Jiang Heping frowned when he saw how much stuff his mother had packed and said, "Why did you take so much stuff? If your mother-in-law sees this, she'll start nagging again."

“Let her say what she wants. Anyway, we’ve separated our family, and we’re only taking our own things. We didn’t take anything from theirs. My parents raised me, so what’s wrong with them eating some of my food?”

When Chen Xiuhua came out, she heard what Jiang's mother said and said irritably, "You're only good because Jianguo has a good temper. If it were someone else, they would be unhappy to hear you say that."

Since Lin Jianguo wasn't around, Er Ya had to say a few good words for her father, so she shook Chen Xiuhua's arm and said:

“Grandma, you’re overthinking it. When we were slaughtering the pig, Dad said, ‘Why did we have to slaughter one pig? It’s because we wanted to wait until you came and take more. If Dad were here, you would have taken even more.’”

After Jiang Damin had played with Er Ya's rabbits, seeing that everyone was ready to leave, and hearing Er Ya praising her father, he immediately turned to Wang Meili and said:

"Mom, Auntie is so kind, and Uncle is so kind too. I don't want to leave. Can I stay here for a few more days?"

Wang Meili's smiling face disappeared. After hearing this, she glared at Jiang Damin and said, "You little rascal, you're already annoying people after just one day at your aunt's place. Why are you staying for several more days? Go home right now!"

Seeing that Wang Meili's approach wasn't working, she went to Chen Xiuhua and said, "Grandma, please talk to Mom. I want to play with Er Ya here. Er Ya, do you want to play with me too?"

Chen Xiuhua said with difficulty, "Grandson, it's not that Grandma doesn't want you to stay here, but your aunt is busy enough and has to take care of your little brother. Listen to me, wait until your little brother is a bit older before you come to live here, okay?"

With neither option working, Jiang Damin tried to act cute and charming like Er Ya, saying, "Ahhh, I don't want to, Mom, please, please let me stay here..."

Before he could finish speaking, Wang Meili slapped him across the face: "What are you doing, a boy trying to act cute like a girl? How disgusting! Straighten your tongue and get out of here. If you say another word, you'll get beaten up, you know?"

"Oh..." Jiang Damin walked out dejectedly, then turned back to Er Ya and said, "Er Ya, I like your rabbit. After this litter hatches, can you save it for me? I'll come and get it then."

Er Ya made an "OK" sign, and seeing that Jiang Damin didn't understand, she nodded vigorously and said, "Don't worry, with our friendship, I'll definitely save it for you."

With the rabbit he had been longing for finally secured, Jiang Damin's expression immediately brightened. He took the small basket from his mother and walked out without a trace of hesitation.

"Come on, Mom, stop dawdling, it'll be dark soon."

Er Ya was astonished by his flexible attitude. No wonder Wang Meili always beat and scolded him. Besides being mischievous, another reason was that he didn't hold grudges at all. As soon as he realized that he couldn't achieve his goal, he would immediately move on without any regrets.

Chen Xiuhua, still worried, instructed Jiang's mother: "I've put Xiaobao's diaper pads in the cabinet. And his little clothes, they're all folded and there. If you're too busy, just call Taohua. I think she's a kind-hearted person, and I've troubled her quite a bit lately."

"Alright, Mom, don't worry, I can manage. Besides, I still have Jianguo and Erya."

.

Chen Xiuhua whispered to Jiang's mother, "Jianguo wants to be filial to his mother, so don't always stop him. Look at how filial Jianguo is to us. He's just a simple-minded person. Don't let this affect your relationship as a young couple."

"Okay, I've written it all down."

Jiang Heping, growing impatient, returned from outside and urged, "Hurry up, I think Damin has already left the village. If you dawdle any longer, he'll be home by now."

"Alright, let's go then. Don't come out, it's windy outside. Er Ya, take good care of your mother."

Er Ya said mischievously, "Okay, I'll definitely complete the mission."

Jiang Ermin waved goodbye to Er Ya, and the family carried their baskets and walked out of the village.

Having gotten used to Chen Xiuhua's presence, her sudden departure was quite disorienting, not only for Jiang's mother but also for Er Ya. Just then, Xiao Bao woke up. The two of them hurriedly changed her clothes and diapers, and only then did the fastidious baby calm down.

"Mom, did you remember everything I told you? I'll lock the kitchen door in a bit. If Dad asks you for money again, don't give him any. Just say you've been spending a lot lately and you don't have enough cash."

Jiang's mother nodded and said, "I understand, but what if your father gets angry?"

"It's alright, Mom. We didn't do anything. We just tried to stop Dad from taking so many things into the old house. If Dad really cares about her, he won't turn against her over something like this."

That's what they said, but both mother and daughter knew perfectly well that the old house's sudden change of attitude was definitely not because he suddenly had a change of heart and felt that he had treated Lin Jianguo badly and wanted to compensate him. It was definitely for their family's money.

If they wanted something to eat or drink, given their current financial situation, Er Ya wouldn't have bothered with them.

But looking at the attitude of the old house these past two days, even outsiders know they've been busy and have come to help, but these so-called relatives are only thinking about taking things from their own homes.

They keep taking without giving anything in return, and they even want to boss people around in their house. Isn't the old man treating them like fools?

Hearing the door open, Jiang's mother quickly gave Er Ya a look, signaling her not to speak.

Lin Jianguo returned. He had left in a cheerful mood, but now he looked listless and frowning. Er Ya knew that the old house was up to something again.

She knew what was going on, but she didn't show it on her face or pay any attention to him. The mother and daughter played with the baby.

Lin Jianguo sat in the room for a while and noticed that neither of them asked him anything, as if he didn't exist in the room.

They didn't say anything, but broke the awkward silence themselves, asking with a forced smile, "Er Ya, did your grandma leave? Why didn't she wait for me to come back?"

“Dad, look, it’s getting dark. Grandma, Grandpa, and Aunt have been waiting for you for ages, but you haven’t come back yet. It’s getting dark, so we have to hurry up and leave. Otherwise, they won’t be able to get home until the middle of the night.”

Upon hearing this, Lin Jianguo realized it made sense and said somewhat fearfully, "It's my fault. Are they angry? Did you give them the things?"

To be continued!