When the Li family heard that the third son's wife was pregnant, Mrs. Li came over early in the morning with a hen and a basket full of eggs. She took Tao Xiaoxi's hand, tears streaming down her face, and said, "Xiaoxi, you have to give us another grandson. The sisters-in-law can't count on you anymore. If you can make a name for yourself, it will make the family whole. Look, this big house will have someone to carry on its legacy."
Tao Xiaoxi smiled, not quite liking her mother-in-law's words. Admittedly, she loved her son, Li Nanshan, and so, along with her, the third daughter-in-law, she began to like him. However, she absolutely disagreed with the idea that she and Li Nanshan were married just to continue the Li family line, nor did she agree that she built this brand new house just to leave it to her son. Beibei was also her child and had equal rights to inherit.
"Mom, it's not up to me to decide whether to give birth to a son or a daughter. You should watch more TV and learn more about science. Only men can decide whether to have a boy or a girl, so if you can't give birth to a son, it will be your son's problem." Tao Xiaoxi was not polite at all and put all the blame on Li Nanshan.
Mrs. Li was stunned when she heard this. "Mother doesn't understand these things. She only knows that only women can give birth to children. Can men also give birth to children?"
Tao Xiaoxi smiled and said, "Anyway, I will only have this one child. Whether it's a boy or a girl, I'm equally happy."
Mrs. Li opened her mouth, not knowing what to say.
Tao Xiaoxi knew that her mother-in-law meant no harm, but she couldn't help it. Every time she heard someone say something bad about her daughter, she couldn't help but retort. Why should women make things difficult for other women?
She really wanted to hold a village-wide awareness session, letting everyone know that having a daughter isn't a woman's fault. There's nothing wrong with having a daughter. How many sons have waited on their sick parents, serving them tea and urinating? It's daughters who do it most. Even if daughters can't prevent old age, there's no point in being so hypocritical.
It's a pity that Mantou Village is far from reaching this level of understanding at that time. Even if she holds such a lecture now, I'm afraid no one will come to listen, and she will end up being thrown rotten vegetable leaves.
Ever since he decided to study, Li Nanshan has been building the wall day and night. During the day, he brought his elder brother with him and taught him how to plant herbs, prune branches, and apply fertilizers. He taught him everything, no matter how big or small, and even taught him in advance what to do in case of drought or flood.
Looking at this vast medicinal field, the eldest brother Li Nanlin was a little worried. "Nanshan, if you really want me to take over, what if I mess it up?"
"Brother, don't worry. This medicinal herb is also strange. No matter how it is planted, it seems to be able to survive. Its vitality is stronger than that of potatoes and corn." Li Nanshan comforted him.
"What did you say you were going to the provincial capital for?"
“Adult education.”
"It's really novel that a grown-up can still go to school. If this happened in the past, people would have laughed their heads off," said the eldest brother.
Li Nanshan didn't respond for a moment. His elder brother had never been out of the house in his life. The farthest place he had been to was the county town, and he didn't go there for sightseeing. He either went there to buy fertilizers or farm tools, and he didn't go there many times a year.
"When our lives get better, you and your sister-in-law can take Mo girl out to see the world."
But the eldest brother just thought it was a joke and lowered his head to dig the ground.
That night, the second sister-in-law Yang Rongzhi whispered in the ear of her husband, saying that they had given birth to two grandsons for the Li family, but they were not as good as the eldest brother who only gave birth to a strange girl. She only thought of him when good things happened, and she shed tears as she said this.
The next day, the second son got up and started arguing with his father, asking why the eldest son went to learn how to grow herbs with the third son, but he was not allowed to go.
Old man Li tapped the pipe in his hand. "You have no right to ask me about this. You are so lifeless on weekdays, but now you think that others will remember you well? You should also do something good for them. Besides, your third brother has separated from the family. Logically speaking, his family has nothing to do with us. I can't control who he wants to hire, and you can't control it either. Take care of your own business."
The second son did not get justice, but was lectured by his father instead. He felt very aggrieved and went on strike that day. He refused to go out and slept in bed in broad daylight.
Old man Li was so angry that he pounded his hoe loudly, shook his head and went to the field alone.
Mrs. Li was a timid person. When she saw that her second son and the old man were angry with each other, she immediately ran to the medicine field and asked the third son Li Nanshan to call the second son to plant medicine as well.
"Mom, I don't need so many people right now. Besides, my eldest and second brothers are here to grow herbs, so who will do the housework?" Li Nanshan said in embarrassment.
"Don't worry about it. Your sister-in-law and I can do it. Nanshan, you have to listen to your mother this time, otherwise the Li family will not have peace." Mrs. Li said fearfully.
Li Nanshan frowned and said neither yes nor no.
Seeing this, the eldest brother said honestly, "Why don't you let your second brother come and I will go back to work in the fields."
"Brother, don't be in a hurry to give in. I asked you to come because you are suitable. I am confident in leaving the medicine field to you. But I am not very confident about you, second brother." Li Nanshan said the truth.
"What should we do? You know your second brother's temper. If he gets angry, something bad will happen."
"I have already divided the family business, how can he still control me?" Li Nanshan said angrily.
When Mrs. Li saw that the two brothers had not come up with a solution, she became even more worried and stood by the edge of the field, pacing around.
"Mom, you go back first. The sky won't fall. If second brother really wants to do it, why doesn't he tell you himself? Just pretend you don't know anything and do what you need to do." Li Nanshan said.
"What else can I do? I don't have the heart to do anything. Your second brother has already quit working, so the work in the fields has to be done by your father alone. Your father is so old and his body can't hold up well anymore." Mrs. Li said with a bitter face.
"I'll go and take a look." Li Nanshan had no choice but to walk up from the field.
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