"Ah?" Ah Jiu's mouth twitched a few times.
Her father and mother, meanwhile, were happily occupied. After all, besides money, food was Grandma's lifeblood.
It went without saying that the other pots and pans in her pockets had also been "borrowed" from Grandma's place.
Just looking at these few bowls, chopsticks, and plates, it seemed like all of them had been taken.
"What are you afraid of? These bowls and chopsticks were taken from our home in the first place, and I personally delivered them. This cured meat is from the year before last, and I brought that over too. What's wrong with me taking some to eat again?"
Meng Shaode directly draped his sweat-soaked undershirt over the clothesline and entered the kitchen bare-chested, performing a few bicep flexes as he walked, admiring his own muscles.
"Stop preening. I wonder if you even looked at yourself when you were fetching water."
Cai Lihua pouted in disdain. If she didn't say a few complaining words, would he even recognize her?
"What do you mean? Back in the day, I was one of the best-looking."
Meng Shaode said this as he returned to the yard, picked up the water bucket, and prepared to add water to the tank. He froze on the spot, his hands gripping the edge of the wooden bucket.
"Mom, this is cured meat, it keeps well. We won't eat it today, let's save it. Aren't there a few steamed buns left? We can eat those."
Ah Jiu had a bad feeling. The current era was not peaceful. Those with means and the ability to get news from the city last month had already fled south with their entire families.
Those who remained were either without ox carts, or were the old, weak, sick, and disabled, or were common folk who hadn't yet received news of the mutiny.
Cai Lihua was displeased. "If you don't eat meat, how will you ever get fat? Don't worry, if we finish the meat, we'll eat your dad's meat. Look, your dad has plenty of meat, and it's all lean."
"It's not that, Mom. News will come in the next few days. Everyone will have to flee famine..."
"Ah, heavens!"
Before Ah Jiu could finish speaking, her father's heart-wrenching roar echoed from the yard.
Mother and daughter glanced over. The strong man, muscular as an ox, fell backward stiffly, landed sprawled on the ground, covering his face and wailing:
"I'm too ugly! Heavens, how can I face anyone now?"
"?" Little Ah Jiu was bewildered. She looked at her mother, who was quite calm.
"Ignore your father. Mom will make you eight-sliced meat. This meat needs to be washed and soaked. Each slice is not cut through, but is as thin as cicada wings, requiring exceptional knife skills."
Ah Jiu nodded blankly, her gaze still fixed on her father. He seemed to have no intention of getting up, lying on the ground as if dead.
"A'de, what are you doing?" Before the person even arrived, a thunderous shout erupted.
Ah Jiu's expression changed instantly. She hurried back into the kitchen and hid behind Cai Lihua, her voice still trembling, her long eyelashes fluttering restlessly.
"Mom, Grandma is here."
Cai Lihua put down the cleaver and glanced outside. She saw Madam Wang approach and poke the unconscious Meng Shaode a few times with her cane.
She then looked back towards them mysteriously, before squatting down and whispering a few words.
Meng Shaode shot up: "Mom, what did you say? There's fighting in the city?"
"Come out with me, Mom has something to tell you."
Madam Wang glanced suspiciously at the mother and daughter, as if imparting a world-shattering secret that this pair shouldn't know. Then, she turned and left the yard, her small feet mincing.
Ah Jiu breathed a sigh of relief. It wasn't that she was coming to arrest her.
She had the intention of protecting herself and preventing Grandma from bullying her and her mother again, but if Grandma didn't return the money, she wouldn't have the ability to deal with the Li family even if she got to live her life again.
"What is that little old woman being so secretive about?" Cai Lihua wiped her hands and hid behind the door, wanting to eavesdrop.
Ah Jiu cautiously crept closer. To her surprise, she overheard:
"A'de, that's how it is. Your eldest brother just got news from the city today. There's been a mutiny, and they're going to war. They say they'll be secretly arresting conscripts tonight."
"Perfect. You take that wicked girl to the Li family. Don't bring Lihua. One more person means one more mouth to feed. In the middle of the night, pack up and go to the old house with Mom and your eldest brother, taking Nan Xing along. It's settled."
Ah Jiu's slender body trembled. She bit her lip tightly and clutched her mother's clothes.
Cai Lihua's face turned deathly pale, and she swayed for a moment, unable to stand steadily.