It is now the twelfth lunar month, the weather is freezing cold and the brick kiln factory is in a semi-closed state.
Shang Zonghui, Jiang Xinglei and others work at the brick kiln factory. Jiang Lin doesn't have to go there every day. She goes to the Yuhong class during the day to study and watch Yan Runzhi and others embroider.
Cheng Yunzhi is very busy now. After Cheng Fugui was arrested and Cheng Fuwan was dismissed from his post, the whole Shuihuai Village seemed to have taken off a huge yoke. The members no longer had any worries, and even those who never moved around came to express their congratulations to Cheng Yunzhi and Yan Runzhi.
Although there are many small thoughts involved, Cheng Yunzhi naturally wouldn't care so much. He is not a person who likes disputes, and after all these years of ups and downs, he naturally longs for peace and quiet.
It's almost the same, everyone can pass.
The Cheng family's exhibition room officially began, and the county cultural center began to transcribe some of the events of the year, find local people to narrate, etc. They elected Cheng Yunzhi as the director of the exhibition room, and he was responsible for coordinating with the cultural center to help transcribe and compile.
Therefore, the Yuhong class sometimes asks Jiang Lin to help take care of the children.
The sun was setting that day, and it was probably not even four o'clock yet, but the classroom was already dark. Jiang Lin ended the class for the children and let them play for a while before going home.
The children all gathered around Dabao and Xiaobao, "Let's tell a story!"
Jiang Lin went outside to look for Wensheng, and saw him sitting against the wall, concentrating on sharpening the sword.
Outside, the north wind was blowing the fallen leaves, swirling with a humming sound, but when it reached him, it died down and became quiet.
"Vincent, why are you grinding it? It will rust if it is worn out."
"I see that all the kitchen knives and sickles at home need to be sharpened, so I'll sharpen them too." Wensheng didn't think there was anything wrong with what Jiang Lin said about swords being worn out, but he also had other reasons to argue.
Jiang Lin came forward to take a look. It was too early to sharpen a blade, but an iron rod could be sharpened into a needle. She was afraid that he was too determined, so she asked him to give up the idea of sharpening the sword. She smiled and said, "Wensheng, why don't you like talking to your mother recently? Are you worried about something?"
Ever since she was frightened by the dog that day, he looked older and different. He was more sensible, but a little silent. He didn't laugh and talk like a child. Sometimes he would just sit there in a daze, looking like he had something on his mind.
Would he be worried in such a situation? Jiang Lin didn't dare to be careless. After all, he didn't grow up normally. He was a 12-year-old boy who had been mentally ill for nearly 30 years. She had to be careful and after observing him for a few days, she decided to ask him in person.
Vincent lowered his eyelashes, looked at the sword in his hand, sharpened it twice, and shook his head.
Seeing him like this, Jiang Lin was even more unconvinced. However, when she asked him, he refused to say anything. He was a bit stubborn.
She changed her strategy, "Look, you don't tell me about your problems. Do you want to get along with me?"
Wensheng hurriedly shook his head: "Of course not." He swallowed, seemed a little embarrassed, and his cheeks were stained with a blush. He raised his hand and touched his chin, "Mom, why do I have a beard? Dabao and Xiaobao don't have one."
Jiang Lin: “…” He had never asked before, why did he suddenly pay attention to the beard?
Wensheng was confused. Not only did he have beards growing on his face, but he also had beards growing on his armpits and private parts. Why was this happening?
Both Dabao and Xiaobao are not tall.
Jiang Lin: ...Why should I ask? It would have been better if I had asked Cheng Rushan to ask him.
She smiled and said, "This is normal. It means you have grown up. Don't you feel that you have grown up? Besides being taller and eating more, these are another sign of growing up."
He raised his hand and touched Jiang Lin's face, which was smooth and tender. "Mom doesn't have it!"
Jiang Lin had no choice but to explain to him the differences between men and women.
Wensheng seemed to understand, "I am a man like Grandpa, Dad, Dabao and Xiaobao. I have a beard. Mom and grandma are women. They don't."
Jiang Lin nodded approvingly, "Yes." In this regard, he seemed to have less correct cognition than Dabao and Xiaobao. Although his eyes were calm and his expression was serious, Jiang Lin still gave him some popular science explanation in the way she treated children.
Wensheng said that he understood and that it would be like this when one grows up, and Dabao and Xiaobao would be like this too.
Jiang Lin: "When your father comes back, ask him. He can tell you more."
Vince: “Okay.” His expression became much more relaxed.
At this time, the voices of Liu Honghua and a woman were heard outside.
Liu Honghua was particularly enthusiastic: "Sister, you haven't been back for years."
