Chapter 524: Who is the Happiest?
Chapter 524: Who is the Happiest?
Zhao Cheng Lei and Jiang Xia, accompanied by their children, strolled through the market, purchasing various snacks they craved and an abundance of mountain produce, including mushrooms, wild vegetables, and traditional Chinese medicinal herbs such as Polygonum cuspidatum, Hedgehog Day, Bull Force, Five-Fingered Peach, and Mao Gen.
Zhao Cheng Lei bought some for each of his brothers to carry.
With the Dragon Boat Festival just over ten days away, the market also offered an abundance of Zongzi leaves, beans, and glutinous rice for sale.
Jiang Xia, upon seeing the Zongzi leaves, felt a craving for Zongzi. She gently shook Zhao Cheng Lei's hand and asked, "Should we buy some Zongzi leaves to make Zongzi when we get back?"
"Sure," he replied.
Zhou Wenguang enthusiastically joined in, "Little Uncle, buy more! We also want to eat Zongzi!"
Zhou Ying added, "I want to eat Zongzi too!"
Jiang Xia suggested, "Then let's make Zongzi this afternoon."
Zhou Wenzu chimed in, "Auntie, Zongzi tastes best with plenty of meat. Let's buy some meat!"
Zhou Wenyao agreed, "Yes, the meat should be fatty and large for the best taste! We must add more meat!"
Zhou Wenzu gestured with his hand, "The fatty meat should be this big!"
Zhao Cheng Lei glanced at the meat, which was already the size of a fist, and laughed in exasperation, "You're the one who knows how to eat!"
Jiang Xia surveyed the market and chose a stall selling Zongzi leaves, which were large and green.
Zhao Cheng Lei promptly bought all the Zongzi leaves from that stall.
The stall owner tied them up with straw ropes, forming two large bundles.
Zhou Wenguang eagerly picked up the bundles.
Zhao Cheng Lei handed him the car keys, saying, "Put them in the trunk first."
"Okay!" Zhou Wenguang excitedly took the keys and carried the bundles to the car.
Zhou Zhou asked curiously, "Auntie, what is bamboo tube rice?"
Jiang Xia explained, "It's rice cooked in a bamboo tube. You'll see how it's made when it's done."
Zhou Wenzu exclaimed, "I want to eat it too! Little Uncle, I'll help you cut bamboo when we get back!"
"I want to eat it too! I'll also go cut bamboo!" the other children chimed in.
Zhao Cheng Lei said, "If you help carry things diligently, I'll make some for you when we get back."
"Yes!" the children replied enthusiastically.
Zhao Cheng Lei supported Jiang Xia as they continued shopping, buying a cage of old pigeons, a basket of quail eggs, and a bottle of sandy crab juice. He asked the children to carry the lighter items.
At the animal section, Zhou Zhou wanted to raise a cat, while Zhou Ying desired a dog.
The brothers, Guangzong Yaozu, also wanted to raise dogs.
Zhao Cheng Lei asked Jiang Xia, "Do you want to raise any?"
Jiang Xia had no objections, "I'm fine with whatever."
Zhao Cheng Lei allowed the children to choose a cat and a dog to buy.
The siblings visited every stall selling animals, deliberating for a long time before finally making their selections.
They chose a white Chinese rural cat and a yellow Chinese rural dog.
After purchasing the cat and dog, they had been shopping for over an hour. Zhao Cheng Lei, concerned about Jiang Xia's fatigue, decided to skip further browsing and take them to a restaurant for a meal before heading home.
The children were overjoyed! Exploring the market was already enjoyable, but doing so with their beloved uncle and aunt made the experience doubly delightful! Their uncle and aunt always fulfilled their requests.
They all managed to buy the items they desired.
Upon returning home, Zhou Cheng Lei invited Zhou Chengsen to take a few children to cut bamboo.
Jiang Xia went upstairs for a nap, but Tian Caifua rushed upstairs and pulled her aside, whispering, "Do you know that Asen and Li Xiuxian are getting a divorce?"
Jiang Xia nodded, "I know."
Tian Caifua was shocked, "My goodness, do you know that Li Xiuxian has a man outside? I thought she was just lazy, I didn't expect her to be so bold! Mom is so angry she can't even eat lunch!"
When Li's family came knocking, Zhou Mu argued with them, and some villagers happened to pass by, overhearing parts of the conversation.
Zhou Bingqiang's wife, from the neighboring house, was so eager to eavesdrop that she practically pressed her ear against the compound wall.
She heard the most!
As soon as Li's family left, she rushed out to spread this earth-shattering news.
Soon, people came to ask Tian Caifua if she knew anything.
Tian Caifua hurried over, shocked that it was true.
By now, the entire village probably knew.
Jiang Xia shook her head, "Second brother only mentioned the divorce, but not the reason. Let's not talk about it anymore, Mom will get angry each time she hears it!"
Tian Caifua nodded, "How can we not be angry? Li Xiuxian is shameless! Asen still has to work!"
Tian Caifua shared more with Jiang Xia, "I heard she's already pregnant! But how can Asen tell if the child is from our Zhou family or the other man? How did he know it wasn't Li Xiuxian's child? It must be someone else's child."
Jiang Xia remained silent, having no interest in listening to her gossip.
Jiang Xia felt a hint of schadenfreude.
She glanced at Zhou Fu, silently weaving a fishing net, and Zhou Mu, whose eyes were red. Jiang Xia felt the need to remind Tian Caifua to avoid upsetting Zhou Fu and Zhou Mu. She said, "Sister-in-law, please stop. It's one thing for outsiders to gossip, but for us, as family, to discuss this behind their backs is wrong. How do you think Second Brother and Yingying would feel if they heard this? What about Mom and Dad? In times like these, we should present a united front. When asked, we should respond that we don't know anything. If we keep responding that way, people will stop asking, and this matter won't be discussed anymore."
Jiang Xia added another of Zhou Fu's wise sayings, "When a family is united, life will get better."
In the past, Jiang Xia's words would have displeased Tian Caifua, but not anymore!
Jiang Xia was her lucky charm, and whatever she said was right, "You're right! Harmony brings wealth! Unity is strength! Don't worry, I won't spread this. From now on, if anyone speaks ill of Second Brother in front of me, I'll scold them to death! It's all Li Xiuxian's fault!"
She didn't mention her brother-in-law, only Li Xiuxian.
Tian Caifua was delighted that she no longer had to be a sister-in-law to Li Xiuxian, feeling like a liberated serf.
She was genuinely happy!
Tian Caifua had another thought and excitedly said, "Oh, after Asen's divorce, there won't be anyone to take care of him and Yingying. I'll introduce him to someone tomorrow. My hometown has many good girls! I'll find him someone hardworking, capable, and able to bear sons! I'll find him a virtuous maiden who will get pregnant right away, not much slower than Li Xiuxian! That'll show her!"
Jiang Xia: "..."
The next day, early in the morning, Zhou Chengsen finished breakfast and headed to the Civil Affairs Bureau.
(End of Chapter)
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