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Zhang Xiaoxiao and Zhao Guangcai
墨書 Inktalez
In a small village, after a recent rain, the muddy paths were slick, and a group of women gathered together to chat idly.
"Hey, why haven't we seen Li Xiumei lately? Isn't she the one who loves to hang out with us?" one woman asked.
"You don't know? Li Xiumei isn't actually the biological daughter of the the Li Family. I heard she was the daughter of a wealthy family in the city who went missing and was just found recently," another replied.
"No wonder! I always thought it was strange how much the the Li Family spoiled her. Aside from doing some housework, they never made her do any heavy lifting. Turns out she's not even related to them," said another woman.
"Yeah, but it's odd how that happened all of a sudden," someone chimed in.
"I don't know either. It seems Zhao Guangcai's sister Zhao Xiaomei let it slip," another added.
"She really shouldn't have said something so important by accident," one woman remarked.
"Well, she's only seven or eight years old. What does a child know about keeping secrets?" another responded.
"That's true..."
At that moment, a woman carrying a basket of vegetables approached. She was slender with dark skin, and her cheeks bore an unusual flush—this was Zhao Xiaomei, Zhao Guangcai's sister.
Zhao Xiaomei walked over and smiled, "What are you talking about?"
"We're discussing the the Li Family," one of the women replied.
"Oh."
"Little sister, where's your brother?"
"I don't know. He left early this morning."
"Your brother is always off hunting. The family relies on you to hold everything together. If it weren't for your efforts, he might never find a wife," another woman teased.
"My brother is quite impressive! My sister-in-law married him precisely because of that," Zhao Xiaomei defended proudly.
Zhang Xiaoxiao watched the gossiping women with annoyance. She really didn't want to engage with them; every time they met, they would talk about whose family had troubles or who had fought with whom. She found these gossips utterly tiresome.
As Zhang Xiaoxiao lifted her basket to leave, Zhao Xiaomei called out to her, "Sister-in-law, what good things did you buy?"
Zhang Xiaoxiao waved her basket in front of her. When Zhao Xiaomei spotted the brown sugar inside, her eyes widened in excitement.
"Wow, sister-in-law! You bought brown sugar!" she exclaimed.
The other women turned their attention at once, their eyes nearly popping out as they saw the basket filled to the brim with goodies.
"Xiaoxiao, you bought something again?" one asked.
"Yes."
"You really are quite lazy! You do nothing all day except shop. Doesn't your mother-in-law mind?"
"What opinions could she possibly have?" Zhang Xiaoxiao scoffed at the woman who spoke. "I make quite a bit of money for Zhao Guangcai every day; what's wrong with buying a few things?"
"Even if you earn a lot, you can't spend it like that. Besides, it's not good for you to be so idle every day. I advise you to find something to do, or my brother will eventually grow tired of you," Zhao Xiaomei said.
Zhang Xiaoxiao rolled her eyes. "He wouldn't dare!"
Zhao Xiaomei pouted. "My brother treats you really well. You buy so many things every day, and he doesn't say a word. If I dared to buy this much, he'd have beaten me long ago."
"That's because you don't see who your brother is. He's the best man in the village, unlike your dad, who only knows how to hit your mom."
Zhao Xiaomei's expression changed. "How... how do you know?"
"I know, of course. The whole village knows your dad often hits your mom."
Zhao Xiaomei lowered her head and fell silent.
The other women nearby began to tease Zhang Xiaoxiao. "Xiaoxiao, you're really lucky; Zhao Guangcai treats you so well."
"Yeah, yeah! If only we could find such a good man too."
Zhang Xiaoxiao proudly replied, "Of course! Just look at who I am."
"You should just enjoy it quietly," one of them said.
As Zhang Xiaoxiao was basking in her pride, a cold voice suddenly interrupted, "Xiaoxiao."
She turned to see Zhao Guangcai standing not far away, looking at her. She immediately ran over and hugged him. "What are you doing here?"
Zhao Guangcai ruffled her hair and smiled. "I came to take you home."
"Okay."
He took the basket of vegetables from her hand and noticed the brown sugar inside. "Why did you buy sugar again to give away?"
"I didn't; I just wanted to give it to a little kid."
"Well, don’t do that next time."
"Alright."
A group of women nearby watched Zhao Guangcai treat Zhang Xiaoxiao so well, feeling envious. If only their husbands could be half as good as Zhao Guangcai, they would wake up smiling from their dreams.
At that moment, an abrupt voice rang out, "Zhao Guangcai, how can you spoil her like this? Look at what she's become!"
Zhao Guangcai turned to the woman who spoke and replied coolly, "Aunt Wang, when did my family's matters become your business?"
Aunt Wang was taken aback. "I... I'm just looking out for you. If you keep spoiling her like this, she'll only get lazier."
"What she does or doesn't do has nothing to do with you."
"You... why can't you recognize a good person?"
"Aunt Wang, if you're really that idle, why not take care of your husband? I've heard he's out looking for women again." Zhao Guangcai's tone was calm, but each word struck at Aunt Wang's sore spot.
Aunt Wang's husband was a gambler, spending his days drinking and seeking pleasure, neglecting the family. While she worked hard to earn money, he often went out with other women. Thinking of this made Aunt Wang's face turn extremely ugly.
"What... what nonsense are you talking about?"
"Whether I'm talking nonsense or not, you know it yourself."
"You... you..." Aunt Wang pointed at Zhao Guangcai, trembling with anger but unable to say a word.
"What about me? Aunt Wang, if you have time, you should manage your husband better."
Aunt Wang's face flushed red. "I... I have things to do, I’ll leave first." With that, she left in a huff.
Seeing this, others quickly dispersed as well.
Zhang Xiaoxiao looked at Zhao Guangcai and sweetly said, "Guangcai, you're so nice."
Zhao Guangcai ruffled her hair. "If I don't treat you well, who else should I treat well?"
"Hehe."
"Let's go home."
"Okay."
On the way, Zhang Xiaoxiao linked her arm with Zhao Guangcai's and asked, "What are you cooking for lunch today?"
"Spare ribs, spicy meat, scrambled eggs with tomatoes—everything you love."
"Wow, you're amazing."
"Then aren't you going to try it?"
"Of course!"
"Then let's hurry up."
"Mm-hmm." Zhang Xiaoxiao excitedly shouted, "Charge!"
Zhao Guangcai asked in confusion, "What does 'charge' mean?"
"It means to hurry up and go!"
"Oh."
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