The woman sighed, "After I get married, how can I be free? It's a long way to go out, and my mother-in-law won't let me out unless I persuade her."
Jiang Lin had no impression of the woman at all, but she knew who she was as soon as her mind turned.
This is Cheng Ruhai’s biological sister and Cheng Rushan’s half-sister.
This elder sister is called Cheng Xianglan, two years younger than Cheng Ruhai. She did not inherit the good looks of the men in the Cheng family. She has thick lips and a flat nose like her uncle, but she looks neat and has a simple and honest temperament. When Cheng Ruhai got married, Yan Runzhi wanted her to get engaged and ask for a gift to help her brother, but she refused on the grounds that she was still young and did not want to get married. As a result, after Cheng Ruhai got married, Cheng Xianglan also found a partner within two months. She talked to Yan Runzhi nicely, "I don't want a dowry from my family either", and then got married quickly.
After getting married, Cheng Xianglan never came back.
These things happened during a casual chat. Jiang Lin asked Yan Runzhi about her family situation. When it came to her elder sister-in-law, Yan Runzhi didn't want to talk about it, so it was Mrs. Shang who told her.
Jiang Lin ignored the aunt and sister-in-law talking passionately and continued talking to Wensheng.
Liu Honghua and Cheng Xianglan had come over. Seeing her and Wensheng talking face to face, Liu Honghua curled her lips and said to Cheng Xianglan, "This is your sister-in-law, and that is your uncle's brother."
Cheng Xianglan looked at Jiang Lin and Wen Sheng in surprise, her face full of astonishment, "You two——"
Jiang Lin and Wen Sheng glanced at her. Jiang Lin: "Who are you?"
If they were relatives with whom she had a good relationship, she would naturally greet them with a smile and treat them well, but she was too lazy to pay attention to such relatives.
Cheng Xianglan smiled and said, "Sister-in-law, is Dongsheng at home? Where are my parents? I am their elder sister. I am going back to my parents' home to visit them."
Jiang Lin was surprised and said, "Sister? I never knew I had a sister."
Cheng Xianglan's face suddenly turned ugly, but she held back, "Sister-in-law, what are you talking about? Didn't my parents tell you?"
Jiang Lin: "It's hard to tell after not contacting each other for so many years."
When Cheng Xianglan heard this, she thought Jiang Lin blamed her for abandoning the family, not contacting or helping for many years, and was afraid that Jiang Lin would come back to get benefits after hearing about the vindication. Her eyes immediately turned red, "Sister-in-law, you see, in that society, my sister is the daughter of a bad element, and it's hard for someone to marry her. After marriage, she has to work and serve her parents-in-law, husband and children. She really can't leave. If I can spare half a day, I will also come back to take a look. If you don't believe me, ask my eldest sister-in-law, how can a married woman go back to her parents' home at will? The production team won't let her, and her husband's family won't let her either. There is work inside and outside."
Jiang Lin: "Oh, you have time now?"
Cheng Xianglan: "This has vindicated our family. My class background is better now, and I can go out freely. I was not allowed to go out before."
Jiang Lin smiled and said nothing more. Even if what she said was true, she didn't like this elder sister-in-law because she didn't call Yan Runzhi "mother" before, but now she called her "mother" after hearing that she was rehabilitated.
Cheng Xianglan was very upset when she saw that she was not only unenthusiastic but also mocked her. She was a little nervous before, thinking that she had not been home for so many years, and now that she came back, she might be accused of having some schemes, and she wanted to make up for it. She wanted to have a good relationship with her brother's wife, so when they met, she suppressed her temper and spoke to Jiang Lin in a nice tone, thinking that she was giving Jiang Lin face, but she never expected to be treated so coldly.
She was unhappy and didn't want to be nice to her sister-in-law anymore, so she acted like an elder sister-in-law and said, "I came back to see my parents."
After saying that, she snorted, raised her foot and walked away.
Liu Honghua quickly accompanied her to the exhibition room to find Cheng Yunzhi, and told her about the current situation at home.
Jiang Lin said to Wensheng, "Let's go to grandma's house to cook."
Yan Runzhi was just finishing her embroidery class and asked the girls to go home to cook. She tidied up and locked the room to prevent anyone from entering or leaving.
Jiang Lin told Yan Runzhi that Cheng Xianglan had returned.
Yan Runzhi was stunned, "Who? Cheng Xianglan? She's back?" It's no wonder that Yan Runzhi felt a little strange. They hadn't been in touch for many years, and her sudden return really made people a little dazed.
She said to Jiang Lin, "Bao'er's mother, take Dabao and Xiaobao home first. I'll go find your father."
