Chapter 42: The Zhao Family's Splitting Technique

Zhao was truly hot-tempered, but her tofu was genuinely delicious!
“Hurry up, pack up the cart, we’re taking it out to sell right now.” They had made quite a lot, and since it was nearly noon, everyone was free, making it the perfect time to sell more.
Father Jiang quickly tidied up the cart, loaded the tofu onto it, and went out with Zhao.
In their village, Zhao was notorious for her fierce temper—even the men were afraid of her. Since this was their first time selling tofu, apart from the village head who bought two jin, no one else dared to make a move.
Zhao couldn’t very well lash out and curse while doing business, so she had to swallow her anger and go with Father Jiang to the neighboring Dongtang Village to sell their goods.

When Bai Yan woke from her nap, it was already afternoon. Wrapped in her quilt, she rolled about on the heated brick bed before finally opening her eyes.
She glanced around but saw no sign of Jiang Chengyan beside her.
Pouting, she grabbed her outer robe, slipped it on, and quietly got out of bed to look for him.
She searched the house—nothing.
She circled the courtyard—still nothing.
Dazed and groggy, Bai Yan wandered out of the yard and saw no one at the main gate either.

She was about to head back in, feeling disappointed, when she suddenly heard a faint commotion in the corner to her right.
Tiptoeing over, she wondered if Jiang Chengyan was up to something secretive, as the noises sounded a bit odd.
Carefully, Bai Yan crept to the wall and peered over toward the woodpile.
What she saw left her rooted to the spot in shock.
Amid the messy pile of firewood, the usually loud, sharp-tongued Zhao was squatting in a rather unrefined manner, cradling a shivering little gray puppy in her arms. She held it as tenderly as if it were her own child, cooing in a soft voice, “Oh, my little darling, Fortune-bringer, you arrived at just the right time. How are you so adorable?”
“This little tail is just too cute.”
“Stay with me and be our family’s dog from now on.”
Even at a time like this, Zhao still referred to herself as part of the old Zhao family, forgetting she was now the wife of the Jiang household.
Looking at the pitiful little puppy, Bai Yan couldn’t help but think of herself.
Back then, Zhao’s hand had rubbed her head just like she was petting a dog.
Hmm, was she seeing something she shouldn’t have?
“What are you doing standing out here in the freezing cold? Think you’re tough or something?” a man’s voice suddenly sounded behind her, making Bai Yan jump with a startled yelp.

Their commotion evidently startled the woman by the woodpile as well.
“What are you hollering about! Can’t you see I’m disciplining the dog?” Zhao pinched the scruff of the little puppy’s neck and lifted it up, glaring fiercely at Bai Yan and Jiang Chengyan.
The puppy must have been hurt by the grip, for it started yelping pitifully.
Zhao, her face cold and blank as if she were holding a cudgel rather than a puppy, strode forward without a hint of emotion.
Bai Yan stood meekly where she was. When Zhao turned the corner into the yard, Bai Yan quietly trailed behind and saw her gently cradling the puppy to her chest, comforting it in a low voice, “It’s all for show, just for show! Doesn’t hurt, doesn’t hurt.”
Bai Yan: “...”
The next moment, Bai Yan’s collar was lifted from behind.
The man’s voice sounded slightly dangerous, “You’re not afraid of dogs?”
“Not at all, it’s just a puppy!”