Chapter 20 is still waiting for us to come back and make dumplings together...
Yu Wenhui and He Tonggui were arguing fiercely and were about to come to blows when Factory Director Yu immediately separated them.
It's the Lunar New Year, and his son is getting married soon, yet they're still arguing. He's really angry and can't stand it anymore: "You two are arguing every other day, can't you live together anymore? If you can't, then get a divorce."
Divorce is a shameful thing for Yu Wenhui and her husband. They argue and fight, but neither of them has ever thought about divorce. However, her younger brother is advising them to get a divorce. Why is that?
Yu Wenhui smacked her younger brother a few times: "Your brother-in-law was really in the wrong for arguing today. Zhigao found a good partner, why is he objecting?"
Factory Director Yu, realizing something was amiss, countered by asking his sister, "Doesn't Zhigao already have a girlfriend? The wedding date is set for the sixth day of the first lunar month, so why would he need to find another girlfriend?"
He Tonggui was so angry he could barely speak: "Ask your sister! A person without integrity cannot stand. Zhigao is engaged, yet he's still having affairs outside. Your sister is covering for him, keeping him on the side while looking for something better. She only tells me after she's found someone else. Is this how a human being behaves?"
Changing partners? And even after getting engaged, he changed partners, and his sister even helped cover for him. She's his own sister, otherwise Director Yu would have turned around and left, never to associate with someone like that again.
Before he could ask for details, Factory Director Yu spoke up for his sister, saying, "Sister, how could you do such an immoral thing?"
Yu Wenhui was dissatisfied with the future daughter-in-law chosen by her husband, but now that her son has changed her, she is extremely satisfied. Her family's happiness is the most important thing, and she is not afraid of being laughed at.
“Everyone has the right to choose something better. Luckily, the engagement was called off before the wedding. Now that we've separated, it's not like we've hurt the girl. We'll just call off the engagement and offer compensation.”
He Tonggui was internally wounded by his own righteous indignation at being so self-righteous after making a mistake: "You're shameless! Yu Zhengmin, ask your sister who Zhigao is dating. I will never agree to it!"
Yeah, which girl did you find? We live upstairs and downstairs, and I haven't heard a thing about it.
Yu Zhengmin was completely bewildered: "Sis, who is Zhigao's new boyfriend?"
Yu Wenhui was quite happy: "The technician from your factory, Qi Yujiao, is capable, beautiful, and a vocational school graduate. She's much better than his previous girlfriend. I'm very satisfied."
...
It turned out to be Qi Yujiao. She used to go to the factory director's office every day, and Yu Zhengmin had a very bad impression of her. She was his own nephew, and he still cared about her. How could this be allowed?
Yu Zhengmin immediately exploded: "I disagree too! Do you know? That girl has five older sisters and one younger brother. The burden is too heavy. Zhigao will be dragged down to death. Absolutely not!"
Yu Wenhui said, "I know, Zhigao told me that the girl is very opinionated. She said that as soon as she gets married, she will immediately sever ties with her family and will not let them take advantage of her in any way. A girl like that can live a good life with Zhigao."
"And what about the girls from before? Did they deserve to be jilted? You've corrupted Zhigao!"
Yu Wenhui didn't care: "I didn't agree to you getting married, but you still went ahead with it. Now that I'm getting a daughter-in-law, no matter who objects, it's useless!"
...
The things Yu Wenhui did to help her son were disgusting to everyone who heard about them, but outsiders couldn't do anything about it. Nie Qingqing didn't say a word of advice, and Song Zhao wouldn't interfere either.
He Shumei wanted to go downstairs to reason with Yu Wenhui. Zhigao's fiancée was the daughter of her brother's best friend. She felt terrible for breaking off the engagement, as if she had let down the girl and her brother's best friend. She felt like she had a huge stone pressing on her heart and couldn't breathe.
He Shumei wiped away her tears in anger: "How am I going to tell Zhigao's boyfriend's family? I really regret letting Yu Zhengmin bring Zhigao to the factory. If he hadn't gone to the factory, he wouldn't have met that little vixen."
The family of your fiancé will never go back to an old flame; there's no going back now, and there's no turning back.
