Transmigrated as Cannon Fodder — I Rise to Female Lead Through Hard Work-Chapter 87: It’s a Small World

"So this is Roujing." Hu Heping’s mother-in-law, Wang Shaofen, looked at Yi Roujing with a grateful smile, "You have such a good appearance and a good heart, thank you so much."

"Aunt Shaofen, hello, Zhixin mentioned you on our way here." Yi Roujing responded with a smile.

"That child is such a chatterbox." Wang Shaofen said this, but her face was full of affection.

"Mom, this is Anmin, and this is Anguo." Hao Zhixin linked her arm with Wang Shaofen’s to introduce them to Ding Anmin, "Roujing and Anmin’s sister-in-law relationship is just like mine and my sister-in-law’s."

"Aunt Shaofen."

"Anmin, you all have such good looks in your family, your parents really know how to give birth." Wang Shaofen took Yi Roujing’s hand and then grabbed Ding Anmin’s, unable to hide her joy, then nodded towards Ding Anguo.

"Mr. Ding." Hao Tengwu came out from the courtyard gate, warmly shaking hands with Ding Ancheng, and then with Ding Anguo.

The whole group happily entered the house, Zhu Dangting, Hu Zhishu, and Zhu Lanzhen were already sitting in the main room. Yi Roujing and her group joined them, and the room was filled.

It wasn’t until dinner that Yi Roujing met Hao Zhixin’s elder uncle’s family, and finally understood why they had to set up three large Eight Immortals tables.

Because Hao Zhixin’s elder uncle, Hao Tengwen, has a large family, the couple had four children, three of whom were sons, all three sons were married and brought their wives and children, even their married daughter came with her husband and children today.

The elders sat at one table, and the younger ones were separated to sit apart. At Yi Roujing’s table, were all familiar faces, while Hao Tengwen’s children knowingly sat at a separate table.

The dishes were somewhat like a rural wedding feast, ten dishes, each with a large portion, including both fish and meat, though unlike the Jiangcheng Restaurant’s lunch with a rotating table. Ding Ancheng was very considerate, using his long arms to serve Yi Roujing with lots of food. Hao Zhixin did not exaggerate; Wang Shaofen’s cooking skills were indeed impressive.

The meal lasted over an hour, mostly spent in conversation, and Yi Roujing felt what Hao Zhixin described about her aunt being tactless.

Because at the elder’s table next door, Hao Zhixin’s aunt actively initiated various topics, saying that Hao Tengwu could study only because Hao Tengwen yielded, and then the topic revolved around city life, like studies, work, and praising Hu Heping’s family, clearly hoping to find jobs for their kids.

Hao Tengwen still seemed to have authority, scolding her few times, and his wife quieted down, at least avoiding losing face in front of outsiders.

After dinner, Yi Roujing and her group went back with Hu Zhishu and the others, but Hao Zhixin stayed at her own home.

The world is big yet so small. On the second day in the provincial city, while shopping at Jiangcheng Department Store, Yi Roujing and her companions ran into the Li Family’s siblings and others. Yi Roujing was deeply moved.

Hao Zhijian had returned, and yesterday Hu Heping, heavily pregnant, had accompanied them all day. Today, Yi Roujing and the others politely declined the Hu Family’s hospitality to venture out on their own, as Ding Ancheng was familiar with the provincial city, and with him leading, the Hu Family agreed, though they insisted on having them back for dinner.

Jiangcheng Department Store is five stories high, with a wide variety of items, and styles are new. Once here, Yi Roujing didn’t hold back on spending. Also, Ding Ancheng had already sold ginseng in Ning’an County for no less than one thousand yuan. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎

She bought a set of clothes for Yi Shunyin, Liu Huilan, Ding Weihuo, and Li Hongying, choosing comfortable cotton for them; and since Ding Ancheng had bought himself so many clothes, she wasn’t stingy, getting him a set as well. With Ding Anguo and Ding Anmin present, she didn’t leave them out either.

"Sister-in-law, we’re all grown up and don’t lack clothes. This scarf was even bought by you, not to mention brother previously bought me a watch too." Ding Anmin felt distressed about the money and tickets, seeing how much Yi Roujing had already bought—most families wouldn’t accumulate that many cloth tickets in a year.

"Since we’re here, why not buy? Your brother can earn money." Yi Roujing wasn’t bothered, even leaning close to whisper, "Plus, the ginseng we dug was sold at a high price by your brother; we’re not short on money."

"How much?" Ding Anmin whispered excitedly upon hearing this.

"One thousand." Yi Roujing raised a finger, smugly.

Ding Anmin’s pupils shook, and she covered her mouth with both hands, afraid a scream might escape, "That’s a lot."

"Yes, so whatever you want to eat today, just say it." Yi Roujing was particularly generous.

Having stayed at Hu Heping’s house these days, Yi Roujing bought five meters of fine cotton fabric to make clothes for Hu Heping’s unborn child, chose a silk scarf for Zhu Lanzhen, and bought some candy and fruits, all for the Hu Family.

Before leaving, Ding Anmin had drunk a lot of water and after wandering around, she urgently needed the restroom. In unfamiliar territory, Ding Ancheng, familiar with the area, accompanied her, leaving Ding Anguo and Yi Roujing to find a place on the first floor of the department store to wait. It was then that they saw Li Xipei and Li Xijun.

The siblings weren’t alone; accompanying them were people unexpected to Yi Roujing, Song Yiluo, and the amiable man whom she didn’t know by name but had seen sitting with Gu Shizhao at Huaixi County’s state-run restaurant.

"Wen, how come you’re in Jiangcheng? Who’s this?" Li Xijun looked at Song Yiluo, restraining himself from staring since she was with Wen Chaokuan, and he dared not glance more. He had seen Song Yiluo but didn’t know her.

Wen Chaokuan glanced at Li Xijun, an implicit warning in his eyes, and Li Xijun fell silent.

"Are you from Dingping Production Team, Song?" Li Xipei recognized Song Yiluo; she had once covertly investigated the pretty girls at Dingping Production Team, especially knowing that Song Yiluo had been recommended to teach at the elementary school by Ding Ancheng.

Song Yiluo was internally tense; she recognized Li Xipei, recalling how she’d witnessed her attempt murder, but managed not to show any reaction.

"Yes, does this comrade know me?" Song Yiluo displayed just the right amount of confusion on her face.

"My aunt is married to Dingping Production Team. I’ve seen you when I visited, and also at the station last time in Huaixi County, although you probably don’t know us. We are Ding Ancheng’s cousins." Li Xipei smiled as she spoke.

Song Yiluo’s face was full of surprise. Although she had seen Li Xipei twice, she never thought Ding Ancheng was her cousin, which would make Yi Roujing her cousin-in-law. Why then did she want to push Yi Roujing?

"Song, you seemed surprised. I heard you and another youth talking about Yi Roujing and Ding Anmin the other day. Actually, we are all relatives." Li Xipei added, "Unintentionally, I heard about them from you that day and went to greet them."

Where Yi Roujing and Ding Anguo stood was just around the corner, invisible to Song Yiluo’s group, but they could see them. Inside the department store, although crowded, focusing on listening allowed them to hear their conversation as they weren’t far apart.