Chapter 217 Dong Xiangxiang's Scheme
The family was having a great time discussing things, but Dong Xiangxiang, holding her child, was listening from the side and seemed a little confused.
The Ren family has an older brother?
How come she's never heard of it before?
This means that the elder brother-in-law went to the countryside a long time ago.
Dong Xiangxiang found it strange that her family treated her this way.
From what she observed after marrying into the Ren family, regardless of the Ren family members' character, they got along very well, without the usual disputes between brothers in ordinary families.
So that's why they treat the older brother above them so differently?
Dong Xiangxiang's eyes flickered.
After the two returned to their room, Dong Xiangxiang put her son to sleep and then tentatively asked Ren Yongsheng, "Yongsheng, you have an older brother, right? I thought it was just you and Yongchao in the family."
"Why does Mom seem to dislike my older brother?"
Ren Yongsheng, who had been sitting on the stool with his legs crossed, paused upon hearing this and replied dismissively, "He's been in the countryside for so many years and can't go back to the city. What's there to mention?"
In fact, ever since Ren Xiaosheng went to the countryside, his family has tacitly acted as if he didn't exist.
He also doesn't like to mention Ren Xiaosheng.
As for the second question, he simply ignored it.
Who in the family likes the eldest brother? Haha.
Dong Xiangxiang glanced at his expression and had a pretty good idea of what was going on.
It seems there's not much feeling involved.
She continued, "So, will your older brother go back to the countryside this time he returns to the city?"
They won't be staying here long, will they?
Dong Xiangxiang secretly didn't want to see this happen.
To everyone's surprise, Ren Yongsheng disagreed, saying, "Where else can he go if he doesn't go back to the countryside? The countryside is his home!"
Once you go to the countryside, you become a country person.
“There’s no place for him in our house.”
Dong Xiangxiang was secretly delighted, but still asked in a low voice, "Did Big Brother really sneak back?"
Ren Yongsheng was very certain:
"Otherwise, I heard that it's very difficult for those educated youth who went to the countryside to get leave. And it's not a holiday or anything, so what else could he be but someone who sneaked back?"
Dong Xiangxiang hesitated for a moment.
Although both old men said that Ren Xiaosheng had run away and returned, Dong Xiangxiang didn't seem to think so.
Who would dare to sneak back and show up in the courtyard so openly? Aren't they afraid someone will report them to the educated youth office?
This person doesn't sound like a stupid person.
Dong Xiangxiang guessed that Ren Xiaosheng was probably back to visit relatives or something, and would take the opportunity to stay in the city.
Dong Xiangxiang shared this guess with Ren Yongsheng.
To her surprise, Ren Yongsheng was even more excited than she was, exclaiming, "What?!"
"Does he really want to go back to the city?"
"Pah! He doesn't even know if he's worthy. Where would his family get the money to buy him a job? There's nowhere for him to sleep. What kind of city is he going back to!"
Who can argue with that?
Dong Xiangxiang also didn't want her brother-in-law to stay.
Putting aside the immediate issue, my younger brother is staying in Yongchao's room. When his elder brother comes back, he can't very well let him sleep in the living room while his younger brother sleeps in the room, can he? But if Ren Xiaosheng sleeps in Yongchao's room, then my younger brother will soon have to sleep in the main room, won't he?
Sleeping on a cold, hard door panel in the main room during the dead of winter, Dong Xiangxiang felt sorry for her younger brother and couldn't bear to do it.
Looking at the long term, it was originally thought that the Ren family only had two sons, and Ren Yongsheng would take the lion's share of the family fortune. Ren Yongchao could just be given a small portion as a bribe, and the majority of the assets would be in their own hands. Her sons would not have to worry about the future.
But now another big brother suddenly appears, and not only do we have to spend money to buy a job, but in the future, there is a high probability that we will have to share the house and money with them. Who would be happy about that?
