Jiang Manzhu felt a bit embarrassed, especially since her mother-in-law and brother-in-law were working so hard in the scorching heat, planting crops.
"Mom, how about I take care of the laundry in the mornings?" Watching her mother-in-law wash clothes, carry water to water the vegetables, pull weeds, and then go back to the fields after lunch, Jiang Manzhu felt a pang of guilt.
Hiss—looks like I'm still a good-hearted socialist successor.
"Mom, Xiao Bei and I will take care of the house. And about these eggs, wouldn't it be nice if we also raised a few chickens at home?" she said, bringing up the idea of buying some chicks the next time they went to the market.
Although it was a collective economy, it was fine to grow some vegetables or beans at home, and keeping a few chickens or ducks was also allowed.
"You're right, it's better to raise our own." Liu Jumei thought it was inconvenient to always trade for eggs. She remembered they used to raise quite a few chickens and ducks, but they were all gone now.
"We'll take care of the chickens and ducks, right, Xiao Bei?" Jiang Manzhu asked with a smile.
Xiao Bei immediately patted his chest and promised, "Leave it to me, no problem!"
"Xiao Bei, you're awesome."
"Xiao Bei, you're awesome."
Jiang Manzhu and Liu Jumei both praised the adorable Xiao Bei. Children need encouragement to build their confidence.
Li Linxi usually didn't express his opinions at the dinner table. Listening to them praise Xiao Bei, whose face was now flushed with excitement, a faint smile flickered in his eyes.
Mom and Xiao Bei were happy because of her…
He glanced at Jiang Manzhu, who was smiling warmly at Xiao Bei. He had no idea where she learned to flatter others, but…
As long as Mom and Xiao Bei were happy, that's all that mattered. Even when his older brothers were still around, the four of them weren't the type to make people laugh. It had been a long time since he'd seen his mom smile like this.
If this woman, Jiang Manzhu, didn't cause trouble, there'd be no problem with her staying in the Li family. With him around, she wouldn't dare bully Mom and Xiao Bei.
At this moment, Jiang Manzhu was discussing where to buy chicks, as well as feeding them and where they should live…
Xiao Bei eagerly contributed ideas, adding to the family's livelihood.
Originally, they planned to keep them in one of the rooms in the house, but thinking about the strong smell, Li Linxi finally spoke, "Let's build a small shed next to the house, just for the chickens."
"Wouldn't that be too much trouble?" Liu Jumei didn't think it was appropriate. It would take time and effort, not to mention the bricks needed to build it.
"No, didn't we use to raise chickens and ducks? We can just keep them in the same place as before," Jiang Manzhu suggested, but the others fell silent and looked at her.
Huh? Why is everyone looking at me? Is there something wrong with what I said?
"Sister-in-law, um…" Xiao Bei started to speak but was stopped by Liu Jumei, who lightly tapped his hand. She explained to Manzhu herself, "Manzhu, we used to keep them inside, but the smell was quite strong, especially now that it's summer. It would be unbearable."
Jiang Manzhu nodded, not thinking much of it. "You're right, it wouldn't be suitable to keep them inside."
However, after Liu Jumei and Li Linxi went back to the fields, Jiang Manzhu pulled Xiao Bei aside.
"Xiao Bei, I know you're a good kid who never lies, right?"
Xiao Bei naturally nodded, puffing out his chest. "Of course, I'm always honest."
"Well then, where did we really keep the chickens and ducks? Was it in the room I'm staying in?"
Jiang Manzhu smiled gently, but for some reason, Xiao Bei felt a chill run down his spine. What's going on? Isn't it summer?
"No, no, it's the room next to yours," Xiao Bei quickly waved his hands. How could they let sister-in-law stay in the chicken room? It was just the room next door.
The room next door? Oh, the little room at the edge of the house that's now a storage room?
That's fine then!
Jiang Manzhu had been worried she was living in that room. After all, their reactions at the dinner table had been so strange. "Then why didn't Mom let you say that this morning?"
It made me suspicious for a moment, but it was just a misunderstanding. Jiang Manzhu decided to let the matter go.
"I don't know, maybe she thought keeping them inside was too smelly?" Xiao Bei wasn't sure, scratching his head in confusion, hoping his brain would come up with an answer.
