The Xia family's old residence.
A few days ago, Grandma Xia heard the news that Xia Qingqing had returned from Beijing. She thought that no matter what, it wouldn't be too much for Xia Qingqing, as her granddaughter, to bring some gifts for her grandparents.
As a result, several days passed without seeing a single person.
She harbored resentment towards her second son and daughter-in-law. The children were immature, and the people who beat them were equally immature. Those who knew them understood that they had separated their households, but those who didn't would have thought they had severed ties.
Just then, Xia Jiashun stormed in and kicked over the stool in front of him.
Seeing this, Grandma Xia was startled, fearing that her precious grandson had hurt his foot.
"My dear grandson, what's wrong? Who made you unhappy?"
Xia Jiashun snorted heavily: "It's infuriating! Everyone's praising that brat Xia Qingqing now, saying how amazing she is."
If it were just praising Xia Qingqing, that would be one thing, but as Xia Qingqing's cousin, he is always being compared to her from time to time.
They're both descendants of the Xia family, yet he, a boy, can't even compare to the girls. It's shameful.
Grandma Xia coaxed her tenderly, "My dear grandson, don't be angry. No matter how capable she is, she's just a girl and she'll still have to get married and have children in the future. How can she compare to you?"
Xia Jiashun remained silent, a surge of anger welling up inside him.
After failing his first college entrance exam, he took the second one not long after, full of confidence, but failed again.
Repeated setbacks made him lose interest in studying. What was the point of studying hard if he couldn't get into university anyway?
He didn't want to study, but Xia Jiashun also didn't want to work in the fields, so he tried every day to find ways to go to the county.
He was thinking of finding a job in the county, and then see who would say he was no better than Xia Qingqing, that woman.
Thinking of the news he'd heard today, Xia Jiashun's eyes darted around as he looked at Old Madam Xia and said:
"Grandma, I heard that Second Uncle bought a bicycle. I'm so envious. If I had a bicycle, I would definitely take you to the county town for fun."
It must be said that Xia Jiashun is quite good at coaxing people. Upon hearing her grandson's words, Grandma Xia immediately beamed with joy.
At the same time, she also had a lot of complaints about her second son. What's the use of having money? He doesn't even know how to be filial to his mother.
"Grandma, could you please ask my second uncle to borrow a bicycle for me? I've never ridden a bicycle before," Xia Jiashun said, feigning pitifulness in front of Grandma Xia.
Grandma Xia was very receptive to this and immediately agreed: "Okay, okay, Grandma will go and borrow it for you right away."
......
Xia Qingqing raised an eyebrow at the old lady in front of her: "Is there something you need?"
Old Mrs. Xia's face fell: "This is my son's house. I can come and go as I please. Do I need anyone's permission?"
Seeing the hostile look on Old Lady Xia's face, Xia Qingqing secretly nudged Gou Dan, who was standing next to her, and told him to hurry up and go to the field to find his parents.
Gou Dan received his sister's signal and immediately ran out the door.
Grandma Xia didn't say anything when she saw this. She sat down on the stool and poured herself a glass of water.
After finishing the water in his cup, he slowly asked, "Qing, how are you doing at school?"
Xia Qingqing was surprised that she would care about her. Although she didn't know her intention, she still replied casually, "It's okay, I'm in class and studying every day."
Grandma Xia nodded: "You've been back for a few days now, why haven't you come to visit your grandfather and me at the old house?"
What she wanted to say was why they never brought anything to visit them, but that was too blunt, and even with her thick skin, she was too embarrassed to ask it out loud.
A huge question mark popped into Xia Qingqing's mind. Was she going to start playing the emotional card? Didn't this old lady have any idea what their relationship was really like?
Seeing that Xia Qingqing remained silent, Grandma Xia brought up another topic: "Is that bicycle in the yard yours that you just bought?"
Hearing this, Xia Qingqing finally understood what the old lady's purpose was. She had come for the bicycle, and all her previous words were just a prelude.
Perhaps seeing that she had been admitted to university, Grandma Xia was indeed not as impolite to her as before.
The news that her family bought a bicycle had already spread, so there was no point in denying it now.
"Yes, my family bought it, but it's a second-hand bicycle and not worth much."
Grandma Xia put on a smile: "Anyway, you don't need it right now, why don't you lend it to your cousin for a while?"
"No, if he wants a bicycle, he should go buy it himself," Xia Qingqing said without giving the old lady any face, refusing outright.
If I lend this car out today, I'm afraid I won't get it back tomorrow.
Grandma Xia hadn't expected that even after being so polite, her granddaughter Xia Qingqing wouldn't give her any face at all, and her face immediately fell.
"Why are you so stingy, girl? Jia Shun is your own cousin, and you won't even lend him a bicycle. Don't expect your cousin to support you after you get married."
Xia Qingqing was amused: "Don't worry, there's absolutely no way that's possible."
Grandma Xia angrily pointed at her and scolded, "You, you little brat, I can't reason with you. When your father comes back, I'll talk to him. Jia Shun is his own nephew, and he'll definitely be willing to lend Jia Shun the bicycle."
Xia Qingqing secretly pouted. She was the one who bought the bicycle, and she didn't want to lend it to him. She didn't believe her father would disregard her wishes.
If Xia Heping really dares to lend the bicycle to Xia Jiashun, she will just give it away.
Not long after, Gou Dan called his parents back.
Xia Heping saw his mother, who never came to his door without a reason, and a hint of helplessness flashed in his eyes: "Mother, what do you need me for?"
"Well, Jia Shun said he'd like to borrow your bicycle. As his uncle, you wouldn't refuse, would you?" Grandma Xia said, glancing sideways at Xia Qingqing, seemingly certain that Xia Heping would agree to lend it to her.
Xia Heping looked at his mother with a troubled expression: "Mom, Qingqing bought this bicycle. Whether or not to lend it is up to Qingqing."
"You spineless coward, do you have the demeanor of a head of the family?" Old Mrs. Xia rushed up and slapped Xia Heping several times.
She was furious when she spoke to Xia Qingqing, and she was holding back her anger. She didn't dare to fight back because she was afraid that Zhang Hongyan would find out and go crazy for her.
Xia Heping was now her punching bag. It's only natural for a mother to beat her son, and Zhang Hongyan couldn't possibly stop her, because she was in the wrong no matter where she went about it.
Zhang Hongyan didn't make a move, but her eyes showed a hint of heartache as she looked at her husband. But what could he do when he had such a mother? He could only put up with it.
Xia Heping stood there motionless as Old Lady Xia slapped his back repeatedly, letting her hit him.
"Mom, even if you beat me to death, I still can't take ownership of this bicycle."
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