Chapter 13: My uncle came to see his son

“This way, this way.”

The auntie’s excitement was unconcealed.  There was little entertainment in the countryside, and everyone loved a good gossip.

Several other aunties also stood up and followed Qiao Jiangxin and her uncle.

The auntie led them to a large tiled house and shouted from afar, “Sanfa’s wife, Sanfa’s wife, you have visitors! It’s your son-in-law’s niece. She came to find someone, saying that your father-in-law asked her to come!”

Her voice was loud and triumphant, laced with schadenfreude.

“Sanfa’s wife”

A plump woman came out, “Auntie Caiyu, my mother went to the well to wash clothes.”

Her gaze fell on Qiao Jiangxin and Qiao Youfu. Seeing that they were empty-handed, the smile on her face faded, “It’s Jiangxin and Big Brother. Why did you come?  Why don’t you come in and sit?”

The aunties who had gathered to watch the commotion didn’t leave, standing around loosely.

Auntie Caiyu was even more anxious than Qiao Jiangxin, shouting, “Xiaoping, your father-in-law and mother-in-law fought!  The harvest is busy, and the old people are exhausted and angry. That’s why they sent your brother and niece to find someone. They said if Jianhua doesn’t come back, he should die in Lijiagou and never return.”

Li Xiaoping’s face stiffened. She quickly said to the onlookers, “Auntie Caiyu, where did you hear that?

My husband’s family doesn’t have much land.  There’s also Big Brother, Second Brother, and Fourth Brother.  With so many strong men, why can’t they manage?

Not long ago, my mother-in-law sent me a basket of eggs and didn’t mention this. Where did you hear this rumor? You must have heard wrong.”

Li Xiaoping continued pointedly, “Auntie Caiyu, don’t be like those gossiping women who have nothing better to do than spread rumors.”

Hearing Li Xiaoping’s sarcastic tone and seeing the strange looks from the people around her, Auntie Caiyu became anxious, “What rumor? Your niece said it herself! Your father-in-law was cursing in Gaoshi Village, saying your husband is unfilial, only fawning over his father-in-law. His sixty-year-old father is working tirelessly in the fields to support you, and he said raising your husband is worse than raising a dog!”

“Wow!”

As soon as Auntie Caiyu said this, the people around started discussing.

“They must be really angry to say such harsh words.”

“Oh, wouldn’t you be angry? Jianhua and Xiaoping have spent most of their time at her parents’ house since they got married. They say he’s learning a trade from Li Sanfa, but he’s actually working as a laborer for Li Sanfa.”

“That’s not all.  They’re getting their food from Gaoshi Village. They work like oxen for Li Sanfa, while the old people at home work hard to support them, and they don’t even come home for the harvest.

Old Qiao has a good temper. If it were me, I would break his legs if I raised a son like that.”

“Yeah, it’s worse than raising a beast. You can slaughter a pig for meat during the New Year, a chicken lays eggs, and a dog can guard the house. What good is raising a son like that?”

Li Xiaoping glared fiercely at Qiao Jiangxin, gritting her teeth, “Jiangxin, did your grandpa really say those things?  Or are you just lazy and resentful of your third uncle, deliberately spreading rumors to ruin his reputation?”

Qiao Jiangxin opened her large eyes innocently, “Third Aunt, it’s true. Grandpa fought with Grandma yesterday and this morning because of you and Third Uncle.  It’s the harvest season, and the weather is so tiring, and there’s no good food at home.

Grandpa said it’s because Third Uncle is always at his in-laws’ house. He said you only come home to take food, chickens, ducks, and eggs, calling you unfilial, saying that your father-in-law is worse than Zhou Baipi (a notorious exploiter), and calling you and Third Uncle ungrateful brats!”

Li Xiaoping hadn’t expected Qiao Jiangxin to make such a fuss in public, ruining her and her husband’s reputation and implicating her parents. She was furious, “What do you mean we’re hiding at my parents’ house?  Third Uncle has legitimate business. My father kindly teaches him a trade.  Which apprentice doesn’t do some work?

Many people begged my father, and he still refused. Why are we ungrateful? I’m carrying your Qiao family’s bloodline. You shame me like this? Your Qiao family is too much!”

“If your family was really that busy, you wouldn’t have sent a message. If we received a message, even if we couldn’t leave, we would prioritize your family, wouldn’t we?”

“Oh, my in-laws kept saying that Jianhua should learn a trade from my father, and we didn’t need to worry about the family. Now they’re putting this on us. It’s so unfair. And if the family was really that busy, would you need two people to deliver a message?”

As soon as Li Xiaoping finished speaking, the onlookers turned their attention to Qiao Jiangxin and Qiao Youfu. Qiao Youfu had never been in such a spotlight and was extremely uncomfortable.

Qiao Jiangxin held out the bamboo container, “We came here for a reason. My uncle came to see his son. But he’s a man, and Third Aunt is his sister-in-law. Even though they’re family, there should be boundaries to avoid gossip and embarrassing Third Uncle, so I came along.”

As soon as Qiao Jiangxin finished speaking, the scene erupted, “What? Uncle came to see his son? What son? The one in Xiaoping’s belly?”

“No way? Did I hear that right? The child in Xiaoping’s belly is Jianhua’s son?”

“Oh my god, is that what I think it is?”

“This, this, this…”

Qiao Youfu’s face turned red. He didn’t know what Qiao Jiangxin was up to and remained silent.

Li Xiaoping was about to explode.

“Qiao Jiangxin, what nonsense are you spouting? Are you crazy?  Spreading rumors in broad daylight!!!”

Seeing Li Xiaoping’s trembling fingers, Qiao Jiangxin quickly stepped forward to support her, “Third Aunt, calm down. Don’t get upset. You’re carrying my uncle’s son. If you get angry and hurt my uncle’s son, what will we do?”

Li Xiaoping pushed Qiao Jiangxin away, “Don’t touch me! I tell you, Qiao Jiangxin, even if you kneel down and beg me, this won’t be over. This is outrageous!

I’m a respectable girl. 

You’ve treated me like this after I married into your Qiao family. 

Aunties, someone call my father and Jianhua. 

The people from Gaoshi Village are bullying us in Lijiagou!!!”