"Since I can remember, our house has always been smaller than Second Uncle and Second Aunt's. I had to squeeze in with my brothers to sleep, but Xu Jiaojiao could have a room all to herself."
"Later on, Dad and my brothers felt bad for me, so they made a tiny room themselves. My brothers moved into that room where it's freezing in winter and scorching in summer."
"Of course, those things happened so long ago, there's no point in talking about them." Xu Nianhua gave a faint smile and said, "Let's talk about the recent years. Every year during the double harvest, me and my two brothers, along with Mom and Dad, are all out working in the fields. But what about Second Uncle's family?"
"Tell me, is there a single year when Second Uncle's family didn't go back to Second Aunt's parents' place during this time?"
"Second Uncle and Second Aunt, no need to rush to deny it, everyone in the village knows that's the truth."
Xu Nianhua wasn't afraid of Xu Zhong's scowling face. She rattled on, not leaving anyone a chance to interrupt. She said, "My oldest brother works at the brick factory, earning thirty yuan a month. Besides five yuan for food, the remaining twenty-five all goes to Grandpa and Grandma. My dad's a carpenter—not making much, but still earns ten, twenty yuan a month."
"And my mom, she's at home, does the laundry and cooks, goes up the mountain to collect pig grass and feed the pigs, cleans the pigpen, cleans up chicken and duck crap in the yard. Three meals a day, which meal isn't cooked by my mom?"
Xu Nianhua took a deep breath, thinking of her own mother working like a mule for the Xu Family, and in the end?
What did she get?
"What, are you accusing us as grandparents of favoritism? The money was handed over, but I was saving it for the children's weddings." Xu Zhong's face was as dark as the bottom of a pot.
"Nianhua, how could you talk like that? I cook at home too, don't I?" Zhao Juxiang couldn't sit still, snapping back.
"Sure, you cook three meals a year, and still make my mom prep the ingredients. Afterwards, it's still me and Mom washing the dishes." Xu Nianhua shot back without hesitation, her words drenched in sarcasm.
"Grandpa."
Xu Nianhua was about to say more, but Xu Qinghe interrupted: "Third."
Xu Nianhua moved her lips, then clamped her mouth shut, not a word more. Her own parents, so meek, letting Grandpa, Grandma, and Second Uncle's family pinch and prod them however they want. All the dirty, tiring tasks are left for Mom and Dad. If there's anything good to eat, they never once think of their family.
Saving for the kids to get married?
When Xu Zhihao was getting a wife, they drained the whole household dry.
When Xu Zhiyuan went to school, they wouldn't let us siblings study. Waiting until Xu Zhiyuan finished school, he too needed money for marriage.
And my eldest brother is engaged with the Zhou Family, but the bride price hasn't come through because they can't fork out two hundred yuan for the dowry, right?
Because of this, Mom and Dad have been worried sick, talked to Grandpa and Grandma so many times. Grandma can talk better than sing, but the money—never handed over.
"So, you're all thinking like this?" Xu Zhong stared at Xu Qinghe.
Xu Qinghe thought of his feverish daughter, and stood up for Ji Ying. As her dad, he couldn't be the weak link. He said, "Dad, I know dividing the family doesn't sound good, but it's not like nobody in the village has split up."
After saying this, Xu Qinghe dropped his head, not daring to meet Xu Zhong's eyes.
"Fine, fine, fine!"
Xu Zhong said "fine" three times, his face full of disappointment as he said, "When sons grow up, they don't listen to their fathers anymore. Their wings are hard, can't control them now."