Farm Tough Girl

Chapter 152 - 152 153 Thawing a Former Enmity_1

?Chapter 152: Chapter 153 Thawing a Former Enmity_1 Chapter 152: Chapter 153 Thawing a Former Enmity_1 Madam Zhao looked at Qiao Yuanming, “Really?”

“Really,” Qiao Yuanming said.

Madam Zhao naturally believed him, because ever since he was a child, Qiao Yuanming had never dared to lie to her.

Madam Zhao snorted coldly and turned to leave, clearly upset that she didn’t get any benefit and was feeling angry—she didn’t bother about Qiao Yuanming anymore. The warm words she had for her son just moments ago seemed as if they were never spoken by her, as her mood changed faster than flipping a book.

Mrs. Ji cursed under her breath, “How dull!” and immediately rushed out. She remembered Qiao Yuanming mention that peanuts and sunflower seeds were served outside—she should make sure they weren’t all gone by now.

Qiao Yuanming watched Madam Zhao’s retreating figure, his heart brimming with bitterness. When he turned around, he saw Madam Liu not far away.

Madam Liu had been hiding and watching since the old lady began questioning Qiao Yuanming about where the good items were hidden.

When the old lady asked such a question, a tinge of anxiety gripped her heart, and she was about to step out and speak for Qiao Yuanming, afraid he would tell Madam Zhao the truth, letting her take all the good items away.

But then, Madam Liu suddenly remembered what Muniang had said to her the day before.

“I think Uncle Three is already regretting. He must have seen everything clearly by now and will be good to the children in the future,”
“Auntie, you should also give Uncle Three a chance to prove himself. It’s sad to see him always upset—I feel sorry for him.”

Madam Liu held back the impulse to rush out and just observed quietly from her hiding spot. If Qiao Yuanming truly told the old lady about the hidden treasures, then she really didn’t need to hold any hope for her husband anymore.

However, the outcome was unexpected. Qiao Yuanming actually lied to the old lady for the first time.

When Qiao Yuanming looked at Madam Liu, his face was full of surprise. Madam Liu walked over, her expression unchanged, but the aloofness in her eyes had lessened a lot, becoming tenderer, “Go out and join everyone for the snacks, the dishes will be served soon.”

These were simple words, yet they held so much difference from the past.

Qiao Yuanming nodded excitedly, his wife was finally softening towards him, “Alright, good.”

Madam Liu was about to walk away when Qiao Yuanming grabbed her hand, “Wife, I have wronged you in the past.”

Tears welled up in Madam Liu’s eyes instantly, but she held them back forcefully, her voice a bit hoarse, “Mhm.”

After that, she turned and went back to the kitchen, swallowing back her tears by force. Today was a good day; shedding tears was far from ideal.

Mrs. Du, who had sharp eyes, noticed that Madam Liu’s eyes were red and immediately asked, “What’s wrong, Madam Liu? Have you been crying? Did those Qiao family folks bully you again? Don’t worry, we, your fellow villagers, are here. We definitely won’t let you suffer any injustice, just tell me.”

As soon as Mrs. Du spoke, the women in the kitchen agreed, coming to Madam Liu’s aid as they all had a good relationship with her and naturally wanted to help her.

Madam Liu was a bit amused and exasperated, “It’s nothing, I just got some sand in my eyes.”

The crowd let it go, but Muniang, with her keen eyes, spotted the faint blush on Madam Liu’s face. She approached, lowering her voice, “Auntie, after so many years of marriage to Uncle Three, how can you still be shy?”

Muniang had only asked tentatively, but Madam Liu’s face turned even redder, “Nonsense, what are you talking about!”

Muniang then realized it was indeed the case. She made a playful face at Madam Liu, “Oh my, look at me spouting nonsense. Why is Auntie blushing now?”

Madam Liu scolded with a smile, “You little rascal, go cook the food. It’s like a pot of porridge in here, and you’re still giving me lip!”

Muniang laughed and didn’t tease Madam Liu anymore, although she didn’t know how the couple had buried the hatchet, she was genuinely happy for them.

Outside, Mrs. Ji was scolding Qiao Dalang and Qiao Lianhua, “The two of you, how can your hands move so quickly? That dish of seeds and peanuts, you managed to devour it in a blink of an eye, not even considering leaving some for me!”

The siblings lazily replied, “You just missed it yourself, and now you’re blaming us.”

But immediately, they leaned to Mrs. Ji’s ear and asked in a low voice, “Mom, how about it? Is there anything good in Third Uncle’s room?”

Mrs. Ji rolled her eyes, “He’s a pauper, what good things could he have? Didn’t you hear your Third Aunt say that this house was built borrowing money? It’s empty inside, not a fart to be found.”

The siblings sighed in disappointment, “Oh, all right then.”

Li Qinghe wanted to go help in the kitchen, but she felt like she was walking on thin ice at the Qiao family’s home. Not daring to be seen getting too close to Muniang and Madam Liu, she had to sit there obediently, feeling quite disgruntled inside.

The atmosphere among the people at the table was quite somber, until the dishes began to be served.

The eyes of the Qiao family members lit up instantly—braised pig trotters, spicy chicken cubes, and a hot pot of lamb—everything looked so appetizing!

Mrs. Ji picked up her chopsticks and reached them into the pot, eyeing the largest trotter to snag it into her bowl, but Madam Zhao slapped her chopsticks away.

Madam Zhao glared at her, “What’s the hurry? Don’t you know Yuanzhen hasn’t arrived yet? We need to serve Yuanzhen’s dish before we eat.”

With discontent, Mrs. Ji muttered, “Is it any different if we serve Fourth Brother after we’ve finished eating?”

“Will there be anything left after you’ve finished?” Madam Zhao snapped, and started picking meat from the table with her chopsticks.

The large pig trotter Mrs. Ji had her eye on was also mercilessly taken away by the grandmother, which made Mrs. Ji ache with envy.

Mrs. Ji angrily nudged Qiao Yuanshan’s arm, giving him meaningful glances. Qiao Yuanshan also felt infuriated inside, thinking how obviously biased their mother was.

“Mom, if Fourth Brother is your son, am I not?” Qiao Yuanshan complained. “Why does the good stuff always have to go to him first?”

“Can you even finish all of this?” Madam Zhao glared at him.

“Even if I can’t finish it, why does all the good food have to go to Fourth Brother? We want to eat too!”

Yet Qiao Dazhi slammed his hand down on the table, “If you can bring me a Scholar’s title, I’ll save the good stuff for you too! No good, comparing yourself with your Fourth Brother!”

Qiao Yuanshan then shut his mouth sheepishly, muttering a few words but didn’t dare to speak up any further.

On the way back, Mrs. Ji complained to Qiao Yuanshan again, “Look at how biased Dad and Mom are, treating Fourth Brother as if he’s an ancestor. We’re both their sons, but the difference is too big, isn’t it?”

Qiao Yuanshan felt the same grievance, but thinking of Qiao Yuanzhen’s future, he still said, “They say that when one man attains the Way, his poultry and dogs ascend to heaven. If Fourth Brother makes something of himself, won’t we bask in his glory too? Not to mention, if he passes the Scholar exam next year, who knows, we might even get a government position out of it. Now, if we get on good terms with Fourth Brother, wouldn’t it be like adding wings to a tiger?”

Mrs. Ji’s eyes lit up, “You’ve got a point. Next year, our Lianhua will be fifteen, just the right age for marriage. If Fourth Brother can introduce her to a son-in-law from high society, then our family will really turn around!”