Chapter 29 Shen’s Eldest Aunt

Although Shen Chuning hoped her uncle would come, she didn’t want her aunt to come.

In her dream, Big Brother had committed suicide, partly because of her aunt.

Last year, when they built their house, her aunt and uncle, seeing that Third Brother had become an army officer, lent them money.

After Big Brother gave her money to go to the city, her aunt came to take advantage of the situation.

She forced Big Brother to get her son a job in the army.  When Big Brother refused, she demanded immediate repayment of the loan with interest, not giving him any leeway.

Big Brother, desperate, had…

Moreover, when their family was struggling, her aunt had cut ties with them.

Only recently, with Third Brother’s success in the army, had they reconnected.

Thinking of the dream, Shen Chuning understood that people were naturally self-interested. She didn’t blame her aunt.

But she didn’t want to associate with such relatives.

As Shen Chuning was thinking, a donkey cart approached their house.

Shen Fengqin, her eldest aunt, and Shen Qingfeng, her uncle, got off.

Father Shen’s smile deepened, “Big Brother, Eldest Sister, you’re here, come in.”

Shen Qingfeng and Shen Qingsong hadn’t seen each other for a while and shook hands tightly.

Shen Fengqin glanced at her brothers, sized up Shen Chuning, and lectured her with the air of a senior, “Ningning, your aunt heard that you’re marrying your third brother’s superior, a battalion commander. You’ll be an officer’s wife.”

“It’s your good fortune that a battalion commander likes you. After marriage, don’t be lazy like at home, don’t displease your in-laws and get divorced.

Be hardworking, be diligent, don’t let your husband do housework, then your husband and mother-in-law will like you.  If our family needs your in-laws’ help, they’ll be willing to help.”

Shen Zhengliang, hearing the commotion, came out and heard Shen Fengqin’s words.

His face darkened, “Aunt, it’s a new era, advocating for gender equality.  There’s no such thing as women serving men.

If the women in your family want to serve men, that’s your business. My sister wasn’t born to serve men.”

Shen Zhengliang took Shen Chuning’s hand and pulled her beside him, “Ningning, go inside.”

Since marrying into the city, Shen Fengqin looked down on villagers, especially Shen Qingsong’s family.

She felt that attending Shen Chuning’s wedding was already giving them face.

Shen Chuning and her family should be grateful, but Shen Zhengliang’s attitude…

Her face darkened, “Third brother, this is the son you raised. I came to your daughter’s wedding out of kindness, considering your daughter’s circumstances, to teach her how to be a good wife…”

Shen Fengqin loudly and confidently accused Shen Chuning, not feeling any shame in mentioning her mother’s death.

Shen Qingsong’s happy and grateful expression turned dark.

Before Shen Fengqin finished, he angrily said, “Eldest Sister, Ningning’s mother died young, but I’m her father, and it’s not your place to tell her to serve others.”

Shen Fengqin didn’t expect her usually timid brother to talk to her like this.

She pointed at Shen Qingsong, “You think you’re important now that your daughter married an officer? Don’t forget who lent you money to build this new house.”

Shen Qingsong, although angry, felt somewhat deflated.

His siblings had indeed lent him money to build the brick house.

Shen Qingsong wasn’t assertive.  Arguing with his sister was his limit.

Now, scolded by Shen Fengqin, he blushed but couldn’t speak.

Shen Chuning couldn’t watch her father being bullied.

She ran out, standing in front of Shen Qingsong, her watery eyes glaring at Shen Fengqin, “Yes, we borrowed money from you, but that doesn’t mean you can boss my father around and interfere in our affairs!”

“Moreover, you asked Third Brother to help your son last year, soon after we borrowed money.  Third Brother helped your family more than you helped ours.  Even if we owe you money, we don’t owe you any favors!”

When their house was completed last year, Third Brother returned home on leave.

Shen Fengqin somehow learned that a factory leader was a former comrade of Third Brother. She asked Third Brother to help her son get a job transfer.

Third Brother, an upright man, because of the fifty yuan debt, had to ask his old comrade for help.

Remembering Shen Fengqin’s actions in her dream, which had led to Big Brother’s death, Shen Chuning’s heart felt constricted.

She counted five ten-yuan bills, adding a single yuan coin, handing it to Shen Fengqin, “This is the fifty yuan we borrowed, I’m repaying it with interest.  Stop interfering in our affairs!”

“You, you…” Shen Fengqin pointed at Shen Chuning, speechless.

But fearing Shen Chuning would change her mind, she quickly grabbed the money.

One yuan interest on fifty yuan for a year was high.

The bank interest rate was only 1.15%, fifty yuan would only earn about fifty cents in interest.

She counted the money and put it away, then pointed at Shen Chuning to scold her.

Shen Qingfeng frowned, scolding, “Alright, it’s your niece’s wedding day, you’re here to add joy, not cause trouble!”

Shen Fengqin looked down on Shen Qingfeng, her brother-in-law, “Shen Qingfeng, don’t act superior.  You became a son-in-law and think you’re important, useless thing!”

No man would consider being a son-in-law glorious.

Shen Fengqin was deliberately provoking Shen Qingfeng!

Shen Qingfeng was furious, “Shen Fengxia, do you have any conscience? Why did I become a son-in-law, don’t you know?”