Reborn in the Eighties as a Housewife with a Space

Chapter 1777: Chapter 1771: Shopping

“Hello, sister-in-law. Nice to meet you, and I look forward to your guidance.” Qin Xue smiled and responded to Xiao Zhi’s words, pretending not to notice the scrutiny and probing in her gaze.

She hadn’t done anything she felt guilty about, so she wasn’t bothered by being looked at. It’s just that Xiao Zhi’s gaze seemed a little too much. It made Qin Xue feel somewhat displeased—was this woman called Xiao Zhi also one of those ‘white lotus’ types?

Qin Xue quietly withdrew her gaze and her comment inadvertently made things awkward. Xiao Zhi had said she had long admired her reputation, while Qin Xue replied it was their first meeting. This implied Xiao Zhi clearly knew about her past, yet still used that remark to insinuate something. Qin Xue’s reply turned it back on her.

The awkwardness of such an outcome was palpable. Even Qin Fifth Aunt and Qin Dalang merely glanced at Xiao Zhi without saying anything. This was typical of Xiao Zhi—she lacked tact when speaking, not just in casual conversations but with everyone she met. No one could deal with her without pushing back a bit.

“Dalang, is there something you two came over for?” Qin Fifth Aunt asked her nephew.

“Not much, really. Xiao Zhi said she’s craving something to eat and wants some pickled vegetables. So we thickened our skin to come ask Aunt for some,” Qin Dalang explained. It was because his wife was pregnant that he could muster the courage to do this; otherwise, he wouldn’t have come.

But seeing Qin Xue here made him hesitate less. Initially, he didn’t want to say it, but Xiao Zhi pinched him from behind, and the words just slipped out.

Qin Xue pretended not to notice the little interaction between them. Whatever they did had nothing to do with her—she only cared about having a clear conscience.

Qin Dalang genuinely felt uncomfortable. He hadn’t expected Qin Xue to be here. Even though he managed to say the words, he still felt uneasy inside.

If it weren’t for his wife being pregnant, he would never have asked like this—it felt humiliating.

His family was also farming, yet here they were asking food from someone else’s household. No matter who it was, it didn’t sit well.

“Sure, wait a moment. Let me feed the chickens and wash my hands, then I’ll prepare some for you. Our Moli also craves sour food because of her pregnancy, so I’ve made quite a lot,” Qin Fifth Aunt said. Her daughter-in-law liked eating it, so she had made plenty. And since it stored well, she didn’t have to worry about it going bad—it was easy to just take some out whenever anyone wanted to eat.

“Thank you, Aunt.” Qin Dalang and his wife expressed their gratitude to Qin Fifth Aunt.

They had initially thought she might be annoyed, but she agreed so readily that it eased a lot of their awkwardness.

“Fifth Aunt, I’ll head back now. Let me know after you’re done, and I’ll come get it.” Qin Xue didn’t want to stand around awkwardly, staring back and forth with them. She’d rather go back and wait instead.

“Qin Xue, no need. Just wait here for a bit; I’ll go fetch it quickly.” To be honest, Qin Fifth Aunt didn’t want Xiao Zhi hanging around their house any longer. Who knows what she’d end up eyeing next? Most of what they had at home needed to be reserved for her pregnant daughter-in-law, Moli. It wasn’t that she was stingy about sharing, but their household didn’t have much extra to give.

With a pregnant woman at home, their circumstances were already tight. If they didn’t manage things carefully, there really wouldn’t be enough to help Moli nourish her body.

When Qin Xue came by, she had money to buy things. She could barter or trade. But Xiao Zhi and her husband just wanted things for free—they came asking again and again. It left Qin Fifth Aunt feeling annoyed; she simply didn’t want to deal with the pair anymore.

In the past, Dalang had been a good person. But ever since marrying Xiao Zhi, it seemed like he wasn’t himself anymore. This had gradually made Qin Fifth Aunt feel increasingly displeased with him.