My Mother-in-Law is Reborn [Seventies]

Chapter 107

The scorching summer was in full swing, with cicadas chirping incessantly.

It seemed like only yesterday when the sweltering months of July and August had arrived. The weather in early August was unbearably hot.

Ming Mei was now nearly four months pregnant, though not quite there yet. Recently, their courtyard had unexpectedly become unusually peaceful. Perhaps it was the intense heat that had sapped everyone's energy, leaving them with little enthusiasm for anything other than work.

Even a brief stroll outdoors would leave one drenched in sweat. This summer was exceptionally hot.

However, to say that nothing was happening in their courtyard would not be entirely accurate. The tranquility in their courtyard was unique compared to others.

Firstly, there were now three pregnant women in their courtyard. Li Fang and Ming Mei were both showing, with Li Fang being further along than Ming Mei, though she appeared less noticeably pregnant.

This was because Ming Mei had recently been confirmed to be carrying twins.

She looked more visibly pregnant than Li Fang. Zhuang Zhixi, like a eunuch attending to the empress dowager, was constantly at his wife's side, taking care of her every need. Zhao Guihua joked that he stood like a lowly servant. However, among the three, Ming Mei had the least severe pregnancy reactions. Li Fang and Jiang Lu were both suffering from intense morning sickness, vomiting constantly.

Speaking of which, Li Fang and Jiang Lu were similar in that they had initially been fine after discovering their pregnancies, but the recent heatwave had completely overwhelmed them. Especially Jiang Lu, who had been feeling nauseous and vomiting for the past half month. Her once vibrant complexion had turned sallow in just a few days.

Despite her poor complexion, Jiang Lu's spirits were high. After all, this was the child she had longed for over a decade. How could she not be overjoyed? Even Zhou Qun was exceptionally happy. He had been discharged from the hospital and had initially harbored some doubts, suspecting that Jiang Lu might have colluded with the hospital to fake her pregnancy to soothe him.

But to his surprise, Jiang Lu was genuinely pregnant. He had taken her to the hospital several times for prenatal care, confirming that she was not lying. Zhou Qun now truly believed that everything was predestined.

He had longed for a child for over ten years, even beginning to doubt his own fertility. Yet, after his accident, Jiang Lu had unexpectedly become pregnant. Zhou Qun couldn't help but feel that this was heaven's way of ensuring his lineage would not end.

Jiang Lu, too, was elated. She felt that heaven had been kind to her. She had always worried about her inability to conceive, especially since she was already in her thirties. Although medical checks had confirmed she was fine, it was still harder to conceive at her age compared to someone in their twenties.

She had even planned to fake a miscarriage if she hadn't become pregnant within a month and a half. Otherwise, the truth would be impossible to hide. But to her surprise, she became pregnant much sooner than expected.

When Jiang Lu confirmed her pregnancy, she was overwhelmed with joy, almost to the point of tears.

She calculated the dates and realized she must have conceived around the time she had been with Little Xu. This was an even better outcome for her, as she had initially claimed to be a month pregnant. With such a short discrepancy, it would be easy to cover up.

She could simply explain that the due date had been pushed back, which was not uncommon.

Jiang Lu had done her research and knew that there were cases of pregnancies extending beyond the expected due date by nearly a month. In this era, with less precise medical technology, it was easier to avoid suspicion.

Zhao Guihua was completely unaware of this. If she had known, she might have marveled at Jiang Lu's good fortune. In this age, with less accurate medical knowledge, it was easier to avoid detection. Had this been a decade later, the situation would have been much more precarious.

Of course, Zhao Guihua was genuinely unaware, but she did know one thing: Jiang Lu's child was not Zhou Qun's.

Zhou Qun was infertile, a fact Zhao Guihua was certain of.

She would never gossip about such matters, not even to her husband, Old Man Zhuang. Although Zhao Guihua didn't particularly like Jiang Lu, she wasn't the type to deliberately expose others' secrets. Moreover, she had noticed that Jiang Lu seemed to be in high spirits lately. Zhao Guihua thought this was a good thing.

With three pregnant women in the courtyard, everyone was being exceptionally cautious, afraid of inadvertently causing harm. This was also why there had been fewer incidents in their courtyard lately. After all, no one wanted to bear the responsibility of causing harm to a pregnant woman.

Additionally, everyone was in high spirits lately, not wanting any trouble.

Indeed, there were reasons to be happy.

This was the second major event recently. The annual skill level assessments, usually held in late June or early July, had been delayed this year, starting in mid-July. Several people had advanced to higher levels in this round of assessments.

Their courtyard was home to many factory workers, and several had been promoted, which meant a raise in salary. This was a cause for celebration. Even though it had been over half a month since the announcements, the excitement had not waned.

Whenever the topic came up, everyone was filled with joy.

Li the Cook and his son-in-law Yang Lixin had both been promoted, as had the Sui family and another Zhang family in the back courtyard. The front courtyard was a bit behind, with only Old Man Zhuang being promoted. He had previously been a level 5 riveter, earning 55.50 yuan.

