Chapter 4: Love from the Old Lady

Hearing his father’s question, Ye Yaodong cast a sideways glance at him, shaking his leg nonchalantly, “Just because you don’t know doesn’t mean I don’t. I’m not just loafing around all day!”

Originally intending to ask more seriously, his father’s anger flared upon hearing this, “You swagger around all day, and you’re proud of it? You’ve got a wife now, yet you still laze around, do nothing, and wait for someone to support you? I’ll beat the crap out of you, you good-for-nothing wastrel…”

Getting more and more furious, his father began removing his shoe, wielding it as he advanced to hit him.

Already upset about selling the large yellow croaker for a pittance, his father seized the opportunity to vent his frustration!

“Hey, hey, hey… why are you suddenly turning on me? Weren’t we talking calmly? What did I say? Dad… Dad… let’s talk it out…”

In the summer heat, the smell from the inside of his father’s shoe assaulted his senses, making Ye Yaodong’s face change drastically. Just because he had smelly feet didn’t mean he could tolerate someone else’s foot odor!

Panicked, he quickly stood up to dodge, “Dad, what are you doing? At least use a stick, what’s with the shoe?”

“If you’re brave, don’t run. All you do is piss people off all day, even my grandson is better behaved than you. Squandering your life away with a bunch of no-goods, how did I end up with such a useless son!”

The two of them chased each other around the living room, which wasn’t very big and crowded with people. Ye Yaodong darted behind his mother.

“Mom, look at this. Dad’s throwing a fit early in the morning. What did I even say? Don’t let him drink today…”

To his surprise, his mother also turned and gave him a few smacks, “Your dad’s right. You’re never home, you don’t know what’s happening in the family, you’re always aimless and lazy. How will you ever support your wife and kids…”

Getting a double beating from his parents, Ye Yaodong could barely defend himself, quickly grabbing a wooden stool to shield himself, “Stop it, stop it. Who hits their son first thing in the morning? Can’t we talk this out? There are so many people here…”

Couldn’t they spare him some dignity?

He had a reputation to maintain!

Fortunately, he had sent the younger ones outside, or this would have been even more embarrassing!

The family was used to seeing him get scolded and hit, but having just returned from 40 years in the future, he was finding it hard to adjust to his parents’ reprimands.

Holding up the stool to fend them off, he saw his mother had picked up a bamboo broom. He quickly set down the stool and ran outside.

If he didn’t leave now, when would he? He needed to wait out the storm and return when they had calmed down.

But as soon as he ran outside, he collided with a few of his nephews and nieces, who, unprepared, fell to the ground, even causing his grandmother to lose her balance and fall.

This really panicked him, and he rushed to help his grandmother up.

“Granny, are you okay? Where did you fall? Does it hurt?”

Although he was a bit of a scoundrel, he still had a conscience. His grandmother was his greatest protector, and seeing her fall, he couldn’t just stand by.

His parents followed him out, and seeing this, they didn’t hold back, hitting him hard on his buttocks and thighs while scolding him.

“You good-for-nothing, can’t you watch where you’re going? I’ll break your leg, let’s see you run again!” His father, even more enraged, snatched the broom from his mother and hit him hard.

His father’s blows were no joke. His mother, after all, couldn’t bear to hit him too hard, but his father was truly furious. Each hit made him grunt in pain.

How could his grandmother stand to see her precious grandson being beaten? She quickly shielded him, “What are you doing? Are you trying to hit me? It’s outrageous, oh my, my son wants to hit his old mother!”

His father looked at her in frustration, not having touched her, “Mom, I wouldn’t dare hit you. It’s this brat I’m hitting. He’s useless and made you fall…”

“Dongzi didn’t mean to. I didn’t blame him, so who are you to hit him? Put that broom away and go inside. Aren’t you ashamed?”

Despite being 80, his grandmother was still vigorous, her eyesight and hearing sharp, and her voice firm when scolding.

His father, being dutiful, knew he wouldn’t be able to hit his son today. He glared at Ye Yaodong, threw the broom in a corner, and went inside.

“Don’t be afraid, Granny’s here. Did they hit you hard? Let me see.”

As she spoke, she tried to lift his pant leg, but he stopped her, holding her arm with a grimace, “I’m fine. Did you hurt yourself when you fell? Are you feeling okay?”

“I’m fine, really…”

“Mom, Dongzi is already 25, not a child anymore. He’s a father of two, you can’t keep spoiling him like this. He doesn’t work, he’s so unmotivated…”

“What’s wrong with him? He’s filial. What more do you want? We’re just simple folks; it’s enough for him to be healthy and safe. And he never does anything illegal, so where’s the shame?”

Ye Yaodong felt quite embarrassed. In his grandmother’s eyes, not doing anything illegal was a notable virtue!

Her standards for him were really low…

Having heard this countless times, his mother felt drained. To his grandmother, Dongzi could do no wrong!

He was truly spoiled by her!

His older brothers were so diligent, it was infuriating. She shot a resentful glance at Dongzi but said nothing more.

Over the years, they had come to realize it was useless to argue.

The children gathered the scattered corn and green-skinned melons and put them back in the basket.

Seeing that her mother-in-law was unharmed and still able to defend him, his mother took the basket, shelled the corn, and put the melons back.

“Take these inside and have your mom wash and cut them for you to eat.”

“Make sure to save some for your third uncle; don’t eat it all!” the grandmother yelled, worried that her great-grandchildren would eat all the sweet melons and leave none for her precious grandson.

Ye Yaodong’s heart swelled with his grandmother’s love, feeling quite emotional.

He hadn’t felt this way in decades; it was such a wonderful feeling.

Everyone else thought he was no good, even his parents couldn’t stand the sight of him most days, but his grandmother always looked out for him. Every bite she had, she wanted to share with him. He felt a mix of emotions.

“I’ll help you inside. You shouldn’t be working in the fields at your age. What if you fall?”

His grandmother’s wrinkled face broke into a smile, “I’m fine. I can still work, and if I can’t, I’ll just have your father do it for me.”

Ye Yaodong smiled.

End of Chapter 4