30: Chapter 18 Divergence_2 30: Chapter 18 Divergence_2 Full of malicious sches.
“Second brother!” Li Fangi stressed her words, “If you don’t understand, don’t speak nonsense.
Shen Chi is not as bad as you say.
I don’t think he’s that bad.
As long as he can treat Wanwan well, it’s actually better for him to be that way so he can protect her.”
Lin Nianqiang just sneered dismissively.
He couldn’t win argunts against his sister-in-law, but he didn’t agree with her either.
Zhou Fengqin actually didn’t quite understand her sister-in-law’s thoughts either.
Their own niece was a college student—if she called off the wedding, so what?
Once in the city, she could definitely find soone better.
But just as Lin Nianqiang deferred to Lin Guoqiang, Zhou Fengqin, after all these years, only ever followed her sister-in-law.
Standing to the side and listening, Lin Xiaoxi frowned.
“Mom, second uncle, your intentions are good, but I disagree.
This is little sister’s matter.
Even if it’s for her own good, you should still ask for her thoughts.”
He had grown up with her, and he understood this little sister better than others.
Perhaps naive, perhaps lofty, but she was definitely not soone who couldn’t see the situation clearly.
Lin Xiaoxi’s words did not win Li Fangi or Lin Nianqiang’s approval.
In Li Fangi’s view, her niece was still young.
Though smart, she wasn’t necessarily smart enough when it ca to such major lifeti decisions.
Lin Nianqiang thought Shen Chi was just the sort who’d sweet-talk with his smooth words and good looks, easily deceiving their niece—he had to be on guard.
“In my opinion, the worst are Brother Xiao Shou’s folks.” Lin Xiaole spoke up.
“Back when Ruirui had a high fever that turned into pneumonia, it was little sister who worked day and night making shoe soles to pay for the dical bills.
It’s only been a few years, and they’ve already forgotten.”
As a child, he and Xiao Shou had been kidnapped together, thus their bond was strong.
Although they weren’t as close after each started their own families, he still found it hard to accept what they had done.
“Not just Brother Xiao Shou?” Lin Xiao’an said irritably from the side: “Little sister is kind-hearted.
Chaochao from Brother Xiao Kang’s house, Xiao Niao, Xiao Mao, and Xiao Yu from Brother Xiaofu’s house, Xiao Yun and Leilei from Brother Xiao Lu’s house, Ruirui and Mingming from Brother Xiao Shou’s house, Hu from my house, Xiao Bo from the eldest brother’s house and Xiao Cao and Chengcheng from the third brother’s house—whose child hasn’t little sister tutored?
Has anyone ever seen her spend the pocket money uncle gave her, or the money she earned from making shoes on snacks for herself?
Didn’t it all end up in those kids’ mouths?
Ruirui and Hu from my house are slow learners, they always forget what’s taught, but when has little sister ever shown impatience?
Now Hu has even beco a team leader, you all may not know, but I’m truly grateful to little sister from the bottom of my heart.”
Coming from such a family, and in such an era, they knew better than anyone that the only way to get ahead was through education.
His son was slow at learning, he and his wife were so anxious it was like their hearts were on fire.
Back then, little sister would take Hu for tutoring after als.
Even if it hadn’t worked, he would have been grateful—let alone with such good results.
“It’s not all Brother Xiao Kang’s fault either; the idea wasn’t theirs, it was their wives.” Lin Xiao’an, who had a gentler disposition, weakly defended.
“If they truly had the will, would they be manipulated by their won like that?
Don’t get started on those who are all hair and no wit!” Lin Xiaoxi said angrily.
Tang Hanfang sighed.
Little sister had done so much for those few, and this was how they repaid her.
They were just being pushed by this unforgiving world.
Brother Xiao Kang’s house was still okay; they had a son, Chaochao, on their first try.
Chaochao was a good student, though not as outstanding as little sister, but still frequently among the top few in his class.
The elder sister-in-law always wanted to consider more for her son.
Brother Xiaofu’s house had three daughters already but was still desperate for a son despite being dirt poor due to overbirth penalties.
Brother Xiao Lu’s house had two siblings, and their luck wasn’t bad.
But after giving birth to Leilei, the fourth sister-in-law developed a chronic illness, couldn’t work, and needed money for dication.
Brother Xiao Shou’s house also had two sons and similarly suffered from overbirth penalties—financially strained as well.
Yet Tang Hanfang felt no sympathy for them.
She had witnessed how little sister had helped them, and knew one should not repay kindness with ingratitude.
“Let’s not talk about these unhappy things.
Tomorrow we have to go to Yuanjiazhuang to settle the separation matter.
As Wanwan’s maternal family, it’s our first visit there, so we can’t go empty-handed.
What do you think we should bring?” Li Fangi asked.
Without waiting for a response, she continued, “I’ve got a basket of eggs.
Let’s also buy two pounds of at.”
“I’ve heard there’s soone selling knife fish at Hu Family Port.
I’ll get up early tomorrow to buy a couple.” Lin Nianqiang spoke while smoking.
“That’s settled,” Tang Hanfang nodded.
“My sister-in-law recently brought two pounds of brown sugar.
I’ll take it over tomorrow too.”
Li Fangi didn’t bother with formalities with her daughter-in-law.
Zhou Fengqin followed suit, “I also have a piece of blue cloth at ho.
I’ll take it over tomorrow as well.”
Feeling that the gifts were presentable, everyone’s worries were finally eased.
“Xiaoxi, are you and your brothers free tomorrow?” Zhou Fengqin inquired.
The support of maternal brothers was crucial—if they didn’t go, others would surely think Wanwan lacked the backing of her maternal family.
“We’ll make ti even if we’re busy,” the brothers said, exchanging glances.
“What about calling Brother Xiao Kang and the others?”
“Always bringing up the wrong subject!” Lin Nianqiang angrily slapped Lin Xiaoping.
Lin Xiaoping, rubbing his sore head, muttered, “But they are little sister’s real brothers…”
“Do they act like brothers?” Lin Nianqiang shouted.
Zhou Fengqin glared at Lin Xiaoping.
“Don’t ddle in indiscriminately.
We aren’t clear on Wanwan’s current situation.
All we heard was that she almost miscarried.
She’s always been strong-willed.
If those guys go, they better not upset her.”
She was previously quite satisfied with her eldest son’s temperant, agreeable and good at looking after the family, and also shrewd with outsiders.
But now she was just frustrated.
Being soft-hearted towards your relatives was fine, but one should still see the wretched things those few did.
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