Transmigrated as an Unwanted Ugly Girl

Chapter 532: Chapter 277: Sister-in-law (2)

Zhang Huai said angrily, ”You’ve got some nerve. We’re from the same village, yet you don’t even know to let others eat first. What’s the big rush to grab a seat? No wonder nobody wants to work with you. Are you still not leaving? Even if you’ve eaten, shouldn’t you be helping clear the bowls? What are you doing just sitting here?”

Just as Li Changxing was about to speak, Juhua called out, ”Changxing, should I go get Zhuzi? Sanshun, Changyu, are you all planning to stay here? Fine, I’ll go prepare some late-night snacks for when you get hungry later.”

Hearing this, Li Changyu nearly choked on a melon seed. He coughed a few times and waved his hands dismissively. ”Juhua, I’m leaving right now. No need for snacks. When I come back in a few days, you and your sister-in-law can treat me to a meal.”

The moment Li Changxing heard Juhua mention Zhuzi, he threw down his melon seeds and pulled Big Mouth Zhao to his feet. ”Let’s go, time to clear the bowls,” he said as they left. ”Juhua, we were just taking a quick break from all the work. There’s actually still a lot to be done outside.”

Seeing that Juhua had driven them all out, Qingmu just smiled and shook his head. He shot Liu Yunlan a reassuring glance, then pulled Liu Sanshun up and followed them outside. As soon as they were gone, Liu Sixun and the other younger boys all scrambled out. Before leaving, Little Shitou made a face at Juhua, which earned him a raised fist in return.

After the feast, the guests began to leave in waves. Only those who lived far away and the closest relatives stayed the night at the Zheng Family’s home.

Juhua’s family had spent several days in a whirlwind of excitement and hard work, pouring all their energy into the event. Once the guests gradually departed, everyone felt utterly exhausted. Juhua, in particular, couldn’t take it anymore. She groggily went off to bed, not caring about the remaining arrangements or cleanup.

She awoke from a deep, sound sleep to a rosy sky outside her window. She lingered lazily in bed, gazing at the gauze canopy overhead. ’Just a few years ago, I’d open my eyes to a thatched roof,’ she thought. ’Now I’m sleeping in this beautiful, carved wooden bed with its old-world charm.’ She could already hear voices outside—her mother and the others were already up.

’Sigh. Parents are always the most hardworking. They’d never shirk their duties and sleep in like me. Even if they were bone-tired from yesterday, they’d still struggle to get up early today to manage everything. We still have guests, after all, and the new daughter-in-law has to serve tea this morning!’

Hearing the cacophony of crowing roosters and barking dogs outside, Juhua gritted her teeth and crawled out of her warm blankets. Shivering, she pulled on her cotton-padded clothes and shoes, then stepped out of her room.

She saw her grandmother, Mrs. Wang, beaming as she carried a large basin of chicken feed toward the bamboo grove, calling ”CLUCK CLUCK CLUCK” to the chickens. Her father and brother were moving tables, chairs, and benches from the main hall into the courtyard—all borrowed items that needed to be sorted and returned. Her two great-aunts were in the kitchen, helping to clean up the pots, bowls, ladles, baskets, and bamboo strainers, sorting everything by the marks on them so they could be given back. At the stove, her mother, Mrs. Yang, was already bustling about, with Liu Yunlan lending a hand. Her maternal aunt, Ms. Zhang, was tending the fire beneath the stove.

The scene left Juhua dumbfounded. ’Why do I feel like a guest in my own home?’

Her aunt, Ms. Zhang, peeked out from behind the stove. ”I knew you’d be worn out, Juhua,” she said with a smile. ”You were practically falling asleep on your feet yesterday. Why not sleep a little longer? It’s still early. Your sister Yunlan is the new bride, so of course she has to be up early. But you’re the sister-in-law; you can just wait for her to serve you tea.”

Juhua chuckled. ”Listen to you, Auntie! Is being a new bride that pitiful? Yunlan, our family isn’t that formal. If you’re tired, you should get some more rest. I plan on going to bed early again today. I’ll need a few days to get my energy back.”

Liu Yunlan was in the middle of sprinkling chopped dried vegetables into a pot of congee. Her hand froze, and her face flushed red all the way to her ears. She didn’t dare turn to look at Juhua, only managing a soft ”mm-hm” in response.

Juhua didn’t pay it any mind and went to fetch water to wash up. Her aunt, Ms. Zhang, watched Yunlan’s awkwardness and pressed her lips together to hide a smile. Mrs. Yang was also quite amused.

After the new bride served tea, the family all sat down together for breakfast.

Juhua was very pleased with this. ’Humble families like ours are the best,’ she thought. ’We’re not fussy about formalities; we just care about good fortune. If this were a wealthy household, who knows what kind of elaborate ceremonies they’d dream up. Qingmu’s wedding was only a bit grander this time because our family isn’t as poor as we used to be. In the past, we’d just bring the bride home, have them bow, and that would be that. Who had the spare cash or time for all the fuss?’

A festive atmosphere still lingered in the air, and everyone at the breakfast table was wreathed in smiles.

Qingmu kept glancing over at his new wife, offering her little smiles. He pointed out which pickled vegetables Juhua had made and which their mother had made, all to help her feel less reserved.

Liu Yunlan nodded with a smile, her heart filled with joy at how attentive he was. She looked around the table. ’Of course there’s Juhua—I’ve always felt close to her—but even my father-in-law and her grandmother are so kind.’ And so, she mustered her courage and joined in the lighthearted conversation.

Qingmu was radiant, and Liu Yunlan’s eyes shone like limpid pools. The couple’s shy happiness seemed to be infectious, making even Juhua feel warm inside. She was too embarrassed to stare at her brother and sister-in-law, though. Today they had a special charm, as brilliant as newly opened blossoms and as vibrant as rice paddies in full flower.

After breakfast, Qingmu had to go with his father to return all the borrowed utensils and equipment. He spoke softly to Liu Yunlan, ”You and Juhua can clean up the kitchen together. The borrowed bowls and chopsticks need to be returned, and the leftovers need to be sorted out. If there’s too much to eat, give some to the neighbors. Um, and if... if you’re tired, just rest. Juhua won’t mind.”

At first, Liu Yunlan listened intently, but by the end of his speech, she couldn’t stop a blush from spreading across her face. She shook her head, not daring to look at him. ”I know,” she whispered. ”You go on and get to your work.”

Seeing her charming shyness, Qingmu’s heart skipped a beat. He wanted to say more, but the words wouldn’t come. He stood there, dazed for a moment, before finally saying, ”Well, I’m off then. Don’t worry about anything. My parents and Juhua are all very good people. Just make yourself at home.” With that, he turned and walked away.

He’d only taken two steps before it hit him. ’What did I just say? So stupid! Isn’t this her home now?’ He glanced back sheepishly. Sure enough, Liu Yunlan was watching him with an amused smile. He could only offer a silly grin in return.