Chapter 46: Hidden Merits and Unspoken Fame

Of course, on the surface, she still appeared to be that frail and helpless little woman:
“How… how can you say that? Tang Xin is my best friend. She only misunderstands me now, but one day we’ll clear up this confusion and resolve our differences.”
Gao Meitong merely cast Meng Jia a glance and continued, “Well, people eat grains and fall ill—there’s no avoiding it. Besides, we’re always called to work in the fields or climb the hills. If you’re talking about accidents, there’s plenty that can happen. Never mind, I won’t say more. You’re close friends, after all, and when Tang Xin finds happiness, she won’t forget you.”
With that, Gao Meitong strolled away, light as a cloud, paying no mind to Meng Jia still standing there in a daze. She hadn’t really said anything—just chatted idly.
If Meng Jia did something, it was none of her concern.
She preferred to hide her merit and fame, even if she gave Meng Jia advice, she wouldn’t take credit for it.
In the depths of Gao Meitong’s heart, of course, she hoped for nothing more than Meng Jia and Tang Xin—the so-called former best friends—to turn against each other, digging pits and plotting harm.
Let them fight; only then could she profit.
Was it only them who could fall for the noble and handsome Lu Liqin? Other girls longed to marry him and return to the city with him, too!
That evening’s meal was still excellent; there was a bit of leftover meat from the wedding feast, carefully saved by Madam Fang.
Just right for making dumplings and pancakes—her daughter-in-law loved her cooking.
Each time, there was a new compliment, never repeated, and Madam Fang was even happier, eager to prepare more delicious dishes for Tang Xin.
All made with fine white flour, brought by Tang Xin herself; Madam Fang truly felt she’d chosen the right daughter-in-law.
Hadn’t the entire Li family’s standard of living risen since Tang Xin entered the household?
That noon, after returning from work, they had egg soup, made with five whole eggs.
Though Madam Fang felt a pang as she cooked, seeing everyone enjoy their meal filled her with joy.
They made two hundred dumplings, enough for their family and to invite Old Third Gu and Gu Nan to join them.
Let Old Third Gu and his son have some, too; whenever the Gu family had something good, they always shared with the Li family.
Naturally, Old Third Gu didn’t come empty-handed—he brought out a bottle of wine he’d long kept and poured a bit for Li Zhirong and Li Sheng, and for the old lady, as well as the younger ones.
As for the little ones—
No matter, wasn’t the dumpling soup enough for them?
The dumplings had meat, mushrooms, and eggs; not only delicious, but the broth was tasty, too.
They made plenty, and the old lady told everyone to eat their fill—each got a big bowl.
Tang Xin, meanwhile, reminded, “Brother Li Sheng, you’ve had quite a bit of wine these past days; don’t drink more tonight.”
Li Sheng nodded—his tolerance was good, but he was always willing to listen to his wife.
Old Third Gu watched, ate a roasted peanut, and laughed, “You two really have a great relationship.”
Li Sheng was a little embarrassed, while Tang Xin lifted her chin with pride and happiness.
Then she added, “No, truly, it’s Father and Mother who are the loving couple.”
Li Jiang, busy with his dumplings, looked up and asked in confusion, “Sister-in-law, what does ‘loving’ mean?”
“It means a husband and wife care deeply for each other, like and love each other very much,” Tang Xin explained earnestly.
She never believed in the so-called modern parenting that assumed children couldn’t understand and glossed over things.
Children are independent beings with free spirits and deserve equal treatment.
So whenever Li Jiang or Li Hai asked questions, she tried to answer seriously and accurately, using what she knew.
But sometimes that backfired; for as soon as Tang Xin finished, Li Jiang exclaimed,
“Oh, I get it! So when Big Brother secretly hugs and kisses Sister-in-law at night, that means you two are really loving?”
The little rascal’s words plunged the whole room into an awkward silence.
Li Xiyue smiled slyly and teased, “Oh dear, Big Brother, Sister-in-law, don’t teach the younger ones bad habits!”
Tang Xin, a girl from the twenty-first century with a thick skin and high tolerance for embarrassment, only felt a brief discomfort before replying, “Yes, Big Brother and Sister-in-law are very loving. So when you find a partner in the future, make sure you truly care for each other.”
She even seized the chance for a bit of opportunistic education.
Happy days always flew by; before long, Li Sheng had to drive again.
Originally, the team leader had swapped shifts to let the long-suffering Li Sheng stay home for his new bride, giving him the whole month off.
But the driver for a short trip had suddenly fallen ill and needed a few days to recover at home.
It was only three days round trip, and the team leader promised extra work points for overtime, so Li Sheng was more than willing to go.
After all, he’d worked hard to marry his wife, and now hoped she’d enjoy a good life—so he should toil all the more.
Once Li Sheng left, Madam Fang worried her daughter-in-law might not have a good time, so every day she found new ways to cook for her.
The family’s supplies were limited, but the mother-in-law’s skill was superb—Tang Xin always ate with delight.
And sweet words, free as sand, poured into Madam Fang’s ears, making her even happier and determined to pamper her daughter-in-law.
Li Kai and especially Li Xiyue were so jealous their eyes glowed red, but they could do nothing.
How could their own mother, who’d doted on them for over ten years, be won over by a little enchantress?
Not just their parents—even the two little ones talked about their good sister-in-law every day.
Tang Xin found herself bored at home, so she often kept the twin brothers close while doing chores—taking them to the family vegetable plot, for instance.
Madam Fang was diligent, and the garden was well tended, every corner planted with vegetables of all kinds, thriving in this season.
Tang Xin carried her basket, ready to pick some vegetables—there was no magical harvest button, only hard work by hand.
Li Jiang and Li Hai darted around the garden catching bugs, to keep them from damaging the crops; the well-tended garden owed much to the brothers’ efforts.
When Tang Xin praised them, the boys blushed, their chests heaving with excitement.
Li Hai saw her about to pick a large scallion flower and cried out, “Wait, don’t pick that one!”
Tang Xin was puzzled, “It’s already old.”
Li Hai quickly explained, “Mother said that one is for seed, to plant next year.”