Chapter 201

Shuiqing was drinking a cooling mung bean soup to beat the summer heat. The fruits and soup naturally cooled by the spring water were even more refreshing than those stored in a refrigerator.

Mother Hu served everyone a large bowl, and Butcher Hu ate with great delight. He hadn’t actually planned to kill those three people. He wasn’t foolish; killing them would not only cost him his life but also implicate his children. In the future, it would be hard for Qing’er to establish herself in Shanshui Village. His actions were merely to cooperate with his daughter. Unexpectedly, the results were remarkably effective. Qing’er quick thinking had really made a difference, as he hadn’t thought of this strategy himself.

However, Mother Hu wasn’t as optimistic. “Qing’er, even though those people don’t dare to cause trouble for you now, we can’t avoid dealing with your husband.”

That’s her husband’s biological uncle, and the importance of an uncle is very high. In the past, she often taught Wenhua that he should live up to the role of an uncle, even if he was only slightly older than his nephews and nieces. Wherever he went, he should take responsibility and live up to this esteemed position.

She hadn’t expected that her son-in-law’s two uncles would be such characters.

Shuiqing thought about her previous life… No, she didn’t have any relatives in Huaguo. Even if she had, she would definitely have cut ties if they were like Uncle Huang and Second Uncle Huang. She would rather donate everything than let them benefit — in fact, that’s exactly what she did.

However, Fan Jin was different from her. The things he had seen, heard, and learned were different. Would he be manipulated and controlled by them…

Qin Yilin silently drank her mung bean soup, finding it inappropriate to speak. After all, this was Fan Jin’s family matter, and commenting too much would only cause embarrassment.

Ding Jiajia, on the other hand, had a simpler view. “If relatives are good, stay in touch more and treat them well. If they’re not, cut ties. Otherwise, you’ll just bring trouble on yourself.”

Qin Yilin couldn’t even finish her mung bean soup as she hurriedly pulled her precious daughter aside and whispered, “Don’t talk nonsense!”

Ding Jiajia was puzzled. “Mother, am I wrong?”

Qin Yilin was about to explain that her daughter didn’t understand. It wasn’t that one couldn’t choose their relatives; it was that parents often forced their children to maintain ties with relatives, no matter how unpleasant they were. Even if they were terrible, one had to protect them, and not only that, they expected their children to follow their wishes as well. Did the children not want to cut ties? Didn’t they understand the rationale? They just had no choice. How could Jiajia understand that!

Shuiqing smiled and said, “It’s fine. Our family doesn’t enforce a single opinion; everyone can express their thoughts.”

She then looked at Fan Zhaodi, who was sitting with her head down and her bowl of mung bean soup almost untouched. Usually, the little girl loved sweet soups, but now she looked as if she had made a mistake, with her head hanging low. It wasn’t her fault. If given a choice, who wouldn’t want sensible parents, regardless of wealth?

Shuiqing spoke, “Don’t worry, in the future…”

She suddenly paused. In this era, women couldn’t take exams or work outside. Besides getting married to escape their original family, there seemed to be no other practical options. But putting hope in a husband’s family to escape a bad original family carried enormous risks! It wasn’t a good idea.

What was the suitable path for Fan Zhaodi?

Shuiqing sighed helplessly. “Don’t be afraid. In the future, if they’re good to you, stay close; if not, distance yourself. Try to live comfortably and don’t let them affect your good life too much.”

Fan Zhaodi suddenly looked up, her eyes full of disbelief. Her aunt didn’t blame her? After all, it was her father who brought the trouble, so the root of the problem was still her father. But her aunt didn’t hold it against her and was even concerned about her future.

Fan Zhaodi couldn’t control her tears, which rolled down in big drops.

Ding Jiajia handed her a handkerchief. “That’s your father, not you. You are a good relative, so we can stay in touch more in the future.”

She now somewhat understood her mother. You can choose your friends, but you can’t choose your relatives. She was lucky to have good parents. If she had bad parents, would she be able to disobey them?

Shuiqing wondered if her husband, Fan Jin, would face similar challenges…

Fan Jin and two others were sitting on an ox cart. As soon as they reached the village entrance, a person waiting under the large tree there saw them and hurried over.

“Second Uncle, Grand Uncle and the others are here to see you. You must come back with me!” Fan Sanzhu wiped the sweat off his brow and grabbed Fan Jin, attempting to pull him towards home.

But Hu Wenhua held onto Fan Jin’s arm. Although it didn’t seem forceful, no matter how much strength Fan Sanzhu used, Fan Jin didn’t budge an inch.

Fan Sanzhu grew furious and yelled at Hu Wenhua, “That’s my Second Uncle’s blood uncle! Let go of him!”

“I don’t care who you are. If my brother-in-law hasn’t agreed, you can’t take him.” Hu Wenhua snorted.

Fan Sanzhu was incensed but helpless. Hu Wenhua was as sturdy as an ox, and without his release, there was no way he could move his Second Uncle.

He could only turn to Fan Jin and complain, “Second Uncle, you don’t know how poorly Second Aunt and your father-in-law have treated Grand Uncle and the others!”

Fan Jin frowned, displeased. “They went to my house?”

Fan Sanzhu, taken aback that his Second Uncle wasn’t asking about the poor treatment but instead worried about his house, grew even more disgruntled. That was his Second Uncle’s blood uncle, the closest kin apart from them. How could he care only about his wife and outsiders, neglecting his own blood relatives?

“Of course they wanted to see you first, Second Uncle. Please come back with me, or they will come to your house to find you.”

Fan Jin’s expression darkened. He turned to Hu Wenhua and said, “You and Uncle Ding go back and tell your sister I’ll be home soon.”

Hu Wenhua hesitated, but Ding Heli quietly tugged his sleeve, signaling him to let go. If Fan Jin didn’t go now, those people would come over eventually. They couldn’t avoid it.

With Fan Jin successfully taken away, Fan Sanzhu sneered at Hu Wenhua and Ding Heli. He glanced enviously at the ox cart. Soon, when Grandma moved to Second Uncle’s house, they could use the ox and donkey carts whenever they wanted. They could even leave them at their home every day!

As soon as Fan Jin entered the old house, he saw several elderly men with stern, cold expressions sitting in the dimly lit main hall.

“Grand Uncle, Second Uncle, Mother.”

Grand Uncle Huang snorted, “You still know I’m your Grand Uncle?”

Fan Jin, calm and composed, didn’t respond.

Second Uncle Huang spoke up, “We’re here because of your mother. We heard you’re living well, eating and drinking well every day, but your mother gets none of it?”

“And you’re supporting your father-in-law’s family? Isn’t that a joke?”

“To think you’re a scholar, have you studied in vain?”

Fan Jin stood tall, his voice cold, “It’s not supporting my father-in-law’s family. They help with work at home and don’t ask for wages. If anyone helps without wages, I’ll support them too.”

Grand Uncle and Second Uncle Huang were taken aback. They hadn’t expected such a response. Who would willingly work for free?

“Nonsense. The flood just passed; what work needs to be done?” Fan Qian didn’t believe it.

Fan Jin looked at his elder brother, a cold aura emanating from him, “There’s plenty of work on the mountain and in the fields. If you don’t believe it, you can try it yourself.”