There’s a phrase that goes : whatever you hope for goes wrong.
And another saying: good things don’t work, bad things work.
That’s Lianshan’s mood right now.
He delicately made several dishes his wife loves, serving her with utmost attentiveness. He was fearful she’d happily give Auntie a break, and he’d end up being punished by having to sleep in the west room.
And the result? His wife didn’t give Auntie a break, but Auntie herself asked for one?
Oh, if you disagree, she might resign.
"You know, Lianshan, Shuzhen, Auntie knows this isn’t fair of her. But no matter how unfilial, that’s still my own son I carried for ten months and raised single-handedly, isn’t it? Now, Zhuangzi got injured at work, his leg got smashed, and his wife is over eight months into pregnancy, about to deliver anytime. You say the family’s hurt, got a swollen belly, and the little ones. If I don’t go back to oversee things, wouldn’t the family fall apart?" As she said this, Auntie, who’s always strong, had swollen eyes from crying.
"Auntie, what are you saying? Nobody wishes for such calamities, don’t worry. It’s still early for me; taking care of myself and the kids is no problem. You go pack, I’ll have Lian En call his second uncle to drive the tractor to take you home. Check Zhuangzi’s leg, if it’s not good, have Hai Zi take you to the hospital." Shuzhen held Auntie’s hand, wiping the tears from the corner of her eyes.
Meanwhile, Little Lian’en cheerfully responded: "Don’t worry, Second Grandma, Lian En will go find my second uncle now, soon! Dad, Mom, I’m going now!"
The little guy dashed out the door and left on his bike.
He moved so fast, Lianshan only had the chance to shout from behind: "Ride slower, be careful."
"Dad, don’t worry! My bro is a pro at biking, even Jiandang, Jianguo, Jiezi, and Ning An have to give him thumbs up. They’ve all fallen off and crashed, but my bro hasn’t even wobbled!" Chenchen bragged about his big brother, full of pride.
Indeed, Big Brother Lian En is the leader of Liu Village primary school!
Beloved pupil of the principal and several teachers, adored by fans throughout all grades, able to rally the whole school with one call.
Just mentioning that he’s Lian En’s brother, everyone is filled with envy. Good at studies, good-looking, great at fighting, and very talented.
The most crucial thing is he’s especially protective; no issues with disciplining his own siblings, but a single wrong look from others, he won’t let it go without addressing it!
Who wouldn’t want such an all-around and loyal brother?
Chenchen often feels grateful to his parents for giving him such an impressive brother.
"Exactly, Dad, big brother is awesome!" Little Xinzhi nodded with pride, rarely agreeing with the twin brother who’s her nemesis.
But when Chenchen looked over with a smile, the little girl gave him a side-eye and snorted heavily, making it clear that she wasn’t agreeing with him, just simply admiring her brother.
Chenchen got so angry his eyes flared, but mindful of their dad who favors daughters and mom who insists brothers must yield and protect sisters, the little guy wisely held back, giving Xinzhi a look that said she’d see.
Meanwhile, Lian En was already biking to Lian Hai’s house.
Briefly explained the situation to his second uncle, who happened to be home, then Lian Hai quickly biked Lian En to the team for Liu Shouren and for driving.
"Lian En, don’t bike back, ride the tractor with your second uncle. Leave the bike here, and I’ll ride it back later." Despite having seen the young kid bike many times, Liu Shouren still couldn’t feel assured.
Knowing his uncle’s worried for him, Lian En didn’t argue back.
Lian Hai cheerfully waved to Lian En, while chatting with Liu Shouren: "No need to trouble yourself, Shouren bro. I’ll just put the bike in the tractor’s bed and take it down when we reach my brother’s."
The uncle and nephew rode the tractor to Lianshan’s, arriving to find Auntie red-eyed declining Shuzhen’s offer.
"No need, really no need, Shuzhen niece. Auntie already feels bad enough abandoning you now, how can I take your money? Rest assured, I have money! All these years, I haven’t spent anything on food, clothing, or lodging, and I’ve saved all the wages you paid me. Quite a lot..."
Seeing Auntie shake her head vigorously like a rattle drum, refusing to accept Shu Zhan’s fifty bucks.
Shuzhen didn’t insist further, just instructed Lian Hai to drive safely and ensure her safe arrival.
Jumping on the tractor bed to get the bike down for his eldest nephew, Lian Hai laughed: "Don’t worry, Saozi, I’m skilled in driving and won’t jolt Auntie. But with Auntie gone, you might be really busy. How about we let Chenchen and Zhi Zhi stay with us for a few days?"
Upon hearing his words, the twins got nervous.
Truthfully, playing with Jiezi, Jiajia, and Congcong occasionally is fine. Staying for a few days, let’s forget it! After all, Auntie is frugal, quite different from at home with meat, veggies, snacks, and fruits.
"No way, you already have three at yours, adding these two troublemakers, it would be the end for Xiao Fang! Let them stay quiet at home, anyway, with Lian En here they can’t make much of a mess." Shuzhen laughed and declined her brother-in-law’s kind offer as she watched her clever little twins patting their chests in relief.
"Right, right, Mom’s right! Big bro’s great and awesome, Chenchen listens to big bro." Chenchen quickly chimed in, scared mom might change her mind and send him away.
"Yeah yeah yeah, listen to big bro, don’t go to second uncle’s. How would dad and mom cope missing Zhi Zhi for days?" Little Xinzhi pouted and scratched her head, her anxious look adding a carefree touch to the ambience, even making worried Auntie crack a slight smile.
Proud of the praise from his siblings, Lian En puffed his chest: "Thanks, second uncle, but no need. Going to your place would tire Auntie, the siblings will miss home, and we’ll miss them too. Let them stay home. If not, I’ll ask Grandpa Wu for a few self-study days at home. As long as my grades stay in the top three, he’s not too strict."
The twins shivered in shock: they just wanted to avoid being sent to second uncle’s and experiencing their frugal life.
Giving up school just to supervise them? Chenchen and Xinzhi shivered, feeling like they dug a hole and buried themselves.