Chapter 56
When she raised her head again, Aunt Guo’s expression had turned cold and unfriendly.
“What nonsense are you spouting, you brat? Nowadays, getting a divorce is no simple matter. Besides, do you know what kind of background your mother has? If I were to leave your father, how would we survive?”.
Jiang Yexun fell silent, a glint of frustration in his eyes. How much longer would they have to endure this?
In the afternoon, when Jiang Yexun was about to head to work, he brought a basket with him. From a distance, Hu Yuezhen and Yu Siping saw the basket in his hands and remembered the delicious aroma they had caught a whiff of at noon. They were both curious and wanted to sneak a peek inside.
“Siping, you see, we married into the Jiang family, and Su Xiaoxiao was already living a much better life than us before she married in. I can understand your situation, especially since you’re pregnant. But once this Su Xiaoxiao comes in, the Jiang family will be even better off. Is that fair?” Hu Yuezhen complained with frustration.
Yu Siping lowered her head and gently touched her belly. Who could she blame for this? It all came down to the man she married, who lacked the ability to provide for her properly!
In the days that followed, both the educated youth dormitory and the Jiang family were kept in check by Jiang Yexun. Finally, the young couples could enjoy their relationship in peace. Jiang Yexun spent every day with Su Xiaoxiao, even skipping the work in the fields. His daily routine consisted of helping the little educated youth gather hogweed, with she sitting on the edge of the field, accompanying him as he worked.
Whenever he raised his head, he could see his beloved Su Xiaoxiao nearby, and even the most unpleasant farming tasks became manageable.
On the day of the harvest, all the adults in the production team were required to complete a full day’s work. Su Xiaoxiao was no exception, and even Jiang Yexun couldn’t escape. However, Team Leader Jiang, fearing a scene, had assigned Su Xiaoxiao to work alongside him.
After all, in the production team, it was customary for a daughter-in-law to care for her husband’s family.
“Xiaoxiao, when we start, just follow behind me and don’t do anything. Understand?” Jiang Yexun waited until his father had left before turning to Su Xiaoxiao and earnestly instructing her.
“No, the autumn harvest workload is so heavy. How can I let you do the work of two people alone? If I don’t help, who will?” Su Xiaoxiao refused stubbornly.
Jiang Yexun raised an eyebrow, looking at her incredulously. “With those delicate hands of yours, how can you do this kind of work? Don’t be stubborn! You’ll end up with blisters and calluses on your hands, and then you’ll start crying.”
“Who said I’ll cry?” Su Xiaoxiao took out two pairs of gloves from her bag, slyly smiling at him. Then she extended her hand toward him. “We each get a pair.”
“Who needs to bring these girly things?” Jiang Yexun refused with a red face.
But Su Xiaoxiao simply tossed a pair of gloves into his arms and took two steps back. “You have to wear them! Otherwise, your hands will get rough, and after we get married, I won’t let you touch me.”
Touch what? Jiang Yexun’s mind was filled with images that made him blush and his heart race. However, he quickly pushed those thoughts aside.
“You’re my wife, and I can do whatever I want,” Jiang Yexun said gruffly, though he obediently put on the gloves.
“All right, I’ll do as you say. Will you behave now?” Su Xiaoxiao coaxed with a soft, tender voice.
Jiang Yexun gazed at her with a hint of helplessness in his eyes. Whenever this little educated youth acted coquettish, he couldn’t resist her at all.
“Fine,” he finally agreed.
“Then you bundle the rice straw, and I’ll help you. You have a small frame, so if I don’t help, it’ll be tough for you,” Su Xiaoxiao said, her voice gentle and affectionate.
Jiang Yexun watched her for a moment and then sighed. He couldn’t resist her when she was being so sweet.
“Okay, I’ll bundle the straw, and you can help me. After all, the autumn harvest is hard work, and I don’t want you to get tired,” he conceded.
Su Xiaoxiao was pleased with his response. She knew that as long as she acted spoiled, he would give in.
With Jiang Yexun working quickly, he finished cutting and bundling one piece of rice straw after another, while Su Xiaoxiao followed closely behind, helping him with the bundles.
Although it was tiring, they managed to complete their work by six in the evening, while others were still laboring away.
After taking a break on the edge of the field, Jiang Yexun went to help his mother. Su Xiaoxiao, of course, followed.
When Aunt Guo saw Jiang Yexun approaching, she handed him a sickle.
Because Team Leader Jiang had to deal with various matters in the field, the tasks in their field were reversed. Unlike other families where the men cut the rice and the women bundled it, in their family, Jiang Yexun did the bundling while the women took care of the cutting.
Su Xiaoxiao wanted to help with the bundling, but both Aunt Guo and Jiang Yexun looked at her at the same time.
“You’ve been working all day, and you’re already tired. Be good, sit on the side, and watch. We’ll be done soon,” Aunt Guo said, patting Su Xiaoxiao’s hand as she led her to the edge of the field.
“Aunt, I didn’t do much work today. It was mostly Yexun who did everything. I still have energy, so let me help,” Su Xiaoxiao said with a blush, noticing the curious glances from the people around them.
“How can you say you didn’t do much work? You shouldn’t compare yourself to others. Doctor Cui said you’re already overworked. Standing here all day will definitely exhaust you, not to mention helping that brat,” Aunt Guo said firmly.
Seeing that Su Xiaoxiao was about to refuse again, Aunt Guo’s tone became even more forceful. “Besides, this task of bundling rice straw is for that brat’s father. I’m just helping my husband share the workload. It’s not appropriate for a daughter-in-law who hasn’t even officially entered the family to help her future father-in-law with work. He already has two daughters-in-law who are married. If he needs help, they can do it.”
Su Xiaoxiao didn’t particularly like Team Leader Jiang, and hearing Aunt Guo’s words only solidified her decision not to help.