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The old lady didn’t dare to provoke her son’s anger again and continued to chatter about some matters in the main house, speaking ill of the eldest daughter-in-law, Hu. She also mentioned that in three days, the second house should go to the main house for dinner because it would be her 56th birthday on March 17.
“Second son, don’t invite outsiders. Your youngest brother’s family isn’t going to come back, only the eldest son’s family and your family will gather for a meal,” the old lady said.
Chen Ming smiled and said, “It’s not appropriate for my brother’s family to spend birthday money. I’ll give you fifty coins on that day. Also, my wife made a long jacket for you, embroidered with many ‘fu’ characters on the collar. When you wear that garment, you’ll certainly look more impressive than Mrs. Gao.”
Mrs. Gao was Gao Lizheng’s mother. Gao Lizheng was not only an influential figure but also the wealthiest landlord in Xiangluo Village.
Chen Ming’s mother was delighted to hear this and said, “That’s lovely. I knew that my second daughter-in-law was capable. I didn’t spoil her for nothing.” Then she added, “No need to give me that fifty coins. Keep it to buy some good food for nourishment. Your third brother gives me a lot of pocket money, more than I can spend. Here, take this fifty-coin big money, and hand it to your elder brother in front of your sister-in-law. That Hu, such a vile woman, is narrow-minded.”
Chen Ming quickly objected, “How can that be?”
The old lady continued, “Why not? The clothes your wife made are worth something. Unlike your sister-in-law, who’s clueless about embroidery. She rarely makes anything for me. No, take it. Chen Ming, don’t argue with me.” It seemed like the old lady was getting angry, so Chen Ming relented.
After the old lady left, Chen Feng walked out of the room. The afternoon sun was much brighter, causing her to squint.
Chen Ming looked up and smiled, “A’Feng, are you awake?”
“Yes,” Chen Feng nodded, sitting on the small stool next to him.
Chen Ming asked again, “Earlier, did you hear when your grandmother came?”
“No, I didn’t,” Chen Feng shook her head.
Chen Ming breathed a sigh of relief and asked, “Your mother went to Guqiao Village to buy pork lungs. What would you like to eat?” Nearby, only Guqiao Village had a pork stall. In the town, pork was more expensive by a penny per pound, so most villagers bought meat in the village.
Chen Feng, who had never eaten pork lungs in her previous life, shook her head and said, “I also—don’t know.”
Chen Ming smiled and said, “Then let your mother stew the pork lungs, with fewer vegetables. It’ll be fragrant.”
His smile was pure and warm, like the warm sun in the sky.
Even though he was not the biological father of this body, his warmth towards this disabled daughter was invaluable. Moreover, he was raising a daughter and a grandson with whom he had no blood relation.
Chen Feng’s heart swelled with admiration for him.
She tugged at his sleeve and called out, “Dad, in the future, I will—take care of you, earn money—to get you treated.” Her nose felt tingly, and saliva dribbled down again.
Chen Ming picked up the handkerchief from her chest and wiped her mouth, saying, “Alright, Dad will wait for that day.”
Just then, Mrs. Wang returned with Chen Lu and Chen Dabao, carrying half a set of pork lungs.
Chen Dabao ran over, excitedly embracing Chen Feng, “Mother, Grandmother bought pork lungs. We’ll have pork lung soup tonight.”
Chen Ming continued his work, looked up, and said, “Hmm, let grandmother use fewer vegetables. It’ll be fragrant.”
Mrs. Wang smiled and said, “Alright, let’s add some wolfberries. It not only smells good, but it’s also beneficial for the head of the household.”
At the dinner table, Chen Ming mentioned Chen’s old lady’s birthday on the 17th and the invitation for the second house’s entire family to join them for dinner.
Chen Lu nodded with a smile, but Chen Dabao frowned and pouted. After hesitating for a moment, he sought Chen Ming’s opinion, “Grandpa, can my mother and I not go? We’d rather have leftovers at home.”
Chen Lu added, “It’s better if Sister and Dabao don’t go. Aunt and Uncle, they always scold them and say hurtful things. I can bring back some delicious food for them to eat.”
Although Chen Dabao was sensible, he was still young and also wanted to eat delicious food. Hearing that his little uncle would bring them something delicious, he beamed and nodded vigorously.
Mrs. Wang sighed and said to Chen Ming, “How about we just don’t take them? It’s better not to bother others.”
Chen Ming disagreed, “It’s fine not to go on regular days, but the 17th is my mother’s birthday. It’s not good to skip that.” He patted Chen Dabao’s head and continued, “Your Great-grandma just talks a lot, but she still cares for you. Although Great-grandma and Aunt Hu, well, they don’t particularly like you, but your great cousin are still good to you. In the future, you and your mother need to establish yourselves in the village. You need someone to support you. Relying only on your uncle is a bit thin. You are intelligent and understanding, you need to find ways to maintain a good relationship with them. As for your Aunt Hu and the others, they may speak harshly, so just keep your distance.”
“They not only speak harshly, Aunt Hu also pinches my ears and even let Aunt Jue hit me. Once, she secretly pinched my mother,” Chen Dabao grumbled.
Mrs. Wang’s eyes reddened, and Chen Ming sighed, speaking to Chen Lu, “When you go to your eldest uncle’s house, be sure to keep an eye on your sister and Dabao.” He also mentioned some things about how his eldest brother, Chen Ye, had to work in the fields with their widow mother Chen at a young age and even sold a few acres of land to support Chen Ming and Chen Shi’s education.
From these words, it was clear that Chen Ming had deep feelings for Chen Ye.
Chen Lu and Chen Dabao both nodded in agreement.
Chen Feng, on the other hand, wanted to see more of this world, and get to know the people here, especially her relatives. Far from feeling troubled, she was eager to go. She nodded and said, “Alright, we—will go.” Then she reassured them, “I’m not—foolish anymore, I won’t be—bullied.”
After dinner, everyone relaxed for a while. Apart from Mrs. Wang, who was busy, everyone else rested.
While lying in bed, Chen Dabao still had a furrowed brow. Chen Feng reached out to smooth his forehead and asked, “Are you very troubled about going to your Great-grandma’s house?”
Chen Dabao pouted and said, “Yes, they scold me and pinch me. But what’s worse is that they also scold and pinch my mother. It makes me feel really uncomfortable.”
“Why? Why do they, Aunt Hu and Grandma—hate us?” From the old lady’s words, only her and Chen Ming knew that Chen Feng was not Chen Ming’s biological daughter; others were unaware.
The little boy pointed with his slender fingers and said, “One, aunt Hu feels that when uncle Chen Ye was young, he spent more money supporting Grandfather and Third uncle Chen Shi. Two, Great-grandma supports and favors grandpa and grandma than she did on uncle Shen Ye and her. Third, Uncle knows to repay kindness. He built them a big house and occasionally brings money back to them as filial piety. Our house not only can’t give much money to the main house, but Great-grandma also secretly helps our family.”
Then leaning closer, he gossiped, “There’s an even more important reason, you know. I heard from the villagers that Aunt Hu wanted her daughter to be engaged to a man named Chang Sheng, but the man refused. Aunt Hu then set her eyes on a man from the neighboring village, but he also refused. Great-grandma and Aunt Hu think that since you took Dabao as your son, it has damaged the family’s reputation, and that’s why nobody wants to marry Aunt Hu’ daughter.”
The little boy was quite shrewd, and he expressed the situation perfectly.
Dabao seems accustomed in calling his grandfather Chen Ming’s brothers and their wives as Uncle and Auntie/Aunt.