Chapter 118 Chapter 118 Xiao Dashi returns to the village with 35,000 troops...
Xiao Erlang bore some resemblance to Bai Shi, being short and rather thin. He read Xiao Dashi's expression as he spoke. Yu An was not a big man to begin with, and the house he had bought was not far from the Xiao residence. Since the family didn't have a carriage, they had rented the one that had brought Xiao Dashi back. Both carriages at the Dingyuan Marquis's residence were in use. Lin Qiuran needed to go out, and Tangyuan had to go to school. Renting a car was convenient and inexpensive.
Xiao Dashi moved the luggage using a cart that had not been used for a long time.
There was dust and it kept making noises.
The family actually had a donkey cart, but Xiao Dashi had let the people at the old house use it a few times, and it wasn't in the Xiao family anymore. Lin Ming planned to find a way to get it back, but since there were so many people there, he wasn't sure if it would work.
Xiao Dashi walked silently with his head down. Seeing that Xiao Dashi didn't say anything, Xiao Erlang didn't force him to promise anything. He thought that if he talked more, he would listen to him sooner or later.
Xiao Xun was an official, so it would be nice if he could also hold a position. Besides, Xiao Xun and his family were not in Yu'an, and the restaurant was so big, there was no telling how much money it made. If he could be paid ten or twenty taels a month, that would be quite good.
When one person succeeds, everyone around him prospers. This saying has never been experienced in the Xiao family. If it weren't for the past, after so many years, is it still impossible to get over it?
Xiao Dashi was in a complicated mood. He was already back, so what else could he say? Thinking about it, he also felt that what Xiao Erlang said made sense. They were all family, so why did they have to be so estranged? Sun was too unkind.
But now that he'd been sent back, how could he possibly tell Xiao Xun and Lin Qiuran to ask his nephew to help? Besides, the restaurant's name was Lin Qiuran's, and it had nothing to do with him. Even if he took someone to the restaurant and asked Manager Shi to find a job, Manager Shi wouldn't agree and would definitely tell him to write a letter to Lin Qiuran.
Manager Shi is very smart and I don’t know whether he is greedy for the money from the restaurant.
Xiao Dashi sighed. What was he even thinking about? Greed had nothing to do with him. He didn't need his family, so he trusted an outsider.
He said, "Let's talk about this later. Let's go back first. I'm almost starving to death."
Xiao Erlang smiled and said, "Today, my mother and second aunt cooked all the dishes that uncle likes to eat, and also bought some wine. He must be very tired after the journey. Uncle, you should have a good sleep after eating."
Xiao Dashi nodded, thinking that this was more appropriate. His nephew was very filial and obedient to him, always thinking of him, and was always a guest of honor when he returned home. But when he went to the capital, no one took him seriously.
Arriving home, Xiao Dashi could smell the aroma of rice as soon as he entered the yard. Mrs. Li was busy in the kitchen. When she saw Xiao Dashi coming, she enthusiastically said, "Brother, you are here. Come in and sit down."
Little Li also had a smile on her face, "Big brother is back, you must be exhausted."
Then she shouted into the house, "Mom, big brother is here. You've been talking about him all these days. Now he's back. Why don't you go and see him?"
Little Li looked at the cart of things at the back and thought that it was a good trip this time as she could get so many things.
Bai's voice came from the room, "Dashi, you're back!"
Xiao Dashi smiled at the two of them and hurried into the house. There were many people in the house, including Bai, the third and fourth children, and several nieces.
Little Li glanced back, then looked at Xiao Erlang, and winked at the two large bundles, "What are these?"
Xiao Erlang's face was not very good, and he said in a few words: "It's uncle's luggage and clothes."
Little Li muttered softly, "His? They're all old. What are they going to do with them?"
Xiao Erlang touched his nose and said, "It seems that he plans to live in our house. I don't know anything else."
Mrs. Li was unhappy when she heard this and said, "Our house is already small, and he wants to come live here."
Xiao Erlang told her to keep her voice down, as if Xiao Dashi heard it, it would be the end of her. The two sisters-in-law looked at each other, then reluctantly shut their mouths and continued cooking.
After Xiao Dashi entered the room, Mrs. Bai asked the grandchildren to leave and said, "Hurry up and sit down."
