Whether a family can be harmonious and peaceful must have someone sensible, and whether a clan can thrive inevitably requires unity.
This is exactly the case with the Cheng family; there are sensible ones and those who can bear responsibilities. Perhaps they are mutually beneficial, but this is also a form of unity. With less selfish scheming, they can coexist harmoniously.
So, when Mother Cheng was about to take the steamed cake to the third uncle’s house, Aunt Cheng had already sent a bowl of rice cakes over. The two sisters-in-law exchanged a smile, which made them feel even closer.
And Father Cheng simply decided that the two families would dine together for the Mid-Autumn festival this year. Since the third uncle works outside and is not often in the village, it was a rare chance to gather, which received a hearty approval from Third Uncle Cheng, who instructed his wife to bring the meat dishes over to the Cheng house for cooking.
The men were talking, the wives were busy in the kitchen, and the children were sharing their future dreams, making for a joyful family gathering.
Looking at the Qi family, the atmosphere wasn’t as good.
Mother Qi was very unsettled knowing that Cheng Su wouldn’t be coming home for the holiday. How could they celebrate when there’s no daughter-in-law at home to assist?
Her face only looked better after seeing the festival gifts brought by Qi Fenglian, but she still wasn’t completely satisfied.
"Can’t she come back just because Taiguo isn’t here? I think she just doesn’t regard this as her home." Mother Qi muttered discontentedly while flipping through various festival gifts.
"If she comes home, then no one will be minding the shop. Isn’t any day a festival as long as the family is together?" Father Qi said.
"Exactly!" Qi Fenglian agreed.
Mother Qi snorted.
Father Qi ignored her and started chatting with Qi Fenglian, asking first about Cheng Su and then about how she and Zhang Jisheng were doing.
Qi Fenglian’s smile turned cold.
Father Qi noticed something was wrong; was there trouble again?
"...He says it’s tiring, but Dad, where’s the money without hard work? He thinks Cheng Su’s business is big, and it’s easy to make money. He doesn’t consider that they worked hard day and night at the beginning. I heard from Taiguo that when Cheng Su first opened a restaurant, she had to get up at four or five in the morning to prepare!" Qi Fenglian said with a bitter smile, "But Jisheng doesn’t listen; he only sees others being prosperous without seeing the hardships they’ve endured. He’s changed a lot!"
Father Qi furrowed his brow, which wasn’t a good sign, indicating Zhang Jisheng was now pursuing comfort.
But as Qi Fenglian said, where does money come from without hard work? Could it be that the big city can so easily change a person’s nature?
"Didn’t he think about the days when he worked for just a few cents? Those days were so difficult." Father Qi asked solemnly.
"I’ve said as much, but he wouldn’t listen." Qi Fenglian sighed.
"Being a construction worker earns quite a lot too, as long as there’s work, there’s money. He’s never satisfied; what more does he want? If that’s the case, he should come back and continue woodwork, fishing for three days and drying nets for two, and that won’t be tiring!" Father Qi was a bit annoyed.
He used to think this son-in-law was honest and a little timid, but now it seems he’s just a pile of useless mud, incapable of being shaped?
Others had given him a helping hand, yet he remained ungrateful and wasteful. What does he want?
Does he really expect someone to deliver things straight to his mouth? How is there such a good thing in the world?
Qi Fenglian wanted to speak but stopped, thinking it over and ultimately decided against it. It was too shameful; how could she dare to speak!
"If that’s the case, let Taiguo’s wife find him another job? An office job maybe? That wouldn’t be tiring!" Mother Qi suddenly interjected.