Chapter 66: Chapter 66: Give an Explanation
Aunt Xia walked up and firmly took Xia Chuyi’s hand, patting it as she said, “Don’t worry, your uncle and I will make decisions for you!”
Apparently, they hadn’t expected the Xia Family to be so shameless and aggressive.
Xia Chuyi felt a warmth in her heart and gave Aunt Xia a slight smile.
After Uncle Xia gave her a reassuring look, he snorted coldly. Glancing at Xia Mei, who shook like a scared quail, he loudly called out toward the main house,
“Mr. In-law, Grandmother-in-law, brother-in-law, Third Brother-in-law, I am Zhao Minglang, I just came back home today, and there are some things I don’t quite understand, I would like to ask everyone!”
A single stone caused a thousand ripples; from several rooms in the Xia Family Courtyard, a commotion ensued.
The door to the main house quickly opened.
“Chuyi’s uncle, you’re here?” Grandpa Xia, putting aside his usual sternness toward the family, greeted Uncle Xia warmly from afar.
Though his voice was strong, he deliberately leaned on Uncle Xia to walk, including Grandma Xia, who was normally capable and energetic, pretentiously letting Aunt Xia help her.
They were clearly pulling rank, displaying their elder status.
But Uncle Xia was not buying it; he coolly replied, “Yes, I’m here, to ask Uncle Xia if he has any complaints against me, Zhao Minglang?”
“How can you say that… We’re all relatives, one family, how could there be any dissatisfaction? Uncle, why don’t you come inside and sit?” Grandpa Xia, with a face full of smiles, spoke very sincerely.
Grandpa Xia, having once been a minor steward in a landlord’s house, was particularly adept at saying one thing to one person and another to someone else.
Uncle Xia stood at the doorstep, not moving an inch, and snorted, “Wait until the Third Xia Family arrives, then we’ll all talk.”
Even Grandpa Xia couldn’t help feeling a bit embarrassed.
“Uncle, it’s cold and freezing outside, why stand out there? Plus, aren’t Mr. and Mrs. He cold too?” Grandpa Xia said trenchantly, pulling the He Family into the conversation.
Mr. and Mrs. He, initially acting like shrinking violets, widened their eyes wanting to agree with Grandpa Xia. But after a glance from Uncle Xia, they shrank back.
“Don’t worry, there’s plenty of time, everyone sit down and talk together,” replied Uncle Xia, his tone neither warm nor cold.
Clearly, Uncle Xia was determined to stand up for Xia Chuyi.
“Uncle…” Xia Chuyi softly called out, her voice unexpectedly chocking up a bit.
Her mind overwhelmed with thoughts, she hadn’t felt this protected by an elder for a long time.
With all the hubbub in the courtyard, there was strangely no response from the third branch of the family.
Despite Grandpa Xia’s repeated pleas for Uncle Xia to come inside for a discussion, Uncle Xia firmly refused each time.
Instead of waiting for the Third Xia Family, they ended up attracting an audience of onlookers.
Uncle Xia, accustomed to being assertive, didn’t care about being the center of public attention. Moreover, he had brought people with him precisely to discuss matters openly.
However, the members of the Xia Family, particularly Grandpa Xia and Grandma Xia, who always prided themselves as coming from a prominent family different from ordinary villagers, now found themselves humiliated, unable to save face.
But Uncle Xia adamantly wanted the Third Xia Family’s presence before discussing anything serious.
“This, this…” Grandpa Xia’s face went from red to white and back again, unable to contain himself any longer, he roared toward the direction of the third branch, “Third Xia Family, get out here right now!”