Li Xiangli could easily see through it—this Shuanzi's wife was trying to trick her into revealing a way to make money. Li Xiangli wasn't that foolish.
Shuanzi's wife, at a loss for words, stomped her foot in frustration and went back inside, feeling thoroughly embarrassed.
Back in their home, Xiaozhu lowered his head and said softly, "Mother, are you mad at me for wasting food? I know I was wrong."
Indeed, the pork cracklings were a rare treat. It was the first time Xiaozhu had tasted something so luxurious. Even the favored Guo family son, Guo Bao, only got a small bite during the New Year. Wasting such a treasure seemed unforgivable, and Xiaozhu assumed his mother would scold him.
Instead, Li Xiangli patted his head. "You didn't do anything wrong, Xiaozhu. Why are you apologizing? You did the right thing. I'd rather waste those cracklings than give them to people like that. Otherwise, they'll think you're easy to bully."
Xiaozhu looked up in shock, his eyes sparkling. "Really?"
Li Xiangli crouched down and replied earnestly, "But there's something you need to tell me truthfully."
Xiaozhu nodded immediately. "I won't hide anything from you, Mother!"
"Who taught you that method?"
Xiaozhu blinked in confusion. "I don't know... When Guo Bao pushed me to the edge, it just came to me."
Li Xiangli merely wanted to confirm. It seemed this was instinct. She smiled and said, "Alright, take your sister and go play. You didn't get many of those cracklings earlier, did you? I'll make you another bowl."
Le'er cheered instantly. "Yay!"
Li Xiangli busied herself preparing the food she'd bought the previous day. When she came to the three pieces of cotton cloth, she hesitated. In her previous life, she'd run a martial arts school. Her hands were skilled at fighting but clumsy at everything else. Even cooking was something she had learned later for a boyfriend—only for that scumbag to cheat on her. Thinking of him made her feel even worse.
Sewing was an essential skill she had to learn, though, especially with two children who needed clothes.
Resolving to figure it out, she decided to visit Aunt Chen. Leaving the children alone wasn't an option, so she brought them along.
Aunt Chen was thrilled to see them and quickly invited them inside, even serving three bowls of sugar water—a rare treat for rural families, reserved for special guests.
Le'er and Xiaozhu happily sipped the drink. "Grandma Chen's sweet water is the best!"
Aunt Chen laughed. "If you like it, come by often. Grandma Chen will make it for you!"
"Don't spoil these two little gluttons," Li Xiangli said. "Sugar isn't cheap."
"What's the harm? Why are you being so formal with me? You're the one with that precious pork belly!" Aunt Chen teased.
Li Xiangli smiled, changing the topic. After sending the children to play in the courtyard, she placed a basket on the table. "I came to ask you for help with something today, Aunt Chen."
"What is it?"
"I bought some fabric to make clothes for the kids, but I'm hopeless with needlework. Could you teach me?"
"Of course! I've been sewing at home for years. While I'm no expert, I can manage a few outfits." Aunt Chen enthusiastically began teaching her.
However, when she saw Li Xiangli's first attempt at stitching, Aunt Chen was dumbfounded. "Xiangli, your sewing..."
Embarrassed, Li Xiangli admitted, "I'm... a bit out of practice."
"I thought you'd at least have some basic skills. What girl doesn't know how to sew these days?" Aunt Chen couldn't help but chuckle at the uneven and clumsy stitches. Li Xiangli had a knack for pricking her fingers but none for threading a needle.
Blushing furiously, Li Xiangli murmured, "I might've learned once, but I must've forgotten..."
With a sigh, Aunt Chen took the fabric from her basket. "Alright, leave it to me. Your sewing skills will take a while to improve. I can't bear to see such fine cloth wasted."
Li Xiangli protested, "I couldn't possibly impose on you like that!"
Aunt Chen laughed. "I'd rather help than see you ruin these materials! Besides, I'm free most of the time. Making a few outfits is no trouble."
Deeply grateful, Li Xiangli resolved to repay Aunt Chen's kindness someday.
While Aunt Chen worked on the clothes, Li Xiangli practiced on scraps of fabric. Suddenly, she remembered Xiaozhu's earlier behavior and asked, "Aunt Chen, do you remember what kind of person Xiaozhu's father was?"
"Why are you asking me about your own husband?!" Aunt Chen laughed.
"I just... don't remember much," Li Xiangli stammered. Memories of the man were scarce, perhaps deliberately suppressed by her predecessor.
Sighing, Aunt Chen replied, "Guo Laosan? He was a good man, hardworking, and especially filial. Out of all four Guo sons, he was the most capable. But your in-laws treated him terribly and drove him to his death."
Puzzled, Li Xiangli asked, "Kind, filial, and capable? Like Brother Dazhu?"
She wanted to say, So, just an ordinary honest farmer.
Aunt Chen replied, "Better than Dazhu. He was incredibly strong, too—could do the work of two men!"
Li Xiangli rolled her eyes internally but persisted. "So, just strong?"
"What else?" Aunt Chen seemed equally confused.
Disappointed, Li Xiangli fell silent. Fine, her late husband was just a sturdy farmhand. As for Xiaozhu's wild streak—it must be some kind of genetic mutation.
Aunt Chen sighed. "If Guo Laosan were still alive, your life wouldn't be this hard. At least he'd keep food on the table."
Forcing a smile, Li Xiangli thought, thank goodness he's not alive. I couldn't handle a husband suddenly popping out of nowhere!
Her dream was to raise her children and live a wealthy life. Men? Only if they met her standards!
Disclaimer:
I am not the original author of this work. This is a translated version of the original text, shared for reading and reference purposes only. All rights to the original content belong to the original author. I do not claim ownership of the original work or its characters. This translation is intended solely for informational and entertainment purposes.