Chapter 273: Head off problems at the outset Chapter 273: Head off problems at the outset “A few words were indeed exchanged,” Ye Jiu joined He Shi sitting on the ground. He took out the food and said, “It seems Auntie isn’t one for meddling, and although Uncle is a bit stern, he doesn’t seem like a bad person. Why exactly did our family and Uncle’s family become so estranged?”
Even close brothers don’t speak when they meet, and even the younger generations don’t communicate; the relationship can truly be said to be poor.
“It’s actually not something major; it’s all because of Li Shi,” He Shi said while eating, “Our Wangshan Village is more enlightened than other places. Typically, once a son gets married, he can start his own household, but the elderly always live with the eldest son. The others just need to show filial piety annually, and that’s enough.
“Back in the day when your grandma, that old hag, was still alive, she insisted on living with our family to protect Li Shi during the division of the household. Since your uncle was the eldest, naturally, he wasn’t pleased with this situation.
“Later, when your mother gave birth to your eldest and second brothers, your grandma wanted to help Li Shi snatch the kids and actively requested to take care of them for her.
“This issue traces back to the time when your aunt-in-law gave birth. She hurt her body during a difficult labor with your eldest male cousin, and your grandma wasn’t even willing to help take care of the child. Yet, at this time, she actively offered to help with ours, and ended up taking care of two or three at once.
“Even though it was clear that the old woman did this to target me, it still made your uncle unhappy, and from then on, he harbored resentment towards your father.
“Moreover, when your grandma died, someone in the village, who didn’t know any better, said that it was because the eldest son wasn’t filial, which was why the old lady chose to live with the second son. Because of this, your uncle had a fight with your dad, and since then, there has been no contact between them.”
Ye Jiu felt ashamed; it turns out, it was indeed Li Shi’s problem that had sown the seeds of trouble.
“Then why are Uncle and Auntie out working?” Ye Jiu asked curiously.
“You were sick in the past few years and didn’t go out, so it’s normal for you not to know about their household,” He Shi took a sip of water before continuing, “Your aunt-in-law hurt her body giving birth, and she only had your eldest male cousin. A few years ago, your eldest male cousin passed away from illness, and his ruthless wife left the child behind and went back to her parents’ home, never to return, leaving only Changsheng with his father. Like him, Changsheng has a poor health, and at sixteen, he’s still frail and sickly. I heard that recently he can’t even leave the house.”
Ye Jiu couldn’t help but feel a twinge of sympathy; his uncle’s family really was quite pitiful.
“Actually, when you get down to it, it’s not severe. Even if there were some grievances back then, our two families wouldn’t have stopped speaking for so many years, right?” Ye Jiu was genuinely incredulous. After all, they were blood brothers and didn’t have any significant animosity. To have reached this stage, it truly was unwarranted.
“It’s not a big deal, but your uncle and your dad have the same temperament. Don’t be fooled by their silent demeanor; they’re both stubborn. Otherwise, a trivial matter could have been discussed, and it wouldn’t have led to a feud,” He Shi explained.
“Stop yapping like a girl and eat your meal quickly so you can get back to work,” Ye Lao Han had just finished tying up the donkey and came over to eat. He hadn’t expected He Shi to be bad-mouthing him.
“Hmph, your wife is in a good mood and doesn’t care to deal with you. Don’t go looking for trouble,” He Shi retorted and, having finished her bowl, placed it on the ground and then stood up to leave.
After a few steps, she turned back to remind Ye Jiu, “Xiaojiu, put the bowls over there when you go back. Mom will clean them up later.”