Chapter 198: 198 Couple Managing Daily Life

By the riverbank in Huinan Village, after three or four years, there are now about a dozen households. Along the riverbank, they form a long row connecting to Huinan Village.

The farthest house from the village is still the new home of Zhu Zicheng and Wang Zhaodi.

The previous shabby house has become a woodshed, storing various items. Right beside it stands the newly built large red-brick house with a tiled roof.

Three main rooms, with the old shabby house on the left, and the newly built large kitchen on the right. A high wall encircles a large courtyard, ensuring safety and security. Several rows of vegetable beds are inside the courtyard, most of which are barren at this season. Only one row of green vegetables is currently growing in the field.

Inside the kitchen, a little boy of around three is munching happily on a roasted sweet potato, his small chubby hands and mouth ringed with black ash. His little flower-like face has a pair of big, shiny eyes, blinking adorably.

“Sizzle…pop, pop…” A bowl of peanuts is poured into the oil pan, filling the kitchen instantly with a tempting aroma.

The little boy twitches his nose, speeds up his chewing, his eyes fixated on the stove.

Wang Zhaodi nimbly stirs the peanuts in the pan, preventing them from burning.

Soon, the peanuts change color, their aroma intensifying. She scoops them out and pours them into a basin, sprinkles salt, and tosses the peanuts, ensuring every single one gets salted.

“Mom, mom, the sweet potato’s finished. I want…to eat…”

Wang Zhaodi turns and looks down to find her son’s little black hands tugging at her pants, a suspicious yellow blotch, likely from the sweet potato?

His upturned little flower face is full of an ingratiating smile, looking at her eagerly, utterly adorable.

“Zhu Zheng, remember to wash your hands after eating. How many times does mom have to teach you?” Wang Zhaodi speaks through gritted teeth as she looks at her stained pants, yet there’s little anger or blame in her expression.

The little guy sees mom about to get angry, glances at her pants, realizing he did something wrong, and quickly says, “Mom, I’ll go wash now.” He dashes away, a little smart aleck and a little glutton.

Zhu Zheng runs to the small water cylinder in the courtyard, stretches on tiptoe to wash his hands, and then quickly runs back to the kitchen, raising his two paws to show Wang Zhaodi, and foolishly smiles, “Mom, cleaned up, want to eat…”

Wang Zhaodi looks at him, still with that little flower face, and helplessly yet affectionately smiles, scooping half a bowl of peanuts with a small bowl and putting it into his little chubby hand, “Take it, eat it; careful, it’s hot…”

Married for over four years, with a three-year-old son, lively and cute, a progressive husband providing for the family, new house completed, life is pleasant; everything is so dreamlike good, she didn’t expect she could have such a good life.

Though there are still some unpleasant family issues, her mindset over the past two years has become much more peaceful, and she has grown much more rounded.

“Zhaodi, are you home?” Someone calls from outside the courtyard.

Wang Zhaodi was about to wash the pan. Hearing the call, she quickly puts down the dipper, wipes her hands on her apron, and goes to open the door.

“Coming…” Walking out of the kitchen, she sees standing at the courtyard gate is a cousin-in-law from the Zhu family, “Sister-in-law, please come in.” Wu Min’s husband works at the steel factory, and she wonders what news she’s brought today.

Knowing Wang Zhaodi is the daughter of the Wang Family, Wu Min’s husband always returns to share any news he hears about them at the factory.

Inviting her into the living room, Wu Min accepts the tea Wang Zhaodi offers, unceremoniously sipping it and saying, “What are you cooking at home? Smells so good.”

“Salted peanuts, I’ll get some.” Wang Zhaodi smiles and asks her to wait, turns around, and her smile fades a bit as she quickly heads back to the kitchen. She scoops out half a bowl with a bowl, carries it into the living room, and smiles, “Try some, sister-in-law.”

“Oh, then I won’t be polite.” Wu Min’s smile narrows her eyes into slits, grabs a handful, tosses them into her mouth, chews a few times, and praises, “Mmm, sister-in-law, your cooking skills are amazing; everything you make is delicious.”

Wang Zhaodi shyly smiles, “Sister-in-law, you’re too kind. It’s just fried peanuts; any married woman can do it. Sister-in-law, your white-cut chicken is truly exceptional.”

Wu Min, pleased by the compliment, laughs, “You’re flattering me; that’s just my signature dish. I came today with some good news: yesterday, my husband, Old Zhu, mentioned your siblings are back.”

After going back and forth with trivial gossip, Wang Zhaodi finally hears the purpose of the visit, and the news leaves her stunned for a second.

Just a second, she regains her smile, “Really? That’s great. When Zicheng returns, we should go visit. Oh my, my siblings are quite accomplished. Both joined the military; that’s honorable.”

She’s no longer the old Wang Zhaodi, wearing a smile while saying insincere words, without feeling out of place.

Time is the best whetstone; her sharp edges have been smoothed over and rounded through countless arguments, cold wars, compromises, and reconciliations.

“That’s certainly the case.” Wu Min says with a sneaky air, “Go home and inquire. My younger brother, you’ve met him, how about introducing him to your sister; do you think it’s suitable?”

“That? I need to ask at home to know, not sure what my dad has planned.” Wang Zhaodi smiles a bit forcedly; Wu Min is quite daring. With her younger brother’s monkey-like appearance, hehe… Her proud sister being interested would be surprising.

With a smile, seeing Wu Min off, Wang Zhaodi feels drained, plopping herself down on the doorstep, watching her son chasing chicks in the courtyard, lost in thought.

Her younger siblings, the twins spoiled by her parents, have really become successful now.

During the first two years of her marriage to Zhu Zicheng, they had many arguments over family issues. After their son was born, things gradually improved. They both made efforts to compromise for the family’s sake, finally finding the best way to coexist.

And she’s finally learned to say the right things depending on whom she’s facing.

Returning home is a must. The past two years have been rewarding; with a brother-in-law as a factory director, her life at her in-laws improved significantly, and her relations in the village have gotten three points better.

Even though their home is so remotely placed, people still visit from time to time.

Several sisters-in-law from her husband’s side sometimes even flatter her a bit. Although her mother-in-law remains unsatisfied, she’s stopped always finding fault, her attitude has improved greatly, although sometimes still speaking with double meanings.

In the evening, when Zhu Zicheng returns, Wang Zhaodi recounts the matter, and predictably, he instantly says, “What are we waiting for? Pick up some things; let’s go…”

“Right now?” Wang Zhaodi hesitates a bit.

“Of course, Jia Bao and them are probably only here for a few days, might leave any day now. Today’s as good a day as any.” Zhu Zicheng places their son on the front seat of the bicycle, Wang Zhaodi on the back seat, and off they go…

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep