Chapter 38: Comparing People Can Kill

By the time the sun set, Cheng Su had returned from the fields to the Qi family’s fenced compound, where Qi Family’s Younger Sister and Father Qi were squatting by the well, busy with something.

Upon hearing footsteps, Qi Fengping looked up and shouted, "Where on earth have you been? It’s almost dark and dinner isn’t even cooked yet! A wife should be back on time to prepare dinner. Who are you expecting to serve you?"

Cheng Su’s face darkened. No matter what her reputation was, nominally she was Qi Fengping’s sister-in-law. It wasn’t strange for her not to respect her, but Qi Fengping had no right to scold her, especially with such heart-piercing words.

"Fengping, what are you saying? She’s your older sister-in-law; don’t be so disrespectful." Father Qi spoke up to correct her before Cheng Su could retort.

Qi Fengping pursed her lips, "Dad, I would respect her if she acted more like an older sister-in-law!"

What older sister-in-law? The dramas that Cheng Su caused out of jealousy in the past had already made her the subject of ridicule in private, it was so embarrassing!

"Regardless of how I behave, I am still your sister-in-law. You’d better not attract criticism for disrespecting and being rude to your sister-in-law—it won’t do you any good," said Cheng Su calmly.

"You, pssh, you’re the one who’s rude!" Qi Fengping couldn’t contain her anger.

"Fengping!" Father Qi’s face turned stern.

Seeing her father angered, Qi Fengping pursed her lips, threw down the knife in her hand, and said, "I won’t kill this fish. Let my dear sister-in-law do it!"

With that, she ran into the house.

Only then did Cheng Su notice a plate of fish and couldn’t help but ask, "Dad, where did these fish come from?"

"Your second uncle’s pond was drained for cleaning today. The fish have gotten fat, and he gave us a few pounds. I was worried about them not surviving, so I decided to kill a few and dry them into fish jerky," Father Qi said with a simple smile.

The second uncle he referred to was his own brother, Qi Taiguo’s second uncle from the same branch of the family.

"It’s too hot these days; if it’s not done properly, it might rot or become infested with worms," said Cheng Su, frowning. Such tasks as drying fish or meat are usually done in autumn or winter. In the heat of summer, one careless move could turn it all into stinky fish.

"No worries, just add more salt," he replied.

Cheng Su, hearing this, didn’t feel it appropriate to say more. Looking around, she asked, "Has Mother not come back yet?"

"That’s correct. I expect she’ll be back soon," Father Qi said without looking up. "You go ahead and start cooking. Tonight, let’s have one of these fish for a fresh taste."

"Okay, great. I’ll make a braised fish for you, Dad. You can have a couple of drinks tonight," Cheng Su said cheerfully, then headed for the kitchen.

Father Qi raised his head, watching her figure vanish at the kitchen doorway. He smiled faintly and continued gutting the fish.

Cheng Su hadn’t been so articulate before, nor as diligent, and as for cooking, this month she had tried many new recipes and made some quite delicious meals.

Seeing his daughter-in-law become more sensible than before her marriage made him very relieved, especially after his eldest daughter’s difficult birth. His satisfaction with Cheng Su had risen a great deal.

He smiled, feeling less of the guilt he’d harbored inside. After all, when he had decided his son would marry her, the entire family was against it, especially Taiguo himself who, though silent, had internally blamed his father. There was no choice; they were poor back then.

As Cheng Su grew bolder over time and displayed jealousy, Father Qi felt somewhat uneasy and particularly felt he had shortchanged his son.

Now, seeing Cheng Su behaving sensibly and understandingly, he was somewhat reassured. After all, affection is built through interaction. With time, things would improve.

Thinking this, Father Qi’s movements in gutting the fish became more brisk, and a smile crept onto his lips. With family harmony comes prosperity, and the Qi family’s days would only get better.

...