In the past, when her children were still young, she didn't bother with them, thinking that people's kindness would always warm them up. But now everyone has their own family, Dongsheng also has Linlin, and if they come to interfere again, Yan Runzhi will not like it. Because she has already classified Cheng Ruhai's brother and sister as the kind that can't be warmed up, and she can't let them wrong Bao'er's mother and Dabao and Xiaobao.
Jiang Lin went to greet the two brothers who were busy telling stories to others, "Go home."
Several children were still reluctant to leave, "Big Treasure, Little Treasure, can you come quickly tomorrow?"
Dabao: “That’s not necessarily true.”
He is now cool to other kids of his age, and thinks they are quite childish. But once his friends leave, he and Xiaobao immediately run over and hang one on Vincent's arm, asking him to carry them home.
"Mom, should we write a letter to grandpa? I'm inviting Sister Qinqin and Xiaoke to come to our house during the winter vacation." Dabao asked.
"It's too cold in the winter, and my uncle still needs to go home. Let's wait until next summer. Grandpa's family just moved to a new house, and it costs a lot of money to clean it up. We don't have any extra money to buy a train ticket."
"You can take my dad's car." Xiaobao suggested.
"Dad's car timing may not be suitable."
When Jiang Lin got home, she opened the door. Wensheng pulled a bundle of corn stalks from outside and brought it home to help Jiang Lin light a fire and cook.
Because there were two sleeping rooms, they had to light a fire to heat the kang in winter, so Jiang Lin cooked sweet potatoes and steamed buns in the east room and made a stew in the west room.
It was cold and there were no fresh vegetables, except pumpkin, potato and cabbage. Those who didn't have the means could not change the food. Their family was well-off, not only did they have enough cabbage, but also meat, lard, bacon, etc. Yan Runzhi was willing to think about it and often made delicious food for them, so they had a comfortable winter.
Influenced by Yan Runzhi, Jiang Lin is not good at cooking, not to mention that with Wensheng, Dabao and Xiaobao helping out, cooking is also fun.
The dough had been fermenting for a long time, but it was cold and it fermented slowly, so it just started to ferment now. Wensheng was strong and helped knead the dough, making the steamed buns quickly and well. Dabao and Xiaobao also made little rabbits, puppies, calves and other things, and Jiang Lin made a big dinosaur for them.
After it’s done, put it in a pot, boil the sweet potatoes and steam the buns, and add some fire to heat the pot to allow the buns to rise a little more.
While waiting for the steamed buns to be distributed, Jiang Lin and Dabao and Xiaobao played crossword puzzles, which she and Cheng Yunzhi made by themselves. After playing around and making a few, they recited a poem, and the steamed buns opened, and Dabao and Xiaobao lit the fire together.
The two brothers played a story-telling game while making a fire.
Jiang Lin found that their interests had begun to diverge. Although they were both telling the story of Dongsheng and Linlin, Dabao was more rational, rigorous, and sci-fi, while Xiaobao was more emotional, imaginative, and magical. At the beginning of a good road story, Xiaobao couldn't help but run out a big dinosaur. Dabao had to pull it back and said it was a model. Xiaobao would make up an old witch who wanted to kidnap Linlin and give her son, the little witch, as his daughter-in-law. Dabao would change it to the little witch being a scientist...
Jiang Lin was confused by what she heard. Why is the old witch's son a little witch?
Then she looked at Vincent who was burning a fire and actually put his sword in the fire. She quickly asked him to take it out, "Vincent, what are you doing?"
Wensheng: "Mom, I want to forge my precious sword. This sword is sharpened by grinding, and it is also made through thousands of hammers and forging."
Jiang Lin: ... Is raising a child always so magical? I have no experience. Dongsheng, please come back soon.
She said softly, "Wensheng, this sword has been forged through thousands of hammerings and temperings. It doesn't need to be forged any more. Moreover, the sword is a gentleman's weapon. It is not used to kill people, but to symbolize status and ritual. You see, those who fight on the battlefield all use knives, not swords."
When Wensheng heard this, he said, "Then I'll ask my dad..."
"No, no, no, Wensheng, no, the sword is better! Mother likes you carrying a sword, you look handsome and majestic. People holding knives are scarier than people holding swords, mother is afraid." Jiang Lin said a lot of nonsense to appease Wensheng, but it was very effective on Wensheng, because he could not stand scaring his mother the most.
He nodded: "Okay, no forging or grinding, this is good." He put the sword aside and continued to make fire.