Xiao Dashi sat down and looked around the house. The houses in the county town were not like those in the village. They were made of yellow mud mixed with straw, and there was no ceiling. When he looked up, he could see the main beams. As soon as he entered, he felt that the house was bright and tidy, and it looked quite respectable.
Mrs. Bai sat by the bed, neatly dressed. She smiled at Xiao Dashi first, "I just bought it. My legs and feet are not good, and I was cold in the village. Erlang and the others always said how good his uncle is. Thanks to you. How are you? How is the capital? How are Xiuying, Xiaoxun, Qiuran, and the others? I haven't seen the child either. He should be four or five years old."
Xiao Dashi didn't say anything. Bai Shi was not as domineering as when she first came to the Xiao family. Instead, there was a smile in her eyes and she looked very kind.
Seeing Xiao Dashi remained silent, Bai said, "As for me, this is unnecessary. There's nothing bad about the capital. It must be perfect. Why would I care about it?"
Xiao Dashi sighed helplessly, "Mom, they are fine, you don't have to worry about them."
Mrs. Bai nodded and pushed the snacks on the table towards Xiao Dashi. "Come, have some snacks, don't just sit there. Why don't you stay in the capital for a few more days? You're back so soon."
Bai Shi hadn't expected Xiao Dashi to return so soon. He'd left at the beginning of the twelfth lunar month and returned at the end of the first lunar month, less than two months had passed. The journey must have taken time. She had never traveled far before, so she had no idea how long it would take, but going to the capital would take at least half a month.
We only stayed in Beijing for a few days and came back soon, why are we in such a hurry? It's so cold,
Xiao Dashi was a little embarrassed. He ate half a piece of dessert and said after finishing it, "Mom, Xiuying still can't get over it after all these years. She's always been unhappy and has a grudge against you. She's dissatisfied with me for giving you the money, so she let me come back."
Xiao Dashi is still the same Xiao Dashi, honest and sincere, saying whatever he wants to say. If he doesn't know how to answer when asked, he will just keep silent, but he will not hide anything on purpose.
Mrs. Bai was stunned, her cloudy eyes stopped moving and her mouth was half open. She was in her sixties, her hair was gray, and the skin on her hands and face was dry, like dead wood.
Xiao Dashi glanced at Bai and lowered his head again. "I was the one who treated her badly in the past, but I think this is fine. After all, I have you and Erlang. When Sanwa grows up, the family will slowly get established. I get tired of hearing her nagging me all day in the capital. I'm not familiar with the place, so it's better to be at home and live comfortably."
Bai felt a chill on her back, and then her hands and feet also became cold. Did Xiao Dashi come back alone?
He also broke up with Sun Shi's Xiao Xun and the others, so what's the point of him coming back alone.
Bai had been playing the role of a loving mother to Xiao Dashi for several months and had reaped the rewards. This method was very effective. Outsiders might think Xiao Dashi had it all, but Bai knew that he was still brooding over past events and had treated him poorly in the past, so he lacked this.
He hoped that the people in the old house would be nice to him and recognize him.
Bai Shi still looked down on him, but she could coax him. Of course, Bai Shi also got a lot of things. Xiao Dashi was easy to coax. If you treated him well and complained to him, he would definitely give you money.
If it weren’t for Xiao Dashi, the family wouldn’t have a new house, and it would be impossible for Yu An to move in.
The third son was at home, the second had gone to the army and hadn't returned yet. Of the Bai family's four grandsons, the eldest and second were both old enough to get married, and the third was eight years old, and would grow up in a few years.
I have several granddaughters, all of them are girls. It would be great if they could work in a restaurant and earn money.
Bai knew Sun's character, and Lin Qiuran, too. They didn't seem like someone who could be easily fooled or deceived. Since they were heading to the capital, they could just win over Xiao Dashi. With time, perhaps they could even open a restaurant there.
Xiao Dashi was timid and didn't dare to take the money from Jindinglou because Manager Shi was keeping accounts. But he dared to take the money from Aunt Yu and Madam Yang. Anyway, there was no account book, and Lin Qiuran didn't know how much silver it was in the capital, so he just spent it.
Bai thought Xiao Dashi was really stupid. What was there to talk about what happened in his hometown? If she told Sun about it, she would be unhappy and send him back.