Nie Qingqing advised her, "Zhigao has no sense of responsibility. The same thing will happen no matter where you are, it's just that the people are different. His fiancée is lucky, otherwise she would be like me, accompanying her ex-husband to become a minor leader, and we still got divorced, didn't we? Don't worry about this, think about what New Year's goods we should buy?"
...
After the Yu family's affair became public, He Tonggui submitted his resignation to the factory and voluntarily confessed to the Discipline Inspection Commission that he had eaten with the purchasing unit and taken some tea, cigarettes, and alcohol, which he returned in full. Because the amount was small and he confessed voluntarily, the Discipline Inspection Commission found the allegations to be true after investigation and did not make things difficult for him.
The news was so sudden that Nie Qingqing ran across the hall to ask He Shumei, "What's wrong with your brother?"
He Shumei sighed calmly and pulled Nie Qingqing to sit down. Thanks to Nie Qingqing's daily persuasion, she hadn't lost her composure.
“My brother said that Yu Wenhui is becoming increasingly unscrupulous and acting like a madwoman. He can’t persuade her and is afraid that she might be implicated and go to jail one day. That’s one reason. Another reason is that my brother sees that individual business owners are making a lot of money now and wants to go to the special economic zone in the south to take a look. This time, my sister-in-law and Zhigao have made him disheartened, and he has finally made up his mind.”
Nie Qingqing said regretfully, "If he had stayed for another ten years or so, he could have taken early retirement and received a pension. It's such a pity that he resigned now to go into business."
He Shumei said, "Who can argue with that? We all advised him to be patient, but my brother was very determined. He had a lot of opinions about Qi Yujiao, whom Zhigao had chosen through free love, and there was absolutely no way he could live under the same roof. My parents had no choice but to agree."
Nie Qingqing remembered: "Would Director Yu agree to that? It's not a good thing for a couple to live apart for so long. Look at Song Zhao and Yun Li, I think they're both doing quite well. It's just that their relationship gradually faded because Song Zhao was sent abroad on official business for those few years."
He Shumei said, "My brother and sister-in-law have no feelings left. Zhigao broke off the engagement, and my sister-in-law helped cover for him. She was in the wrong and didn't dare to interfere with my brother. Besides, she was also greedy for the money that the other man made. She was afraid that my brother would scold Zhigao, so she couldn't wait for him to leave. She even wanted him to leave before the New Year. They really have no feelings left. What else is there to break up?"
...
Nie Qingqing thought about the matter from beginning to end, then ran home, pulled Song Zhao, who was calmly sitting at his desk, to face him, and asked, "What do you think of He Tonggui's resignation? It's such a pity."
Song Zhao viewed the problem rationally: "He Tonggui is too ashamed to face his colleagues and friends, and he can't stand staying in the factory for even a day. Secondly, he can't stand Yu Wenhui's behavior and would rather resign than not escape. A man's integrity and face are much more important than you think. Yu Wenhui may not care, but without these two things, it will be difficult for He Tonggui to gain a foothold in the factory. Just wait and see what happens to Yu Wenhui. A person who breaks faith will not be respected by anyone, either at home or outside."
Nie Qingqing nodded repeatedly: "That's what I think too, but I just can't summarize it as well as you do."
Song Zhao put down his pen and hugged her, not letting her go: "Let's not talk about other people's business. We won't go out this afternoon, right?"
Nie Qingqing knew what he wanted to do, and quickly said, "I really have to go out this afternoon to deliver some New Year's goods from home and take Xiaoyin and Xiaoyuan to Yunli's house."
...
After Nie Qingqing's second marriage, her family's financial situation improved significantly. Her mother earned thirty yuan a month and had saved some money, so she prepared plenty of New Year's goods.
Nie Qingqing brought homemade cured fish, cured meat, dried green beans, as well as chestnut cakes and mooncakes specially made by her sister-in-law, and then took Xiaoyin and Xiaoyuan to see Yunli.
Yunli was about to give birth and was feeling lazy; she only got up when they arrived.
Xu Lingzhi was delighted and served tea and pastries to entertain them: "She only comes to walk around the yard when you come. Look at this glass room, Cheng Tian made it for her. She can bask in the sun but not be exposed to the wind. She can't sit for more than half an hour a day; she just wants to rest and sleep."
