Chapter 51: We Can Have Our Own

Li Xia couldn’t stand it and muttered to Han Shimin  as she took a closer look. “They’re stuck together like rice paste! Wherever one goes, the other follows. Even when stewing a chicken, they have to squeeze in together—one tossing in a handful of straw, the other adding a stick of wood to the stove!”

Han Shimin sighed. “…Are you just bored with nothing better to do? Why are you even watching them?”

The second son and his wife had just gotten married. It was their honeymoon phase—wasn’t it perfectly normal for them to be all lovey-dovey?

To be honest, it was a little embarrassing to admit, but back when he had just gotten married, he had liked trailing after Li Xia, too. He clearly remembered how passionate they had been, and she had enjoyed it as well.

Li Xia: “…”

She was actually just jealous. “They killed a chicken just like that!”

“If you want one, we have chickens too,” Han Shimin replied casually.

“What are you thinking? Why would I kill an egg-laying hen? Do you think our family’s conditions can afford such wasteful spending?” Li Xia  scoffed. She wouldn’t even dream of it—killing one of her chickens was as painful as losing a part of herself!

Han Shimin didn’t even want to argue with her anymore.

But Li Xia wasn’t done. She continued grumbling, “Just now, I even heard them encouraging Jiadong to keep studying. Saying they wouldn’t make him pay for tuition or living expenses. How nice of them—playing the good guys when it’s not their burden!”

“What kind of talk is that?” Han Shimin retorted. “Shiguo and his wife are both educated people, especially his wife. If she hadn’t graduated from high school, would she have been able to teach at the Town Primary School ? They know the value of education, which is why they’re encouraging Jiadong  to study. They mean well, and you’re treating their kindness like it’s worthless!”

“And what’s the use of studying?” Li Xia scoffed. “Look at those three educated youths in our village—they can’t carry loads on their shoulders or lift a bucket properly. I even heard there’ll be more of them coming next year!”

“Just mind your own business,” Han Shimin snapped. “If Jiadong can get in, then he’ll study! End of discussion.”

On this matter, Han Shimin was firm. If his son had the ability and the desire to continue his education, he would let him. At the very least, he should get a high school diploma.

But Li Xia kept grumbling about how studying was useless.

But Han Shimin ignored her—there was no room for negotiation on this matter.

For most household affairs, Li Xia had the final say, but when it came to real, important decisions, his word was law.

Li Xia rolled her eyes dramatically but, in the end, didn’t say anything more.

However, when noon came and the second son and his wife were enjoying their chicken noodle soup, her whole family had to make do with sweet potatoes again. The rich, tantalizing aroma drifting over was enough to make anyone drool.

Han Jiayue, picking up on her mother’s tone, used it as an excuse to scold her younger brother. “What are you looking at? You think you can eat chicken too? Know your place!”

Han Jiawei still remembering the beating he got yesterday for demanding stuffed buns—only to not get any in the end—had learned his lesson. He knew making a fuss was useless, so he didn’t argue.

But he was completely caught off guard by his sister’s sudden outburst.

Their eldest brother, Han Jiadong , frowned and said, “Why are you picking on Jiawei?”

Han Jiayue sneered, “I just find it funny how you all rushed to help, but in the end, you didn’t even get a single sip of soup!”

But just as she finished speaking, Han Shiguo stepped out and happened to overhear. He turned to Han Jiadong and said, “Jiadong, Jiawei, Jiaxing—your little aunt is calling you three over to have some chicken.”

Inside the house, Jiang Qian was speechless. “…” I never said that.

But she didn’t object either.

And so, the three siblings—Han Jiadong, Han Jiawei and Han Jiaxing  who had helped pluck the chicken, each got two pieces of meat and a bowl of soup to share.

After finishing his portion, Han Jiawei came back mimicking his sister’s earlier tone. The boy might have been a bit simple, but he wasn’t stupid. “Sis, why didn’t you come drink some? The chicken was delicious, and the soup was amazing!”

It was a clear jab at Han Jiayue.

Furious, she raised her hand, ready to hit him, but Han Jiawei immediately challenged her, “Just try and hit me!”

Over the years, with Han Shiguo sending money back home, the family’s financial situation had been quite decent. Han Shiguo’s mother wasn’t one to be stingy with the children either.

Not only did they get to eat meat twice a month, but she also made sure her grandchildren had eggs to eat whenever possible.

From time to time, she would steam an egg custard for them to eat.

Thus, Han Jiawei, this mischievous boy, grew up as strong as a young calf. If he were to compete with his sister, Han Jiayue, even though she was three years older, she might not be able to take him on.

After all, Han Jiayue often engaged in verbal battles with other girls outside, but the boys tended to resort to physical confrontations rather than words, which had toughened him up.

Feeling intimidated, Han Jiayue started to yell, “If you’re so capable, why don’t you go be a son for your uncle?!”

“You’re right about that!” Han Jiawei’s eyes sparkled as he ran to the door and asked, “Uncle, can I be your son?!”

Han Shiguo immediately replied, “No need, your aunt and I can have our own.”

Han Jiawei looked disappointed, “Alright then.”

Inside the house, Jiang Qian couldn’t hold back her laughter and burst out giggling.

Han Shiguo was also at a loss for words, amused by his silly nephew.

Meanwhile, Han Shimin’s expression showed his disbelief. This brat was so easily swayed by a bite of chicken meat and a sip of chicken soup that he wanted to go be a son for his uncle.

Li Xia rolled her eyes and urged them to hurry up and eat their sweet potatoes!

The children quickly complied and ate without further antics.

After they finished eating, Li Xia stepped out to chat with someone.

She shared with everyone how Han Shiguo had been eating buns, dumplings, and stewed chicken for the past few days.

However, when everyone learned how much money she had received from the division of the family estate, they were envious and sarcastically commented, “Just eat, it’s not like it’s coming out of your pocket. Can’t people eat their own chickens?”

“Exactly! You got so much money from the division, if you want to eat, you can just kill a chicken. Why complain about your in-laws?”

Upon hearing these remarks, Li Xia replied, “We didn’t get that much money…”

Before she could finish her sentence, she was interrupted, “Oh, listen to this! Wealthy families are different, over five hundred yuan and still think it’s not enough?”

“Who says it’s not? They built you a few houses, raised four kids, and shared so much money in the division, yet you’re complaining? That’s truly a major loss!”

“It’s like they didn’t take enough advantage of you! Who knows, she might be eyeing her brother-in-law’s military position!”

“Joining the military was introduced to her brother by Shijia; what does that have to do with her?”

“…”

In the past, everyone was good friends, gathering to gossip and share stories, with a strong bond. But now, things were different. Li Xia, once a close companion, had received so much from the division that the wealth gap had become too great.

Sure enough, jealousy had set in, and their friendship had capsized.

In the end, Li Xia returned home fuming and complained to Han Shimin about how it was definitely Han Shijun who blabbed about how much they received from the division, which was why his wife had told everyone.

Han Shimin hadn’t thought it was something that could be kept secret.

Which family didn’t have its finances scrutinized after such a division?

But they weren’t worried about their own situation; their roots were solid.

They just had to be cautious. Han Shimin was also wary of his mother-in-law and said, “Let’s go into town tomorrow, deposit the money to prevent thieves from getting any ideas!”

However, before they could go to town, Li Xia’s mother caught wind of the situation and came over the next day.

She had married into Zhao Family Village, and after hearing about the division yesterday, she rushed back to spread the word.

So, here she was, asking to borrow money.

But none of this concerned Han Shiguo and Jiang Qian, who were happily heading back to Jiang Qian’s family to visit relatives with gifts in hand.