That day passed uneventfully, except that in the afternoon, Xiao Bei went out to play with his friends and was outsmarted, becoming the "ghost" several times in their games.
But Xiao Bei was happy, not feeling like he'd been bullied at all.
Jiang Manzhu didn't have much to do either and stood watching for a while, worried that Xiao Bei might be bullied. After all, wouldn't Li Linxi go crazy if that happened?
The village kids, even though they were young, could appreciate beauty, and their gazes would occasionally drift toward Jiang Manzhu.
When she looked over, they would immediately straighten their backs and raise their voices, trying to show off their "leader" status.
Kids are like that, always eager to show off in front of adults. Jiang Manzhu understood, and seeing that Xiao Bei was enjoying himself, she left.
Time to go read. I need to outcompete those urban youths when the college entrance exam resumes!
As dusk approached, she came to pick up Xiao Bei and even asked two kids to look after him.
Sure enough, two kids proudly walked up to her. "Comrade Jiang, we took great care of Xiao Bei today."
"Thank you! I knew our village kids were kind and helpful. Want some fruit?" She offered them a few fruits. The original owner of this body had no more dried meat or candies, only some ration coupons, which couldn't be given to the kids.
Her soft, fair hand extended the fruits, and though they were just wild fruits, the kids still happily accepted them, smiling as they said, "Thank you, Comrade Jiang."
"Comrade Jiang, will you play with us next time?" they asked after accepting the fruits.
"No, if I join, it'll be like an adult bullying kids. But you can always play with Xiao Bei. How great is that?" Jiang Manzhu generously handed out two fruits each.
The washed, cold-soaked fruits were sweet and sour.
"Thanks, Comrade Jiang!" Even though they were just wild fruits, the kids were happy. After all, they were free. They happily bit into the cool, refreshing fruits, waving goodbye to Xiao Bei, saying, "See you tomorrow!"
Jiang Manzhu, satisfied, led Xiao Bei away. "Did you have fun today?"
"Yes!"
"Well, if you're happy, remember to share with Mom and your third brother tonight, okay? Your sister-in-law is making sure you have a great time!"
Sure enough, at dinner, Xiao Bei excitedly shared the news with his mom and third brother.
However, both Liu Jumei and Li Linxi looked a bit worried. They knew Xiao Bei well. What if he got bullied?
"Why did you let Xiao Bei play with those kids?" Li Linxi still remembered when Xiao Bei wanted to play with other kids, but the adults were afraid his "foolishness" would spread, so they wouldn't let their kids play with him.
He had been laughed at, even hit with stones…
Li Linxi's sharp gaze turned to Jiang Manzhu. Was she doing this on purpose, letting people bully Xiao Bei?
"Linxi, Xiao Bei is five or six now. You can't keep confining him at home. You're imprisoning him!" Jiang Manzhu sharply criticized his behavior.
"Xiao Bei isn't a toy. He's a person. He needs friends and to be part of the village. Should Xiao Bei spend his whole life playing alone, locked up in the house?"
Her words were stern, her tone accusatory, and the atmosphere at the dinner table instantly turned quiet.
Xiao Bei didn't understand everything, but he knew the argument was because of him playing outside. He gripped his chopsticks tightly, glancing nervously between Jiang Manzhu and Li Linxi.
Liu Jumei actually agreed with Jiang Manzhu but remained silent, seeing the look on her third son's face.
She knew why he was angry—angry that the village kids treated Xiao Bei that way.
But Manzhu wasn't wrong either…
Li Linxi's cold aura was as strong as an air conditioner, but Jiang Manzhu, standing firm in front of Liu Jumei and Xiao Bei, wasn't intimidated by his icy demeanor.
"Am I wrong? Xiao Bei, tell your third brother. Did you have fun today? Did your friends bully you?"
Jiang Manzhu thought Li Linxi was being overprotective. That's not how children should be raised.
"I had fun, third brother. I… I even made plans to play with them again tomorrow…" Xiao Bei, looking worried, put down his bowl and chopsticks. His fingers nervously scratched the table.
If Third Brother doesn't allow him to go out tomorrow, what should he do?
Xiaobei thought he was being sneaky, but the other three people at the dinner table all noticed his expression, especially Li Linxi.
