Chapter 173: Chapter 173

But while Niu Yingying was cooking in the outer room, Grandma Niu’s main agenda started. First, she praised Li Xiuying as a good mother-in-law, who cares for her daughter-in-law, saying how capable she is and so on.

After the compliments, she began to speak, saying that Yingying is not in good health, didn’t eat well since she was little, which led to her frailty. If she were to work in the city, she might not be able to handle it.

Li Xiuying knew clearly in her heart that Yingying was as robust as a little calf, capable of doing two people’s work by herself. How could her mother claim she was frail? It was just her way of aiming for her job opportunity.

However, she listened without making any noise, and as Grandma Niu continued speaking, the real intentions came out.

She suggested letting Niu Zhenggang take over his sister’s job opportunity, while Niu Yingying stays at home to earn work points and serve her in-laws.

Li Xiuying was so angry she didn’t know what to say. Just at that moment, Cuihua came with her daughter, and she hurried to run out but was pulled back by Grandma Niu, who asked what she thought of the suggestion, delaying her exit.

"Mom, just don’t get into any conflict with Yingying!" Cuihua reminded, quite fond of her third brother-in-law’s wife, afraid her mother’s behavior towards the wife’s family would cause a rift.

"How could it be? Little Aunt is reasonable, and it’s her idea, not Grandma’s. Mom, stop worrying without cause!" Lin Xue said to her mother.

The three were speaking in hushed tones when the voices from the kitchen grew louder, with Grandma Niu starting to scold Niu Yingying.

All three exchanged looks and had to go out to see what was happening.

When the three went out, Grandma Niu was holding the meat bag, pointing at Niu Yingying with one hand and grumbling.

"What’s happening between the in-laws?" Li Xiuying pretended not to know and went in to ask.

"Ah... nothing, nothing. I was teaching Yingying how to work! This child is just a bit slow, it made me raise my voice..." Grandma Niu awkwardly put down the meat bag, lightly coughed, and slowly and reluctantly stepped out.

She signaled to Niu Yingying, the meaning clear, but Niu Yingying didn’t get it and looked at Cuihua instead.

"Sister, go rest inside, lunch is almost ready!" she said while quickly putting away the things Lin Xue and others brought, then carried them to the storeroom in front of everyone and locked the door.

Grandma Niu was furious and wanted to lash out but dared not, as she hadn’t settled the more critical matters yet.

"Come on, why don’t you all go in and chat! I’ll help Little Aunt cook!" Lin Xue pushed her grandma and mother towards the inner room, not forgetting to glance at Grandma Niu.

Grandma Niu had no choice but to follow along, turning back for another look at her daughter.

Yet Niu Yingying didn’t even glance at her mother.

After the three went in, Niu Yingying, embarrassed, said, "Xiao Xue, I’m sorry to have embarrassed you, my mom... she’s just that kind of person!"

Lin Xue understood Niu Yingying’s helplessness. If she went too far and drove Grandma Niu out, it wouldn’t be good for the Wang Family or her reputation, but Grandma Niu has no sense of shame, she knew that well, so she pretended to be at ease.

"Which old lady isn’t a bit unreasonable ? Little Aunt, don’t take it to heart. We’re family, no need to feel embarrassed! I’ll help you cook!" she said and moved forward.

"I’ve already made the meals, but I didn’t know you were coming today, so I made coarse grains. Shall I go get some finer grains now?" she said, intending to get grains from the storeroom.

"It’s not bad to have coarse grains occasionally, don’t bother. We’re not picky! Besides, we just had a meal not long ago!" Lin Xue stopped Niu Yingying.

Hearing Lin Xue say it’s good to have coarse grains occasionally, she was taken aback. What kind of condition is this? In times of near starvation, saying it’s fine to sometimes have coarse grains?

But her face didn’t show any of it, "Alright, then I’ll set the table, let’s have a bit together!"

Lin Xue and Niu Yingying quickly set the table, serving sorghum rice, along with a boiled sauerkraut dish and a plate of pickles with little oil.

Grandma Niu’s face fell when none of the good things from earlier were served, looking very displeased.

"Little Aunt, there are still two sausages in the meat bag I brought. Why not slice them for Grandma to taste?" Lin Xue turned to Niu Yingying.

Niu Yingying signaled to Lin Xue, meaning with her mother around, who knows what embarrassing thing she might do seeing the sausages. She didn’t dare.

At home when she was a girl, her mother treated her well, and she always thought about that home, but when she came of marrying age, her parents started calculating how to sell her for a good price. Ultimately, on her wedding day, they even forced her to get jobs for her two brothers.

She wasn’t a mayor or county head, much less a factory manager; where could she arrange jobs?

It ruined her good wedding, and from then on, whenever there was a chance, her mother would try to take something back home from her.

She felt cold-hearted towards her maternal family, who never asked how she was doing at her in-laws’, only constantly sought benefits.

"Yingying! Go slice it, your sister is back too, let’s all eat together!" Li Xiuying also spoke.

Niu Yingying had no choice but to slice the sausages and return.

As she expected, once the sausages were on the table, Grandma Niu picked up the plate.

"Dear in-law, sister-in-law! There are two little ones at home who haven’t smelled meat for ages, can I take these sausages home for them to try?"

She shamelessly picked it up, making it hard for Li Xiuying to grab it back, and Cuihua said nothing, still smiling.

"Fine, let Yingying wrap it up for you to take for the kids when you leave!" Li Xiuying said, not changing her expression, "Alright! Let’s all eat! Come, Yingying, sit here with Mom!"

Seeing Yingying’s face pale, she quickly called her over, shaking her head to signal her not to provoke her mother.

Li Xiuying’s gesture made Grandma Niu even more bold, "In-law, I also saw some pastries and candies brought earlier! Couldn’t you give me some to take home? You don’t know, the kids at home are so skinny, like skin and bones, and crying from hunger every night!" she said with a face full of pity, making anyone believe her. Latest content publıshed on 𝕟𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕝⚑𝕗𝕚𝕣𝕖⚑𝕟𝕖𝕥

"Mom, enough! Those are brought by sister-in-law as a filial gift for the in-laws, how can you ask for them? Hurry and eat!" Niu Yingying couldn’t help but say something to her mom.

Lin Xue just frowned slightly, not saying anything powerful, just watching quietly.

Having just eaten breakfast not long ago, she didn’t have much appetite either, just sitting there, same with Cuihua.

Li Xiuying did eat a couple of bites but helplessly shook her head looking at Grandma Niu, not knowing how to handle such a person, it gave her a headache, seeing Yingying and her mom getting irritated, she didn’t know what to do.

"Grandma, the children going hungry is the adults’ fault, that’s no reason to go asking things from others! The pastries, sweets, meat, and grains, they’re all for my grandma and grandpa, you have no reason to take them away!" Lin Xue spoke up.

She knew Little Aunt wasn’t siding with her mom, which made things easier, letting her run rampant?