READ WEBNOVEL
Chapter 430
Wang Yue returned home with a belly full of pent-up anger. Facing the empty big house, she suddenly felt a little lost and couldn't help sobbing.
At her age, she should have been surrounded by grandchildren, enjoying her retirement. But for some reason, she was living like this instead.
Her son didn't want to move back and didn't want more children. Her only grandson wasn't close to her. And her daughter, who she got along with best, lived far away. Now she couldn't even find anyone to help her.
Pei Jing only came back on the 28th day of the 12th lunar month. When he woke up from a nap, he was immersed in the festive atmosphere at home.
The triplets and Little Sixth had already diligently put up the Spring Festival couplets. Pei Sheng rode his bike in from outside and excitedly said, "I just went to the back to give PingAn firecrackers. I heard you were back, so I came to see."
It was customary for grandparents to buy gifts for the children during holidays. Usually, they would give firecrackers to boys and hairpins to girls. Currently, PingAn was the only grandson of the Pei family, so Know Xia and Pei Jing would be going to give gifts too.
"I got back late last night. I was going to go see Second Brother and Second Sister-in-Law today, but you came first," said Pei Jing as he welcomed Pei Sheng inside.
Pei Sheng said, "That reminds me, it's good you came back now. Xiang Xiang came back yesterday. Second Sister-in-Law said to have everyone come over for dinner tonight. I already told Big Brother. Go let Little Sister know later, and we'll all go over tonight."
What Pei Sheng didn't say was that Jiang Su actually had no intention of inviting Pei Yong over, because she was still upset about the incident with Pei Shuangshuang. But she did genuinely want to invite Know Xia over for a meal.
If it hadn't been for Know Xia's actions, Pei Xiang's family wouldn't have dared to come back.
It was Pei Sheng who said it would be inappropriate not to invite Pei Yong. Jiang Su could see he was thinking of his big brother. She decided to let it go for now that the children were back home, rather than seem petty.
Pei Sheng also didn't stay long since his family was hosting dinner that night. He had to go back and help prepare.
To be honest, his status at home had plummeted because of Pei Shuangshuang. Now when she and her mother spoke, he didn't even dare to retort. He could only silently endure unfairness.
Of course, such endurance could also be seen as a little romance between them in the family.
Know Xia came back from outside with her bike loaded full. Sister Zhang hurried to help her. "Oh my, you bought so much stuff. I told you I'd go with you, but you insisted otherwise. You must have had a hard time lugging it all the way home!"
"It was all hanging on the bike. I didn't have to carry it. Why would it tire me out?" Of course Know Xia couldn't let her come along, or she'd have to figure out how to smuggle these things out of her space discreetly.
Sister Zhang told Know Xia to go inside and rest. She brought the things into the kitchen to sort out herself.
The family had a large refrigerator which made storing things very convenient.
Know Xia had brought back chicken, duck, fish and meat. She stuffed them neatly into the fridge to preserve freshness. Since it was cold out, they would keep for several days without spoiling.
Pei Jing told Know Xia about the dinner plans at Second Brother's place tonight. She handed him the firecrackers to take to the back for PingAn, along with a new set of clothes for PingAn to wear over the New Year.
When they went over that evening, she also brought a big pork leg, since their family was the largest. Chenye had come back too. He and Pei Jing were about the same height, but his build was slightly more slender. They were both fully grown adults now. The triplets and Little Sixth were at the age where they could eat the most.
Seeing Know Xia come over, Jiang Su was naturally extremely enthusiastic. She even complained that Know Xia shouldn't have brought so much stuff.
Know Xia politely tried to go to the kitchen to help, but Jiang Su stopped her. "Let's not help today. Let Xiang Xiang and her husband cook. It's entirely thanks to you that these two children could come back. Even before they got here, they already said when they returned they wanted to properly thank you. I figured nothing is better than heartfelt intentions, so I decided to just have them make you a meal. I hope it's alright whether it turns out well or not."
Listening nearby, Pei Xiang felt embarrassed. She didn't dare look at Pei Yong's face. She reproached Jiang Su, "Mom, why are you saying these things?"
The incident wasn't Pei Yong's fault, yet he was already put in a difficult position. Saying things like this now would only make him feel more awkward.
They might as well not have invited him to this meal if it was going to be so uncomfortable.
Pei Yong also sensed the implicit meaning in those words. Of course it made him feel awkward, but he was also a reasonable man. He understood that at a time like this, no matter how awkward, he had to endure.
As the father of the culprit, he was in no position to say anything.
Pei Sheng also felt awkward. He said, "Big brother, Little Sister, women say things we can't interrupt. Let's go, brothers, and talk outside. Don't compete for space with them."
After they had all gone out, Pei Xiang reprimanded Jiang Su, "Mom, that's already in the past. Big Brother already feels bad enough. Don't bring it up again in the future."
