Since Ma Li isn't hungry, let's cook.
I cooked rice, steamed pork ribs, steamed egg custard, and finally stir-fried cabbage and pork slices, and stewed tofu with dried shrimp.
I didn't go grocery shopping this morning; this is what's left over from yesterday.
The food was served. "Jingxiang, go and invite your mother-in-law down for dinner. Also, tell your mistress."
"Mom, my mistress went out with the nanny."
"Oh! Then go call your mother-in-law. Bring this up to your wife; she should at least have some more."
"Um."
Ma Li looks exactly like her mother. However, Hu Aifen thinks that these in-laws should be easy to get along with.
"Sister-in-law, thank you for coming to see Ma Li."
"Sister-in-law, this is my daughter-in-law and my grandson. Why are you being so polite? Your accents sound so familiar."
"We are from Northeast China."
"Oh! Sister-in-law, let's eat first, and we can chat after we finish eating."
Liu Aimin simply greeted him and then lowered his head to eat.
"Your sister-in-law's cooking is really good."
"Eat as much as you like. We should have stayed and waited for you since we knew you were coming today, but we were really worried about those two spendthrift girls."
"Sister-in-law, I understand."
After dinner, Liu Aimin went out, leaving Hu Aifen, Liu Jingxiang, and the other two alone at home.
"Sister-in-law, I'll just say what I have to say."
“You know, we’re all related by marriage. Whatever we say, it’s all for the good of the children. We’ll just say whatever comes to mind.”
"Sister-in-law, I heard from Ma Li that you want Jingxiang to return to the capital?"
"Yes, that's what we're saying. Our whole family is in the capital, and Jingxiang doesn't have a job here right now, so we're thinking of having him go back to the capital so the whole family can be together."
I heard from Ma Li yesterday that since Jingxiang is your son-in-law, he has an obligation to take care of you two.
Seeing you today makes me feel a bit more at ease. You're not exactly locals from Shanghai, so going back to the capital won't be too difficult for you. Once Ma Li's father retires, I'll have Jingxiang come and pick you up.”
"Sister-in-law, after hearing what you said, I feel much more at ease. Your whole family are good people. You even have your married daughter taking care of your mother's family."
"Sister-in-law, we are all women, how could we not know that we all miss our parents' home?"
The two hit it off immediately.
“Sister-in-law, I don’t consider you an outsider. I’ll go to the kitchen to stew the meat now, and we can talk in the kitchen.”
"That's great, I can learn a thing or two from you."
The two were having a lively time in the kitchen, getting along very well.
When Ma Li's mother wanted to leave in the afternoon, Hu Aifen made her a small pot of braised pork.
"Take this back and have a taste. It would be rather impolite for our whole family to visit you after Ma Li has finished her postpartum confinement."
"Sister-in-law, we're family, there's no need for this."
After seeing her in-laws off, Hu Aifen brought over two bowls of wontons for Ma Li. One bowl was, of course, for her son.
"Jingxiang, Mom is so wonderful. I'm sorry. I used to think she was unsophisticated."
Liu Jingxiang felt uneasy after hearing his wife's words. Even he himself had looked down on his parents back then.
"Ma Li, these wontons are delicious, you should eat more." He said, picking up his own bowl to serve some to Ma Li.
"No, I'm full. You eat it yourself." The young couple were very affectionate.
Hu Aifen made hand-pulled noodles and fried egg sauce for dinner. But only Liu Changhong came back.
Hu Aifen asked in confusion, "Second Uncle, when is my Second Aunt coming back?"
"No need to wait for her, she went to her mother's house."
"Oh! Let's eat then."
As Liu Changhong ate his delicious meal, he sighed inwardly. His wife hadn't gone to her mother's house; she was packing up the house, planning to move out. What a brainless woman! If the house got out, it would be a disaster. How stupid!
I called myself this morning, and no matter how I tried to persuade myself, it wouldn't work. Sigh! Good advice is useless against this damned devil. Keep acting up!
Liu Aimin didn't care at all; he already knew his second uncle and his family owned property. He just hadn't said anything.
But after seeing my two daughters today, all my resentment exploded.
Although I know that even if the child grows up by my side, no one can say for sure what she will become, I'm still blaming everyone else for all the mistakes.
After everyone had finished eating, Hu Aifen quickly cleaned up the kitchen and went upstairs to see the young couple.
"Mom, you should go and rest. You haven't had a moment's rest all day."
"Okay, then Jingxiang, be more meticulous."
Hu Aifen didn't feel physically tired, but mentally tired.
Hu Aifen lay in bed, "Honey, will Xiuling get a divorce?"
"If she had any brains, she would get a divorce right away. She's still young. If she takes some time to recover, there might still be hope."
"But I don't want her to be all alone for the rest of her life."
"Then I'll wait a few years and marry an honest and kind man with children."
"But that's being someone's stepmother."
"What else can we do? We've won, so stop thinking about her."
"How can I not think about it? I hate it!"
"What are you resentful about? We just wanted our children to receive a good education, but what can you do now that they've grown up like this?"
"Honey, if Xiuling really gets a divorce, let's take her back."
"That's your idea. Do you think she'll agree? Let nature take its course."
Liu Aimin didn't want to dwell on this, so he immediately changed the subject.
"I think my daughter-in-law's family is alright."
“I think it’s good too. Ma Li is also an option. Although she’s not the best looking, her temperament is alright.”
"This will put the second son in a difficult position. Call home tomorrow and we'll stay here a few more days."
"Yes, tell Hongmei."
"Wife, don't blame Grandma."
"My husband, how can I not resent seeing three children?"
The couple fell silent. Yes, how could they not feel any resentment at all?
In the compound of the capital, several children are playing games. It's cold now, but the living room is warm and cozy, so the whole family is gathered here.
Ever since Liu Aimin and his wife left, the old lady has been in low spirits.
"Great-Grandma, are you missing my aunt?"
"Yeah, I miss them. They must be resenting me right now."
"Grandma, please stop thinking about it."
"How could I not think about it? I neglected my grandson because of my son."
Looking back now, Hongmei's only regret is agreeing to let the second son take the three children away.
Zhang Hongmei didn't know how to persuade her anymore. She really didn't understand why the old lady was letting go so decisively. Now, even the little power she had was gradually diminishing.
"I've ruined those three children's lives."
"Grandma, you're overthinking it. You're a grown woman, and you made your own decisions."
The old lady knew Hongmei was trying to comfort her. But how could she really smooth things over? "Hongmei, go and keep the children company. I'll be fine here."
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