Liu Cuilan was sitting aside, watching Tao YanZhen. She had her eye on this girl from the start, looking at her sitting there, just like someone in a painting.

She didn’t know what Xiang Dong was thinking, but he would come over for dinner later, and he could meet this girl then.

She didn’t believe her son wouldn’t be moved. With such good conditions for a wife candidate, who else could compare?

Tao YanZhen could feel Liu Cuilan’s evaluating gaze, which she found very distasteful. However, due to years of education, Tao YanZhen wouldn’t be changed just by a rural woman’s gaze. But she truly detested her.

Her evaluation of Liu Cuilan wasn’t good, as all the women went to the kitchen, she remained seated, truly clueless.

But this was a matter for the Li Family, having nothing to do with herself, she just understood what kind of person Liu Cuilan was.

The three women in the kitchen were very quick, the braised pork was served, and noodles, potato chunks, and beans were put into the meat broth. Just let it simmer with the lid on.

"Aunt Lu, what do you think of this sister-in-law?"

"Very good, she’s very pretty."

"Aunt Lu, you noticed she’s pretty?" Li Xue asked with a smile.

"Of course, I just like pretty things, whether it’s people or things, as long as they’re pretty, I like them."

The sisters-in-law felt it was pointless to ask, but they both had a good impression of this sister-in-law. Although her smile was stiff, she still smiled after all.

After work, Xiang Dong went home to shower and change clothes directly; coming over in work clothes would be too impolite.

When he arrived at his second uncle’s house, the meal hadn’t started yet, but the cold dishes were already on the table. Cold jelly, tofu, tomatoes with sugar, shredded cucumber mixed with bean threads, and minced garlic on seaweed.

The brothers saw Xiang Dong return and gathered around him.

Tao Chunhe observed the young man with a bit of fame in the village, sensing he wasn’t as likable as Red Army and Hong Lin.

They had seen each other but hadn’t spoken, and were surprised to meet here.

Xiang Dong entered and greeted Wang Menglin. This sister-in-law really looked quite good.

Wang Menglin responded with a smile before lapsing into silence again. After all, this little brother-in-law was already a young man. Proper boundaries had to be maintained.

Lihong came in to invite them to eat when lunch was ready.

The seating was arranged into three tables; one was for the three Li Family Brothers plus Li Manjiang, Tao Chunhe, and Qu Xiaoli and Wang Menglin.

The others were divided into two tables. Li Xue, Zheng Lihong, and Tao YanZhen shared a table.

Tao YanZhen sat beside Li Xue, musing to herself, this is the fiancée of the man she likes, this world is really quite small.

Li Xue smiled and urged Tao YanZhen to eat, worried she might feel shy. She even helped serve her braised pork.

"Thank you, Li Xue."

"No need for thanks, just take what you like, you’re at home, don’t be restrained."

Lu Fengzhen also liked Tao YanZhen, this girl’s smile was truly pleasant, it was a joy to look at.

Liu Cuilan also said some polite words to Tao YanZhen.

Seeing her son at the other table eating with his head down, she grew anxious, such a good girl; did her son not see?

This won’t do. "Xiang Dong, get me a bowl of soup."

Xiang Dong showed no reaction, but went over to take his mother’s bowl to the kitchen.

He certainly noticed Tao YanZhen; he knew she was someone his mom approves of. She was indeed very beautiful.

Sometimes he felt his mother was very naive, this kind of girl wouldn’t even look at him.

His mother thought having a secure job was impressive, but to some people, that was a sign of lacking ambition.

So he simply avoided confrontation, even Jing Chu wasn’t interested now, much less this privileged young woman.

Dad had repeatedly told him, when marrying, not to focus only on looks; character was vital.

With his parents at a cold war, it was the four of them suffering most.

Xiang Dong now just hoped to move to the city quickly, so he wouldn’t have to live in an oppressive environment daily.

His parents’ issues weren’t something he could intervene in. Seeing his father so dejected, he felt uncomfortable too.

He’s resolved that when he seeks a wife in the future, she must be sensible and understanding. A lack of education is utterly unacceptable.

He placed the soup on the table for his mom and turned to eat.

Liu Cuilan was utterly frustrated by her son’s behavior; how could he not seize such a good opportunity?

Tao YanZhen understood Liu Cuilan’s intent now.

She was daring in her thoughts, but unlike her cousin, she had no say in her marriage. Even if she did, she wouldn’t choose that boy.

He lacked vitality and didn’t appear as someone of his age should; he seemed weighed down by worries.

Xiang Dong picked up his bowl and sat next to Guodong.

The boys’ table had the most dishes, since they were the ones who could really eat.

But with nine people dining, even having more wasn’t enough.

Li Xue kept watching them and noted the dishes were dwindling; she mentioned it and went to the kitchen to bring out a pot of meat stew with noodles, potatoes, and beans, placing it on the table.

Guodong smiled at Li Xue, which was noticed by Tao YanZhen as she looked over, feeling a dull ache inside. The boy she liked only smiled so beautifully at his fiancée.

Lu Fengzhen tended to Tao YanZhen, "Comrade Tao, don’t be polite, eat more."

"Aunt, I’ve already eaten a lot, I’m full."

"Just this much?"

"Two bowls of rice; today’s dishes are delicious, I’ve overeaten."

"Comrade Tao, young girls having an appetite is great fortune."

Tao YanZhen nodded with a smile. Her expression of acceptance was flawless.

Li Xue returned to continue eating, "Comrade Tao, are you full? Should I get you some soup?"

"No, I’m too full, can’t drink soup. Thank you."

"No need for politeness; you can come over to play whenever you want. When my sister-in-law stays at home, you can come live with me if you’re lonely. I’m by myself too."

Tao YanZhen looked at this naive girl, nodding with a smile.

"Just don’t get tired of me in the future."

"How could that happen? You’re my sister-in-law’s cousin."

Liu Cuilan was sulking, since she ate too much last night, she skipped breakfast, and now she was too upset to eat.

Xiang Dong was increasingly unthinking as he grew. What’s wrong with the girl she chose for him? Gentle speech, smiling at everyone, surely likable, but who knows what kind he’ll choose in the future?