Uncle Tang had indeed lost fifty yuan playing cards last month. He hadn't expected Xue Yuantong to expose it right to his face.
The atmosphere suddenly turned awkward. Uncle Tang pinched a fried broad bean between his fingers; he had already raised his hand to eat it, but now he could neither eat it nor put it down.
Xue Chuchu sensed Uncle Tang's embarrassment and took the initiative to ease the tension. "Losing fifty yuan at cards is normal. Some people in our village lose several hundred in one go. Now that's what you call not knowing how to cherish money."
Uncle Tang fell silent again.
Xue Yuantong said, "During the New Year, Uncle Tang lost more than five hundred."
Xue Chuchu's face stiffened in embarrassment.
Uncle Tang quietly left. He was going to the dam to catch the wind and clear his head.
Jiang Ning glanced at Chuchu. Her head was bowed low, her pale hands fiddling with the hem of her clothes.
Xue Yuantong noticed nothing unusual. She circled a piece of sugar-coated tomato with her chopsticks. "Chuchu, hurry and try the tomatoes. They're super tasty!"
To hide her awkwardness, Xue Chuchu took a piece. The tomatoes were a vivid, bright red, plump and juicy, dusted with white sugar.
Xue Chuchu took a bite. They were sweet and sour, with a crisp, tender texture. Her expression changed at once. Her cool, lovely eyes turned moist, reflecting the lamplight as they brightened considerably.
Seeing Chuchu's reaction, Xue Yuantong was exceptionally pleased. "Jiang Ning brought those tomatoes. Delicious, right?"
"Mm, they're good." Xue Chuchu silently picked up another piece. She had never eaten tomatoes this delicious before. Compared to these, the cold tomato salads she had eaten in the past were hardly worth mentioning.
Xue Yuantong gave two foolish little