Ji Ying was afraid her words might startle Xu Nianhua, so she spoke in a veiled manner.
However, Xu Nianhua understood her perfectly and nodded, "Mom, rest assured, I definitely won’t be with anyone else..." before we’re married.
The part she left unsaid, which was too shocking, was hastily amended by Xu Nianhua to, "I won’t get too close to men."
"That’s good," Ji Ying praised, "My Nianhua is so sensible."
"Mom, don’t worry. I will absolutely not do anything that would bring shame to you and dad."
Xu Nianhua smiled pridefully, her goal was to make her parents proud of her.
"Mom." Xu Qinghe suddenly noticed that stepmother Liu Sanmei had arrived.
"The old house is really nice, so peaceful to live in." Liu Sanmei looked around the house; Ji Ying was diligent—the grass in the courtyard had been thoroughly hoed, none could be seen, and the old house was cleaned everywhere, tidy, apart from being a bit old, but as always clean and orderly.
Since there was no electricity at that moment, Xu Qinghe and Xu Nian’an were enjoying the cool in the yard.
"Grandma, please have a seat." Xu Nian’an stood up and offered a stool.
Even though Xu Nian’an knew that his step-grandmother would never truly care for his father and was biased towards his uncle’s family, Xu Nian’an understood that he must not dispense with the necessary politeness.
"Auntie, please have a seat."
Xu Nian’an brought out two more stools.
Xu Nianhua came out with two cups of tea, which were actually just boiled water.
Under the bright moonlight, Liu Sanmei explained her reason for coming, mainly about how the division of the family had been too hasty, and how the old man had been in a foul temper these days. Basically, she implied that it would be better if the family hadn’t split.
"Mom, even though the family is divided, I will still show you the utmost filial piety," Xu Qinghe said firmly. Regardless of anything, the grace of raising him owed to Xu Zhong; and though Liu Sanmei had her prejudices, she after all had ensured his safe upbringing.
Liu Sanmei kept repeating her case, but Xu Qinghe thought that since the family had split, there was absolutely no reason to go back. Now, everyone in the village knew they had separated, and the proof for the old house was in their hands, besides, after the division, Xu Qinghe found living there more peaceful.
The old house might have been a little worn, but it was certainly tranquil.
By his side, Xu Nianhua quietly lowered her head without speaking, until Liu Sanmei and the others left. Xu Qinghe sighed and said, "Dad might just not be used to being separated from the rest of the family."
In the past, he always joined his dad for a drink.
"Dad, being more filial to Grandpa and Grandma is the same," Xu Nianhua said with a smile. "If dad misses Grandpa, we can go see him tomorrow, we live close by."
"Right," Xu Qinghe nodded, showing no intention of returning to the Xu Family. He said, "Nian’an, walk your grandma and auntie home."
It was pitch dark outside, and even with the moonlight, it wasn’t very clear.
"Big brother, I’ll come too."
Xu Nianhua followed along.
As the siblings walked quickly, getting closer, they overheard Liu Sanmei and Auntie Zhao Juxiang apparently arguing about something. The siblings exchanged glances and instinctively lightened their footsteps.
"Mom, Uncle Xu doesn’t want to return to the Xu Family, does he?" Zhao Juxiang sounded troubled!
If Xu Qinghe and his family didn’t return to the Xu Family, who would farm their land? Who would tend to the vegetable garden? Who would wash the dishes? Who would clean the chicken coop, duck pen, and rabbit hutch?
Even the chicken feces in the yard—and there was a lot of it—would be left for her to clean.
And then there were three meals a day!
These past few days, Zhao Juxiang had been so exhausted her whole body ached!