76 Do You Like Ah Tao?
Although she was at a loss, Ji Zhao still obediently opened her palm.
"What happened?"
Shen Yao smiled gently and placed something in her palm.
Ji Zhao took a look and realized that there was a pair of silver earrings in the shape of small peaches in her palm.
Little peaches the size of soybeans were charmingly silly.
"This?" Ji Zhao was surprised and pleasantly surprised. "Why did you buy this? I..."
"Do you like it?" Shen Yao did not miss the surprise in her eyes. He said softly, "This is a thank-you gift."
"A thank-you gift? Where does that come from?"
"Didn't you give me a brush worth thousands of gold previously?" Shen Yao explained in a low voice, "Friends should return favors."
"Thank you!" Ji Zhao couldn't help but smile. "I like it very much!"
After returning to the Shen residence, Zhao Lanhua and Second Sister-in-law Shen were very happy to receive the gifts.
"Girl, why are you spending money again?"
"Mother, why don't you give it a try? I think it will look very good on you!" Ji Zhao quickly smiled and said, "And the meaning of this small gourd is especially good! The gourd is equivalent to a blessing. Mother, you must be a lucky person!"
"Mother, why don't we give it a try? I like these little butterflies too!" Second Sister-in-law Shen said impatiently, "Ah Tao, how did you know that I like butterflies the most?"
Ji Zhao, who had read the original novel, remembered that Second Sister-in-law Shen liked butterfly-shaped jewelry the most. That was why she chose it!
"Of course I guessed it!" Ji Zhao smiled innocently. "I just didn't expect me to be right!"
"You're amazing!"
"Ah Tao, let's go. You and your Second Sister-in-law can accompany Mother to try out this new jewelry!" Zhao Lanhua chuckled.
"Mother!" Shen Yao suddenly said, "Can you let Ah Tao go back to her room to rest first? I suddenly had a high fever last night. It was Ah Tao who took care of me for half the night."
"Sanlang, why did you suddenly get a high fever? Has your fever subsided?" Zhao Lanhua asked anxiously. She tiptoed and probed between Shen Yao's eyebrows.
"Mother, I'm fine now."
Zhao Lanhua hurriedly turned around and noticed the dark circles under Ji Zhao's eyes.
"Girl, quick, go back to your room and rest!"
"Mother, actually, I'm not very tired..."
"Whether you're sleepy or not, you have to close your eyes and rest for a while!" Without another word, Zhao Lanhua pulled Ji Zhao back to Shen Yao's room. "Be good and have a good sleep!"
"Alright then." Ji Zhao smiled gently. "Mother, I'll rest first?"
Ji Zhao thought that she would definitely not be able to fall asleep. Unexpectedly, not long after her head touched the pillow, she fell asleep.
At this moment, in the central room of the Shen family.
"Five taels of silver?" Zhao Lanhua's eyes widened in surprise. "That foreign merchant is really generous!"
"Putting aside the two taels for my treatment. As for the remaining silver, Ah Tao bought three pairs of silver earrings and gave them to you and my two sisters-in-law," Shen Yao explained softly.
"Why is this girl always thinking about us? Why doesn't she add some jewelry for herself?" Zhao Lanhua's heart ached.
"Mother, don't worry. I used my own money to buy a pair of silver earrings for Ah Tao."
"Well done!" Zhao Lanhua immediately nodded in praise.
Then, she looked up and stared at her son thoughtfully.
"Mother?" Shen Yao raised his eyebrows in confusion.
"Third Brother, tell me honestly. Have you fallen for Ah Tao?" Zhao Lanhua stared into his eyes and questioned in a deep voice.
Shen Yao nodded silently.
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77 So Be Proud
"Mother." Shen Yao pursed his lips and explained softly, "I don't know when I fell for Ah Tao, but I can confirm that I do like Ah Tao."
When he saw her smile, he could not help but smile foolishly.
Moreover, he always wanted to be closer to her. He could not help but want to be close to her.
Shen Yao felt that this should be love.
