As they approached the farm, they spotted Ye Yang from afar, busy working on the farm, his body bent slightly over as he waved his hoe.
Liu Duo called out to him when they walked nearer. “Yang.”
Hei Xiaomeng followed suit in an attempt to win over its owner’s affection. It barked several times at Ye Yang, reminding him that he had visitors.
Ye Yang straightened his back and glanced over at them when he heard his wife’s unique voice.
“Yang, do come home earlier today. We have guests, so we’ll be having dinner earlier than usual,” Liu Duo explained.
If Liu Quanyan and Liu Liushi knew that Liu Duo only regarded them as guests, subjected to the cold shoulder treatment, would they be upset?
Ye Mo walked to the edge of the vegetable patch and naturally helped Ye Yang pack his sickle, teapot, and other equipment into the basket.
Ye Yang nodded and turned towards Uncle Liu who was hard at work. “Uncle Liu, time to go.”
He was not at all curious to know who the guests were. He would find out when they got home.
“Alright.”
Uncle Liu had been working with Ye Yang for quite some time now. Even his speech patterns were simplified.
Then, the two carried their hoes as they began to leave the farm. Liu Duo stood by the edge, welcoming her husband with a smile.
When they got out, Ye Mo had finished packing everything into the basket and came to Liu Duo’s side.
“Come on, Yang, Uncle Liu, let’s go home,” he said to them.
Then, he took Liu Duo’s hand and led them home.
Originally, Liu Duo wanted to break free from his grip and hold Ye Yang’s hand instead, but the difference in strength forced her to give in.
Ye Yang had gotten used to Mo’s domineering behavior towards their wife, as long as his conduct was within proper limits. He walked behind them, carrying his hoe, as they headed home.
When they got to the house, dinner was almost ready.
“Little Duo, you came home just in time. Dinner will be done shortly. Yang, why don’t you and Uncle Liu go wash up a bit?” Ye Liu said when he saw them coming while he set the table.
At the same time, Ye Yang spotted Liu Liushi, who was helping Ye Liu set the table, and Liu Quanyan, who was also in the house. He realized they were the guests Liu Duo had referred to.
He placed his hoe back in its usual spot before heading to the well with Uncle Liu. Then they returned indoors, sat down, and waited for the meal.
“Father,” Ye Yang greeted Liu Quanyan, who responded with a nod. “Oh, hi.”
Compared to their third son-in-law, who they considered rude and hard to get along with, their eldest son-in-law always hung around with a poker face and seemed unapproachable. He felt Yang was even more difficult to get along with, and he would not want to get on his bad side.
Liu Quanyan cautiously sat next to him, feeling disconcerted. He did not know what they could talk about.
Ye Yang was a silent man to begin with. He might be a little more vocal in front of Liu Duo, but even with his brothers, his words were few and far between!
What else could he say?
For a moment, silence fell in the household, broken only by the chatter coming from the kitchen.
Liu Duo went to bring Little Huzi out of the kitchen while Little Lian and the others went to wash their hands before dinner.