"Mom, you often take me to visit people, hoping that when they think of good marriage prospects, they'll think of me first, right?" Zou Xiaomei asked. Aunt Zou glanced at her daughter and nodded.
"But you know, every time I go out with you, although they say I'm cute and have a blessed face, their eyes when they look at me are always that kind of look," Zou Xiaomei said, leaning on her mother's back.
Aunt Zou frowned. She hadn't noticed their gaze.
"But Sister Fu is different. When she talked about the personality she liked, she truly smiled at me," Zou Xiaomei told her mother. This was also why she liked Fu Wenwen; a person's eyes couldn't lie.
"Really?" Aunt Zou raised an eyebrow. If that were true, then this little Fu was worth getting to know.
"When have I ever lied to you? You like Aunt Hu's daughter so much, the Sister Hu you say is so good. She looks very gentle, but when she smiles at me, it's not genuine. Like everyone else, she looks down on me," Zou Xiaomei said glumly.
"No wonder you refused to go when I asked you to spend more time with her. When I asked why, you wouldn't say." Aunt Zou pinched Zou Xiaomei's cheek, feeling both angry and heartbroken.
Her daughter was a bit overweight, but it pained Aunt Zou to see others treat her daughter that way.
If it weren't for the hope of her daughter finding a good home, she really wouldn't want to deal with those people.
"What do you mean? You think Sister Hu is being hypocritical? Even if I told you, you wouldn't believe me and would just say I'm talking nonsense," Zou Xiaomei snorted. She knew her mother well enough.
She would surely say that Zou Xiaomei was jealous of Hu Xin and was deliberately smearing her name.
"Next time, just tell me everything. I'm your mother, not her mother!" Aunt Zou tapped Zou Xiaomei's head. Why would her daughter think she would side with Hu Xin instead of her?
"Heh heh, Mom is the best," Zou Xiaomei giggled.
"Alright, go on, go on. You're distracting me from cooking!" Aunt Zou gave her a look and pushed her out.
Aunt Zou glanced in the direction of Fu Wenwen's house. It seemed she would have to pay another visit tomorrow.
By the time Fu Wenwen had finished cooking four dishes and one soup, Lin Feng and Peng Tao finally came out. Seeing the table full of dishes prepared by Fu Wenwen, Peng Tao's somber expression eased, and he walked over with a smile.
"Sister-in-law, you're too kind, preparing so many dishes. It's my fault too, coming empty-handed." Peng Tao said apologetically. He had come in a hurry this time and hadn't thought to bring anything.
Fu Wenwen smiled and served him rice. "Treat me like family, and there's no need to be so polite. Coming over and needing to bring gifts, wouldn't that be too formal?"
"Haha." Hearing Fu Wenwen's words, Peng Tao's smile deepened, and he patted Lin Feng heavily.
Lin Feng glanced at him and went to help Fu Wenwen serve bowls of rice.
Fu Wenwen passed Lin An's bowl to Lin Feng, asking him to help Lin An with his food. She then took a bowl of rice and a separate portion of dishes and prepared to go out.
"Sister-in-law, where are you going?" Peng Tao asked, surprised that Fu Wenwen was taking food out.
"I'm taking some food to the little soldier. You all eat first, don't wait for me," Fu Wenwen said with a smile over her shoulder, gesturing to the soldier standing by the door. Peng Tao looked at Fu Wenwen deeply, watching her walk to the door with the food to give to the soldier guarding it.
"You've truly found a priceless treasure," Peng Tao said to Lin Feng, who was looking at Fu Wenwen. Lin Feng smiled faintly. "I think so too."
When Fu Wenwen gave the food to the soldier, his eyes welled up, and he gratefully saluted Fu Wenwen.
When Fu Wenwen returned, Lin Feng was helping Lin An with his food, while Peng Tao and Lin Feng hadn't touched their chopsticks. "Why aren't you eating? Is it not to your liking?"
"We're waiting for you."
"Sister-in-law, we're waiting for you."
Peng Tao and Lin Feng said in unison.
"You don't have to wait for me!" Fu Wenwen chuckled and sat down beside Lin Feng.
"That won't do. You're the hero who cooked for us, how can we not wait for you? Come, come, don't be shy. This food smells amazing; it's making me drool." Peng Tao said with a smile. Seeing Fu Wenwen sit down, he finally picked up his chopsticks and reached for the dishes in front of him.
"Mmm! Sister-in-law, your cooking is top-notch!" Peng Tao exclaimed after taking a bite, giving Fu Wenwen a thumbs-up.
"If you like it, eat more! I made plenty, considering the appetites of soldiers like you. Don't hold back. Leave the rice and steamed grains to yourselves," Fu Wenwen said with a smile, pointing to the rice and steamed grains on the side.
"You really... Sister-in-law is like a rose, and you, Lin Feng, are like dung," Peng Tao said with mock disdain, looking at Lin Feng. Such a good woman, paired with this blockhead, it's a shame.
"A rose blooms vibrantly because it receives nourishment from the soil, doesn't it?" Fu Wenwen said with a soft smile.
Lin Feng and Peng Tao were taken aback.
Lin Feng looked back at Fu Wenwen, countless stars twinkling in her eyes.
"Wow, what a way to put it!" Peng Tao burst out laughing.
"Mom, is Dad dung? No wonder Dad's feet smell so bad..." Lin An suddenly asked while eating.
Everyone was stunned. Peng Tao slapped the table and roared with laughter.
Lin Feng gave Lin An a poker-faced glance. "You'll smell bad when you grow up too!"
"No way, I wash my feet every night before bed! Mom says I'm a fragrant baby," Lin An retorted indignantly.
"You'll still smell bad," Lin Feng snorted, repeating his statement.
"No, Dad smells bad. Dad didn't wash properly even after his bath!" Lin An said angrily, pouting.
Fu Wenwen and Peng Tao looked at Lin Feng in surprise. Lin Feng gritted his teeth. "I washed properly!"
"Dad, it's wrong to lie!" Lin An said seriously. "Every time I just get into bed and my feet aren't even warm, you're already done! You definitely didn't wash properly!"
Fu Wenwen snickered.
Peng Tao burst into hearty laughter, clearly delighted. "Lin Feng, Lin Feng, finally someone can handle you!"
Lin Feng took several deep breaths. "I just wash quickly, not incompletely."
"How can washing quickly be washing completely..." Lin An wanted to say more, but seeing Lin Feng glare, he pouted in dissatisfaction and mumbled quietly.
"..." Lin Feng felt his blood starting to boil.
"Hahahaha!" Peng Tao laughed so hard he stopped eating, choosing to laugh it out before continuing.
Fu Wenwen served Lin An more food and rubbed his head. "When Dad was in the army, everyone had to take turns showering, so he had to finish quickly so the uncles behind him could shower. That's why he showers so fast. Next time you take a bath, teach Dad how to wash slowly, okay?"
"Okay! Dad, you have to learn from me properly!" Lin An looked at Lin Feng with serious eyes.
"...Thank you." Lin Feng felt a lump in his throat.
"Finally, you get to experience how I feel!" Peng Tao exclaimed happily. He used to be so angered by Lin Feng that he almost had a heart attack!