CH 148

Mo Yan wanted a willow bark flute as well, so Zhong Cheng made another one for her. She played it right next to Lu Junming’s ear, making him cover it.

“Brother Cheng, it makes me happy just thinking about living by the river.”

“Well, you can come here if you want in the future.”

They went around to the west side of the house, and sure enough, as Zhong Cheng said, no one lived on the other side. If they made a gate here, it would lead to a large field.

“If you live at the edge of the village, you should raise a dog.”

Zhong Cheng nodded, “Yeah! I think so too. My second brother’s dog just gave birth to a litter. When they’re weaned, I’ll take a puppy back to raise.”

When Zhong Cheng took them back inside, Mo Yan said, “Your eldest sister-in-law seems honest, but your second sister-in-law doesn’t seem very nice. It’d be better to make a clear separation in the future. In addition to opening a gate on the west side of the courtyard, a wall should also be added between the two houses.”

“Okay, I’ll do it in a few days.”

Zhong Cheng did not refute her words. It seemed like he also thought that his second sister-in-law wasn’t easy to get along with.

Ms. Liang and Zhong Cheng’s parents have already discussed when they should give the dowries; after reading the farmers’ almanack, they decided the 26th of this month was an auspicious day. The wedding date will have to be carefully checked, so can’t be confirmed for the time being, but in any case, it will be before the end of the year.

It had already turned noon while they were talking. Zhong Cheng’s parents started preparing lunch, and their eldest daughter-in-law came to help without saying a word, just obeying Zhong Cheng’s mother’s orders.

Their second daughter-in-law finally entered the back courtyard after the food was on the table, blaming her mother-in-law, and saying that they should’ve asked her for help if the guests were staying over for dinner.

Zhong Cheng’s two elder brothers had gone out to work and weren’t at home. If Lu Junming hadn’t come early today, Zhong Cheng would have been working too.

Zhong Cheng’s mother came over to greet them, “These are just some home-cooked dishes, I’m sorry they aren’t of a high quality.”

Ms. Liang responded with courtesies while Mo Yan asked, “Where is Zhong Cheng’s eldest sister-in-law and her two children? Why haven’t they come?”

His second sister-in-law curled her lips and said, “She has two children with her, so she can’t serve us, don’t worry about them.” After finishing speaking, she was the first one to pick up the chopsticks and reach for the stewed duck in the middle of the table.

Zhong Cheng’s mother glanced at her second daughter-in-law without saying a word. Mo Yan said, “Those two children are very cute, and I want to give them a greeting gift. Brother Cheng, please call them over!”

Zhong Cheng agreed, and after a while, his sister-in-law took her two children into the house. Mo Yan took out some copper coins from her purse and gave it to them, “I came here in a hurry, so didn’t bring anything decent. This money is for the children to buy candy.”

The second sister-in-law stretched her neck to take a look. Seeing Mo Yan turn around, she retracted her neck, but said in a strange tone, “Mother-in-law should take this money! The family hasn’t been separated yet!”

She even cared about a few dollars. The elder sister-in-law handed the money to Zhong Cheng’s mother, but she said, “Take it! Make some new clothes for the children. When Cheng’er gets married, they can’t be wearing re-tailored old clothes.”

The second sister-in-law stared at the dishes on the plate and pouted, “Mother-in-law, thank you in advance for making new clothes for us.”

Zhong Cheng’s mother finally couldn’t help but sigh and say, “You’ve only been married for a few months. It’d be a waste to make new clothes, when you won’t be able to wear them after you give birth.”

When she heard this, her face was filled with displeasure, “The children can wear new clothes, but your new daughter-in-law can’t. What’s the reason for that!”

If they were arguing like this in front of outsiders, how were they normally? Ms. Liang put down the chopsticks she just picked up, “Cheng’er, I think you should add the new gate as soon as possible. My Ling’er is spoiled at home, and might disturb your second sister-in-law.”

Mo Yan also said, “You must also have a separator wall between the houses.”

Zhong Cheng repeatedly agreed, “Don’t worry, Auntie! When Ling’er gets married, I will indulge her and I won’t let her be wronged.”

Ms. Liang looked at him with conflicting emotions, “If it wasn’t you, I would really be worried about getting my daughter married! It’s so far away, it’s not easy to check up on her.”

Zhong Cheng smiled and said, ” I have a carriage. If she wants to see you, I’ll take her.”

His second sister-in-law hadn’t swallowed her food when she said, “The carriage is used to make money. It belongs to everyone, not you alone. If you take her back to her mother’s house all the time, won’t it make no money?”

Even Mo Feng couldn’t stand this disgusting woman, “Cut it out! My mother has already said she would send a carriage for my sister as part of her dowry, so she can go back to her mother’s house conveniently.”

This time, she finally stopped talking, and the table fell silent. The eldest sister-in-law didn’t come to sit down and said she’d take the children to eat in the kitchen.

In just half a day, Mo Yan got a general understanding of the Zhong family. The only unreasonable person was the second sister-in-law, who married into the family a few months ago. Mo Ling might not necessarily suffer when they meet, but it wasn’t worth wasting her time with this kind of person.

After eating, Ms. Liang got up to say goodbye. Zhong Cheng and his parents sent them out of the gate, only returning when their carriage left eyeshot. The unreasonable woman was causing trouble in the back courtyard, “There’s no way their dowry includes a carriage. She’s just a divorced woman, talking about it will ruin our reputation.”

Zhong Cheng turned around and said, “If you find it embarrassing, let’s separate the family early! Save yourself from losing your reputation.”

She flicked her sleeves and said angrily, “In your dreams. The old men and women haven’t spoken yet! You have no right to say anything about it.”

Zhong Cheng didn’t want to argue with her, so he waved his hand and went into his courtyard, while his second sister-in-law returned to her yard.

On the way back to the village, Mo Yan said to Ms. Liang, “When they come to give the dowry, ask them to separate the family before Ling’er gets married. His second sister-in-law is an unpleasant character and there’s no telling what’s going to happen in the future.”

Ms. Liang said disdainfully, “Fortunately, your sister is not a pushover!”

“Their natal family is in the same village. We are so far away, so we can’t help her out. If something happens, she can’t do anything.”

Ms. Liang wasn’t a pushover either, but in front of her former mother-in-law and sister-in-law, she was forced to swallow her anger.

“Feng’er, today you gave us face by supporting your mother. When you mentioned the dowry carriage, the woman’s face turned green.” Mrs. Liang looked at her son and praised him.

Mu Feng took the opportunity to say, “Tomorrow I’ll become the manager at the firm.”

After hearing this, Mo Yan had another headache, “I haven’t asked you yet, what did you do with my Mengding Huangya?”

Mu Feng didn’t even know it was called Mengding Huangya, “What’s that?”

“What did you do with my tea leaves?”

“I gave it away.”

“Who did you give them to? That tea is very expensive.”

Post-translation notes: The second sister-in-law is going to be something hard to say and will also be a very annoying person in the future, like Manager Liang. Also, it seems like Mo Feng likes someone. Very interesting.