While kneading the dough, Xu Guiying was distracted.
Grandma Song found it strange; her eldest daughter-in-law was usually the most efficient at work, and rarely acted like this.
"Guiying, what's wrong?"
Xu Guiying: "It's nothing, I was just wondering when Dad and the others will come back."
"I estimate around two or three o'clock."
Xu Guiying thought of Jiang Hong.
Jiang Hong was the wife that Lao San married in his previous life. She was from Lianshangou. She was two years younger than Lao San and had been working in the city since she was a teenager. She would only occasionally return to Lianshangou.
According to Lao San, the two met at a movie theater in the city. Later, he found out that Jiang Hong was actually from Lianshangou, which made him feel even closer to her. Jiang Hong was sweet-talking and beautiful, and Lao San was following her around for only a few days.
Xu Guiying recalled that the two met around the turn of the new year...
The two started dating not long after they met, but when Lao San's gambling debts were exposed, Jiang Hong broke up with him. It was better that they broke up so as not to delay the girl's life.
Later, Song Xinfu and his wife sold their house and their jobs to pay off their third son's medical bills. After their son recovered, the couple also paid off all their gambling debts.
At this moment, Jiang Hong appeared. Jiang Hong said she was willing to marry Lao San, but she wanted a dowry of two thousand yuan, otherwise she would not marry him.
The third son was head over heels in love with Jiang Hong. However, he had a gambling history, so no other girl was willing to marry him. The elderly couple had no choice but to work odd jobs and borrow money to raise enough for the bride price before they were able to get married.
Because of the bride price issue, Liu Aimei and Zhang Qingli were very dissatisfied with Xu Guiying, feeling that Xu Guiying was biased.
That's a real two thousand!
After losing their house, the children all rented their own places or lived in houses allocated by their work units, leaving only the elderly couple living in a shanty near the garbage dump, while also taking care of Ruyu, who has cerebral palsy.
The third son and his wife only visit the elderly couple once every few months, and they never give them money. Every time, they also take chickens, ducks, and vegetables they grow from the elderly couple.
Xu Guiying shook her head.
In any case, all she could do for her third son in this life was to prevent him from going down the path of gambling. As his parents, they had already done their best.
After having dumplings for lunch, the old man returned with his third son at 2:30 pm.
The third son has a good-looking face. He used to be a bit chubby, but after working in the countryside for half a month, he lost weight and became more energetic.
The old man walked ahead with an imposing air.
The third brother carried two hoes, working even slower than someone who was just dawdling at work.
"Mom and Dad? You're here?" The third son still wanted to go back to the city. When he saw Xu Guiying and her husband, his eyes lit up like a dog seeing a meat bun.
Xu Guiying glanced at him expressionlessly and continued sweeping the courtyard for Grandma Song.
The old man went to the kitchen and ate a few leftover dumplings before coming out to talk to his eldest son and daughter-in-law.
"These past few days, Lao San has helped Wang Er Gou a lot, plowing the land and removing weeds."
Song Anmin looked utterly defeated.
That's because Grandpa forced me to do it; if I didn't work, I'd get a spanking.
People will laugh at me if they find out, who at their age still wants to get spanked?!
Song Xinfu noticed that the third brother had changed somewhat; at least he wasn't as glib or arrogant as before.
It was impossible for Song Anmin to plead with Song Xinfu, so he went to Xu Guiying.
"Mom, I have something to do in a few days, I need to go back to the city."
Xu Guiying's face turned cold, and she picked up a broom and started hitting Song Anmin.
"What are you going back to the city for? Still not giving up? I think two months here isn't enough for you, you'll stay for a year before going back!"
Song Anmin's eyes widened in horror.
"Mom, this is no joke. How can I stay here for a year!"
Xu Guiying narrowed her eyes, "What are you going back to the city for?"
Song Anmin touched his nose. "I haven't seen my older brothers in a long time."
Xu Guiying rolled her eyes. "Even a dog wouldn't believe that."
With no hope of escaping, Song Anmin sat dejectedly under the eaves. The old man then sent him to catch fish in the pond. He was to cook dinner early so that Da Gouzi and his wife could return to the city after they finished eating.
Xu Guiying and her husband didn't leave until 6 p.m.
The old man stroked his chin. "Every time the eldest son comes back, he never sees the second son. Next time, I'll call the second son back to join us."
That night, Song Anmin lay in bed.
The old man came in.
"Sir, what's wrong?"
Old Master Song squinted at him, "Third Brother, that girl wasn't good enough for me today, so don't get any funny ideas, you hear me?"
Song Anmin's face turned a deep shade of red. "Sir! What are you saying? I don't understand!"
Grandpa Song picked up a thin stick from the wall and struck the third son's leg.
"Let me tell you straight, that girl is no good. If you don't listen to me, you'll be stuck in the countryside for five years. Your parents' pleas won't help!"
Song Anmin had only met that person once, hadn't even had a chance to speak to him, and didn't even know his name.
"Sir, how did you know?"
Old Master Song sneered, "Go eat shit, I can tell whether you like sweet or sour."
Song Anmin: "………………"
Grandpa is so vulgar.
Grandpa Song stared at his third son earnestly, gave him another set of instructions, and then pushed open the door to leave.
That was the youngest daughter of the Jiang family. Old Master Song could tell from her face that she was excessively shrewd, just like the wife that little beast Song Guomin married.
-
It was already nine o'clock when Xu Guiying and her husband returned to Heping Lane, and Liu Aimei's crying could be heard again from their eldest son's house.
The couple walked by expressionlessly, and when they got home, they ran into their fifth brother, who was wearing a vest and shorts, coming out of the bathroom.
Song Jianmin: "…………"
These past few times, Song Jianmin had been sleeping secretly at home, not daring to let his parents know. This time, when they met face to face, the fifth son was very flustered.
"Dad, Mom..."
Xu Guiying frowned: "Put on your clothes and get out of here."
"Mom~~~"
Xu Guiying glared at the fifth brother, "Stop grinning at me, change your clothes and leave right now. If you don't leave, your second brother will roll with you."
Don't think she doesn't know who let Lao Wu in.
The second brother, who was eavesdropping inside the house: "..."
Song Yangmin was caught in a dilemma: whether to come out or not. So he simply stayed inside and pretended to be dead.
Song Jianmin went back into the house looking half-dead, silently put on his clothes, and left the Song family under the watchful eyes of his parents.
After leaving home, Song Jianmin touched his face.
His face was covered in tears.
Song Jianmin sat down outside the gate of the Song family's house.
At ten o'clock, he threw a small stone into the window of the three brothers' house.
Soon, the door opened.
Song Yangmin warned the fifth brother, "This is the last time."
Song Jianmin nodded to indicate that he understood. He took off his shoes, went into the house barefoot, and lay down on his bed.
Song Jianmin decided to hold back something big tomorrow.
He's been living away from home for almost a month now. At first, he wanted to spite his parents, but now he really wants to go home.
Home is so nice, all my brothers and sisters are here.
The dormitory was noisy and chaotic, and some people were even playing cards.
That night, the Song family members all went to sleep with their own thoughts on their minds.
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