Wang Cuihua was stunned. Just moments ago, Mother Shen was threatening to teach Jiang Tang a lesson—had she just let it go so easily? Was it all because Jiang Tang had cried?
Looking closely, she realized that while Jiang Tang was wearing the same clothes as usual, there was something inexplicably different about her; she looked more pleasing to the eye and far more agreeable.
Could that be the reason for Mother Shen’s sudden change in attitude?
Jiang Tang deliberately took the long way around to borrow a cart from the brigade leader. As a result, many people in the village saw her—injured and teary-eyed—begging for a ride for Mother Shen.
Shen Shan had just returned home to find the place in chaos. His gaze swept the room, and upon seeing Mother Shen lying unconscious on the ox cart with her eyes tightly shut, he rushed over.
"Mother! What happened?"
Jiang Tang stepped forward, her voice anxious. "Big Brother, Mother had a fall, and then Sister-in-law accidentally poked her, and she ended up like this. Please, take her to the hospital quickly."
Wang Cuihua’s mouth hung open, but she couldn't find a chance to interject. She didn’t even know how things had suddenly turned out this way. Since when had Jiang Tang, who usually kept her head down and never dared to say a word, become so sharp-tongued?
The accusation left Wang Cuihua completely speechless. She felt more wronged than Dou E.
"Daya, you tell Dad—is that what happened?" Seeing Wang Cuihua unable to get a word out, Shen Shan turned to Shen Yuan standing nearby.
Daya, or Shen Yuan, was eight years old. She glanced at Jiang Tang, who was smiling at her, and then at her mother.
Seeing her hesitation, Wang Cuihua’s fiery temper flared. She gave the girl’s arm a sharp slap. "Your father is asking you a question! Are you deaf, or has your tongue been cut out?"
Shen Yuan went to school, and her teacher had told her that children must not lie. As far as she was concerned, there was nothing wrong with what Jiang Tang had said.
Seeing this, Shen Shan understood everything.
"Big Brother, I think Mother is really quite badly hurt. You should take her to the hospital quickly," Jiang Tang urged. "Don't delay her treatment."
Mother Shen’s face was deathly pale. Not daring to waste another second, Shen Shan drove the ox cart toward the hospital.
Wang Cuihua scrambled to follow. She knew that if Mother Shen woke up and she wasn't there, she would be in deep trouble. Besides, the look Shen Shan had given her earlier must have been a misunderstanding—she had to go and explain. She hated how Mother Shen tried to control everything, and she resented her domineering, nitpicking ways, but without Mother Shen, their current comfortable life would be over!
"Mama." Dongdong walked up to Jiang Tang and looked up at her.
That morning, Mama had told him that no matter what happened, he wasn't to say anything—he was just to watch from the sidelines.
Jiang Tang patted his head. "Dongdong did very well."
Only Jiang Tang and the three children were left at home.
Five-year-old Shen Guofu, whose face was so chubby his eyes looked like grapes, gestured at Jiang Tang and said rudely, "Go cook for me now. I’m starving to death."
He didn't act like a child at all; he was quite insufferable.
Jiang Tang gave him a light, dismissive glance and ignored him. She wiped away the tears she had deliberately induced with chili, then crouched down to speak to Dongdong. "Dongdong, go brush your teeth and wash your face first. Mama will go cook. Is that alright?"
Dongdong nodded. "Okay!"
Shen Guofu hadn't expected Jiang Tang to ignore him. Grandmother had always told him that in this house, whatever he said was the law.
"Hey! I’m talking to you—are you deaf? I said I’m hungry, go cook for me! Otherwise, when Grandma comes back, I’ll make her beat you to death!"
Dongdong, like a little bull, stood in front of Jiang Tang. Even though Shen Guofu looked taller and stronger, he wasn't afraid at all. "I won't let you bully my mama! If you try to hit her, I’ll beat you up!"
"Who do you think you are, trying to fight me?"
Shen Guofu lunged forward to hit Dongdong, but Jiang Tang blocked him with one hand.
"You look quite tender," Jiang Tang said, drawing out her voice. She raised an eyebrow and intentionally put on a sinister expression. "Since I’m hungry too, why don't I see how you taste?"
Terrified, Shen Guofu burst into tears immediately. "Mama... I want Mama!" He was used to throwing his weight around and had never encountered anything like this.
Jiang Tang let go of her hand and said languidly, "Stop crying, or I really... might eat you."
She stared at him intently. Shen Guofu wanted to cry more, but he immediately clapped his hands over his mouth, sobbing, "I’ll stop... I’ll stop."
Jiang Tang beamed at him. Shen Guofu shivered from head to toe and scampered out the door—he wanted to go play outside.
With that matter settled, Jiang Tang began to consider what to make for dinner. The house didn't have much, but luckily, she had decent culinary skills; as long as there were ingredients, she could manage.
Jiang Tang cut some of the hanging bacon into thin slices and prepared the other vegetables. Once the oil in the pot was hot, she stir-fried the ingredients one by one. Soon, three dishes were ready, and the rice was cooked.
"Time to eat."
Dongdong placed the dishes on the table, having washed his hands beforehand. Jiang Tang looked at Shen Yuan, who was standing nearby, and said, "Come over and eat, too."
Shen Yuan felt like her little aunt had changed. She was still the same person, yet something was undeniably different.
"Mama, eat." Dongdong didn't touch his food; instead, he put some into Jiang Tang’s bowl.
Jiang Tang felt a warmth in her heart. "Thank you. You should eat more, too, so you can grow up tall."
"Eat slowly," Jiang Tang instructed. "Chew your food more; it’s better for your digestion."
Dongdong was used to wolfing down his food, often swallowing it without chewing much at all. He had always been afraid that if he ate too slowly, there wouldn't be anything left. But since Mama asked him to eat slowly, he would listen.
Jiang Tang was doing this for his own good. His body was weak; even if he ate nourishing food, he had to take it slowly, or he would get indigestion.
"Mama, your cooking is delicious. When I grow up, I’ll cook for you."
Dongdong loved his mother’s cooking, but he felt even more sorry for how hard she worked in the kitchen. Hearing his words, Jiang Tang was deeply moved. How could there be such a cute and obedient child in this world?
If only she had some pork or fish, she could surely make something even better.
Only Shen Shan returned that evening. He knocked on Jiang Tang’s door and waited patiently outside.
A moment later, he heard the rustling of movement inside, followed by the sound of slippers on the floor. The door opened from within.
Under the moonlight, Jiang Tang looked up at him with her delicate, petite face. "Big Brother, you're back."
"How is Mother?"
Shen Shan’s deep eyes swept over the wound on Jiang Tang’s forehead. The inch-long scar looked particularly jarring on her fair skin. Thinking of Mother Shen lying in her bed, his tone grew heavy. "Sister-in-law, don't you think you owe me an explanation for what happened today?"