Xiao Yuan touched his mother's protruding belly, looked up and asked, "Mom, are you feeling uncomfortable right now?"
Yunli patted his little head: "Much better, but you still don't have much energy."
Nie Qingqing laughed and said, "You're destined to enjoy life. Last Mid-Autumn Festival, you said my family's mooncakes were delicious, so my sister-in-law made some more. We also have a lot of chestnut flour. We made this much for now, so you can eat it. Whenever you want some, we'll make fresh ones and send them to you."
Xiao Yunli said gratefully, "I feel bad that you've gone to so much trouble. It's just that the food I bought outside isn't as good as what you make."
Nie Qingqing said, "You have a good palate. I can hardly tell the difference between good and bad. We make whatever we want to eat all the time, so don't be shy."
Xiaoyin showed Xiaoyunli two of her award-winning paintings and the certificates, trying to cheer her up: "Mom, look, I won an award in the city!"
Xiao Yunli glanced at it twice, not even clearly seeing which award it was, before nodding and praising, "Yes, that's good, but you need to focus on your studies. Even though you're still first in the final exam, you can't let your guard down."
"Okay, Mom." Xiaoyin's expectation quickly faded.
Nie Qingqing quickly said, "She only draws after she finishes her homework, so it definitely won't interfere with her studies."
...
After talking for a while, Xiao Yunli got tired and wanted to sleep. Nie Qingqing, who was very good at reading situations, noticed this and said goodbye.
"We're busy at the end of the year, so we'll head back now. If you miss the kids, just give us a call and I'll bring them to you."
Xiao Yunli said listlessly, "I really don't have the energy, and it's freezing cold. Running back and forth will make the baby cold and tire you out too. Please don't come for now. We'll invite you when the baby is a month old."
Nie Qingqing couldn't have asked for it more; it was the dead of winter, and the journey there and back was indeed too cold.
She agreed: "That's fine. My mom asked some relatives back home to order a few old hens for you. They'll be stewed in an earthenware pot and taste amazing. We'll bring them to you when you're in postpartum confinement."
Xiao Yunli was truly moved this time: "Qingqing, what have Song Zhao done to deserve such a wonderful wife like you in his second marriage? I feel at ease entrusting our two children to you."
Nie Qingqing said, "It's all for the good of the children. Let's not talk about these things. It's just a few old hens. Why be so polite? Your mother-in-law gave you the money."
Xiao Yunli suddenly remembered: "Oh right, I heard that Ji Yun contacted you?"
Nie Qingqing: "You all heard this gossip?"
Xiao Yunli's tone revealed that she not only knew Ji Yun, but also harbored deep resentment towards her: "That woman used to like Song Zhao, but she failed to steal him away. You'd better be careful."
Nie Qingqing originally wanted to say that she trusted Song Zhao's character, but after thinking about it, she thought there was no need to. He meant well, so she said, "Thank you for reminding me. I will definitely be careful."
...
Xu Lingzhi brought a lot of New Year's goods, packed them into a big bag, and insisted on giving it to Nie Qingqing.
"The family is so harmonious now, and Yunli can focus on her pregnancy, all thanks to you taking such good care of her two children. Here, take this and share it with your relatives and friends."
Nie Qingqing kept declining, only putting half of it down before pulling the children away.
There was still a lot left in the half bag. When she got home, she unpacked the large package, mixed the various items together, divided them into several portions, and said to Tang Guizhi, "Mom, I'll take two portions to my workplace to give away. You can share the rest with the neighbors in the alley."
Tang Guizhi looked at all the items, estimating they were worth about three or four hundred yuan, and scolded, "How dare you accept this? How are you going to repay this favor in the future?"
Nie Qingqing said, "I've already let go of half of it. This is someone repaying a favor to us. I gave it first, so just keep it. By the way, there's no need to mention it to Song Zhao. Otherwise, he'll take his year-end bonus and go on a shopping spree. We can't let him be so willful."
Tang Guizhi laughed and said, "Don't talk about him. When it comes to spending money, you're not much more rational than him. You buy so many things to send to your parents' home for the New Year. Aren't you afraid Song Zhao will scold you?"
