"Times have changed, don’t always compare us to when we were kids. Back then, we didn’t go to the hospital because the family couldn’t afford it, but now things are better; of course, we should enjoy ourselves. If Shiping is really avoiding us because we’re from the countryside, I’d be the first to disagree."
Wan Dongcheng said this partly to Pan Huiyun and partly for the relatives to hear. He wanted to show off how well he was doing now and also boast about his authority in the household.
"You’re so capable, yet you let her manage the money?" The more her son defended his wife, the angrier Pan Huiyun got, and her words became nastier. "Getting you a job at No. 2 Middle School, that’s nothing compared to a government-assigned position. Dongcheng, let me tell you, your father-in-law favors sons over daughters. You’ve married this daughter-in-law in vain. Beyond looking a bit pretty, she’s good for nothing. It would have been better if you’d married Erya..."
"Mom, will you ever stop?" Wan Dongcheng, annoyed, smacked the table. He could tolerate her nagging usually, but now with so many relatives around, his mother didn’t give him any face at all.
Pan Huiyun was taken aback by how angry Wan Dongcheng had become.
Seeing his son’s face turn green with anger, Wan’s father also glared at his wife, "Dongcheng has said the child is seriously ill. City kids are more delicate; how can you compare her with the village children? Go check if the meat in the kitchen is stewed yet."
His son was his pride in the village, and Wan’s father doted on Wan Dongcheng the most. As for his daughter-in-law, whether she brought her daughter back home or not, he really didn’t care.
Wan’s elder cousin noticed Wan Dongcheng was upset and quickly poured him a glass of wine, trying to smooth things over with a smile, "Come on, Dongcheng, have a drink to warm up. Aunt Pan always speaks her mind just like that; we’re all used to it. Don’t take it to heart."
Wan Dongcheng was in charge or not, his elder cousin really didn’t care. The fact that Wan Dongcheng had lent a hundred bucks for his wedding was enough reason for the cousin to cozy up to him. Dıscover more novels at 𝕟𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕝✶𝓯𝓲𝓻𝓮✶𝓷𝓮𝓽
A young couple married for just two or three years – who else had money like Wan Dongcheng? Living in a big house, with a beautiful wife, and even some spare cash in hand, he envied him even in his dreams.
"Cheers." Wan Dongcheng picked up the glass and drained it in one go, clicked his tongue, and then said, "My mom talks too much. She knows nothing about some things but still likes to meddle. My father-in-law has only one son and one daughter; he loves both of them the same. How could he not dote on them? Let me tell you, my father-in-law said, he wants me to teach at No. 2 Middle School for two years to gain some social experience, then he’ll invest in a shop for me in town so that I can start my own business and be a big boss."
Wan’s elder cousin quickly filled Wan Dongcheng’s glass again, "Dongcheng, your father-in-law thinks so highly of you. In a few years, when you make it big, don’t forget about us! We’re just getting by farming, barely managing food and drink, and never saving any money by the end of the year."
"Don’t worry, elder cousin." Wan Dongcheng, feeling flattered and boastful after a drink, bragged grandly, "Once I get my store up and running, I’ll call all of you over to help. By then, why bother with farming? Work casually for a year, and you’ll be able to build a new house back home."
"With those words, I can rest easy waiting for your shop to open. Let’s drink, drink, drink."
"Dongcheng, I’ll toast to you too."
"Uncle, here’s to you too! You may have farmed all your life, but you’ve raised a good son! Across ten villages and eight hamlets, everyone respects you when they speak of you; they all say you’ve raised a Scholar Star."
Everyone took turns praising the Wan family father and son to the skies.