"Since you like Ah Tao, treat her well!" Zhao Lanhua advised earnestly. "Ah Tao is very obedient and cute. I like her very much, but the divorce letter you wrote yourself is still in her hands, so if you want her to be your real wife, you have to work harder!"
"Yes, I know."
Ji Zhao slept exceptionally soundly.
She didn't wake up until dusk.
The moment she walked out of the door, she saw a thin figure squatting on the steps.
"Chenchen?" Ji Zhao quickly went to Ji Chen and asked with a gentle smile, "Why are you sitting here alone?"
"Sister... I miss Sister..." Ji Chen grabbed Ji Zhao's sleeve forcefully, unwilling to let go.
Looking at the little guy who was about to cry, Ji Zhao sat beside him and pulled him into her arms. Her eyes were filled with gentleness. "Chenchen, do you want to go to school?"
"School?" Ji Chen looked up in confusion, his big innocent eyes filled with confusion.
"That's right." Ji Zhao rubbed his little head and explained softly, "In the books there are golden houses and beauties. Only by reading more and reading better can you become a knowledgeable person!"
"Chenchen wants to study!" Although Ji Chen was still a little ignorant about studying, he was willing to listen to Ji Zhao.
"Okay." Ji Zhao smiled in relief. "I'll think of a way to earn a lot of money. When the time comes, I'll provide for your studies."
Ji Zhao had already thought it through. Before Ji Chen came of age, she was willing to do her best to help him.
At dusk, smoke rose in the sky above Shanghe Village.
Zhao Lanhua, who was busy in the kitchen, made two extra bowls of steamed egg with minced meat.
"Second wife, Ah Tao! Let's set the table and eat!"
"Coming!" Second Sister-in-law Shen, who was still in the room, replied happily. Before she left, she did not forget to look at the pair of silver earrings hanging on her earlobes!
Shen Dashan, who came back at mealtime, had a bright smile on his face.
"Why are you smiling so widely?" Zhao Lanhua teased with a smile. "Did you pick up silver or did you step on dog poop outside?"
"Nonsense!" Shen Dashan looked at her helplessly. Then, he explained, "Uncle Village Chief praised us just now. Not only did we help everyone sell those small fish these few days, but we also led everyone to pick up snails. From beginning to end, we helped some families add some income. Uncle Village Chief said that our family did a beautiful job!"
"This is all thanks to Ah Tao!" Zhao Lanhua brought the cooked rice to the central room and said happily.
"That's right!" Shen Dashan nodded in agreement. "Ah Tao is a good girl!"
Ji Zhao, who happened to walk into the central room, happened to hear this praise. She silently curled his lips and smiled modestly. "Father, Mother, I'll become proud if you keep praising me like this!"
"So be proud!" Zhao Lanhua scooped a big bowl of minced meat and egg soup and handed it to her. "I'm proud of you too! I'll reward you with a bowl of steamed egg with minced meat!"
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78 Is This an Indirect Kiss?
"Thank you, Mother!" Ji Zhao smiled sweetly. The way her eyes curved into crescents was extremely cute.
In addition to Ji Zhao, Second Sister-in-law Shen and Ji Chen also got a big bowl of steamed egg with minced meat.
Ji Chen obediently thanked her, while Second Sister-in-law Shen smiled so widely that her eyes could not be seen!
After the family finished their dinner, Ji Zhao walked to the courtyard to watch the stars with Ji Chen.
"Chenchen, do you see those stars over there?" Ji Zhao, who was sitting cross-legged on the bamboo bed, looked up at the starry sky and pointed at the stars in the sky. He smiled and said, "That's the Big Dipper!"
"To learn the constellations, you start with the Big Dipper first, and it unfolds from the north to the west," Ji Zhao explained with interest. "Chenchen, look, connecting the shapes of the seven stars into a line, doesn't it look especially like a dipper?"
Ji Chen thought about it seriously and finally nodded. "Yes!"