"You... I have wronged her in the past, so it's normal for her to be unhappy." Bai felt bitter. What was going on?
Xiao Dashi said, "I have nothing to say to her. After all these years, she still remembers this trivial matter. She told me to move back to Xiaojia Village. Luckily, you bought the house, so I will live with you from now on."
Bai opened her mouth, but she couldn't kick Xiao Dashi out now. Who knows, Sun might soften her heart and take him back later.
What if Xiao Dashi is pretending? Wouldn't it be exposed if we kick him out?
She continued to act like a loving mother. "Hey, don't blame Xiuying. I was the one who treated her badly back then, but didn't I also want you to have a child of your own? Look at this. You came back just like that, and Xiao Xun didn't even try to stop you. I really raised you for nothing all these years."
In Yu'an, Bai Shi also heard Xiao Xun's name. He became a general. After getting along well, why didn't he pull his uncle to his side? Xiao Dashi was just a hindrance. Bai Shi thought to herself, otherwise she would have looked down on him before.
Xiao Dashi thought to himself, even if he was wrong, the Sun family was going too far. Xiao Xun and Lin Qiuran didn't even speak up for him, completely siding with the Sun family. What could he do?
Xiao Dashi sighed, "Let's not talk about this anymore, let's eat first."
On the way back, regret and the desire to live a good life to impress Sun were fighting in his mind. Fortunately, Bai was reliable, otherwise he would really have to go back to Xiaojia Village.
Bai gave Xiao Dashi a dry laugh and said, "Eat, eat."
There was good wine and food at noon, including roast chicken and braised pork. Xiao Li's cooking skills were not as good as those of the chef at Jindinglou, and even worse than Lin Qiuran's.
But Xiao Dashi was willing to eat. His nephew poured him wine, and his niece served him rice. After dinner, Da Li cleared out a room next to Bai's house. This was originally where Da Li's son Xiao Dalang lived. Xiao Dalang was the eldest grandson of the Xiao family and lived in a separate room.
But when Xiao Dashi came, there were many people in the old house, including several granddaughters, so Xiao Dashi had to live in a room alone, and Xiao Dalang had to squeeze in with Erlang.
Mrs. Li looked unhappy, but she thought that Xiao Dashi must have some money on him after returning. She couldn't kick him out now. She might see how well his family treated him and give him more money.
He is an honest person, and he is very generous if you can coax him into happiness.
Lin Ming watched Xiao Dashi move into the old house and squeeze in. Xiao Dashi even went back to the Xiao family and said to Lin Ming, "Go back and tell them that I'm living well here."
To be honest, Lin Ming couldn't understand it. The mansion had everything. Yu An had two houses and two in the capital. The two in the capital, one of which was the Dingyuan Marquis's Mansion, was spacious and bright. One of its courtyards was bigger than the old house, and the other one was also very big. Why did Xiao Dashi insist on getting close to that guy?
Lin Ming was a servant, so naturally, he couldn't say anything. But he wasn't in a hurry to go back, as he still had things to attend to. It was spring already, and he needed to tend to the fields and pass on Lin Qiuran's instructions. Furthermore, although Sun had allowed Xiao Dashi to return to Yu'an, she had been soft-hearted; the two hadn't divorced, so she hadn't truly abandoned him.
A journey of a thousand miles tests a horse's strength, and time reveals a person's true character. If he were to move in today, he might be kicked out someday. Lin Ming had to make sure Xiao Dashi was settled.
From the end of the first lunar month to the beginning of the second lunar month, seven days passed in a flash. Lin Ming was so busy with chores and deliveries every day that he didn't realize how quickly time had passed.
On the first day of the new year, Yu An's affairs were almost dealt with, and it was time for Lin Ming to prepare to go back.
Lin Ming planned to take another look at Xiao Dashi before returning to report.
Lin Ming looked at Xiao Dashi again and didn't find much change in him. After all, it was only a few days, but he could see some bitterness in his eyes.
He asked, "Are you comfortable living here, old man? I have to go back to the capital tomorrow. If you have anything to say, I can bring it to the old lady and the others."
Xiao Dashi shook his head, sighed, and finally said, "It's fine, you can go back."
