Font Size:
Zhang Weiguo had a very fruitful day today. His conversation with the elderly men gave him a new perspective on life.
The next day, Zhang Weiguo began helping his sister pickle the cabbage at home. He arranged the radishes and carrots in the cellar before leaving in high spirits.
In the afternoon, Zhang Lan spread the purchased cotton and quilt cover on the kang, preparing to make a quilt. Hao Lianchun also helped with the cotton filling. The Old lady and Zhang Lan chatted and laughed as they worked together. They quickly finished making a quilt. Just as Zhang Lan was about to make the mattress, her sister-in-law Wang Juan came over.
Seeing the elderly lady on the kang, Wang Juan warmly greeted her, “Auntie, are you comfortable staying here?”
Zhang Lan introduced her to Hao Lianchun. The elderly lady smiled and said, “I’m comfortable. Your sister-in-law is thoughtful. She’s already fed me some delicious food.”
Hao Lianchun didn’t say much, just listening to Wang Juan and Zhang Lan chat while subtly helping with the mattress-making.
“Sister-in-law, do you know why Wang Mei came back today? She’s never up to any good,” Wang Juan said indignantly.
Zhang Lan was puzzled. Her sister-in-law usually didn’t like to talk about such matters. “Sister-in-law, why are you so angry? What did Wang Mei come back for?”
Wang Juan said angrily, “I’m telling you, the saying about the star of misfortune is absolutely right. This time, she came to show off their family’s Huang Youcai, who has now gained power, and to borrow money and grain. It’s the same old story.”
As she spoke, Wang Juan imitated Wang Mei’s manner and tone, repeating the words she had said. Wang Qian and the others sitting on the kang burst into laughter. Wang Mei was really amusing. If she had been present, they would have definitely burst into laughter.
Dealing with such a person could drive anyone crazy. Even someone as sharp as Wang Juan could be provoked by Wang Mei. She could imagine Wang Mei’s arrogant attitude and demeanor, and it was unbearable for anyone.
“Did you agree in the end, Aunt?” Wang Qian was eager to know the outcome and asked immediately.
“Agree? If I had agreed, I would be a fool. Every time, giving Wang Mei something is like a meat bun thrown to a dog, never to return. I won’t fall for it this time. Let them do as they please. I won’t gain anything from dealing with them. What’s the point? But your second aunt is a bit mysterious. I immediately refused, but Han Cui was a bit indecisive and didn’t give a definite answer.”
After hearing Wang Juan’s account, Wang Qian felt that her second aunt was capable of such things. Han Cui was always quick to seize opportunities. Her vague response this time was probably an attempt to establish a relationship with Huang Youcai, hoping to gain some benefits for the family in the future. However, Wang Qian doubted that Huang Youcai would bring any benefits to their family. Regardless of his character, this situation was like a rabbit’s tail—short-lived. She was clear about the future, and despite the current excitement, the outcome was uncertain.
“Ah, sister-in-law, has Wang Mei lost her mind? Can’t a rural woman like her live a good life in the city? Instead, she follows Huang Youcai around every day, networking everywhere, and doesn’t even do any work. It would be strange if the family could manage to eat,” Wang Juan lamented.
Wang Qian was surprised that her elder aunt had also gotten involved. “Aunt, my elder aunt is illiterate. Who would want someone like her? Isn’t she just meddling? She’s tired of living a good life.”
Zhang Lan hugged her little girl and said, “Sister-in-law, we can’t control Wang Mei’s behavior. Don’t get angry with her. It’s not worth it. Let’s focus on living our lives. Let her make a fuss. We have your elder brother to support us, don’t we?”
When Wang Juan mentioned Wang Zhenhai, she became even angrier. “Sister, don’t mention your elder brother. Just thinking about him makes me angry. Do you know why I came here? I was angry with him at home. That’s why I came to your place. Wang Zhenhai is as stubborn as a log. As soon as the old lady sheds a tear, he starts to hesitate. He used to hold the trump card against the third brother, and now he’s using it against our family. I envy you now. You’ve distanced yourself from those troublemakers in the Wang family. Otherwise, there will be trouble in the future.”
“By the way, I think Zhenhe isn’t at home. That old lady might have designs on you. You should have your own plan and not let them control you all the time,” Wang Juan kindly reminded, and Zhang Lan was very grateful for the advice. “Sister-in-law, our family is still struggling. We have no money, and the food is barely enough for us. I have nothing to give. I can’t help them, especially after the incident with the child. I almost lost my life. I can’t help them.”
Wang Qian, with red eyes, nestled into her mother’s arms. She was lucky to be unharmed that time. Otherwise, they would have lost their lives twice because of them.
“Mom, don’t worry. We’re here for you. We won’t let them bully you again,” Wang Qian reassured.
The elderly lady, with a clear understanding of the Wang family’s past, sighed and said, “Zhang Lan, don’t be afraid. Uncle and your aunt are here. No one dares to harm you and your mother.”