"Dubhe, Merak, Phecda, and Megrez are the four stars that make up the dipper. The handle-shaped three stars are Alioth, Mizar, and Alkaid." Ji Zhao rubbed Ji Chen's face and continued to explain, "The positions of the Big Dipper in the night sky are different when the seasons are different. With the Dipper pointing east, it is spring; with the Dipper pointing south, it is summer; with the Dipper pointing west, it is autumn; with the Dipper pointing north, it is winter."
"I didn't expect you to have some understanding of astrology." Shen Yao brought the sliced watermelon to Ji Zhao. His gentle tone was filled with curiosity.
"Not really." Ji Zhao waved her hand modestly. "I just happen to know this."
Shen Yao lowered his eyes to hide the curiosity in them. He was even more puzzled.
How many secrets were hidden in Ah Tao's heart?
Ji Zhao picked up a piece of watermelon and handed it to Ji Chen. Then, she took a piece herself.
"Thank you!"
"Mm." Shen Yao could clearly feel that she was much more nervous. An indescribable sense of frustration suddenly surfaced in his heart.
"It's so sweet!" Ji Zhao took a bite of the watermelon, her eyes filled with surprise.
Her smile was bright and beautiful, sweeping away the frustration in Shen Yao's heart.
Just as Shen Yao was about to pick up a piece of watermelon to taste, he was stopped by Ji Zhao.
Her slender palm landed on his wrist. It was clearly a cold touch, but it made his heart heat up for no reason.
"What's wrong?"
"You're still recovering from your cold. It's not appropriate for you to eat such cold fruits," Ji Zhao said with a sincere smile. "Besides, didn't you just drink the medicine? You'd better not eat watermelons."
"...Okay." Shen Yao nodded obediently and immediately put down the piece of watermelon in his hand.
Ji Zhao picked up the watermelon happily and took an extremely elegant bite.
Seeing her narrowed eyes and enjoyment, Shen Yao's heart skipped a beat. He suddenly grabbed her wrist and took a big bite of the watermelon she had bitten!
"It's indeed very sweet!" Shen Yao commented with a smile. After saying that, he turned around and left without waiting for Ji Zhao to answer.
Ji Zhao came back to her senses and stared at the watermelon that Shen Yao had bitten. She blinked blankly.
Was this considered an indirect kiss?
Ji Zhao suddenly thought of this sentence and felt her cheeks burning.
"Sister?" Sensing that something was wrong with her, Ji Chen tugged at her sleeve worriedly.
"Chenchen, I'm fine." Ji Zhao smiled. "Chenchen, although watermelon is delicious, if you eat too much, you'll want to go to the toilet at night. So, let's eat this and not eat anymore, okay?"
"Okay!" Ji Chen nodded obediently. His cute and adorable expression could melt people's hearts.
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79 Do You Like It?
The next morning, the moment Ji Zhao opened her eyes, an elegant fragrance assaulted her nose.
She raised her eyebrows in confusion. When she pushed open the door, she saw a pot of gardenias outside the door.
On the lush green leaves, there were a few pure white gardenias.
The elegant fragrance of the flowers was refreshing.
Ji Zhao's lips curled up happily. She was in a good mood.
She smiled and picked up the pot of gardenias. She carried it back to the room and placed it on the table by the window.
"Gardenias mean a lifetime of waiting."
This sentence inadvertently appeared in Ji Zhao's mind.
Recalling what Shen Yao said yesterday, Ji Zhao suddenly felt a strange emotion surge in her heart. That feeling was indescribable. She was a little happy and hesitant.
Ji Zhao silently closed her eyes and shook off all the messy thoughts in her mind. Then, she let out a long sigh and walked out of the room.
Just as Ji Zhao walked to the courtyard, Shen Yao suddenly appeared in front of her and asked with a smile, "When I was walking in the back of the mountain in the morning, I happened to find these gardenias. I felt that its fragrance was elegant, so I brought it home. I wonder if you like it?"
Shen Yao looked into her eyes. His tone was very casual, but the depths of his phoenix eyes were clearly shining with anticipation.
Ji Zhao nodded silently. "I like it. I also think that the fragrance of the gardenias is very elegant and refreshing."
Hearing that she liked it, Shen Yao was very cheerful.