Nie Qingqing laughed: "Mom, don't wrong me. He bought them all. I was just delivering them."
...
Today is the last day of work before the Lunar New Year. Nie Qingqing gave one portion of the dried sea cucumber and scallops to Qian Yurong and another portion to Xiao Qiuxia.
Qian Yurong had heard about He Zhigao's broken engagement, but she didn't know much about the follow-up. She asked, "Has there been any outcome regarding Director Yu's family's matter?"
The agreement was just reached yesterday.
Nie Qingqing said, "I heard from He Shumei that when the betrothal was made, they didn't ask for any of the money or gifts. They even gave the girl an extra 500 yuan. He Tonggui came to apologize and beat up his son before the girl stopped complaining."
Xiao Qiuxia sighed, "I heard the new girl they found is very capable; the relationship between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law will be difficult in the future."
Nie Qingqing affirmed, "I've dealt with her once. That girl is eloquent and indeed formidable, but she's completely different from your daughter-in-law. She'll have a lot to deal with in the future mother-in-law/daughter-in-law relationship."
Qian Yurong asked, "So when are you planning to get married?"
"The wedding date and the hotel will remain the same, only the bride will be different. He Tonggui will leave on the third day of the Lunar New Year and will not attend his son's wedding."
Good heavens, how could they arrange it like this? Wouldn't that just invite even more criticism?
...
Sure enough, Director Yu delivered the invitation before the end of the workday, saying happily, "My family is getting a daughter-in-law, and we'll be having a banquet on the sixth day of the first lunar month. You must come!"
Everyone offered their congratulations to each other on the surface, but who didn't say something behind their backs?
Qian Yurong truly looked down on her this time: "What's there to be happy about?"
Nie Qingqing also overheard some gossip. When Director Yu realized he couldn't stop it, he found a reliable person and inquired about it in detail.
"The leaders at the main factory are her future daughter-in-law's godparents. She thought she was marrying above her station, but actually, the leader's wife had no other choice but to adopt a goddaughter for the sake of a good reputation. In reality, they won't pay any attention to her."
Sister Xiao couldn't believe it: "Director Yu said she still wants to marry a daughter-in-law like this, what was she thinking?"
Nie Qingqing shook her head: "Director Yu said she didn't believe it. She said it was just a rumor spread out of jealousy, making it seem like the people who were trying to persuade her were trying to ruin her son's good marriage. Even He Shumei stopped trying to persuade him."
...
Nie Qingqing was working her last day of the year before the New Year. Tang Guizhi also delivered dried goods given by Xu Lingzhi to several families she was on good terms with in Huazhi Lane and taught them how to cook them.
When I got home, there were several burlap sacks piled up at the door, and a couple sitting there.
Tang Guizhi exclaimed "Oh dear!" She really didn't expect that it was Nie Qingqing's former in-laws. What were they doing here?
He hurriedly asked, "Why are you sitting in front of my house?"
Looking at the two unfamiliar children in the yard and Tangyuan who didn't want to get close, Jiang Jinshan hurriedly asked, "Sister-in-law, your daughter-in-law just said that Youde and Qingqing have divorced. Youde didn't tell us, so we really can't believe it."
Yu Caifen hugged Tangyuan, who wasn't affectionate with her, and cried out sadly, "Grandma's good grandson, no wonder you haven't called Grandma in the past six months. Grandma misses you."
Tangyuan crawled uncomfortably out of her arms: "Grandma, if you're sad, go hit Dad. He's a jerk. I can't beat him. You go hit him."
...
There's going to be some drama in Huazhi Lane again. Nie Qingqing's ex-husband didn't tell his parents back home after the divorce, and even lied to the elderly couple that they hadn't divorced.
As usual, the elderly couple went to Tang Guizhi's house, only to find out that she had a new son-in-law who had become a factory director.
The couple were decent people, but they didn't raise their son well.
When Jiang Youde married Nie Qingqing, he knelt down and swore that if he dared to treat Nie Qingqing badly, heaven and earth would not forgive him. So why didn't he dare to tell his parents after the divorce?
Sharp-eyed Aunt Zhang pointed to the alley entrance: "Look, Jiang Youde, who didn't even come to see Tangyuan after his divorce, is here. See if his parents don't beat him up!"
