I became the Counterpart of the Winner in a Period Novel-Chapter 251 - 248: Add Fuel to the Fire

Human hearts are made of flesh, and moreover, within these few months, the Jiang siblings have benefited several times; emotionally and logically, their hearts leaned towards Jiang Jian Country’s family.

Previously, the rumors about the old house spread by the third branch were refuted by these eyewitness villagers. In the future, if anyone ignorant speaks ill of the third branch, they will be the first to stand up and defend them.

Speaking of the old house, the old lady was treated coldly, and upon returning, she saw the kitchen in disarray. She was immediately so angry that her blood pressure skyrocketed. Zheng Honglian was also scared; she couldn’t let this pillar collapse.

"Grandma, Grandma, what’s wrong? Let me help you sit down first. Wait here; there’s still water in the thermos. I’ll make you a bowl of malted milk."

The malted milk was a gift from Xue Zongsheng, her grandson-in-law, when the old lady visited her granddaughter in the city.

At the time, she gave Xue Zongsheng a hard glare. Jiang Zhenzhu was just a fake granddaughter; fake affection was enough, yet he was so generous. But it had its perks; most of it ended up in her stomach. She drank half a bowl as usual before bringing it out.

After drinking the malted milk, the old lady finally calmed down.

The kitchen was a total wreck, initially wanting to take her anger out on the third branch, but it only added to her rage.

Once calm, she couldn’t shake the feeling that the kitchen fire was rather odd.

"Honglian, was it you who started the fire in the kitchen?"

Zheng Honglian looked utterly shocked: "Grandma Jiang, am I that untrustworthy? Why don’t you suspect Jiang Beishan? Is it because she’s your real granddaughter, and in your heart, I can never compare to her?"

Hiding behind the door, Jiang Beishan rolled her eyes: Who wants to compete with you? Are you worthy?

As they were speaking, there was some commotion in the courtyard.

Upon seeing Jiang Jian Country, the old lady’s face immediately turned sour.

With a "bang," she casually threw the broom. Jiang Jian Country anticipated this and pulled his wife aside; the broom landed just beside their feet. Though it was just a broom, it wouldn’t have mattered if it hit them. However, this broom wasn’t made of bamboo, nor sorghum stalks; it was made of mountain thorns. Except for the handle, the rest was full of thorns. It wasn’t a broom for sweeping but rather one used in the village for trapping mice, which the old lady just hurled at her grandson.

Xia Xiaosi’s heart skipped a beat, but he still smiled, "Grandma, we came with good intentions to bring you food, yet you indiscriminately hit Jian Guo? He’s your grandson," then giving Zheng Honglian, who was gloating, a cold glance, Xia Xiaosi suddenly burst into tears, "You’d rather care for an outsider than your own grandson. Fine, we respect Grandma’s choice and won’t come again."

With that, she placed the food and sticky rice cakes they brought in front of the old lady, pulled Jiang Jian Country, and left.

Initially, she wanted to watch the old lady eat it, not leaving Zheng Honglian any. But seeing the situation now, she didn’t want Jiang Jian Country to stay even a bit longer. Anyone with such a grandmother would feel suffocated, and it’s better not to see her at all.

However, at the gate, there was a surprise. Xia Xiaosi, holding onto someone, accidentally bumped into the neighbors of the old house.

They were clearly there to watch the excitement.

A sensible aunt whispered in comfort, "Jian Guo, don’t take it to heart, and comfort your wife. Anyway, the third branch did all it could do, invited her, and brought her food. If she doesn’t appreciate it, that’s her problem. We’ll testify for you later."

Jiang Jian Country: Of course, we didn’t invite her. Ming Yue said not only the people from the old house know how to spread rumors.

"Exactly! Your wife was right earlier; this old lady is muddle-headed, treating an outsider better than her grandson. If that’s the case, let Zheng Zhiqing look after her."

Allies indeed!

Xia Xiaosi quickly took out some candies to distribute, "Thank you, everyone! Here are some wedding candies, share the joy. Thank you!"

The little girl had a sweet mouth and a sweet smile, easily gaining people’s affection. The neighbors were determined to spread their story.

They had seen it—a big bowl of meat dishes, along with melon seeds, peanuts, and sticky rice cakes. The old lady didn’t reciprocate anything for the grandchildren-in-law, yet the granddaughter-in-law still left the delicious food behind. It was indeed rare.

