Chapter 39 Misunderstanding

  "Mother, my uncle and his family have returned." Ye Baiji ran back into the house, excitedly shouting.

  Sun heard and was delighted, put away the needle and thread to go out, even forgot to pretend to be ill. Qizhen originally wanted to remind her, but seeing them so happy, she didn't mention it.

  Ye Baiji's family was one she had heard a lot about, but never met in person. She only knew from Ye Baiji that they were all good-natured and got along well with each other.

  They're back now, Qizhen thought it's better for her to go out and meet them. Fortunately, she was still young and didn't need to avoid anything.

  Upstairs, Old Master Ye sat in the upper seat, and below him on the left sat a man of about thirty-seven or eight years old, with a calm face, giving people a very stable feeling. Below him sat a woman, her hair pulled back into a bun, her face thin and still bearing some sorrow, quietly sitting on one side listening to the man next to her talking to Old Master Ye. That should be Mao Shi who had returned home for the funeral.

  Behind them sat a young man and a slightly pregnant woman, who should be Ye Bai's older brother and sister-in-law.

  Ye Shiyuan and his wife Ye Suqi were there, but didn't see Ye Baizhi, Ye Baijiu or Ye Baixiang sisters.

  As soon as Sun entered, Mao saw her and hurriedly got up to welcome her. "Second sister-in-law, I just came back and heard that you were ill, how are you? Are you better?" Mao's words were warm and calm, making the listener feel very comfortable.

  Sun held Mao's hand, her eyes slightly red, but she also knew that Mao's family had just experienced a funeral, and this crying would evoke Mao's painful memories. She swallowed back her tears and forced a smile: "I'm much better now, thank you for your concern, sister-in-law. You should take care of yourself too, people can't come back to life after they die, so don't grieve excessively!"

  Mrs. Mao was also touched by these words, thinking of the elderly at home, it's not good to cry all the time, so she put away her sorrows and forced a smile, "I know, you should take care of yourself too. Since I'm not at home, it must be troublesome for you and San Di Mei."

  Jiang had been looking for an opportunity to show off in front of Mao since she entered the house, but unfortunately, Mao was sad and didn't say much after returning home. Jiang also didn't dare to speak rashly. But as soon as Sun entered the house, Mao welcomed her with a conversation, which made Jiang feel uncomfortable. As sisters-in-law, Mao treated Sun better than her in some ways.

  Luckily, Mrs. Mao was always good at socializing and when praising Sun's family, she didn't forget to mention her, which gave her the opportunity to speak up. "What are you talking about, sister-in-law? We're all one family, what's the fuss about? We haven't done anything, we just worry that our lack of experience will make us do things poorly and starve your chickens and pigs?"

  Ye Baiji just followed Ye Baiwei and the sisters to the upper house, listened to Jiang's words, and secretly curled her lips. This is really a beautiful talk, isn't she afraid of hurting her own old waist? What does it mean that she has fed the pig thin? She didn't feed at all, it was Grandpa, her mother, and Zhen'er who fed them.

  "This aunt can rest assured, Zhen'er is very good at feeding chickens and pigs. She will take care of Aunt's pigs and chickens very well, absolutely won't let them lose weight." Ye Baiji pushed Qi Zhener towards Mao Shi's side and said.

  As soon as Qī Zhēnér and Sūn Shì entered the house, Máo Shì saw her. But for a moment, she couldn't determine her identity, so she didn't speak up. Now that Yè Bái Jí had pushed her to the front, she asked: "What a clever little girl, whose family is this?"

  "Those were saved by Master Jiang," said with a low voice, "The sister and brother are said to have lost their parents and had nowhere to go, so Master Jiang took them in."

  It sounds like Qizhen's younger brother is trying to cling to the Ye family.

  When it comes to Qizhen'er helping to feed pigs and chickens, Mao Shi still thinks this is a diligent little girl. However, after hearing Jiang Shi's words, Mao Shi felt a faint dislike in her heart, and the smile on her face was no longer as radiant and warm as before. After all, people can be unaware of gratitude and revenge, but they cannot repay kindness with resentment, which would make simple rural people think you are not a good person.

  Qī Zhēnér was close to Máo Shì, so she naturally felt her emotional changes. She smiled and pretended to be coquettish: "Dà bó niáng, I've heard Bái zhǐ jiě mention you several times, today I finally get to see you."

  Although Mrs. Mao didn't like Qi Zhen'er, she was very fond of Ye Baiju, who was no different from her own niece, and Ye Baiju was also a good person, so Mrs. Mao loved her dearly.

  "Really? What did Bai Zhi Jie say about me?"

  Qizhen'er tilted her head and thought for a moment before saying, "Baiju sister said that your cooking skills are great. She hasn't eaten well these past few days and has been constantly thinking of you."

  Ye Baiji slapped Qi Zhen'er and scolded: "You dead girl, always exposing my shortcomings."

  The Mao family was also amused by them.

  Qī Zhēn'er hid behind Máo Shì's back and made a face at Bái Jú, "Sister Bai Ju, you're bullying me, I won't let you play at my house again."

