After helping kill chickens and ducks for a while, Cheng Su received several probing questions, all curious about what kind of business she was doing and how much money she was making.
Cheng Su understood the concept of not flaunting wealth and only mentioned that business was difficult to do, she didnât earn much, just managed to get by, which, of course, the others didnât believe, but since Cheng Su wasnât saying more, they couldnât do anything about it.
Talking about business led to questions about whether she was hiring, and if it would be possible for the young boys and girls at home to work for her.
This was even easier for Cheng Su to handle, as she said, "Although Qing City is bigger and more prosperous than Flower County, the truly bustling place is somewhere like Guangcheng Special District. Iâve been to Guangcheng and seen it; everyone from all over the country is heading there to strike it rich. So rather than working a minor job for me, itâs better to go to Guangcheng, where there are more development opportunities."
The person felt a bit awkward and said, "How can that be the same? At least thereâs a familiar face to look after them!"
"Youâre right about that, but if someone is going for work, isnât it all about the money? Naturally, they should go where they can earn more!" Cheng Su laughed.
The person didnât say anything further.
"Thai daughter-in-law, stop that and help with cooking. Let your aunts have a meal at home tonight," Mother Qi shouted from the kitchen.
Cheng Su responded, brushed the chicken feathers off her hands, and went over, feeling grateful to her mother-in-law. If she hadnât called her away, she would still have to deal with those aunts herself.
As she walked away, two or three people gathered around the previous speaker, whispering, "See? You just made a fool of yourself. I think this Thai daughter-in-law is pretty formidable!"
The aunt who had been speaking with Cheng Su pursed her lips and said, "Sheâs shrewd and not easy to fool."
"Stop talking about it."
Following Mother Qiâs instructions, Cheng Su rinsed the rice, cooked, and chopped vegetables. Before long, she saw her sister-in-law, Qi Fengping, being pushed in by Mother Qi.
"Everyoneâs busy, and you just lie around in the house pretending to be dead, what does that look like? Youâre lazy enough to want to fly, hurry and help your sister-in-law!" Mother Qi scolded.
"Isnât Qi Jianguo also in the house? Why donât you call him? You always play favorites," Qi Fengping grumbled.
Mother Qi sneered, "Then you, ungrateful girl, take the college entrance exam and show me. Make your mother proud, and then I wonât need you to work, and you can become a pampered miss!"
Qi Fengping huffed, "You just look down on me!" and sat down grumpily, stuffing wood into the stove.
Mother Qi cursed her a couple of times and left.
Cheng Su was slicing a bunch of pickled vegetables, intending to stir-fry them with intestines and a few chilies to make a delicious dish.
In the kitchen, it was just Cheng Su and Qi Fengping. Looking at Qi Fengpingâs round face and plump waist, Cheng Su subtly knitted her brow and casually asked, "Fengping, now that youâve not been admitted, what are your plans for the future?"
Qi Fengping rolled her eyes at her, "What plans? Iâm not Qi Jianguo, Iâll just let nature take its course!"
That sounded quite hopeless.
Cheng Su said flatly, "Why not plan? Youâre already eighteen; working, getting married, and raising a family are all your responsibilities. You should at least have some sort of plan!"
Upon hearing about marriage and children, Qi Fengping paused, and a blush spread across her face, likely accentuated by the firelight.
"Is there anyone special at school?" Cheng Su saw her shy and bashful demeanor and knew that Xiao Yun wasnât wrongâher sister-in-law had definitely started dating.
Qi Fengping snapped back to reality and snapped, "None of your business!"
Cheng Su was quite upset; she had been genuinely trying to talk and discuss things with her, but her goodwill was being taken for granted.
"Fine, I really canât do anything about it. My sister-in-law can just take care of herself!" she sneered, burying herself in cooking again.
Qi Fengping wanted to retort but saw Cheng Suâs cold face and kept silent, thinking, whatâs so special about her anyway!