Now promoted to level 6, his salary increased by 11 yuan, bringing it to 66.50 yuan. Additionally, his seniority pay, which increased every two years, was also adjusted, adding another yuan, bringing his total salary to 67.50 yuan. With the summer cooling allowance, he could earn over 70 yuan these two months.

He was the only one in the front courtyard to receive a raise.

Zhuang Zhixi, on the other hand, was in a managerial position. Having just been transferred, his salary had been adjusted once, and it was too soon for another adjustment. Jiang Lu, working in the women's federation, which coordinated with the factory office, was also in a managerial role. Their salary structure differed from traditional ratings, so she only received a seniority raise of one yuan, which was not considered a real raise in everyone's eyes.

Old Man Bai and Bai Fendou, who had been demoted to cleaning the toilets in the logistics department due to their mistakes, did not receive a raise. Their position was a fixed-salary one, meaning their pay would remain at 25 yuan regardless of how many years passed, unless they were transferred elsewhere.

But was 25 yuan a low salary?

For most families, it wasn't.

In rural areas, some families struggled to save 25 yuan in a year. This was why everyone was eager to move to the city and marry someone from the city. However, the Bai father and son did not see it this way. They had previously earned much more and were deeply dissatisfied with their current situation.

Nevertheless, they did not cause trouble in the courtyard.

They understood the gravity of the situation, with so many pregnant women around. Any mishap could lead to serious consequences, and they wanted to avoid any trouble.

Similarly, Wang Xiangxiu did not receive a promotion. She had been working for some time, but aside from her seniority raise, her salary remained unchanged. Her focus was on how to swindle money rather than on her job. She was lazy and uninterested in improving her skills, which made it difficult for her to pass the skill assessments and earn a raise.

In her workshop, which focused solely on craftsmanship, her lack of effort kept her from advancing. Her previous salary was 25.50 yuan, and with the seniority raise, it increased to 26.50 yuan.

These salary adjustments were not pleasant for Wang Xiangxiu. Earning just one yuan more every two years was hardly cause for celebration. Moreover, four years ago, her salary was 24.50 yuan, which was below the urban minimum living standard. As a result, her family qualified for poverty subsidies from the neighborhood committee. They were also given small tasks, like assembling cardboard boxes, to help make ends meet.

But two years ago, her salary increased by a yuan to 25.50 yuan, just five cents above the threshold. This small difference changed their status, making them ineligible for poverty subsidies. Over the past two years, they had to rely on acting pitiful to get by, putting in a lot of effort for minimal gains.

Now, she has gone up by one more yuan, so little, but their family has completely escaped poverty. This is what makes Wang Xiangxiu unhappy. So, naturally, she is in a bad mood. Of course, there is another reason for her unhappiness: in June, she had a falling out with Bai Fendou.

Now it's early August, and it has been over a month and a half, but Bai Fendou still shows no intention of making up. She has tried to make amends several times, but Bai Fendou has completely ignored her, showing a firm resolve.

There are those who rejoice and those who grieve.

There are more happy people, and those who are unhappy can pout all they want, but it won't change anything.

So, recently, the atmosphere in the courtyard has been a bit strange, but also unusually peaceful. Zhou Qun and Jiang Lu haven't gotten a raise, but they are happy because of the child. The only ones truly unhappy are the Bai family and the Su family.

As for the Lan Sihai family, they are a bit detached from the rest, as they moved in later and Lan Sihai's work situation is different from everyone else's. So, unless there is a general meeting, people rarely think of them.

Perhaps because the courtyard has been so tranquil recently, even Ming Mei has remarked that she hasn't seen anyone fighting in the courtyard for a long time.

Zhao Guihua: "With Aunt Zhou, the troublemaker, not around, there are fewer problems."

Others may also cause some trouble, but not like when Aunt Zhou was here, stirring up every little thing.

Ming Mei: "How much longer will Aunt Zhou be released?"

Zhao Guihua casually replied, "Four months, so that's a little over a month and a half. She'll definitely be back by National Day."

Ming Mei: "When she comes back and finds out about Zhou Qun, I wonder if she'll cause a scene."

Zhao Guihua: "No, she won't."

Ming Mei: "???"

She looked puzzled at her mother-in-law. Zhao Guihua explained, "Jiang Lu is pregnant, and she will have to consider the feelings of a pregnant woman."

Ming Mei sighed, thinking how pregnancy seemed to be a golden ticket, allowing everything to be considered from that perspective. She leaned back in the rocking chair her father had made for her, gently swaying. She loved sitting under the eaves, rocking in the chair and fanning herself, feeling very comfortable.

It was a rare weekend, and after chatting with Zhao Guihua for a while, Ming Mei went outside to rest, feeling that the house was even hotter. Meanwhile, Zhao Guihua made a few chives dumplings and put them in a lunch box. She said, "Don't wait until it's dark to come back."

"I understand," Old Man Zhuang replied.

Old Man Zhuang planned to go fishing on the weekend, and Zhuang Zhiyuan would join him, but Zhuang Zhixi did not go with them. Since Ming Mei got pregnant, Zhuang Zhixi has been more focused on his wife, even on weekends, he didn't plan to go out, staying home to clean and tidy up.

