Chapter 323: Chapter 323: A Hen That Doesn’t Lay Eggs

As March rolled in, the weather gradually warmed. The bright sun felt pleasantly warm on the skin.

An Hui, Wu Miaoyun, and Wu Lan were gathered around the ping-pong table, pasting soles onto shoes.

Ma Hongmei had strung a line between the grapevine trellis and the courtyard wall and was hanging freshly washed clothes on it to dry.

On the other side of the courtyard, several flat wicker baskets were laid out, filled with drying fermented black soybeans and radish strips.

"You know, fixing up this little courtyard has made it quite convenient."

Looking at the clean, bright courtyard, Wu Lan couldn’t help but say with envy.

"Vegetable prices have been getting more and more expensive lately. Celery is seven fen, lettuce stems are eight fen, and even rotten radishes that nobody wants are selling for five fen! Ai, Sister Hui, you really shouldn’t have gotten rid of your vegetable patch. Just think, at this time in previous years, the whole yard was full of vegetables. Wasn’t that great?"

The moment Jiang Moli stepped into the courtyard, she heard Wu Miaoyun’s complaint.

"Aunt Wu, hearing you do the math, it sounds like you’ve saved a lot on groceries over the years. You must have a nice little stash of private savings, right? So when are you going to treat my mom to a nice meal at a restaurant? After all, my mom contributed to that stash of yours, didn’t she?"

Wu Miaoyun shot her a look and pretended to check her watch. "It’s getting late. I’m going home to cook."

Jiang Moli said, "Aunt Wu is so generous, even offering to cook personally. Auntie, don’t bother with lunch today, we’re going to eat at Aunt Wu’s. Aunt Wu, I’m not picky. Just steam some cured pork and scramble an egg or something, that’ll do."

Wu Miaoyun’s expression was as foul as if she’d just eaten shit.

’When did I agree to treat you to a meal? And you want my cured pork and eggs? Eat my ass!’

"Xiao Jiang, I’m afraid you won’t be eating any eggs. That hen of mine... I’ve been raising it for over half a year, and it hasn’t laid a single egg. So unlucky."

After speaking, she shot a meaningful glance at Jiang Moli’s stomach.

Wu Lan chimed in, "Why keep such a useless thing around? Just butcher it already so it stops wasting food!"

"Exactly, exactly."

The other two military dependents voiced their agreement, all of them looking at Jiang Moli, ready for a show.

’You’ve been married into the family for so long and haven’t even laid an egg. What are you so smug about?’

Jiang Moli bared her teeth in a grin. "Ever think that maybe the hen isn’t laying eggs because it’s waiting for all of you to get reincarnated?"

"Haha, I’m just spouting nonsense. Don’t be mad, okay? Getting angry makes you die faster. Ack, I mean, age faster."

How could they not be angry? Wu Miaoyun and the others were practically fuming to death.

Leaving the Lu Family’s home, the women cursed all the way.

"That thing is so damn annoying!"

"Good thing she’s going to the military base. Once she’s gone, our lives will be a lot more peaceful."

"Tell me, how can that bitch be so lucky? She’s just barely over twenty and already a commander’s wife. Heaven must be blind to let someone like her enjoy such a good life."

"If I’d known Lu the Third was so capable, I would’ve shamelessly pestered Sister Hui to become her in-law."

Speaking of Lu Cheng’s promotion to commander, every one of them was endlessly envious and full of regret for letting such an outstanding son-in-law slip through their fingers!

Back in the Lu Family’s courtyard.

Ma Hongmei joked with An Hui, "That Xiao Jiang and her mouth... she really can’t stand to lose out one bit."

An Hui chided Jiang Moli, "No matter what, Aunt Wu and the others are your elders. You should watch your tone."

"Next time for sure."

An Hui could tell she hadn’t taken a word of it to heart, so she didn’t bother pressing the issue. It’s not like she could control her anyway.

’Better for her to piss off other people than to piss me off.’

’My third son’s wife may have a sharp tongue, but Wu Miaoyun brought that on herself.’