Jiang Lin breathed a sigh of relief, heated the pan, sautéed chopped green onions, stir-fried pork slices, and shredded cabbage. After they were softened, added water and brought to a boil, then added vermicelli and frozen tofu. She then took out a few of the frozen egg dumplings made by Yan Runzhi, and when they were almost ready to be served, put them in to cook for Dabao and Xiaobao.
While they were busy, Cheng Yunzhi, Yan Runzhi and Cheng Xianglan came back together, followed by Liu Honghua.
Since Cheng Fugui was arrested, Liu Honghua and Cheng Ruhai have been visiting Cheng Yunzhi more frequently. They did not visit him at home, but met him at the brigade, went to greet him in the morning and at noon, talked to him, and kept in touch with him. They also asked their three children to visit Cheng Yunzhi more often to greet him.
Liu Honghua wanted Cheng Ruhai to take Cheng Yunzhi to live with him in his old age, because the old man earned more food and other things than the team leader, which was really enviable. In addition, she also wanted to move her family to the small brick and tile house where Jiang Lin lived before. The big yard was rented by the team, and the small courtyard was occupied by Jiang Lin and her family, so they could live in the small courtyard before. The thatched house they lived in now was drafty and leaky, and they wanted to save money to buy tiles but it was not enough, so they lived in a very uncomfortable way.
Of course, she didn't dare to ask for it as confidently as before. She could only win him over first and wait until the relationship was eased before asking for it.
As soon as they entered the house, before they sat down, Cheng Xianglan saw the two little brothers and exclaimed, "Oh, why are you letting such young children work? In my family, our sons never do housework. The stove itself is a woman's job, how can you let a man do it? Come, I'll light the fire for you."
Yan Runzhi: "No, just sit down."
She let Dabao and Xiaobao go play while she made the fire.
Dabao said, "Grandma, you go ahead and do your work. We'll just light the fire."
Cheng Yunzhi asked his daughter to sit down, and Liu Honghua also sat next to her.
Cheng Yunzhi wanted to introduce his daughter to Jiang Lin and his grandchildren, but before he could open his mouth, Cheng Xianglan started crying with red eyes and tears in her eyes.
"Dad, you have suffered so much over the years! As your daughter, I feel so sorry for you!" Cheng Xianglan wiped her tears with one hand and grabbed Cheng Yunzhi's hand with the other.
Cheng Yunzhi felt uncomfortable and quickly took his hand away. He was a traditional man who insisted that he would not hug his daughter after she turned six or seven, and he would not enter her room, let alone tug at her like this. To be honest, his son and wife were not sitting at the table, and only his daughter and eldest daughter-in-law were sitting here with him. He felt uncomfortable all over and wanted to get away.
Cheng Xianglan stroked his arm and said, "Dad, I wanted to visit you for many years, but I never had the time. After you got married, you were treated like a donkey or a mule by others. Dad, I feel so anxious every day. I feel so sorry for you!"
Seeing her crying so emotionally, Cheng Yunzhi's eyes became sore. Enduring the embarrassment and discomfort, he advised her, "Okay, stop crying. You're back safe and sound. Thanks to Dongsheng's ability."
Cheng Xianglan took the opportunity to praise her brother, "My brother is really not exaggerating, he is handsome and has a good job. If he were to find a partner, he would go to any village..."
"You have to look when you walk, and you can't touch when you talk!" Jiang Lin had been ignoring Cheng Xianglan, and Yan Runzhi was unhappy, "Dongsheng's wife and son are here."
Cheng Xianglan laughed and said, "Mom, I just said that. I was praising my brother. Don't take it too seriously, you and your sister-in-law."
Dabao: "Grandma, who is she?"
Cheng Xianglan rushed to say: "I am your aunt."
Dabao: "Whose aunt is this? How come I don't know her?"
Xiaobao: “I haven’t seen it either.”
Cheng Xianglan thought it was Yan Runzhi who instigated the child to say this, and she began to wipe away her tears again, "Dad, we have been separated for so many years, and I really had no choice. If there was any way, I would like to take you home to serve you immediately."
Although Cheng Yunzhi felt that his daughter was here and he hadn't seen her for so many years, it was a good thing for relatives to meet. But he was a typical traditional man after all. He was introverted and not good at expressing his emotions. In addition, he hadn't seen his daughter for many years and they were really unfamiliar. So, he just felt sad, but didn't know what to say, and it was impossible for him to hug her and cry as Cheng Xianglan expected.
In his memory, his daughter was still a little girl and could not connect with the middle-aged woman in front of him.
What's more, Cheng Xianglan looks like her mother, which makes Cheng Yunzhi a little embarrassed.
Looking at Cheng Xianglan was like looking at his ex-wife.