"I won't mention it again, I won't mention it again. Really, we've suffered so much injustice, yet I can't even say a word about it." Jiang Su was unhappy.
Pei Xiang felt very helpless. She pulled Know Xia along, "Little Sister-in-Law, mainly because we all left, so the blow to my mom was quite big. She's become like a totally different person these past days. Don't take it to heart."
"It's nothing. I actually think Second Sister-in-Law is thoroughly venting herself now. It's much better than always bottling it up like before," Know Xia said frankly.
Pei Meng smiled. "Actually, it's better to vent it out rather than bottle it up. She used to always suppress her feelings, and was actually seething inside. But she just wouldn't say it out loud. Now that she can vent it out, it's better. After all, it's more comfortable to displease others than to displease yourself."
She also felt bad for Pei Yong. Having just the one son and daughter was already oppressive enough. The son finally matured in recent years, yet his daughter had made such a huge blunder. Those with weaker endurance probably would have been angered to death.
"Since you don't want me to help, I won't meddle. I'll go chat with your mom," said Know Xia. Looking at the kitchen, everything seemed ready. A hot pot soup was already simmering. The washed greens and mushrooms were also prepared. The remaining few dishes just needed to be steamed briefly before they could be served.
"Okay, you go. I'll tidy up the table. We can start eating soon," said Pei Xiang.
One could see that while the relationship between the three brothers might not change, the families were destined to grow distant.
For instance, when Pei JianGuo had acted out in the past, no matter how chaotic he was, Jiang Su had never left him out of a dinner invitation. After all, he was the eldest son of the main room, and she had placed her hopes in him before. His position in her heart was surely different.
Yet this time, for the first time, Jiang Su had directly ignored Pei JianGuo.
In fact, if not for Pei Sheng's mediation, she wouldn't even have wanted to invite Pei Yong over.
Know Xia chatted with Jiang Su for a while. As both daughter-in-laws and mothers of daughters, she could understand Jiang Su's feelings better.
Moreover, she and Wanqing still had wiggle room. Studying abroad would be more beneficial for Wanqing's future. But Pei Xiang had already started working, and Jiang Su had no son. She had placed all her hopes on her young daughter and son-in-law.
Fortunately, dinner was still quite harmonious. No one brought up what had happened earlier.
Only Pei Yong drank a lot. But he wasn't a nasty drunk. Completely flushed, he just sat there, a little spaced out.
It was late by the time the dinner ended.
Pei Sheng wanted Pei Yong to stay over and sleep on the sofa until he sobered up before going home.
Worried that Jiang Su wouldn't like it, Pei Jing said he'd take Pei Yong back.
There was limited space in the car. Chenye happened to be riding bikes with his two younger brothers.
After getting home, Know Xia got out of the car. Pei Jing said, "Big Brother drank quite a bit today. I'm worried PingAn can't look after him well, so I'll stay in the back and keep an eye on him. You take the kids and sleep first."
"Alright, hurry and take Big Brother back then," said Know Xia. She didn't insist he come back either. She simply let PingAn stay home too.
The brothers probably had a lot to talk about tonight. PingAn was still a child. Seeing too much would only make him worry.
This year, some were elated while others were worried.
Know Xia gave Sister Zhang time off.
On New Year's Eve, they prepared the reunion dinner in the space. They could start eating once Wanqing popped in for a bit.
Little Sixth came a little late. He complained to Wanqing, "Sis, tell me the truth. Did you come at this time on purpose to be lazy? You didn't come during cooking but you came right after the food was ready."
Wanqing hadn't seen Little Sixth for many days. She rubbed his head into a mess as usual and explained at the same time, "How can your sis be so lazy? It just happened that my classmate asked me to do something urgent today. I came as soon as I finished."
"I don't care. You're the only one who didn't help with the cooking anyway. I'll punish you by making you wash the dishes later." Little Sixth struggled out of her claws and quickly hid behind his big brother.
Wanqing didn't listen to him at all. "I won't wash the dishes. Don't we have kitchen robots? It's you guys who don't want to use them and insist on doing it yourselves. I won't busily do meaningless things like you."
Chenye looked at the robot that was paused there, seeming to be lost in thought.
Seeing the siblings bickering endlessly, Pei Jing quickly stopped their noise and told everyone to get ready for dinner.
It was also noisy in Pei Sheng's big family.
Compared to them, Pei Yong's family with PingAn was relatively peaceful and warm. Pei JianGuo and Liu Chunhua had come early today. They were busy cooking and cleaning up. Pei JianGuo was no longer the armchair commander he used to be. Pei Yong felt quite gratified about this.
In private, he asked Pei JianGuo alone, "Didn't I tell you to accompany your mother during New Year? I have PingAn here, so it's fine if you don't come. Since Shuangshuang is not here this year, both of you still came. Your mother must feel very lonely being alone?"
