Chapter 23: Vigilance
At this moment, Ying Sisi walked into the courtyard, shaking the snow off her clothes.
She quickly closed the door and hurried inside.
It was so cold.
By the looks of it, she wouldn't be able to set up her stall tomorrow.
“Where have you been again?” Li Junlu questioned with a cold face.
Ying Sisi replied calmly, “Aci took me to see the new house that my in-laws prepared for us. We sat there for a while.”
Li Yuwei exclaimed in surprise, “What? A new house?”
How could that be?
She didn't have one back in her day!
Song Hanmei anxiously asked, “What kind of new house?”
“It's a two-bedroom apartment allocated by my father-in-law’s workplace. It’s actually quite nice inside.”
Song Hanmei felt a pang of jealousy in her chest. A two-bedroom apartment was meant for just a young couple.
She couldn't imagine how comfortable her daughter's life would be after marrying into that family.
It was frustrating that her daughter was so stubborn and had such poor judgment.
How could she have fallen for that good-for-nothing Feng Shuangxi?
She wouldn’t listen to anything she said.
And now she had even caused a scene and left home, making her search for her everywhere.
Feeling uncomfortable, she pressed her hand against her chest, trying to ease the discomfort.
Li Junlu's expression shifted from gloomy to bright. “Your father-in-law letting you live in a unit's allocated house shows he values you. Once you get married, you should often mention my good qualities in front of him.”
Ying Sisi smiled stiffly. “Sure.”
What was so good about it?
He tricked her into coming to Beijing.
In three months, he had only given her one cloth coupon.
Meanwhile, Li Yuwei received five yuan pocket money from him every month.
Li Yuwei even had a job.
And here she was, serving their family like a maid.
They had good food and drink, but they hid it all away.
Whenever they had stewed ribs or meat, one of them would be sure to watch her.
Afraid she might steal a bite.
It was better than the Qin family, at least they fed her well.
“That's right.” Li Junlu was satisfied and his attitude towards Ying Sisi softened. “It's getting late. You should rest early.”
Song Hanmei said, “I have some matters at work tomorrow, so I won't be free. You get up early and steam the buns and dumplings, and fry the meatballs.”
“Got it.” Ying Sisi went back to her room and put away the change she earned.
As she took off her coat, the book Qin Yanci had given her fell out.
Georgian Style, French Casement Window.
There must be definitions in the dictionary, right?
She went to the study to find the dictionary.
After getting it, she stepped outside.
She heard Li Yuwei's sincere voice: “Sister, I was wrong before. I apologize to you now. These are my study materials from last year. Since Qin Yanci is preparing for college, and he has not touched a book in ten years, these might be useful to him.”
Ying Sisi felt a sense of vigilance.
What good intentions could a weasel have when it comes to paying respects to a chicken?
Besides, Qin Yanci graduated high school at fifteen. He was smart and talented. If he wanted study materials, wouldn't he choose them himself?
What business did she have worrying about it when she hadn't read many books herself?
If she accepted the books and Qin Yanci didn't need them, wouldn't she owe Li Yuwei a favor?
“He has books to read.”
Li Yuwei pushed the books into her arms. “Take them! Dad's workplace issued bath tickets. Do you want me to give you two? I can help you scrub your back.”
Ying Sisi took the bath tickets and returned the books. “I told you I don't need them. I can wash myself, and I can scrub your back too.”
Bathing at home wasn't convenient. She hadn't had a proper wash in a while, so having the bath tickets was perfect for her.
She went back to her room to gather her clothes for washing.
When she came out, Li Yuwei was already waiting.
Outside, the snow had piled up thickly.
Stepping on it made a crunching sound.
Li Yuwei took the initiative to strike up a conversation. “Sister, I advise you, even though you and brother-in-law have gotten the marriage license, you haven't held a wedding banquet. People in the neighborhood still don't recognize it. If you keep running over to his place, who knows what they'll say about you?”
(End of Chapter)
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