Chapter 140 - 137: The Li Family’s Night Talk
Watching his eldest brother nod, Li Bao secretly let out a breath. ’Damn, Big Brother’s aura is getting more and more intimidating.’ He quietly retreated to his wife’s side and wiped his forehead, which was covered in cold sweat. Looking up, he saw his sister-in-law watching him with an amused, knowing smile. Li Bao clasped his fists in a pleading gesture. Only when he saw his sister-in-law laugh did he truly breathe a sigh of relief.
Li Xiu pretended not to see his younger brother’s cowardly display. He took Zhou Lian’s hand and continued walking forward. ’There are still many more houses to visit!’
By the afternoon, they had finally finished their New Year’s visits to every house. Li Xiu told Li Bo to go back and get his eldest uncle and aunt, and told Li Guo to go back and get his third uncle and aunt. He glanced at Li Hua and the others and said expressionlessly, "You all go back and tell your parents. They can come if they want to. If not, then forget it!"
That evening, everyone from the three branches of the Li family, except for the married Li Hua and Li Gui, gathered at Li Xiu’s home. Since it was the New Year, all the ingredients were ready. Two large tables of food were quickly prepared. After everyone had eaten and drunk their fill, everything was cleaned up.
Only then did Li Xiu speak up. "There are still matters to attend to back in the Capital City. I have to go back after seeing Second Sister off for her marriage. Grandma, Eldest Uncle, Dad, Third Uncle, if you have anything to say, now’s the time."
"Nothing major. Yun is getting married on the eighth day of the New Year, so you can’t leave until after that. As for Fen, quite a few people are asking about her. Your Eldest Aunt wants to hear your opinion," Grandma Li said slowly to Li Xiu after a sweeping glance at everyone present.
Li Xiu nodded with a smile. "Yes, we’ll head back on the ninth. We won’t be able to wait for Second Sister’s three-day bridal homecoming. Grandma, Eldest Uncle, Eldest Aunt, Li Bao is married now too, he’s a grown man. If anything comes up when I’m not here, go to him. He’s the eldest son of the third branch; he can handle the responsibility now. As for Third Sister’s marriage, there’s no rush. Let’s wait another year. There aren’t any particularly good families right now."
"Is there a reason for that?" his Eldest Aunt asked, a little worried. Her eldest daughter was doing very well now, and her second daughter’s fiancé was probably just as good. This was all thanks to her nephew’s efforts.
"Eldest Aunt, don’t worry. Third Sister is still young. I heard a batch of soldiers will be discharged and returning home next year." Li Xiu only hinted at his intentions. ’I mean well, but I can’t force others to accept my goodwill, can I?’
Everyone present understood what Li Xiu meant. ’He isn’t impressed with the current prospects. He must have already looked into it before even bringing it up!’
"Alright, no rush. Our third girl is still young, I’ll keep her at home for another two years." As soon as his Eldest Aunt heard Li Xiu, she understood his meaning and agreed immediately. Given how much he doted on his younger sisters, she wasn’t worried he’d find her an unreliable son-in-law.
"Eldest, your second brother is also getting married this year," Ge Er Ya said to Li Xiu, forcing out each word.
"Oh. I know," Li Xiu replied nonchalantly after a glance at her. ’So what if he’s getting married? Does it have anything to do with me? Does she still expect me to be like in my past life, giving both money and effort? This birth mother of mine must still be dreaming!’
"I said, your second brother is getting married!" Ge Er Ya repeated, glaring at Li Xiu.
Li Xiu was truly annoyed now. His tone turned sharp. "And I said, I know. Mother, what else are you trying to say?"
Second Brother Li suddenly slammed his hand on the table and roared at Ge Er Ya, "Shut your mouth! Say one more word and get the hell back home!"
Ge Er Ya looked at the furious Second Brother Li, then at Li Xiu who was radiating a frigid aura. She opened her mouth, but no sound came out.
"Eldest Aunt, Third Aunt, the young ones are all in school now. There’s no need to rush into arranging marriages for them. Turn down any offers." Li Xiu ignored his mother and turned to his eldest and third aunts. ’The younger ones are all bright and clever; it would be a waste if they didn’t study hard. Besides, in my past life, after I got married, I didn’t have the energy to guide them. Li Yuan and Li Bao got into technical secondary school, Li Miao got into a normal college, and Li Guo attended a junior college.’
