CHAPTER 96: CHAPTER 96: UNSOLICITED KINDNESS MEANS EITHER ADULTERY OR THEFT

"What? Twenty-one bucks?"

His monthly salary was only thirty-eight bucks, and this one meal took away more than half of it.

Even though his family’s situation was decent, they couldn’t sustain this kind of spending.

Zhao Yang couldn’t believe his eyes, while the waitress gave him a blatant eye-roll.

What were you even doing earlier? When that woman asked to pack up the food, she noticed it. Zhao Yang was just staring at her lustfully, not paying any attention to what she was saying.

She slapped the handwritten bill in front of Zhao Yang: "Comrade, here’s the bill. The food that lady took away cost thirteen bucks. There were twelve aluminum lunch boxes she took, each requiring a one-buck deposit. It all adds up to eighteen bucks."

Zhao Yang’s face turned green: "What did she even pack up? How could it cost so much?"

The waitress glanced at him, pointing at the menu for him to see: "Check it out, it’s all clearly recorded here—six meat dishes, six portions of dumplings, plus the deposit for the aluminum boxes..."

Zhao Yang: I thought the girl just packed a bit of food for herself, but it turns out she’s really got no shame, packing up the whole family’s share?

But since he agreed to let Su Xiaoxiao pack and take it away, he just had to swallow his anger.

He bit the bullet and paid the bill, and right after, Zhang Dongmei caught up with him.

She had overheard Zhao Yang’s conversation with the waitress and couldn’t help but feel more contempt for Su Xiaoxiao.

"Xiaoxiao is something else, acting like she’s never eaten before, packing so much food."

Zhao Yang felt a bit annoyed too—not even a sip of tea for all that money he spent, which was over half his month’s salary.

But in front of Zhang Dongmei, he couldn’t express his thoughts, especially since he was hoping something might happen with Su Xiaoxiao in the future. So, he forced a smile: "Not a big deal, as long as Comrade Su is happy."

Zhang Dongmei, hearing this, was even more determined to win Zhao Yang over.

A meal worth twenty-one bucks, half of her monthly salary—it must mean his family is well-off, saying he’ll treat, and he treats just like that. If she could marry into a family like this, she’d never worry about food or clothes for the rest of her life.

With this in mind, Zhang Dongmei’s smile became even more enthusiastic when facing Zhao Yang.

"Zhao Comrade, you’re really generous. There aren’t many male comrades in the department store who can match up to you."

Zhao Yang was quite pleased by her flattering words, and along with that, the recently unhappy mood lightened up a lot.

On the other side, Su Xiaoxiao happily returned home and heard a hearty laugh the moment she stepped inside.

"Sis-in-law, I just bought some egg cakes from the supply store, specially for you and the kids to eat."

Su Xiaoxiao’s steps paused for a moment. She would recognize that voice even if it turned into ashes—who else could it be but her second aunt?

For someone as stingy as her to be willing to bring egg cakes to her house, the sun had to be rising from the west.

No way she didn’t have an agenda, she wouldn’t believe it even if it killed her.

While thinking this, she casually stashed the takeaway food in the small storehouse before slowly entering the main room.

Upon entering, she immediately saw her second aunt Zhang Guifang, sitting on the sofa with a smile on her face.

Seeing Su Xiaoxiao come in, Zhang Guifang’s face carried an unprecedented warmth: "Xiaoxiao, you’re back. Must be tired from work, come and sit down to rest."

Acting like she was the hostess of the house, anyone who didn’t know better would think she owned the place.

Since Su Xiaoxiao could remember, her second aunt had never been so warm to her.

No good comes from being overly friendly; there’s always an agenda.

Sure enough, after a few pleasantries, Zhang Guifang spoke up: "Sis-in-law, isn’t the village about to get electricity soon? Each household has to pay for the materials and installation fees. I heard it’s about eighty bucks per household. I was thinking we could discuss this, since our houses aren’t far apart, just two rows away from each other. We could share an electric meter, save on some costs, and split the utility bills."

That calculating mind of hers almost hit her in the face.

Su Xiaoxiao couldn’t help rolling her eyes, wondering why her second aunt was being so eager; turns out this was her plan.

The village loudspeaker had been announcing plans for electrification, requiring each household to pull wires and install a meter. Theoretically, one meter per household is standard, but some siblings share to save on installation costs. After all, eighty bucks is a significant amount in the countryside.

Still, once meters are shared, who uses how much electricity becomes unclear.

When it comes to who gains and who loses out, things will get muddy.

Given how her second aunt’s family behaves, there’s no way they’re going to be losers; they definitely want to take advantage of this.

Su Xiaoxiao laughed coldly inside but spoke calmly: "Sure thing, I just got a friend to bring me a TV. When he’s free, Tie Niu from your place can come over and watch TV too."

"What? You bought a TV?"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Guifang’s face immediately turned sour. If Su Xiaoxiao’s family buys a TV, won’t her home be at a disadvantage?

She came to take advantage, not to be a sucker. Immediately, her face dropped: "Sis-in-law, maybe we should drop this meter thing. Xiaoxiao has connections to get a TV, she surely doesn’t lack the funds for installation fees."

Liu Cuilan knew her sister-in-law’s character and hadn’t planned on agreeing. Since she backed out first, it conveniently resolved the issue.

Zhang Guifang ended up making a trip for nothing and felt uncomfortable losing a pound of egg cakes.

Thinking it was almost time for dinner, she considered staying to make up for the loss.

But as soon as this thought crossed her mind, Su Xiaoxiao unceremoniously chased her off: "Second Aunt, it’s almost dinner. Our meal is simple, so we won’t keep you."

Zhang Guifang was not expecting to be thrown out so bluntly, and her face turned dark like the bottom of a pot.

She gritted her back teeth, stood from the sofa, and grabbed the egg cakes on the table: "Now Xiaoxiao works in the department store, she probably doesn’t care for this little bit. I won’t stay here and be looked down on."

Saying this, she took the egg cakes and left.

"Pfft, what a cheapskate."

Liu Cuilan couldn’t help but curse. Bringing just a pound of egg cakes, now she even wants to take them back—unbelievably stingy.

Seeing her mom fuming, Su Xiaoxiao approached and took Liu Cuilan’s arm: "Mom, don’t be mad. I brought you all something delicious. We don’t need her lousy egg cakes."

Speaking, Su Xiaoxiao turned around, went outside for a stroll, and took the packed food from her warehouse.

With twelve neat aluminum lunch boxes lined up on the table, Liu Cuilan’s eyes widened in shock.