Chapter 10: Dalang's Wife Looks for Trouble

Glancing around, she didn't see Jiang Yar's figure. Her expression darkened slightly as she walked to the outer room and poured a cup of hot water for Chen Ping'an, placing it in front of him.

Mrs. Wu had not spoken yet. Since a while ago, the daughter-in-law who had been following her all the time spoke up, "Oh, Ping'an is truly never idle. He just returned from the county exam and has already started reading."

Only then did Chen Ping'an lift his head from the book in surprise. At first glance, his mother was standing beside him. He stood up repeatedly and called out, "Mother."

Mrs. Wu responded with a smile. When she looked at the daughter-in-law, her gaze seemed as if she wanted to carve out a piece of her flesh. "Daughter-in-law, do you have nothing to do at home?"

"No, mother-in-law, I'm here to congratulate Ping'an for achieving the top score this time, bringing honor to the Chen family and opening the eyes of the people in the village. I came to offer my congratulations." The daughter-in-law's attitude towards her mother-in-law seemed indifferent, but her tone was fawning.

"Congratulations." Mrs. Wu snorted. She knew the daughter-in-law very well after so many years. "Since you're here to offer congratulations, what gift have you prepared for your third brother?"

The daughter-in-law had been walking towards Ping'an, but upon hearing Mrs. Wu's words, she stopped in her tracks. She never expected Mrs. Wu to come up with such a move.

She hadn't come to congratulate Chen Ping'an. The one who was least pleased with Chen Ping'an's achievement of the top score was the Chen family, but she had come over inexplicably.

Now she was put in an awkward position by Mrs. Wu. She forced a smile and said, "I was in a hurry, the gift is still at home."

"Mother." Chen Ping'an supported the elderly woman beside him. "How have you been these days with father at home? Are you feeling well?"

"Good, good." Mrs. Wu hurriedly replied, grasping her son's hand. After not seeing him for a few days, it seemed that her son had gained some weight. It seemed that Yar had not let her son down. "How have you been these days? I heard from the messenger that you also attended the literary meeting."

"Yes, mother, thanks to everyone's care." Chen Ping'an spoke politely.

Mrs. Wu was pleased to see her son's courteous words. She held her son's hand and asked gently, "Did you meet the magistrate at the literary meeting?"

"Of course, the magistrate came halfway through the literary meeting." Chen Ping'an didn't care whether Mrs. Wu could understand, and he recounted everything he had seen and heard at the literary meeting to her.

The mother and son seemed to completely ignore the daughter-in-law, and even if she wanted to interrupt, she didn't know where to start.

For a moment, she stood in place, feeling somewhat at a loss.

Mrs. Wu didn't understand everything, but she caught a few key points. Her son had made some new friends, who might help him in the future, and the magistrate seemed to appreciate her son. That was enough for her.

As the two were about to finish their conversation, Jiang Yar hurriedly entered from outside. The first thing she saw was the daughter-in-law standing on the side.

"Sister-in-law, why are you standing here?" she called out.

The term "sister-in-law" brought the daughter-in-law back to her senses. She quickly turned around, and surprisingly, she looked at Jiang Yar with a hint of gratitude, thanking her for getting her out of this situation.

Jiang Yar was taken aback by the look and took a step back. The daughter-in-law approached her, trying to "affectionately" take her arm, but Jiang Yar subtly dodged her.

"Yar is the hero of our family. Ping'an's achievement of the top score wouldn't have been possible without her." The daughter-in-law said with a smile.

Jiang Yar couldn't handle such praise and waved her hands repeatedly, "It's Ping'an's own ability. I didn't help much."

The daughter-in-law wanted to say more, but Chen Ping'an had already called her, "Sister Yar."

Jiang Yar quickly walked over to Chen Ping'an. "What's wrong, Ping'an?"

Chen Ping'an didn't show much expression, still looking kind, and said gently, "Sister Yar, take a look in our bag. I bought something for mother."

Jiang Yar knew about this. When Chen Ping'an returned from the literary meeting yesterday, he bought some small trinkets for Mrs. Wu on the street. Although they didn't cost much, they were exquisitely made.

Jiang Yar agreed and went to their bag to find the items. Mrs. Wu's mood had been quite bad because Jiang Yar had helped the daughter-in-law, but upon hearing that her son had brought her something, her mood was completely replaced. She patted her son's hand, saying with satisfaction, "Our Ping'an has really grown up, knowing to bring gifts for his mother."

"When I saw them on the street, I thought you would like them." Chen Ping'an was being obedient.

In his previous life, he found it difficult to talk about his mother, father, and Sister Yar in front of others, so he never mentioned them in front of outsiders, let alone bringing gifts for them.

This was the first time Chen Ping'an had brought something for Mrs. Wu since he was young, so Mrs. Wu was naturally pleased and even had a hint of expectation.

Jiang Yar quickly found something inside and carefully brought it out. Mrs. Wu's eyes were filled with anticipation as she eagerly received it. "Mother-in-law, this is what Ping'an bought for you."

Mrs. Wu carefully took it and examined it repeatedly. A smile filled her face as she said, "It's really good, really good."

She repeated "really good" several times, genuinely delighted. She couldn't bear to part with the item, even though it was just a small trinket. What mattered was that it was the first time Ping'an had given her a gift.

Perhaps because of this, even the way she looked at her son's wife softened a bit, and she didn't seem as displeased with her.

She snorted, "What are you standing there for? Are you planning to become a door god?"

Upon hearing this, the son's wife quickly sat down beside Mrs. Wu and looked at the item in her hand, suppressing the greedy glint in her eyes. "Ping'an has really grown up, knowing to bring gifts for his mother-in-law."

"Of course, our Ping'an is a big boy now." Mrs. Wu's tone carried a hint of pride, as if she was also telling her son's wife that her son was better than her own.

This time, the son's wife was tactful and didn't say anything, but her eyes were filled with envy. "Mother-in-law, do you have anything else to do? I'll take my leave then." This was a polite way of asking her to leave.