Chapter 85: Family Division Joke
On the morning of the third day of the New Year, Li Xiu settled his wife and daughter in early before heading to Zhou Family Village with gifts he had prepared. This was the first New Year since Zhou Lian had married him, and the third day was for the customary visit to the bride’s parents. Everyone in both villages was watching, so how could Li Xiu let his wife become a laughingstock?
He left early, so his eldest sister-in-law’s family hadn’t arrived yet when he reached his in-laws’ house. He had just sat down and barely exchanged a few words when Brother Zhou’s family, followed by the second brother-in-law and his new wife, arrived one after another. Seeing Li Xiu, they all came forward to greet him. Li Xiu smiled at Brother Zhou’s four children and slipped five yuan of lucky money into each of their hands.
"That’s too much, brother-in-law," Eldest Sister-in-law said hurriedly, looking at her generous brother-in-law. "They’re just kids. A small token is enough. You can’t spoil them like this." She was happy he was fond of her children, but this was simply too much; it wasn’t easy for anyone to earn money these days.
"Don’t worry about it, Eldest Sister-in-law," Li Xiu said with a laugh. "It’s only once a year. Besides, we don’t have many kids in our family, and each one is precious. My second brother-in-law and his wife here aren’t hurrying things up, either. A few more kids would make things livelier!" he added, taking the chance to tease his newlywed brother-in-law.
"I’m telling you, brother-in-law, you can’t come over without picking a fight with me, can you!" the second brother-in-law said, exasperated. ’People always say a son-in-law should tread carefully at his in-laws’ home,’ he thought. ’But this guy... he’s more comfortable here than I am, and I’m their actual son!’
"I’m just speaking the truth, Second Brother," Li Xiu said cheekily to his brother-in-law. "It’s been almost half a year now. It’s perfectly normal for Mom and Dad to want to hold a grandchild from you. Isn’t that right, Mom?" With that, he turned the conversation to his mother-in-law.
Seeing her second son-in-law so completely at ease with them, Mrs. Zhou was delighted. ’This shows he truly loves our daughter; that’s why he treats us like his own family.’ She smiled and chimed in, "Second Son, your brother-in-law is right. I don’t care if it’s a grandson or a granddaughter—our family doesn’t favor boys over girls. Just give your father and me a baby to hold."
The second brother-in-law was left speechless, staring at Li Xiu, who was grinning from ear to ear beside his mother. ’Is this really my brother-in-law? Is he trying to get beaten up? And that’s my own mother... is she actually Li Xiu’s mother? I must be the one who was adopted!’
"Don’t worry, Second Brother, you weren’t adopted. You’re Mom’s biological son, I watched it happen!" Brother Zhou said with a laugh, unable to look at his brother’s dumbstruck expression. Seeing the utter shock on his face, he just chuckled and shook his head. ’How have I never noticed how dumb my brother is before?’
"Stop looking so shocked, Second Brother. It’s written all over your face," Third Brother Zhou said, twisting the knife. "You’re clearly wondering if Mom adopted you. Acting this dumb, they probably fished you out of a cesspit." It was rare to see his second brother looking so foolish, and he wasn’t about to miss the opportunity to kick him while he was down.
When Zhou Lan and her family arrived, they walked into a room filled with boisterous laughter. Li Xiu saw them enter and quickly stood up. "Eldest Sister, brother-in-law, you’ve arrived."
"What are you doing here alone? Where’s Zhou Lian?" Zhou Lan asked in surprise. "I thought she was in postpartum confinement for forty-five days. That time isn’t up yet, is it?"
"Eldest Sister, I came by myself just to see Mom and Dad. I’ll be heading back soon. I don’t feel right leaving Nuonuo’s mother home alone," Li Xiu explained with a smile, knowing she was concerned for his wife.
He then gave five yuan to each of his sister-in-law’s two nephews, the same amount he’d given to Brother Zhou’s children. When Zhou Lan moved to stop him, Li Xiu smiled and said, "Eldest Sister, it’s for the kids. It’s only once a year. Please don’t stop me."
Zhou Lan looked over at her mother, who gave a slight nod, so she didn’t protest further. ’I’ll just give a more generous gift at my sister’s baby’s 100-day celebration,’ she thought. ’We’re sisters, after all. Keeping too close a count would only create distance between us.’
Li Xiu stayed a little while longer before heading home. The Zhou family knew he was anxious about his wife and daughter, so they didn’t press him to stay. Watching him hurry away, Zhou Lan asked her mother curiously, "Mom, wasn’t that a bit too much lucky money for the kids?"
