Daily Life in the 70s-Chapter 138 Taking Over

Yang PeiMin exchanged a glance with Pan Shuiqin, reading from each other’s eyes: Here comes another to take advantage.

Pan Shuiqin was the first to lift the door curtain and enter. "Fourth Aunt Shen is here."

"Oh, speaking of the devil, Yiguang’s wife also came over..." Initially, Fourth Aunt Shen greeted Pan Shuiqin with enthusiasm, but when she saw Yang PeiMin following behind, there was a brief pause in her demeanor before she quickly recovered.

Pan Shuiqin nodded with a smile, "Minmin said she came to see how mother was doing, and just in time, we overheard Fourth Aunt mentioning something about sending items. What’s going on? What needs to be sent? Don’t we have it here in the county?"

Mrs. Zhao also hurriedly greeted Yang PeiMin and, seeing the items she was carrying, her face bloomed into a smile as she chided, "It’s fine that you came, but why bring something with you? Among family, there’s no need to be so formal."

Yang PeiMin placed the eggs beside her. "I’ve been meaning to come and see you, but I’ve been so busy I haven’t managed to make it. Just a small token of my apologies, and secondly, congratulations on expecting another grandchild."

Mrs. Zhao pointed at her, and laughing towards everyone said, "Look at this girl, isn’t she smooth-talking?" Saying this, she quickly had her sit on the kang bed, casting a glance at Pan Shuiqin, her mood too was buoyant, beckoning her to sit as well.

Fourth Aunt Shen eyed the eggs placed in Yang PeiMin’s net bag, her gaze flickering, then responding to Pan Shuiqin, "It’s just my boy getting married. I thought of bringing two quilts, the kind of silk duvets from the city that are light and warm. Since my niece-in-law is making a trip to the city, I thought she might bring them back." Lastly, she fixed her gaze on Yang PeiMin; her face appeared naturally genial, devoid of the tension from their last encounter.

However, Yang PeiMin frowned slightly in discomfort, as if she had something to say but held back.

Fourth Aunt Shen’s face began to sour, yet there was an eager challenge in her tone, "Yiguang’s wife, are you still holding grudges about what happened before? Fourth Aunt was only looking out for you. If you’re unhappy, you could have just told me off, but Yiguang’s cousin really needs those two quilts for the marriage. They played together as kids and are very close. You can’t just watch as your cousin fails to get married, right?"

Pan Shuiqin was about to speak, but Yang PeiMin shook her head at her. She addressed Fourth Aunt Shen, "Don’t get the wrong idea, Fourth Aunt. To be honest, today wasn’t just you looking for me to carry items. Both my elder sister-in-law and maternal family have asked me too. With many people and lots of things, I’m also worried. Why couldn’t my parents have given birth to me with three heads and six arms? Even my mother-in-law spoke up, forbidding me to carry any, citing my frail health and the fact that I already have plenty to carry for myself. She wouldn’t want me to be burdened to the point of breaking down; it would affect her grandson later. Worrying that my soft heart and thin face can’t say no, she even had someone accompany me to pass on the message. When my family heard, they too hurriedly didn’t dare to let me carry anything, saying they’d rather be distressed over their own daughter."

"So, Fourth Aunt, I’m sorry, but I can’t waste my mother-in-law’s concern."

Yang PeiMin’s skin had grown thick, and regardless of whether Fourth Aunt Shen was really banking on those two quilts or not, her remarks, with both a carrot and a stick, left Fourth Aunt Shen without a response. If she’s not running errands for her maternal family or elder sister-in-law, could she possibly give face to a less closely related fourth aunt?

But Fourth Aunt Shen wasn’t so quick to give up hope. She glanced at Mrs. Zhao, hoping she would speak on her behalf.

Still, Mrs. Zhao was a cunning one, feigning ignorance and chuckling away. After all, it’s hard to bite the hand that feeds you.