That's how his ex-wife talked to him. She wiped her tears and said, "Second Master, if I die right away, I'll go with you. Who wouldn't want to commit suicide like my sister-in-law? The hard part is to survive. But I have to endure so many years of being stabbed in the back every day and night. Can I bear it? Can the child bear it? So, no matter how much I love you, I can't help but think about the child. Let's...get a divorce."
Cheng Yunzhi still wanted to keep her, but thought that if he continued to do so, it would harm her, so he simply wrote a divorce letter and let her take the child out of the suffering. It would be okay for him to bear it alone.
Little did she know that she left on her own without taking her child with her.
These two children later followed Yan Runzhi, but their temperament and appearance were like their mother.
Cheng Yunzhi couldn't say anything, so he just sat there without saying anything, while Cheng Xianglan kept talking on and on.
Seeing that Jiang Lin was not enthusiastic towards her at all, and didn't even say a word, greet her, or ask her if she was hungry or thirsty, Cheng Xianglan became more and more unhappy and felt that it must be Yan Runzhi who instigated her.
She said to Cheng Yunzhi, "Dad, I came all the way here and I can't go back at night, so I'll stay at your place for two days."
Cheng Yunzhi was about to speak when Liu Honghua smiled and said, "Sister, you can't do this. Our father doesn't make the decision in this family. Now it's my brother and sister-in-law who make the decision."
Cheng Xianglan was surprised and said, "With parents around, how can a young person be in charge? Isn't this a joke? Isn't it embarrassing? We don't have such rules in the Cheng family."
She thought that if Jiang Lin had been polite to her, she would have given him face, but Jiang Lin ignored her, and she got angry. You are rude to me, so I will not give you face either.
Cheng Yunzhi: "My legs and feet are not good, I can't do anything, I am half disabled..."
"Dad, don't say that. You are in good health and can live to be a hundred years old. Our family has been rehabilitated, and the brigade has used our yard. They give you and mom money, food, and meat on a monthly basis, and cotton, firewood, and grass on a yearly basis. You earn a lot, more than any young person. Besides, isn't that brick kiln factory also built by the brigade because of you? Otherwise, it couldn't have been opened?" Liu Honghua added with a smile.
Cheng Xianglan immediately said, "That's nothing. I was worried that my sister-in-law would be unhappy. Since she is our father's, it is only natural for his daughter to stay with him for two days and serve him. I haven't served him for so many years..."
Jiang Lin ignored her completely. She gave face to Cheng Yunzhi and respected him, so she naturally wouldn't do anything to Cheng Xianglan in front of him.
Yan Runzhi smiled, "You are so thoughtful, your father and I can't stop you." She said to Cheng Yunzhi, "Old man, come and pack up. We will go to live with our daughter tomorrow morning. I don't have a daughter either, and I envy other people's daughters. Now that Xianglan is back, I will have a daughter too."
She said to Jiang Lin, "Bao'er's mother, please send a telegram to my mother-in-law and ask her to come to our country to live in the winter and stay at my daughter's house."
Cheng Yunzhi was in a very awkward situation as he couldn't handle the two old women. When he saw his wife coming to his rescue, he immediately said, "I'll listen to you." He stood up.
Cheng Xianglan was anxious: "Dad, why are you so soft-hearted? Mom, if you go to live at my daughter's house, no one will stop you. Wait until I go back and discuss with my family to pack up and take you there." She began to wipe her tears again, "You don't know. How did I survive all these years? I didn't have enough to eat all year round, and I had to go to the fields with a big belly to give birth. I had to go to the fields again within ten days after giving birth, and I got sick all over. In the middle of summer, I didn't dare to drink a sip of cold water or blow the wind, and I covered myself up tightly. Dad, Mom, tell me, if I had some way, would I not come to pick you up?"
She sobbed, "Of course, you have the right to blame me. After all, you are not here, and you don't know how much injustice my daughter has suffered."
Yan Runzhi didn't respond. You've suffered? Have you suffered half as much as we old couple? She said, "If you come to take your parents to enjoy a good life, I won't stop you. If you think your father has been rehabilitated and there are benefits, and you want to get some, then I'll make it clear. In our family, Baoer's mother has the final say!" She faced Jiang Lin, and Baoer's mother called out in a particularly loud and proud voice, "Our Baoer's mother is an educated youth from the provincial capital. She is educated and has status. She is not one of those ignorant people."
