He Zhangcheng pulled his mother to the back with a dark face, deliberately keeping a distance. Ma Mingyue was extremely anxious when she saw this, but she didn't dare to come over because of her cousin's expression. She could only look to her sister-in-law for help, but Ye Man was also angry and couldn't care less.
Liu He belatedly realized that she had said the wrong thing, but as a mother, she couldn't possibly apologize to her son, especially since Ye Man had publicly reprimanded her without any regard for her reputation. She hadn't even settled the score yet.
"...I didn't do it on purpose."
He Zhangcheng's expression did not soften at all because of his mother's words. "Mom, don't you understand the saying 'trouble comes from the mouth'? Let's not talk about those irrelevant things. Ye Man and I are husband and wife, we are one, and we have a child. If anything happens to either of us, this family will fall apart. Do you want to see your son get into trouble?"
"...Alright, it's not that serious. I was just saying it casually. Do you think anyone here would report me?"
"Just something offhand? How do you know this hasn't gotten out? What if it gets out and you're the one who killed your own son? Do you just want to see your son paraded through the streets and subjected to public denunciation rallies, and you want me sent to a labor camp? You don't want to see your son succeed in the army, so you'd rather see him get shot?"
Liu He was startled and almost wanted to cover his mouth with her hand. "Are you crazy? Spit it out!"
He Zhangcheng covered his forehead with his hand, looking exhausted. "You can't even accept what I'm saying, yet you're willing to drag your son into the abyss with your reckless words. Mom, I really don't understand what you mean."
Everyone in the family is being extremely careful with their words and actions. These are extraordinary times. Please, I know you don't like your aunts, or the rest of the He family, but your son also has the surname He. If something really happens, I'll end up in jail too.
He Zhangcheng deliberately exaggerated the situation, and sure enough, Liu He's expression gradually became frightened. "...You are different from them."
“What’s the difference? We both have the surname He. You don’t think that if something happens to the rest of the family, your son can keep his job. Even if we’re lucky and don’t have to go to the countryside for labor reform, if we lose our jobs and can’t find work, I’ll have to go back to the countryside with you.”
Despite Liu He's frequent claims that she's a country bumpkin and a proletarian, unlike the rest of the He family who used to be capitalists, she still wouldn't want to go back to the countryside.
"Aunt Xing knows she was wrong, and I won't say it again."
"Okay, just remember that. You just need to know that your son's life and future depend entirely on your mouth. If you dare to say anything out of line again, I'm quitting my job and will pack up and go back to the village to farm with you."
When a son understands his mother and knows where her sore spot is, sure enough, Liu He forced a smile and said, "Don't talk nonsense. Mom promises you that I won't talk nonsense with outsiders anymore, so you can rest assured."
In the second half, Liu He kept her mouth shut and didn't try to get close to anyone. She barely spoke, but she still listened to her son's words.
If something really happens to her son, her good days will be over, and she doesn't want to go back to the countryside.
On the way, after An'an realized that her father really couldn't lift her onto his shoulders, she started pestering her aunt to pick flowers for her. Lu Ronghui was good with her hands, so she simply made her a flower wreath. An'an put it on her head and twirled around, looking pretty. The other two little girls immediately looked at her.
"...Little Aunt"
"Don't worry, we have everything. Just pick whichever flowers you want to put."
They walked slowly, stopping and starting along the way. He Zhangcheng finally waited until Ye Man was alone and was about to walk over to her when Ye Man said coldly, "Xiaoting, what kind of flowers do you want? Mom will pick them for you."
The children were having a lively time, while the fathers, carrying baskets on their backs, chatted occasionally but didn't talk much otherwise.
He Zhangcheng stood there trying to apologize to her, but Ye Man completely ignored him. She was either looking at her daughter or holding Song Qing's hand, not giving him a chance at all.
They finally reached the village entrance, where the sun was already quite strong. Liu Jiandong, wearing a straw hat, let out a long sigh upon seeing them.
"Brother-in-law, I thought you weren't coming. Junliang and I are practically melting from the sun."
As soon as they saw the two of them, several little kids immediately gathered around their legs, especially Zhuangzhuang, who wanted to play with the two older brothers the most.
They changed course and went up the mountain. Chen Junliang went to help carry things, while Liu Jiandong carried an empty basket. The four children were chattering so loudly that they almost made his head explode. "Uncle, go check on the traps."
In summer, the mountains are all green, and streams cascade down from the top of the mountain, bringing a touch of coolness. In this environment, even the most anxious mood can be calmed down, and even Ye Man's face showed a smile.
"Let's have a barbecue here. Anyone want to go fishing with me?"
Lu Yang unloaded the basket and was about to call An'an to come with him, but she had already followed her uncle to check the traps without turning her head. Suddenly, there wasn't a single child left in the area.
Lu Yang: "..."
Song Qing suppressed a laugh, "You guys pack your things first, we'll go gather some firewood, but I don't know if there are any wild vegetables left on the mountain at this time of year?"
If there are wild vegetables available, roasted wild vegetables are naturally more delicious. If not, it's okay, since we brought plenty of vegetables anyway.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
