Envy and Jealousy

When she returned to the noodle shop, she chatted with everyone for a while. It just so happened that they had some time on their hands.

The sun was shining brightly today and it was a little hot. Xiaoguo was afraid that the flowers and seedlings would dry out, so she politely declined the offer to stay for dinner. After agreeing to have a meal together in the near future, the family of three went home.

When they got home, Xiaoguo went to cook while Jiang Danhe brought Zhuang Zhuang to start planting.

“Mother, Father is asking you where to plant the magnolia saplings.” Zhuang Zhuang opened the door and poked his head in.

“Let me take a look first.” Xiaoguo put down the kitchen knife and walked out with Zhuang Zhuang.

“Why don’t we plant it in the corner?”

As soon as Xiaoguo came out, she heard Jiang Danhe’s voice.

Looking in the direction he was pointing, Xiaoguo thought for a moment. “Sure!”

It was fine to plant it in a corner. When it grew into a tree, it would provide shelter from the sun. When the time came, she would build a small pavilion under the tree. When the weather was hot, she could lie under the tree and take a nap while enjoying the fragrance of magnolias. It would be wonderful.

After the three of them finished eating, they took their usual afternoon naps. There were too many benefits to taking an afternoon nap. It could enhance one’s memory, restore one’s stamina, and help with digestion. More importantly, it could ward off cardiovascular diseases.

A long time ago, Xiaoguo didn’t like taking afternoon naps either. However, her mother had sent her a link at that time. It was about the benefits of afternoon naps. She was bored and clicked on the link to take a look. At first, she didn’t pay attention to it. But there was one time when she took a short nap after lunch. On that afternoon, she really felt different— she was filled with energy and vitality. From then on, she developed the habit of taking afternoon naps. It wasn’t necessary to nap for a long time— a 30-minute nap was more than enough. Otherwise, it would be hard to fall asleep at night.

When she woke up from her nap to wash her face, Zhuang Zhuang had just run out to use the toilet. Nowadays when she wakes up, she feels like the air is stuffy. Maybe it was due to the weather getting hot, it just didn’t feel as refreshing as winter.

“Mother, should we bring the cows out to graze?”

At this moment, Zhuang Zhuang ran over to wash his hands. When he saw Xiaoguo, he asked for her permission.

Xiaoguo thought that it made sense. It had been a long time since she had brought them out. Now that green grass had appeared, it seemed that she would have to start herding cows again.

“Bring your father along.”

Xiaoguo fetched water for Zhuang Zhuang to wash his hands before returning to the house to call Jiang Danhe.

The three of them went out together.

Ever since the two dogs came to the house, Xiaoguo had never let them run out for fear of losing them. Now that Jiang Danhe and Zhuang Zhuang were both around. She brought the cows, donkey, horse, and two puppies out.

With Jiang Danhe around, Xiaoguo was confident. She didn’t have to worry about losing the animals.

The two cows and horses were walking side by side. The cows looked almost as tall as the big horse. The donkey beside them looked much more skinny in comparison.

“These cows are really big. When they get even bigger, don’t bring them out on your own.”

Jiang Danhe took the rope holding the cow and handed her the donkey’s rope. In comparison, the donkey was less dangerous.

“It’s fine.” Xiaoguo shook her head. She had telepathy with the animals that she raised in her house. She was familiar with their tempers and personalities. There shouldn’t be a problem.

“Accidents do happen.”

Jiang Danhe continued.

Xiaoguo could only nod to reassure him.

At this moment, Zhuang Zhuang ran over with the two puppies. “Father, Mother, the grass by the river is exceptionally lush. Let’s go there!”

“Okay.”

After agreeing, Xiaoguo and Jiang Danhe led the cows and donkey over.

Xiaoguo turned around and looked at the horse behind Jiang Danhe. She was extremely surprised.

When they were leaving the house, Xiaoguo wanted to lead the horse, but Jiang Danhe said that there was no need. The horse was able to follow them without any help. When she heard this, she thought that he was lying. But after walking for a while, she saw for herself that the animal was really following behind them obediently. When they made any turns, the horse followed closely wherever they went. It was really obedient.

