rest."
"But Grandma will be angry," Li Zhu Tao said worriedly.
"Whatever happens, your mother will handle it." Li Zhu Tao was an obedient child. Although she felt it was wrong, she still chose to obey her mother.
Seeing that the mother and daughter didn't respond, Mother Li started spewing all sorts of curses.
Wu Caiwei had seen worse. She remained unmoved, no matter how much the old woman cursed.
Mother Li and Li Youcai were both patriarchal. Although Li Zhu Tao was the only descendant of the Li family, her life was not good. She felt a sense of defiance, but also a greater sense of dread, when she went against her grandmother.
Wu Caiwei ignored her and went to the kitchen to cook. After the meal was ready, she brought the meat and rice into the room, and the two of them began to feast.
Mother Li and Li Youcai were displeased. "Sun Yuanyue, open the door! You've gotten bold, eating alone now. Don't forget this was bought by me."
"You were going to give it all away and didn't plan to eat it yourself. We're eating it for you. Don't worry, it won't be wasted. My daughter and I will eat it all up," Wu Caiwei said happily through the door.
Although Li Zhu Tao was surprised by her mother's change, she adapted well. Since childhood, because she was a girl, any good food at home was never saved for her or her mother. It was always for Grandma and Dad. This was the first time they were doing the same, and they couldn't stand it.
"My life is so bitter. My daughter-in-law and granddaughter are secretly eating at home and won't even give this old woman a bite. It seems I can't count on them. What will I do when I'm old?" Mother Li wailed loudly in the yard, as if afraid no one would know what was happening in their family.
Li Youcai was furious. He felt this woman was destined to ruin him, and the thought of divorce resurfaced. He pondered its feasibility.
After that, he discovered that these two women had gone completely rogue. They were lazy and good for nothing, completely neglecting household chores and even burdening the elderly Mother Li, who tiredly rushed about.
If he didn't cook for them, they would come out and eat the food he made. A few times, Li Youcai couldn't resist taking action, but he was the one who ended up beaten.
He had never realized this woman was so difficult to deal with over the years; she was simply a tigress.
The more this happened, the less he wanted to go home. He spent his days helping the Wang family next door, either carrying water for Sun Yu or chopping firewood for her.
Fortunately, the two families lived close by, and the courtyard walls were built high. As soon as the doors were closed, no one knew who was inside.
"Brother Youcai, when are you planning to go to town? Remember to bring some pastries from Li Ji Pastries for me. When Xiao Rui's father was alive, he often brought him bean cakes. He's been craving them lately and keeps mentioning them. It's not convenient for me, a widow, to go out," Sun Yu said, taking out some copper coins. "Here are a hundred cash."
"How can I accept your money? If it weren't for Brother Wang protecting me when the bandits came, how could Xiao Rui have lost his father at such a young age?" The more he repeated it, the more Li Youcai began to believe it himself.
"Then thank you, Brother Li." Actually, Sun Yu looked down on this peasant. When Wang Yougen was alive, he handled everything, and she didn't feel it. Now that there was no man in the house, she realized how difficult life was. She couldn't manage even chopping firewood and carrying water, so she had to pretend to be amiable with this man.
Mother Li, accustomed to her imperious ways over the years, fell ill after a few days of work.
Lately, Li Youcai's life had been difficult. No one cooked for him, no one washed his clothes, no one tidied the house, and he still had to take care of his elderly mother.
Unable to bear it any longer, he went to the Sun family in the neighboring village and asked his father-in-law and mother-in-law to intervene.