Old Man Zhuang and Zhuang Zhiyuan left with the lunch box, and Hutou and Xiao Yanzi watched eagerly. The two kids were on summer vacation and were always running around. Seeing their grandfather and father leave, they were tempted and said, "We want to go too."

Zhao Guihua: "No, you stay here and play in the alley. Your grandpa and dad are going to Houhai, what would you do there? Play nearby, and I'll make minced meat and eggs for you at noon."

Hearing this, Hutou and Xiao Yanzi couldn't move.

They immediately swallowed their saliva and agreed.

Although their family wasn't poor, they were still very greedy. This shows the overall living standards of the time.

"Go play."

"Okay."

The two kids ran to the gate and squatted by the chicken coop, muttering, "Big Flower, Little Flower, you must lay eggs well."

Zhao Guihua had replaced the old hens a few months ago. The hens were very diligent, starting to lay eggs on the fourth day after arrival, two a day, which was impressive. Zhao Guihua treasured these hens, and so did the kids.

Because Zhao Guihua's hens were so "sensible," more people in the courtyard started raising chickens. Two chickens were allowed, but not more. Aunt Wang and Zhao Guihua did it around the same time.

Their hens were also good, not just because Auntie Lian's chickens were good, but also because the kids often caught bugs to feed them. Effort always pays off, and the chickens in both households were quite impressive. Auntie Lian's chickens, though not cheap, were of good quality, so two more families in the courtyard also got hens from her.

Jiang Lu also raised two chickens. She should have done it earlier, but with Aunt Zhou going to labor reform, they had to give the chickens to others first. Later, when Zhou Qun was discharged from the hospital, Jiang Lu started raising chickens.

However, household chores and chicken raising were all done by Wang Zhaodi.

Wang Zhaodi had come to the city to have a baby, no matter how unwilling she was, she didn't dare disobey her parents and had to comply. But after arriving, Zhou Qun had no interest in women and was completely incapacitated.

To be precise, he was incapacitated, but not entirely.

There was something, but it was non-functional.

Even the virgin Wang Zhaodi knew about this.

Although she lost the beautiful picture painted by her family, Wang Zhaodi secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Sometimes, ignorance is due to never having seen the truth. But now that she was in the city and influenced by others, she saw more and her mindset changed somewhat.

She worked hard every day at Jiang Lu's house, and Jiang Lu didn't seem to want to send her back immediately. Wang Zhaodi worked here, treating herself like a maid. She worked hard and ensured her meals.

Wang Zhaodi had been hungry since she was a child and was really afraid of hunger, so a place where she could eat enough was very important to her.

Wang Zhaodi could always position herself correctly. As long as she could eat enough, she would do any work at home. As a result, the Zhou family was now clean and tidy, completely different from before. Aunt Zhou, although not working, was lazy and didn't do housework.

Jiang Lu had to work, come home to do laundry, cook, and clean, always busy. It was fortunate she didn't have a child; if she did, Jiang Lu wouldn't know how tired she would be.

Jiang Lu was overwhelmed, so the Zhou family was in a mess, but now it was much cleaner.

Jiang Lu didn't do anything; everything was done by Wang Zhaodi, who was quite happy because Jiang Lu didn't limit her eating and drinking. At home, she would be scolded for eating a bit more, but now, that didn't happen.

Wang Zhaodi wasn't a stupid child. She had lived in the countryside and didn't know much, but now she learned a lot from others. She liked following Aunt Wang and Zhao Guihua the most.

These two older women were both strong, and Wang Zhaodi felt very secure with them and could learn a lot.

So, early in the morning, she helped Jiang Lu out and cheerfully greeted Zhao Guihua.

Zhao Guihua: "Did you eat?"

"Yes, I did."

Jiang Lu also came to sit with Ming Mei and sighed, "Your rocking chair is really nice."

Ming Mei: "Didn't you get one too? Isn't it ready yet?"

Jiang Lu: "Zhou Qun went to pick it up; it should be back today."

Since that day when Jinlai and others got lost, the three pregnant women in the courtyard often sat together to cool off and sometimes shared experiences. Li Fang, who had already given birth to two children, had more experience and often told Ming Mei and Jiang Lu about pregnancy.

Sometimes, people get along like this, just needing an opportunity. Before, Li Fang didn't interact much with them. Although she looked a lot like Aunt Wang, tall and strong, her personality wasn't as lively as Aunt Wang's. She often stayed at home alone.

Jiang Lu also didn't interact much, so they didn't often gather together. But since the pregnancy, the situation changed, and they could sit together, having common topics.

Subtly, the Zhuang family's gate had become the gathering place for young wives.

Jiang Lu and Li Fang, both pregnant, would come over, along with Ming Mei and her sister-in-law Liang Meifen, making it about four people. Wang Zhaodi, on the other hand, was always busy with housework and would follow Zhao Guihua and Aunt Wang around, also spending a lot of time here.

People tend to like gathering in groups, so now everyone preferred to come to this spot.

Jiang Lu: "I just saw Grandpa Zhuang heading out. Is he going fishing?"

Ming Mei nodded and said, "Dad and Brother went to the Back Sea together."

