Chapter 90.2

Liang Hongmei didn’t really disagree with whatever decision Su Zhenzhong made.

Back then, to marry Suzhenzhong, she promised her mother that she would bring back at least half of her salary and bills to support the family. Otherwise, her mother wouldn’t have agreed to her marrying him. Initially, she did give her mother half, but later on, for some reason, her mother kept saying the family couldn’t make ends meet. Sometimes she’d mention that her brother’s two children needed extra support or that her brother was getting married, and if she didn’t give in, her mother would throw a fit. Her mother was especially good at causing a scene. Since the factory dorms were only a few buildings and everyone knew each other, Liang Hongmei worried that if her mother caused a scene, it would reflect poorly on her and Suzhenzhong. Slowly but surely, she unwittingly became completely devoted to helping her family.

Deep down, Liang Hongmei actually breathed a sigh of relief. Looking back, she remembered that her husband and his family had silently tolerated her for so many years. If it weren’t for her sister-in-law and husband’s strong warning today, who knows how long this would continue? How could she not get tired of such endless trouble? As her sister-in-law said, everything would be easier if they discussed these matters openly.

“Zhenzhong, in the future, our family will listen to you, and my salary will also be given to you. Since things have come to this point, we shouldn’t be afraid of losing face. If my mother comes to make trouble, let her. If it really doesn’t work out, we can move back to your village, and we’ll just wake up earlier and commute a bit farther to work.” The mention of divorce completely woke Liang Hongmei up. As embarrassing as it was, it would be even more embarrassing to get a divorce in the end.

Her father is still working in a food factory, and her mother dares not go to the factory to make trouble. Her good brothers and sisters-in-law cared about their reputation, so they would definitely make trouble. They will only instruct her mother to make trouble. Once her mother was sorted out, everything would be fine.

Su Zhenzhong said, “I won’t go back to Su Village.”

Unless he really reaches the point of divorce, he can endure the embarrassment. But in case my mother-in-law causes a scene in the village, he doesn’t want our parents to be talked about and criticized. What will they do in the village, then?

Su Zhenzhong turned to Su Xiaoxiao and said, “Xiaoxiao, this matter is embarrassing to talk about, and I don’t want our parents to know about it, so they won’t worry.’

Both Su Xiaoxiao and he were the same, always sharing their joys but not their worries. As a result, everyone in Su’s village, including Su Xiaoxiao, thought he was living the good life in the city, but in reality, looking at this less than 20-square-meter apartment, a family of three squeezed onto a narrow 1.5-meter-wide bed, and the worn-out furniture at home, aside from not having to face the harsh rural conditions, their so-called city life was far from being as comfortable as in Su village.

Su Xiaoxiao said, “Don’t worry, big brother. I understand. However, you’re also at fault, big brother. As a husband, you have a responsibility and obligation to remind your wife. Don’t blame sister-in-law too much. From now on, you two should manage your little family well and live a good life. Our parents are still waiting for us to return home for the New Year. Let’s finish packing and go home.”

Su Zhenzhong and his wife quietly packed up their belongings. Su Xiaoxiao was doing the children’s ideological work on the side: “When you go back home, don’t mention today’s incident to the adults in the family, okay? Because if they find out how bad Da Bao’s grandmother is, they will worry about Da Bao and his parent. People in the village will also gossip. I hope this matter will be left here and becomes our secret. Even Comrade Han Cheng shouldn’t be allowed to know, okay?”

Han Cheng, who had arrived at the door at some point, holding a bag, happened to hear this sentence and asked, “What shouldn’t I know? ”

The children looked at the door in unison and said, “Secret!”

Su Zhenzhong stopped what he was doing to greet him, “Han Cheng.”

Han Cheng nodded and said, “Hello, Big brother, sister-in-law.”

Liang Hongmei’s mood had already recovered a lot, so she invited Han Cheng to sit down and pour him a cup of tea.

Su Xiaoxiao smiled and looked at Han Cheng. Han Cheng’s eyes softened, and he sat down beside her, opening the things he had brought and saying, “The winter melon candy from the supply and marketing cooperative is good, so I bought some. You should try it too.”

The kids were once again pleasantly surprised and said in unison, “Winter melon candy.”

Fantuan gave Han Cheng a thumbs up and said, “Dad, you’re amazing!”

Han Cheng looked at Su Xiaoxiao, who was smiling but not saying anything, and asked, “What’s going on? ”

Su Xiaoxiao felt that their family was really in sync: “The children like to eat winter melon candy. They were just talking about buying some before going back, and you’ve already bought it for them. Naturally, they’re happy.”

The cubs still wanted to eat, but Su Xiaoxiao stopped them and said, “You’ve eaten enough today and don’t eat anymore. Save some for later.”

Although the cubs were greedy, they obediently stopped eating after hearing their mother say so.

“Dad, did you buy firecrackers? “Fantuan asked.

Han Cheng nodded and said, “Yes, I bought firecrackers and fireworks.”

Hearing Han Cheng say this, the cubs were all excited and looking forward to celebrating the Chinese New Year.

Su Zhenzhong and his wife finished tidying up and took out the New Year goods they had hidden in the cupboard to prevent Hong Mei from taking them. With the whole family, they headed back to Su’s village to celebrate the New Year.

Hongmei’s mother watched Su Zhenzhong and his wife carry their New Year goods in the corridor of their apartment building with envy. These were originally her family’s New Year’s goods.

In the afternoon in Su Village, Su Zhenzhong had previously said to the Su family that he had to work overtime at the end of the Chinese New Year, so they hadn’t come home for a month. Li Yufeng and the others were very worried, so when Da Bao entered the house, they rushed to hug him.

“Mom, I didn’t bring much back. These are candies, biscuits, cured meat, and sausages from the factory. There’s also some money and meat coupons. You can manage them as you like.” 

If he hadn’t blown up today, these items wouldn’t have been safe either. Especially when he saw the stunned expression on Li Yufeng’s face, Su Zhenzhong realized how much of a failure his son had become. He had been working in the factory for years and had always been able to bring home a pound of biscuits and a pound of candy, which was already quite good. This was the first time he had brought home so many New Year’s goods.

Li Yufeng didn’t notice her son’s strangeness and said directly, “You’re giving away so many things this year? Haven’t you given some to your mother-in-law?”

This sentence made Liang Hongmei instantly teary-eyed. They were both a mother, why was the difference so big?

Su Zhenhua also said, “Yes, big brother, didn’t you just give out some biscuits and candy from the factory in previous years? Why do you have sausages and cured meat this year?”

Su Zhenzhong and his wife felt embarrassed and couldn’t speak. Su Xiaoxiao hugged her mother’s shoulders and tried to smooth things over. “Oh, Mom, my sister-in-law’s family has already taken their New Year gifts, and my big brother and sister-in-law brought this back for you to use. Why do you have so many questions? Can we start eating? I’m starving.”

The cubs also helped to coax, “Yes, grandma, we are starving!”

Distracted by the children and Su Xiaoxiao, Li Yufeng forgot about her earlier question and said, “Alright, alright, let’s eat. Your grandpa ordered tofu, and today we’re having bighead carp stew with tofu.”

The cubs are about to drool.

They said in unison, “Wow, that’s great!”