Chapter 24: The Ji Family
“Mother?” Ji Zhao turned around slightly and lowered her head in shame.
The Host was really too stupid. That was why she was deceived by Zhao Xian.
Thinking about how the original owner had given all the money she had stolen from the Shen family to Zhao Xian, Ji Zhao’s heart ached!
She strongly suspected that the Host had Stockholm Syndrome!
Zhao Lanhua suddenly held her right hand and took a closer look.
“In the future, when you hit someone, you have to use your skill. Look, your hand is swollen,” Zhao Lanhua said earnestly.
“I understand, Mother.” Ji Zhao smiled faintly, feeling much more relaxed.
The mother-in-law and daughter-in-law sped up and finally arrived at Pomegranate Village at midnight.
The location of Pomegranate Village was a little remote compared to Shanghe Village. More importantly, Pomegranate Village was built against a mountain. There was no water source nearby, and cracks appeared in the fields of every family.
Everything edible in the village had been dug up.
The Ji Family’s house was located at the end of the village. It was a short three-door loess house surrounded by a fence.
There were two pomegranate trees planted in front of the door.
The pomegranate tree, which should have been full of branches and leaves, was too dry. It was bare and listless, looking very desolate.
Cough cough-
A thick and heavy cough came from the room on the left, interrupting Ji Zhao’s thoughts.
“Looks like your grandfather’s illness hasn’t fully recovered.” Zhao Lanhua frowned and sighed.
“Mm.” Ji Zhao pushed open the fence door and called out with a smile, “Grandpa, Grandma, are you at home?”
“Yes, yes!” Madam Xie, who was tidying up the firewood in the kitchen, hurriedly walked out. “Ah Tao, is that you?”
“Yes, Grandma, I’m back.” Ji Zhao smiled politely and asked softly, “Grandma, my mother-in-law is also here. Can I trouble you to help entertain her? Leave the kitchen work to me.”
“Oh, in-laws are here too?” Madam Xie saw Zhao Lanhua holding some pastries in her hand and smiled widely. “Quick, quick, come in and sit!”
Madam Xie warmly welcomed Zhao Lanhua into the inner room.
The Ji family’s inner room was very simple. There were only two faded red benches and a square table with a sprained corner.
“In-law, there’s nothing good at home. There’s only a small handful of white sugar left. Can you make do with it?” Madam Xie quickly poured a cup of sugar water for Zhao Lanhua.
Even the big porcelain bowl that was filled with sugar water was missing a corner.
The Ji family was really poor.
“You’re too kind.” Zhao Lanhua sat down with a smile and placed the two packets of pastries on the table. “I don’t know what flavors you like, so I took two packets of sesame pastries. Try them!”
“Oh my, in-law, you’re too polite…” Madam Xie said with a smile. “We’re already very grateful that you brought Ah Tao back to us… If the old man hadn’t been so sick back then, I wouldn’t have let Ah Tao marry someone so early…”
Madam Xie suddenly began to wipe her tears and sobbed sadly. “Yesterday, I heard that Ah Tao did something to let the third son of the Shen family down. It’s all because we didn’t teach her well… But in order to treat the old man, we’ve already spent the two taels of betrothal gifts…”
Zhao Lanhua’s eyes twitched.
It seemed that the old lady had misunderstood.
“You’ve misunderstood. I’m not here to ask for money.” Zhao Lanhua quickly comforted her. “Ah Tao is quite good. She didn’t do anything to let my third son down. Those gossipy women are deliberately stirring up trouble. Don’t listen to their nonsense.”
“Really? Really?” Madam Xie stopped crying and looked very surprised.