Rebirth: My Dear Little Wife Is So Scheming

Chapter 144 - 144 144 Mooching Meals

?Chapter 144: Chapter 144: Mooching Meals Chapter 144: Chapter 144: Mooching Meals Bai Yue returned to the front courtyard and said to Bai Xiao, who was washing her face, “The pigs are doing well again! No wonder people say Uncle Wang’s family has a way with pig farming; they really are remarkable. Just yesterday, all of them were sprawled on the ground, but today they’re hopping around and eating.” When the pigs recovered, Bai Yue’s spirits lifted as well.

“Sis, since everyone across ten villages and eight townships says Uncle Wang’s family has the knack, their years of experience raising pigs must surpass that of the average person. But Sis, have you really thought it through? This is just the first hurdle. Pig farming is risky, and until the pigs are sold, you won’t have peace of mind. Constantly worrying is no small burden. I originally suggested that you join me in the city and start a small business. With three sons to back us up, we could run any stall without fear of being bullied. But now you’re into pig farming, and it’s not a short-term undertaking. You should consider it carefully,” Bai Xiao still favored her sister following her advice.

Bai Yue gave a wry smile, “I’ve started raising these pigs now; I can’t just abandon the endeavor halfway. Whether it turns out good or bad, I have to raise them until the end. Even if pig farming doesn’t work out, I believe selling these five pigs at the end of the year, after covering our food and drink expenses, should still leave us better off. By that time, another year will have passed, and if it really doesn’t work out, I can still join you in the city later. It wouldn’t be right to sell the piglets just a couple of days after buying them; quitting halfway isn’t how you do things in life.

Don’t worry, I’ve seen things more clearly now. Used to think that as long as I could raise pigs or chickens, I could survive. But after this sickness among the pigs, I’ve realized the old saying is right: ‘A house with a wealth of possessions, yet animals don’t count towards that wealth.’ If it doesn’t work out, you go ahead and get settled this semester, suss out the market, and when I come, there will be someone I can rely on.”

Bai Xiao was astonished, not expecting Bai Yue to have had so many realizations in just one night.

“Alright, big sister, then I’ll go settle down in the provincial capital first, and wait for you and the three boys to come.”

The sisters hadn’t finished tidying up when they set the breakfast table. Bai Xiao had made cornmeal mush, along with salty vegetables and Shuanghe flour steamed buns, when someone came to the door.

It turned out to be their younger aunt, Hao Fang, who they hadn’t seen for a long while since the last meeting. Both sisters were startled at her appearance.

It had only been a bit over a week, yet she looked noticeably thinner, darker, and gaunt, as if a gust of wind could blow her over.

Upon entering, Hao Fang saw the dining table and plopped herself down, “Eating, are you? I’ve come at just the right time. What’s this delicious-looking food? Let your aunt take a few bites too; I haven’t even had breakfast yet.” Her shamelessness was indeed profound; she didn’t wait for anyone else to speak, just grabbed the chopsticks and bowl and began devouring the cornmeal mush as if she hadn’t eaten in days.

Bai Yue, feeling helpless, thought to herself that after all, this was her own aunt; she couldn’t just fall out with her over a meal.

Seeing the situation, Bai Xiao didn’t say a word but stuffed a Shuanghe flour steamed bun into each person’s hand from the basket. She had made enough for one each, “Everyone sit down and eat!” Otherwise, Hao Fang might eat up all their food in no time.

Hao Fang reached out to grab more buns from the basket, only to see it was already empty.

She smacked her lips and called out, “Yue, hand your aunt a bun, will you? This runny bowl of cornmeal porridge won’t fill me up!”

Bai Yue was just about to get up to fetch one from the kitchen.

Bai Xiao spoke up, “Aunt, we don’t have our own land. Every meal consumed means one less in storage, unlike at your home. If you’re still hungry, you can go back and eat. We can’t afford to feed you.” She had to speak up; given her big sister’s thin skin, their aunt would definitely have her fill here if Bai Xiao stayed silent.

