Chapter 18 - 18 18 Freeloading a Meal

Words : 1317 Updated : Sep 10th, 2025

18: Chapter 18: Freeloading a Meal 18: Chapter 18: Freeloading a Meal Zhong Hongying’s smile gradually faded, “Luo Meiying, if you don’t clarify what happened today, I’ll take it up with the secretary, and I believe he won’t be so biased toward his own daughter as to lose all sense of impartiality.” Seeing that his own daughter was about to clash with the secretary’s daughter, Uncle Zhong hurried over with a big hoe, “Hongying, go over there.” He then flashed an ingratiating smile towards Luo Xiaoqiong, “Meiying, don’t be angry, once we finish our tasks here, we’ll give you a hand.” “No need, just don’t add your work onto ours, that would be thanks enough.” Luo Xiaoqiong snorted, turned her head back, and with a sweep of her eyes at Hongying, she silently headed to the area where Uncle Zhong was working. Chuxia’s brows twitched slightly, she began to understand what had upset Xiaoqiong just now, but anyone witnessing this scene would likely not side with Xiaoqiong—or perhaps, this wasn’t the first time that Hongying had sought to climb up at Xiaoqiong’s expense...surely everyone knows? However, even with this understanding, she couldn’t help Xiaoqiong at this point—Hongying, as capable as she was, was still at a disadvantage compared to the secretary’s daughter, and sympathy for the underdog is human nature. If she rashly stood up now... Zhong Hongying’s family finished their work before Chuxia’s. Aunt Zhong, carrying the hoe, didn’t look back as she went home, while Hongying and Elder Zhong started helping Chuxia’s family from the other end of the field. Zhao Yulan quickly tried to dissuade them, “Brother Zhong, Hongying, our work will be done in a little while, you’ve been working all morning, please go home and rest.” Hongying straightened up and laughed, “Aunt Yulan, we wouldn’t be able to eat even if we did go back now, it’s just a matter of lending a hand. We’ll all head back together once it’s done.” Xiaoqiong glanced at Hongying, then at Chuxia and her parents, lifted the shovel, and was about to leave, but Chuxia quickly grabbed her and spoke in a lowered voice, “Xiaoqiong, even if it’s an act, you have to see it through.” “Why should I pretend?” Although boiling with anger, Xiaoqiong also lowered her voice, “We clearly agreed to ignore her, what have you been doing?” “Let’s go home, and I’ll explain everything. If you think my reasoning is flawed, from now on I’ll listen to you, okay?” Chuxia pleaded with a rare accommodating smile, “Listen, let’s not make a spectacle for others.” Although reluctant, Xiaoqiong stayed, while Lin Baohe and Zhao Yulan breathed a sigh of relief. These small spats between the kids weren’t something they could rightfully involve themselves in, yet they worried about outsiders speaking ill of Xiaoqiong. Even though she was the secretary’s daughter, a tarnished reputation could affect her prospects of finding a good husband’s family. If Chuxia had heard their thoughts, she would surely have resented it—must all a girl’s actions aim towards finding a husband’s family? The six of them completed their tasks in a seemingly harmonious atmosphere, then walked back to the village, still appearing to joke and laugh harmoniously—during which Hongying kept trying to please both Chuxia and Luo Hongying, even though one clearly showed indifference and the other obvious dislike towards her. After parting ways at the crossroads, Xiaoqiong curled her lip, “I hate people like that the most, annoyed as hell inside but has to pretend to be so magnanimous on the outside, pah!” “You silly girl...” Zhao Yulan chuckled as she ruffled her head, “She was already showing you weakness, keeping up your tough facade will only make others speak ill of you, silly child.” “Let them speak poorly of me then, time will reveal the true heart. I’m not afraid!” Xiaoqiong said indifferently, “If I really can’t find a good husband’s family because of this, then so be it—it’s my fate.” Knowing it was difficult to persuade her in that moment, Zhao Yulan said no more. Chuxia was still pondering over the reason Zhong Hongying treated Luo Xiaoqiong that way and wasn’t in the mood to talk either; thus, the next part of their journey was marked by a deathly silence among the four of them. At the entrance to Fat Aunt’s alley, Zhao Yulan stopped, “Xiaoqiong...” Chuxia interrupted her, “Mom, I’ve already promised Fat Aunt.” She knew her parents didn’t want to impose on the Luo family, but she had already agreed with Fat Aunt. If they didn’t go, it would only make Fat Aunt feel like there was still a barrier between their families. It would be better to go heartily and find an excuse later to repay Fat Aunt’s kindness. Okay, she admitted she had a bit of a personal motive too, Hongqi was convinced she was after his family’s food, right? She might as well let him remain confident in his judgment. “Let’s go,” said Lin Baohe as he led the way to the Luo family. Luo Xiaoqiong’s face finally broke into a smile, “That’s more like it.” Seeing Lin Baohe, Zhao Yulan, and Chuxia arrive as promised, Luo Gangshun and Fat Aunt were delighted. As they busied themselves asking the guests to wash their hands, the meal and tea were already served on the table. Hongqi tried to stay away, but could Luo Gangshun really let him have his way? He forcefully dragged him out and made him stand at the head of the table to “guard” everyone: “Eat if you want, or just look if you don’t.” Hongqi’s face turned crimson, but he did not forget his manners and greeted Zhao Yulan and Lin Baohe politely. However, when he looked at Chuxia, his gaze clearly showed his disdain. Chuxia returned his look with a beaming smile, “Brother Hongqi, I worked today.” Implicitly saying, I worked, so you can’t possibly deny me a meal, right? Fat Aunt’s food was very hearty: a huge basket of white flour steamed buns, a large pot of pork, vermicelli stewed with cabbage, a plate of salty mustard greens, and a bowl of radish and vermicelli soup for each, making Chuxia salivate — it was indeed a different class compared to the meals at her house! Especially those big white buns, she craved them every day! Every time she finished eating corn pancakes mixed with sorghum flour, her throat hurt. She dreamed of going back to the days when she could eat buns every day — she felt she was indeed becoming more accomplished (>c<). Probably worried they might be too shy to eat to their fill, Fat Aunt firmly implemented portion control, allocating each person two big buns, a bowl of cabbage, and a bowl of vermicelli soup. As for the mustard greens, she didn’t enforce a strict division since no family was really short of that. Two big buns! A frail Lin Chuxia managed to stuff both completely into her stomach. Catching sight of Hongqi’s glaring red eyes, she quickly stretched her paw and snatched the bun in front of him, “Aren’t you eating? Then I will, I’m really hungry.” Everyone: (⊙o⊙) in shock... “Aren’t you afraid of bursting!” Glancing at her empty paws, then back at the big bun in Hongqi’s paw, Chuxia quietly breathed a sigh of relief, she really couldn’t have eaten another one... as if! Lin Baohe and Zhao Yulan “struggled” to finish half a bun each, and finally, when their daughter was full, they quickly stood up the moment Chuxia put down her chopsticks. Fat Aunt knew them too well and immediately blocked the door, “Baohe, Yulan, if you leave like this today, it would really be disrespectful towards our Luo family!”

Chapter 18 - 18 18 Freeloading a Meal

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