Bullying The Sister-In-Law - Chapter 10.1

When Su Zhiluo opened the door in the morning, she saw two bags of groceries on the ground with a note from Mingming: Sister Luoluo, Sister Xiao Su, my grandma said to give you these vegetables to eat, please don’t mind them.

Aunt Zhang had gone back to her hometown today, and the groceries she left them were quite substantial: garlic moss, corn, a large piece of pork ribs, preserved sausage, and frozen yellow catfish.

Aunt Zhang and her husband used to sell meat here with Mingming. Mingming’s parents were working in Guangzhou. Her husband fractured his leg in August and had returned to their hometown first.

Su Zhiluo took the things inside and called Aunt Zhang back with one hand. Aunt Zhang didn’t answer. Su Zhiluo put the vegetables in the refrigerator. Liu Chengxu came out of the bathroom and saw the phone ringing on the table. Su Zhiluo said, “You answer it, and remember to thank Aunt Zhang properly.”

Liu Chengxu slid the screen to answer. As soon as she picked up, a loud voice shouted from the other end—a barrage of unintelligible words. Liu Chengxu only understood one phrase, “Where the hell have you been?” Being cursed at so early in the morning made her temper flare up. She cursed right back, “Are you sick? Wrong number this early, and you’re still cursing? Get lost!”

Su Zhiluo turned back and looked at her suspiciously, asking, “What’s wrong?”

“A random number called, got the wrong number, and then started yelling and cursing,” Liu Chengxu said, returning the phone with an unhappy expression.

The screen showed an unfamiliar number, which was indeed unknown to them, but the area code, “Hubei,” made Su Zhiluo frown. She dragged the number into the blacklist and opened the spam filter—”Mom” had called her more than a dozen times.

“Who is it? Anyone you know?”

“Don’t know them.” Su Zhiluo tucked the phone into her pocket. The smile that had been on her face faded, replaced by seriousness. She said, “Let’s have breakfast. We need to clean the house properly, make it nice and clean, then put up the couplets. Let’s have a good Spring Festival.”

The two cooperated to clean the small house. The walls inside had peeling paint, and cleaning too vigorously would only make dust fly everywhere. Su Zhiluo tied a feather duster to a bamboo pole to sweep the cobwebs, while Liu Chengxu, wearing rubber gloves, soaked a rag to wipe the tables, chairs, and cabinets.

The house was simple.

One bedroom, a small living room, kitchen, and bathroom.

They used the gentlest movements to caress away all the dim and old traces in the room. Despite its simplicity and limitations, it blocked out the wind and snow outside, providing a stable haven.

“The flower shop must be having a discount today, Sis. Let’s go buy some flowers,” Liu Chengxu suggested.

Su Zhiluo nodded. “Let’s go to the flower and bird market. It will be cheaper there.”

After finishing the cleaning in the morning, they rode the electric bike over before the shops widely closed in the afternoon. They bought the lowest-priced flowers ever: 30 yuan for two large bouquets, plus a potted rose.

They placed some in the bedroom and some in the living room. Since they didn’t have enough vases, they even used their thermos cups.

In the afternoon, they prepared the paste and put up the Spring Festival couplets. Then, they both changed into new clothes and headed out.

Su Zhiluo bought a red coat. Liu Chengxu held her hand, and the two went together to the city center, the busiest area, to stroll and see the festive scenery street decorations.

It was the peak time for people returning home, and traffic was heavily congested everywhere, so the two opted for the subway. Su Zhiluo’s phone kept vibrating during the trip.

An unknown number sent a message. There was also a message from Yang Jie asking if she wanted to go out and play and if she could come to her house for dinner on New Year’s Eve.

Su Zhiluo originally planned to reply to Yang Jie’s message but lost the mood after seeing the unknown number.

Outside, lanterns were strung up, and the festive atmosphere was everywhere. They first went shopping at the mall and then visited the temple fair in the evening, staying out until late at night.

They initially wanted to stay in the city center to watch the fireworks, but seeing the subway’s closing time, they had to leave early with regret.

On the way back, they bought sparklers and comforted each other, saying they could rent a bicycle for a night ride next year to see the fireworks.

Su Zhiluo pinched Liu Chengxu’s frozen red nose. Liu Chengxu’s eyes immediately became moist. Su Zhiluo asked, “Why are you crying again?”

“The wind is blowing,” she added forcefully, afraid Su Zhiluo wouldn’t believe her.

Su Zhiluo’s phone vibrated continuously. She took off her glove and lit up the screen. Chang Ruyin had sent her a “Happy New Year” message.

Su Zhiluo glanced at the top right corner and said, “It’s almost midnight.”

Just then, there was a boom.

The city sky was illuminated by fireworks. Liu Chengxu first covered her own ears and then moved to cover Su Zhiluo’s. She smiled and said, “Sis, it’s the fireworks.”

“Mm.”

Su Zhiluo said, “Happy New Year.”

She put her phone in her pocket and took down Liu Chengxu’s hands, saying, “Let me listen to the sound of the fireworks.”

The fireworks exploded in the sky with a bang, the rising momentum sharp and passionate. Liu Chengxu looked up at the colorful spectacle for a while, then unconsciously lowered her head, her gaze resting on Su Zhiluo’s quiet profile.

She didn’t even notice that her hand had gently wrapped around her sister-in-law’s waist. Su Zhiluo didn’t move, only continuing to look at the sky. The beautiful colored fireworks bloomed in sequence in her clear eyes, flickering and shining, as if containing the entire night sky within those two deep, gentle pools.

Liu Chengxu didn’t forget to text Meng Zhengyue: Happy New Year, what are you doing?

Meng Zhengyue: Writing a song, arranging.

Liu Chengxu: Are you lonely? Do you want me to keep you company for a bit?

Meng Zhengyue: Is it the New Year yet?

Liu Chengxu: Midnight.

Meng Zhengyue: Happy New Year.

Meng Zhengyue also looked out the window and smiled: May you get rich in the New Year.

Liu Chengxu: Get super, super rich.

The sound of firecrackers celebrating the New Year was all around, one burst after another. Liu Chengxu went to boil water to wash her face and feet.

Su Zhiluo took out her phone.

She knew she shouldn’t overthink it, but her heart felt heavy, worried that something might truly have happened on the other side.

Holding the vibrating phone, she answered.