Nowadays, when they go fishing, that's basically where they head. The catches aren't many, but they always manage to get something. As for fishing in the mountains, that feels like a distant memory. The spot was exposed by a few teenagers, and soon, people swarmed the area like ants. Within about a week, the pond was emptied of fish.

With so many people trying to get a catch, the pond was quickly depleted.

If only they had let the area rest and recover, it wouldn't have come to this.

But with so many people and no one wanting to leave empty-handed, the outcome was inevitable.

If it's to recover, it might take a long time.

Their family hasn't gone up the mountain for about a month. To be honest, if it weren't for knowing there was a pond up there, they wouldn't bother going so far just to pick some fruits or dig for wild vegetables.

Luckily, they have a good supply of salted fish, enough to last through the winter with some left over.

With the recent good weather, almost all the fish Zhao Guihua had caught were turned into salted fish, dried, and stored. Now, when they eat fish, it's usually from the Back Sea, caught by Old Man Zhuang or Zhuang Zhiyuan and Zhuang Zhixi.

Surprisingly, Old Man Zhuang is quite a skilled fisherman.

He never comes back empty-handed; there's always some catch, big or small.

"I just don't have the patience for this."

"Me neither."

The group sat down, and soon Li Fang arrived.

As soon as she sat down, she noticed the Bai family's window and couldn't help but comment, "What's going on with their window? Why haven't they fixed it yet?"

The Bai father and son are really stubborn. After the heavy rain flooded their house, they still haven't fixed the window. They're really persistent. Recently, there have been a couple more rains, though not as heavy as the first time, but still, they have to clean up.

Yet, the Bai father and son are determined to hold out, making everyone almost want to bet on how long it will take them to fix the window.

They'd rather suffer than spend the money.

Ming Mei: "I bet they'll wait until after National Day. That's when they get their regular pay. They'll probably fix it then."

"But who can guarantee there won't be another heavy rain? Light rain is manageable, but what about heavy rain?"

"Who knows."

Jiang Lu sat there chatting, while Wang Zhaodi went back to bring a basin of clothes and started washing them at the sink.

Ming Mei: "Wang Zhaodi is really hardworking."

Jiang Lu: "She's a good person. I even thought about introducing her to someone in the city."

Since discovering how capable Wang Zhaodi is, Jiang Lu wanted to keep her even more. If she lived in the same courtyard, she could be of great help. Jiang Lu was confident that Wang Zhaodi was far more useful than her mother-in-law.

"What do you think... about Bai Fendou? Would he be a good match?"

Jiang Lu asked, looking at Ming Mei and Li Fang.

"Pfft!" Li Fang burst out laughing.

Ming Mei also looked shocked, her mouth wide open in disbelief.

Jiang Lu wasn't surprised by their reactions. Anyone would be shocked hearing this. She said, "Actually, it could work."

Ming Mei scratched her head: "Wh-where does it work?"

Wang Zhaodi is hardworking and diligent, while Bai Fendou is lazy.

Wang Zhaodi is under twenty, while Bai Fendou is over thirty.

Wang Zhaodi is simple and innocent, while Bai Fendou has a bad reputation with widows.

This just doesn't seem to match at all.

Ming Mei wanted to say all this, but when she opened her mouth, she suddenly found she couldn't. Because, although Wang Zhaodi might be far superior to Bai Fendou, in everyone's eyes, Wang Zhaodi is not good enough for him.

Bai Fendou has a stable job and a house, which means he can find a wife.

Wang Zhaodi, on the other hand, has a rural household registration and no grain account, with a heavy family burden and unreliable relatives. If she were to get married, finding someone like Bai Fendou would be a blessing. Without this opportunity to meet, Bai Fendou wouldn't even consider someone like Wang Zhaodi, even if it were five hundred years from now.

Of course, if Wang Zhaodi were prettier, it might be a different story.

But Wang Zhaodi is just an ordinary person.

When she first came to the city, she looked like she had escaped a famine, thin and sallow. Now that she's eating well at the Zhou family's, she's improved, but she's still just an ordinary person.

Ming Mei realized this and fell silent.

After Li Fang recovered from her shock, she thought about it and said, "You know, it might actually work. But..."

Bai Fendou might not be willing.

And if she were to get involved with a man like Bai Fendou, she'd be in for a lot of trouble. Even though Bai Fendou has distanced himself from Wang Xiangxiu, it's not that easy to break off completely, or he wouldn't have gotten entangled with her for so long.

And, there's a feeling that Bai Fendou has softened recently, enjoying Wang Xiangxiu's flattery.

"This..."

Everyone didn't know what to say. Zhao Guihua, however, heard everything clearly. She said, "If you want to play matchmaker, you should first talk to Wang Zhaodi. Lay out all the advantages and disadvantages of Bai Fendou and her, clearly and honestly, so she understands everything. If she agrees, then you can talk to Bai Fendou. You can't just assume Wang Zhaodi will be willing. If you explain everything clearly, at least you'll feel no regrets. As for Bai Fendou, you should also be clear with him. People need to know their own worth. It's not about whether he wants to marry a rural girl. He might want to marry someone from the city, but is there anyone? City girls have better conditions; would they agree to be with him? And if he wants someone young, but young people who don't have to go to the countryside, do you think they're from ordinary families? They have connections to stay in the city; they wouldn't choose him.

