books44 Chapter 241 Poor Relatives
Chapter 241 Poor Relatives
"Li Yang is a lucky guy. His wife, Xu Wen, is understanding and never argues with him. Humph! I heard that if you hadn't stepped in and shifted the problem to me that day, she would have taken action."
Ting Nan sensed her master's slight resentment and chuckled, "Hehehe, Master, you're so impressive! I have absolute faith in you! Look, with just one move, you immediately killed that demonic aura."
"Humph!"
“Master, I’d like to share a little secret with you. Do you want to know why Sister-in-law Xu Wen is so amazing?” Ting Nan looked around and whispered in Gao Haoran’s ear, “Senior brother, she had her tubes tied to prevent any future problems.”
"Pfft..." Gao Haoran spat out a mouthful of water. Hearing Nan raise an eyebrow, she thought, "I knew it, she couldn't be the only one who was surprised—it's quite a feat for a man to voluntarily get a vasectomy."
After a long pause, Gao Haoran finally managed to squeeze out two words: "I admire you!" He never imagined that he would have that day.
The land approval process wouldn't be completed until after the Lantern Festival. Zheng Xiangqian decided to visit his aunt's house with Song Xiuying on the sixth day of the first lunar month, while Zheng Ruidong stayed home to help Chen Xiangxiang take care of the baby and the house.
On the way to Zheng Shujuan's house, Song Xiuying asked questions as she walked. She had only been there once before, when she accompanied her sister-in-law to her wedding. So many years had passed, and things had changed a lot. After getting off the bus, she couldn't even tell which way was which.
Guided by villagers, Song Xiuying and her son arrived. Seeing the red brick house before them, they were puzzled: Hadn't they said they couldn't make ends meet?
The mother and daughter were afraid of getting into unnecessary trouble, so they even went out and wore their old clothes. Wouldn't that embarrass their sister-in-law?
Song Xiuying tried calling out Shujuan's name twice. A woman with graying hair emerged from a nearby mud-brick house. Was this her aunt? Seeing her mother nod, Zheng Xiangqian quickly stepped forward, "Aunt!"
Zheng Shujuan looked at the young man who looked just like her older brother, then turned to see Song Xiuying, and burst into tears, "Sister-in-law, brother, you're finally here!"
"Shujuan, Shujuan!" Song Xiuying held her thin, rough hands, choking back tears and unable to speak. How could the beautiful young woman of yesteryear have aged so much?
A woman walked over and asked from a distance, "Mother! Who is this?"
“This…this is your aunt and…” Zheng Shujuan hurriedly wiped her eyes with the corner of her clothes.
"Aunt, I am Zheng Yueqiang's son, Zheng Xiangqian." After so many years, Zheng Shujuan couldn't even recognize him.
“Xiangqian, I held you when you were one year old. Your grandparents were still alive then.” Things were good back then, and her husband’s family was good too. But since her parents passed away one by one, her hard times have begun.
"Oh, your family? We haven't seen each other for so many years, what brings you here today?" Pan Yibing looked at Song Xiuying and her son's clothes and said coldly, "Mother, don't cry and whine outside, it's unsightly! You can entertain your poor relatives yourself!" Then he turned and went back into the red brick house.
“Pan Yifeng…” It has always been Pan Yifeng’s style to embarrass her, her mother-in-law, in front of her own family, leaving Zheng Shujuan helpless.
Pan Yifeng's family was wealthy, and unlike the prevailing societal preference for sons over daughters, she was pampered and spoiled. Words like unreasonable, willful, selfish, and shameless are all fitting to describe her.
"Auntie, let's go home first!" Zheng Xiangqian observed for a moment, then helped Zheng Shujuan walk towards the mud-brick house. The house was indeed quite dilapidated, but the door and windows were new and sturdy.
"Mother, who was calling you outside just now?" It was another female voice, but this one was much gentler and more polite.
"Minmin, it's alright, come out. Your aunt and cousin are here," Zheng Shujuan greeted Song Xiuying and her son.
The room was old and worn; it was hard to find even two intact chairs. There was a bed right by the entrance. The bedding was also old, but neatly made. Song Xiuying sat down on the edge of the bed and accepted the tea Zheng Shujuan offered. She was indeed thirsty after spending most of the day traveling and asking for directions.
Zheng Xiangqian drank water while looking around the house. He was very puzzled: Grandma used to say that his aunt was very capable. She could earn work in the fields and do things like sewing and mending at home. What happened to her? How did she end up in such a state? Her house is practically bare!
After a while, a woman in her late twenties came out from the inner room, leading two children, and stood behind Zheng Shujuan.
"Oh, twins! Shujuan, what are they...?" Song Xiuying was delighted to see the children.
Zheng Shujuan smiled and said, "These are my youngest son Lei Ming's two children, twins, Da Bao and Xiao Bao. Call them Auntie and Uncle."
"Da Bao, Xiao Bao, greet them obediently," Zheng Shujuan continued, introducing the two sides: "Sister-in-law, this is my wife, Gu Xiaomin. Minmin, this is your aunt and cousin, Zheng Xiangqian."
Gu Xiaomin hurriedly greeted him, but she didn't dare to look at Zheng Xiangqian and tried to keep her distance as much as possible, but unfortunately the room was only so big.
Gu Xiaomin said to her mother-in-law in a very soft voice, "Mom, I'm going to the kitchen to cook dinner now, but Lei Ming hasn't come back yet. What should we cook for dinner?"