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Chen Ming, aware of Mrs. Hu’s thoughts, sighed as he held the money, “This money might seem like a lot, but our expenses at home are high – buying medicine, house repairs, it’s gone in the blink of an eye.” He then said to his mother, “Mother, our family is either weak or sick. I don’t feel comfortable keeping so much money. You hold onto this three taels for me. We can use it for house repairs, bedding bricks, wood, and whatever is needed. It will be convenient for my brother to take it.”
The old lady took the money as promised.
Chen Ming then gave Mrs. Wang one taels. “Tomorrow, I’ll make a trip to the county town to repay the debt for the medicine and buy some more. The remaining two taels will be used for wages for the house repairs and to buy kitchenware for A’Feng and her son. As for furniture, we don’t have money to buy new, so let’s just move the furniture from the east room. There’s still over a taels left, only enough to buy medicine for two months. Sigh, with the constant need for medication, even more money wouldn’t be enough.”
With this allocation, the more than six taels was soon gone, and the family continued to struggle.
During meals, the elderly lady sat with her two sons and eldest grandson on the heated brick bed. This time, Mrs. Hu and Mrs. Wang also sat at this table, hanging their legs over the edge of the bed.
Chen Feng and the other children ate at a lower table. Without Chen Jue present, Chen Dahua also showed a lovable side. While he was eating meat, he looked at Chen Feng’s clean face and said, “Aunt Feng, your face is so clean. It turns out you’re so pretty, even prettier than aunt A’Jue.”
Chen Feng smiled and said, “Aren’t you afraid that your aunt A’Jue will hear and scold you?”
Chen Dahua shrugged and said, “I’m not stupid. In front of her, I’ll say she’s the most beautiful young lady in our village.”
This child really inherited some traits from the previous generation, not at all like his father, resembling Chen Ye, and even more slick-tongued.
Chen Lu and Dabao chuckled at his words.
This table was very harmonious, but the table on the heated brick bed was a different story – all eyes were on Mrs. Hu, who was putting on a performance.
Mrs. Hu repeatedly recounted the hardships she and her husband and son had endured, “Oh my, they’ve been busy for almost half a year, always running to the fields regardless of wind or rain, always taking care of your family’s land first before our own. It’s exhausting, often so tired that they just groan on the bed at night. One day, it was pouring rain, and my husband went to clear the drainage, but he slipped and came back covered in mud. It broke my heart…”
She then thumped her chest and continued, “Where can you find someone who cares for their brother like this? Besides my husband, I’ve never seen… I, as the elder sister-in-law, also have a tiring life. As soon as I enter the Chen family, I’m as busy as a top, and both younger brothers treat me like a real sister…”
Mrs. Hu sang, recited, acted, and fought, her eyebrows twisted into a rope, her eyes narrowed, her face showing sorrow, and when she was moved, it seemed like tears were about to flow. When she was in the countryside, she was considered beautiful, and in this state, she resembled a stage performer.
If someone who didn’t know the situation heard her, they would think that the main household was farming the land for the second household for free, and the second household didn’t return any of the harvested grain.
Chen Ming and Mrs. Wang were both uncomfortable, as every time they finished harvesting the crops, Mrs. Hu would put on this performance.
Chen Ye seemed to appreciate these words, smiling with satisfaction, while scolding Mrs. Hu, “You stinky woman, what are you grumbling about? Siblings are supposed to help each other.”
Chen Ming quickly filled Chen Ye’s cup with wine. “Thank you, brother.”
Chen Ye took a sip of wine and patted Chen Ming’s shoulder, saying, “As the eldest brother, our father passed away early, so it’s my duty to take care of my younger brother.”
Upon hearing this, Mrs. Hu interjected, “They say the eldest brother is like a father. When we were young, we relied on our older brother like a father, but as adults, how many people can treat their elder brother with the same filial piety as they would a father? Of course, not everyone is like that. The third uncle isn’t bad. He understands that it’s hard for my husband to take care of things. He often shows his respect…”
This remark reddened Chen Ye’s face, and he quickly scolded, “You stinking woman, why are you saying such things? We support each other as brothers, it’s just because we have a good relationship. What you’re saying, that’s just taking advantage of the kindness, isn’t it?”
Grandma Chen particularly disliked hearing Mrs. Hu speak in this manner. Initially, the eldest son enjoyed listening, so she didn’t intervene, but now, seeing the eldest son rebuke her, she joined in, “By listening to you, one wouldn’t know that those three brothers not only lost their father but also their mother. You’ve been like a mother to the second and third brothers. They should show you respect.”
This reprimand silenced Mrs. Hu. If she were speaking to the youngest brother, she would continue, even if stopped, as there would be benefits to it, and it would be worth enduring the scolding. However, the second household was frugal and ungrateful, so speaking was in vain and enduring the scolding wasn’t worth it.
From observing and the descriptions of the two little boys, Chen Feng had gained a deeper understanding of the main household. Grandma and Chen Ye were decent, somewhat shrewd, embodying typical rural consciousness, unwilling to be taken advantage of, but good to their sons and brothers, not inclined to do anything harmful. In particular, Chen Ye was enthusiastic and helpful, with a strong sense of dignity.
However, Mrs. Hu was selfish and shameless, always trying to take advantage. If something was to her credit, she would exaggerate it a hundredfold to gain benefits, and if not, she had the ability to shrug it off.
The children of the main household were not bad. Chen Gui was diligent and steadfast, somewhat like Chen Ye, but even more honest, not eloquent. This personality was neither like Chen Ye nor like Mrs. Hu. He was sent to school by the ambitious Chen Ye, but he didn’t take to it. By the time he was twelve, he refused to continue studying. Chen Ye had no choice but to send him to learn business and commerce with Chen Shi in the prefectural city.
Unfortunately, he didn’t like it either, saying that business was too troublesome and gave him headaches. After half a year, he ran back home on his own. Chen Ye had no choice but to let him work on the land with himself.
Chen Lan was gentle and industrious, occasionally seeking advice from her mother for embroidery work. However, she was somewhat disdainful of the simple-minded Feng, but overall, she was tolerable and didn’t bully her.
Chen Jue was similar to Mrs. Hu, extremely selfish and malicious, but lacking Mrs. Hu’s shrewdness. From a young age, she enjoyed bullying Chen Feng, often making her cry. As she grew older, due to the unsatisfactory marriage arrangements, she developed a strong animosity towards Chen Feng and Chen Dabao.
Mrs. Hu didn’t dare to continue her performance. If she were facing the youngest brother Chen Shi, she would persist, saying that there would be benefits to it, even if she was scolded. However, the second household was unyielding and ungrateful, so speaking was in vain and enduring the scolding wasn’t worth it.
The conversation then turned to the repairs for Feng and Dabao’s house.
Chen Ming suggested that Chen Ye should help organize the repairs, inviting a few people to do the work, and they would pay them whatever they asked, with a meal provided.
Chen Ye nodded, “With such a small courtyard and three grass huts, it won’t take many people. I and A’Gui, along with three others, can get it fixed in a little over ten days. You only need to pay those three workers A‘Gui and I won’t take anything.”
Chen Ming insisted, “That won’t do. We must ensure that you and A’Gui are rewarded for your hard work.”
Mrs. Hu also chimed in, “Yes, how can it be okay for the second brother to let you work for nothing?”
Chen Ye asserted, “Why not? Listen to me.” Then he turned to Gui, “Have I not been considerate to brothers from my family? Your second uncle’s family is struggling. It’s only right for me to help as an older brother. You’re not allowed to secretly ask them for money.”
Chen Gui also nodded in agreement.