Jiang Lu nodded: "You're right."

Zhao Guihua: "And, to be blunt, Zhou Qun isn't young anymore."

"That's true."

The women chatted about these random topics, and Jiang Lu suddenly thought that maybe she didn't need to ask Zhuang Zhixi about everything. Some things, asking Aunt Zhao might be enough. Aunt Zhao, despite being a bit bossy, seemed to have some wisdom.

She looked at Wang Zhaodi, then at the Bai family's house, and sighed softly.

Li Fang then spoke up: "Wang Xiangxiu seems to be trying to introduce Hu Huihui to Bai Fendou."

Hu Huihui was still living in their courtyard, and everyone knew that she paid eight yuan a month to stay there. That was quite a good deal, as an extra eight yuan a month could improve life significantly.

However, the Su family mother-in-law wasn't easy to deal with, and Hu Huihui had to pay them.

The Su family provided Hu Huihui with very plain food, mostly vegetables with little oil, and the staple food was just steamed buns. If everyone ate the same, it wouldn't be an issue, but the problem was that while everyone ate together, Jinlai and the other two children could have mixed flour steamed buns, and sometimes even white flour steamed buns.

But Hu Huihui? Not a chance.

Wang Xiangxiu said, "Do you really want to compete with the kids? They're growing, how can they lack nutrition? Adults can't compete with kids for food."

This left Hu Huihui speechless.

After all, she didn't want to tear things up and move out. She was actually quite stubborn, but she couldn't say anything.

She had been living here for some time, though not quite two months, and had gotten to know the situations of the various families. But knowing didn't help. The clues she wanted about gold and silver jewelry were nowhere to be found.

If there was anything, it was Bai Fendou's bicycle, which seemed a bit strange. Similarly, Li the Cook's bicycle ticket was also odd. She had probed around, and it was clear that her cousin Wang Xiangxiu knew something but wasn't willing to say, which made her very unhappy.

She was now focusing her attention on Bai Fendou, so when Wang Xiangxiu offered to introduce a potential partner, she was willing. However, Bai Fendou was being quite pretentious. This made Hu Huihui grind her teeth in anger, thinking, "Who does he think he is?"

Although she wasn't genuinely interested in dating, if Bai Fendou hesitated, then he deserved to be condemned.

It was Sunday, and everyone was off work. Wang Xiangxiu peered through the window, watching Jiang Lu and Ming Mei sitting there chatting. She muttered, "Look at them, acting all smug just because they have kids. As if anyone can't have children. I've even had three sons. Have I ever bragged about it? She's pregnant, hasn't even given birth yet, and who knows, maybe she'll give birth to a useless girl. Yet, she sits at the door all day, as if afraid no one knows she's pregnant."

Hu Huihui looked at her cousin and found it hard to understand her. What did it matter to her what others did?

Hu Huihui was also quite calculating and ruthless when it came to tricking people, having been able to manipulate men into spending money on her since she was a teenager. However, she only acted when there was something to gain. But this cousin of hers, for no reason at all, just because she didn't like someone, would start cursing them?

Wasn't that just sick?

Hu Huihui despised this woman, considering her a complete idiot.

However, since she was staying here, she couldn't say much. After all, she didn't want to leave.

In the end, all her thoughts boiled down to one thing: "I don't want to leave."

"Mom, mom, I have something to tell you..." Tonglai came running in, panting, and leaned close to Wang Xiangxiu. Wang Xiangxiu asked, "Weren't you out playing?"

Tonglai whispered mysteriously, "Mom, I found out a big secret."

Wang Xiangxiu: "???"

She chuckled and asked, "What is it?"

She didn't think a child could know anything significant, but Hu Huihui immediately perked up, eager to hear. She needed to know every secret, in case it had anything to do with money or valuables.

Tonglai said, "Mom, I overheard that Aunt Jiang Lu is going to introduce Wang Zhaodi to Bai Fendou as his wife."

"What!" Wang Xiangxiu exclaimed loudly, her voice echoing through the room.

Not only did everyone inside hear, but even those outside, like Ming Mei, were startled. Ming Mei rubbed her ears and said, "What's going on now?"

Jiang Lu: "Who knows."

Zhao Guihua pursed her lips and said, "Earlier, wasn't Tonglai crouching in that corner?"

This child was easily overlooked.

Probably, he overheard their conversation?

Zhao Guihua added, "Tonglai just ran back home."

Jiang Lu: "!!!"

She frowned and said, "This is going to be tricky."

Zhao Guihua: "Actually, it's not a big deal. If you really want to do this, Wang Xiangxiu will find out sooner or later. You don't need to overthink it. Whether it works out or not depends on Bai Fendou, not Wang Xiangxiu." Jiang Lu frowned: "I hope Bai Fendou uses his brain."

Zhao Guihua looked at Jiang Lu in surprise, never expecting to hear such words from her.

But thinking about Jiang Lu's current position in the family, Zhao Guihua had to admit that once a woman isn't blinded by love, her mind becomes much clearer. However, she still wanted to know who Jiang Lu was pregnant with.

Zhao Guihua, the gossipy but tight-lipped Zhao Guihua.