Along the way, they did not bump into any villagers. Xiaoguo sat on a rock that Jiang Danhe had found for her. She first looked at Zhuang Zhuang’s figure, who was playing not far away. Then, she leaned closer to Jiang Danhe and told him about how the villagers had tried to arrange a marriage for Zhuang Zhuang some time ago.

When Jiang Danhe heard this, he was speechless. All these people were really capable of anything.

“What are you talking about?” Zhuang Zhuang ran over and sat in Xiaoguo’s arms.

“Nothing.”

Xiaoguo and Jiang Danhe shook their heads in unison.

Even though their behavior was a little strange, Zhuang Zhuang couldn’t find anything wrong with it. Eventually, he gave up.

Not long after the three of them returned home, Mrs. Yang came to visit.

She wasn’t surprised to see Jiang Danhe around. She had heard about it from Yang Jia yesterday.

Jiang Danhe had just found out that Mrs. Yang was pregnant. From the moment she entered the house, he kept staring at her stomach. Xiaoguo was so embarrassed by his behavior. Although Mrs. Yang didn’t say anything, it didn’t mean that she was blind. He was staring so blatantly at her stomach with his eyes wide open. What was he trying to do?

At the thought of this, Xiaoguo secretly pinched his waist. Although it didn’t hurt, Jiang Danhe finally averted his gaze.

Xiaoguo didn’t know what was wrong with Jiang Danhe, but Mrs. Yang was experienced and could see right through him. Just now, he was looking at her stomach and then at Xiaoguo. Wasn’t that obvious?

She glanced at Jiang Danhe teasingly and met his gaze.

Jiang Danhe blushed and almost lost his composure. He quickly found an excuse to leave.

After he left, Mrs. Yang quickly leaned closer to Xiaoguo and asked secretly, “When did he come back?”

“… the afternoon before yesterday.”

At first, Xiaoguo didn’t know why she was being so mysterious. When she heard her question, she was speechless. “Why was she being so secretive?”

“When did Zhuang Zhuang come back?”

“Yesterday.”

“Sigh!” Mrs. Yang sighed loudly. She looked at the disappointing woman in front of her and said regretfully, “Why did you bring Zhuang Zhuang back so quickly?”

“?” Xiaoguo looked puzzled. “Jiang Danhe is back. Of course he has to bring Zhuang Zhuang back. Zhuang Zhuang misses him too.”

“Tsk.” Mrs. Yang really wanted to knock her head open to see how such a smart person could be so insensitive about this matter.

Mrs. Yang was so focused on being angry that she didn’t notice Xiaoguo’s ears turning red. How could she not know what Mrs. Yang was talking about? After all, they were both adults.

However, she didn’t dare to mention this to Mrs. Yang as the latter was driving too fast. If she dared to start the car, Mrs. Yang would immediately speed up. In order to protect her innocent heart, she had to feign ignorance.

It was said that ancient people were conservative, but she felt that this matter was highly debatable.

After Jiang Danhe came out of his house, he went to Brother Yang’s house. In any case, he had nowhere to go. Other than his own place, Brother Yang’s house was the only other place he could go.

For some reason, Jiang Danhe couldn’t help but feel jealous. He was filled with envy. While he was trying to get to the finishing line, the Yangs had already created a life. How could he feel good about this?

Jiang Danhe stole a glance at the honest man and couldn’t help but think to himself, “If he can do it, I can do it too. I’ll discuss it with Xiaoguo when I get back!”

After bidding farewell, Jiang Danhe walked home. At this moment, Mrs. Yang happened to come out of his house. When she saw him, she smiled. Jiang Danhe didn’t know whether to stand nor run. He had clearly not done anything. Why was he feeling so shy?

“Best of luck!” Mrs. Yang patted him on the shoulder and leaned closer to whisper, “Why don’t you let Zhuang Zhuang sleep at my house tonight?”

“!!!”

Jiang Danhe suppressed his shocked expression and shook his head calmly. He pretended not to understand and said, “It’s fine. We are good.”

“Oh…”

Mrs. Yang smiled meaningfully. “You’re good.”