Fourth Aunt Shen had no choice but to force a smile and said herself, "Yiguang’s wife, it’s different for Fourth Aunt’s family. It’s urgent, and the quilts are light, not too much trouble. Just please pity your cousin who’s finally managing to arrange a marriage."

Pan Shuiqin looked at Fourth Aunt Shen and said, "Fourth Aunt, I’m sorry, but I have to say something. My sister is in a tough spot, turning away her maternal family, turning away her elder-sister-in-law, to just help you? What would they say? Does she never want to return to her family? Or get along with her elder sister-in-law? As her elders and family, if we still care for her, we shouldn’t be asking this of her. Everyone can talk about their own emergencies, can’t they?"

Fourth Aunt Shen’s face turned green and then red with scorn.

A flash of hatred flitted through her eyes as she darted a glare at Yang PeiMin.

Standing up with a flick of her hand, "Forget it. I’m old and useless, disliked wherever I go. It’s all because I talk too much about others’ affairs. Good intentions are mistaken for a donkey’s liver and lungs! Better not to burden our delicate Miss!"

Yang PeiMin laughed as she stood up to see Fourth Aunt Shen off, "Take care, Fourth Aunt." It didn’t affect her mood in the slightest.

Mrs. Zhao’s eyes twinkled as she came back from seeing Fourth Aunt Shen off, "Your Fourth Aunt always says whatever is on her mind, but her temper comes and goes quickly. She was just in a hurry, after all, her younger son has had a hard time finding a partner."

Yang PeiMin just smiled and didn’t discuss Fourth Aunt Shen any further.

She had no interest in her aunt’s affairs at all. It was good that she had run into her here and figured out her intentions, and managed to send her away without worrying about her causing trouble at her own home.

Seeing Yang PeiMin’s lack of interest, Mrs. Zhao tactfully gestured for Pan Shuiqin to take care of her.

Pan Shuiqin happily led Yang PeiMin out of the room.

In the adjacent kitchen, Pan Shuiqin’s elder sister-in-law was cooking. Hearing that there were guests, she came out to take a look and, seeing it was Yang PeiMin, her enthusiasm shone brightly, "You’re here, sister-in-law from the Shen family. Please come in and sit down. The kitchen doorway is full of fumes; don’t let them choke you. I’ll be done here shortly, then I’ll join you."

"No need, elder sister-in-law, I will be leaving in a bit. Don’t trouble yourself."

The Zhao family’s elder sister-in-law playfully glared at her, "How could you, our younger brother’s sister, not eat here? Don’t worry, I’ll add some food; it’ll be quick."

She almost pulled Pei Min aside to chat for a while.

Pan Shuiqin quickly said, "There’s no need, elder sister-in-law, my sister’s family has already prepared their meal. She’s just here to accompany me."

The Zhao family’s elder sister-in-law pretended to be dissatisfied and glared at her, "Look at what you’re saying..."

As they were still talking, Yang PeiMin quickly interjected, "I think I smell something burning..."

"What?" The Zhao family’s elder sister-in-law hurried back into the kitchen.

Finally, there was some peace and quiet.

Yang PeiMin gave Pan Shuiqin a knowing wink.

They turned around to see Zhao ManCang, his trouser leg rolled up, standing behind them in a disheveled state, trying hard not to laugh—he clearly saw the way Yang PeiMin had bamboozled his elder sister-in-law.

Pan Shuiqin glared at him annoyedly, "If you want to laugh, just laugh. You look like you’re about to crap yourself!"

Yang PeiMin: "..."

The three of them went to Pan Shuiqin and Zhao Mancang’s room and began discussing the recipe.

Zhao Mancang had far more guts than Pan Shuiqin. With a slap on his thigh, he agreed, "But for the recipe, we still need to give the money to our cousin. Even full siblings should settle accounts clearly, cousin, don’t refuse. Otherwise, you’ll be looking down on your brother-in-law."