Zheng Shuzhen also admitted that she had indeed been biased in recent years, but she really couldn't accept that her third son didn't have a son. After all, no matter how much money her third son had in the future, it would all belong to someone outside the family. However, she also understood that she couldn't say that now.
At this moment, Hua Wanhai was afraid that his mother and his third brother and sister-in-law would quarrel, and he would end up pleasing neither side.
So he went over and helped Zheng Shuzhen sit back on the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed): "Mother, we all know you're worried that Third Brother won't have a son to take care of him when he gets old, but don't worry, we brothers will definitely help him. Besides, many families nowadays only have one child, Mother, you have to look forward too."
Zhao Xiuzhi understood her husband's meaning and quickly poured a cup of tea for Wang Min, saying, "Third Sister-in-law, we're all family, so let's talk things out."
This couple is quite tactful and worldly-wise; they're good at mediating disputes.
Hua Zhongzhi also said, "That's right, they're all family. Let's leave it at that and not talk about it anymore. It's getting late, and the third brother and his classmates have to go back to work and school tomorrow morning. Let's get ready for bed early." He was also afraid that if the fight started, it would be difficult to control, so he quickly persuaded them.
Hearing this, Hua Wanjiang knew it was the right time to leave. He stood up and said to Hua Zhongzhi and Zheng Shuzhen, "Father, Mother, it's getting late. You should get some rest. We're going back now."
Hua Kai didn't expect things to turn upside down right away. After all, they'd been harmonious for years. All they needed to do today was sow the seeds of conflict. Once the rift was there, they wouldn't have to worry about how many conflicts they would have in the future.
And even though they didn't fight today, they're both holding their breath. Zheng Shuzhen and Hua Wanhu won't sleep well tonight. The more they suppress their anger, the more outrageous they'll be when they finally explode. There will be even more drama to come.
Hua Kai said goodbye to the people inside the house along with her parents, and then left the house.
No one saw them off, which saved them a lot of trouble; they just came out without having to say a lot of polite things.
It was already dark when I stepped out of the courtyard. The early autumn weather was still quite cool in the mornings and evenings, and the breeze was a bit chilly. However, the moonlight was beautiful, with a bright moon hanging high in the sky and its light was very soft.
After walking a few steps, Hua Wanjiang finally spoke: "Why does this feel like a dream? I thought that since I came here, I would at least bring something, but not only did I not bring anything, I also caused conflict among them?"
Hua Qingyi smiled and said to Hua Wanjiang, "Dad, I saw it all clearly today. My sister is a master strategist. I've learned a lot from her."
Gu Lanyan hadn't said anything, just kept watching, but then suddenly smiled: "I didn't expect our Kaikai to be so cunning. But it's good, she used to be bullied all the time, and I was worried she wouldn't adapt to high school. Now I don't have to worry about her anymore."
Hua Kai smiled too, because her family was worried about her and cared for her, which made her feel very at ease.
And she hopes to change the current situation of this family and prevent those tragedies from happening.
She smiled and said, "I used to have a lot of ideas in my mind, but I didn't dare to. But what happened with Hua Lin last time woke me up. The more you back down, the more others will take advantage of you. Our family will never be bullied again."
Hua Wanjiang nodded: "Yes, Kai Kai is right. Who can be bullied forever? I used to want to fight back, but I didn't know where to start. Now I think I've found my direction."
The family talked about their hopes for the future and then went home.
I didn't have time to return Li Jing's bicycle today because the flowers were in bloom. I was thinking of going early tomorrow so I could talk to Li Jing about going to school. Of course, I also wanted to advise her to learn some skills and not get married too early.
That evening, the atmosphere at Hua Wanhai's house was tense. Although there was no more arguing, everyone was feeling resentful.
Zheng Shuzhen didn't sleep for half the night. She figured it out. It was Huakai's instigation. But this was not a misunderstanding. It was real. It was just that no one had spoken up first before, so a balance could be maintained. But now that Huakai had exposed it, there was no way to go back to the way things were.
She hated Hua Kai, but she couldn't hit or scold her. After all, the last incident had caused the village to side with Hua Wanjiang's family. Zheng Shuzhen was so angry that her chest ached, but she couldn't think of any good way to turn the situation around.
Hua Wanhu and Wang Min barely slept that night, because not having a son was a painful thing for them, and now that people had said it out loud, they were hurt both physically and emotionally.
Hua Shuang was filled with resentment. Her parents always said that boys and girls were the same, but in reality, didn't they still want a son? Their kindness towards her was just for the sake of taking care of them in their old age, not out of genuine affection.
The next morning, Hua Wanhu and his family of four said they were in a hurry to get back to work and school, and left without even having breakfast.
Zheng Shuzhen was so depressed that she didn't eat breakfast and just lay on the kang (a heated brick bed) sulking.
Of course, the Hua family knew nothing of this; their day began with hope.
After breakfast, Hua Kai went to Li Jing's house to return the bicycle.
Li Jing was feeding the chickens in the yard when she saw the flowers blooming and said happily, "You're here. Wait for me, I'll be right there."
Hua Kai parked the bicycle in the yard: "We should have returned it yesterday, but my grandma had something to do in the afternoon, so we all went over there. By the time we got home it was already dark, so we didn't return it."
After feeding the chickens, Li Jing washed her hands in the basin of water under the windowsill and asked worriedly, "What's your grandma doing now? Is she bullying you again?"
Hua Kai walked over and said with a smile, "I'm not the same as before, so they can't bully my family anymore. I'll make them fight amongst themselves."
Li Jing stared at Hua Kai with wide eyes in surprise: "Really? Come inside and tell me."
As she spoke, she wiped her hands, took Hua Kai's hand, and led her into the house. The adults weren't home, so it was just the two of them, and they were quite relaxed.
Hua Kai sat down on the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed), briefly recounted yesterday's events to Li Jing, and then said with a smile, "How was that? Impressive, right?"
Li Jing nodded repeatedly: "Amazing, Huakai, you're really not the same Huakai you used to be. You used to always say you'd come to me if you needed anything, but now I feel like if I need something, I'll have to go to you for advice."
Hua Kai smiled and patted Li Jing on the shoulder: "Okay, come to me if you need anything." After saying that, she added: "Li Jing, I'm going to high school. I'll be leaving in a day or two. If you can, talk to Feng Gu about repeating a year and taking the exam for a teacher's college or a nursing school or something."
After listening to Hua Kai's words, Li Jing remained silent for a moment before saying, "Hua Kai, you know I'm not good at studying. Even if I retake the exam, I might not get in. The scores for teacher's college and nursing school aren't low either, so I'm not very confident. These past few days, my family has started arranging for me to meet potential partners, so I probably won't be able to go to school."
Hua Kai also heard that teacher training colleges and vocational schools were popular places in this era because students could take the entrance exams in middle school and start working earlier. In fact, they were more sought after than high school students, even though the required scores were not as high as in high school, the competition was much fiercer.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