’I’m her mother-in-law, and I’m not worried, so I certainly don’t need anyone else to be worried for me.’

...

A few days later, it was Chu Shan’s birthday, and she invited Jiang Moli out to eat.

When Jiang Moli arrived, Qian Ling was already there, but Chu Shan was nowhere in sight.

The two weren’t in a hurry. They ordered a pot of tea and waited while they drank.

"Moli, what have you been up to these past few days?"

"Busy making a nuisance of myself everywhere. To be honest, it’s only because we’re so close that I came. If anyone else had asked me out to eat, I wouldn’t have wanted to leave the house for fear of getting beaten up."

Qian Ling giggled, thinking Jiang Moli was just joking.

"Moli, I’ve made up my mind. I’m going to take the college entrance exam with Jingrui and apply to schools within the province. In case I don’t get in, at least I won’t be too far away."

Jiang Moli took a sip of tea. "That’s great. By the way, have you thought about what you want for a wedding gift?"

Qian Ling didn’t stand on ceremony. "Get me a fountain pen. It’ll be perfect for studying."

Jiang Moli readily agreed.

A short while later, Chu Shan hurried in. "Sorry, I’m late. The train was delayed today."

"No worries, we just got here a little while ago too," Jiang Moli said with a grin, resting her chin in her hand.

Qian Ling thoughtfully poured Chu Shan some tea.

After they ordered their food, Chu Shan suggested they have some drinks.

Jiang Moli hadn’t had a drink in a while and was getting excited, but then she heard Qian Ling say to her:

"Moli, you shouldn’t drink. Shanshan, I’ll drink with you."

Jiang Moli protested, "Why can’t I drink?"

Qian Ling said earnestly, "Drinking is bad for the baby. You’re a mother-to-be now, so don’t be willful."

"I’m not pregnant, really."

Qian Ling looked at her. "If you dare drink today, I’ll call Commander Lu. If you’re not afraid of getting a beating, go ahead and drink."

Jiang Moli: "..."

’Wait, where did my sweet, soft, adorable Lingling, the one who was like a little sticky rice ball, go?’

After several rounds of drinks and courses.

Chu Shan started talking about her troubles. "I have a question for you two. If your boyfriend asked to borrow money from you, would you lend it to him?"

Jiang Moli was concise. "The moment he asks me for money, he’s no longer my boyfriend."

Qian Ling sipped her beer. "I think it depends on what it’s for."

Chu Shan downed a glass of beer in one go before finally explaining the reason.

Chu Shan’s boyfriend is named Wu De, and he teaches history at City No. 1 Middle School.

Wu De found a connection somewhere and wants to get transferred to the Education Bureau, but he needs money for bribes.

Wu De’s family background is average, and even after pooling all their money, they couldn’t come up with enough, so he turned to Chu Shan to borrow it.

"If it were one or two hundred, I have that saved up myself and would definitely lend it to him. But he wants to borrow five hundred and told me to ask my family for it. I don’t even dare tell my parents; they would never agree."

Jiang Moli said languidly, "Any man with a shred of dignity wouldn’t ask his own woman for money. Using a woman’s money to pave the way for his career just means he’s a loser."

This time, Qian Ling also sided with Jiang Moli. "Shanshan, you need to think this through. Five hundred is no small sum. You’ve only been seeing each other for three months. Lending out that much money... it’s just not reassuring."

Chu Shan said in distress, "But if I don’t lend it to him, he’ll be unhappy."

Jiang Moli retorted, "Who cares if he’s unhappy? You’d inconvenience yourself to satisfy someone else? Are you some kind of bodhisattva? I think they should have you sit in for the Leshan Giant Buddha."

Chu Shan’s head was buzzing from the scolding, and with the alcohol in her system, her eyes grew moist and her voice was laced with grievance.

"He’s been really good to me. I don’t want to make him unhappy."

’Tsk, another one with a love-addled brain.’

Jiang Moli propped her chin on her hand. "If you want to know if a man is reliable, just refuse him once and you’ll see his true colors. Try it if you don’t believe me."

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