Zhao Guihua and the others looked toward the Su family's direction. Meanwhile, Wang Xiangxiu was no longer calm. She said, "Introduce to Bai Fendou? That Jiang Lu, how dare she meddle in this? What does she have to do with it? Bai Fendou has nothing to do with her, so why is she being so kind? What a busybody!"

"Jiang Lu and Wang Zhaodi are close, right?" Hu Huihui casually added.

She actually didn't care about Bai Fendou at all, but if he didn't choose her and instead chose Wang Zhaodi, that wouldn't do.

She couldn't be outdone by a country bumpkin.

She didn't like Bai Fendou, who was sloppy and useless, but Bai Fendou had to like her.

Hu Huihui: "Maybe I should go talk to Bai Fendou myself, I..."

"No!"

Wang Xiangxiu looked at Hu Huihui with suspicion and said, "You can't go see him."

Although she had mentioned introducing Hu Huihui to Bai Fendou, she knew it was just a temporary plan. She had no intention of actually doing it. Bai Fendou was her meal ticket, and she wasn't about to let go of him.

If Bai Fendou were to get together with Hu Huihui?

Wang Xiangxiu would never agree.

Bai Fendou couldn't be with any woman, not even Hu Huihui.

"I'll go talk to Bai Fendou."

Wang Xiangxiu, now a bit flustered, was about to head out.

Aunt Su stopped her, saying, "Don't go over like that. Are you going to confront him? What if you end up arguing with Bai Fendou? Men need to be handled with care. Don't you understand that?"

Wang Xiangxiu bit her lip.

Aunt Su: "Don't bring this up. Jiang Lu hasn't mentioned it, so why should you? If you do, Bai Fendou might start thinking, 'Hey, this Wang Zhaodi isn't bad,' and end up liking her."

Wang Xiangxiu: "But..."

"No buts. It's summer now, and it's hot. Go help Bai Fendou take out his bedding to air and dry. Plus, it rained recently, and his bedding got wet. Take it out and beat it."

She winked at Wang Xiangxiu, feeling it was inconvenient with Hu Huihui around. They had to be discreet.

Fortunately, Wang Xiangxiu and Aunt Su had some understanding and had discussed this privately, so Wang Xiangxiu knew what to do. She took a deep breath and went out. Hu Huihui peeked around, and Aunt Su gently said, "Huihui, aren't you supposed to be working today? Why haven't you left yet?"

This was a clear hint for Hu Huihui to leave.

Hu Huihui pursed her lips and said, "Then I'll go now."

Hu Huihui was staying here temporarily, and although she could pay, she needed a reason for her presence. So, she fabricated a temporary job, claiming to work at a theater, moving chairs and tables, earning ten yuan a month.

In reality, she hadn't planned to work, wanting to stay around to gather information. However, she couldn't take it anymore.

So, she invented a temporary job and went out every day.

She could have stayed, but Aunt Su and Wang Xiangxiu were not kind people. She had paid eight yuan, yet they still piled household chores on her, even making her assemble matchboxes, taking the money for themselves. She was exhausted and overworked.

They treated her like a maid, constantly comparing her to Wang Zhaodi.

Wang Zhaodi didn't pay anything to stay, yet Hu Huihui paid eight yuan and ate worse. Compared to the Zhou Qun and Jiang Lu couple, who were often criticized, Hu Huihui found the Su family even more despicable.

She couldn't endure it anymore, so she pretended to work and left during the day to avoid the chores.

The vile Wang Xiangxiu.

Hu Huihui detested her cousin, unable to believe there could be such a disgusting woman in the world. She had always known she was a cunning girl, willing to do anything for a better life.

But compared to her cousin, she was nothing.

Her cousin was a true oddball.

Hu Huihui left, smiling and greeting the people in the courtyard before heading out with her bag.

Ming Mei asked curiously, "Where does she work as a temp?"

Li Fang: "I heard it's at some theater, moving chairs and tables, earning ten yuan a month."

Jiang Lu: "Ten yuan? So the Su family is taking eight yuan from her?"

Although the Su family received eight yuan, Hu Huihui wasn't silent about it. She made sure to let people know, so despite the Su family's attempts to paint a good image, saying they were helping a relative, everyone in the courtyard and even the street knew they were taking eight yuan from a girl earning only ten.

Eight yuan was a significant amount, especially for someone earning just ten. Additionally, Aunt Su and Wang Xiangxiu often took bribes under the guise of introducing partners. As a result, their reputation had taken a hit recently.

Of course, this was also due to Hu Huihui's intentional efforts. She wasn't about to suffer in silence.

Hu Huihui concocted a story for herself about escaping an arranged marriage and leaving home. She didn't want to marry someone she didn't like for money, nor did she want to sell herself for money. Even the promise of a formal job couldn't sway her.

Instead, she preferred to work temporary jobs for ten yuan a day.

Self-reliant and self-respecting.

Because of this persona, Hu Huihui had quite a few admirers on this street.

Many people were interested in Wang Xiangxiu, but their interest was merely for personal gain. No one would seriously consider marrying her and bringing her home. After all, no one wants to add more "hats" to their family.

