About ten minutes later, the old man of the Tao family led his son, daughter-in-law and grandson into the house. Just then, the food was served on the table in the yard, and the old lady quickly greeted them.
"You've come at the perfect time. The food is ready. Go wash up and we'll eat."
Cuihua, carrying a small bottle of wine, greeted the Tao family. Zhaodi, who had set out stools, also stood up awkwardly and greeted them. Pandi, after cleaning the kitchen, also came out. Seeing them like this, Zhao Lingli quickly spoke up to comfort them.
"Don't be so nervous, they're all easy to get along with. Tao Zui, this is your sister Cuihua, and Zhao Di and Pan Di. They ran into some trouble and are staying at our house for the time being," but he didn't mention the relationship between Cuihua and Xiao Jiu, which made Cuihua breathe a sigh of relief.
I actually met the four boys of the Tao family last night, but it was already dark then, so I didn't get a good look at them. Today, seeing the three girls standing in front of me, all clean and tidy, I politely greeted them.
After everyone washed up, the elders sat at the stone table, and the younger generation sat at the wooden table.
Cuihua, holding the small wine bottle, said, "You guys eat first, I'll feed her."
Xiao Jiu has been having a good time these past few days because there are more people around, and more people are holding her. Although it's not very comfortable to be held in this hot weather, at least she doesn't have to lie there like a dry corpse anymore. Lying down for too long is also very uncomfortable. Plus, being held upright allows her to enjoy the scenery.
Her vision is still not very clear, but at least she can make out outlines, which is similar to being nearsighted by 400 or 500 degrees.
Because she can see the general outline, she can also distinguish who is who in the family. In the past few months, she has increasingly felt that the babies lying flat are not as happy as she imagined. Not only do they have no human rights, but their freedom is also restricted, and they have no right to speak.
She didn't know how to explain the matter concerning her older sisters and the Tao family, but she could tell from this incident that Zhao Lingli was a kind and generous woman.
The fact that she accepted them proves that she is rich in spirit, not petty, and not worried about the trouble that taking them in might bring her.
She understood her parents' character from the day she was born. While she was glad that she was given away, she felt even more sorry for her other sisters.
Sure enough, when the three Tang sisters returned the sack of money after the meal, Zhao Lingli was still stunned.
"What are you doing? There's no reason to ask for money back once it's been given away."
“Auntie, don’t overthink it. Actually, my sister and I think it’s a hassle to keep this money in our house. You know our family’s situation. Rather than giving it to us, it’s better for you to keep it. At least it won’t fall into the hands of outsiders. If it’s in our house, none of us will get to spend it. It will either be used to support my uncle’s family or my maternal uncle’s family. So why would I take it back? It’s better to keep it with you for my sister to spend. Anyway, you gave us the money because of her. Now the three of us are living here, eating and sleeping at your expense, and we feel a bit embarrassed. After thinking it over, I still think we can’t take the money back.”
When Zhao Lingli refused, an old lady who was playing with a small bottle of wine on a nearby recliner suddenly said something.
"It's really troublesome for you to leave this money to them. Take it, it's the child's good intention. Logically speaking, an old woman like me shouldn't meddle in other people's affairs, but your parents are really shameless. Here's what we'll do, Cuihua, the three of you can stay and help me take care of the house. You can also sell some wine. It's inconvenient for you to go to the fields, and you're easily recognized. So help us take care of the house. It's better than going home and being tormented by your parents. You should teach them a lesson. You have to be firm and make them suffer a bit. You can't spoil people. The more you spoil them, the less they know their own limitations."
Cuihua's eyes lit up: "Grandma, what you said really hit the nail on the head. That's exactly what we think. Over the years, with the three of us working, my dad has become completely useless. No, he's only useless in our family. But when he goes to other people's homes, he works harder than anyone else. Even if they don't provide him with a single meal, he still tries to get close to them. He's more affectionate towards his nephew than his daughter. I don't understand. I really don't understand what I did to offend him that makes him hate us so much."
"To tell you the truth, don't be sad. Daughters and sons are naturally different. His bloodline will not be broken because of you, but the incense will be cut off. No one will kowtow and offer incense to him anymore. It's okay while you are alive. Your children may burn incense and kowtow after you pass away. But what about your children's children? Will they still go? They definitely won't. Maybe your children will only think about it for a few years after you pass away. They will never go again after that. Because in the seven or eight years after a person dies, everything disappears and is forgotten. That's why so many people desperately try to have sons."
“In my old woman’s opinion, a daughter’s child should theoretically be closer to the family than a daughter-in-law’s child, and the bloodline should be purer, right? But a daughter-in-law’s child is not just about the inheritance of the surname. There’s also the tradition of paying respects and offering incense on holidays, birthdays, and death anniversaries. They can even be listed in the family genealogy. If a daughter’s child doesn’t have the same surname, that’s one thing, but as I just said, the family line will be broken. So what’s the difference between a son and a daughter? That’s the biggest difference, and the most heartbreaking fact. You can’t deny it.”
"Your father is obsessed with being good to your cousins, but it's only because they share the same surname. He just wants to be good to them, even if it means burning some paper money for them in the future. That's better than having daughters and grandchildren who have married out of the family. Do you understand?"
With red eyes, Cuihua replied, "I understand the reasoning, but I still can't swallow this. They are clearly my own parents, but they don't care about us. They only think about their own things. And my mother, she takes everything she has to her parents' house. Otherwise, my grandma would hate her the most. We're always on guard against her. She doesn't let my father put things out in the open and insists on giving them to my grandma. It's just that my mother can't keep things in her hands. What can I do with parents like that? And my sisters, only Xiao Jiu is doing well. The others are just like the three of us, living like slaves. They have endless chores to do and endless beatings every day."
After saying all that, the three sisters were so aggrieved that tears streamed down their faces. As women, Grandma Tao and Zhao Lingli were also heartbroken. Even Xiao Jiu's eyes were filled with tears. She didn't know why she was crying. Perhaps it was because she felt sad for having such pitiful, infuriating, and hateful parents.
Zhao Lingli couldn't help but comfort them, "You two stay here for now and help me take care of things at home. As for your parents, I'll have someone inquire about them and let you know as soon as possible. If they show any signs of changing, you can go back. If they remain incorrigible, it's fine if you don't go back!"
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