Rebirth Counterattack with Space

Xia Na’s face turned red, and she smiled a bit sheepishly.

"Normally when I go to my mother-in-law’s house, they all gaze at me as if they wish their eyes were on the top of their heads, but this time they really laid the compliments on thick, which has never happened before. It turns out that being flattered feels so good. So, I got carried away and showed off the skincare cream you gave me without thinking, and the half bottle I took with me was almost snatched away on the spot."

After finishing the plate in front of her, Xia Na picked up her glass and downed the remaining orange juice in one gulp. "This cake you made is really tasty, it’s just a shame it requires that oven, and the flour and eggs used are a bit too wasteful."

"You know, now Lu Aiguo and Shitou make trips to the nearby countryside from time to time, and they buy essentials like rice, flour, and eggs much cheaper than in the city. Today I just happened to bake a cake. I was actually planning to ask Lu Aiguo to deliver a piece to you tonight, but since you’re here, it’s perfect; you can take it back with you, and save Lu Aiguo the trip."

Xia Yuan actually baked the cake herself.

Ever since she fell in love with the cake that Lu Yun made, she asked for the recipe. Lu Yun then brought out a bunch of baking tools to teach her, and Xia Yuan was quite talented in this area, picking it up quickly. She would bake at home from time to time and would also take some to Xia Na.

After Xia Na tried it once, she fell in love with it and wanted to learn as well, but the sight of Xia Yuan’s array of kitchen tools and oven made her back down.

"Those two little guys would be thrilled," Xia Na nodded, smiling and giving Xia Yuan a sidelong glance.

"Nowadays they talk about their little aunt more than me, their mom. You’ve spoiled them with your treats, always going on about ’my little aunt said this’ or complaining that the food I make doesn’t taste as good as little aunt’s. And if I get angry, they even dare to mutter secretly that I’m fiercer than little aunt... What I dread the most is scaring them by saying I won’t let them come over to play at your place."

"That just proves I’m more popular, so Gu Feng and Gu Meng like me better," Xia Yuan said proudly, looking at Xia Na, and ended with a provocative jab, "Your jealousy is pointless. But, sister, you do need to work on your temper and not scare the kids all the time with shouting and scolding. Are Gu Feng and Gu Meng really as mischievous as you say? They are reasonable if you talk to them nicely."

"I’m not jealous! But what can I do about my temper? I always think about reasoning with them when things are calm, but the moment they start acting up, my temper flares and I forget everything." Xia Na was also helpless.

Xia Yuan stared, her sister had indeed always had a temperamental nature.

Xia Na suddenly burst out laughing, "Don’t worry, I know my limits. I wouldn’t dare really hurt them with a heavy hand. They’re tough, not as delicate as you think. Besides, if I don’t discipline them, and Gu Tianming does, he’s a man and much stronger."

"Don’t think I don’t know your husband’s temper is nothing like yours," Xia Yuan sighed inwardly, though they were close sisters, she had no right to interfere with Xia Na’s parenting.

"I have lots of the moisturizing cream here; I’ll give you a few more bottles later. When the time comes, just give one to each of them. But don’t you still have some? Why not just give it directly to them, and when they run out, they can come back to me for more?" Xia Yuan wondered, why make a special trip for this?

"It’s not just Gu Tianming’s sister-in-law and younger sister who are asking. Many people in our factory and the neighbors around are also inquiring. If I give it to everyone, do you think you can handle it?" Xia Na eyed Xia Yuan.

"It’s because the moisturizing cream you gave me is so effective that people can’t help but inquire. If they keep asking and I don’t tell them, it would seem like I’m being petty. But I don’t even know myself, what could I tell them?"

"Ah... what should we do?" Xia Yuan was momentarily stumped, then began to think rationally. The cream was sourced from Lu Yun’s space, and although she said it could be supplied in an unlimited quantity, what if that ’unlimited’ only meant for herself and a few people around her? She didn’t know if Lu Yun could still supply it if they were to sell it. This was an important question she needed to be clear about.

Moreover, how should they price the cream? Other brands like Baqiuling and Hailey Oil were considered to be good quality and affordable, but they were no match for their cream. If they really wanted to sell it, they couldn’t set the price too low. It might be best to offer it in two varieties, one somewhat less and another like the one they currently used.

"What else can we do? You can only tell me where to find it, and then I’ll pass the message on to them." Xia Na said, chuckling at Xia Yuan.

"The items were obtained by Lu Aiguo and Shitou. Honestly, I didn’t ask in detail. How about I ask tonight, and you come back tomorrow?" Xia Yuan pondered, deciding to discuss it with her daughter later.

"Okay," Xia Na stood up.

"Sis, why don’t you sit a while longer? You just got here and you’re leaving already?" Xia Yuan said, unwilling to let Xia Na go.

"Where do I have the time to sit? I’ve got an appointment to move sand and bricks at four o’clock today, and I need to hurry over." Xia Na glanced at the time; it was already three-forty, so she looked anxious, "I just stopped by because it was on the way, if I don’t leave now, I’ll be late."

"Alright then. But why are you alone? Where’s your husband?" Xia Yuan paused, knowing that moving the bricks and sand upstairs would be tough. She was aware that her sister and brother-in-law still owed money to his workplace for building their house. They would definitely not want to spend extra on hiring help for manual labor they could do themselves.

"Your brother-in-law will come after work; he can’t always take time off, can he? I’ll head over first, and then he’ll come to take over so I can go back and cook. We’ve already built one floor, and plan to move in once the second floor is finished. We’ll live there and gradually continue building."

Xia Na’s face was filled with a smile. Just being able to build the house made her very happy; what could a little hardship now matter?

Typical indeed.

"Sis, wait a minute."

Xia Yuan was full of concern but felt powerless to say anything persuasive. She hurried into the kitchen, filled a thermos with hot water, took out pieces of cake divided into eight small portions, each packed into two Tupperware containers, along with a big bag of sliced pork, and placed everything into a homemade cloth bag.

"This thermos has a lid you can twist open. Press here, and you can pour the hot water into the lid to cool down and drink. It can hold one liter of water, keeps it warm longer than a regular kettle, and is more convenient."

Xia Yuan demonstrated how to use the thermos to Xia Na, "Lu Aiguo had several brought over, and this one was actually meant for you. Besides the cake, there’s some sliced pork in the cloth bag too—make sure your husband has something to eat while he works tonight."

"Okay, I’ll take it. I have so many debts to you that one more doesn’t bother me," Xia Na said, taking the bag without refusing and leaving right away.

"You are my only dear sister," Xia Yuan glared at her.

"Heh, exactly, so I’m keeping the stuff," said Xia Na, laughing as she pinched Xia Yuan’s puffed cheeks, just like when they were little.

"Always picking on me," Xia Yuan said, batting away her hand and continuing to glare. Xia Na withdrew her hand, her face briefly clouded with melancholy, "Just like that, we’ve both almost grown old."

"Get out of here, I’m still young. You might be getting old, but don’t drag me into it," Xia Yuan spat back playfully at Xia Na, escorting her out the front door and making sure it was locked before returning to the house.