Cheng Xianglan's eyes widened, "Dad, why can't you be the head of the family? My brother can't be the head of the family either, and a woman has to have the final say?" She originally wanted to show that she was here to be filial to her father, not to ask for benefits after hearing about the rehabilitation. But when she heard that Jiang Lin was the head of the family, she couldn't accept it all of a sudden. She married and felt that the man treated her well, but the man and the mother-in-law had the final say in everything, and she had no say. She also had a share in this family, and now that the property has been rehabilitated and returned, why can't she get a share? So she no longer said that she was not here to ask for benefits.
Wensheng, Dabao and Xiaobao immediately said, "Yes! My mother has the final say!"
After Wensheng finished lighting the fire, he grabbed his sword, drew it out with a swish, and sang: "If anyone bullies my mother, I will make her regret it!"
Cheng Xianglan: ...What's going on? She had seen Jiang Lin and Wensheng's close relationship before, and she thought it was something shameful. Why is he calling Jiang Lin mother now?
Someone tell her what's going on!
At this time, Jiang Xinglei came back from outside. As soon as he entered the door, he shouted, "Sister, we are on holiday! I can rest at home tomorrow!"
He was a hundred times more excited about the brick kiln factory holidays than the school holidays, and he was really exhausted.
As soon as he entered the door, he saw Cheng Xianglan and asked with a smile, "Are there guests at home?"
Cheng Xianglan frowned. She heard from Liu Honghua that Jiang Lin had brought her brother here to live and eat. Wasn't this all her father's property? Jiang Lin was going to eat it all up.
She snorted, "Who are you?"
Jiang Xinglei saw her sitting at the table in the main hall with the attitude of a new head of the family, while Yan Runzhi and Jiang Lin had cold expressions, Cheng Yunzhi was very embarrassed, Dabao and Xiaobao were angry, and Wensheng was holding a sword... Jiang Xinglei was a man who was good at changing his attitude according to the situation, observing people's words and expressions, and assessing the situation.
He immediately knew that this woman was unwelcome, especially since Liu Honghua was there.
Cheng Yunzhi hurriedly said: "This is Baoer's uncle."
Cheng Xianglan sneered loudly, the meaning was self-evident, this family really had to be named Jiang.
Liu Honghua: "Uncle Baoer is working here making bricks." She looked like she was trying to smooth things over and be a good person.
Cheng Xianglan began to say to Cheng Yunzhi: "Dad, you can't do this. This family is still named Cheng. You can't just leave it alone." She glared at Jiang Lin fiercely. If Jiang Lin was respectful and kind to her when she came, she would naturally be polite. But she knew that Jiang Lin didn't like her and would not take the initiative to entertain her, so she naturally acted like an elder sister-in-law, too lazy to give face, and even looked for an opportunity to teach her a lesson.
Cheng Yunzhi was extremely embarrassed. He didn't know what to say to his daughter, nor was he too embarrassed to say that she was wrong. After all, the rule he had been taught since childhood was that daughters were to be raised by their mothers, while men were only to take care of their sons and work outside.
But he was unhappy when he heard Cheng Xianglan targeting Jiang Lin, "I didn't take care of the family in the first place. Now Dongsheng is in charge of the outside affairs, and Baoer's mother is in charge of the home. It's very good. Your mother and I eat, drink and play all day long, and do nothing."
"It's only right that you don't do it. You are old, and your children should raise you when they grow up." Cheng Xianglan said very confidently.
Yan Runzhi looked at the sky and saw that it was getting dark. It was really annoying that these two people were staying here.
She didn't want these two to stay for dinner! Don't make Baoer's mother feel uncomfortable.
She winked at the old man and warned him: Baoer's mother is giving you face and didn't drive your daughter away in front of you, so don't lose your sense of propriety.
In her daily life, Yan Runzhi definitely holds the old man in high esteem. After all, when she was a little girl, she saw the handsome uncle as her lifesaver, with a filter halo. Now, after so many years, she has grown a lot after struggling through a long period of hardship.
What's more, now everyone in their family, from Dongsheng to Wensheng, Dabao and Xiaobao, dotes on Jiang Lin, and it is a common practice for men to dote on women, so Cheng Yunzhi has also followed the example of his sons and grandsons and is more respectful to his wife and daughter-in-law.
Cheng Yunzhi immediately understood the old woman's warning.
Although he thought it was okay for his daughter to have a meal and stay overnight, and that the old woman and Baoer's mother would not mind, he felt that his daughter was deliberately trying to stir up trouble and was afraid that she wanted to be the head of the family.
Most importantly, he understood a truth deeply: his family depended on Dongsheng outside and on Dongsheng's wife at home. If he relied on himself, there would be no chance of redress, no hope of returning home, and no hope of a good life.
So, he decided to listen to his wife in everything.
