Chapter 6: A Serpent’s Heart Hidden Beneath a Buddha’s Face

In the yard, Qiao Youfu and Qiao Youcai were discussing how to approach Qiao Jiuwang, “Second Brother, at worst, we’ll take our land and the houses we’re living in. We’ll just take a little bit of everything else. We’ll get our share of this year’s harvest.  As for the money, if Lei Honghua doesn’t want to give it, then forget it…”

Inside the house, Lei Honghua was pouring out her heart to Qiao Jiuwang, crying, “What have I done? Why have I become such a bad person in your eyes? If I really had bad intentions, would Youfu and Youcai have grown up this big?

Yes, I’ve favored my own children over the years, but Youfu and Youcai are more than ten years older than Jianhua and Jianguo! You know the family’s situation. We only collect two eggs a day.

Jianhua and Jianguo are still growing and studying.  Do Youcai and Youfu have to compete with their younger brother for food?

Which family doesn’t have the older siblings give way to the younger ones? I know about that woman Youfu was interested in last year, and he resents me for it, but I was doing it for the family, woo woo woo.

Jianguo is flighty. He’s not good at studying or farming. I worry about him so much I can’t sleep at night. I was hoping that he would become successful and help his brothers and the family, but he’s so disappointing, woo woo woo.

And Jianhua, he’s still groveling in front of his father-in-law, unable to stand tall, just to learn a skill. I gave his in-laws two chickens to make things easier for him, so he could breathe a little easier in front of his father-in-law. If we weren’t so incapable as parents, why would our child have to suffer like this?

I didn’t expect that just because Jianhua didn’t come back for the autumn harvest, your first-born sons would hold such a grudge. They killed my chicken and incited us to fight, saying those divisive things. Woo woo woo, Jianhua is suffering outside, and he’s still resented by his brothers and father. Jianhua, woo woo woo, Mom is sorry, I brought you into this world to suffer~”

Qiao Jiuwang’s expression gradually softened, “Alright, alright, stop crying.  It’s just a family matter, let’s talk it over.  We’ve said before that Youfu and Youcai are older and should give way to their younger siblings. Now the younger siblings are married, and the younger sister is married. Afang is pregnant, so you can’t favor one over the other so much.”

Lei Honghua hesitated, then softened her voice, “There are some things I don’t want to say in front of Youfu and Youcai, I don’t want to embarrass them. Youfu probably won’t get married.  I didn’t think that widow last year was reliable. What does she want from Youfu?

Does she want him because he’s old, or because he has ringworm? And that widow has a grown son, she won’t wholeheartedly live with Youfu.  Youfu will work hard, and all his efforts will go to that widow’s son.  Isn’t that a loss?

That widow’s in-laws don’t agree to her bringing her child, will that child support Youfu in his old age?  Youfu will still rely on his brothers. Jianhua and Jianguo certainly won’t ignore Youfu, their older brother.

As for Youcai’s family, they haven’t had a child for so many years. The one they had ten years ago was miscarried.

The doctor said she was injured and couldn’t have children.

Now she’s pregnant again. It’s good news, but I’m afraid there will be problems with the child.

After all, the doctor said she was injured, and we don’t even know if it’s a boy or a girl.”

“I admit I didn’t give her supplements, the family’s circumstances are what they are, but she eats with us, and I’m not to blame for her small belly. If she gives birth to a daughter, or, to put it bluntly, if the child has problems, Youcai will have to rely on Jianhua and Jianguo. 

That useless eldest daughter is a girl after all, she’ll get married eventually.”

“Although they’re not my own, I raised them with my own hands. Would I harm my own children? Jianhua and Jianguo aren’t home, I know the brothers work hard on the fields. 

It seems like they’re at a disadvantage now, but won’t Jianhua and Jianguo be responsible for their care in old age?

I’ve already told Jianhua that with family planning, a family can only have one son, so I’ll have his wife have several children, and they can register under Youfu and Youcai’s household registration……

Brothers should work together.  The Chairman said, ‘Brothers united, mountains can be moved.’ If we split up now, the brothers’ relationship will be weakened. You really think I’m doing this for Jianhua and Jianguo? 

If you look closely, I’ve considered Youfu and Youcai more. ” Lei Honghua poured out her heart, explaining point by point, with a look of concern for her stepsons.

Qiao Jiuwang thought carefully and sighed.  It was indeed the case.

That evening, Qiao Youfu and his brother brought up the matter of splitting the family at dinner. He immediately rejected it, and painstakingly repeated Lei Honghua’s words from earlier that day.

“Your mother has a sharp tongue but a kind heart. She’s actually doing it for your benefit, she just doesn’t know how to express herself. You brothers misunderstood her.”

“Look at your ages, you don’t have sons, and when you get older, you’ll rely on Jianhua and Jianguo. If you split up now, your brotherhood will weaken. Mom and Dad are thinking about your future.

Your mother said that Jianhua’s wife should have a son to be adopted by Youfu. That’s a son who will take care of them in their old age.  Would anyone other than a brother do that for you?

It seems like you brothers are at a disadvantage now, but you’re all family, you shouldn’t be so calculating…..”

Qiao Jiuwang reasoned with them, appealed to their emotions, used blood ties and filial piety to pressure them, and controlled everything in the family, refusing to divide it.  He even brought up the saying, “The greatest unfilial act is to have no descendants.”

Qiao Youfu and Qiao Youcai lowered their heads, and the expectation on Liu Afang’s face gradually faded, replaced by disappointment.

Qiao Jiangxin coldly snorted, “Grandpa, you speak so well, aren’t you just trying to make my uncle and father work like oxen and horses for Third Uncle and Fourth Uncle?

You say that my father and uncle don’t have sons.  If Grandma hadn’t been so selfish, how could my uncle still be single?

When my mother gave birth to me, if Grandma hadn’t tormented her, how would my mother have been injured? Ten years ago, when my mother was pregnant, the doctor said she needed to rest.

Third Uncle was fifteen at the time, yet he was still wandering around. Grandma made my mother work in the fields while pregnant.

Now you pretend to be concerned about my father and uncle, but Grandma secretly hopes that my uncle and father don’t have sons, so they can be oxen and horses for Third Uncle and Fourth Uncle their whole lives!!!”

Qiao Jiuwang’s face darkened, “Shut up! Is that how you talk to your elders?”