After walking around the street twice, Xiao Dashi finally returned to the old house. As soon as he entered the door, he was faced with the cold eyes of his two younger brothers and sisters.
Mrs. Li sighed and said, "I don't know what we're going to eat for lunch. Everything costs money. Without money, how can we afford good food and wine? Some people just want to eat and don't care about anything else. They just sit here with their mouths open, waiting. How shameless."
Mrs. Li couldn't help but say, "Second sister-in-law, you said some people are really shameless. They have their own family but they have to live here. You said nephews are not sons after all. They have hands and feet, so how can they let their nephews take care of them in their old age?"
Earlier, Xiao Li and Xiao Dashi said that Xiao Xun was adopted and was not their biological son, but a nephew was their biological son, and they would have to rely on their nephew for both big and small things in the future.
When they just moved in, they said that Xiao Xun had driven his people back, so Xiao Erlang was the better choice and asked Xiao Dashi to come and live with them.
Xiao Erlang and Xiao Dalang used to be nice to Xiao Dashi and wanted to treat him as their own father.
But this time Xiao Dashi stayed in the old house for seven days. In the first few days, his two sisters-in-law could coax him to cook for him and even asked their son to prepare water for him to wash his feet, but Xiao Dashi could not take out anything except the luggage he brought with him.
At first, they also suspected that Xiao Dashi was pretending. After all, Sun didn't like them. She said a few words after arriving in the capital and asked Xiao Dashi to come back to test what to do.
But at night, Xiao Li asked Xiao Erlang to search the luggage, but he didn't find any money. Da Li and Xiao Li thought that Xiao Dashi might have really broken up with Sun and the others, so he returned to Yu'an in disgrace during the New Year.
What kind of thing is this? The eldest Li said to the youngest Li privately, "With the eldest brother's temperament and brain, it's unlikely that he can come up with such a plan. Besides, aren't we going to the capital for the New Year? I calculated that I would be back on the second or third day of the New Year."
Mrs. Li nodded. "That's because they're unhappy, and my eldest brother was driven back. He's an elderly man, and if Sun Xiuying really doesn't care, will he be forced to rely on us for the next few years or even decades?"
Xiao Dashi is 48 years old this year, which is not a young age.
He did bring back money a few times, but it had been so long, and every time he came, he was served with delicious food and wine. Xiao Xun was an official, and Lin Qiuran ran a restaurant. They were so rich, but he didn't care about his father, and actually let them run it. How could such a thing be justified in the world?
If Xiao Dashi had money, they could still coax him, but he had nothing. He had two bedspreads and a pile of old clothes. The material was good, but they were all used.
The family bought a house, but the two sisters-in-law disliked it because it was used by Xiao Dashi.
Moreover, Xiao Dashi is lazy and doesn't do anything at home.
He was raised in the past few years. When he first moved to Yu'an to set up a stall and do business, Xiao Dashi was hardworking and diligent, chopping wood and fetching water. But in recent years, there have been maids and servants in the mansion, so he just focuses on the work in the fields.
People were hired to farm the fields and to weed and catch insects, but he didn't do anything. He just stood on the edge of the field with his hands behind his back, watching during the spring planting and autumn harvest.
It's the same in the old house. He doesn't do any work. After eating, he wipes his mouth and goes out for a walk. He comes back in time for dinner, wipes his mouth again after eating, and goes back to lie down. Who can stand this?
Moreover, they didn't pay a penny. Big Li and Little Li were unwilling to get up early and stay up late to serve Xiao Dashi. No matter how good this was, it would become annoying after a long time. What's more, Xiao Dashi only went there to eat, and sometimes he would complain that the food was not tasty.
Less than ten days had passed and the two sisters-in-law were already extremely unhappy.
Xiao Dashi could only pretend not to hear and went into the house.
Mrs. Li couldn't help but complain to Mrs. Li, "How long are we going to live here? Ten days, half a month, or a month? Dalang is getting married soon. Do we have to live with his brother after the wedding? Whose family is like this?"
Xiao Li was also unhappy. She didn't want to do the job of serving others. The two of them exchanged a few sarcastic remarks, hoping that Xiao Dashi would ask to move out on his own.
But where could Xiao Dashi move to? The two of them talked so much, but he could only pretend not to hear and sit in the room.