Although the two old folks are afraid of being implicated and are rushing people to the countryside without letting them in the door when they return, if the person were to actually stay properly, there's no guarantee they wouldn't help him out if he were to suffer in the future.
This is absolutely unacceptable!
Dong Xiangxiang has endured humiliation and hardship in the Ren family for so long, all for the sake of the Ren family's wealth. She has long regarded the Ren family's things as her own, so how could she allow a sudden outsider to take a share of the pie?
Therefore, Ren Xiaosheng had to be sent back to the countryside.
A calculating glint flashed in Dong Xiangxiang's eyes.
As she patted her son to sleep, she said with concern, "Your older brother doesn't look young anymore."
"I wonder if he's settled down in the countryside yet?"
"Logically speaking, the children should be quite grown up by now."
"Won't his sister-in-law and nephews and nieces in the countryside worry about him coming to the city all by himself?"
"If my brother stays in the city, how will my sister-in-law manage to raise the child alone in the countryside?"
His words sounded both dignified and sincere.
Anyone who didn't know better would think she was genuinely worried about her "sister-in-law" and "nephew" from the countryside.
But when Ren Yongsheng heard her words, his eyes lit up instantly.
He was just wondering how to persuade Ren Xiaosheng to go back with a legitimate reason!
If he didn't sneak away but took leave to return to the city, then the previous approach won't work.
Dong Xiangxiang's words really struck a chord with him!
Ren Yongsheng stood up, speaking with righteous indignation, "That's right! Our family can't have a heartless man who abandons his wife and children! He must go back!"
"I have to stop my eldest brother's selfish and irresponsible behavior on behalf of our family!"
-----------------
On the other hand, Yu Junsheng personally cooked dinner for the Yu family.
Cheng Jiajia thought that since this person and Ren Xiaosheng hadn't seen each other for so long, they must have a lot to talk about. She decided to cook for them and let them chat, but Yu Junsheng refused.
She also said that when Ren Xiaosheng was a child, he often helped his mother cook and ate a lot of food himself. Now it's time for Ren Xiaosheng to taste her cooking skills.
The two of them were left both amused and exasperated.
Finally, Yu Junsheng cooked, Cheng Jiajia assisted him, and Ren Xiaosheng moved a stool to sit in the kitchen and chatted with the two of them.
The two men hadn't seen each other for ten years and had a lot to talk about. Cheng Jiajia listened quietly and rarely interrupted.
This is Yu Junsheng's past, one in which she was not a part.
When the topic turned to Ren Xiaosheng's personal life, Yu Junsheng asked him, "Brother Xiaosheng, you're not getting any younger. Didn't you think about finding someone while you were over there?"
Ren Xiaosheng shook his head honestly, "Really not."
Yu Junsheng didn't believe it, and winked, "Isn't there a single one you like?"
With his brother Xiaosheng's background, although his family was a bit poor, he was a reliable and hardworking person, so his future was bright. He didn't believe that no woman was interested in him.
It can only be that he doesn't want to.
Cheng Jiajia also looked over curiously.
To be honest, Ren Xiaoshou is quite good-looking, with thick eyebrows, big eyes, and a high nose bridge. He has a rugged handsomeness and is also tall, so he should be quite popular with women.
Ren Xiaosheng gave a wry smile, "My future is uncertain, how could I dare to delay that female comrade?"
He genuinely had no interest in such things. During the first few years after he went to the countryside, all he could think about was how to fill his stomach; he had no time for such romantic thoughts.
Things have gotten a bit better in recent years; I can eat my fill now, but I'm still poor. I also have things I want to do more, so I'm always on the go and never settling down. I shouldn't hold back the woman's time.
However, seeing the warm interaction between Yu Junsheng and his wife and the love in their eyes when they looked at each other, he did feel a little envious.
Perhaps it's time for him to find a partner?
Having your own little home is quite nice.
After hearing his explanation, Yu Junsheng felt uneasy and indignant.
"It's all the Ren family's fault!"
"You clearly said you were about to find a job that year, so how come you signed up to go to the countryside so suddenly?"
