Zhou Mingqian returned quickly. After settling things at home, the two bought tickets to return to Zhoujiazhuang.
After returning home, the place was a bit damp because no one had lived there for a while, so I lit a fire and made some hot water to wash my face.
"Banxia, it's you guys who's back?"
When Shen Banxia saw that it was Aunt Zhu, she said, "Come in and sit down, Aunt Zhu."
"Hey, I saw smoke coming from your chimney, so you must be back. How many days are you planning to stay? Come to my house for dinner today," Aunt Zhu invited.
"Then I won't stand on ceremony," Shen Banxia said, as she happened to have something to discuss with Aunt Zhu.
Aunt Zhu smiled happily, "That's right. I dislike that kind of fake politeness the most. You're all going to Kyoto. It's not as convenient to see a doctor in the village as it used to be. And you don't know, the Zhou family is causing trouble every day. I don't know what the fourth son of the Zhou family was thinking, he got involved in gambling. Last time, someone even came to cause a scene." As she spoke, she mentioned the Zhou family.
Shen Banxia listened with great interest, "And then what happened?"
"Later, your in-laws couldn't stand it anymore and kicked him out. It was a terrible thing. The old couple weren't young anymore, how could they clean up Zhou Laosi's mess every day? Back then, Zhou Laosi was even planning to find a husband for Su Yin. Bah, what kind of good husband could that gambling addict find? He was just trying to sell his sister. Luckily, God has eyes." Aunt Zhu was increasingly disgusted with Zhou Laosi.
In her view, how could you, as the older brother, use your sister's marriage to fill your own financial hole?
Shen Banxia shook her head, "You absolutely can't get involved in gambling."
"That's right. It's not easy for people in the countryside to earn a penny. Your in-laws initially felt sorry for him because his wife was gone, but he's become more and more irresponsible. Now he doesn't work in the fields properly and is relying on the two of them to make a living. You know, he used to be a pretty ambitious young man. How did he turn out like this? Sigh, you have to know a woman's background before you marry her," Aunt Zhu couldn't help but sigh.
I used to compete with Zhou's mother, but now, she looks older than me. Indeed, children are a burden.
"By the way, I heard that Zhou Mingjiao also went to Kyoto. Have you been in contact with her? You don't know, your mother-in-law is still talking about Zhou Mingjiao. She's quite lucky. Who would have thought that those people would have a day when they could turn their lives around?"
"I've seen her. She's doing alright," Shen Banxia thought, believing that Zhou Mingjiao definitely didn't have time to think about her mother.
"I said that's an ingrate. Your mother-in-law used to dote on her so much, but now that she's living a good life, she doesn't care about this place at all. I wonder if your mother-in-law regrets it?" Aunt Zhu sighed.
Back then, which girl in Zhoujiazhuang didn't envy Zhou Mingjiao? She was living a better life than all the boys in the family.
"Who knows?" Shen Banxia didn't want to get involved.
When the family property was divided, the amount of filial piety that each side was supposed to give had already been calculated, and she always gave it in advance.
News of Shen Banxia and the others' return spread quickly. They hadn't realized it before, but after they left, they discovered how important a good doctor was to the village.
At that time, they didn't think it was a big deal. But since they left, medical care has become expensive and the recovery has been slow. It's a pity, but there's no use in regretting it now, since they've moved to a big city.
Now that the person has finally returned, those who usually can't afford to see a doctor are flocking over.
Shen Banxia did not refuse. She would give acupuncture to those who could be given acupuncture, and write out prescriptions for those who needed medicine so they could get the medicine themselves.
After watching it, it was time for dinner, and Gou Dan came over to call everyone.
Shen Banxia and the others followed.
"Aunt Zhu, we've arrived. Here are some local specialties we brought for you."
"Why are you being so polite? But I've never actually seen anything like this in Kyoto before. Oh, I'm really grateful to my 'good sister' for this," Aunt Zhu thought, feeling that her gossipy buddy was the best.
Looking at the meal on the table, including chicken soup, Shen Banxia said, "Aunt Zhu, you're too kind."
"Hehe, no, no."
After having dinner at Aunt Zhu's house, Zhou's father called the two of them over.
Stepping into Old Zhou's house next door, the layout remained the same.
Zhou's father looked at Zhou Mingqian sternly, "You didn't even know to come home unless I called you?"
"No".
“No? Eldest son, I don’t think I’ve done anything to wrong you two. This time, as your father, I have a favor to ask of you,” Zhou’s father said, looking intently at Zhou Mingqian.
"Father, tell me, let me see if I can do it."
Zhou's father choked, but thinking of that scoundrel, he realized he was too old to control him.
"When you leave, could you please take Lao Si with you? If he continues like this, he'll really be ruined," Zhou's father said with heartache.
Compared to his wife, he had high hopes for his youngest son, but unfortunately, he had such a difficult time getting married.
“Dad, have you forgotten? I’m still a student. What can I do with him if I take him out?” Zhou Mingqian didn’t know how his father could say such a thing so confidently.
“Mingqian, I know you are very capable, and I also know that your grandparents left you good things. Please help me take care of the fourth child, for the sake of me raising you. I really have no other choice. If I had any other way, I would not have troubled you with this matter. No matter what, we are blood relatives,” Zhou’s father said, tears streaming down his face.
If he could, he wouldn't want to ask his eldest son for help. Right now, he felt like such a failure; he had raised three sons, yet he couldn't compare to that man's one son.
"Dad, I'm sorry, I really have no choice. How about we talk about it after I graduate? Also, Grandpa and Grandma didn't leave me anything," Zhou Mingqian didn't want to cause trouble for himself now.
Would he admit it? Of course not, his grandparents had already told him back then.
However, in the past, he was so immersed in family affection that he felt it was all his fault. Only after he came to terms with it did he realize that some people were simply not worth it.
"You, are you really so heartless? Zhou Mingqian, how could you do this? Don't you think about it? If it weren't for me, would you have survived this long?" Zhou's father accused him.
"Without my grandparents, you and your uncle wouldn't have been able to have so many children and grandchildren."
Zhou Mingqian's words made his father choke. "Zhou Mingqian, do you really have to settle things with me so clearly?"
"As long as you don't make me do anything difficult, Dad."
"Fine, fine, you've grown wings and I can't control you anymore. You won't even do me a favor? Get out, get out, and don't ever come to my Zhou family again!" Zhou's father said angrily.
"Okay," Zhou Mingqian said, not caring at all; he hadn't originally planned to come.
Seeing that the old man had messed things up, Zhou's mother's face changed, and she knelt down with a "thump," pleading, "Eldest son, please help the fourth son."
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