When their eyes met, the two of them smiled at each other.
An hour later, Ji Zhao followed behind Zhao Lanhua with a vegetable basket. The two of them went to the vegetable garden.
"Sanlang took you there once, right?" Zhao Lanhua patted Ji Zhao's hand affectionately and said with a smile, "Although our vegetable garden is not big, our vegetable garden is a treasure land!"
"Mother, why do you say that?" Ji Zhao asked curiously.
"In the past few years, it has been drought season all year round. Even the crops in the fields are difficult to grow, let alone those delicate vegetables. However, our family is relatively lucky. Back then, when the village drew lots to divide the fields, because our vegetable garden had too little land, no one was willing to accept it. Your father was also a soft-hearted person. When he saw your aunt crying sadly, he got hot-headed and changed the vegetable garden with your aunt's family."
"Aunt?" Ji Zhao remembered that there was no such person in the original novel.
"Your aunt, heh..." Zhao Lanhua chuckled. The mockery in her words was self-evident. "Let's not talk about it. Let's go. Mother will bring you around the vegetable garden."
When she walked into the Shen family's vegetable garden, Ji Zhao finally understood what it meant to benefit from a disaster.
Although the Shen family's vegetable garden was not big, there was a naturally formed well in the middle!
"The water in this well is endless!" Zhao Lanhua lowered her voice and whispered into Ji Zhao's ear, "Because of this pond, the vegetables in our vegetable garden are of the best quality!"
Zhao Lanhua plucked a cucumber and pushed aside the weeds that covered the patio. She twisted the rope on the wooden bolt and fetched half a bucket of water.
The cucumber washed with cold well water was fragrant, crispy, and sweet!
Ji Zhao dealt with it in no time!
"Mother, what should we do now?"
"Pick chili!" Zhao Lanhua quickly smiled and said, "To make hot sauce! Ah Tao, after you taste the hot sauce made by your mother, you will understand what a delicacy is!"
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80 Delicious eggplant
"Alright!" Ji Zhao chuckled. "Then I'll wait and see!"
Ji Zhao immediately squatted on the ground and helped pick the chili.
The chili peppers she picked, be it green or red, were especially plump and bright.
"Eh?" Ji Zhao, who was squatting on the ground picking chili, accidentally caught a glimpse of a dark purple color and raised her eyebrows in surprise.
"What's wrong?" Zhao Lanhua hurriedly walked to her side and asked softly, "Ah Tao, what's wrong?"
"Mother, we have eggplants as well?" Ji Zhao asked with a curious smile when she saw the dark purple eggplants.
"This is a purple fruit!" The confused Zhao Lanhua scratched her head silently. "Ah Tao, what did you just say this is?"
"Eggplant." Ji Zhao's lips curled into a faint smile. "Eggplant has many effects. Not only can it resist aging, but it also has the effect of reducing swelling and pain."
"The charcoal roasted garlic eggplant is especially delicious! And although the pickled eggplant stinks, it tastes especially delicious!" Ji Zhao asked excitedly, "Mother, can we pluck these eggplants?"
"Ah Tao, is this purple fruit really edible?" Zhao Lanhua was still skeptical.
She had lived for so many years, but she had never heard of purple fruits being called eggplants.
"It really is!"
That afternoon, Ji Zhao used these two eggplants to make two delicious dishes.
"This is garlic minced meat eggplant!" Before lunch, Ji Zhao explained with a smile, "The other is a fried stuffed eggplant. Father, Mother, Second Sister-in-law, Shen Yao, why don't you try it?"
The garlic fragrance of the garlic minced meat eggplant was strong, and coupled with a bit of chili sauce, it was very delicious! In addition, the fried stuffed eggplant was also especially delicious. It was crispy, not greasy, and made people want to eat even more.
In the end, the Shen family ate every last drop on the plates to express their highest respect for Ji Zhao's culinary skills!
"It's so fragrant!" Second Sister-in-law Shen could not help but burp. "If not for the fact that... burp... I... burp... I really can't eat anymore. I must have two more bowls of rice!"