Even though the relationship between husband and wife had deteriorated to this extent, Pei Yong had never thought of making Wang Yue regret too much.
Instead, he hoped she could live well, even better than when she was with him.
Pei JianGuo sighed and asked Pei Yong, "Dad, actually my mother has changed a lot now too. Since you're worried about her in your heart, why not give her another chance? You know she's too proud to admit defeat, but she actually regretted it long ago in her heart."
"Don't say this in front of me in the future. Your mother and I were a mistake from the beginning of our lives. It was because I wasn't determined enough at first that it led to the tragedy now. After suffering for most of our lives, it's better for both of us to separate now. JianGuo, in the future..." Pei Yong waved his hand. "Forget it. I'm a failure myself. What right do I have to educate you? Just live your own life well. It's very good as long as it's stable like now."
"Dad, don't talk like that. You're very good too..."
Pei JianGuo didn't know what to say either. In his understanding, his father was a good father, and his mother was also considerate to them. But this family just didn't seem suitable together. There were always various conflicts. And his mother had the temper that she would make a scene even if you didn't offend her. This made the family drift farther and farther apart.
Sometimes she annoyed him too.
Just like what happened a few days ago. She could be nice to herself but had to be condescending in front of Liu Chunhua and tried hard to suppress her.
Pei JianGuo felt it was very bad. Because Liu Chunhua was different from Lu Keqin.
She was gentle and beautiful. Although not perfect, she was a good wife in life and family. He wanted to walk with her all the way, so of course he couldn't let her be wronged too much.
Pei JianGuo was not stupid at all. On the contrary, he was very sly when it was beneficial to him.
He was clearer than anyone that if not for Liu Chunhua, he wouldn't marry such a compatible wife again.
And if he was alone, he would make the family a mess again. This was also what he didn't want to endure.
In the spacious and bright house, Wang Yue was sitting alone at the table. There was not even a New Year's Eve dinner on the table. She didn't prepare either, just cooked a casual bowl of noodles.
Since the unhappy parting a few days ago, Pei JianGuo hadn't come again.
She was too proud to go there. She had thought that since it was New Year, he should also bring his daughter-in-law to visit her. In previous years, it was always Liu Chunhua who prepared the New Year's Eve dinner. She had bought ingredients but didn't cook.
Today she slept the whole afternoon in one go. When she woke up, the house was still quiet.
She thought that the couple must have gone to Pei Yong's place at noon and would definitely come in the afternoon.
But unexpectedly, no one came until dusk when it was dark.
There were laughing and frolicking sounds from next door, and adults scolding from time to time. Every household set off firecrackers for dinner, but she was still the only one sitting here enjoying loneliness.
Sometimes Wang Yue couldn't help wondering, obviously she was the most confident in the whole family at first, even Jiang Su could only look at her face. But now, how did her life become like this?
Unfortunately she didn't know that she was not the only one who was lonely this night.
Her biological daughter was also looking up at the night sky in a dormitory of a small town.
The next time Pei Shuangshuang's news was heard again was because she was getting married.
At that time, Zhi Xia was still wondering which man had such great taste to marry Pei Shuangshuang?
The next day, she heard that Wang Yue was so angry that she fainted and went straight to the hospital.
The reason was that she went to find Pei Yong.
Wang Yue: "Shuangshuang can't marry far away. And the place is so far that if she really marries, she may not be able to come back twice in her life."
Pei Yong: "It's good if she doesn't come back. At least no one will be angered to death."
Wang Yue: "Pei Yong, don't you feel bad for Shuangshuang at all? She is your daughter. She has never been married before. Now she's going to marry a man with two children whose wife just died!"
Pei Yong: "It's more shameful if an unmarried girl is not a maiden anymore. It's better to hear that she marries a man whose wife just died. I feel more sorry for those two children instead. I don't know what that man was thinking, having two children but not finding a woman who can live a life with them. At least JianGuo is better in this aspect."
Then Wang Yue fainted from anger. Pei Yong sent her to the hospital.
Zhi Xia watched PingAn demonstrate the scene at the time to Little Sixth. She really didn't want to gloat but couldn't help the corners of her mouth rise.
Wang Yue deliberately avoided familiar people when making a phone call at the post office. But her angry roars still made everyone around look over.
"I won't go. Don't expect me to accept that man either. If you dare to marry him, you are no longer my daughter." These were the last words Wang Yue said before hanging up.
In contrast, Pei Yong was much more rational.
Anyway, as a father, he had to go take a look when his daughter was getting married.
A widower with two children was not a problem for Pei Yong at all. He didn't even require the other party to be reliable. Instead, he hoped the other party could be more assertive to be able to handle Pei Shuangshuang's antics.
Otherwise, with her temper, the marriage may not even last a few days.