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Chapter 55
In fact, Pei Sheng was not the kind of man who valued men over women. Otherwise, he would not have only two daughters. Over the years, he and Jiang Su have been fine. The two had never quarreled because of not having a son.
It was just that some words were hard to ignore when people kept mentioning them. When they were mentioned a lot, even unreasonable things would start to seem reasonable.
He had thought that not having a son was no big deal. After all, he was not an only child. Even if his family line ended with him, it would only end with him. The Pei family lineage would not be broken.
But in recent years, his sister-in-law's constant reminders had gradually made him feel inferior. He had naturally taken the path of protecting his nephew, just because the boy was the only male among the younger generation.
Pei Sheng suddenly realized something. He hurried after Jiang Su without caring about Pei Jing who was walking with him.
Pei Meng was very tactful and stood still, leaving time for her parents to be alone.
Pei Sheng nodded approvingly at Pei Meng, then turned to Jiang Su to apologize, "Don't be angry anymore. Even little Jing has started to reprimand me. I promise you this is the last time. When we get back, let's move out and live on our own. Can't we live our own lives from now on?"
Anyway, there was the eldest brother above, and the third brother below. He was sandwiched in between as the second son. There was nothing he could do anyway.
Besides, the old master had a caretaker.
The couple had been harmonious for so many years of marriage. Now that things were said so plainly, Jiang Su was no longer angry at him. She just sighed and said, "I know what you're thinking too, but aren't you overlooking one issue?"
"What issue?" Pei Sheng asked somewhat uneasily.
"It's true that eldest brother and sister-in-law have a son. Given our age, it's unrealistic to expect another child. But haven't you forgotten that third brother is still young? He hasn't even married yet. Yet you keep saying that Jian Guo is the only male child among the younger generation. Isn't that wishing that third brother won't be able to have a son in the future either?"
Jiang Su's slightly louder words made Pei Sheng suddenly realize.
That's right, Pei Jing wasn't married yet. He would definitely want children in the future.
He had really been brainwashed by his sister-in-law. After listening to her say over and over that Jian Guo was the only boy among the younger generation, he had actually started to believe it was true over time.
Zhi Xia sat in the living room supported by An Zhi Ang. Sister-in-law Zhou made a big fuss, startling Granny Pei and Old Master Pei.
Soon, Pei Sheng and Pei Jing had all arrived as well.
Pei Sheng was carrying cans and a can of tea leaves. Granny Pei took them from him and handed them to Sister-in-law Zhou.
Upon learning that Pei Meng was leaving tomorrow, Granny Pei was still surprised and asked, "What is your family thinking? Why let a girl go?"
The mentality of valuing men over women did not work for Granny Pei.
Jiang Su was aggrieved, but also understood the principle of not airing dirty laundry. She explained, "Her young uncle in the army introduced her to someone. They've been writing letters for half a year and have seen each other's photos. She's going this time to see if it's a good match. If so, they'll get married and then Meng Meng can follow him into the army."
Even at a disadvantage, Jiang Su would not take all mistreatment lying down.
Without a way out, even if the truth was exposed, she would never agree to letting her daughter be sent down to the countryside.
Fortunately, except for getting rural residency, everything else was arranged. The place she was being sent down was not far from Pei Jing's troop, so she could still be looked after.
Plus she would get married soon, and to a soldier at that. She could get military dependent status and the local authorities wouldn't refuse to release her.
Her daughter had at least graduated from high school and would have military family status. With some help from the family after marriage, it wouldn't be too difficult to transfer her residency back.
"I see, so that's how it is." Granny Pei nodded understandingly, then went back into the room and took out twenty dollars and some vouchers. "I didn't get the news beforehand either. Meng Meng is leaving again tomorrow, and with these old arms and legs of mine, I can't prepare anything in time. Take this money and vouchers and get everything you need yourself. Don't try to save on things. What if you get there and find you're lacking everything? Things will be hard to buy then."
Pei Meng declined and said there was no need to worry with Pei Jing taking care of her there.
It was Pei Sheng who said she should take it before Pei Meng accepted the money and vouchers.
Pei Meng had come as a courtesy visit before leaving. With time tight, she didn't stay long before leaving with her parents.
Pei Jing was in no hurry to leave. He asked Zhi Xia, "Did you rub medicinal wine on your foot?"
Granny Pei also said to her, "How could you be so careless? You haven't learned to ride a bike but still sprained your foot?"
An Zhi Ang explained at the side, "Actually she learned a long time ago. It's just that she doesn't dare ride alone. So every time I let go, she tilts. This time I let go without telling her and she rode quite far without falling."
"I said I would hold on to help you, but suddenly found no one behind me. Of course I would fall if you suddenly weren't there when you said you would be." Zhi Xia tattled to Granny Pei.
Granny Pei was no longer angry. She just laughed and teased the young couple.
An Zhi Ang took the medicinal wine from the shelf to rub on Zhi Xia's foot.
But Pei Jing said, "Go to the room to apply it. After rubbing in the wine, lie down and rest directly. It saves moving around."
Granny Pei said, "Go on then. I'll leave Zhi Xia to you two. Take good care of her. Little Jing, you'll eat here later, right?"
Surprisingly, Pei Jing did not decline. "Then I'll impose today."
"Impose? With all of you here, lively and fun, it makes us happy." Granny Pei said as she went out.
An Zhi Ang helped Zhi Xia into the room. Pei Jing suddenly added, "I think the bike chain outside seems to have fallen off. Do you want to go put it back on first, so we don't get delayed using it?" "It didn't fall off. It was fine when I rode back." An Zhi Ang said very certainly.
Pei Jing just smiled. "It really fell off. Go take a look if you don't believe me."
"That would be strange." An Zhi Ang wondered as he went outside. And sure enough, the chain had fallen off.
In the room, Pei Jing crouched to apply medicine for Zhi Xia, but she dodged him.
"I can apply it myself later, no need to trouble Little Uncle Pei." Zhi Xia was clear what had happened between them, but still had to address him as little uncle due to their relation. She felt rather awkward. "You purposely sent my fourth brother away, right?"
"Let me help you. If the force is too light, it won't penetrate well and the effect will be greatly reduced." Pei Jing took Zhi Xia's foot in his hand again and carefully started massaging in the wine.
Zhi Xia could not resist too much either. She asked again, "It's just applying medicinal wine. There's no need to purposely send my fourth brother away, right?"
"I'll be leaving in a few days." Pei Jing paused his movements for a bit before continuing. "Have you considered it?"
"Since Little Uncle Pei is leaving, let me wish you a smooth journey in advance. As for me, there's nothing to consider." Zhi Xia said.
Pei Jing didn't speak again. Zhi Xia also gradually relaxed. The pain in her foot became more pronounced, mixed with the warmth from the rubbing.
When An Zhi Ang came back, Pei Jing also put the wine away.
At dinner, An Zhi Ang talked the most. Zhi Xia was silent with things on her mind. Old Master Pei would ask Pei Jing some questions occasionally, which Pei Jing patiently answered.
It was clear that Old Master Pei was genuinely very satisfied with this younger generation member Pei Jing.