"I didn't expect this purple fruit to really be edible?"
Zhao Lanhua, who had put down her chopsticks, was still smacking her lips. "But Ah Tao, you're really amazing!"
"Ah Tao's culinary skills are really amazing!" Second Sister-in-law Shen also smiled and teased, "Ever since I ate Ah Tao's cooking, my waist has gotten wider!"
Now, Second Sister-in-law Shen was in both pain and happiness! She did not want to miss out on any of Ah Tao's delicacies! However, she had really gained weight. Sigh! This feeling was really a sweet burden!
Two days later, Shen Yao accompanied Ah Tao into the city to buy tofu.
"Ah Tao, is the stinky tofu you mentioned really that delicious?" Shen Yao expressed his deep suspicion. Would the food that smelled stinky taste good?
"I know you won't believe me no matter what I say now. When I make it, you'll know how delicious that Stinky Tofu is!" Ji Zhao said with a gentle smile. "Shall we leave now? After we buy the ingredients, we'll look for Big Brother and Eldest Sister-in-law?"
"Alright, as you wish," Shen Yao agreed happily.
An hour later, after Shen Yao brought Ji Zhao into the pastry shop, he immediately saw Shen Dalang lying in front of the counter with a worried expression.
"Eldest Brother, what's wrong?" Shen Yao hurriedly walked forward and asked with concern.
Shen Dalang subconsciously avoided Shen Yao's gaze and said with a bright smile, "Third Brother, I'm fine. I'm just bored and daydreaming."
"Big Brother, tell me the truth." Shen Yao's face was tense as he asked sternly.
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81 What Does It Have to Do With You?
Meeting Shen Yao's serious gaze, the guilty Shen Dalang lowered his head and sighed.
"Actually, I don't know if this matter counts as a problem." Shen Dalang scratched his head, feeling very frustrated. "Yesterday, a customer came to the shop and specifically asked for mung bean ice cake, but it happened to be sold out yesterday. I could only apologize with a smile and ask them to buy it again today. In the end, that customer still refused to let it go and even smashed a lot of pastries..."
Thinking of the pastries that were ruined yesterday, Shen Dalang's heart ached!
Those pastries were all silver wasted!
"Eldest Brother, didn't you report it to the officials?" Shen Yao frowned, his deep eyes flickering with dark emotions.
"I wanted to report it to the officials." The more Shen Dalang spoke, the more aggrieved he became. "After that, I asked around and found out that the guest's identity is not ordinary. He seems to be a relative of the county magistrate."
The people could not fight with the officials!
Therefore, after weighing the pros and cons, Shen Dalang could only swallow his grievances.
"Right now, I'm worried that our pastry shop will offend the county magistrate's relatives. It will be even more difficult to do business in the future..." With a worried expression, Shen Dalang said with a bitter smile, "Third Brother, don't tell Father and Mother about this. Otherwise, the two elders will worry."
"Yes." Shen Yao nodded and replied, "Eldest Brother, don't worry too much. The nation has its own laws. As long as the pastries made by our Shen Ji Pastry Shop are clean, we have nothing to worry about. We're not afraid of shadows!"
After chatting with Shen Yao, Shen Dalang's mood gradually improved.
"By the way, Third Brother, why did you enter the city today? Did Ah Tao think of a new dish?"
"Yes." Shen Yao smiled and nodded. "Ah Tao wants to come to the county city to buy some ingredients for snacks."
"What snacks?" Shen Dalang asked impatiently. "Is it as delicious as roasted pork trotters?"
"Soup filled stinky tofu?" Eldest Sister-in-law Shen, who was busy in the kitchen, was very surprised when she heard Ji Zhao say this. "Ah Tao, I've eaten tofu before, but what is this stinky tofu?"
"It's an especially delicious snack." Ji Zhao smiled excitedly. "You'll know when I make it!"
Ji Zhao had bought some high-quality tofu today, so she only needed to ferment these tofu into stinky tofu to make delicious soup filled stiny tofu!
However, haste makes waste. The process of making stinky tofu would take a long time.