The fact that Qi Fenglian had nearly died during childbirth had been made known to Qi Taiguo by Mother Qi. It wasn’t that she wanted to stir up trouble; it was out of anger upon seeing Fenglian’s mother-in-law reluctant to even spare an extra egg to feed her daughter.

She’s not a sick cat to be trifled with; her son Taiguo was a platoon leader. How dare the Zhang family treat her daughter poorly? She would have them pay dearly!

Therefore, Qi Taiguo learned of his eldest sister’s perilous birth from Mother Qi and, furious, shattered a glass cup.

Being a military man, it was not easy for him to take leave at will, but he also had his times of rest. Qing City wasn’t too far from Flower County, and it was just a matter of a few hours’ journey.

He managed to find some time, informed his superior, swapped shifts with someone, and left the base after afternoon roll call to catch a bus back to Flower County.

The weather was sweltering. Cheng Su moved a chair with a backrest out into the courtyard, where she sat fanning herself with a large palm-leaf fan in one hand and resting the other behind her head. She gazed at the starry sky, her thoughts drifting far away.

The countryside was engulfed in silence, punctuated only by the distant barking of dogs, the croaking of frogs from the pond, and the chirping of insects, all mingling together.

What could the 21st century be like at this moment?

Cheng Su’s eyes suddenly moistened.

Thrown into this era without any support, she didn’t know whether she had offended Heaven or failed to do something right in a past life to be repaying debt this way?

Woof woof woof!

Not far away, a dog barked loudly, followed by the sound of heavy footsteps getting closer from afar.

It seemed they were headed towards the Qi family’s direction. Cheng Su’s train of thought was interrupted, and she became somewhat anxious.

Times had changed, and while people’s lives had improved, the number of thieves and evildoers had also increased. It was best to be cautious.

She went to the door and peered in the direction of the footsteps. Indeed, there was a tall figure approaching.

As the figure drew closer, Cheng Su’s heart rose to her throat, and she subconsciously grabbed the pole lying in front of the house.

There were no lights in the courtyard; only a dim light filtered out from inside the house. As the person neared, Cheng Su felt the silhouette seemed familiar.

"Who’s there?"

When the person stood at the courtyard gate, Cheng Su couldn’t help but ask out loud.

"Cheng Su?"

That voice?

Cheng Su dropped the pole in her hand and shouted, "Qi Taiguo, is that you?"

Qi Taiguo, familiar with the place, pushed open the courtyard gate and walked in. Cheng Su ran over, and with the help of the light, she exclaimed, "It really is you. Why are you back?"

Qi Taiguo, who hadn’t expected Cheng Su to still be awake at this hour, replied, "Mom called me about my sister’s issue, so I rushed back."

"It’s so late, you can leave the army any time you want?" Knowing it was quite late, Cheng Su asked, "Haven’t eaten yet, right? Want me to cook something for you?"

"Mhm."

"Who’s that talking outside at this hour?" The lights in Mother Qi’s room turned on, and she began to inquire, peeking out from beside the window.

"Mom, it’s Qi Taiguo. He’s come back!" Cheng Su called out loudly.

"Taiguo?"

"Mom, I’m back!" Qi Taiguo also called out eagerly.

"It really is Taiguo. His father, get up quickly, get up, Taiguo is back, get up." Mother Qi was overjoyed, asking through the window, "Why so late? Have you had dinner? Tell your wife to make something for you to eat. Eldest daughter-in-law, eldest daughter-in-law?"

"Mom, I’m here. I know, I’m going to make it right now." Cheng Su replied.

"Make extra, add more scallion, beat a couple of eggs." Mother Qi didn’t forget to instruct.

There it was, her son was the most important. Usually, she would get scolded for eating an egg, but now, as soon as Qi Taiguo returned, she was told to use two eggs.

Comparing people can really kill you!

Cheng Su shook her head and quickly walked towards the kitchen.

The whole Qi family’s lights were turned on again, shattering the tranquility of the small village.