Chapter 211: Sigh

Chapter 211: Sigh
Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation
Zhou Wan and Xu Niu set out early in the morning. The distance between the two villages wasn’t very far, so they weren’t in a rush. They walked leisurely, pausing now and then to rest, chat, and snack on wild vegetable pancakes.
Xu Niu took a big bite of the vegetable pancake Zhou Lan had packed for them. He was pleasantly surprised. Although he expected the pancake, having been kept overnight, to be tough, he found it resilient, moist, and still very delicious, even when cold. After eating it, he felt a sudden burst of energy, as if it made the lengthy walk seem effortless.
Not only did Xu Niu feel this way, even Zhou Wan felt the same.
“I never expected my second sister-in-law’s cooking to be this good,” Xu Niu commented. “The last time she cooked for us, it was tasty, but this is even better.”
Hearing praise for his sister, Zhou Wan smiled with pride. “Indeed, there’s a lingering sweetness in her pancakes. I wonder which ingredients she used. It brings me peace to see her and her family thriving since parting ways with the old Jiang family.”
Zhou Wan’s thoughts turned to Jiang Chuan, his brother-in-law. “Jiang Chuan has always been sincere and humble. Before their separation from the old Jiang family, he was constantly suppressed by them, to the point of becoming overly submissive.”
“Every time he visits with my sister, I’m upset to see them speaking less and less. I used to be concerned about how they would fare after leaving the old Jiang family, especially with a child to care for. But since then, Jiang Chuan has truly shown his capabilities. The home they’ve built is truly something to envy.”
Just thinking about their three-room clay house made Zhou Wan very envious. He wondered when he could build such a spacious house for his own family. Once the drought ended and they were allowed to grow vegetables in the village, he dreamed of cultivating a small plot in the yard. This vision brought him immense joy.
Xu Niu also reflected on the change of his brother-in-law’s attitude when he was educating the child by the river. It was indeed different from before. In the past, if Xiao Gu had injured someone, Jiang Chuan would definitely be worried that they would seek retribution. He would also be scolded by Old Madam Jiang at home. However, he could not be as calm as he was today.
Moreover, despite the positive changes in Jiang Chuan’s family’s circumstances, they remained considerate of Xu Niu’s needs. They packed a generous basket filled with wild vegetables and rabbits, ensuring a fulfilling meal for him.
The large pig they owned didn’t yield much meat after deboning. While Zhou’s parents gave away half of their share, Xu Niu was cautious about its consumption. Given the four mouths he had to feed in his household, they allocated only a small amount of meat for each person, reserving about a pound. The remaining meat was exchanged for grain tickets at the local cooperative store. These tickets would help sustain them throughout the winter. They even set aside some for the family’s elders.
Xu Niu sighed deeply, remarking, “Life is challenging. When will the rains come? We can’t go on like this for much longer.”
As Zhou Wan was walking, he felt an unusual bulge in his pocket. Could the strong winds on the road have blown sand into it?
Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out a stack of grain tickets and some loose change.
Both Xu Niu and Zhou Wan exchanged glances, realizing the source of this unexpected find. Jiang Chuan had likely slipped these into Zhou Wan’s pocket discreetly.
Holding the money and tickets in his hand, Zhou Wan felt a pang of unease. Even though his brother-in-law’s family seemed to be faring well lately, they had their own challenges and many mouths to feed. Just a day prior, Zhou Wan had caught wind of some issues at the old Jiang residence. Clearly, things for Jiang Chuan’s family weren’t as serene as they appeared outwardly. The thought of accepting these invaluable grain tickets weighed heavily on Zhou Wan, especially as the elder brother.
Since they were already midway to their destination, turning back was not an option. They chose not to linger on the matter and quickly proceeded home.
By the time they arrived home, it was already noon. The enticing scent of freshly cooked food emanated from the kitchen, signalling that Zhou Wan’s wife was preparing a meal.
Upon seeing their son and son-in-law, Zhou Wan’s elderly parents quickly glanced behind them, hoping that maybe their daughter had also returned. Realising it was just the two men, they felt a tinge of disappointment.
Zhou Lan’s mother, Zhang Min, stepped forward, helping Zhou Wan unload the basket he was carrying. Noting their presence, Xu Niu said, “Mom, Dad, lunch must be ready at our house with Zhou Ling preparing. I better head back..”