Zhou Yueshen also wore an expression of calm indifference.
Si Nian, meanwhile, perfectly embodied the essence of a shrewish aunt: "Auntie, your cooking really isn't up to par. This chicken doesn't have enough salt, it's tasteless. And these eggs were fried with no oil at all, they're dry and bland. How is that nutritious? Ah, forget it, I suppose we'll just have to make do..."
Zhou Tingting: "?"
To make matters worse, the little ones nodded in agreement: "Yes! Dry and bland."
Zhou Tingting: "...." (╯‵□′)╯︵┻━┻.
Zhou Tingting truly never expected her cooking to be looked down upon. Si Nian was one thing—she was from the city, so it was understandable, and she'd heard Si Nian used to be wealthy.
But how dare these little orphans say such things? It really infuriated her.
They should be grateful to have food at all, yet they dared to be picky! They should be grateful they're not starving!
Furious, Zhou Tingting immediately turned to look at Zhou Yueshen beside her.
"Big brother, do you see this? I worked so hard to make this whole table of food, and I still get criticized. Is this any way for a sister-in-law to act?"
Zhou Yueshen's expression was cool, his eyes icy: "Perhaps the sister-in-law takes after the aunt. Though Nian Nian isn't quite on your level. After all, when you married into the Li Family, I heard you even drove Li Jiaming's daughter away..."
Zhou Tingting: "......"
Zhou Tingting, fuming, stormed upstairs without eating.
She was too angry to be hungry. What was there to eat?
As soon as she was gone, the younger boy couldn't help but look at Zhou Yueshen and say, "Dad, I don't like Auntie. I don't want to live with her."
Zhou Zedong pursed his lips and said, "Dad, I don't like her either."
"She's always causing trouble for Mom."
The younger boy was so upset he couldn't eat.
Zhou Yueshen reached out and patted the indignant little fellow's head, his dark eyes utterly cold.
The reason he hadn't driven Zhou Tingting away this time was because he feared the gossip outside would fall on Si Nian's head again.
Zhou Tingting had cried and even knelt down; she was clearly dead set on staying.
He himself didn't care, but if her actions were seen by the villagers, they would inevitably speculate.
Because of the incidents with the Liu family and the Li Family, people in the village were already gossiping behind their backs.
They couldn't afford to let their reputation become too tarnished.
Even if they didn't care, widespread rumors were never good.
So when Si Nian agreed to let her stay, Zhou Yueshen didn't send her away.
But that didn't mean he actually intended to let her remain here.
Back then, Zhou Yueshen had objected to Zhou Tingting marrying into the Li Family, not because they were from the city,
but because Li Jiaming himself had poor character.
She was, after all, his own younger sister. He couldn't just stand by and watch her jump into a pit of fire.
However, Zhou Tingting completely refused to listen, even threatening to cut off ties with him over it.
Truth be told, Zhou Yueshen wasn't particularly close to this sister. He was much older than Zhou Tingting. By the time he left home, she was still very young, and she had mostly been raised by others, so they had little contact.
Later, when he joined the army, they had no contact at all.
After their parents passed away, asking him to take care of his sisters, Zhou Yueshen would deposit money into a bank account for the two of them to use every month.
Yet his kindness towards them was not reciprocated.
Zhou Yueshen was inherently cold and detached, so he didn't mind.
Thus, when Zhou Tingting refused to listen to his advice, he stopped interfering.
But the one thing she should never, ever have done was come and cause trouble for Si Nian.
Thinking this, Zhou Yueshen looked up at his wronged-looking son and reassured him, "Alright. I'll make sure she goes back tonight."
Zhou Zehan blinked his eyes and immediately asked with delight, "Really? Will she come back again later?"
A cold, hard curve appeared on Zhou Yueshen's thin lips. "She probably won't have time to come over."
If things kicked off at the Li Family's place, Zhou Tingting likely wouldn't have the leisure to come here and stir up trouble.
"Eat your meal first."
The two children always trusted Zhou Yueshen. Hearing his words, they immediately felt at ease.
Even though Auntie's cooking wasn't good, they would never waste food.
After finishing the meal, Zhou Yueshen went out for a while.
...
In the afternoon, as dusk began to fall,
A guest came to Si Nian's house with gifts.
They said it was to thank Zhou Yueshen for lowering the price of meat for everyone during the New Year's holiday.
They brought eggs, along with some rice and vegetables.
Although some people gossiped about Si Nian, there were still quite a few who held her in good regard.
After all, Si Nian had Zhou Yueshen, the big factory manager, backing her. Who would dare to offend her?
"Nian Nian, your husband is truly wonderful. Knowing it's a holiday today, he gave everyone extra when weighing the meat. My kids ate until their mouths were shiny with grease."
"Here are some things, they're not worth much, all from our own home. Please don't look down on them."
"Do you still have any pastries at your place? I'd like to buy some from you. My child is craving them terribly..."
The visitor looked at Si Nian somewhat sheepishly.
Si Nian also felt these people were sincerely trying to maintain a good relationship, so she nodded. "Please, come inside with me."
Zhou Tingting, her stomach growling with hunger, swallowed her pride and came downstairs to eat.
Just as she descended, she saw Si Nian leading someone inside.
Si Nian had originally been thinking about giving Da Huang a bath. Seeing the visitor, she immediately said, "Auntie, could you go wash Da Huang for me? The dog bed needs to be washed again too; you didn't clean it properly this morning."
After Si Nian finished speaking, Zhou Tingting's face turned green.
She glared at Si Nian with venomous eyes, her gaze practically wanting to devour her.
This damn bitch was really getting above herself, ordering her around like she was addicted to it, wasn't she?
Before Zhou Tingting could even get angry, Si Nian turned to the surprised women and said, "My aunt came back these past few days, saying I looked too busy and wanted to help me with some chores. Even though she brought people to our door before to cause trouble and even got physical with us, she now knows her mistake and wants to make amends. As her sister-in-law, I couldn't very well refuse..."
Si Nian said with a smile, "Auntie, after you finish washing him, remember to sweep the front entrance too..."
With that, Si Nian led the several women towards the kitchen.
Behind them, Zhou Tingting saw stars, unsure whether it was from hunger or rage.
Yet no one paid her any mind. The others, who were initially surprised,
upon hearing that Zhou Tingting had previously brought people to their door to assault them, immediately felt that her doing chores was only right and proper.
...
After toiling until she was dead tired, it was fully dark.
Zhou Tingting was almost exhausted to the point of fainting.
However, before she could enter the kitchen to find something to eat—she had seen earlier that those women had taken quite a few pastries with them, probably the ones Si Nian sold for her family, they smelled delicious—
she swallowed her saliva and was just about to go inside when someone came running over in a hurry.
I've been mocked behind my back, saying my book's popularity is all inflated data, and that her gifts alone crush mine. Over nine hundred thousand people read my book, but in a day I only get a hundred bucks in gifts, no wonder I'm poor. I cried from anger, I can't even write tonight! But I don't want to beg for big gifts like she does. I only ask for free ones. I'd rather starve than make my readers spend money!
