Educated Youth in the Countryside: She is the Village's Embroidery Queen!-Chapter 242: Meeting an Old Friend

Yi Chichi, "??? Who offended him?"

The tension is really thick.

Wang Nan’s mouth twitched slightly and she whispered, "He had a fight with Xue Jiahuan."

It almost came to blows.

"I wasn’t the one arguing with her, it was her being unreasonable, treating people like slaves– mmm..."

Qi Yang, knowing he would start raving when angered, swiftly covered his mouth and barked, "Shut up."

Some things really can’t be said carelessly, it could cause big trouble.

"Mind your own business, got it?!"

Wu Yongfei blinked. He understood that concept, but the problem was Xue Jiahuan didn’t understand it.

He gestured angrily toward Xue Jiahuan’s room, his eyes practically shooting flames.

Seeing this, Yi Chichi wiped the sweat from her forehead and pulled him aside, asking, "What’s going on exactly?"

"She told me to cook for her, used a bad tone, had a bad attitude, made it seem like I owed her something, so I wasn’t happy and refused. You know what she said?"

Yi Chichi shook her head. If she knew, she wouldn’t have asked.

"She called me useless, said I was only good for hanging around the kitchen all day."

Yi Chichi gasped, what’s wrong with Xue Jiahuan?

She sucks up to people so much that everyone knows, as if afraid others might not know she’s trying to cling to the old man’s family.

She doesn’t even lower her stance when asking for help, orders people around like servants, and insulted when rejected. This is because Wu Yongfei is laid-back despite his foul mouth.

If it were someone with a short fuse, fists would have probably flown.

"She didn’t come out."

"She’s scared to."

Wu Yongfei snorted, "If she dared to come out, I’d dare to hit her."

Bai Chen sighed and said to Yi Chichi, "You should head back. Don’t get involved with him; we’ll keep an eye on the two of them."

Yi Chichi had already moved out; she shouldn’t get caught up in these internal conflicts at the Youth Corps Courtyard.

It’s not good for her.

"Alright, I’ll head back then."

Yi Chichi understood his intention and was happy to accept his kindness. Before leaving, she advised Wu Yongfei, "Stay calm in face of trouble and listen to Old Bai and the others."

"Okay."

Wu Yongfei agreed readily, which made Yi Chichi feel at ease as she left. With Bai Chen and the others watching, nothing would happen.

At home, Wen’s mother was just about to cook. Seeing her return with an armful of items, she asked puzzled, "What is all this?"

"Chi Jiaojiao’s fabric for making clothes."

As she spoke, she set the fabric aside and took out some fish from the basket to hand over, "Mom, why don’t you cook the fish?"

Wen’s mother didn’t take it immediately and asked seriously, "You went to the marsh?"

"...Uncle Yaozi gave it."

She wasn’t capable of catching fish in the marsh, especially not such a big carp.

Wen’s mother’s expression relaxed. She had been scared, thinking her daughter-in-law was so craving for fish that she went to the marsh herself.

How dangerous.

Fortunately, it was Yaozi who gave it.

"How do you want to eat it?"

How should the carp be eaten?

Yi Chichi thought for a while and realized she had never eaten carp before, so she said, "I’ll leave it to you, Mom."

"How about braised carp in soy sauce?"

"Sure."

For dinner, the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law enjoyed braised carp in soy sauce, which was delicious and tender. Yi Chichi immediately loved it, exclaiming, "I thought carp meat would be coarse and fishy."

"That’s southern carp."

Wen’s mother laughed, "Northeastern carp is tender, has fewer bones, and is less fishy due to the water quality. It’s tastier than crucian carp with more bones."

Indeed, it’s delicious.

The braised carp was a great accompaniment to the meal, and both ate till their bellies were round.

Later that night, after Wen’s mother bathed, she came to find Yi Chichi, who was sitting at a table working on making frogs for garments.

Upon hearing a knock, she called out to come in, and Wen’s mother entered, seeing the table covered with items, she leaned over to take a look, "Making frogs?"

"Yes."

She nodded without looking up, "Mom, do you need something?"

"After the autumn harvest, I plan to go on a trip."

"Where to?"

Yi Chichi put down her work and looked up. Wen’s mother smiled, "To see an old friend."

"Is it far?"

"Not far, just in town."

Yi Chichi was silent; in reality, from Kao Shan Village to town was quite a distance, and it would take at least two days for a round trip.

But—

"I’ll go with you."

With her mother-in-law’s face, she wouldn’t be at ease letting her travel alone.

"Okay."

The agreement came too readily, and Yi Chichi was momentarily taken aback before realizing that Wen’s mother specifically informed her with the intent of having her accompany her.

She got interested and probed, "Mom, who is your old friend?"

"A life-and-death companion who’s saved me on the battlefield, and I’ve saved her."

"A woman comrade?"

"Of course not a man."

Wen’s mother affectionately patted her head, "I worked in logistics back then, so there were many female comrades around."

Yi Chichi laughed awkwardly, "I thought it was a man comrade."

She had discussed Wen’s mother’s situation with Wen Shi, who was quite supportive of her finding someone new, and before he joined the army, he eagerly wanted to find a man for his mother. The result? He got scolded while Wen’s mother was unwell.

It made her cry.

After that, he didn’t bring it up again, but he didn’t forget to complain to Yi Chichi about how devoted to her father his mom was.

Thinking of this, she held Wen’s mother’s hand, "Mom, can I ask you a question?"

"What?"

"Have you considered finding someone new?"

Wen’s mother’s forehead was marked with dark lines; should she say that as expected of being part of Old Wen’s family, they seem right at home?

Chichi was truly meant to be her daughter-in-law at Old Wen’s house.

Her son and her think the same way, always worrying unnecessarily.

"I’m not looking."

She said firmly, "I’ll stay with the two of you in the future. If you consider me a nuisance, I’ll live on my own. When you have kids, just bring them back to see me."

"Then, Mom, you can help me take care of the kids and cook for me."

This was essentially a promise, no matter where she and Wen Shi were, they would bring her along.

Wen’s mother understood the meaning behind her words and a gentle smile appeared on her face.

"I’ll cook for you for a lifetime."

"Then I leave my hundred-plus pounds frame to you, Mom."

Yi Chichi hugged her and acted like a child, and Wen’s mother laughed, patting her hand on the back of her head, "You’re an adult now, still acting like a child."

Her gaze fell on the frogs on the table, "Do you plan to finish these tonight?"

"No."

Getting back to business, Yi Chichi got out of her embrace and picked up the frogs, "But there’s no rush, we can take our time."

There were frogs for several garments, and completing them all would take some time.

"What designs are you planning to make?"

Wen’s mother picked up a frog and asked.

"Pipa buttons, double happiness buttons... auspicious buttons, just these for now."

"Let me help you."

Yi Chichi was surprised, "Mom, you know how to make frogs?"

"I’ve learned. I also learned qipao, but I didn’t master it."

She only knows basic cutting and garment making, nothing too complicated.

Yi Chichi scratched her head, realizing her mother-in-law was indeed quite skilled in many areas.

It’s great.

"Then let’s do it together, Mom."

"Sure."

After that, the two of them worked under the light for over two hours and made two sets totaling eight frogs.