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Old Man Chen pulled up a chair by the fire, let out a long sigh, and said, “Xiao Tan, I don’t know what kind of karma I must have accumulated in this life to end up with a wife like hers, and to have a son like mine.”
Wan Chunmei poured him a cup of hot tea and said, “Old Man Chen, don’t say that. Aunt Chen raised these two children on her own; it wasn’t easy for her either.”
Old Man Chen pinched the bridge of his nose, his face showing a hint of sadness. “Sigh… if only my son could be as sensible as your sons.”
Wan Chunmei glanced at the children in the inner room, already asleep, and comforted him, “This child is born like a blank slate. With proper guidance, he will grow up well. Don’t be too upset. Every generation has its own fortune. When the children grow up, we won’t be able to control them anymore.”
Hearing this, Old Man Chen became even more regretful, lamenting his failure to properly raise his children. He often worked away from home when they were young, leaving them to their own devices. His eyes, closed in sorrow, gleamed with unshed tears. He took a deep breath and said, “Xiao Tan, last time I offered you that piece of land on the hillside, but you refused. This time, you must take it.”
He then took out a land deed from his pocket. “I know about Shian’s actions. Our Chen family has wronged you enough, so this time, no matter what, you must accept this land.”
Old Tan quickly pushed the deed back into Old Man Chen’s hands, saying, “Old Man Chen, if you had offered anything else today, I would have accepted it. But I absolutely cannot accept this land deed.”
“Take it,” insisted Old Man Chen. “My second son doesn’t value it, and my eldest son isn’t worthy of it. Only you will do. I’ll feel most at ease if I give it to you.”
Old Tan stood up and refused firmly, “Uncle Chen, let me be honest with you. You know full well what kind of person your wife is, and what your eldest son is like. I don’t need to say it out loud. If I take this deed, do you think it will make my family’s life any easier? Yes, we are poor, but we just want to live a peaceful and honest life.”
Old Man Chen hesitated for a moment, then, with a heavy heart, reluctantly accepted Old Tan’s words.
Old Man Chen was momentarily stunned. He lowered his head, a look of shame on his face, and sighed deeply. “Sigh, Xiao Tan, you’re just too honest.”
Old Tan, seizing the opportunity, pushed the land deed back into Old Man Chen’s hands. Uncle Chen, we don’t take ill-gotten wealth, nor do we accept rewards without merit. That’s what our ancestors taught us!”
Old Man Chen nodded slightly. “Yes, you’re right.”
Old Tan got up and went into the house, returning with a plucked chicken. “Since we’ve just slaughtered a chicken today, take this and give it to your eldest daughter-in-law to nourish her. No matter how bad the child is, it’s still your own. A harmonious family is the most important thing for success.”
Old Man Chen took the chicken gratefully, but then thought of something else. He looked up and said, “Xiao Tan, I can’t accept this chicken without giving you something in return. I saw that Old Man Yu from the next village came to visit you, and I guessed that you’re planning to build a house. For that, you’ll need wood. Luckily, I have a dozen large sand trees on my hillside. If you don’t mind, you can have them all. Consider it payment for the chicken.”
Old Tan was stunned, “Uncle Chen, how can this chicken possibly be worth a dozen sand trees?”
Old Man Chen’s expression darkened. “I said it’s worth it, so it is. Don’t argue. I don’t want to hear more about it. I may not be able to give you the land deed, but I’m certain I can give you those trees. No one will dare to say otherwise.”
Old Tan naturally refused, “This isn’t right.”
Old Man Chen, knowing full well that he would refuse, quickly stood up and left, not giving Old Tan the chance to refuse further.
Old Tan and Wan Chunmei stared at Old Man Chen’s hurried retreating figure for a long while, still unsure of what had gotten into him.
Wan Chunmei shook her head. “Forget it, forget it. Let’s just accept it. It might not be such a bad thing after all.” She turned and continued preparing the rest of the pickled chicken.