5

Xiao Si really wanted to tell Sister Xiao not to go in, but he couldn't.

Xu Xiao didn't react much, and casually stuffed the remaining half bunch of grapes into his arms: "Where are the dishes you prepared?"

Xiao Si lowered his head and said in a low voice: "Mom took it, she is frying it..." After a pause, which seemed like a long time, he mustered up the courage to persuade: "Sister Xiao, you can go."

After saying this, he lowered his head and ran into the yard. Then a woman's roar came from inside: "Where did it come from? Why don't you send it to your grandfather!"

It’s not that Xiao Si is stupid and doesn’t know how to hide it, it’s that this era values ​​filial piety, the kind of foolish filial piety.

Xu Xiao walked in and said to Chen Hong, "Mom, I gave this to him. Grandpa doesn't like to eat these."

The woman held a spatula in one hand and half a bunch of grapes in the other. The grapes were green, translucent and clear. She put the spatula aside and couldn't help but taste one.

The sour taste filled her tongue and rushed into her brain like a flood. Even so, she did not let go and snorted, "Then let's wait until it's sweet."

However, the aunt who was helping to pick vegetables rolled her eyes, opened her mouth but didn't say anything, but her eyes were fixed on Chen Hong's belly.

Xu Xiao noticed the Xu family's temptation, but she didn't say anything and just stood there quietly.

Hearing the noise outside, Captain Xu walked out of the main room.

The Xu family of ten people live together. The eldest wife lives on the east side, and the second wife lives on the west side. They eat together.

The two brightest rooms in the middle belong to Xu’s grandparents and Xu Xiao.

"Ah Xiao, come in for a moment." Captain Xu called out in a deep voice, and then glanced at the green grapes in Chen Hong's hand. He frowned and said, "If Xiao Si likes to eat such a small thing, then just give it to him."

Chen Hong responded with a frustrated look, and glared at Xu Xiao hatefully. Even a hint of jealousy flashed in her aunt's eyes.

The father-in-law has been doting on the little girl for a long time, but the problem is that the eldest grandson of the Xu family does not receive the same treatment, and the aunt complains more.

Xu Xiao said "oh" and called out to the man and woman sitting upright in the courtyard, "Big brother, second sister."

The eldest brother of the Xu family had a expressionless face. His eyes moved imperceptibly and he nodded in response.

The second sister was stunned. After a while, she concealed her surprise and said, "Ah Xiao, long time no see."

This sister rarely paid any attention to them. They used to be able to exchange a few words, but since a year ago, they have stopped communicating.

They had their own jobs. The eldest brother of the Xu family joined the army, and the second sister worked in a supply and marketing cooperative.

Therefore, they did not live in the Xu family, and it was the order of the old man of the Xu family that brought them back this time.

Seeing this, they also vaguely guessed the purpose of being called back.

The second sister Xu Ran lowered her voice: "Grandpa won't really agree, right?"

"Probably." Xu Huai, the eldest brother of the Xu family, frowned unconsciously as he looked at the thin figure that slowly walked into the room: "She has lost weight again."

Hearing this, Xu Ran looked over and also frowned: "It's okay to agree."

In this way, A Xiao would have nothing to do with them. After all, they had always known that A Xiao was not a member of the Xu family.

When Xu's mother married into the family, she was already pregnant.

However, the Xu family did not make it public, and later Xu's mother died after giving birth to Xu Xiao.

A year later, Xu's father remarried to Chen Hong from Chenjia Village. However, they never had a child.

I don't know if it's retribution or just bad luck.

"Grandpa." Xu Xiao walked in and stood aside.

"Sit down." Captain Xu sighed deeply, puffing on his pipe, and then said helplessly, "Why did you bother to frame Zhao Ling? Your relationship with Ji Hong was a natural one. What you did will only tarnish your reputation."

It didn't tarnish Xu Xiao's reputation, but it affected other members of the Xu family.

The eldest brother and second sister of the Xu family are both unmarried. They are twins and are already twenty years old this year.

They were lucky and finished their studies in school. Later, they were even luckier as one joined the army and the other joined a cooperative.

Hearing the old man's subtext, Xu Xiao curled his lips and smiled, but the smile did not reach his eyes: "Then according to what Grandpa said, what should I do?"

Captain Xu didn't notice anything unusual. He looked at Xu Xiao with satisfaction and said, "It's no wonder that I dote on you so much. The educated youth have been in the countryside for more than a year, and it's time for them to go back. Since you are engaged to Ji Hong, then you should go back with him."

He was still lost in his beautiful imagination: "As for the wedding, your godfather and godmother are in Beijing, so let them help. As for the dowry, I have discussed it with your father, so you don't have to worry about it."

Ultimately, they want a bride price but no dowry.

He didn't even want to put in any effort and pushed the whole thing onto the Chen family.

Thinking of something, Captain Xu continued, "Now that I'm old, you're not allowed to cause trouble again."

Captain Xu is already seventy-six years old. After many years of comfortable life, he looks only in his fifties.

But the higher-ups were already considering the issue of a new captain, and this was a reality he could not escape.

While he still had power, he wanted to get Xu Xiao married off as soon as possible.

Father Xu walked in with a piece of bright red cloth: "Dad, can I use this cloth to make Xiao's wedding dress?"

According to the customs of Xujia Village, the wedding dresses of the newlyweds are sewn by skillful women in imitation of military uniforms. As we all know, the color of military uniforms is army green.

Father Xu came in with a red cloth. If he didn't do it on purpose, then he really couldn't tell the color.

Xu Xiao sat quietly aside, staring at the father and son thoughtfully.

