"Third Brother, you don’t know, last night at the dinner table, my eldest sister-in-law asked me how much money Xinxin and I made in the Capital City?"
He paused before adding, "Of course, I answered with a question too, saying this year’s harvest was so good, surely we divided a decent sum, right?"
Yun Xiaoxiao really didn’t know how to judge these petty household matters.
They say even a fair official has difficulty settling domestic disputes.
He, as one of the younger generation, felt it was even harder to comment on his little uncle and little aunt’s affairs.
Could it be that was it, and there was nothing more?
"I just said that living expenses in the Capital City are high, and it’s especially cold there, so you have to buy two quilts, clothes, and shoes. Cotton shoes simply won’t do outside. Then there’s food and accommodation – all told, each month you’re lucky to save 20 yuan. We were there for three months and earned 60 yuan."
Add another zero to that?
"After I said that, my eldest sister-in-law didn’t ask further. After all, we brought back quite a few specialties; they’re likely scared we’ll tally up the total cost. But I still snuck my mom 50 yuan. I wonder how much the little sister gave?"
Although they haven’t yet divided the family property, the reason Zhao Tianhe of this age isn’t married yet is still because the family is poor.
Eldest Cousin Zhao got married at eighteen.
But Zhao Tianhe is already in his twenties and still unmarried.
"Little Aunt didn’t introduce you to someone?"
Speaking of this, Zhao Tianhe felt hassled – his mind was set on making money right now and he had no interest in other things for the time being.
"She did, but I didn’t agree. My brother and sister-in-law also asked me whether I planned to go back to the Capital City after the New Year."
When they brought up this issue, Zhao Tianlei also mentioned that Fang Chaoyang might be heading to the Capital City as well.
"You should go. You don’t know, I heard from my dad that Grandma Fang is seriously ill, and her two sons not only refuse to pay for her treatment, they haven’t even gone to see her once."
The group talked as they walked towards home.
"Damn it, when I came over just now, I ran into Mao Dan. Isn’t his uncle in Cheng Family Village? He said that kid from the Chen Family even took a new wife and keeps saying everywhere outside that my little sister is infertile, but he can sire children."
If it weren’t for the first day of the Lunar New Year, Zhao Tianhe would’ve loved to go over and throw a few punches at that guy, spouting such nonsense.
The beating they gave him before was clearly too light.
It didn’t make them remember.
"That’s nonsense. I took Xiaoxiao to the hospital for tests, and there’s nothing wrong with her health," Yun Xiaoxiao frowned subconsciously and immediately objected upon hearing that.
If a couple can’t have children.
It is necessary to test both parties to determine who has the issue.
It’s wrong to blame the woman for the couple’s childlessness, assuming the fault lies with her.
The problem could be with the man.
Male infertility can be congenital too.
"This is slander against my little sister. I’d like to see if his wife can bear children," said Yun Xiaoxiao.
Yun Xiaoxiao seemed to have thought of something and suddenly remarked, "What does it matter if their wives can’t bear children? They all rely on brothers and the neighbor, Old Wang, to help out."
This statement stunned the two men into silence.
By the time they caught on, Zhao Tianhe was giving Yun Xiaoxiao a big thumbs up, "Sister-in-law’s the smart one. I’ll pass this saying along to him. Does he think he can tarnish my little sister’s reputation and treat us Zhao Family folks like we’re nothing?"
"Third Brother, when are we going back to the Capital City?"
"Around the fifth or sixth?"
Right now, the situation is still unclear.
"I’ll head back first. You guys talk." Yun Xiaoxiao’s feelings towards Zhao Family Village Team weren’t that strong.
But it was different for Zhao Tianlei, as he grew up here.