  Ye Baiji was furious, saying: "Zhen'er, you're so ungrateful! I helped you pick stones for a whole day, and yet you didn't invite me to visit your new home. Just you wait and see how I'll deal with this little ingrate!" With that, he charged over.

  Qī Zhēnér dodged back and forth, making a big fuss in the house, which also alleviated Máo Shì's sorrowful expression.

  Mrs. Mao smiled and pulled Qi Zhener with one hand, and Ye Baiju with the other, saying: "Alright, let it go this time, little Ye. How about Grandma making you some delicious food tonight?"

  Ye Baiji happily let go of Qi Zhen'er, pulled Mao Shi and coquettishly played with her for a while. Then took her to meet Ye Baiwei, letting them get familiar with each other.

  Ye Baiwei looks very gentle, just now they were so noisy, she was also standing quietly on the side with a smile, and now she even took out her handkerchief to wipe Ye Baiju's sweat. She really is a model of an elder sister. Her temperament is indeed similar to that of Mao Shi.

  As for the Ye family's daughters, the one who can completely inherit her mother's personality is probably this older sister.

  "Zhen Er, where is your brother?" Ye Baiwei asked softly. Her voice was very comfortable to listen to, like clear water, gentle and quiet.

  Qī Zhēnér glanced at Yè Bái Zhuāng and said: "He's injured his hand and is resting."

  "Oh, is it serious?" Ye Baiwei said: "Children's meat is tender, be careful."

  "Hutou has always been very careful." Ye Baiji added, saying as she glanced at Ye Baizhou and pulled Ye Baiwei along, "Baiwei sister, I'll take you to see Hutou, he's obedient now."

  Ye Baiwei said a word to Old Master Ye and followed Ye Baizhi to the east wing. Qi Zhen'er naturally followed too, leaving behind Ye Baimo who was rubbing her handkerchief vigorously.

  Mrs. Mao saw Qi Zhen'er and them leave, and asked: "I just heard them say that the new house of Zhen'er's family is what's going on?"

  Ji Zhen'er and Ye Baiji were just playing around, but she still revealed the information that needed to be revealed. Mao Shi didn't disappoint her either, asking it out in a moment.

  Jiang smiled sarcastically, then thought for a moment and felt that his expression was not quite right, so he pressed down the corners of his mouth and said: "Yes, it's on that empty land by the creek, where Qizhen is preparing to build a thatched hut. Seventh Brother is leading Eleventh and Fifteenth in a frantic rush to finish the work."

  Mao listened and sank for a moment, thinking about how he had forgotten Jiang's temperament. Just now, Jiang's words were explicitly and implicitly saying that Qi Zhen'er was ungrateful and relied on them. But if she wanted to rely on the Ye family, why would she go build a house? It was still a thatched hut. It seemed that Jiang hadn't gained any benefits from Qi Zhen'er, which was why he had such great resentment.

  Can't help but say, Mao's understanding of his own sister-in-law's temperament is still quite familiar. Jiang didn't bear a grudge against Qizhen because her siblings were unwilling to let her be their maid and playmate, and the two children went to build their own house.

  At noon, Sun was originally going to cook by herself. After all, the Miao family had a funeral, and she must have been uncomfortable for the past few days. When she came back, she should rest. But Miao also followed her to the kitchen.

  "Eldest sister, you should rest now. You've had a long journey today and must be tired." Sun Shi advised. Now she didn't want to pretend to be ill either, as her relationship with Mao Shi was always good. With the first wife's family returning at this moment, she needed to properly entertain her sister-in-law.

  Mrs. Mao was chopping vegetables while casually saying, "It's nothing, I'm not that tired either. The child's father said to make life more comfortable for Yun'er, so he hired a horse-drawn carriage to take us back. Otherwise, we wouldn't have made it in time for lunch."

  "Look at Zhen'er, she's also a sensible one. Has she been feeding the pigs these days?" asked Mrs. Mao. She had just gone to check and found that the pigs and chickens at home were well taken care of, not thin at all, but rather plump. However, regarding Ye Baiju saying that Qi Zhen'er fed the pigs, she was skeptical. How could such a young girl feed pigs?

  It's not surprising that the Mao family had this idea. The girls in the Ye family were all spoiled, let alone Ye Bai Zhi, Ye Bai Ji and Ye Bai Qi who grew up in town since childhood, even her own daughter Bai Wei was never allowed to do any chores, for fear of roughening her hands.

  As soon as the mention of Qizhen'er, Sunshi couldn't help but praise her, "This child is really praiseworthy. When I was ill, she saw the old man feeding pigs and felt sorry for him, took over and has been feeding them until now, without complaining about the dirt or tiredness. I told her to let me do it, but the little girl wouldn't agree. It was also Qizhen'er who helped Baiju go to the city to gather information."

  Mao saw that Sun's expression was off as soon as she returned, as if hiding some heartache, and her whole person was limp and downcast, even more sorrowful than when she had just lost her father.

  "What happened at home while I was away?"

  Sun cried but didn't speak, Mao asked urgently, she then spoke in a hoarse voice.

  After eating, there's still books to read, how considerate we are of each other