C5 Wang Caifeng's Thoughts

The idyllic scene, reminiscent of a painting, was abruptly interrupted by a jarring voice nearby.

"I say, Tang Jin, your family is barely scraping by, your wife and child are on the brink of starvation, and yet you still find the time to tinker with these things."

Turning toward the source of the voice, they saw a woman in her fifties, heavyset, cracking sunflower seeds between her teeth and walking over with a look of disdain.

Xia Churan promptly greeted her with respect.

"Second aunt!"

This 'second aunt' was Tang Jin's second uncle's wife, Wang Caifeng, known in the village for her meddlesome ways.

Even at the tender age of five, Little Milk Bun sensed the mockery in Wang Caifeng's tone and quickly came to Tang Jin's defense.

"My dad's work isn't pointless. He told me it's for hauling grain!"

Little Milk Bun's voice was clear and determined, but it was met with a cold laugh.

"Hauling grain? Ha! Tang Tang, ask your dad if you even have any grain to haul."

"If it weren't for our family's generosity, lending you sweet potatoes every year, you and your mother would have starved long ago. And now you talk about hauling grain? That's laughable!"

Her chubby face quivered as she spoke, an unflattering sight.

Tang Jin had tried to ignore her, but her words brought back memories.

Wang Caifeng, indeed his aunt by blood, had never lifted a finger to help despite their proximity and shared lineage.

Her son, Tang Jin's cousin, had finished high school and was considered well-educated by village standards.

Once he graduated, the village leaders, recognizing his literacy, appointed him as the village secretary.

Since then, Wang Caifeng had adopted an air of superiority, often using her son's position to meddle and gossip about others.

Few in the village cared for her, but out of fear of her son's influence, they humored her, only fueling her arrogance.

The mention of sweet potatoes reminded Tang Jin of a difficult time when Tang Tang, at three years old, had a severe fever for days, and Xia Churan had cared for her tirelessly.

Back then, Tang Jin was a real scoundrel, completely neglecting his family responsibilities.

As Little Milk Bun's fever began to ebb, hunger set in, and she craved something to eat. Xia Churan, however, had been preoccupied with caring for Tang Tang at home and hadn't had a chance to work. With nothing left in the house, Churan had no choice but to seek help from Wang Caifeng.

Wang Caifeng's son was a secretary and had amassed quite a fortune, making her household one of the better-off in the village. Yet, when her niece-in-law approached her for assistance, Wang Caifeng did nothing but ridicule her, ultimately giving her only a few moldy sweet potatoes.

From that day on, Wang Caifeng made it a point to remind everyone that she had lent sweet potatoes to Tang Jin's family, embellishing the story with each retelling.

Tang Jin's expression grew icy, but he didn't lose his temper. Instead, he faced Wang Caifeng with a smile. "You're absolutely right, second aunt. I've been a real good-for-nothing these past years, nowhere near as admirable as my cousin. I'll strive to follow his example from now on."

With his eyes downcast and his demeanor respectful, Tang Jin took Wang Caifeng by surprise. She stared at him, momentarily doubting her own eyes. She was accustomed to being the elder, pointing fingers and doling out 'advice' that was clearly laced with sarcasm.

In the past, Tang Jin would have fiercely talked back. She would then seize the chance to label him as disrespectful. But today, he was agreeing with her. Was this the same Tang Jin?

Wang Caifeng stood there, dumbfounded by Tang Jin's response. It took her a moment to regain her haughty demeanor. "Well, it's good that you realize you're no match for my son. After all, consider who his mother is! And let me tell you, if it weren't for my son looking out for you in this village, a lazy good-for-nothing like you would've been run out long ago!"

"So, when you have some free time, light some incense at home as a gesture of thanks for the good fortune of your birth!"

After Wang Caifeng finished speaking, she waddled her plump body toward her own home.

Once Wang Caifeng was out of sight, Xia Churan's gaze shifted back to Tang Jin.

She was quite taken aback by Tang Jin's earlier demeanor towards Wang Caifeng.

After five years of marriage, she knew Tang Jin's temperament well. Normally, he would flare up if anyone spoke ill of him.

But now?

"Second Aunt spoke about you like that, and you're not upset?"

Xia Churan was increasingly puzzled by Tang Jin. Driven by curiosity, she inquired.

Tang Jin turned to her with a gentle smile and then lifted Little Milk Bun out of the stroller.

"Why get angry? If she feels like speaking her mind, let her be."

"Moreover, she does have a point. I did cause you hardship in the past, but Churan, trust me, that won't happen again!"

"I'm determined to work hard to ensure that you and Tang Tang have a better life!"

Tang Jin spoke with unwavering resolve.

Xia Churan was momentarily taken aback by his earnestness.

By the time she regained her composure, Tang Jin had already made his way into the kitchen to start preparing dinner.

In the countryside, to conserve provisions, it's common to eat just two meals a day.

However, Xia Churan and Little Milk Bun were so thin, they were practically skin and bones. Two meals a day simply wouldn't suffice. If their stomachs could handle it, Tang Jin would gladly prepare five meals a day!

He took out a piece of lean meat he had purchased that morning and gathered a few white radishes, ready to make a white radish and meat stew.

Eating radishes in winter and ginger in summer is a rural tradition, and this stew is considered one of the finest dishes.

After washing, peeling, chopping, and placing everything in the pot, the fire in the stove grew stronger, and a delicious aroma began to fill the air.

Little Milk Bun, in her growing phase, felt her stomach rumble at the scent. She perched eagerly by the stove, eyes fixed on the pot, swallowing saliva in anticipation.

And it wasn't just her; even Tang Jin, upon catching the scent, felt his stomach clench with hunger.

Despite having tasted all the world's delicacies in his past life, that was then. Now in his twenties, his appetite was at its peak.

Recently, the family's situation had improved slightly. To ensure that his wife and daughter could eat a bit more, he had been extremely frugal with his own meals.

A small bowl of rice per meal was certainly not satisfying!

The meat, however, needed more stewing; the longer it cooked, the more delicious it became.

Tang Jin stood by the pot, watching intently, his gaze mirroring Little Milk Bun's.

Churan couldn't help but smile at the sight.

At the same time, Wang Caifeng had just gotten home when she was greeted by the rich aroma of meat wafting through the air.

The scent was irresistible. Even during the New Year celebrations, most families would only indulge in a little meat on New Year's Eve.

Wang Caifeng's household was no different. Despite having a son who was a secretary and could skim off some extra perks, it was still not enough to enjoy meat regularly.

Already on the heavier side with a hearty appetite, she found the smell overwhelming.

Stepping outside, she intended to find out which neighbor was stewing meat, hoping to leverage her status as the secretary's mother to snag a bite or two.

But as she followed her nose, it led her straight to the doorstep of Tang Jin's house!