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At the dinner table, Zhang Weiguo observed silently. In his mind, he couldn’t help but acknowledge the difference between the children of his elder sister and those of his older sister.
After the meal, Geng Lianhua took the family to gather seafood by the seaside. In the deep winter, some areas of the coast had already frozen, so they had to find unfrozen spots. It was the Lunar New Year, and there was hardly anyone at the seaside. Wang Qian collected whatever she saw, while Zhang Lan provided cover.
Gathering seafood in winter tested one’s ability to withstand the cold. The boys, including Zuo He, carried small baskets, some crouching on the reefs and others picking limpets and other items along the shore.
“Mom, why are we gathering seafood on such a cold day? It’s freezing,” Qu Wan complained to Zhang Hua.
“Girl, if you don’t want to come, you shouldn’t. You know it’s cold. Your aunt wants some seafood, so we’re helping her. If you’re cold, why don’t you go back by yourself?” Zhang Hua replied.
Zhang Hua felt sorry for her daughter’s discomfort, but Qu Wan didn’t want to go back alone. “Mom, why don’t you come back with me? It’s no fun being alone,” she suggested.
Geng Lianhua glanced at the children from the Wang family and sighed. “Elder daughter, you and Qu Wan go back home and wait for us. We’ll be back soon. Don’t let the children get too cold.”
Zhang Lan, upon hearing this, quickly asked Zhang Hua to take the children back home. They couldn’t let their guests’ children suffer while gathering seafood. Zhang Hua was happy to take her daughter back home.
Meanwhile, Zhang Lan and the others had almost finished gathering seafood and, feeling the cold weather, they hurried back. Zuo He and Mingcheng still seemed to want more.
Despite the cold weather, the siblings were determined to bring back fresh seafood for their elderly grandfathers. Shivering, they pressed on.
As they approached their home, they saw a crowd gathered on the street. Zhang Hua stood at the door, looking in that direction.
“What’s going on? Why are so many people gathered there?” Geng Lianhua asked, puzzled.
Zhang Hua, with a strange smile on her face, informed her mother about the commotion. “Mom, it’s quite a scene today. You know who it is? Zhou Ping and her sister-in-law got into a fight. Look at all those people watching. The way they’re cursing is quite something. Your good daughter-in-law is really something. Even her fierce sister-in-law can’t handle her.”
Geng Lianhua wanted to intervene but was stopped by Wang Qian. “Grandma, don’t go over there. If you do, whom will you help? They are family. If you help your daughter-in-law, her sister-in-law won’t be happy. They might badmouth you behind your back even if they reconcile later. No one has intervened all this time. Even my uncle’s mother-in-law hasn’t shown up. If you go over, who knows if they’ll turn against you too. It’s best for you to stay home and wait to see how things unfold.”
It wasn’t about Wang Qian sowing discord. Her uncle’s mother-in-law was different from normal people. If her grandmother went over, she might end up facing hostility. They were all part of the same family, and Geng Lianhua was an outsider at this point. It was best not to get involved.
Geng Lianhua was uncertain after her granddaughter’s words. After all, it was their daughter-in-law. The commotion during the festive season was neither pleasant to hear nor see.
Zhang Weiguo glanced at the crowd and the escalating shouting. He furrowed his brow and said, “Mom, let’s go home. I don’t want to deal with these troublemakers.”
He led Zuo He into the courtyard, while Wang Qian pulled her grandmother into the house. It was better to return home and warm up. Once these people were tired of shouting, they would naturally leave.
Back in the warmth of the kang, Geng Lianhua inquired about the reason for the fight. Zhang Hua gloated, “What else could it be? It’s just a child’s fight. Your grandson was bullied, so his mother joined the fight. It’s such a simple matter. But when they get involved, it becomes like this.”
Understanding the situation, Geng Lianhua became concerned about her grandson. “Is Jiabao okay? Was he hurt?”
Zhang Hua gave her mother an annoyed look. “Mom, it’s just a child’s fight. Your precious grandson was the one who started it. He won’t suffer. You’re old, so don’t worry. Just sit on the warm kang and relax.”
As they sat on the kang, they could still faintly hear the ongoing intense shouting outside.
Wang Qian, peering out the window, felt a sense of excitement from the rural women’s quarrel. “Grandma, your daughter-in-law is really something. She’s been shouting for so long, and her voice hasn’t even gone hoarse. It’s a pity for Auntie. She could have been a great singer, but she’s wasted in this small fishing village.”
Zhang Lan hugged her somewhat gleeful daughter and said, “Little girl, you better not provoke your auntie. Be careful not to let her hear you.”