He stood up and said, "Grandpa, I haven't been to your house for a meal since I came back. Let's go." Dabao immediately went to bring his cotton hat over, "Grandpa, it's cold outside."
Jiang Xinglei is a person who likes to watch fun and is not afraid of trouble. "Uncle Cheng, it's dark and the road is slippery. Let me help you go." And have a meal at the same time.
hey-hey.
Dabao and Xiaobao: "Grandma, you should go too. I'll support you."
Wensheng turned to look at Jiang Lin, smiled at her, and wanted to ask her if she wanted to go.
Jiang Lin smiled and said, "Let's eat. Let grandpa and grandma go."
Cheng Yunzhi and Yan Runzhi had already walked to the door, but Cheng Xianglan and Liu Honghua were still sitting there staring at each other.
What's going on?
Is this old man shameless? Aren't you afraid of being criticized?
Even if Cheng Yunzhi originally had some respect for his reputation, after so many years of suffering, he knew that reputation was not worth a penny. What's more, during this time since he came back, Yan Runzhi always brainwashed him, "Our family is thanks to Dongsheng and Baoer's mother. With them, we can live a good life and not interfere in big or small matters."
He said to Yan Runzhi, "It's cold, put on your coat. I'll get it for you."
Jiang Xinglei ran in and out like a monkey and threw his coat over Yan Runzhi's shoulders.
This is a green military coat that Cheng Rushan brought back. Jiang Lin gave it to Cheng Yunzhi because he has a weak constitution.
Cheng Yunzhi buttoned up Yan Runzhi's coat and said, "Let's go." They ignored Liu Honghua and Cheng Xianglan and supported each other and walked away together.
Liu Honghua and Cheng Xianglan looked at each other. What was going on?
Liu Honghua: These two old people are shameless! She glared at Jiang Lin and said sarcastically, "His second aunt, you are so cunning."
Jiang Lin chuckled and said, "You just found out about this?"
She didn't sneer or curse at them with a cold face, nor did she do anything. Instead, she smiled at them, but this made Cheng Xianglan more angry than cursing.
"Sister-in-law, I have to say something to you. Look how scared you made the old man. When the eldest sister-in-law came back, you didn't even dare to stay for dinner. If this gets out, will our Cheng family still have any face?" Cheng Xianglan acted like the eldest sister-in-law, wanting to teach Jiang Lin a lesson.
Jiang Lin smiled and said, "Generally speaking, shameless people always hope that others will have some respect. Because in this way, they can maximize the effectiveness of their shamelessness."
"You!" Cheng Xianglan slammed the table in anger. She was tearfully reminiscing about the past with Cheng Yunzhi, but she didn't have such feelings for Jiang Lin, a stranger. When she saw her, her first reaction was naturally to find fault with her in various ways.
Wensheng heard her slamming the table and frowned, "Get out!"
Jiang Lin smiled at Cheng Xianglan and said, "This is your uncle's house. Your brother told you to get out, so go ahead."
Cheng Xianglan was so angry that her face changed. She looked at Jiang Lin in disbelief, "You, you are still an educated youth. How can you be so uneducated?"
Jiang Lin advised her kindly, "You should leave quickly. I'm doing this for your own good. If I get angry, I'll be scared myself. If you don't believe me, ask her!" She pointed at Liu Honghua.
Liu Honghua's face changed, and she quickly tried to smooth things over: "Don't be angry, don't be angry, we are a family, talk properly."
How dare she bully Jiang Lin now? Even if she wanted to take advantage, she didn't dare to be ruthless or cheat. She could only try to coax the old man.
Jiang Xinglei's voice came from outside, "Big sister and sister-in-law, hurry up, you're delaying dinner."
Liu Honghua cried out, how could her family have so much food? She ran away quickly.
Once she ran away, Cheng Xianglan lost her confidence and had no choice but to follow her resentfully.
So Cheng Yunzhi and Yan Runzhi took the lead, accompanied by Jiang Xinglei, Dabao and Xiaobao, and followed by Liu Honghua and Cheng Xianglan, and a group of people went to Cheng Ruhai's house for dinner.
When I cooked at home, it was nothing more than sweet potato stewed with cornmeal pancakes and some soybean paste and pickled vegetables. There was no meat, not even a dish of vegetables.
Brothers Cheng Tiegang and Cheng Jingang were still complaining, "We're only eating sweet potatoes all day long. We're starving!"
As they were talking, Cheng Yunzhi, Yan Runzhi and others came over.
Cheng Ruhai was startled and immediately stood up, "Dad, why are you here?"
Cheng Yunzhi: "Your sister is here, your wife went to call us for dinner." He didn't feel anything was wrong, as if that was really the case.
