dkrc Chapter 351 - 244: Think I’m Being Wasteful? Then Please Close Your Eyes!
Chapter 351 - 244: Think I’m Being Wasteful? Then Please Close Your Eyes!
The next day.
The sun was just right.
A tantalizing aroma of meat wafted out from the Gu Family Courtyard.
Tomorrow was the first birthday celebration for the two children.
Lin Wan Yi was wearing an apron, busy in the kitchen.
The counter was filled with things.
Prawns the size of fists were still bouncing in a basin.
Beef with clear marbling, red and white intertwined.
Most striking was the bunch of grapes in the fruit bowl, so dark purple they were almost black.
Each was as large as a ping-pong ball.
A layer of white frost clung to the skin, with water droplets rolling down, crystal clear.
She had just picked these from her space.
In this era of scarcity, this table of food could last an ordinary family half a year.
Lin Wan Yi turned on the faucet.
She didn’t use the tap water.
With a flip of her hand, she quietly drew out a stream of spiritual spring water.
The clear spring water sprinkled over the washed vegetables.
The wilted leaves instantly perked up, green and full of life.
"An An, Ning Ning, don’t run too far."
Lin Wan Yi called back.
In the living room.
Gu An was sitting on the carpet, fiddling with two nuts in his hands.
Gu Ning was sprawled on her brother’s back, drooling at the plate of grapes.
"Ah... grape... grape..."
The little girl couldn’t speak clearly yet, but her finger honestly pointed at the fruit bowl.
Lin Wan Yi chuckled.
"Little glutton, Mommy will peel one for you later."
Just then.
"Bang bang bang!"
The courtyard door was pounded loudly.
The sound was so loud it was almost frantic.
Lin Wan Yi wiped her hands, took off the apron, and walked out.
As the door opened.
A slightly sharp face appeared before her.
About fifty years old, with fashionable curly hair, wearing a deep blue Lenin jacket, and a pair of gold-rimmed glasses perched on the nose.
She was carrying a black briefcase.
Her chin was held high, almost looking down her nose at others.
It was Gu Yanshen’s aunt, Gu Xiuzhen.
She had come from the old house in Beijing.
"Auntie?"
Lin Wan Yi was a bit surprised.
"Didn’t Yanshen go to pick you up? How come you came by yourself?"
Gu Xiuzhen ignored her.
She directly pushed past Lin Wan Yi and stepped inside.
The sound of high heels clattered crisply on the cement ground.
She walked around the courtyard.
Her brows furrowed tightly enough to pinch a fly to death.
"Is this where Yanshen lives?"
She pointed disdainfully at a few pots of flowers in the corner with one finger.
"Such a mess."
"In a perfectly good courtyard, not planting any scallions, ginger, or garlic, but these inedible flowers and plants."
"Only a young lady from a capitalist family would do such a thing."
"Always these useless embellishments."
Lin Wan Yi stood at the doorway, her smile fading a bit.
"Auntie, this is Yanshen’s house."
"We think it’s quite nice."
Gu Xiuzhen snorted coldly.
She turned and went into the house.
As soon as she entered the living room, her eyes fell on the wool carpet on the floor.
That was something Lin Wan Yi had specially bought to prevent the children from getting hurt.
"Oh, even a carpet?"
Gu Xiuzhen spoke with a sarcastic tone.
"That must have cost a lot, right?"
"How much is Yanshen’s monthly allowance? Can you afford to spend like this?"
She plopped herself down on the sofa.
Tossed her briefcase onto the coffee table.
"Pour me a glass of water."
The tone was commanding.
Completely treating the place as her own, treating Lin Wan Yi as a servant.
Lin Wan Yi didn’t move.
She went to the edge of the carpet, picked up Gu Ning, who was trying to get up, and cradled her in her arms.
"The kettle is on the table, if Auntie is thirsty, help yourself."
"I need to watch the kids."
Gu Xiuzhen’s face fell immediately.
"Is this how you behave as a junior?"
"An elder comes, and not even a cup of hot tea?"
"Really no manners!"
"How did the Gu family end up marrying such a disaster like you?"
Lin Wan Yi straightened her daughter’s clothes, as if she hadn’t heard anything.
This ignoring attitude made Gu Xiuzhen even angrier.
She stood up and stormed toward the kitchen.
"I have to see what you do all day at home!"
As soon as she reached the kitchen.
Gu Xiuzhen’s steps halted abruptly.
Her eyes widened, fixed on the counter.
The basin with still-jumping prawns.
The whole slab of premium beef.
And...
The platter of dark, almost shining grapes, looking extremely valuable.
Gu Xiuzhen’s breath quickened.
She turned sharply, her finger trembling as she pointed at Lin Wan Yi.
"What... what are these!"
"Are you planning a state banquet?"
"Such big prawns! And these grapes!"
"This meal could cost Yanshen half a month’s salary!"
Gu Xiuzhen’s voice was sharp and piercing, echoing within the narrow kitchen.
"What a spendthrift! Truly a spendthrift!"
"Are you trying to drain Yanshen dry?"
"With the nation advocating thrift, you’re here indulging in extravagance!"
"If this gets out, how will Yanshen’s future fare!"
She grew more agitated as she spoke, her words spittle flying.
"I don’t think you’re fit to be a military wife!"
"A woman like you who revels in comforts should be publicly criticized!"
Lin Wan Yi stood at the kitchen doorway, holding her child.
She watched Gu Xiuzhen’s face twist with anger.
Very calm.
Little Gu Ning was frightened, her mouth quivering as if about to cry.
Lin Wan Yi gently patted her daughter’s back.
Then.
She walked over to the counter.
Reached out her fair fingers and picked a large grape from the plate.
Casually peeled it.
The purple skin came off, revealing the jade-like clear flesh inside.
Full of juice, smelling wonderfully fragrant.
Gu Xiuzhen swallowed.
The grapes looked delicious.
Must be special supply!
"You..."
Just as she was about to curse again.
Lin Wan Yi had already held the peeled grape near her daughter’s mouth.
"Ning Ning, ah—"
Gu Ning opened her mouth wide, gobbling it down.
Her little face instantly turned from cloudy to sunny, clapping her hands happily.
Lin Wan Yi took out a handkerchief and wiped her daughter’s mouth clean of the juice.
Then.
She finally looked up at Gu Xiuzhen.
A smile on her face.
But this smile didn’t reach her eyes.
"Auntie."
Her voice was soft, but every word was clear.
"Tomorrow is my children’s birthday."
"My man is a regiment commander, I am the children’s mother."
"We’re spending our own money to have a nice meal, to celebrate."
"Is that against the law?"
Gu Xiuzhen was momentarily dumbfounded.
"You... you’re being unreasonable!"
"That’s Yanshen’s hard-earned money!"
Lin Wan Yi picked another grape.
This time she didn’t peel it.
She popped it directly into her mouth.
"Crunch."
It was crisp and juicy.
She chewed, casually watching Gu Xiuzhen.
"If Auntie can’t stand it."
"Finds it an eyesore."
"That’s easy to fix."
Lin Wan Yi raised her hand to point in the direction of the door.
"The door is over there."
"You can choose not to look."
"Or, please close your eyes."
"Knock knock knock."
The sound of knocking once again broke the subdued atmosphere in the room.
Gu Xiuzhen had to forcibly hold back the wave of anger that had flushed her face red.
She glared hard at Lin Wan Yi, swallowing back the unspent fury inside.