"Eldest Sister-in-law, I'll come back in two days to get the fermented stinky tofu," Ji Zhao said with a smile after tidying up the tofu.
"Is there anything I can do to help in the next two days?" Sister-in-law Shen quickly asked, "Ah Tao, if there's anything you need my help with, feel free to ask!"
"Then can I trouble Sister-in-law to take care of it? But there's no need to move the stones on it." Ji Zhao explained with a smile, "When the tofu is furry, the stinky tofu will be ready."
"Huh? You can eat furry tofu?" Sister-in-law Shen asked suspiciously, "Ah Tao, are you kidding me?"
"Sister-in-law, you'll definitely like it when I make the Soup Filled Stinky Tofu~" Ji Zhao smiled faintly, her eyes brimming with confidence.
"... Okay."
"By the way, Sister-in-law, why don't I see Sister Chunyan?" Ji Zhao asked softly.
"She went to the Qin family to deliver desserts," Eldest Sister-in-law Shen replied with a smile. "Ah Tao, why are you looking for her?"
"Sister-in-law, how old is Sister Chunyan this year? It's time for her to get engaged, right?" Ji Zhao asked with a concerned smile. "Speaking of which, Sister Chunyan is as good-looking as Eldest Sister-in-law, but isn't it a little inappropriate for her to keep running around outside?"
"What's it to you?"
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82 Can I Say Something?
Feng Chunyan, who happened to hear those words, rushed into the kitchen angrily. She placed her hands on her hips and glared at Ji Zhao.
"You Ji Ah Tao, you're deliberately making things up about me in front of my sister? Tell me, what's your motive!" The more Feng Chunyan thought about it, the angrier she became. She narrowed her eyes vigilantly. She had long known that this Ji Ah Tao was not a good person, but those people from the Shen family seemed to be possessed and all of them said that she was good!
It was unknown what method Ji Ah Tao had used to bewitch the Shen family!
Ji Zhao smiled helplessly. "Sister Chunyan, I'm afraid you've misunderstood. I didn't say anything bad about you in front of Eldest Sister-in-law."
"You still dare to quibble? I heard everything just now! How old am I? What does it have to do with you? It's not your place to judge! My sister is stupid, but that doesn't mean I'm stupid! Didn't you deliberately deceive my sister to take the opportunity to swallow this pastry shop? Someone like you who ran off to elope with a wild man on the second day of marriage is simply a shameless representative! Let me tell you, this shop belongs to my sister and brother-in-law. Give up!"
Furious, Feng Chunyan blurted out all the words she had hidden in her heart!
"Chunyan! Shut up!" Sister-in-law Shen was also furious. She was even trembling. "Who asked you to say that about your third sister-in-law? Apologize immediately!"
"I won't!" Feng Chunyan straightened her neck stubbornly and shouted coldly!
"You... Do you want me to invoke the family law?"
"Sister, I'm your younger sister!"
"Feng Chunyan! I want you to apologize!"
At this moment, the anger in Eldest Sister-in-law Shen's heart had reached its peak.
The current situation was about to erupt at any moment.
Cough cough—
Ji Zhao pretended to cough twice, then chuckled. "Can I say a few words?"
"Ah Tao, I'm sorry. I didn't teach Chunyan well. That's why this child is so anxious... Don't take what she said just now to heart!" Eldest Sister-in-law Shen hurriedly smiled apologetically.
Ji Zhao shook his head gently. "Eldest Sister-in-law, Sister Chunyan has misunderstood. Actually, what I said just now has another meaning."
"I'd like to see what you can say." Feng Chunyan crossed her arms and looked at Ji Zhao's smiling face coldly.
"Sister Chunyan is 14 years old this year, right?" Ji Zhao smiled faintly and said gently, "Sister Chunyan is born with delicate features. She's small and exquisite, slender and elegant. If the two elders of the Feng family were still around, I'm afraid that the people seeking marriage would line up from the east to the west of the city!"
Ji Zhao's flattery caught her off guard.
Feng Chunyan had a strange expression on her face.
