"Happy, so happy," Zhang Cuihua said with a broad smile, a genuine one that hadn't graced her face in a long time. She turned to Fan Zehao, "This time, I'm going to eat my fill. Son, go add some water to the chicken soup in the kitchen and make me a bowl of noodle soup. I want to eat until I'm full."
"Eat until I'm full" almost brought Fan Zehao to tears. For years, to pay off debts, his mother had dared not eat a full meal. Even when they hunted game, she wouldn't keep it, only thinking of saving more silver to settle the debts.
This chicken soup was from the two pheasants he'd hunted that morning. His mother had kept one specifically for his wife's recovery.
He lowered his head, tears welling up, and was about to head to the kitchen when Zhao Jiaqi stopped him. "You chat with Mother for a while. I'll do it."
Over the years, the hardships they endured were known only to them. She had left the space for this mother and son.
In the kitchen, there was still some chicken soup left. She didn't add water. She only made a small bowl of noodle soup. It wasn't because she was reluctant to let her mother-in-law eat, but because it was too late, and eating too much would make the elder uncomfortable.
There would be many more days ahead, and she was skilled at cooking. She would find ways to make delicious food for her mother-in-law, so this one meal wasn't the end of it.
The next day, news of the Fan Zehao family's affairs spread throughout the village. Stepping outside, one could hear people discussing it everywhere. Many were still happy.
Wang Zhaodi sat under the eaves of Zhao Jiaqi's house, embroidering and chatting with her. "Sister-in-law, do you have any plans for the future?"
Zhao Jiaqi, who was processing rabbit meat, paused her work and said with a smile, "Selling one rabbit to the restaurant won't fetch much silver. I was thinking of making some braised rabbit and stewed chicken, and trying to sell them in town. Since this wild game was hunted, the only cost is some seasoning. If they don't sell, we can eat them ourselves, so there's no loss."
"That's a good idea for a livelihood. If you need any help with people or carts, just say the word, and your sister-in-law will definitely help you." Wang Zhaodi was warm-hearted, especially towards Zhao Jiaqi. She liked this new daughter-in-law more and more.
She wasn't aggressive. She treated her mother-in-law and Fan Zehao very well. She was also diligent. It had only been three days since she married, and so much had happened, yet she hadn't seen her dejected. Instead, she focused wholeheartedly on the family. Such a person was truly rare.
Hearing this, Zhao Jiaqi didn't hesitate. "Sister-in-law, I want to use your wheelbarrow this afternoon."
"No problem, you can come get it anytime you need it," Wang Zhaodi replied with a laugh.
The five rabbits were finally cooked after being cleaned by the mother-in-law and Zhao Jiaqi. The remaining task was to clean the pheasants, pluck them, and remove their innards. These messy jobs were all snatched up by Fan Zehao.
Wang Zhaodi, watching from the side, became envious. She leaned in and teased her, "Look how much your husband dotes on you. He's so much better than mine. You've truly landed in a nest of fortune."
Zhao Jiaqi blushed like a red apple from the teasing and gently pushed her. "Sister-in-law, you're always joking. I heard Zehao say that Elder Brother is completely obedient to you. He's just seeing how good Elder Brother is to you that he treats me this way."
Wang Zhaodi raised her eyebrows and asked in surprise, "Did he really say that?"
"You know what kind of person my husband is, don't you?" Zhao Jiaqi nodded, unable to hide the joy in her eyes.
She dared to say this precisely because she knew Fan Zehao was not good at talking in the village. Everyone's impression of him was that he was honest and a simple, straightforward person. Therefore, she wasn't afraid of being exposed at all.
Zhao Jiaqi turned her head and asked the person working nearby, "Husband, is Guangping Elder Brother very good to Sister-in-law?"
The sweet address of "husband" made Fan Zehao's heart flutter with joy. He hadn't listened carefully to her words, only nodding and grinning foolishly.
This action undoubtedly confirmed that what Zhao Jiaqi had said was true, which delighted Sister-in-law Wang so much that her mouth couldn't close.
She stopped embroidering. Her heart felt like it was growing grass. She got up and said, "Sister-in-law, I'm not chatting with you anymore. I have to go home and cook for your brother. I must reward him properly today."
Watching her stride away, a charming smile played on her lips.
Zhao Jiaqi sighed, looking at her sister-in-law. She guessed that perhaps next month, they would hear good news. Their family would likely grow by one.