"Was it that old bastard Ren Wenhua who forced you?"
If he had stayed in the city, how could Brother Xiaosheng have suffered so much?
Ren Xiaosheng smiled and said, "It's all in the past now, there's no point in dwelling on it."
Yu Junsheng narrowed his eyes, "It really is that old bastard Ren Wenhua!"
Ren Xiaosheng said earnestly, "Junsheng, don't feel sorry for me. Even if I had stayed in the city back then, I might not be doing any better than I am now."
During his years in the countryside, he experienced a lot, met many people, and received a lot of help. He has become more accepting of some of the things he couldn't have when he was young.
If she stayed in the city, it would be easier for Guan Ailian to control her and make her work like a slave for her two younger brothers.
Perhaps I would still be trapped in those illusory things, and certainly wouldn't have the open-mindedness I have now.
One sentence from him left Yu Junsheng speechless.
In the end, it all comes down to the Ren family, those inhuman bastards.
Yes, Brother Xiaosheng is doing quite well in the countryside now.
But if it weren't for that family, Xiaosheng would definitely have had a bright future if he had stayed in the city.
He had such good grades back then.
The meal was ready quickly.
Because the previous conversation had been a bit heavy, the three people at the dinner table were very quiet, with only the young couple occasionally urging each other to eat more.
...
After the meal, Cheng Jiajia washed the dishes, and Yu Junsheng arranged a place for Ren Xiaosheng to stay.
The Yu family originally had an empty room, which was the room Yu Junsheng lived in before he got married. It was fully furnished and could be moved into after some tidying up.
Ren Xiaosheng is perfectly suited to live here.
Yu Junsheng took out the bedding and quilt he had slept in before his marriage and carefully spread them on the bed.
Ren Xiaosheng wanted to help, but Yu Junsheng rejected him.
Ren Xiaosheng fell silent, thinking about how he had been crammed onto the train for a day and a night, and how his clothes were practically crumpled into a mushy mess. He felt disgusted with himself.
After making the bed, Yu Junsheng patted Ren Xiaosheng on the shoulder.
"Brother Xiaosheng, you're familiar with my home, so feel free to stay here."
"There's a shower room next to the kitchen. I'll boil water for you to take a bath after my wife finishes washing the dishes. You must be very tired after such a long train ride. You should get some rest."
Ren Xiaosheng looked at Yu Junsheng, who was treating him so well, and felt very moved.
The little boy who used to follow me around has really grown up.
Just as I was about to say something, Ren Yongsheng's shout came from outside.
Ren Xiaosheng frowned, knowing that trouble was brewing again.
Yu Junsheng said with disdain, "What are you doing here again? When will this end?"
"Brother Xiaosheng, just ignore it."
Ren Xiaosheng's face was sullen.
"Junsheng, I have to go out. It's not good to keep hiding."
Even if there is something wrong, it should be made clear.
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The meeting between Ren Yongsheng and Ren Xiaosheng did not present the heartwarming scene one might expect.
In other words, the two of them never had any real brotherly affection since childhood.
Only Ren Yongsheng and Guan Ailian followed suit, bullying and ordering Ren Xiaosheng around.
At a young age, he made a mistake and blamed it on Ren Xiaosheng, causing him to be severely beaten by Guan Ailian.
He made Ren Xiaosheng lie on the ground and let Guan Ailian ride him like a horse. When Ren Xiaosheng refused, he complained, and as a result, Ren Xiaosheng was severely beaten by Guan Ailian.
There were many other similar incidents, such as splashing water on Ren Xiaosheng's bed and throwing insects into his rice bowl.
Ren Xiaosheng stared coldly at Ren Yongsheng across from him. Some unpleasant memories from their childhood flashed through his mind, making the atmosphere around him even more tense.
He cut to the chase, speaking in a cold voice.
"Speak, what is it?"