"Don't beat around the bush. If you have something to say, just say it!" Feng Chunyan pulled a long face and muttered softly, "Even if you praise me, I won't thank you!"
"Whether Sister Chunyan believes it or not, I'm speaking from the bottom of my heart." Ji Zhao smiled sweetly.
At this moment, looking at the smile on her face, Feng Chunyan suddenly felt that this woman was not that annoying anymore.
Ji Zhao raised her eyebrows smugly. Indeed, praising a woman was the best way to appease her anger.
"That's right." Eldest Sister-in-law Shen couldn't help but sigh. "If Father and Mother were still alive, Chunyan would have been engaged."
"Sister?" Feng Chunyan's eyes reddened when she heard the sadness in Eldest Sister-in-law Shen's voice. "Don't be sad. Although Father and Mother are no longer around, we still have each other!"
Ji Zhao remembered that in the original novel, the Feng sisters had a miserable ending.
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83 I Understand
Eldest Sister-in-law Shen had been infertile for many years. In the end, she died of depression before she was 30 years old.
As for Feng Chunyan, her life was also very miserable. She was ruined by a profligate son in the county. Later on, her revenge failed and she went completely crazy.
Ji Zhao expressed her deep sympathy for the two sisters.
"Sister Chunyan, you're too good-looking. You always show your face like this. I'm worried that it will attract some good-for-nothings..."
In the spirit of humanitarianism, Ji Zhao decided to give a pointer or two.
As for whether Feng Chunyan wanted to hear her advice or not, Ji Zhao did not know.
About 15 minutes later.
Feng Chunyan walked over to Ji Zhao with heavy steps and said awkwardly, "Sister Ah Tao, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have spoken to you in that tone just now."
"It's fine." Ji Zhao waved her hand magnanimously.
"But can you answer me one question?" Feng Chunyan stared at her face, afraid that she would miss the change in her expression.
Ji Zhao nodded slightly, her eyes filled with curiosity.
"You're impressive. It only took you two months to change the Shen family's opinion of you," Feng Chunyan said slowly. "Then will you come and snatch this pastry shop?"
"No." Ji Zhao shook her head resolutely. "Sister Chunyan, your worries are completely groundless. The Shen Ji Pastry Shop is Eldest Brother and Eldest Sister-in-law's private property. I already know this."
"That's good!" Feng Chunyan heaved a sigh of relief after hearing her promise.
"Ah Tao, Chunyan is just a little straightforward. She doesn't have any bad intentions," Eldest Sister-in-law Shen quickly explained.
"Sister-in-law, don't worry. I understand," Ji Zhao said softly with a smile.
"Sister Ah Tao, I might as well tell you the truth. My sister has been married to Brother-in-law for so many years, but she hasn't given birth to a child yet. Therefore, the two of us have already discussed it. When I give birth to a son in the future, my sister will adopt him and raise him under her care," Feng Chunyan said frankly. "Other than Brother-in-law being very diligent, there's another more important reason why Sister and Brother-in-law can build this pastry shop. That is, the two of us have placed the Feng family's heirloom into the pastry shop."
"Family heirloom? What do you mean?" Ji Zhao's curiosity was instantly piqued, and she raised her eyebrows in surprise.
"The Feng family had an ancestor who was very impressive. He even worked in the palace! That ancestor was an imperial chef and was best at making all kinds of snacks. Therefore, the Feng family had a pastry secret recipe that had been passed down for a hundred years." Eldest Sister-in-law Shen smiled and explained, "Back then, your brother wanted to do business, so I took this recipe out..."
Compared to other pastry shops in the county city, the pastries in Shen Ji were delicious and affordable.
Therefore, in less than a year, the Shen Ji Pastry Shop was completely established in the county.
"Not only that!" Feng Chunyan hurriedly added, "In order to help brother-in-law set up this pastry shop, my sister even sold two dowries!"
"It's all in the past. Why are you still talking about it?" Eldest Sister-in-law Shen quickly waved her hand. "Ah Tao, I don't mean anything else by telling you this. Don't misunderstand. Chunyan really doesn't have any ill intentions..."
