Chapter 165: Chapter 165

Today was a frustrating day for Zhang Lan; she failed to complain, and instead, had too many tasks to do.

Originally, she was enjoying a life where meals were ready and clothes were handed to her, with no household chores to do, and she could endlessly criticize Cai Meina and make various insinuations.

But now, she has to do everything herself, and the old man keeps complaining about how slow she is.

Zhang Lan was really annoyed, "Alright, Mom, how do you light the fire? I’ve demonstrated it again today, I think it’s just that you forgot for a moment."

Cai Meina wouldn’t keep helping Zhang Lan with the fire; people like her wouldn’t remember your help, only resent you for not doing all the work.

As soon as Cai Meina finished speaking, Zhang Lan became unhappy, "Can’t you just finish this meal?"

"Sorry, I have to help Zhan Jing with the cooking. Ni Zi and the others are eating at the Zhao Family today, can’t let them go hungry."

"Then I have to make food for me and Gong Tao."

"Mom, didn’t you say cooking for over a dozen people is no big deal? Take your time then."

"Oh, right, Mom, if you need pickled vegetables, there’s still some in the jar," Cai Meina added before heading to another room to cook.

Cai Meina couldn’t help but feel fortunate that they had built a house beforehand, avoiding cooking with Zhang Lan; otherwise, seeing what the Zhao Gang household eats, it’s hard not to feel envious.

Gong Ruini was constantly watching the next room, worried that Zhang Lan wouldn’t treat her own mother nicely, "Mom, are you okay?"

Seeing Cai Meina return, Gong Ruini asked nervously.

Although Gong Tao didn’t say anything, he kept staring at her. Earlier, the way his mother looked at his wife was terrifying. Nᴇw novel chapters are publɪshed on NoveI(F)ire.net

Seeing her child and husband looking so anxious, all her previous worries vanished, "I’m fine, I’ve already taught Mom how to cook, and by the way, told her there’s still some pickled vegetables."

Eating rice with pickled vegetables? That taste, Gong Ruini really couldn’t imagine, especially since Zhang Lan had complained many times before, saying she felt like vomiting at the sight of pickled vegetables. Why is she still eating it now?

Wasn’t there a reminder to ask Gong Dajiang to buy vegetables when he goes out?

"Buying vegetables requires coupons, and we’re not city residents, we don’t have coupons."

"Dad said he would ask around the village, but it’s expected that he might forget by now," Gong Tao was quite helpless, but at least he reminded him.

So it turns out that buying rice isn’t the only thing requiring malice, even buying vegetables needs a permit. Gong Ruini couldn’t help but feel grateful that she crossed over to the countryside, otherwise what would she do?

"Alright, let’s cook, and we’ll mooch some food and drink later," seeing his wife was fine, Gong Tao urged Cai Meina to cook, "I’ve already prepared the ingredients."

Touching his stomach, Gong Tao felt it was all shriveled, "It’s been ages since I’ve eaten meat, I even dream of eating it."

In the past, they hardly ever had a few meals with meat a month; Gong Tao didn’t know how he managed back then. How could he feel so uncomfortable not eating meat now? They were indeed a bit too indulgent before.

Gong Tao now deeply regretted, "If I had known that cooking thin porridge would make them start cooking themselves, I would have done it earlier."

Really wasted so much effort, even if occasionally having to act, it’s better than not having anything to eat at all.

Cai Meina heartily agreed, "Now is better." Thinking about having meat for dinner made Cai Meina work much faster.

Zhao Gang, seeing Gong Tao and Cai Meina cooking together, felt the atmosphere in the house was much better. The important thing was not to see that gloomy face every time he went out.

Zhao Gang really couldn’t understand, they didn’t owe Zhang Lan anything, so why did she have to give him that face?

Actually, if it weren’t for their house being more important, Zhao Gang really wanted to move here. You could hear the kids’ sounds, and his wife’s demeanor would be much better.

Zhan Jing also breathed a sigh of relief. As a woman, she was more attentive, and after hearing what Gong Tao said, she was moved and nudged Zhao Gang, "Go get some dried vegetables for Gong Tao’s parents."

Even if there weren’t any fresh vegetables, at least there were some dried ones, sending some over is a token gesture.

Send dried vegetables to Zhang Lan? Zhao Gang rejected the suggestion without a thought, "I’d rather throw them away than give them to her."

"People like that are never grateful. After eating so many meals cooked by Gong Tao, now that she has to buy rice and cook herself, there’s immediately no share for Taozi and them, only she could say such things."

"And her father isn’t any better; I don’t believe the old man could just cut them off without a word, Zhang Lan wouldn’t persist in not feeding Gong Tao and them," Zhao Gang equated the couple as birds of a feather.

"Alright, stop overthinking, if you think too much, won’t our son become a pedantic scholar when he’s out?" Zhao Gang didn’t want his wife to worry too much about unrelated people.

"With that time, why not read something to the boys."

"Didn’t you say nobody would inherit your craft? I see Guang Ran has nothing to do, teach him, and let him talk to the child in your belly," Zhao Gang knew his wife’s regret was fearing the loss of the Zhan family’s knowledge.

"When the time comes, if the child wants to inherit your craft, we’ll let him take the Zhan surname. Zhao Gang wasn’t a magnanimous person, but having four sons, one taking his father-in-law’s surname wasn’t a big deal.

Besides, if the son takes his mother’s surname, isn’t he still his son? It’d save his wife from constantly being uneasy.

Zhan Jing was actually also considering the issue of their son’s surname recently. If she had only one or two sons, she would be too embarrassed to mention it, but since this pregnancy was twin boys, Zhan Jing’s mind began to explore whether one son could take her surname.

But when she married Zhao Gang, they didn’t bring this up, now that the man mentioned it proactively, how could Zhan Jing not be overjoyed?

Zhan Jing was delighted, but Zhao Guangran was not happy, "Ah, why do I have to memorize this?" Such complicated stuff.

Zhao Guangran pointed to Gong Ruini, "Isn’t Ni Zi also memorizing? The younger ones like Ni Zi more, let Ni Zi memorize."

When it comes to putting in effort, they think of her, Gong Ruini wished she could rush over and bite Zhao Guangran a few times, knowing she wasn’t interested in this, yet he sold her out at this time, hmph, too much.

When vying for affection, why wasn’t he so proactive, "Didn’t you say you were a real brother?"

Real brother? Zhao Guangran thought about how every time he interacted with the younger ones, he felt aggrieved, "Hmph, my brothers like you the most. When I talk to them, they just ignore me."

Once or twice is fine, but after so many times, Zhao Guangran isn’t dumb. How could he not notice?

"Aren’t you the smartest, so why can’t you memorize?" Always overwhelming us, but now claiming incompetence, who would believe it?

In short, Zhao Guangran expressed that this time he couldn’t relent.