...
At Tang Guizhi's house, Jiang Jinshan was beating Jiang Youde with a big stick, making him run around in circles: "Jiang Youde, how could you get a divorce behind your parents' backs? I'll beat you to death!"
Tang Guizhi was angry; her outburst had made her a laughingstock throughout Huazhi Lane.
She stopped him, saying, "Brother Jiang, if you want to discipline your son, go home and do it. Qingqing is divorced from him, it doesn't matter anymore."
Jiang Youde's hair was slicked back and shiny, and the more Nie Qingqing looked at him, the greasier it seemed. She turned to Nie Weibin and said, "Brother, I don't want to see him. Tell them to go home and argue."
Yu Caifen was reluctant to part with Tangyuan and suggested, "Sister Guizhi, Tangyuan is our Jiang family's grandson. Even though Youde and Qingqing are divorced, I still want to acknowledge our grandson. Qingqing has already remarried, so why don't we let Tangyuan come with us? He's my own grandson, and I'll definitely treat him well."
Xiao Yuan immediately grabbed Tang Yuan: "No, Tang Yuan won't leave."
How could Song Zhao let her take Tangyuan away? He grabbed Tangyuan and wouldn't let her touch her.
“Aunt Yu, what you’re saying isn’t right. You’re good to Tangyuan, but our whole family is good to Tangyuan, and we have more of him than yours. Why would he leave here and go to your house? Unless your son agrees to get sterilized, then we can discuss it.”
Song Zhao concluded that Tangyuan's father would never get a tubal ligation, so he threw the problem back at him; this is called retreating to advance.
Sure enough, Jiang Youde immediately objected, saying, "Mom and Dad, a vasectomy ruins a man! You can't be so foolish! We don't even know if Tangyuan is your grandson yet, I can't get a vasectomy!"
...
Is this the kind of human language a father should say? Everyone present felt a chill, and even Jiang Youde's own father immediately slapped him.
Song Zhao was furious. She grabbed him by the collar and slammed him against the courtyard wall: "Say that again? If Tangyuan isn't your son, then he's my son. Don't you dare get involved with him again!"
Nie Qingqing had already taken out a kitchen knife, the blade pressed against his neck, and roared in a tone of mutual annihilation, "Jiang Youde, you bastard, let's go to hell together! Go ask the King of Hell whose child Tangyuan is, you wait to go to the eighteenth level of hell!"
Jiang Youde was afraid of knives: "Nie Qingqing, you shrew! Mom and Dad, you saw it, I really couldn't live with a woman like this, that's why I divorced her!"
When they first got married, Jiang Youde wasn't like this, and Nie Qingqing wasn't a shrew either. How could people change like this in just a few years? She even doubts that her son is her biological child. Nie Qingqing can't let go of this feeling.
Song Zhao came over, hugged her, and comforted her: "Qingqing, don't be sad. You just didn't see through a disguised piece of trash. Once you do, that's enough. You can't get angry with trash. Don't be angry anymore."
Tangyuan, seeing this, said something surprising: "I'll remember if you bully my mom."
Jiang Youde was a little afraid to look at Tangyuan. What did a child under seven years old know?
...
Jiang Jinshan slapped his son several more times, heartbroken.
"How did you become like this? I'm not going back to my hometown. I'll stay here with you. Once I die, I won't care about you anymore, you bastard. Sister Guizhi, our family has wronged your family. Tangyuan will always be my grandson. We've caused you trouble."
...
That night, Nie Qingqing still couldn't sleep because of the discomfort. She felt uneasy and upset: "How could he doubt that Tangyuan isn't his son? It's only been half a year, and he's changed so much that I don't even recognize him anymore. I wasn't this blind before. Is he just pretending too well?"
Song Zhao's words thoroughly dissected the true nature of Tangyuan's father.
"This is a distorted mentality after the change of status. Before, his family was from the countryside, while your family was from the city. Marrying you was a step up for his family. He went to university from the countryside and is good at scheming at work. He became a department leader before he was even thirty, and he climbed the ranks very quickly. Naturally, his mentality became inflated. He said he was going to remarry soon. I guess this time it's still a step up. He's eager to make a good impression on his future father-in-law's family, so naturally he'll smear you. People like this will eventually end up all alone. Don't be angry."