Captain Xu panicked for a moment. Seeing Xu Xiao's lack of reaction, he sternly reprimanded Xu's father, "Even if you're reluctant to see Xiao get married, you shouldn't be causing trouble by bringing wedding gowns! Okay, get out first. I need to talk to Xiao for a few more words."

After realizing that he had almost messed up the matter, Father Xu stammered, "Ah Xiao, it was Dad's fault."

Xu Xiao was in a good mood and responded gently, "Dad, it's okay."

But there was a hint of deep meaning in her eyes.

Captain Xu didn't notice, and looked very disappointed: "Ah Xiao, your father is really confused."

He changed the subject, his eyes gleaming, "I heard that they're still short of people who can do the work. With your father's personality, I can't really count on him. But your second uncle is very hardworking."

The old man favors his youngest son after all, and even when seeking benefits, he always considers his youngest son first.

Xu Xiao squinted her eyes as she watched the shadow at the door leave. She laughed and said, "Grandpa, you're joking. Even if we were short of people, I wouldn't say that."

Captain Xu was anxious: "A Xiao, we can't say such discouraging words. Grandpa still relies on you as the captain. Don't worry, your second uncle will remember your kindness in the future."

After all, once Xu Xiao gets married, they will have no way to take advantage of her even if they want to.

Xu Xiao looked up, feigning confusion and fear. "Grandpa, you can't say that. When did I ever help you? Didn't you get the captain's position through your own strength?"

It's true that he didn't rely on her, but on the Chen family.

Captain Xu realized the problem belatedly. He put down his pipe and said with a loving look, "Ah Xiao, are you complaining that Grandpa didn't help you? Now that Ji Hong is your fiancé, are you still not satisfied?"

"What do you think, Grandpa?" Xu Xiao pushed the conversation back.

Calling him my fiancé is just a verbal statement.

Ji Hong did not send a matchmaker to the house, nor did the two families sit down together to discuss the matter.

It’s called getting married, but it’s just like eloping.

The phrase "being a concubine" will never go out of date.

When she thought about her past life, how she had followed Ji Hong to Beijing as if possessed by a demon, and even got pregnant before marriage, she found it outrageous.

Captain Xu chuckled, he naturally thought this was a good business.

He naturally couldn't say that, so he just said, "Ji Zhiqing is handsome and would be a perfect match for my Ah Xiao. The matter of Zhiqing returning to the city hasn't been decided yet, so you should think about it carefully during this period. Grandpa is naturally thinking about you."

Seeing that he had finished speaking, Xu Xiao stood up. She nodded as if she had heard him: "I'll go back and rest for a while."

"Okay, okay, take some more rest."

Thinking of Chen Hong's arrogance when he woke up, and the silence of the Xu family, Xu Xiao curled his lips and smiled self-deprecatingly.

rest?

She was afraid that it would be difficult for her to rest at Xu's house.

After thinking about it, Xu Xiao decided to continue staying in the Xu family.

On the one hand, it can test the Xu family's insistence on marrying her to the male protagonist, and on the other hand, it can alienate the relationship between the Xu family and the male protagonist.

Before leaving, the eldest brother and second sister of the Xu family met with Xu Xiao privately. Without any hesitation, they came straight to the point: "You are already eighteen years old and have the ability to make your own decisions."

This is what Xu Huai said.

He stood at the door, blocking it tightly so that no light could enter the room.

Xu Ran was sitting next to Xu Xiao. She pursed her lips and said something from the heart: "Xiao, besides getting married, you have other options. Even if you divorce, you still have many choices."

Even if the Xu family is gone, she still has the Chen family to rely on. What's more, the Xu family only wants to profit from her.

As one of the beneficiaries, Xu Ran cannot blame the Xu family, but she does not want to go along with them.

She knew how smart her sister was, and as a woman herself, she couldn't bear it.

The room was dim, the only light coming from the window, but it was still dark.

Xu Xiao lowered his head, a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes. In his previous life, these two people did not look for him, but they were also the only two people who did not get involved in that mess.

Therefore, her tone was not perfunctory, but still revealed a hint of casualness: "Is that why you say this?"

She looked up, supporting her chin with her left hand: "Should you leave?"

You won't listen! You idiot!

Xu Huai was disappointed. After realizing that the Xu Xiao of the past would never come back, he turned and walked outside.

Xu Ran added, "Ah Xiao, sometimes what you see isn't necessarily what you believe, and what you hear isn't necessarily what you hear."

She also walked out.

Seeing Xu Huai and his sister walking out with unexpected expressions, Xu's father and others finally felt relieved.

Captain Xu said to them: "A Xiao is just like that."

Xu Huai wanted to say something, but was stopped by Xu Ran. He turned his face away unwillingly. Xu Ran smiled and said, "Grandpa is right, but my brother and I have things to do, so we'll leave first."

They came back on leave.

Captain Xu was a little unhappy but he didn't stop her. He just said, "Ah Huai, have you thought about what I said before?"

He wanted Xu Huai to come back and inherit his position. After being the captain for many years, he could still do this little thing.

Unexpectedly, Xu Huai directly refused.

Xu Huai didn't change his mind. He said word by word, "Grandpa, I have a job. You can give it to Uncle or Dad, or at worst, to Xiao Si. Let's go." He grabbed Xu Ran and walked outside.

Hearing his own name, Xiao Si called out weakly, "Big Brother, Second Sister."

Captain Xu was extremely angry, but he really had no way to deal with these two outstanding grandchildren.

Inside the room, watching the farce in the yard, Xu Xiao felt relieved.

Her mood was not wasted. She was happy.

Early the next morning, the so-called matchmaker came to the door.