Chapter 350: Stating One's Stance

The three exchanged a glance, reaching an unspoken understanding.

Just then, even Chunxiao, who had heard the news and rushed home, was met with silence from the three: "Mom, I heard we have guests?"

Chunxiao asked while glancing around.

Liu's mother gave a soft "Hmm": "Yes, your second sister helped a child earlier, and their family came to thank us in person."

Chunxiao looked around but saw no one: "Where are they?"

Liu's mother looked at her youngest daughter, wondering what was going through her mind: "At this hour, of course they've already left."

"Ah, I heard the news and ran straight back, but I didn't get to see them."

"Does it matter whether you saw them or not? They didn't come to see you."

Seeing her youngest daughter fall silent, she added: "Alright, go to the kitchen and help your second sister bring the dishes out."

The two sisters carried the dishes to the table, and Liu's father walked in carrying a watermelon.

Liu's mother immediately grew anxious: "Didn't I say to save the rest for treating the in-laws tomorrow? Why did you pick it?"

Liu's father realized she had misunderstood: "I didn't pick the one you specifically set aside. This one had wandered over to the thorn bush; I just spent quite a bit of effort pulling it back. I thought I'd bring one back so you could all have a taste."

Liu's mother finally felt relieved. She had already decided that after giving away several today, she would cut one for the guests tomorrow, and the rest would serve as a return gift for the in-laws to take home, a small token of their goodwill.

After glancing at the watermelon in Liu's father's arms, she reached out and took it: "This one is quite large; it's perfect for treating the guests tomorrow. We'll eat the rest first and deal with the rest after tomorrow."

Liu's father had been about to say something, but heard Liu's mother say: "The two families already come from vastly different backgrounds. Besides these, we have nothing else to offer. Better to save it all for tomorrow."

Hearing this, Liu Chuxue felt uneasy: "Mom, I know you're doing this for my sake, but if they look down on our family because of our status, then it's better not to form this marriage at all. We should just focus on being ourselves, without deliberately trying to please or cater to them. If you really do that, you'll only harm me."

Hearing her daughter's words, Liu's mother froze in place.

Seeing her expression, Liu Chuxue continued: "Mom, even though we live in the countryside, your daughter isn't lacking. It was Fu Yan Cheng who came to propose, not me forcing myself on them. Your attitude from the very beginning is especially important."

Liu's father was the first to react: "Liu Chuxue is right. During the first meeting, we can't let them think we're trying to have our daughter climb up to their family."

Liu's mother thought it over and agreed: "Alright, then we'll listen to our daughter."

Chunxiao actually had different thoughts, but she dared not speak them, fearing she would be ganged up on.

Liu's mother urged them to eat and finish cleaning up: "Wash up and rest early tonight. Get up early tomorrow to prepare. None of you are allowed to sleep in."

No one dared to object.

After washing up and returning to her room, Liu Chuxue closed the doors and windows, turned off the lights, and entered the space.

During afternoon work, she had heard the aunts and older ladies say that the family in the cowshed probably couldn't hold out much longer. She heard not only was the child running a high fever that wouldn't break, but the child's father had also fallen ill, leaving the old man and old woman utterly exhausted.

In truth, most of those sent down during these years were, in hindsight, victims of sheer misfortune. Recalling the humble expression on the old man's face when he came to beg for medicine today, she felt a pang in her heart. Well, since she knew about it, she might as well help.

After entering the space, she took some flour from the warehouse. Of course, she couldn't make pure white flour buns; instead, she made three-grain flatbreads. She figured that while helping others, she must not harm herself. Even if someone deliberately tried to pick a fight, she could still justify her actions.