He supported Yan Runzhi and they both went into the house.
Jiang Xinglei and Dabao and Xiaobao immediately ran over, some took benches and some stools, and asked the old couple to sit down while they stood aside.
Cheng Ruhai glared at Jiang Xinglei and asked, "What are you doing here, little brat?"
Jiang Xinglei just smiled. He had been abused by his sister recently. He knew his mistakes and would never make them again. Now Liu Honghua was wrong, Cheng Xianglan was wrong too. Of course, he had to let them know where they were wrong, otherwise they would think that their sister was sorry for them by occupying the Cheng family.
Liu Honghua and Cheng Xianglan ran over and saw that the old couple had already started eating. Jiang Xinglei and Dabao and Xiaobao were also munching on some bread.
Liu Honghua jumped up in pain. Their family had been eating sweet potato and cornmeal pancakes for every meal, and this only fine flour pancake was for their two sons!
Jiang Xinglei even provoked her, "Sister-in-law, why are you like this? Are you reluctant to let your parents have a meal?"
He then said to Cheng Xianglan, "Sister, I know you want to serve your father, don't worry. After this meal, I will go to the brigade to borrow a car tomorrow and help you send your parents over. I will make sure you can serve them to your heart's content."
He deeply understood his sister's spirit and conveyed it perfectly.
He didn't care that Cheng Xianglan was so angry that her face turned pale. He lowered his head and said to Dabao and Xiaobao, "Your aunt is so kind. She missed you so much that she specially came to invite you to stay at her house until the New Year."
Dabao said: "Yes, I know. I also asked my mother to invite grandpa, grandma, Qinqin and Xiaoke to live with us. My mother is also a good aunt."
Xiaobao smiled at Cheng Xianglan, his big black eyes twinkling, "Aunt, you are so nice."
Cheng Xianglan was about to vomit blood.
Judging from the situation, if they really send the old couple to her house tomorrow, the mother-in-law will tear her apart, right?
The reason she came back this time was to cry to her father about her difficult life and ask him to get her a bag of food, a bed, a quilt, and some cloth. She would also be able to visit her parents' home more often and live there with her children.
Her purpose was not really to invite the old couple to live in her house!
Liu Honghua was so angry that her eyes turned red. She said to Cheng Ruhai, "Dad and Mom are going to live with my sister. Why don't you borrow a car and take them there!"
How could Cheng Ruhai not know what was going on? It must be Xianglan who came back and met Liu Honghua first, and the two of them went to Jiang Lin's house after discussing it. Cheng Ruhai was so angry that his liver hurt. This stupid woman, how many times had she told her not to worry, to coax Dad first, to make Dad change his mind, to love him and the child, and how could she ignore them in the future?
She was so good that she didn't wait for her father to change his mind, but accompanied Xianglan to annoy others. Now, she annoyed her father again. In his heart, he still wanted to be on good terms with Cheng Yunzhi. After all, Cheng Yunzhi treated him much better than his mother when he was a child.
He said to Liu Honghua with a dark face: "Dad is my biological father, it is my duty to raise him. Dad lives in my house. I can't let him starve while my son is fed."
Cheng Yunzhi nodded: "Boss, this is human language. Brothers and sisters should do their own duties well and stop calculating so much, and the relationship will naturally be good. If you only want to calculate and treat others as fools, then it will never be good."
Cheng Yunzhi is not stupid and can see clearly why his daughter came and what attitude she has.
Although he didn't get involved in things before, he saw clearly what his parents, elder brother and sister-in-law did, and naturally took them as benchmarks.
He didn't ask his daughter to come back to serve him, nor did she need to bring anything, but at least she had to have the right attitude. She should apologize to Yan Runzhi for the kindness she had shown her in the past and the guilt she felt for not seeing her for so many years, but what did she say behind her words?
If people are not grateful, what is the difference between parents and children and passers-by?
He only wanted them to be grateful to Yan Runzhi and apologize sincerely, nothing else. Money and food were just external things, so why not give them to them?
But they can't see through or do such a simple thing, and just want to talk about property instead of emotions.
Isn't it ridiculous? What kind of property does an old man who was criticized have?
"Your uncle always said, 'A journey of a thousand miles tests a horse's strength, and a long time reveals a person's true character.' He also said, 'The most important thing for a family is to have good feelings. You think about me and I think about you.' If there are feelings, there will naturally be something. I'm putting this here. You two brothers and sisters should think about it carefully. After you think it through, we can talk about other things. If someone is not sincere and just wants to play tricks on me, then I don't have any feelings to talk about."
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