"Good, we’ll do just that! Let them all go to school. If they don’t study hard, I’ll give them a good whipping," Grandma Li chimed in with a laugh.
"That’s right. All of you, listen up. If you dare to slack off on your studies, I’ll tell your Big Brother. Let’s see who dares to be lazy then," his Eldest Aunt said, looking at the younger ones with a mischievous glint in her eye. None of the younger generation of the Li family wasn’t afraid of their Big Brother. ’If you don’t put a bridle on them, they’ll fly off to the heavens.’
Li Guo and Li Bo looked as if all hope was lost. ’Big Brother... Just how much does our aunt dislike us? If she tattles to Big Brother, he’ll skin us alive!’
Seeing the look on her two young brothers-in-law, Zhou Lian couldn’t help but laugh. ’Why are they so afraid of Li Xiu? It’s not like I’ve ever seen him hit them.’ After a moment of thought, she said, "Your Big Brother and I will probably settle down in the Capital City. Don’t you want to be a little closer to your Big Brother in the future?"
The younger ones’ eyes all lit up. ’Be closer to Big Brother? That’s great! We can go to the Capital City and visit Big Brother and Sister-in-law!’ They all secretly gritted their teeth. ’We’ll go all out! If Sister-in-law can get into Beijing University, why can’t we!’
Seeing how the younger ones’ spirits were instantly lifted, Li Xiu smiled and gave his wife a thumbs-up. ’I never realized my wife was so capable!’ Zhou Lian raised an eyebrow at him. ’These kids are total brother-cons. They were in our past life, and there’s no escaping it in this one!’
The elders watched the couple’s interaction and smiled. ’The young couple is so thoughtful.’ Only the family of the second branch looked displeased. Of course, how could they look pleased? This was the eldest son and eldest brother of the second branch, but what was he to them now? Unfortunately, no one present paid them any mind. ’You can only blame yourselves for courting disaster!’
"How are you two doing in the Capital City? Do you have enough money to spend? Enough grain to eat?" his Eldest Uncle asked Li Xiu with a smile, watching the harmonious scene before him. He knew his nephew always reported the good and hid the bad, but he still wanted to hear him say with his own mouth that he was doing well.
"We’re doing well. Don’t worry, Eldest Uncle. Nuonuo’s mother gets a subsidy from the university, which is more than enough for herself. A lot of people have returned to the cities now, so there are more opportunities to earn money. We can’t earn a huge amount, but supporting the family isn’t a problem," Li Xiu said gently to his eldest uncle.
"That’s good, that’s good. Don’t send things home anymore. We have enough food and clothing here. You have more expenses out there. If you run into difficulties, tell the family. Don’t just try to tough it out on your own. Your eldest uncle and I aren’t old yet!" his Third Uncle said happily to Li Xiu. He was very happy that his nephew was successful and filial, but he also worried he would suffer out there.
Li Xiu’s eyes reddened, and he fought to keep the tears from falling. He rubbed his eyes hard with his hand, walked before Eldest Li and Third Brother Li, and knelt. THUD, THUD, THUD. He kowtowed three times and said with a smile, "Eldest Uncle, Third Uncle, I’m doing very well now, don’t worry about me. I won’t be home often in the future, so if anything comes up, write me a letter or send a telegram. I am the Li family’s heir, and I can bear the responsibilities I’m meant to bear!"
On the kang, Zhou Lian also knelt before Grandma Li, her Eldest Aunt, and her Third Aunt and kowtowed three times. Eldest Aunt and Third Aunt quickly helped her up. Zhou Lian then knelt upright on the kang and said, "Grandma, Eldest Aunt, Third Aunt, I’ve been married into the Li family for two years now. From pregnancy and childbirth to getting into university, you’ve all done your utmost to help. We’re doing fine now, so please don’t worry. Take good care of yourselves. These younger brothers and sisters of mine are all good kids. You can rest assured, Li Xiu and I are here for them!"
"Good, good, good!" Grandma Li said the word three times in a row, then said with a smile, "With such a magnanimous and sensible wife for the eldest grandson, how could the Li family not prosper? You younger ones must listen to your Big Brother and Big Sister-in-law."
Seeing her grandson, granddaughter-in-law, and granddaughters all nod, Grandma Li smiled with satisfaction. With the eldest grandson and his wife at the helm, the first and third branches of the Li family wouldn’t go astray. As for the second branch, Grandma Li had already given up on them.