Why should she?

Bai Xiao was, of course, clear about one thing: Hao Fang’s current appearance, resembling a dog that has lost its home, must definitely be the work of Old Lady Li Chunhua. The old lady was likely repaying the mistreatment she suffered at the hands of Hao Fang back in the day. Bai Jianguo’s household must be suffering recently, because with Li Chunhua’s resourcefulness, she had been very capable of dealing with herself in the past. Now, the old lady was probably racking her brains figuring out how to torment Bai Jianguo’s family.

Thus, Hao Fang had brought this upon herself, and she deserved it. When Bai Jianguo’s family and Li Chunhua were tormenting her together in their past life, no one sympathized with her. In this life, she certainly wouldn’t sympathize with this woman. Isn’t it said that what goes around comes around, and now she has finally set them against each other.

If she opened her mouth today and Hao Fang tasted the sweetness of charity, she would probably show up at their house around mealtimes to mooch a meal in the future. Bai Yue just didn’t have the means to feed another mouth.

Hao Fang grumbled discontentedly, “Bai Xiao, why are you so petty? It’s just a piece of bread. If you won’t eat it, then you won’t eat it. Just give me another bowl of that corn porridge.”

Bai Xiao slapped her chopsticks down, “No! Auntie, if you have something to say, say it. And if you don’t, then you better hurry back home. We don’t have the spare time to chat with you here. Your house has stored grain; our house is still trying to figure out how to scrap together a meal or else we’ll starve to death.”

Hao Fang felt awkward. She could brush off anyone else, but when it came to Bai Xiao, for some reason, she always felt guilty. This damn girl had become very formidable now, and she couldn’t afford to provoke her.

She cursed Bai Xiao a million times over in her heart, but she also knew that with Bai Xiao here, there was no chance she could mooch a meal. That old witch at home was very strict now, not only making her busy around the house all day but also ruling that everyone had to eat in her room at mealtimes.

All the food at home was locked in the cupboard, with the old lady holding the key. At every meal, the old lady would open the cupboard with the key and allow her to scoop only as much as she was permitted. The old lady was very stingy now, absolutely not allowing for extra at any meal.

When a meal was served, the old lady filled her two grandsons’ bowls to the brim, Bai Jianguo managed to get a decent full bowl, but when it came to her, it was just the bottom of the bowl, clear and watery at that. As for bread and dry rations, the old lady handed them out, one per person, long ago, and she never got her share.

Hao Fang was also starving, hoping to sneak a few bites while cooking in the kitchen, but the old lady was too shrewd for that. She would sit in the kitchen and watch her while she worked. If she dared to sneak a bite, the old lady’s walking stick would not spare her, and she would be facing a brutal beating without end.

After three days, she had become so hungry that she lost a ring of weight and had no energy left in her body.

Hao Fang wanted to complain to Bai Jianguo, but Bai Jianguo was uncomfortable as well. His own mother didn’t even care for him anymore, not allowing him to eat his fill at meals. At most, he could only manage to eat half-full, so he wasn’t in the mood to deal with Hao Fang.

The couple finally felt the headache, as the old lady was determined to make their lives miserable.

Bai Jianguo couldn’t say or do anything either. After all, the possessions in the house belonged to the old lady. They had no choice but to endure, lacking the confidence that they could step out the door and not be subjected to the old lady’s tyranny.

Even the lands were mostly in the old lady’s name. Bai Jianguo and his wife’s own land only amounted to two acres—not nearly enough to feed their family of five. The rest, whether it be the land from Bai Elder or left by the grandfather, was firmly in the old lady’s hands.

Even if it came to discussing things with the village, it was understood to belong to the old lady. Now, if he left, he would probably not even have enough for a half-full belly, not to mention the lack of a house or money.

Bai Jianguo could only endure obediently; what more about Hao Fang.