He knew his good second brother's personality quite well. He wouldn't come to him without a reason. He wouldn't be so presumptuous as to think that Ren Yongsheng had come to visit his older brother who had been away from home for many years.
Most likely, they were afraid of being implicated and were "ordered" to come and tell him to hurry back to the countryside.
Ren Yongsheng stared at Ren Xiaosheng for a long time with a complicated expression.
Only after he frowned did Ren Yongsheng say sourly:
"Everyone says life in the countryside is tough, but I see you're living quite comfortably."
Back then, Ren Xiaosheng was always skinny at home, but he grew up to be strong and muscular in the countryside.
Look at those arms, look at those legs.
He was even stronger than me.
Ren Yongsheng felt extremely uncomfortable.
Ren Xiaosheng knew his second brother well enough to tell what he was thinking just by listening to him.
The current mockery goes, "How can we compare to my second brother who lives a life of luxury in the city? We country folk can barely make ends meet all year round, and we can't even afford to make a new piece of clothing."
"If you're really envious, second brother, how about we switch places? I'll stay in the city and be a movie projectionist, and you can go to the countryside to farm?"
Ren Yongsheng instinctively refused, "I'm not stupid, I'm not going to be a peasant!"
Seeing Ren Xiaosheng staring at him with a half-smile, he realized what was going on and quickly chuckled awkwardly, "Brother, that's not what I meant. I just spoke too quickly... I didn't mean anything else."
Ren Xiaosheng ignored him; he knew this man's character very well.
Ren Yongsheng's gaze fell on his patched and faded shirt, and he felt much better.
That's more like it. When you go to the countryside, you should act like you're going to the countryside. How can you expect to live a good life?
"Hehe, otherwise everyone would envy the workers!" Ren Yongsheng said with a hint of pride.
Ren Xiaosheng remained silent.
Ren Yongsheng thought he was ashamed of self-harm.
Thinking about how easy my job is and how I never have to worry about money every month, I felt incredibly comfortable, like drinking ice-cold soda on a hot summer day.
Whether as a child or as an adult, Ren Xiaosheng can never surpass himself.
Feeling relieved, Ren Yongsheng then put on a "I'm doing this for your own good" expression and began to speak earnestly:
"Brother, you've been living in the countryside for so many years, you must not be used to city life anymore. You should go back soon."
“You sneaked over here so rashly, your sister-in-law and nephews back in the countryside must be worried sick. They might even think you abandoned them and ran away. Brother, I’m not trying to criticize you, but how can you be so unreliable at your age?”
"Where did you put your luggage? Hurry up, I'll help you carry it. You should buy a train ticket and go back home so your sister-in-law won't worry too much at home."
Ren Yongsheng went to find Ren Xiaosheng's luggage while impatiently urging him on.
Ren Xiaosheng dodged his hand and moved the tape precisely to block Ren Yongsheng's body from squeezing through the door.
"Second brother, whether I go back to the city or not is none of your business, is it?"
Ren Xiaosheng smiled enigmatically, "What sister-in-law and nephew? Could it be that I'm really not my mother's biological son, and you have an older brother who married his sister-in-law and had a nephew?"
Ren Yongsheng's eyes flickered.
"This, this, this, what do you mean by 'brother' or 'older brother'? You are our older brother. It's a misunderstanding, a misunderstanding. It's all a misunderstanding on our part."
Ren Xiaosheng narrowed his eyes slightly, something flashing through his mind, but he couldn't quite grasp it.
"Also, who told you I snuck back to the city? How come I didn't know that?"
Ren Xiaosheng slowly took out a piece of paper from his pocket and waved it in front of Ren Yongsheng.
Ren Yongsheng was dumbfounded on the spot.
...
The two brothers are facing off on one side, while the couple on the other side is also facing off on the other.
The atmosphere in the park was tense.
Bai Xiaohui and Qi Baifan glared at each other, neither willing to give in.
Dong Xiaodi cowered behind Bai Xiaohui, afraid of being caught in the crossfire of her anger.
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