After saying that, Song Zhao realized something and smiled happily.
Nie Qingqing was unhappy: "I'm so angry, why are you still laughing?"
Song Zhao explained, “I’ve never understood how someone as gentle and understanding as you could have rumors of being tied up and whipped. But after what happened today, I understand. It’s because Tangyuan’s father is so awful. Otherwise, with your kind and patient nature, you wouldn’t have gotten a divorce. How could I have married you? So I’m happy.”
Nie Qingqing was delighted: "Alright, let's get down to business. How are we going to spend the New Year?"
Song Zhao asked, "What do you mean? Just live your life as usual. Is there anything special about this year?"
Nie Qingqing gave a nudge: "Your parents still haven't mentioned remarrying. Whose house are you spending the New Year at this year?"
So that's what it was for. Song Zhao has made arrangements. Let me explain the reason first:
“My mom wants my dad to come home, but my dad doesn’t want to. Once a man is divorced and free, it’s hard for him to go back to his old marriage. From now on, we’ll have to spend the New Year at both homes. My dad will be more accommodating if we go to my mom’s house on New Year’s Eve. We can go to his house on New Year’s Day and then to your house on the second day. What do you think of this arrangement?”
Nie Qingqing: "I can do anything, no matter what."
...
On New Year's Eve, He Shumei spent the Spring Festival at her own home, while Nie Qingqing and Song Zhao, with their three children and lots of bags, prepared to go to her mother-in-law's house for the New Year.
She spoke a few words to He Shumei at the door: "Didn't you say your older brother left on the third day of the Lunar New Year and spent the holiday at his house?"
He Shumei curled her lip in disdain: "Zhigao's boyfriend is coming over for the New Year, but I don't want to see Qi Yujiao. I don't get along with her, so I'm not going."
Yu Zhengmin, wearing an apron, ran out of the kitchen and interjected, "I advised Meimei that since we'd be seeing each other every day, we should have a meal to ease the tension, but Meimei refused."
He Shumei: "I just don't want to. Have you forgotten how I used to run to your office several times a day? Now you want to marry Zhigao? Don't you find that disgusting? I won't see you."
Yu Zhengmin quickly coaxed, "Look at my mouth, I won't let you get angry now."
Nie Qingqing laughed and said, "Let her vent. She'll feel better after she's vented. We'll come back after our New Year's Eve dinner, and then we'll make dumplings and stay up all night together."
...
As she went downstairs, she ran into Yu Wenhui and her future daughter-in-law, who were walking upstairs hand in hand. Qi Yujiao wasn't a local; one had invited her, and the other had come to visit. "This future mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, let's see if they can still get along this well after marriage?" Nie Qingqing secretly wondered to herself.
The other person greeted her with a smile, and Nie Qingqing nodded, but Song Zhao didn't respond.
Nie Qingqing advised him, "It's not like you're losing anything by giving your upstairs or downstairs neighbors a smile."
Song Zhao was decisive: "You can't smile at this kind of person. The more you smile, the more they'll take advantage of you. It's better to keep quiet now."
Nie Qingqing cleverly replied, "Are you afraid they'll shamelessly ask you for favors? Then I'll ignore them."
...
Upon arriving at her mother-in-law's house, Nie Qingqing went into the kitchen to help her prepare the New Year's Eve dinner. Song Zhao put down her things, took off her coat, and came in to help.
He Suwen was genuinely worried about her son: "What are you doing in the kitchen, a grown man? Get out of here."
Song Zhao spoke directly to his mother: "Mom, have you thought this through? I'll cook for my wife at home and for you here. If you don't want it, you're the one who's losing out, not Qingqing."
Nie Qingqing felt quite pleased, and only smiled after turning her face away.
He Suwen angrily handed him the spatula and began to say to herself, "Your dad isn't coming to dinner because he's determined not to remarry, right?"
Song Zhao was very direct, giving his mother no room for illusions: "Yes, that's exactly what I mean."
Seeing that an argument was about to break out, Nie Qingqing ran to the living room and gave Xiaoyin a wink. Xiaoyin quickly led her two younger brothers and said, "Let's go buy firecrackers."
