Chapter 66: Don’t Be Polite
“I’ll go. It’s dark and raining heavily. If you slip again, I might as well have a few words with Auntie Liu,” Su Mulan took the rain hat and also grabbed some freshly made popcorn from the afternoon.
Feeling like a burden, Su Mulan felt a bit embarrassed. Moreover, the Liu family had been quite caring towards the four children previously. As their stepmother, she couldn’t appear completely ignorant of etiquette, a slight gesture of gratitude was appropriate.
Furthermore, Liu’s mother-in-law was not an easy person to deal with. Giving a gift could help silence Han’s criticisms of Liu for a while.
“Take care, Mom,” Bai Lixia looked worriedly at Su Mulan as she ventured out into the rain, holding the lamp higher to light Su Mulan’s path.
The rain was indeed heavy. Despite wearing the rain hat, Su Mulan’s pants were soaked halfway through by the time she reached the Liu family’s house. Her shoes were caked with mud.
“In such heavy rain, Sister Su, why did you come?” Liu, who was washing dishes in the kitchen, hurriedly wiped her hands on her apron upon seeing Su Mulan arrive in the rain. “Quickly go to the main hall and sit for a while. I’ll brew you a cup of tea.”
“Don’t bother, I just came to borrow Da Huang,” Su Mulan handed the things she was carrying to Liu. “These are popcorn I made at home. Take some for the children.”
Liu hadn’t heard of popcorn before and didn’t know what it was, but upon hearing the word “corn” in it, she quickly refused, “Why borrow a cat and still give something? How will you manage politeness in the future? Take it back quickly and let the children at home eat it.”
Liu knew about Su Mulan’s family situation. Even though Su Mulan had improved and was no longer harsh on Bai Shuiliu and the others, their family only had a few acres of land, and the amount of grain they harvested was limited. Their household could be described as very poor, struggling to make ends meet in the village.
If something could be avoided, they avoided it.
“We still have some at home. Shuiliu and the others are also eating,” Su Mulan insisted, pushing the items into Liu’s hands. “It’s nothing valuable, just made from corn kernels. Please don’t be polite.”
“In the past, when I was confused, you helped Shuiliu and them behind the scenes a lot. It’s thanks to you that they are doing well now. This isn’t much, just consider it a snack for the children.”
Seeing Liu still hesitating, Su Mulan glanced towards the main hall and lowered her voice, “I know you care about our family, but you should also consider Aunt Han’s side.”
Liu helped Bai Shuiliu and them, but Aunt Han often made snide remarks behind her back, making Liu quite uncomfortable.
Although the items were not many or valuable, this gesture would allow Liu to have something to say in front of Aunt Han.
After hearing Su Mulan’s words, Liu thought for a moment and then accepted the popcorn, “Since you put it that way, I’ll accept it. It’s important to consider my mother-in-law’s feelings.”
“Take it then. It’s really nothing valuable. If the children like it, I’ll bring more next time,” Su Mulan said, glancing at the rainwater pouring down under the eaves of Liu family’s kitchen roof. “This rain won’t stop anytime soon, and the children at home might be a bit scared. I won’t stay longer.”
“Alright, let me call Da Huang for you then.”