BXBX NOVEL Chapter 73 - 73: We Will See
As the Lunar New Year approached, families were preparing to celebrate the end of the year by buying meat to improve their lives. However, the elderly couple in this household remained unmoved. They continued their regular meals, showing no sign of the festive atmosphere.
But that’s not the main issue; what’s concerning is that they secretly purchased better-quality meat and kept it hidden.
Late at night, when everything was quiet, they would take out this meat and feast on it, not allowing the younger members to partake. Such behavior left a cold feeling in the hearts of those around them, and it seemed like they had no concern for their health.
To be honest, the Yuan brothers often cursed them despite being their sons.
In the main house, the two money-minded elders were unaware that their four sons were growing dissatisfied with them.
As night fell, no one bothered to light a fire or prepare a meal. This angered Madam Yuan Xu, who shouted angrily from the main house.
Old Yuan pounded on the door and called for the others to come out and cook.
The four sons instructed their wives to cook while Madam Yuan Xu took the keys and opened the warehouse door, supervising their gathering of provisions.
And thus, the resistance began at that moment. The four daughters-in-law pushed her aside. The eldest daughter-in-law scooped several bowls of rice, the second took a whole strip of meat, the third took several heads of cabbage, and the fourth even grabbed some radishes and a piece of cured meat.
Enraged, Madam Yuan Xu howled, her intention to strike her daughters-in-law thwarted as they pushed and kicked her back. One even used her buttocks to bump her, and the last woman pinched her viciously.
Yuan Xushi fled from the warehouse in shock, rushing to the main house.
“Old man. they’ve gone mad! Not only did they take so much food. but they even hit me!”
Old Yuan knocked his pipe and walked out of the house. “Do you intend to rebel?”
He had thought that his daughters-in-law would be so frightened that they would obey him with a few words. However, he was taken aback to see them still busy in the kitchen, ignoring his words.
His four sons walked out of the house and stared coldly at him. The look in their eyes could freeze him on the spot.
His heart tightened, his tone becoming gentler. “Do you want to rebel too?” “Dad, it’s New Year. Let’s all have a good meal.’
“Managing a household frugally is how we accumulate wealth. Do you not understand?”
“Then what about you and Mom secretly eating meat at night?”
“You!”
“If we can’t live together, we should split up. If you and Mom think you’re capable, you’re welcome to live on your own. We’ll earn money to support our families. If our children work as maids in wealthy households, we should receive the earnings as their parents. Moreover, we hope you will return the money we earned to us.”
“What? You… You want to split the family?”
“What else? You drove Fifth Brother away, and now you’re coming to control us. You sold our children, yet we can’t even have a full stomach as their parents. But you secretly bought meat for yourselves?”
“We’re the elders.”
“Then act like elders. Stop causing trouble. We also want to live well and enjoy good food.”
Old Yuan raised his pipe, ready to strike. But seeing his sons step forward together, he backed down.
He was afraid. Madam Yuan Xu stood in shock in the house, not understanding what was happening.
How had their children suddenly stopped listening to them? Their daughters-in-law no longer treated them as elders?
“You don’t listen to your parents. Are you being unfilial?”
“Don’t use the same old tactics on us. If you want to sue us, go to the magistrate, but pass the hurdle with the town mayor first. Everyone knows what kind of people you are.”
“What kind of people are we?”
“A pair of money-hoarding demons who can sell their sons and granddaughters for money. You both drink children’s blood and eat their flesh.”
Old Yuan and Madam Yuan Xu never expected their children to speak to them this way. Just as they were about to retort, they held back when they saw their sons’ determined stance. It seemed that they would confront them physically if they dared to speak or lay hands on them.
Having spent years avoiding physical labor, they were no match for their sons. Trembling hands pointed at their children
“Well done. Let’s see where this leads.”
Seeing the two elders retreat into the house, the brothers exchanged glances. They had won. Their rebellion was effective, and they would finally have a satisfying meal tonight.
The dinner at the Tian family consisted of a pot of watery coarse rice porridge, hardtack, and a large bowl of stir-fried cabbage in the middle.
Tian Yaozu had returned home on break, but seeing the spread before him, he had no appetite. He stood up and left.
Madam Tian Li noticed her eldest grandson wasn’t eating and fetched some eggs from the warehouse. She prepared a bowl of scrambled eggs and brought it to him.
“Yaozu, eat. You still have to study. How can you do that without eating?”
“Thank you, Grandma. Why don’t you sit here and eat with me?”
“No, you go ahead. I’ll eat with the others.”
In the Tian family, apart from mistreating their daughters-in-law, they treated their own children quite well. They were better than the Yuan family in that regard.
In Lihua Village, the Qiao family was also facing difficulties. Qiao Shicheng could move around now, and since Qiao Mai announced her marriage, his expression had remained gloomy.
A few days ago, he sent his granddaughter to Qiao Mai’s place to ask for food. However, the girl hadn’t returned, and they thought she might have been left in town to enjoy the festivities.
Little did they know that wasn’t the case at all. When Qiao Jiang went there, Qiao Mai admitted the girl wasn’t with her.
They later learned from the dental clinic that the girl had sold herself to the county town. Qiao Jiang chased after her but was stunned to find that she refused to admit them.
This made Qiao Jiang furious. He cursed that daughters were nothing but a financial burden. He even suggested selling the rest off to a wealthy family.
He was afraid they would follow in her footsteps.
Frightened, the few other granddaughters burst into tears. Qiao Shicheng threw down his chopsticks and left the table without eating.
These three families, who had tried to scheme others, were now facing the consequences of their actions. The atmosphere wasn’t conducive to celebrating the New Year, and it seemed they wouldn’t have a good holiday.
Not only these families were in turmoil, but Madam Chen wasn’t in a happy state either.
Since the day they had stewed pork ribs at the Qiao family’s and returned home, her mood had been unsettled. She feared Qiao Mai would find out about her feelings for Yuan Jiaqi and that it might affect her child’s education and their family’s reputation.
Therefore, she sent Chen Hao to play with their children.
However, when Yuan Jiaqi refused to let him in, her anxiety only grew worse.
She even paid a visit in person, but Yuan Jiaqi didn’t say much.
“Sister Chen, it’s almost the New Year. I’ve given the child some time off. Let’s have him come back after the fifteenth. We’re quite busy these days, so we can’t take care of Chen Hao.’
“My son can help watch over Ling’er.”
“That’s not necessary. If he comes, my wife and I will still need to look after him. He can come over when we’re free. He shouldn’t come for these few days.” Madam Chen could only force a smile and left, feeling uncomfortable.
Yuan Jiaqi glanced at her retreating figure and let out a sigh. Though the adults may not be exemplary, the children are innocent.
In the kitchen, Qiao Mai was busy at work. Upon hearing the exchange at the courtyard door, her eyes crinkled with a smile.
For the New Year’s gifts, she had only prepared for Shopkeeper Lu and the mayor’s family. She hadn’t even thought about anything for Madam Chen. Since August 15th, when Madam Chen had brought some jujubes over, she came empty-handed almost every time after.
Although Qiao Mai didn’t mind, she had classified Madam Chen as an ordinary acquaintance.
As for Madam Chen, upon witnessing Yuan Jiaqi delivering New Year’s gifts, an uncomfortable feeling settled in her heart. She also wished to receive a New Year’s present from Qiao Mai.
Unfortunately, Qiao Mai hadn’t considered her at all.
Now, even her child wasn’t allowed inside their home. Madam Chen returned home and was so angry that she wanted to throw something but couldn’t bear to damage anything. Instead, she hugged a pillow and cried..