Grandma Xu has a good temperament, doesn't she?
When she first married into the family, she didn't dare to get angry and kept suppressing herself. After a long period of pent-up emotions, she finally snapped at Grandpa Xu one day. Grandpa Xu then tried to appease her and explained the whole story clearly.
Grandpa Xu had spoken to Grandma Chen about this more than once in private, but Grandma Chen just wouldn't listen and would do things her own way. If anyone tried to talk to her about it, she would say that Grandpa Xu was her brother and that she should pay more attention to what her brother's family was doing wrong.
It's common knowledge that the Xu family and the Chen family have a history. The two were raised together since childhood and are not much different from siblings. However, it is also an indisputable fact that they were betrothed as children.
Aside from Old Master Xu, the rest of the Xu family felt uneasy and thought it was extremely disrespectful to Old Madam Xu. However, Old Madam Xu couldn't act like other rural women who would throw tantrums and curse in the street. She didn't want outsiders to see her family in such a mess, so if she was really uncomfortable, she would just vent her anger on Old Master Xu and that would be the end of it.
Grandpa Xu is quite an interesting character. Every time Grandma Xu takes her anger out on him, he's quite amused. Over time, it's become a habit and even a source of amusement.
Anyway, there's no way I can change this situation for the rest of my life.
It would be abnormal if Old Mrs. Chen stopped peeking over the Xu family's wall one day.
When Xu Xinning and Xu Mingyang arrived home, the food was almost ready. Farmers don't have many fancy dishes. Besides the rooster that had been killed that morning, they also cooked a large plate of hot and sour shredded potatoes, stir-fried eggs with chives, garlic-flavored greens, cold spinach salad, and a large bowl of sauerkraut stew with glass noodles.
Such dishes were already considered exceptional in the 1970s, and they certainly achieved a connection between the north and south.
In addition, thinking that the men might want a sip, Mrs. Xu stir-fried some soybeans to go with the wine.
The liquor is sweet potato liquor, homemade. Grain is precious at home, so we didn't make much. We just made a little to satisfy our cravings, and it's nice to have some when guests come over.
Seeing Xu Xinning and Xu Mingyang enter, Grandma Xu asked, "Why aren't your mother and the others here yet? It won't be good if the food gets cold."
Xu Xinning: "We're coming right away. My uncle and I just came back from the village committee."
Wang Ying: "Auntie, I'm going back now. You guys keep busy."
Grandma Xu: "Why go back? We'll eat here. How can we let you go without eating after working all day?"
Xu Xinning: "Yes, Auntie, if you go back, my mom will definitely scold you when she gets back."
Grandma Xu: "That's right. We don't usually stand on ceremony with you, so don't be so formal. If your wife says anything to you, I'll beat her with a big broom."
Xu Xinning laughed: "Grandma, be careful, Aunt Chen is eavesdropping on our wall."
Grandma Xu: "When has she ever missed a day of lying down?"
Xu Mingyang couldn't help but laugh out loud when he heard this.
Wang Ying also found it funny and laughed along.
Grandma Xu couldn't help but laugh at their laughter.
The thought of Old Mrs. Chen, who loves to climb over the wall of the Xu family's house, is both infuriating and hilarious.
As the group was talking, they heard Old Mrs. Chen's loud voice.
Old Mrs. Chen: "Sister-in-law, what are we having for dinner today? I can smell meat. Sister-in-law, I have to tell you something. My brother and Yaozu are good at making money, but they can't keep up with your spending! They say you should marry a virtuous wife. I always thought you weren't a good match for my brother. You're so unhelpful. We've been neighbors for so many years and you're never friendly. You never share your food with us. My brother is so pitiful."
Old Mrs. Chen is holding a grudge!
Wang Ying felt extremely embarrassed. Wasn't her mother-in-law blatantly complaining that the Xu family wasn't sending food to the Chen family?
Wang Ying didn't know where her mother-in-law got the nerve to say such a thing. She had never seen Old Mrs. Chen give away her own things.
Grandma Chen is actually a Pixiu, which only takes in and never gives out.
Since returning from military service with Chen Ping, she has been subjected to a lot of torment from Old Mrs. Chen.
She had a good relationship with the Xu family and often visited them, which made her the target of much sarcastic remarks from Old Mrs. Chen.
However, Wang Ying is a very principled person. Although she looks gentle and refined, she can be quite resourceful when Old Madam Chen really wants to torment her.
Grandpa Xu had been bragging to people in the village all morning and had received compliments from other old men and women. He was in high spirits on the way back, humming an unknown tune with his hands behind his back and walking with a swagger, very leisurely.
The strong aroma of pickled cabbage could be smelled from a great distance.
Grandpa Xu was all smiles. He also loved the pickled cabbage that Wang Ying made; it was very appetizing.
As soon as he stepped into the courtyard, he heard Old Mrs. Chen's remarks. Old Mr. Xu habitually touched his ears, thinking that his two old friends were going to suffer again today.
He found it strange. This Chen girl was so cute when she was little. She would follow him around every day, calling him "brother" in a soft and sweet voice. She would always think of him when she had something delicious or fun. How come she became more and more unruly as she grew up?
If the old woman hadn't entrusted her to him on her deathbed, he really wouldn't have wanted to take care of her.
It's all because that son-in-law couldn't stand up for himself!
Old Master Xu secretly rejoiced many times that he had married his wife. What a wonderful temperament she had! And she was beautiful too. When they were young, he felt that no young woman in the surrounding villages could compare to his wife.
Grandpa Xu: "What are you babbling about again, leaning against the wall? You're so old, can't you do something productive? Stop meddling in things you shouldn't be meddling in all day long."
Grandma Chen: "Brother, I don't like hearing you say that. You're my brother, and I'm only thinking of you. You're not young anymore, and you're still working hard every day to make a living, while your wife is so extravagant. Brother, I'm worried about you, you know?"
Grandpa Xu: "Mind your own business first. Your husband is unfortunate to have you. He works himself to the bone every day, until he can barely stand up straight. And you, instead of caring about your own husband, are meddling in my family's affairs. Your sister-in-law is nothing like you. She manages the household very well. Go and cook. What kind of behavior is it of you to be clinging to my wall all day? You won't get to eat my food no matter how long you keep doing that."
Grandma Chen: "Brother, why are you like this? I used to give you lots of good food when you were little. Why are you so stingy? Is it because your wife won't let you give me food? You married a stingy wife and the whole family is stingy."
Grandpa Xu: "Is your husband starving you? Don't embarrass him. Go and cook. You're so old, don't you even know who you are?"
Grandma Chen muttered unhappily, "They told my mother and father they would take care of me, but when they stewed chicken at home, they didn't even share a bowl with my family. They're all liars."
Grandpa Xu did hear what Grandma Chen said. He snorted and thought, "So she's eyeing our chicken soup. If she wants some, why doesn't she just kill one herself?"
Chen Ping drives a car at the supply and marketing cooperative, and Wang Ying is a teacher. The son-in-law is also a rare hard worker, so the Chen family is living a comfortable life!
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