On the fifth day of the Lunar New Year, Taiguo Qi came to the Cheng family as promised to pick up his wife, and to everyone’s surprise, Father Qi came along with him.
Father Qi’s intention was to pay a New Year’s visit to his relatives. Since the two families lived close by, he decided to come over.
With her father-in-law’s arrival, Cheng Su, who had originally planned to leave directly from there, changed her mind after being advised by Father Cheng.
"You should stand firm when you need to be firm, and yield when you should yield, giving someone a way out will make your own path smoother. By conducting yourself well, you won’t give others anything to talk about," Father Cheng had said.
Cheng Su naturally took the hint and left with the local products Mother Cheng had prepared.
On the way, Taiguo quietly told her that his aunt and her family had already left, which caused Cheng Su to pause for a moment, her heart slightly relieved. She really didn’t want to see her aunt’s face.
"Big daughter-in-law, your mother-in-law is getting more and more confused and can’t tell right from wrong. But don’t worry, I’m still in charge of this household. I see everything that’s black and white, and you shouldn’t feel burdened. Your father hopes both you and Taiguo live well. Your merits and good deeds are also seen and remembered in my heart," Father Qi solemnly said to Cheng Su before they entered the house.
Cheng Su was touched and replied, "Dad, I’m sorry to have worried you. I, I also have my flaws and have not done well enough."
Only then did Father Qi smile, "You’ve done very well. Come inside, we’ll eat, and then you can go. I’ll make you a braised fish for lunch."
Cheng Su smiled sweetly, "Thank you, Dad!"
As they entered, Mother Qi was out feeding the chickens with leftover grains. She saw them returning and snorted, ignoring them.
"Mom, we’re back. We’ll return to Qing City after lunch," Taiguo called out.
"Whether you come back or not, I can’t control you!" Mother Qi retorted without turning around.
"Ignore her, she’s just being contrary," Father Qi beckoned Cheng Su inside.
Mother Qi caught a glimpse from the corner of her eye and her face twisted with anger as she felt a sour pang in her heart.
With her father-in-law speaking up for her, Cheng Su had no reason to put on airs, and by lunchtime, she too pitched in with the cooking.
Qi Fengping secretly said to Mother Qi, "We really can’t afford to offend this sister-in-law. Dad’s supporting her, and so is the eldest brother."
Mother Qi’s heart felt even worse, and she wanted to explode, but remembering her eldest son’s words that he would visit less if she was displeased made her realize that this would mean seeing even less of her son.
She had to suppress her feelings, which pained her deeply.
After lunch, when Taiguo and the others were about to leave, Mother Qi couldn’t bear to let them go and finally spoke up, "Can’t you leave tomorrow? You’ve only been home for a few days, I can count the days on one hand, and you haven’t even had a proper New Year."
"Mom, I have to be on duty tonight if I go back!" Taiguo’s face showed no signs of reluctance, causing Mother Qi’s heart to tremble and her head to buzz.
Before she could say anything else, Father Qi interjected, "That’s enough, don’t delay them. If they wait any longer, it will be too late to get back. They can come back next time when they have leave." He thought to himself, if not for your eldest daughter’s scene, would this New Year have been unpleasant?
Mother Qi knew what he resented, and feeling guilty, she kept her mouth shut, gathering local produce and other special items from the house to pack in a sack for them to take back.
Cheng Su took out one hundred yuan and handed it to Father Qi, saying, "Dad, my shop is reopening on the eighth day of the lunar month, and I also need to get the new shop ready. I can’t stay at home to take care of you for a few days. Take this money and buy some nice food."
"That’s too much money, I don’t want it. Keep it for yourself, you have plenty of expenses!" Father Qi hastily refused.
"It’s okay, we have enough!" Cheng Su insisted, smiling.
After Father Qi tried several times to refuse it without success, he finally accepted the money and repeatedly reminded them to look after their health, telling them that money couldn’t be earned all at once but health was the most important.
Seeing Cheng Su give money to the old man, Mother Qi’s eyes reddened. She waited a long while for Cheng Su’s indication of generosity toward her, frustrated to no end, thinking to herself that Cheng Su was playing favorites.
However, she failed to consider that in this world, affairs of the heart are reciprocal. How you treat others is how they will treat you.