The two sisters-in-law looked at each other. They didn't expect Xiao Dashi to pretend not to hear. This man looked honest and had a lot of ideas.
There was no other choice but for the two to go find the Bai family.
Mrs. Li said, "Mother, Dalang is about to get married. It's not right for him to stay here all the time. It's okay for him to stay here for a short time, but if he stays here for a long time, there won't be enough room at home and we'll have one more mouth to feed. Who would be willing to marry their daughter to our family? Dalang is not young anymore."
"With so many people at home, it's fine if you don't help out even though you have money, but you just cause us more trouble."
What Xiao Li originally wanted to say was that it was a nuisance. As long as they had money, they would treat Xiao Dashi as a distinguished guest, but if he didn't get paid, they would dislike everything about him.
Mrs. Li continued, "It's only natural for Xiao Xun to provide for him in his old age. What's the point of him staying here? Mother, why don't we go and sue him?"
Mrs. Bai shook her head. "People shouldn't fight officials. Where can we go to file a complaint? Have you forgotten Li Cuihua's family? Who wants to be beaten with a stick if they file a complaint? Besides, they're in the capital. What's the point of going to the Yu'an County Office to file a complaint? The county magistrate might even protect us. It would cost a lot of money to go to the capital, and we wouldn't be familiar with the place. We might even be chased out by Xiao Xun and the others before we even arrive."
Bai didn't want to make things awkward, so she sighed and said, "Let me talk to your eldest brother."
Lunch was much simpler than the previous few days.
There was steamed rice mixed with sweet potato rice, and cabbage stewed with tofu. There was no meat in the dishes, no meat dishes on the table, and no wine. The whole family was just sitting around with this one pot of food.
Mrs. Bai continued to serve food to Xiao Dashi, "Eat more, eat more. It's just that we don't have much money, otherwise we could have some meat."
Xiao Dashi felt unhappy. After dinner, Bai invited Xiao Dashi into the house to talk.
Before Xiao Dashi could sit down, Bai wiped her tears with a handkerchief, "Dashi, I'm so sorry for you, but there's really nothing I can do. Look at our house, there are only six rooms and more than a dozen people living there.
Dalang is getting married soon and originally wanted to live with us, but now that you're here, Dalang has to share a room with Erlang. My old bones live in one room, your second brother is in the army and hasn't been heard from since, and your sister-in-law and the children live in another room... There really isn't enough room at home.
If there was a way, I would definitely not tell you this, but now there is really no other way."
Xiao Dashi raised his head and looked at Bai in a daze.
Mrs. Bai sighed helplessly, "Dashi, why don't you move back first? Otherwise, there's too much room at home. I'm old now, and I just want to see my grandson get married. Otherwise, I won't be able to face your father in the afterlife."
Xiao Dashi's face was like a stone slab on the ground. It had been there for a long time and gradually became broken and cracked.
Xiao Dashi thought that the house they lived in now was bought with his money.
Mrs. Bai looked at Xiao Dashi and said, "Don't worry, Dalang and Erlang will remember your kindness and will definitely be filial to you in the future. You can move back first, and we will bring you back later."
Xiao Dashi only said one sentence, "Mom, I bought this house with my own money."
It wasn't that he couldn't hear what the two of them were saying. He wasn't stupid, so he couldn't tell the difference between good and bad words. It was just that he had nowhere to go. He had bought the house with his own money, so why couldn't he just live in it?
Mrs. Bai kept her mouth shut for a moment, then looked at Xiao Dashi and said, "How about this? I'll move out and sleep on the street, and you can stay here. Is that okay?"
"You're so old, and you're the son. You've been living the good life for so many years. What's wrong with you being filial to your mother?" Mrs. Bai scolded, "You're no match for your two brothers. They know how to be filial to me. I gave birth to you in vain. After all, I raised you and married you off, and this is how you repay me."
Xiao Dashi looked at Bai and suddenly remembered the scene of Sun being tortured more than 20 years ago. He also remembered that during the Mid-Autumn Festival that year, Bai brought a group of people in to cook for her and make delicious food.
He brought so much money home, but in the end he still couldn't compare to his two younger brothers?
Xiao Dashi moved back to Xiaojia Village.
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