Volume One, Chapter 19: The Eldest Sister Returns Home

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Upon seeing this, Yaqin quickly grabbed Liancheng’s clothes. “Big brother, don’t run off! Can you help me get some of those patterned handkerchiefs too?”

This put Liancheng, who always doted on his sister, in a bit of a dilemma. “When our workplace ordered this batch, it took a long time to arrive. Suzhou has established a specialized silk market called the Oriental Silk Market. It’s very popular. I heard there are fewer factories making handkerchiefs now, so their supply has become even tighter.”

Guìlán, standing nearby, said, “Enough, it’s the New Year. Let’s not talk about these things. This year will be the last Spring Festival our family spends in Shanglin Village. Your eldest sister is back; Mom is happy. Yalin, Yaqin, you two come with me to help.”

Guìlán held little Yanyan and asked, “Tell Grandma, what do you want to eat?”

“Ya… Yan… wants… meat…” the little girl said in a soft, childish voice, making everyone burst into laughter.

Guìlán gently tickled her nose. “Alright, just like your auntie, you like meat. Grandma will make it for you.”

The whole family happily enjoyed their meal. They had expected Yaling to stay a few more days at home, but Zheng Gang came knocking the very next day.

Carrying some things, Zheng Gang walked in. “Dad! Mom!”

Although Junde was taciturn, he was as clear as a mirror inside. Their eldest daughter had been married for many years, and it was always the elderly couple who went to the city to visit her. The son-in-law had never once come to their home. Junde was stubborn by nature; how could he not harbor resentment?

Guìlán had foresight. She had quietly told Junde the night before that if Zheng Gang showed up, they must not give him any attitude, so as not to embarrass their eldest daughter.

Junde forced a smile more painful than tears. “Zheng Gang is here. Come in quickly.”

Seeing Zheng Gang come to find her, Yaling was not very surprised and behaved as usual, showing no sign of discord between the two.

Guìlán, however, prepared plenty of food upon seeing her son-in-law.

“Mom, let me help you,” Yaling said, putting on an apron and heading into the kitchen.

In the kitchen, Guìlán spoke earnestly to Yaling. “Yaling, you are the eldest in the family. When you were born, our conditions were poor. As you grew up, you were sensible and took care of your younger siblings. You’ve suffered a lot.”

Yaling smiled gently. “Mom, what are you saying? Is this what you call suffering?”

“I know. When you married Zheng Gang, it was your second uncle’s idea. I was wrong to agree to it,” Guìlán lowered her head, eyes full of regret.

“Mom, marrying Zheng Gang was my own choice. I can’t blame anyone else.”

At the dinner table, Liancheng deliberately glanced at Yaling and asked, “Big sister, I bought jeans and a down jacket on my business trip to the south. Why don’t I ever see you wear them?”

Yaling paused mid-bite. Before she could answer, Zheng Gang chuckled, “Our house is close to your workplace. Yaling said she doesn’t go out often and doesn’t want to wear them.”

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Yaling cast a faint look at Zheng Gang and sneered, “My mother-in-law gave all the clothes you bought me to Zheng Juan.”

Liancheng had long suspected this. Every time he saw his sister dressed in old clothes, but hearing it from her mouth made him furious.

He slammed his chopsticks on the table.

Junde banged the table forcefully, “Eat!”

Zheng Gang, flushed from Yaling’s words, was at a loss for a reply. If there had been a bus back to the city at this hour, he would have left immediately.

After dinner, Zheng Gang found an opportunity to pull Yaling outside.

“Yaling! Are you deliberately embarrassing me in front of your family?”

“Embarrassing? What about when your mother kept quiet while taking the clothes my brother bought for me and gave them to your sister? What about when your mother hit me in front of my sister? I’ve said all there is to say. If your mother could return your salary, maybe for Yanyan’s sake, we could still make this work.”

With that, Yaling turned and went back inside.

Standing in the freezing cold, Zheng Gang calmed down somewhat. He remembered why he came today. His mother said, although the Sun family is rural, they care about face. Once he broke through that thin barrier, the elderly Sun couple wouldn’t stubbornly come to live with them.

The siblings sat in front of the TV, watching a replay of the Spring Festival Gala, eating sunflower seeds and candy.

Zheng Gang broke the awkward silence. “Dad! Mom! I heard you want to move to the city to look after Yanyan?”

Yaling’s face darkened immediately. “Zheng Gang, what do you want to say?”

“I have nothing to say. I’m just asking. Zheng Juan is preparing for the college entrance exam and needs a separate room. She’ll stay with us for a while. I’m afraid it would be a waste of effort if you two come to the city.”

The elderly couple, having lived so long, caught the underlying meaning immediately. It seemed their son-in-law was unaware of the new house they had built in the city.

Guìlán, unsure of the current relationship between her daughter and son-in-law and not wanting to complicate matters, signaled Junde to keep silent.

Yaling looked at Zheng Gang with a mocking smile, not anger. “Don’t worry. Even if my parents move to the city, they won’t live with us.”

Zheng Gang grew anxious. “Your salary is low. You can’t really rent a place for your parents in the city!”

Liancheng couldn’t stand it anymore. “Zheng Gang, I’ve really been giving you face. What do you mean by that? Our parents wanted to help you take care of Yanyan out of kindness because my sister has worked hard. Our house in the city is already built. We didn’t tell her because we didn’t want to worry her. Do you think just because our family moves into the city, we have to depend on your family? Don’t underestimate our parents’ integrity.”

“Don’t make me come at you during the New Year!” Liancheng threatened.

Zheng Gang’s face flushed again. “What did you say? Your parents built a new house in the city?”

“Yes. Our whole family will move there next year. We wanted to spend the last New Year well in Shanglin Village this year, but you, you scoundrel, spoiled it.” Liancheng wanted to fight but held back for the holiday.

Yaqin said nothing but silently cheered for her brother. She guessed it was more painful for Zheng Gang than being beaten up by Liancheng, though it was a pity their sister was caught in the middle.

“Dad! Mom! Sorry! I really didn’t mean anything else. I… I just thought Yaqin and I have low wages and we have to raise the child…”

“Enough! Stop talking! It’s the New Year! Aren’t you afraid of embarrassing us in front of others?” Junde’s voice was heavy.

Just then, Chen Fourth and his wife arrived. “Brother Sun, sister-in-law, I heard Yaling is back. We came to see you.”

“Come in!” Junde welcomed them.

Chen Fourth’s wife saw Yanyan and smiled warmly, completely oblivious to the tension. “Is this Yanyan? What a beautiful little girl.”

She slipped a red envelope into Yanyan’s arms. The little girl accepted it and knelt, bowing. “Happy New Year!”

“Oh, such a well-behaved little girl. Brother Sun, sister-in-law, I heard all the children are home this year. Come have dinner at our place tonight.”

Junde and Guìlán could not refuse and agreed.

After Chen Fourth and his wife left, Yaling opened the red envelope. Inside was a brand-new ten-yuan bill.

“Mom, Fourth Uncle and Auntie gave such a big red envelope. This money is for you. You and Dad have to repay this kindness.”

“Just keep the money. It’s from your Fourth Aunt for Yanyan,” Guìlán said.

Yaqin chimed in, “Big sister, just keep it. Mom and Dad don’t need the money.”

Yaqin’s words were clearly meant for Zheng Gang’s ears. Zheng Gang frowned, his expression darkening. He couldn’t understand why rural families nowadays gave such large red envelopes to children during the New Year. It made him regret not coming home for the past few New Years.

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