Tangyuan didn't want to dry; he wanted to stay home. Actually, he just wanted to eavesdrop.
Nie Qingqing took out ten yuan and handed it to Xiaoyin: "Here's ten yuan for you to buy whatever you want. Whoever doesn't go won't get any money."
Tangyuan immediately ran out.
...
Nie Qingqing stayed in the living room and added charcoal to the small red clay stove. Stewed dishes were the main course for dinner, and without a charcoal stove, they would cool down quickly. With the stove warm, the stew could be cooked for a little longer.
She was in the living room, but her ears were listening to the sounds coming from the kitchen. Sure enough, with the children not home, her mother-in-law and Song Zhao were arguing without any restraint.
He Suwen gave her son an ultimatum, telling Song Zhao to tell his father:
“If your dad is determined not to remarry, I won’t wait for him anymore. Your brother’s job is unreliable; he can’t rely on him or you. It was arranged by Lao Meng, and Lao Meng is still waiting for my letter.”
Song Zhao gave his mother a straightforward reply: "If you want to marry, then marry. We don't object."
He Suwen: "I dare not marry him. If I do, your father will have a legitimate reason to find you a stepmother, and his resources will end up benefiting someone else."
Song Zhao said, "Don't worry, my dad won't look for her."
He Suwen didn't believe it: "How so? Didn't he manage to get that female doctor from the countryside who took care of him transferred back to the city? How could he not marry her?"
Song Zhao: "You're overthinking it. That's called being grateful. My dad is very free now. If he can't stand it, he'll find someone else to keep him in check. You can marry him without worry."
He Suwen slapped him: "You're just as petty as your father. Back then, if I hadn't severed ties and divorced him, how could I have kept this house? Your brother was so young; if he had gone to the cowshed with you, would he have survived?"
Song Zhao emphasized: "So no one blames you, it's your own fault for not being able to get over it. What about Cheng Dong? Why hasn't he come back for the New Year yet?"
He Suwen: "I went to his boyfriend's house and spent the New Year there. I forgot to tell you."
Song Zhao was furious: "We're not even married yet, and you're already leaning that way?"
He Suwen defended her youngest son, saying, "Why do you care? It's his own business to be a live-in son-in-law. As long as he's happy, I won't fuss over such a small matter."
Song Zhao's smile was cold: "Then you're really biased. Everything is fine with him, but with me, you find fault with everything and criticize everything. I have my own opinions about that."
He Suwen: "You're more than ten years older than your brother, how dare you argue with him about this?"
Song Zhao insisted on arguing: "Why shouldn't I argue? Does the eldest son deserve to suffer? The more you act like this, the worse my relationship with him will become. Mom, this house belongs to my father. You own half, and my father's half is divided between me and my brother, so I should own at least a quarter. Don't give my things to Cheng Dong as well."
He Suwen rubbed her head, angrily saying, "I know, all your things are yours. Eat your meal and leave now, don't make me angry."
...
Despite the argument, after the New Year's Eve dinner, He Suwen still gave red envelopes to her three children: "Lucky money, given by Grandma, keep it for yourselves."
Xiaoyin took it: "Thank you, Grandma. Don't be angry, Grandma. Dad's words weren't nice, but he's a filial son."
Xiao Yuan said, "Grandma, I won't make you angry."
Tangyuan said, "You are Xiaoyuan's grandma, so you are my grandma too. It's Chinese New Year, so I'll peel a candy for you to eat. Be happy."
Turning her head away, Nie Qingqing secretly glanced at the amounts in Xiao Yuan's and Tang Yuan's red envelopes; they were the same.
The mother-in-law didn't treat her differently, and she was quite happy. She said to Song Zhao, "It's the New Year, it's not good to talk to your mother like that. We'll wash the dishes and clean up before we go back."
Song Zhao laughed and said, "It's no use talking nicely, Qingqing. You and my mother can get along peacefully, which is much better than us. Your strengths are also something that others envy and like. Don't be so insecure."
Nie Qingqing laughed again, "I know, hurry up, Shumei and Director Yu are waiting for us to go back and make dumplings together to celebrate the New Year."
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