Yue Meifen's little tricks for everyday life

"That woman you just called Third Sister-in-law has always liked taking petty advantages and gossiping, but she isn't a terribly bad person. Her mother-in-law must have told her to bring these over. She doesn't have any real attachment to us and couldn't bear to part with the good stuff, so she picked some vegetables that weren't fit to offer anyone. Her mother-in-law definitely doesn't know," Yue Meifen explained.

"She doesn't owe us anything in the first place. The things she brought were a bit poor, but it's enough that we know that ourselves," Yue Meifen said as she put the vegetables away.

"Huh? Then, Mom, won't she secretly keep the sea cucumbers you gave her?" Chi Qing asked in surprise.

"You think your mom's an idiot?" Yue Meifen said, putting the vegetables away. Figuring that the woman who had delivered them should have reached home by now, she picked up her phone and called. It rang for a long time before someone answered.

"Hello, Second Sister-in-law. Look at you, still always thinking of me at your age... Yes, I got the vegetables. We have all those at home; I planted them. You don't need to send me any more... How's your health?... Yes, Qingqing's back. She brought you a bag of sea cucumbers. I had Shuyuan take them back for you... Expensive? Not at all. They're good for your health. I called to tell you how to eat them. You have to be particular with these things. You need to use mineral water..."

Listening to Yue Guifen shouting into the phone at an incredible volume, Chi Qing couldn't help stepping aside.

Once Yue Guifen hung up, Chi Qing couldn't resist saying, "Mom, you're really good at lying. Since when did I buy those for your cousin's wife? I don't even know what she looks like."

Yue Meifen rolled her eyes at her. "It's just a nice way of putting it. You think my cousin's wife really believes you bought them?"

"Mom, why didn't you complain to your cousin's wife and tell her the vegetables were bad?" Chi Qing asked, a little surprised that her mother hadn't mentioned the vegetables at all during the call, mainly because her mother was usually quite straightforward.

"Complain and cause discord in their family? My cousin's wife is getting on in years, and her health isn't great. There's no need to trouble her with these things. We'll remember my cousin's wife's kindness in sending vegetables, and we'll also remember her daughter-in-law's 'kindness' in sending rotten leaves. We'll keep the two separate." As Yue Meifen spoke, her plain, weathered face actually looked rather inscrutable.

In the past, Chi Qing had spent every day busy with work, her mortgage, and get-togethers with friends. Even when she occasionally returned to the village, she was always rushing in and out.

Her temper had also been like a ticking time bomb, and that impatience had been especially obvious around her parents, let alone having the patience to listen to her mother talk about all the village's domestic gossip.

But for some reason, ever since she had gained the unbeatable financial backing of the Lottery System, Chi Qing's outlook had changed dramatically. Her emotions had stabilized, she had become more tolerant of her parents, and she was even in the mood to listen to the trivial happenings in the village. She felt particularly in control of her life.

That enormous financial support also seemed to be gradually giving Chi Qing a firm, strong mindset.

After lunch, thinking of the 305,000 she still hadn't spent on her card, Chi Qing planned to drive back to the city early and go on another shopping spree.

Although Yue Meifen and Chi Yongliang were reluctant to see her go, they didn't dare hold up Chi Qing's affairs. They went together to the old locust tree at the village entrance to see her off, taking the opportunity to stuff her car with all sorts of vegetables they had grown, especially radishes and napa cabbages.

Yue Meifen firmly believed that the vegetables she grew herself were the most natural and pollution-free, while vegetables sold elsewhere all contained hormones and pesticides.

No matter how expensive they were, they weren't as trustworthy as homegrown ones.

Chi Qing, who had always dismissed her mother's vegetables before, obediently loaded up her car.

The three were saying goodbye when they saw another car slowly wobble in along the little road outside the village and stop beside Chi Qing's car.

"Hello, Uncle. Hello, Auntie. Qingqing, you're back!"

The person who got out was none other than Chi Qing's childhood playmate, Wang Xiaoyan. The two were the same age and had grown up together until they were seven, when Chi Qing had moved to the city, continuing through school and into work. Wang Xiaoyan, on the other hand, had no aptitude for studying and had started working early, then married. She now had a daughter and a son.

Although they hadn't often played together afterward, childhood friendships left the deepest impressions. Besides, they had still spent a few days playing together every summer and winter break. After Chi Qing returned to Cloud City from out of town, they had gotten back in touch and occasionally met for a meal.

Looking at Wang Xiaoyan's bare, slightly haggard face, Chi Qing said to her parents, "Mom, Dad, you can head back. I'll chat with Xiaoyan before I leave. I'll call you when I get home."

"Sure, all right." After exchanging greetings, the older couple drove their little car back into the village.