CHAPTER 526: CHAPTER 528 OUR FAMILY’S OLD VINEGAR JAR

Suddenly, there was a cursing voice in the distance, Xia Xiao recognized it as Li Shengmei’s voice right away. He Hongjun had passed away a few years before, and the year after he received the terrible news about He Xuexiang, Li Shengmei’s temper became very bad.

Xia Xiao had also heard from Zheng Xianghong that Li Shengmei was greatly shocked by the death of her husband and eldest son.

She just didn’t know which daughter-in-law Li Shengmei was scolding now. Seeing Xia Xiao looking in the direction of Li Shengmei’s voice, Yang Zhonghong said, "Dong Meihua wants to remarry, and Li Shengmei doesn’t agree. I heard about it as soon as I got back."

Xia Xiao let out an "Oh." At a glance, everyone was watching the commotion.

Xia Xiao could also tell that Li Shengmei had taken away Dong Meihua’s household registration and identity card; she was afraid Dong Meihua would run off with someone.

"Why bother? Li Shengmei is making too much of a spectacle. Her son is gone, and if Dong Meihua wants to remarry, just let her. After all, her grandson has already married, so what’s the point of holding on to the daughter-in-law? Her heart is no longer in it."

As soon as Yang Zhonghong’s words fell, Li Shengmei’s voice came over, "As long as I’m alive for one day, don’t even think about remarrying. After marrying into the He family, you’re alive as a person of the He family, dead as a ghost of the He family."

Dong Meihua was just crying, feeling terribly wronged inside. She hadn’t considered remarrying before out of consideration for her child.

But now that her child was settled down, Dong Meihua felt a bit lonely. Now that she had met someone who treated her well, the idea of remarrying bubbled up, only to find herself barred by Li Shengmei, who held onto her household registration and identity card.

What saddened Dong Meihua the most was that even knowing she wanted to remarry, her children couldn’t understand her.

Li Shengmei’s voice faded away, and Dong Meihua kept crying where she stood. Yang Zhonghong went back, and Xia Xiao didn’t approach but instead returned home.

The Gao family’s house was now a three-story building, and when everyone came back for the New Year, bringing their families, there was enough room for everyone.

The land at Nanhua Mountain had been secured by Ge Liang and Feiteng. To buy such a big mountain, including the surrounding hills, obviously required not only money but also connections.

On New Year’s Eve, He Xuebing, Yu Zhen, and their children and grandchildren came back to celebrate. He Xuebing and Yu Zhen brought their children to the Gao family to give New Year’s gifts personally.

As soon as Yu Zhen saw Xia Xiao, jealousy tainted her voice, but she couldn’t help asking, "What do you use on your face?"

Xia Xiao was taken aback; she infrequently used skincare products, just occasionally using a face mask.

"I knew you wouldn’t want to tell me." Yu Zhen’s voice carried her dissatisfaction, suggesting Xia Xiao was being stingy.

Xia Xiao glanced at Yu Zhen. Their relationship was not good, and they were unlikely to become friends. Seeing the dissatisfaction on Yu Zhen’s face, Xia Xiao said bluntly, "I haven’t been using any skincare products. I am naturally beautiful."

Yu Zhen fumed, refusing to believe Xia Xiao’s words. She thought Xia Xiao must be taking good care of herself; otherwise, how could she look much younger than Yu Zhen.

Truly, comparing with others could make one die of envy.

She also knew she and Xia Xiao weren’t on good terms. Yu Zhen deeply disliked Xia Xiao from her heart, but seeing Xia Xiao’s still young-looking face, Yu Zhen couldn’t help but draw close to pry.

Xia Xiao watched Yu Zhen storm off, snorted with laughter, and He Xuebing said, "That’s just her personality; don’t mind her."

"I don’t mind. Yu Zhen is just frank and straightforward; she’s not a bad person," Xia Xiao commented.

If Yu Zhen were bad, Xia Xiao wouldn’t even bother interacting with her and would even be wary. Yu Zhen was just someone who had been spoiled when she was younger.

After exchanging a few words with both Gao Jiazhi and Gao Jiaxing, He Xuebing greeted Xia Xiao before leaving.

Jiaxing then came over and said, "They’ve gone; what’s there to look at?"

Xia Xiao was just looking at the doorway and realized Jiaxing might be misunderstanding her attention but didn’t bother to explain, instead responding with a laugh, "Oh, the family’s vinegar jar is fermenting again."

"What are you looking at him for?" Jiaxing asked, his tone sour.

"I wasn’t looking at him," Xia Xiao chuckled.

Jiaxing didn’t believe her, "An explanation is just a cover-up."

"Alright, you’re right."

Jiaxing received Xia Xiao’s casual reply with a pair of glaring eyes, and the vinegar jar retorted, "I don’t see where I’m worse than him. It’s always the case that the grass is greener on the other side."

Xia Xiao rolled her eyes at Jiaxing, wordlessly saying, "Who said you are worse? You are just different types of people; there’s nothing to compare."

"People say beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but in your eyes, shouldn’t I be the best?" Jiaxing stroked his chin.

"That is true; you, this old man, are becoming more charming by the day," Xia Xiao nodded earnestly.

Jiaxing gave a dangerous squint, and Xia Xiao quickly retorted, "Don’t even think about it; everyone’s watching."

Jiaxing immediately behaved himself, quietly helping Xia Xiao pick vegetables.

At this point, Guoqiang and Gao Jiazhi were chatting away. Zheng Xianghong and Li Min were talking on the side. Feiyang and Feiyue were playing games. Feiyi and Feiteng were pasting couplets at the door, and Spirit was taking pictures with a camera, very lively indeed.

During Lunar New Year’s Eve, the crackling of firecrackers was sharp. The family wrapped dumplings lively and ate together, and Weilin and Ge Liang spent New Year’s at The Fangs and would not come over until the second day of the New Year.

In the evening, the children were setting off fireworks on the rooftop. Xia Xiao began to feel sleepy and went back to her room to rest.

She just heard the door creak, and suddenly Jiaxing was pressing over her. Xia Xiao asked warily, "What are you trying to do?"

"What do you think I want to do?" Jiaxing inched closer.

"Don’t mess around; we have to stay up late tonight," Xia Xiao warned.

"You called me an old man today," Jiaxing pointed out.

Xia Xiao laughed, "That’s because you are an old man."

"What about He Xuebing?" Jiaxing asked.

"He’s about your age, also an old man; there’s nothing to compare. I have nothing to do with him, why do you always remember that? It would really damage the image of a Major General like yourself to be thought so petty."

Xia Xiao playfully poked Jiaxing’s chest, giggling.

"We met first, but you liked him."

At Jiaxing’s words, Xia Xiao responded, "Yes, at that time you were towering and always trying to look cool with a stern face, just like those gangsters outside. If it hadn’t been for you saving me, creating that bond, I wouldn’t have approached you initially. But He Xuebing is different. The first time I saw him, his smile struck right to the core of my heart, completely enchanting me, like the sun, extraordinary and handsome."