Chapter 529 - Chapter 529: Chapter 516: No One Comes Without a Reason (1/2)

Chapter 529: Chapter 516: No One Comes Without a Reason

“There’s really no big deal…”

Mrs. Wang chuckled, “You see, Uncle Wencheng of our family has just slaughtered a pig from our domestic stock yesterday, and half of it was sent over to us. It’s a substantial amount of pork to deal with, considering there aren’t many people in our house. It would be impossible to finish all of it in a single year.”

“We were thinking about you and Miss Sui, and how it would be somewhat tricky for you two to prepare pork for the New Year, so we thought we’d send some over. This should be enough for both of you.”

“This is the pork tenderloin, which is a perfect mix of fat and lean, excellent for making dumpling fillings. These ribs can be used for a stew, perhaps with some radish. This pork belly can be used in a braised pork dish, or added to other stews for flavour. This loin cut is best fried…”

“I wasn’t exactly sure what cut of pork you and Miss Sui prefer, so I simply brought a bit of everything. By the way, I also placed some cabbage and radish in there for you to use as side dishes. I’ve already discarded the hardened outer leaves, so the remaining leaves are quite tender.”

Zhuang Qingning looked at Mrs. Wang’s cheerful smile ripe with obvious appeasement, and immediately became cautious, “Aunt Wang, if you have something to say, out with it…”

According to Mrs. Wang’s usual behaviour, she could be categorized under the ‘No Pain No Gain’ category.

If one were to think of the worst, one might say it was like a weasel paying a New Year’s visit to the chicken…

“I really have nothing up my sleeve.” Mrs. Wang hastened to explain. “Miss Zhuang, please, don’t overthink it. I just didn’t know what to do with so much pork at home, and thought about sharing some with you.”

“Don’t misunderstand, please. I truly have no ulterior motives, nor any other intentions.”

Really?

Yeah, right!

Zhuang Qingning felt increasingly ill at ease as she carefully covered the bamboo basket Mrs. Wang had opened with the cloth, “Aunt Wang, there’s a saying that one should not accept rewards for doing nothing. If you really don’t need anything from me, you should take these things back.”

Saying this, she picked up the bamboo basket that Mrs. Wang had brought and walked towards the door.

“No, no, no…”

Mrs. Wang, turning panicky, stopped Zhuang Qingning with a whimper.

“Aunt Wang, just say what you have to say.” Zhuang Qingning stopped her steps.

“I, I…” Mrs. Wang fumbled for words, clutching her sleeve. After a while, she stammered, “Miss Zhuang, I must admit I’ve done some wrong to you in the past. I used to look down on you, and aside from making snide comments, I grew envious when I saw you making money, and wanted to arrange a marriage between you and Wencheng…”

“I was just blinded by greed and made these foolish plans. Miss Zhuang, please don’t take it to heart. I promise I won’t harbor such thoughts anymore. Please accept this as my apology for my past behaviour.”

After hearing this, Zhuang Qingning blinked, even gasped in surprise.

Her suspicious gaze moved over Mrs. Wang and finally rested on the heavy bamboo basket in her hands.