154 Save the Drumsticks for Mommy
Lu Jiao brought over tea. When she put it down, Xie Yunjin gently suggested, “Since the brother-in-law is here, make more dishes for lunch.”
Not only did Lu Gui find Xie Yunjin strange, but even Lu Jiao also started to find him strange.
Before, he’s always kept his distance from the Lu family, how come he was acting so warm today?
What was wrong with him? Lu Jiao remembered that this guy’s been acting strange since last night. Was he setting her up for something?
But why would he? She hasn’t done anything to hurt him lately.
!!
Lu Jiao did her best to keep calm, “Okay, I will prepare lunch while you guys chat.”
Though Xie Yunjin was all smiles as he chatted with Lu Gui, Lu Gui still felt uncomfortable. Before they could talk for longer, he got up and said, “I will go help my sister out in the kitchen. Brother-in-law, your legs are still healing, rest well.”
He then left right away, giving Xie Yunjin no chance to speak.
Lu Jiao stared at him speechlessly.
She turned to Xie Yunjin, who grinned, “Go get busy.”
The way he looked at her made her think he had some kind of evil plan waiting for her. She shuddered and left.
The siblings ran out like they had seen a ghost, which made Xie Yunjin chuckle.
For lunch, Lu Jiao made a table full of dishes – chicken with mushrooms, braised pork, duck mushroom soup, pan-fried tofu, braised fish, and fish tofu soup.
The four little ones couldn’t even close their mouths when they saw all the food on the table. Even then, they remembered to go call for their father.
The First Born looked up at Lu Jiao, “Mommy, let’s move the table into the east bedroom so we can eat with daddy.”
If they eat out here, their daddy would have to eat alone in the bedroom. That was too sad.
Lu Jiao flicked his forehead, “You never forget about your father. This is why he spoils you. Okay, you convinced me.”
Lu Jiao stably moved the table into the east bedroom.
The four little ones cheered and then pulled Lu Gui into the bedroom to have lunch.
Inside the bedroom, Xie Yunjin watched all this in a great mood. The way he looked at Lu Jiao became softer and softer.
This gave Lu Jiao goosebumps.
Something was wrong with this guy. This was too abnormal.
Just then, her brain thought of a conspiracy theory. Could it be that this guy was no longer Xie Yunjin? Could it be that like her, his soul has switched?
Lu Jiao stared at the man lying in bed while he stared at her back. Then, he gently asked, “What’s wrong?”
Lu Jiao observed closely and decided it was still the same guy.
“Nothing.”
Xie Yunjin looked away as his lips curled. Naturally, he noticed Lu Jiao’s suspicion. Was she not used to him being this nice to her?
He planned on being even nicer to her in the future. After all, she worked hard and was loyal to the children and himself. He knew that and he had a heart.
“You’ve been busy all morning. Eat.”
Lu Jiao finally thought of the possibility that he was nice to her now because he noticed how hard she’s been working to take care of him and the children. Was she overthinking?
Oh well, she decided to stop wondering. She’ll happily take care of them for another month or so. Once he’s able to walk, she will take the children and leave blissfully.
That thought made Lu Jiao content. She got Xie Yunjin some rice and duck soup, and said, “Whatever you want to eat, let me know.”
Xie Yunjin looked at her smiling face and light emitted out of his eyes.
Now, his mood was extraordinarily pleasant and he nodded slightly, indicating that Lu Jiao should go eat.
Lu Jiao went to sit by the table. Lu Gui and the four children hadn’t eaten and were waiting for her.
Lu Jiao was about to speak when someone called out to her through the window, “Yunjin’s wife.”
Lu Jiao saw Lady Zhao outside, who mysteriously squinted her eyes at her, asking her to chat outside.
Lu Jiao nodded. She told Lu Gui and the children to eat first as she had something to do.
Lu Gui agreed while the four little ones announced, “Mommy, we’ll save the chicken drumstick for you.”
“Yes, and the duck drumstick. They’re all for you.”
Lu Jiao looked at the children and the smile on her face became warm like the spring sunshine.
The four little ones were good kids. As long as she took the time to raise them well, they will think of her fondly even if they do return to their father in the end. Maybe in the future, they’ll remember to visit her regularly. She would be okay with that.
The more Lu Jiao thought about it, the happier she felt, “My sons are the most filial boys. I am happy even if I don’t eat. You guys eat.”
The four little ones said in unison, “We can eat other things. We must save the drumsticks for you.”
The First Born then picked up a bowl and placed the drumsticks inside.
Once he was done, he reminded the other three, “Save the other chicken drumstick for daddy. The other duck drumstick is for uncle. We can eat other things. Look at all the food there is.”
The other three checked out the food on the table and agreed in unison, “We got it.”
Lu Jiao was already heading outside, but she didn’t know how to wipe the smile off her face.
Outside, Lady Zhao grabbed her hand and headed to the kitchen. After making sure nobody was around, Lady Zhao whispered to Lu Jiao, “I went into the mountains this morning with Chunyan and ran into your first and youngest sisters-in-law with your second sister-in-law. Your second sister-in-law is teaching those two what herbs to harvest. I know you don’t like your first and your youngest sister-in-law, so I felt obligated to come and tell you.”
Lad Zhao’s news put Lu Jiao in a bad mood. Though it was no big deal, she couldn’t help it.
That was her personality. In her opinion, those who provoked her didn’t deserve to benefit from her.
Or else she would’ve asked Chen Liu and her youngest sister-in-law to learn from her. That could’ve avoided a fight.
Yet now, her second sister-in-law was straight up sharing knowledge.
Lady Zhao noticed the change in Lu Jiao’s expression and comforted, “I told you so you are aware. I didn’t want you to be mad.”
Lu Jiao recollected herself and thanked Lady Zhao. After all, she was happy that Lady Zhao shared this news.
“Thank you. Do you want to eat a little here?”
Lady Zhao shook her head immediately, “I killed a chicken today as well. I’m going back to eat.”
Yesterday, the Village Leader’s household earned a lot of money. The Second Grandma’s household also earned three taels of silver after Lin Chunyan found kudzu roots. The family was happy and decided to celebrate with a chicken.
The thought of being able to eat meat today made Lady Zhao walk away happily.
Behind her, Lu Jiao was obviously not as chirpy as before. Lu Jiao felt despondent as she walked back to the east bedroom.
Everyone could tell right away that she was down.
The four little ones were the first to ask, “Mommy, what’s wrong?”
Before Lu Jiao could answer, Xie Yunjin opened his mouth coldly, “What did Laifu’s wife say to you?”
Laifu’s wife was Lady Zhao.