Mrs. Zhou smiled. "If he gives it to the children, let them keep it. He gave your family and your eldest brother’s family the same amount. He genuinely adores our kids, so don’t waste his kind gesture. I’ve asked around a bit—your brother-in-law isn’t a careless spender. He’s only generous when it comes to your sister and his child. It’s impossible for anyone else to take advantage of him."
"He’s a sensible man," Zhou Kun remarked softly after taking a sip of water. "This is the first New Year’s visit since Nuonuo’s mother married, and since she couldn’t come, he thought to make the trip by himself. Now she won’t have to listen to any gossip. We found the right son-in-law. It’s rare to find someone who’s both caring and reasonable."
Unaware his in-laws were discussing him, Li Xiu hurried home. When he arrived, he found Aunt Li and several of his younger sisters there. He gave a knowing smile. ’Looks like things have gotten chaotic at the old house.’ Grandma Li, his eldest uncle and aunt, his third uncle, Li Bao, Li Guo, and Li Bo had all gone over. Aunt Li must not have wanted to deal with the drama, which was why she had brought his sisters here instead.
"Ah, you’re back. Are your in-laws well?" Aunt Li asked with a smile, watching Li Xiu park his bicycle in the courtyard and stride quickly into the house. ’He must be in a rush to see his wife and daughter,’ she thought.
"Thanks for asking, Aunt Li. They’re doing great," Li Xiu said with a smile. "You should all stay for lunch! My mother-in-law gave me a huge grass carp. It was a thank-you gift for my father-in-law, and she saved one for me—it must be at least seven or eight pounds!" The fish was indeed the largest one his mother-in-law had saved for him. His father-in-law, Zhou Kun, had treated someone and refused payment, so when that person’s village distributed fish for the New Year, he had sent six over as a gift.
"Alright, then I’ll take you up on that! Girls, we’re feasting with the rich today," Aunt Li joked, not standing on ceremony with her nephew. "But hold on, don’t rush off. I just got here and haven’t had a chance to tell Nuonuo’s mother yet. I know you don’t like getting involved in their messes, but you need to know what happened so outsiders don’t turn our family into a joke."
Aunt Li was an elder Li Xiu had always respected, so he didn’t argue. He simply sat down obediently, much to the amusement of his sisters, who were trying to hide their smiles.
Li Xiu was always deferential toward Grandma Li, his eldest aunt, and Aunt Li, as well as his sisters. However, he wasn’t nearly as courteous with the men of the Li family, including his eldest uncle, his third uncle, and even his own father. If he saw something he didn’t like, he would tell them off directly. And as for his male cousins, if they stepped out of line, Li Xiu wouldn’t hesitate to give them a beating.
"Early this morning, a fight broke out at your second uncle’s house," Aunt Li said, her voice sharp with shock and anger. "Li Xin came crying to get your eldest and third uncles. The whole village must know by now. I had your sister Li He go over to see what was happening. You should hear it from her."
Li He looked at her brother and sister-in-law, her mouth twitching slightly. "When Dad and I arrived," she began calmly, "Eldest Uncle, Eldest Aunt, and Grandma Li were already there. Li Hua, Li Man, and Li Yi were all wrestling on the ground, and no one was trying to stop them or even speaking. Our second great-aunt was just crying, our second great-uncle was squatting on the floor holding his head, and Li Yong was just standing off to the side, watching them coldly."
Seeing her brother remain silent, Li He went on. "In the end, it was Eldest Uncle who smashed a cup on the ground. Only then did people separate them. By the time they were pulled apart, all three of them were beaten to a pulp. Grandma Li and Eldest Aunt were shaking with rage. Outside, the crowd of gawkers was three circles deep. Eldest Uncle grabbed a carrying pole and thrashed the three of them soundly."
Seeing the grim looks on her brother and sister-in-law’s faces, Li He quickly finished, "Eldest Uncle laid down the law. He gave them two choices: either get kicked out with nothing, or all three of them are officially split from the household. If they split, Second Great-Uncle has to build three identical houses and give each of them 400 yuan. Second Great-Uncle and Second Great-Aunt will live with Li Yong. They also have to set aside 200 yuan for Li Xin’s dowry. Since Li Yi is still young, he has to give grain rations to his father every year and will eat with him for the time being, but he has to start his own kitchen when he turns eighteen. All three brothers have to pay for their own weddings. Second Great-Aunt will help with matchmaking, but if they don’t like her choices, they have to find wives themselves. Finally, everything belonging to Second Great-Uncle and Second Great-Aunt will go to Li Yong in the future."