Can’t Take My Eyes Off You

Mrs. Lu took her time putting the things in the kitchen into the pot and putting them on the stove. Then, she washed her hands and left the kitchen. Moe followed Mrs. Lu and jumped off the stove, following her out of the kitchen with graceful steps.

After Mrs. Lu came out, Jiang Yao went straight upstairs. Mrs. Li looked at her and felt that Jiang Yao did not know how to treat guests. “How can the young people hide in their rooms when older guests are here?”

“She hasn’t been feeling well recently. The doctor told her to stay in bed and rest more, so she wouldn’t be tired.” Then, Mrs. Lu looked at the woman behind Mrs. Li and asked, “So, why are you here today? If you’re here to talk about work and matchmaking, then I’m sorry, I can’t help with that.”

Mrs. Lu did want good things for her niece.

However, she knew her family well. Even if she did that favor for them, she would not get any thanks for that. If things did not turn out well, they would blame her for that too. They would think she had done that on purpose.

Other older adults might like to be matchmakers. When they saw a suitable young man or woman, they would always ask a few questions and help introduce them to other people. However, Mrs. Lu was different. She had never been a matchmaker before.

Second Aunt Li smiled. “I’m not here about a man or a job. My family has good jobs, and most of them are married. My granddaughter and grandson are still young.”

“Then why are you here?” Mrs. Lu blurted out.

“I’m here to borrow your sewing machine. The children at home are very naughty. We have to make new sheets at home, and we have to make some clothes for the children. But the sewing machine is broken, so I want to borrow yours,” Second Aunt Li.

“Auntie, I also want to borrow your bicycle. My father uses my bicycle, and I have to go to work so far away from home, so it’s inconvenient without a bicycle. Don’t you still have an unused bicycle? Since no one is using it, it’s a waste to leave it here. Can you lend it to me?” Li Qing quickly followed up after her mother spoke.

“I don’t sew; why would I have a sewing machine? Your uncle and I need our bikes. How can we get a new one?” Mrs. Lu replied with a fake smile.

“But Auntie, you do have one. Didn’t Jiang Yao bring a sewing machine and a bicycle when she married into the family? She doesn’t use them anyway. Is it the storage room?” Li Qing pointed to a room in the courtyard. “It’s a waste to leave it there. It’s better to lend it to us to make the best use of it!”

“That’s your cousin-in-law. You shouldn’t refer to her by her full name.” Mrs. Lu glared at Li Qing. “How old are you? Where are your manners?”

They said that her daughter-in-law had no manners, but they never looked at themselves.

“Also, those were Jiang Yao’s dowry, so they’re hers. They’re not mine. Even if I wanted to use it, I would need to ask for her permission. How can I just lend them to you?”

Mrs. Lu could not be bothered to deal with those three. She was still busy in the kitchen. “I’m busy with cooking. If you want to sit, then feel free to do so. Please go home when you’re done.. I don’t have time to entertain you today.”