novelraw Chapter 248 - 96: Fee Standard
Chapter 248 - 96: Fee Standard
Qin Mei carried the bowls and eggs from the pot to the dining table. The congee paired well with the pickled vegetables, making for an appetizing meal. The pickles had been made by Second Granny and were quite delicious.
After finishing breakfast and washing the dishes, Qin Mei locked the kitchen door, then locked the main door of the house as well. She was getting ready to go call Jie Jingshan to go grocery shopping.
Qin Mei grabbed the money and ration tickets and was about to leave with Jie Jingshan to buy groceries when Second Granny arrived at the Jie Family’s home with Granny Yu. Both women were carrying groceries.
"Fourth Wife of Jing, Jing Qi, are you two going out?" Second Granny asked, jogging over to meet them as she saw them leaving.
"Second Granny, I’m taking Jing Qi to buy groceries," Qin Mei said with a smile. Her gaze flickered when she saw Granny Yu behind Second Granny, and she greeted her, "Granny."
"No need to go shopping. We’ve already bought groceries. We’re going to make dumplings for you today. Jing Qi loves dumplings the most," Second Granny said, holding up the meat and vegetables in her hands.
Hearing the word "dumplings," Qin Mei’s expression became rather priceless. She didn’t like dumplings; she loved plain white rice. She knew Jing Qi loved them, though. ’How long has it been since Jing Qi last had dumplings?’ Qin Mei thought for a moment. ’A long time.’
"Second Granny, my fourth sister-in-law doesn’t like—"
"I love dumplings," Qin Mei interrupted Jie Jingshan.
Both Granny Yu and Second Granny were sharp people. Granny Yu looked at Qin Mei and asked, "Fourth Wife of Jing, you don’t like dumplings?"
"I’m not a picky eater," Qin Mei said with a perfectly straight face.
"Fourth Wife of Jing, you’ll definitely love the dumplings Granny Yu and I make," Second Granny promised, patting her chest.
"I’m sure I will." Qin Mei was playing along, saying whatever Second Granny wanted to hear. "Second Granny’s cooking is out of this world, no matter what she makes."
"Oh, you child, your words are as sweet as honey. They warm my heart to hear them." Second Granny’s face was wreathed in smiles. She continued, "After you gave Yanhong that massage yesterday, she has more than enough milk now. The baby has plenty to eat, and the whole family can finally rest easy. You wouldn’t even take any money. To thank you, my sister specifically bought meat, vegetables, and white flour to come here and make dumplings for you, as a show of our family’s gratitude."
"It was just a small effort, not worth mentioning," Qin Mei said humbly.
"Fourth Wife of Jing, it may be a small matter to you, but it’s a huge deal for us. You solved our little one’s food problem. You’re our family’s benefactor," Granny Yu said, overflowing with gratitude for Qin Mei.
"Alright, alright, alright, Big Sis, enough with the thanks. And Fourth Wife of Jing, enough with the modesty. We’re all practically family here, no need for all these formalities. Let’s do something practical. Come on, come on, let’s not waste any more time," Second Granny urged.
When Qin Mei realized Second Granny wasn’t planning on making the dumplings at her own house, she couldn’t help but ask, "Second Granny, aren’t we making the dumplings at your place?"
"Your Granny Guo is at home. Right now, it’s best you don’t show your face around her. I’m worried that if she sees or hears you, she might suddenly lose it and come after you," Second Granny said in a low voice.
Qin Mei was stunned for a moment. She had almost forgotten about that.
Qin Mei led them inside. Second Granny, knowing the way, headed straight for their newly built kitchen. It was Granny Yu’s first time at the Jie Family’s home, and she seemed a little ill at ease.
"Fourth Sister-in-law," Jie Jingshan called out softly. ’Fourth Sister-in-law doesn’t like dumplings.’
"It’s fine." Qin Mei patted Jie Jingshan’s shoulder and gave her a reassuring smile. It was true she didn’t care for wheat-based foods, but eating them once or twice was acceptable. Three meals a day, however, was something she absolutely couldn’t stand.
"Fourth Sister-in-law, why don’t we ask Second Granny to cook some rice and stir-fry a couple of dishes you like?" Jie Jingshan suggested.
"No need to go to all that trouble." Qin Mei lowered her gaze to Jie Jingshan and asked quietly, "Are Second Granny’s dumplings not good?"
"They’re delicious," Jie Jingshan blurted out. She then swallowed and said, "Second Granny’s dumplings are the best. Really, I’m not kidding."
Qin Mei ruffled Jie Jingshan’s hair. Seeing her practically drooling with anticipation, Qin Mei smiled and said, "If they’re that good, then you should eat your fill."
Jie Jingshan beamed, her eyes crinkling. "I definitely won’t hold back. I’ll eat till I’m stuffed."
"Alright. You go back to your room and study. I’ll go help in the kitchen." Qin Mei gently pushed Jie Jingshan into her room.
Qin Mei went to the kitchen to help but was shooed out by the two women. They told her to go play with Jing Qi and that they would call them when the dumplings were ready. Qin Mei felt both helpless and speechless. ’Are Jing Qi and I children? Play? What are we supposed to play?’
Jing Qi was in her room studying, while Qin Mei was in the courtyard making medicinal plaster. Aunt Zhang returned from her grocery shopping, intending to make a few sarcastic remarks to Qin Mei, but she heard noises coming from their new kitchen. Listening closely, she recognized the voices of Second Granny and her sister.
Aunt Zhang remembered her plan and decided to try and get on Qin Mei’s good side. "Fourth Wife of Jing."