Bidding farewell to the neighbors, the couple took the shortest path home. After walking a distance, they suddenly realized their hands were intertwined.

Jiang Jian Country withdrew abruptly, as if burned, "I-I didn’t mean to."

Xia Xiaosi glanced at his blushing ears and chuckled, "Silly, I took your hand first. What are you worried about? We are a married couple." Honestly, last night was tormenting for both of them. Even though they got the certificate, they were still shy about taking that step. This silly man, when she refused, he actually went to sleep on the floor, so genuinely honest it pained her.

Upon returning, they were pushed back to their room by Mrs. Jiang, who hinted at nurturing feelings, but in fact, she wanted grandchildren. She was eager for the couple to stay behind closed doors and give her a grandson or granddaughter the next day.

Rarely in his life was Jiang Jian Country so embarrassed, and Xia Xiaosi wasn’t much better, running back to the room and locking the door.

Jiang Jian Country hesitated whether to knock, unintentionally touching the door panel several times, these seemingly insignificant actions like a kitten scratching the person’s heart inside. Xia Xiaosi’s heart was racing; with a swoosh, she opened the door and pulled him inside. Jiang Jian Country hadn’t even reacted when the softness engulfed him...

At Jiang Ming’an’s side, following his third aunt’s suggestion, he brought Xie Yunhai back to his courtyard. However, Xie Yunhai was utterly captivated by the solar water heater at the main house and completely forgot about Jiang Ming’an. With no one to talk to, Jiang Ming’an went to fetch his little sister.

"I’m telling you, brother, why don’t you give this yard to me for farming?" She had been eyeing it greedily for a long time, but he insisted on growing grass there.

"No way!" Firmly rejected as usual.

"If you let me farm, I’ll give you an extra jar of wine every time."

Jiang Ming’an sneered, "If I don’t let you farm, does that mean I won’t get any wine?"

Jiang Mingyue: Not necessarily!

Ah! Her brother cares for her, but sometimes he’s just hard to deal with!

In this chatty state, the siblings could talk in a desultory manner until late at night.

Xiao Ran, rubbing his sleepy eyes, came over, and finally, Jiang Ming’an remembered he had a younger brother.

Reaching out his hand, "Come here, let brother hug you."

Xiao Ran glanced at Jiang Ming’an, puzzled, the look saying: Who are you?

Then the little one changed direction and cozy up into Jiang Mingyue’s arms.

Jiang Ming’an: "..."

Jiang Mingyue watched the whole scene, amused, and exchanged glances with Jiang Ming’an conveying the message: See, I told you to show more concern for him.

Hugging him tightly, Jiang Mingyue looked down with a smile and ruffled his hair, "Why didn’t you keep sleeping?"

The little guy, now fully awake, remarked, "Isn’t it because of brother Jianjun? In the middle of the night, he called for tangyuan. I remember sister said no sticky food before sleep for kids, so I refused, and he asked me to call you guys."

Jiang Mingyue: "With so many dishes for dinner, is he hungry again?"

"Not at all, Third Aunt said he’s too excited." 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

Jiang Ming’an sneered, "Is he crazy? What’s he so happy about Jiang Jian Country getting married?"

Jiang Mingyue was puzzled too, "Come on, let’s go check. Brother, you coming?"

"Of course!" Missing out on some excitement isn’t very Jiang Ming’an.

"Aren’t you?" Jiang Mingyue glanced at the lit second floor. Aren’t you calling for him?

Jiang Ming’an immediately called out, "Xie Yunhai, if you want to come to the neighboring courtyard, come down."

Then she saw her brother stride forward without a pause.

That’s it?

It’s a good thing he wasn’t a girl; otherwise, she’d be furious.

The Jiang courtyard was brightly lit, with a pile of firewood burning in the yard. Jiang Zhenmei was doing needlework by the fire, while the eldest brother and his wife, faces flushed, were whispering. They looked like a long-married couple. Mrs. Jiang was baking pancakes while the second brother, Jiang Jianjun, crouched by the bread oven eating tangyuan.

The whole courtyard was a peaceful scene. Jiang Ming’an’s heart warmed, and even the trailing Xie Yunhai felt a certain place in his heart soften, thinking this was what a home should feel like.