Li Linxi was silent for three seconds, and under Xiaobei's hopeful gaze, his heart softened.
"You can go, but… if anyone bullies you, don't hold back. Just throw a punch, got it?"
While allowing Xiaobei to go out, Li Linxi emphasized that the most important thing was for him to protect himself. As for whoever gets hit, well, anyone daring to bully a little fool like his younger brother deserves it!
Who knows if Xiaobei took that to heart, but as soon as he got his brother's approval, he broke into a wide grin. His earlier sullen and dejected mood quickly turned into liveliness and cheerfulness.
Finally, Li Linxi turned his gaze to Jiang Manzhu. Was it because of the warning he had given her last time about deliberately taking Xiaobei out, or was she really thinking about his brother's well-being?
However, Li Linxi chose to see Jiang Manzhu in the worst possible light, doubting that she could have such good intentions.
"I hope you can take care of Xiaobei and don't let anyone bully him." Li Linxi calmly and gently reminded her, as if this chapter of their conversation was coming to a close.
Liu Jumei and Xiaobei were both excited, though they were also worried that Linxi and Manzhu might start arguing.
Since they were family, Liu Jumei didn't want things to escalate. Looking at her son Linxi, her face full of emotion, she sighed with relief, "Our Linxi has really grown up."
He was now thinking about his brother's future. Of course, part of the credit had to go to Manzhu as well.
"Of course! Linxi is not only smart but also capable, and he cares about his brother too," Jiang Manzhu praised Li Linxi in agreement with Liu Jumei, wearing an expression of a proud mother, which made Li Linxi feel a bit queasy.
"Yes, exactly! Even Matchmaker Zhang said she wanted to introduce a good girl for Linxi." Liu Jumei was smiling as she said this, though she couldn't help but worry whether her third son would live long enough to get married and have children.
She had to think that way, especially since her eldest and second sons had also just turned twenty, at the peak of their strength, when their lives were tragically cut short.
She was scared.
Turning to Jiang Manzhu, she asked, "Manzhu, what do you think?"
She was afraid Manzhu might not agree, and a disagreement would be embarrassing.
"Mom is right, but Linxi is a scholar, and now that he's staying in the village, we need to find the right match for him. If the two don't get along, it would just lead to conflict for the rest of their lives," Jiang Manzhu nodded.
The main character, after all, is destined to be single in a no-romance plot. That wouldn't do! He should have a warm family, and then she could manipulate his wife… oops, I mean build a good relationship with her. Then, she could subtly influence him through pillow talk, right?
"No need." Li Linxi immediately rejected his mother's suggestion. Women were too much trouble, and besides… he wasn't in the mood for that.
"Don't be shy. Marriage is a major life event, and everyone has to go through it," Liu Jumei advised, thinking her son was just shy.
"Exactly, exactly! Hahaha, Linxi, don't be shy! I wonder what kind of girl Linxi likes? Mom, you should tell the matchmaker to carefully select someone. Linxi is so outstanding—he can study, he can work—he's practically perfect, both in civil and military skills. He deserves the best girl," Jiang Manzhu chimed in with a teasing smile while praising Li Linxi to the heavens. After all, in a mother's eyes, her child is always better than anyone else's.
Not for any other reason, just because of that parental bias.
Liu Jumei was no exception. Hearing Jiang Manzhu's words, she responded humbly, "Linxi isn't as perfect as you say, but yes, we should be careful. We can't let any troublemakers marry into the Li family."
Jiang Manzhu nodded in agreement, and the two women delved into a heated discussion about whether Li Linxi should get married and how to choose a suitable match.
Xiaobei, sitting on the side, was confused, eating while listening. His bright eyes then looked at his third brother, "Third Brother, are you getting married?"
Li Linxi ignored the conversation between Liu Jumei and Jiang Manzhu, tapped Xiaobei's bowl, signaling him to focus on his food, and answered, "No!"
"Oh…" Xiaobei didn't understand, but he was obedient.
After dinner, Li Linxi's response remained the same: no! Not necessary!
After talking her heart out, Liu Jumei sighed. Oh well, maybe he just hasn't opened up yet. Let's revisit the topic after Linxi turns 18.