Zhang Lan was truly touched by the elderly lady’s words. She wasn’t alone; she had so many people helping her. “Aunt, I’m not afraid. Even a rabbit bites when it’s desperate…”
Before she could finish speaking, Wang Zhi’s voice came from outside. “Sister-in-law, Mom wants you to come over for a moment.” Wang Qian peeked outside from the window and saw Wang Zhi speaking before swiftly running off without even entering the house.
“Mom, Auntie just left. Pretend you didn’t hear anything. She doesn’t even show basic courtesy. If we help them, we’d be crazy,” Wang Qian said.
The elderly lady chuckled. “The girl is right. We won’t help those ungrateful people. Let’s just stay at home and not go anywhere.”
Mingcheng and the others returned with a bundle of firewood. “Grandma, we’re back,” Zuo He shook off the dust outside and ran into the house. Seeing Wang Juan, he smiled and called out, “Auntie.”
“Zuo He is back,” Wang Juan said as she lifted the little one onto the kang, praising, “Auntie, your grandson is so sensible. If I had a son like him, I’d spoil him too.”
“By the way, sister, I have to go back to cook. The kids at home should be back. Take care of yourself,” Wang Juan said before leaving, feeling invigorated after venting at the Wang family.
The elderly lady sat on the kang, smiling. “Your elder sister-in-law is quite interesting. She’s good at living her life.”
Seeing that it was getting late, Zhang Lan hurried downstairs to prepare dinner. Zuo Zhanshan and Wu Changyong also returned with a bundle of firewood each from the production team.
Following behind Zhang Lan, Mingyuan said, “Mom, let’s heat water for a bath tonight. It’s been a long time since we’ve had one. We’re so dirty that we can rub off dust from our bodies.”
Seeing her increasingly clean-loving son, Zhang Lan pinched his chubby face, feeling the softness. “Mingyuan, ask grandpa to fetch more water from the neighboring house. We’ll all take a bath tonight.”
Mingyuan eagerly ran to find Wu Changyong. “Grandpa, let’s fetch water. We’re all going to take a bath tonight.”
Upon receiving the order, Old Wu immediately went to Liu Hui’s house to fetch water. Meanwhile, Zuo Zhanshan started a fire in the bathing area, where there was a large pot specifically for heating bathwater. “Grandpa, please heat more water. Sister and grandma will also need to bathe,” Zuo He reminded, feeling concerned.
Zuo Zhanshan sat by the stove with his grandson. “Alright, Old Wu has gone to fetch water. I promise you’ll have a good bath today.”
After finishing the last stitch, Hao Lianchun cut the thread. A brand-new mattress was finally completed.
After dinner, the men took the boys to bathe. Zhang Lan was outside, preparing clean clothes for those inside. “Niece, take a break first. We can handle these clothes later.”
Seeing Zhang Lan busy inside and out, the elderly lady quickly urged her to take a break. Just as Zhang Lan sat down, she heard a voice she didn’t want to hear.
“Hey, the Third Brother’s family is quite impressive. They live in such a nice house, but they don’t even think to invite the elders to stay for a couple of days. It’s really unfilial.”
The speaker outside was none other than the star of misfortune, Wang Mei. Wang Qian and Wang Xuan, upon seeing them, immediately became nervous. This woman had a deep-seated grudge against them, and now she dared to come over. They wondered how thick-skinned she could be.
Wang Qian grabbed a kitchen knife, while Wang Xuan picked up a fire hook used for stoking the fire, and they both headed towards the visitors. “Get out of our courtyard right now. Our family doesn’t welcome you here.”
Confronted with the gleaming kitchen knife, Wang Mei and her group were truly frightened. If the knife hadn’t been blunt last time, she would have been seriously injured. Especially when the person holding the knife was her archenemy, her niece. Wang Mei and her group were truly on edge.
“Is this how you welcome your elder aunt? How uncivilized…”
Before Wang Mei could finish her offensive remarks, Wang Qian, wielding a kitchen knife, lunged at her with seemingly boundless strength. Seeing her niece ready to strike, Wang Zhi pulled Wang Mei from behind, and the two sisters fled in disarray. Wang Zhenguo also suffered a blow from Wang Xuan’s fire hook on his back. The elderly lady and Zhang Lan also brandished brooms at them. Wang Zhenguo attempted to resist, but before he could, Old Wu, who had just finished bathing, came out. Without a word, he grabbed Wang Zhenguo by the waist and tossed him out of the Wang family’s courtyard. Then, he stood at the gate and said, “Kid, if you’re not satisfied, I’ll spar with you again.”
Having suffered a great loss, Wang Zhenguo dared not linger and quickly ran home with his sisters, not daring to say a word.
Old Wu spat at their retreating figures. “Damn it, they only bully the weak and fear the strong. Don’t let this grandpa see you again, or else I’ll make you taste my flying kick.”