Wang Qian stuck out her tongue and disdainfully replied, “Her? I don’t even bother with her. It’s just that others have indulged her. There’s no reason for anyone to fear anyone else. It’s just a matter of whether someone wants to cause trouble. With her behavior, she better not mess with me, or with you and grandma. If she does, I’ll make sure she regrets it. I’m not afraid of others criticizing me, but I won’t tolerate anyone bullying my family. Even a rabbit bites when provoked. Grandma, if you ever feel wronged, don’t hold it in. If they don’t come to see you, we won’t see them either. We won’t tolerate their nonsense. We have each other even without them.”
Geng Lianhua joyfully hugged her granddaughter and kissed her on the head. “You see, my granddaughter cares for me. Don’t worry, in the future, you can help me vent. Our Qianqian is not someone to be trifled with, right?”
Wang Qian proudly nodded in agreement. Zhang Lan and Wang Zhenhe shook their heads helplessly. They couldn’t figure out where their little girl had learned to be so fearless.
Zhang Weiguo went out to take a look and returned shaking his head. “Mom, your daughter-in-law is really something. Did you see how she made her sister-in-law retreat back home? She hasn’t shown her face even now. But that’s not the main issue. Do you know what Zhou Ping did? She’s been circling her sister-in-law’s house, shouting. I don’t think it’s going to stop anytime soon. Sister, you should pack up and go back. I’ll come to see you in a few days. I have a lot of questions to ask the elderly folks.”
Upon hearing this, Zhang Hua, curious, asked about the matter. Zhang Weiguo didn’t hide anything and explained about his studies with the elderly men.
Zhang Hua, however, expressed skepticism. “Younger brother, you’re already so old, and you’re still studying? In a couple of years, you’ll be getting married. Why are you suddenly thinking about studying? Besides, what’s the use of studying so much? Your older sister has returned home to farm. I think you should focus on farming and earn a few more cents. Haven’t you seen that those who were defeated were all educated people? I don’t know what to say about you. Even our mom doesn’t manage you.”
Realizing that it was futile to discuss this with his elder sister, Zhang Weiguo decided to stop talking about it altogether.
As Geng Lianhua finished packing in the kitchen, she urged Wang Zhenhe’s family to set off early. Since Zhang Hua’s family lived nearby, they could leave a little later.
Zhang Lan packed the requested dried goods and handed two large baskets to Wang Zhenhe to carry. Before leaving, she gave each child a coin as a parting gift. The sisters agreed that there was no need for back-and-forth gift-giving between the two families.
As they walked out of the gate, Wang Qian saw Zhou Ping still circling and cursing. “Grandma, we’re leaving. You should go back home quickly. It’s best to turn a blind eye to what’s happening outside.”
It was clear to her that Zhou Ping was simply a lunatic, or at the very least, pretending to be one. Such behavior was unacceptable, especially during the Lunar New Year, and it was not something one would expect from a relative. Shaking their heads, the siblings all agreed.
On the way back, Zhang Lan mentioned the remarkable achievements of Zhou Ping’s mother in the past, who was practically invincible in the village. She expressed doubt about the character of the daughter she raised.
“Mom, how could Grandma have agreed to that marriage back then? It’s like she brought back a jinx,” Wang Qian remarked bluntly.
Recalling the past, Zhang Lan couldn’t help but smile wryly. “Not agreeing wasn’t an option. Your uncle used to sneak around their house at night. If she didn’t let him marry her, he would have made a scene. Could your grandma bear to see her son like that? She had no choice but to go along with his wishes. Fortunately, she separated from them not long after they got married. If she hadn’t, your grandma’s life would have been even more miserable.”
As she spoke about the past, Zhang Lan became somewhat emotional. She truly had no respect for her elder brother, who had never acted like a responsible eldest son.
Zuo He sighed deeply. “Every family has its own difficulties. I never expected Grandma’s son to marry such a woman. She’s really something. Little sister Qianqian, when we grow up, let’s not be like that. It’s okay to fight, but there’s no need to use such harsh language.”
The little one spoke with a tone of earnestness and advised Wang Qian, “Come on, Zuo He, you’re overestimating me. Our family members don’t use foul language. Who would I learn from? Besides, even if we were to use harsh words, we would never use profanity.”
To Zhang Lan’s surprise, Zuo He nodded in agreement. “Yes, you’re right. Even if we were to use harsh words, we should do it with finesse.”
The couple was at a loss for words, hearing such unexpected remarks from the two young children.
“Sweetheart, let’s try not to use harsh words in the future. It’s not a good thing. Don’t learn from your aunt,” Zhang Lan said, starting to feel concerned. She didn’t want her young daughter to grow up to be a quarrelsome woman. It would be a shame for her delicate little face. Despite being a beauty, if she spoke with a foul mouth, it would be unbearable for everyone.
Seeing Zhang Lan’s worried expression, Wang Qian smiled and said, “Mom, don’t worry. I won’t become like Zhou Ping. Your daughter is a cultured person. How could I do something so uncouth?”