Back To The 80s: President's Doted Wife

Chapter 1388: Chapter 1389: The Wastefully Generous Daughter-in-law

As the new year approached, the festive atmosphere grew stronger. On rare sunny days, more families in Goodwill Place’s courtyard were drying cured meats, hanging them on bamboo poles. Some were dripping with oil, looking quite appetizing.

When Cheng Su went for a walk and caught a whiff of the aroma, it didn’t make her nauseous; instead, it made her hungry.

Ever since her pregnancy was confirmed, she had been vomiting every day and hadn’t had a proper meal or dish. She threw up whatever she ate. But today, seeing those not completely dried cured meats, she found herself craving them?

Cheng Su licked her lips and looked over the railings, searching for the driest piece hanging there.

"Sister-in-law Qi, what’s got you standing here?" An auntie walked over, holding a basket. She glanced at Cheng Su and joked, "Why have you gotten so thin lately? You look like you’re about to take a bite of that meat."

This was Aunt Hong from another household. Despite her teasing tone, Cheng Su wasn’t upset at all. She replied, "Aren’t I just? I haven’t had anything good for a while." As she spoke, she patted her belly.

Aunt Hong let out an "Oh" when she saw this, "You’re expecting?"

Cheng Su nodded, unable to hide her smile, pointing at the cured meat, "I haven’t had anything good before, but today I went for a walk and suddenly craved this meat!"

"Oh, congratulations, congratulations!" Aunt Hong offered her blessings, "It’s tough with all the vomiting. It’s a pregnancy thing." After pondering for a moment, she untied a piece of cured meat from the rail and handed it to Cheng Su, "Here, I noticed you haven’t dried any yourself, so your family might not have any? My piece is dried early, it’s ready to eat now. Take it home and fry it, or steam it to satisfy your craving."

Cheng Su quickly waved her hands, "No, no, you keep it for your kids. I’ll buy some outside!"

She knew everyone’s situation wasn’t great. Aunt Hong’s children were seven or eight, right during their growth spurt. They probably didn’t eat well usually, so they dried meat to savor it slowly. If she took it, they’d have less!

"It’s just a piece of meat. You’ve given my Xiao Jun a lot of fruit too!" Aunt Hong laughed.

Cheng Su pursed her lips, "Then can I pay you? How much does it cost?"

"Paying would be meaningless. We’re neighbors." Aunt Hong insisted, pressing the cured meat into her hands again.

Cheng Su accepted it, saying, "Then I’ll accept it, thank you."

"No need to thank me!" Aunt Hong turned to busy herself with other cured meats.

Cheng Su carried the piece of meat home, where her mother-in-law was mending clothes in the living room. Seeing the cured meat, she asked, "Where did that come from?"

"Aunt Hong from next door gave it to me. I was craving it. Mom, could you fry it up for me?" Cheng Su put the meat down, washed her hands, and started looking through the gifts she had brought back from Guangcheng.

Though Aunt Hong declined payment, Cheng Su knew times were tough for everyone. If she couldn’t pay, a reciprocal gift was necessary.

Watching her rummage through a package and prepare to leave, Mother Qi asked what she was up to.

"She gave me meat, so I should return the favor." Cheng Su waved a package of Cantonese sausage in her hand.

"She gives you a piece of meat, and you give her a package of sausages?" Mother Qi’s eyes widened.

"Yes, reciprocation is key!" Cheng Su saw nothing wrong. Anyway, she wasn’t keen on sausages, and they’d been sitting around for a while.

She ignored Mother Qi and headed out the door.

It took Mother Qi a while to regain her composure, muttering, "This extravagant daughter-in-law, being overly generous!"