The core staff being transferred to the canteen, the spittle almost drowned people. However, without such a transfer, it was impossible to keep me. Other families had their relatives to rely on, but mine had no one. At that time, even if it meant shoveling excrement, I had to endure it.
That year, your eldest brother was ten, your second sister was nine, Third Brother was eight, your fourth sister was seven, and Xiao Rao was five. With the meager salary I earned, it was simply not enough to support all five of them.
I remember one morning, your fourth sister said to me, "Mom, I was dreaming of eating plain rice. It’s a pity I woke up before I was full. It would have been good if I had woken up later, then I wouldn’t need breakfast." At that moment, I just couldn’t stop crying.
Later, it was your eldest brother who helped out by bringing matchboxes from a classmate’s home to patch things up a bit, but, it was still a luxury to hope that all five children could be well-fed.
The one who was closest to me, my eldest sister, lived together with my grandparents’ family. She wanted to help us, but she was helpless. The only thing she could do was to bring Xiao Meili to our house at night and help us assemble the matchboxes.
Not wanting everyone to worry, I lied that since we were in trouble, my family had taken them in, but in reality, it was always us sisters enduring the hardships.
Zhongkang, you were living with your uncle, and although the conditions were not much better, they were definitely better than ours. So, at that time, it would have actually done you harm if Eldest Uncle’s Wife had kept you by her side," Lin Yanqiu said, reaching this point before stopping.
Zhou Zhongkang was half-doubtful, "Eldest Uncle’s Wife, if that is true, why does no one at home know about this?"
"Your Eldest Uncle’s Wife, she is just too proud to admit suffering," Old Madam Zhou sighed, "Now that she has come to terms with it, I can tell the truth. She and Aunt Zhu have always been trying to outdo each other. Back then, Aunt Zhu was also sent down to the countryside, and she just wanted to beat her at her own game, so she lied, saying that she was always staying with her family, who were helping her with the children."
Your eldest brother and his siblings have suffered so much, they understand things better than other kids and also know how to appreciate Eldest Uncle’s Wife, so they all kept silent about it. Your dad and mom knew, but they are too kindhearted to mention it.
In the family, it was just me and your grandfather who knew. Naturally, the news didn’t spread. I know you must be wondering why the Lin Family doesn’t expose Eldest Uncle’s Wife. This situation gives them face, do you think they would expose her?"
After a long silence, Zhou Zhongkang got up and bowed deeply to Lin Yanqiu, "Eldest Uncle’s Wife, I’m sorry, I was wrong to blame you."
"You’ve always felt that your grandfather favors Third Brother. Actually, everything Third Brother has was earned by himself," Old Madam Zhou sighed heavily, "If you knew what he has suffered, you’d understand how wildly mistaken you were."
Zhou Zhongkang was still trying to digest everything Old Madam had said when Mei Xiaofeng stood up, "Grandma, Eldest Uncle’s Wife, thank you. I know it’s because of me that you brought up these old matters."
"I promise you, whether or not my family agrees, no matter how serious the Zhou family’s affairs are, I will firmly stay by Zhou Zhongkang’s side.
"I will do my best to bring him back to the family who loves him, to stop him from blindly persisting in his misunderstandings. He’s not a heartless person; he’s just deeply mistaken and has inadvertently hurt others and himself. I won’t say much more. From now on, you will see our actions."
"Xiao Feng, thank you, I’m really grateful..." Liang Xiaohong came running down the stairs "thump thump thump," and in three strides, she was by Mei Xiaofeng’s side, hugging her tightly.
Mei Xiaofeng, slightly startled, responded, "Mom, you should thank Eldest Uncle’s Wife. She revisited her own pains to clear Zhou Zhongkang’s heart."
"Sister-in-law, thank you." Liang Xiaohong then turned and hugged Lin Yanqiu.
Lin Yanqiu smiled and patted her back, "What are you being formal for? Xiao Feng, this child, is a blessing to our family."
"Yes," Liang Xiaohong sobbed, "to marry a daughter-in-law like Xiao Feng is the fortune of several lifetimes for me, and even more so for Zhongkang!"
Mei Xiaofeng’s face flushed as she stole a glance at Zhou Zhongkang.
Hesitating for a moment, Zhou Zhongkang cleared his throat, "Mom, where is dad?"
"Have you thought it through?" came Zhou Gangping’s stern voice.
Perhaps it was a change in mindset, but Zhou Zhongkang heard a slight tremble in his father’s voice. For the first time, he realized that his father did not disregard him but, like himself, was just not adept at expressing emotions openly.