Moreover, Wang Xiangxiu had too many burdens, but Hu Huihui was different.

Young, beautiful, upright, and kind-hearted, she didn't bend to money, a rare quality. Marrying a virtuous wife is what everyone wants, so Hu Huihui was very popular among young men and also well-regarded by the elderly.

While people thought it was a bit foolish of Hu Huihui not to care about money, they also found her charming in her simplicity. Such a girl is truly wonderful. A girl with such character wouldn't need to worry about bringing home a pile of "hats."

She was nothing like her cousin.

Hu Huihui had cultivated a good reputation for herself and kept a low profile, coming and going early.

She lived far away, so the people in the courtyard didn't know much about her background. The only one who knew a little was Ming Mei, but even Ming Mei wasn't sure if Hu Huihui was really like that, as she didn't know her well.

Based on Hu Huihui's behavior in the courtyard, Ming Mei didn't think she was a bad person.

Ming Mei said, "She earns ten yuan and has to hand over eight, leaving only two yuan. She only eats two meals a day at home, having lunch at work. It would be better to rent a place to live."

Jiang Lu replied, "Where would it be so easy to rent? Besides, what if she gets targeted as a single girl? I guess she has no choice. Although the Su family demands money, at least she's staying with relatives, which won't harm her reputation and ensures safety. How can a woman live alone outside?"

When considering whether to divorce, Jiang Lu had thought about these issues.

Her family couldn't accommodate her forever, and her unit couldn't allocate housing for a long time. If she had no choice but to rent, finding a place would be difficult. Moreover, living alone as a single woman would invite gossip and be unsafe.

That's why Jiang Lu realized she had to weigh her options.

She didn't dare say her choice was right, but it was the best option at the moment. Gently touching her belly, she felt she had finally achieved her wish. At least, things were progressing in the direction she wanted.

Zhao Guihua noticed Jiang Lu's gesture and could understand her thoughts.

For a moment, she understood Jiang Lu's choices and actions. In this era, such choices were the most beneficial for herself. It was good, and regarding some matters... well, you reap what you sow.

Zhou Qun deserved it.

Everyone chatted idly, and then Li Fang suddenly said, "Wang Xiangxiu has been inside for a long time."

Everyone turned to look at the Bai family's house. Without glass, they could see clearly. Bai Fendou provided a great view for everyone. They all looked over, and neither Bai Fendou nor Wang Xiangxiu knew.

Bai Fendou was used to not having windows and didn't mind being watched. He lay on the bed, legs crossed, not moving, and said, "Xiujie, you don't need to talk about introducing me to someone. I don't want any more dealings with your family. No matter how much I do, I'll still be accused of having ulterior motives and get slapped in the face by your son. A man has his pride. Even if I can't find a wife, I don't need you."

He used to follow Wang Xiangxiu around, helping her with this and that, but it never earned him a kind word or smile. Now that he wasn't serving her, she was coming after him. Everyone could see that he hadn't forgiven Wang Xiangxiu yet because he enjoyed this feeling.

Also, he had heard about Wang Xiangxiu's reputation for taking bribes and not following through. So when Wang Xiangxiu offered to introduce Hu Huihui, he refused. He admitted he had a soft spot for the young, simple, and hardworking Hu Huihui, but since they lived in the same courtyard and had talked before, there was no need to go through Wang Xiangxiu.

He could get to know her himself; why would he need Wang Xiangxiu?

Besides, while Hu Huihui was good-looking and had a great personality, her family's poor conditions and her father's demand for a high bride price made people hesitant to seriously pursue her.

After all, most families were ordinary and couldn't afford to go bankrupt for a wedding.

So, there was still hesitation.

Bai Fendou glanced at Wang Xiangxiu and said, "Xiujie, get out now, or when your son comes back, he'll think we're up to something. I can't take that. I don't want to carry that burden."

Wang Xiangxiu said, "So in your heart, I'm such a person, someone who would trick you..."

Bai Fendou saw Wang Xiangxiu's red eyes and tears and felt a bit soft, but thinking about how she had treated him coldly for her son, he lost all interest. He felt he had done enough for this woman, but she hadn't done the same for him.

He coldly said, "Wouldn't you trick me? Your son spread rumors outside about me messing around with men. Do you dare say you didn't know? This little brat, why doesn't he just die!"

Wang Xiangxiu's heart sank, and she glared venomously at Bai Fendou.

How dare he talk about her son like that!

"Stay out of my house and don't look at me like that. I'm telling you, Wang Xiangxiu, no one is a fool. Get out."

Wang Xiangxiu panicked. Recently, she hadn't received any response from Bai Fendou, and while she was angry, she wasn't too worried. But now that she heard someone might be introducing him to someone else, she was truly afraid.

That Jiang Lu bitch!

She even forgot her resentment towards Bai Fendou and quickly said, "I didn't, I didn't. I didn't know about Jinlai's actions. If I had known, how could I bear to let them treat you like that? Don't you think I feel bad too?"

She had already experienced the pain of losing this meal ticket. She hadn't acted urgently because she knew Bai Fendou had no money these past few months, so making up wouldn't yield much. But now...

She had to pull out all the stops.