"Eldest Sister-in-law, I understand." Ji Zhao nodded obediently.
"As for bringing Chunyan's child under my care, can you not tell Mother first?" Eldest Sister Shen gently tugged at her sleeve, her moist eyes filled with pleading.
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84 Of Course!
"Sister-in-law, don't worry." Ji Zhao hurriedly nodded. "I definitely won't tell Mother about this."
"That's good, that's good!" Eldest Sister-in-law Shen smiled gratefully. "Actually, it's not that I don't want to tell Mother, but I haven't decided on this matter yet..."
Or rather, she still held onto the last bit of hope in her heart.
She still hoped that she could have her own child.
"Sister-in-law, I suddenly feel a little hungry. Can you bring me to eat some snacks to fill my stomach?"
"Of course. Come, I'll take you to the front."
When Ji Zhao followed Eldest Sister-in-law Shen out of the kitchen, she hurriedly tugged at her sleeve. "Eldset Sister-in-law, can we talk in private?"
Eldest Sister-in-law Shen suppressed the doubts in her heart and nodded silently.
When the two of them reached the main house in the backyard, Ji Zhao gently shook her arm and smiled gently. "Sister-in-law, have you tried the method I told you before?"
"What?" When the confused Eldest Sister-in-law Shen met Ji Zhao's clear and innocent gaze, the 'secret recipe for bearing children' that she had once mentioned suddenly appeared in her mind. She instantly felt her cheeks heat up. "I..."
"I did try a few times..." Sister-in-law Shen lowered her head shyly and muttered softly, "At first, your brother was willing to cooperate, but later on, he was unwilling..."
"Eldest Sister-in-law, if you want to be pregnant earlier, you might as well give it a try. Other than that, you still need to recuperate well." Ji Zhao smiled and said, "First of all, you have to cultivate a good schedule and try not to stay up late. Also, you have to learn to adjust your mentality. Don't always be depressed about not being pregnant. Also, you have to know how to eat."
"Ah Tao, I understand what you're saying." EldestSister-in-law Shen lowered her head, her eyes filled with bitterness. "It's just that I... I feel guilty. I've been married to your brother for so many years, but my stomach hasn't moved. I... I feel that I've let your brother down, our parents, and the ancestors of the Shen family down..."
Eldest Sister-in-law Shen closed her eyes weakly. Two streams of tears flowed down her cheeks.
"Eldest Sister-in-law, how can you think that way?" Ji Zhao quickly comforted her. "Pregnancy and childbirth are not just the responsibility of women."
"What?" Sister-in-law Shen blinked silently and raised her eyebrows in confusion. "If you can't give birth, do men have to take responsibility?"
"Of course!" Ji Zhao nodded like a chick pecking at rice. "The so-called Yin and Yang poles have Yin and Yang. If a woman is has too much yin or a man has too little yang, it will be difficult to get pregnant."
"But... but your brother's health is quite good?" Sister-in-law Shen said blankly.
"Ahem, well, just because both men and women are harmonious in sex doesn't mean that they can have children smoothly." Ji Zhao scratched her head thoughtfully. "In short, it's hard to explain this kind of thing in a few sentences. However, Sister-in-law, if you want to have your own child, you have to adjust your mentality first. Also, you have to pay attention to your diet and eat more bean products and fish."
"Okay." Eldest Sister-in-law Shen nodded vigorously. "I'll remember everything."
"It's getting late. Eldest Sister-in-law, I'll leave first."
"Ah Tao." Sister-in-law Shen suddenly grabbed her sleeve. She looked very troubled and her gaze was a little nervous, but she still mustered up the courage to say what was on her mind. "Ah Tao, Third Brother is really good. He... he was injured a few years ago. I'm afraid he hurt his waist, so even if you two are not harmonious in bed, don't blame him..."
Ji Zhao did not know whether to laugh or cry. It seemed that eldest sister-in-law had misunderstood.
Just as Ji Zhao was about to explain, Shen Yao's figure suddenly appeared.