Chapter 44: Ruan Family Members

Zhao Huilan held her hand, very warmly: "What else could it be? Didn't you ask someone to send us a message that you were pregnant? We have to come and see you!"

"Yeah, girl." Ruan Dong rubbed his hands, glanced around: "Girl, does your family have any food? We haven't eaten breakfast yet!"

"No breakfast?"

"Yes! This year our crops were heavily damaged by locusts, leaving little food." Ruan Jing patted his belly: "We haven't eaten since last night! Quick, at least make us some rice porridge!"

One should know that rice porridge is also very precious.

The three of them came up with three mouths; how much rice porridge would they have to eat?

Chi Huai Qian pursed his lips: "It's them again."

Chi Nan Yi heard this, raised an eyebrow: "Second brother, what's going on?"

"What else could it be? Ever since the sister‑in‑law married into our family, the Ruan Family members keep coming to mooch—today a mouthful of food, tomorrow a piece of cloth. They never leave empty‑handed, but they always show up with empty claws. You see them say congratulations with their mouths—how do they say it? By saying it with their mouths." Chi Huai Qian's most loathed are the Ruan brothers, each a gluttonous lazybone who only thinks of taking advantage of others, older than the eldest brother yet still without a wife.

"I'm telling you, girl, we came all the way here just to see you; your family can't possibly refuse even a bite of food!" Ruan Dong turned to Chi Nan Yi, eyes lighting up: "Is this the one your Chi Family mistakenly took in?"

Ruan Shi nodded.

Looking at Chi Nan Yi's conspicuously striking face, Ruan Dong laughed: "You're really a hallmark of beauty!"

Chi Nan Yi twitched her mouth, and Chi Huai Qian pulled her behind him, saying to Ruan Dong: "Don't think about making moves on my little sister." He slung a basket on his back, grabbed Chi Nan Yi, and left.

Although Chi Huai Qian hadn't discussed marriage, he was still a man; from Ruan Dong's glance, he instantly sensed ill intent.

"From now on stay away from those men; none of them are good." After finishing the scolding, he realized he had also included himself and the big brother in the insults, then added: "Except for our own family."

Chi Nan Yi followed behind him, her smile never fading.

In her previous life, as the leader of a special‑ops team, she was always protecting others, coordinating the whole situation; whenever danger arose, she was the one to step forward and stand at the front, never having been protected herself.

That feeling seemed not bad.

But regarding the Ruan Family members, the original host's memory held a vague impression.

The Chi Family had no grain; when Ruan Shi went back to her natal home to ask for two bowls of millet, the Ruan Family members shouted at her and even beat her out.

Even their own biological daughter they wouldn't rescue, showing they're not good people. As Third Brother said, the Ruan Family members never leave empty‑handed when they come to mooch; if they had any conscience, they wouldn't have watched them starve and freeze in the previous life. If her sister‑in‑law were sensible, she should stay far away from them; if Ruan Shi couldn't bring herself to do that, she would never stand by idly.

When the two of them walked away, Zhao Huilan went to Ruan Shi's side and whispered: "Little sister‑in‑law, have you promised anyone?"

"Not yet." Ruan Shi's brows twitched slightly: "Mother, you don't intend for my brother to marry her, do you?"

"Her hips are a bit small, not likely to bear a son, but her face is okay, barely suitable for your big brother." Zhao Huilan lifted her chin: "As long as the dowry is generous, our Ruan Family could still let her in."

Ruan Shi was stunned after hearing her.

Does her mother even know what she's saying?

Yi Er barely suitable for her big brother?

If the Chi Family heard that, wouldn't they beat them out?

Little sister is the apple of the whole family's eye, the meat of their hearts; if she guesses correctly, the Chi Family would rather raise her for a lifetime than let her marry the big brother.

"Mother, stop dreaming; my in‑laws will never let little sister marry into the Ruan Family."

Hearing that, Zhao Huilan became displeased.

"What kind of words are those? Your big brother needs looks and stature; what does our Ruan Family lack?"

"We can't even get a meal! Stop thinking about taking a wife." Ruan Shi, a bit impatient, said: "Mother, are you really here just to see me?"

Zhao Huilan smiled at that: "Actually, this visit also has another matter."

Ruan Shi's heart sank; whenever Ruan Family members showed that expression, it always meant they wanted food, drink, and silver, and wouldn't leave without taking something.

"Mother, if you want things, just go back!" Ruan Shi said coldly: "It was one thing before, but now I'm already pregnant; if you take all the grain, what will my family do? What about my child?"

"You damned girl! It's true that a daughter married off is like water poured out; listen to what you're saying! To your whole family, have you forgotten what your surname is?" Zhao Huilan tapped her head: "You foolish thing, if we weren't here, if we didn't have two brothers, do you think the Chi Family would even notice you? Hurry up, bring out any food and give it to us!"

"Mother, there really is nothing left to eat."

"Impossible!" Ruan Shi shouted: "The Chi Family was the first to collect grain; how could they have none? I don't need much, just twenty catties, only twenty will do."

"Mother, this grain was planted by my in‑laws; I have no say."

"You back‑stabbing wolf! Watching your mother and two brothers starve while refusing to give us any grain, how could I have raised such a back‑stabbing wolf!" Zhao Huilan shouted angrily: "If you don't give, I'll go in and take it!"

"What gives you the right to go in?" Ruan Shi blocked Zhao Huilan's path: "You're not without a harvest; how can you keep coming here every few days demanding things? You know the Chi Family isn't wealthy and can't endure your taking!"

"Ruan Qin!" Ruan Jing shoved her aside: "Is your elbow bent outward?" He turned to Ruan Dong and said: "Big brother, go in and see if there's anything good to eat."

"Big brother!"

Ruan Dong ignored her and walked straight inside.

Soon, she carried a jar in one hand, filled with the pork lard Chi Nan Yi had rendered last night, a skewer of meat in the other, and a sack of rice.

Ruan Shi's face turned deathly pale at the sight.

"Big brother, what are you doing? This is all the food our family has! You've taken it all, what will we eat?"

"Hah, you can still afford meat, so life must be decent; just go to town tomorrow and buy another piece!" Ruan Dong laughed: "Consider these as your tribute to our mother."

Ruan Shi wanted to take the items back, but she feared it would disturb the fetal qi; the Ruan Family gave her a glance and walked away.

"It's over; when the in‑laws return, they'll surely die of anger." Ruan Shi couldn't help but start crying.

When Chi Nan Yi and Chi Huai Qian returned from the mountain, they found the household atmosphere rather heavy.