Otherwise, this man would fly away.

Suddenly, she lunged forward and threw herself into Bai Fendou's arms.

Bai Fendou: "What the hell!"

He was stunned.

And the people watching from outside: "..."

Ming Mei's eyes widened, and she quickly waved her hands, whispering urgently, "Zhixi ge, Zhixi ge..."

Watching gossip needed to involve her man, so Zhuang Zhixi hurried out: "What the..."

He was also caught off guard.

Li Fang and Zhao Guihua, who had already figured things out, had expressions of "just as expected."

Jiang Lu just gave a cold laugh. How could she not see why Wang Xiangxiu was doing this? Wasn't it to counter her introducing someone? She had been careless earlier. Wang Zhaodi, who was washing clothes, saw everyone's reaction and quickly peeked, then quickly covered her mouth.

Were city people this bold?

They were... hugging?

Wang Xiangxiu clung to Bai Fendou, and Bai Fendou's face turned red. He was still a virgin.

A pure young man, very shy, he blushed and said softly, "Let go, what are you doing?"

Wang Xiangxiu refused to let go, wishing she could be seen by Jiang Lu and Wang Zhaodi. If they saw, her scheme would be halfway successful. She bit her lip, tightly hugging Bai Fendou, and whispered, "Don't you know my feelings? Do you really not know my feelings? I thought you understood me the most. Fendou, all these years, I know you've suffered, but my feelings for you have never changed. I admit, my son is very important to me, but he's flesh of my flesh, born from me. What else can I do? They may be immature, but can I just abandon them? As a mother, how could I do such a thing? I can only compromise with you. I know I've disappointed you... but Fendou, truly, I... I really..."

Tears hung in her eyes as she spoke, full of grievance. "Why can't you understand me? Why can't you, as a man?"

Bai Fendou was at a loss, this being the first time they had spoken so openly. He hadn't expected Wang Xiangxiu's feelings for him to be so profound. He murmured, "Why torture yourself like this? I... I can't not find a wife..."

Wang Xiangxiu replied, "I know, but I don't want to. I don't want you to find someone else because I love you. I truly love you."

Bai Fendou felt something explode in his mind, leaving him dizzy, yet he knew this woman loved him deeply.

He stammered, "I... I..."

"Do you think I'm just saying this for the kids? I know my own mind. It's not just for them, but for you. I don't want you to be laughed at, for a fine young man like you to marry a widow. Every word others say about you hurts me..."

Bai Fendou's lips curled into a smile as he whispered, "You... you mean..."

"Actually, when you gained some bad reputation outside, I was a bit happy, because that way, you'd be mine alone. I know, I know I'm being bad, scolding myself for being so shameless, how could I like you... but how can one control who they like?"

Bai Fendou's hand landed on Wang Xiangxiu's back. "I understand your heart..."

He murmured, "Don't say such things about yourself. There's nothing wrong with you. Liking someone isn't wrong."

Wang Xiangxiu looked up, her eyes blurred with tears. "You don't blame me?"

Bai Fendou sighed. "No, I understand you."

His previous anger dissipated in that moment. He thought, how could such a good woman like Xiangxiu let her kids spread those rumors about him? It was because she didn't want him taken by other women. Thinking this way, wasn't she madly in love with him?

How could he bear to blame her?

"I don't blame you."

Wang Xiangxiu: "Really?"

"Really."

Wang Xiangxiu's face lit up with joy, her lips curling into a smile as she cried and laughed, her eyes full of affection. Bai Fendou's hand moved slightly as he said, "Xiangxiu, how long have you liked me?"

Wang Xiangxiu replied, "A long time, very long. Actually... I fell for you at first sight, but what could I do? I was already engaged to the Su Family. I couldn't go back on it, couldn't disregard both families' honor, so I had to suppress my feelings. I tried hard to be a good daughter-in-law because I felt so guilty towards the Su Family. Because my heart had changed..."

Bai Fendou was stunned, looking at Wang Xiangxiu.

Wang Xiangxiu said, "Laugh at me, I was unfaithful..."

"No! I know your heart is true to me."

He grabbed Wang Xiangxiu's hand, and she playfully looked at him, saying, "Look at you."

"You like me too."

"If I didn't like you, who else would I like? All these years, I didn't dare to speak, but now, I've finally said it..."

Bai Fendou's eyes softened with affection.

Wang Xiangxiu glanced out the window, seeing Wang Zhaodi's shocked expression, and smiled triumphantly.

Those far away like Ming Mei couldn't hear anything, but Wang Zhaodi, being closer, could. Wang Xiangxiu didn't mind Wang Zhaodi hearing, she wanted her to hear, to know she couldn't compete. Who did she think she was, eyeing Bai Fendou, wanting to marry into the city?

Pfft!

Dream on!

Wang Zhaodi: "......?????"

What kind of look was that?

But, uh...

What was that big sister saying?

What the...

Wang Zhaodi was dumbfounded, staring at them, and drifted into the crowd, needing to be with everyone else to keep from fainting in shock. As she arrived, she heard Aunt Wang say, "** and a dog, forever together."

She scratched her head, sincerely saying, "The city is too complicated! Too, too, complicated!"