“Why are you angry? You aren’t killing anyone or setting fires.” Zhu Shun Yao was open-minded. Though he hated seeing his daughter suffer, he said, “I’ve known for a long time that An’ni has a talent for music. Since she has this gift and the chance, let her go. I don’t have such skills, so I can only hope you become capable. I’ll rely on you for my old age.”
“Talking nonsense again,” Xie Zhong spoke up first. “I haven’t even mentioned old age, and you’re already planning for it. It seems you’re older than me.”
(⊙o⊙)… Zhu Shun Yao hurriedly apologized. Indeed, one must watch the occasion when speaking.
The family was happy, and the day passed joyfully.
The third and fourth days of the lunar new year came and went quickly. Soon it was the sixth day. On this day, Zhu Guifu was hosting guests.
As the eldest daughter-in-law, Xie Xinlian had to go help early in the morning. In the Zhu family, Xie Xinlian had the best cooking skills, so she was put in charge of the kitchen. There were three tables of guests, with eight cold dishes and six hot dishes per table. However, because Xie Xinlian was pregnant, her movements were not very agile.
When stir-frying Chinese cabbage, she added a little too much oil. Gan Juhua saw this and said directly, “Don’t you know oil and rice are expensive unless you manage the house? Do you think oil is free?”
Zhu Yanyi and Zhu Yanli were originally sitting on small stools in the kitchen. Zhu Yanyi felt dissatisfied hearing this, but she did not speak up. After all, Gan Juhua’s personality was always like this, and no matter what, Gan Juhua was still her grandmother, so she stayed silent.
“Mother, I’m sorry. My body is getting heavier lately, and even my hands and feet feel clumsy.” Xie Xinlian was also unhappy in her heart. Every year when hosting guests, she was always the one cooking. Not only did she eat leftovers, but she also worked hard. It was bad enough to be tired, but she received no praise. The more Xie Xinlian thought about it, the more wronged she felt. However, this was not her own home, and it was still within the first month of the new year, so it was not good to lose her temper. She could only apologize first to let the matter pass.
“You say you can’t do anything. You’re so clumsy. What use are you?” Gan Juhua did not let Xie Xinlian off just because she apologized. If there was a chance to speak, she would speak. It was rare to find an opportunity to scold her, so she naturally continued to nag. After all, the fifth day had passed, so it didn’t matter if others heard.
“Ama, you are indeed clumsy,” Zhu Yanyi finally couldn’t stand it anymore. “Look at you, using too much oil. Grandma is worried about the waste. Since you are so clumsy, don’t hog the stove. Give it back to Grandma quickly.” Zhu Yanyi then put on a cute smile and looked at Gan Juhua. “Grandma, don’t be angry. Anger hurts the liver. I will take my Ama out now. You take your time working. We won’t disturb you.”
When Zhu Yanyi first spoke, Xie Xinlian was stunned for a moment. Hearing the rest, she knew her daughter was helping her. So, she also spoke clearly and decisively: “Then, Mother, I’ll leave this to you.”
She handed the spatula directly to Gan Juhua, then called out to Zhu Yanyi and Zhu Yanli: “An’ni, An’li, let’s go out. The kitchen is small. If we stay here, we’ll bother your Grandma.”
Hearing Xie Xinlian’s words, Zhu Yanyi praised her silently in her heart. She then pulled Zhu Yanli to Xie Xinlian’s side, and they all walked out together.
Gan Juhua did not expect Xie Xinlian to resist her. The problem was, if she said Xie Xinlian was wrong, Xie Xinlian would say she was clumsy and her skills were poor, worrying about losing face for the Zhu family, so she wouldn’t show off. If Gan Juhua admitted she was wrong, she would be shooting herself in the foot. However, with Xie Xinlian acting this way, Gan Juhua had a breath stuck in her chest that she couldn’t let out.