Lin He also saw her grandmother’s desolate figure and Mrs. Huang’s sigh. She felt that perhaps Mrs. Zhao brought this upon herself by dwelling on these matters. If Mrs. Zhao had known what their family was planning, she could have come over to help directly, instead of arriving with an air of accusation. Even just coming to sit, without offering assistance, would have made everyone happy. But the way she arrived, looking ready for a quarrel, left no room for anyone to greet her kindly.

Lin He thought this was the sorrow of this era: having too many children. Once the offspring grew up, married, and the household split, they naturally grew distant from the elders. Coupled with the almost harsh demands the elders of this time placed upon their daughters-in-law, the relationships between mothers-in-law and daughters-in-law, or even mothers and sons, were often less than harmonious.

In her previous life, for instance, if a family only had one son or one daughter, even if they didn't live together, the parents could always stay for a few days if they missed their children. The elders wouldn't need to be informed by their children about happenings in their household; if they knew, they would automatically arrange everything with the air of the master. How wonderful that was. Between fathers and sons, and mothers-in-law and daughters-in-law, there might be occasional minor spats, but everyone accommodated and tolerated each other a little, and the family lived together harmoniously and sweetly.

After working for a while at noon, they finally managed to prepare a meal. Since there were quite a few people, they set up several tables in the courtyard, each laden with dishes. Spring had arrived, and the variety of vegetables and fruits available was much greater than in winter. Lin He’s family had managed to buy some spring cucumbers and snap beans from the street, supplementing them with their own cabbages and radishes, allowing them to prepare numerous dishes.

Mrs. Huang made stir-fried wax sausage with green beans, stewed radish with meat, scrambled eggs with chives, and smashed cucumber. Additionally, they stir-fried a bowl of sausage for every table, accompanied by the spicy preserved cabbage Lin He had made herself. The table was a vibrant display of red and green dishes, with plump steamed buns as the staple food, making it look truly enticing.

These laborers had witnessed the exceptional quality of Lin He’s family’s meals previously, so everyone was eager to come and help build the house this time. In the end, they couldn't accommodate everyone who volunteered, so the foreman had no choice but to let them draw lots to decide who could come.

Even Da Sheng and Da Jiang were startled by the spread of food. It rivaled the dishes served at village banquets. They both swallowed hard. Er Niu saw the two of them standing off to the side in a daze and called them over to eat with the workers.

Everyone finished eating as quickly as possible and immediately returned to work. The remaining women tidied up the tables and dishes indoors. Not long after they finished cleaning, as everyone sat down for a rest, an uninvited guest arrived.

Lin He’s youngest aunt, Hong Xia, and her husband, Zhou Da Fa, showed up with Yuan Zhu and Yuan Bao. When Lin He saw them at the courtyard entrance, Hong Xia looked around as she stepped in, asking, “Second Sister-in-law, have you eaten already?”

A hint of annoyance flickered across her face. Lin He knew she was upset that she hadn't arrived earlier and missed the meal. Mrs. Huang was slightly surprised to see Hong Xia, but still replied and ushered them into the courtyard, then stood aside without speaking further.

Lin He raised an eyebrow. Her youngest aunt, judging by her demeanor, intended to sponge a meal. Hong Yun, knowing her younger sister's temperament and seeing that her Second Sister-in-law was hesitant to speak, took the initiative: “Hong Xia, why has your whole family come over today? Have you finished all the work by the fields?”

Hong Xia glanced at her elder sister and replied listlessly, “Elder Sister, isn't your whole family here too? I’m here for the same reason you are.”

Hong Xia had somehow heard that her second brother’s family was building a house again. Last time their second brother built, she hadn't gotten wind of it, but this time she was determined not to miss out.

Lin He knew Hong Xia’s true motive but didn't want to state it outright. Hearing Hong Xia’s retort, she smiled faintly and said, “Young Aunt, you’ve come to help us stoke the fire and wash the dishes too? Elder Aunt is doing just those things for us. That’s wonderful! Now that Young Aunt is here, Chen’er and I won't have to stoke the fire or wash dishes; we can go out and play.” As she finished, she deliberately clapped her hands with feigned delight.

Hong Xia hadn't expected Lin He to be so direct. She hadn't intended to do any work upon arriving, and hearing Lin He say that made her face alternately flush and pale. She remained silent.

Lin He felt a wave of disgust looking at Zhou Da Fa sitting nearby. He was slouched over, as if lacking bones, his eyes wandering everywhere, gleaming sharply. Lin He felt that the couple truly exemplified the saying, "Like attracts like," right down to their children.

She noticed Yuan Zhu and Yuan Bao rummaging through the kitchen, each holding a steamed bun. However, Lin He knew most of the midday meal was gone; at most, there were a few white flour buns left. If they wanted them, let them have them. Children were not to blame; the fault lay with their parents for failing to teach them better.

Lin He thought to herself that this time she absolutely would not yield to them. If they helped with some tasks, they wouldn’t lack food, as she was still her aunt. But if they intended to take advantage, that was out of the question.

Although Mrs. Huang didn't speak, Lin He could see the resolve in her eyes. Now that the family’s finances were much better, Mrs. Huang stood straighter than before and would no longer tolerate being bullied as she had in the past.

Seeing Hong Xia remain silent, Lin He let them sit. After all, there would be no dinner for them if they didn't contribute. If they chose to sit around, she would let them. There were some things she, as a child, found difficult to say, since an aunt was still an elder. If her father returned in the evening to find Hong Xia had been sitting around all afternoon without helping, he would certainly have something to say.

Hong Yun also grew impatient with the situation and spoke up, “Hong Xia, why don't you tell your husband to go lend the elder brothers a hand? They are digging out the pond by the riverbank; there are only a few of them, and it’s very hard work. You are sitting here anyway.”

A flash of unease crossed Zhou Da Fa’s face. He had absolutely no intention of working. The fields on his own land were still fallow, and digging a pond was much harder than working in the fields. If he had to go down and work, he’d rather just go home.

Hong Xia didn't argue this time; she nudged Da Fa and said, “Go lend them a hand. We’re just sitting here anyway.”

Zhou Da Fa immediately stood up, declaring, “If you want to go, you go. I’m heading back first. I didn’t come here to dig ponds.”

“What nonsense are you spouting, you wretch? How could I manage that kind of work?” Hong Xia said, standing up as well. Since there was no dinner waiting for them, she didn't want to linger anyway.

With that, she grabbed the two children and hurried after Zhou Da Fa, calling back as they left, “Second Sister-in-law, I’ll come back tomorrow!”

Lin He felt her youngest aunt was hopelessly lazy. The whole family was unwilling to work but wanted to live well. They often engaged in such shameless behavior; perhaps their in-laws on Zhou Da Fa’s side were fed up with them.

Hong Yun sighed, watching her sister’s family be so lackadaisical.