Chapter 30 Kitchen Duty
Cao Meihua sat quietly by the table, a simple smile on her face.
She had always been the invisible daughter-in-law.
She was used to not being valued.
But now, hearing the old lady's words, Cao Meihua couldn't help but freeze.
Today was her daughter's engagement banquet.
She was, after all, a mother.
And she was still being told to go to the kitchen to wash vegetables?
Cao Meihua hesitantly stood up. She had changed into her most expensive dress, one she had bought three years ago for Chinese New Year.
This was the second time she was wearing it.
Wearing such a dress was hardly suitable for washing vegetables.
Cao Meihua said with hesitation, "Mom, I... it's not appropriate for me to go to the kitchen. Today is Liu Ran's engagement, and I'm wearing a floor-length gown. The kitchen floor is full of water, I..."
"Bang!"
The old lady's palm slammed onto the table. She frowned, looking at Cao Meihua. "Third daughter-in-law, do my words mean nothing anymore? Letting you marry into our Liu family back then was already giving you face! You, a woman from an ordinary working-class family, marrying in here, not only don't you know gratitude, but now you refuse to wash a few vegetables when I ask? You're rebelling!"
"I... I didn't! Fine, I'll go, I'll help." Cao Meihua lowered her head in fear.
The other daughters-in-law at the table started to laugh.
"This third daughter-in-law really thinks she's someone important. Coming from a humble background, she has no awareness at all."
"That dress of hers is so outdated, it's ridiculous. Wearing a piece of old clothing from years ago and still thinking she's fashionable."
"Actually, she shouldn't have been invited today. Isn't it obvious that she's going to make this table disharmonious? Honestly, even the nanny by the old lady's side looks more noble and elegant than her."
Cui Fen, sitting nearby, cracked melon seeds and said with a laugh, "That's right, sisters. Although I'm a nanny, I'm far inferior to you ladies. But I definitely have more气质 than Cao Meihua. Also, even though I'm a nanny, my husband is strong and capable, and my daughter studies well. Unlike Cao Meihua, whose husband is lame and whose daughter is an ugly monster."
The table erupted in laughter again.
Cai Yun, the eldest daughter-in-law of the Liu family, smiled at Cui Fen and said, "I heard your husband works on construction sites? He's very strong, is he very capable at night?"
Cui Fen chuckled proudly, "Of course. Even though we're over forty now, we still have sex at least five days a week! I bet Cao Meihua's husband doesn't even work once a month."
Everyone laughed heartily.
Old Mrs. Liu waved her hand impatiently. "All of you, shut up, you shameless sluts. The third one is my son after all. You can insult him, but don't go too far."
Everyone burst into laughter, and then they started talking about Liu Ran and Chen Yang, their ridicule reaching new heights.
Cai Yun said with a cold smile, "This Chen Yang, he's got no skill whatsoever. He just blindly delivers food all day, and doesn't dare to say a word! That good-for-nothing is now paired with Liu Ran, truly a match made in heaven!"
The fourth daughter-in-law immediately said to Cai Yun, "Eldest sister, I heard your daughter's current husband is named Yang Long, the heir of the Yang family?"
Cai Yun became proud, her voice rising a few decibels.
She coughed and said, "Yang Long is our family's son-in-law. Don't let the Yang family's position in our Qingzhou city fool you; they're just a second-rate family. But in reality, the main branch of the Yang family is a renowned super-family in our Hua country! They're very powerful!"
Upon hearing this, everyone began to flatter Cai Yun.
Cai Yun sighed deeply, "All of this is thanks to that useless Chen Yang being willing to let go. While it's true he's very useless and dotes on my daughter, acting like a simp, he does have one good point: he never touched my daughter. When they divorced, he was heartbroken but agreed very readily."
At this moment.
A yellow electric scooter approached from a distance.
Cai Yun chuckled and pointed, "Look, the good-for-nothing is here. How embarrassing. This is such an important gathering for our Liu family, and he still rides an electric delivery scooter. Even if he didn't have a car, couldn't he have rented one to save face!"
The relatives at the table burst into laughter.
At this moment.
Chen Yang and Liu Ran entered the banquet hall together.
Liu Ran wore large sunglasses and a seamless veil, afraid of her skin being exposed to the sun.
A baseball cap covered her forehead.
Chen Yang held Liu Ran's hand, they shared a smile, and walked into the banquet hall.
By now, most of the guests had arrived.
Chen Yang and Liu Ran surveyed the room and then walked directly towards Old Mrs. Liu's table.
Liu Ran approached the table, first greeted Old Mrs. Liu as "Grandma," and then addressed the others.
Chen Yang stood to the side.
He couldn't be bothered to play along.
He was only here for Liu Ran's sake.
Otherwise, he could crush these so-called Liu family members with just a single strand of his hair.
Liu Ran asked curiously, "Huh? Why isn't my mom here? Where did she go?"
"She's busy in the kitchen. Coincidentally, you're here, you should go help too," said Cui Fen, the nanny by Old Mrs. Liu's side.
Everyone at the table started laughing.
Liu Ran frowned upon hearing this.
Now, several aunts and cousins were sitting around the table chatting.
Even the nanny hired by the family was cracking melon seeds, yet her own mother was being made to help in the kitchen?
Why were they treating her so unfairly?
And now this nanny was directly ordering her to go work in the kitchen herself?!
Liu Ran clenched her fists, anger simmering within her.
Cui Fen spat out a melon seed husk and looked at Liu Ran strangely. "What are you still standing there for? Can you bear to watch your mother wash dishes and bowls alone in the kitchen? Besides, it's already past eleven o'clock, and the meal will be served soon. If you don't go, you'll delay the time."
Liu Ran snorted angrily and turned towards the kitchen.
Upon entering the kitchen.
Cao Meihua, still in her gown, was washing dishes.
The hem of her gown was already wet from the water on the kitchen floor.
The chef nearby kept urging her to hurry up.
"Mom!"
Liu Ran bit her lip in anger.
She walked over and grabbed Cao Meihua.
"Mom! Who told you to do this! Come out with me, you... how could you let people bully you like this!" Liu Ran was so heartbroken she almost cried.
She immediately remembered that her face couldn't get wet with tears and quickly held them back.
Cao Meihua shook her head, "Your grandmother asked me to help. It's too busy now, so I won't go to the front."
"Mom!"
Liu Ran grabbed Cao Meihua's hand. She took a deep breath and said, "Mom, from now on, don't let them bully you like this again. Come, let's go to the front hall. If Grandma insists on you doing this, then I... I'd rather never return to the Liu family!"
Just then.
The nanny Cui Fen walked over.
Hearing Liu Ran's words, she snorted and laughed disdainfully.
Cui Fen crossed her arms, a cold smile on her face. "Ugly monster, do you really think this family welcomes you! Hurry up and get to work, both of you need to help! Old Niu, have these two help out in the kitchen today. Quickly assign them some tasks. If they don't finish, I'll report them to the old lady and make sure they eat rotten food today!"