Spring Breeze Twenty Years

Chapter 1062 Making a Settlement

"Dad, don't be angry, Lai Zi isn't leaving. Lai Zi and I have already agreed that we'll go to the county to find work after the New Year, and we'll also work on construction sites. Don't worry. Xiao Wei, well, we appreciate your kindness and understanding, but you should go back now."

The older brother, with his father on his back and a helpless expression on his face, spoke to Xiaowei and Xiaohong.

Xiao Wei rubbed his head and nodded, saying, "Okay, then we'll head back now."

Lai Zi's parents didn't say anything, nor did they let Lai Zi leave the house. Lai Zi's older brother saw him off at the gate of the courtyard and whispered, "There's no point in arguing with my dad like that. Forget it. After the New Year, Lai Zi and I will go to work in the county. I'll have him come find you then. Xiao Wei, you'd better be considerate and don't blame my dad."

Xiao Wei waved his hand: "It's nothing. I'm off then."

Several people got into the car and drove towards Liu Liu's house.

Xiao Hong felt around inside the truck and said, "Yeah, that's true. A Jiefang truck only costs so much! This truck isn't even half the size of a Jiefang. Aunt Lai Zi's words make sense. Were we tricked?"

Xiuer rested her head on Xiaohong and giggled again.

Liu Liu's family is loading the truck right now. Xiao Wei's dad, Fourth Uncle, Gazi's parents, and Xinghai's parents are all helping. Kexin's parents are also there.

Xinghai's father said, "Oh my, Xiaowei has become so successful. Our village is almost empty. Qinghai, you're all gone. Your brother, the fourth one, will be gone sooner or later. Liu Liu's family has left too. After the New Year, Gazi's family and Kexin's family will be gone. Six or seven households will have moved out all at once."

Xiaowei's father said, "There's no future in digging in the village. You should go out and broaden your horizons. The outside world has changed so much. If you ask me, all of you should move out. There are plenty of houses over there. We can all live together, and the kids can be together. Wouldn't that be great?"

Xinghai's father said, "Take it slow, no rush. Kexin's family will go after the New Year. I'll wait here a bit longer. My own children can't just run away. Let's wait until they're settled before making any decisions. Don't put pressure on them. Prioritize Kexin's family first."

Fourth Uncle said, "Other people usually have their parents with them, but in your family, it's different; your wife's family is with you."

Kexin's father said, "What about my father-in-law? Isn't he my father? If I don't go with her, I won't even know if she gets bullied."

When Xiaowei's mother saw him enter the yard, she asked, "You saw him? What did he say?"

Xiao Hong said, "Oh my god, it's like a class struggle, there's no way to talk to it. It's impossible to reason with them. They even gave us a dressing down."

Xiao Wei's father said, "If you can't reason with them, that's fine. They have their own legs. As long as the meaning is there, that's enough."

Kexin's dad said, "That kid has always been a troublemaker since he was little. Who among us can get along with him? If it weren't for everyone giving in to him, how many beatings would he have gotten since he was a child? I remember several times when I wanted to hit him, you two had to hold me back."

Xinghai's dad said, "He's not a bad person, just a bit unsociable in his thinking. Oh well, that's how his family was back then."

Kexin's dad said, "In our village, there are two families I dislike the most: Xiaoqin's family and his family. Gelu."

Ga Zi's dad said, "Xiao Qin is still a good girl. Let her parents do whatever they want."

Xiao Wei's dad waved his hand and said, "Move things, move things. What's the point of talking about the ozone layer? It'll just cause a stir if word gets out."

Er Ya, Lina, and Zhao Di's families are from neighboring villages, while Xiao Qin and Ke Xin live in this village. In rural areas, because of land and water resources, villages are clearly separated and generally don't interact much, but most people know each other.

After seeing Liu Liu's family off, Xiao Wei's dad said, "That's enough for today, it's a bit late. Tomorrow at noon I'll slaughter a pig, and everyone can come over. We'll set up a few tables at Lao Si's house and have a good time."

Everyone cheered, as slaughtering a pig was a big deal, and it was rare to have a bite of meat.

Liu Liu's family hasn't transferred their household registration, and the house and land are still theirs; they're letting Xiao Wei's dad arrange things for them.

Xiao Wei's father helped lease out the land, signed the contract and put his fingerprint on it. Then, just like his fourth uncle's family, he entrusted the house to Changyuan's family to take care of it. Some things that he couldn't take with him were divided up, and whoever needed them could take them.

Xiao Wei looked around and suddenly remembered something. He asked his mother, "Something's not right. When I came here, Siwei and Ga Zi said that Aunt Liu's illness was quite serious this time. They said she might not make it through the year."

I forgot about this while I was busy with Wang Guifang's matter these past few days. It doesn't seem like a big deal, does it? I don't even know why she's in the hospital."

Xiaowei's mother said, "Oh, is that even a question? It's the same old story. They don't want Liuliu to go so far, and they don't have any other excuses. She does have some old ailments, so they're letting her stay in the hospital for treatment. We were poor before, but we can afford the medical bills now."

Xiao Wei stared in disbelief, and after a long pause, he finally said, "So this is it? Looking for trouble? Threatening? Can't we just talk it out?"

Xiaowei's mother said, "If Liu Liu hadn't been hospitalized, do you think she could have come back? Could she have stayed at home for almost half a year?"

Xiao Wei shook his head and said, "You older folks are talking nonsense. You've ruined so many things. Mom, let me tell you, just say what's on your mind. Don't let our family follow these people's example, or we'll cause trouble."

"This means they've moved there. If they hadn't moved, and Liu Liu were still in Fengtian, do you think Liu Liu would still care if her aunt really got seriously ill next time?"

Xiaohong said, "It's a normal thing, isn't that how it is? If something happens, they'll say, 'Oh no, I'm sick, if you don't come back I won't see my mother again.' That's how it is. That's how it is in the countryside. Forced marriage, forced marriage, forced money, forced childbirth, that's how it is."

Xiaowei's mother slapped Xiaohong on the shoulder: "You think you know everything?"

Xiao Hong, clutching the spot where she had been hit, leaned against Xiao Wei and said, "It's over, I'm internally injured. That old woman is too cruel. Tell me, do you want her or me? We have to settle this today."

Xiaowei's mother slapped Xiaohong's bottom again: "Hurry up and help clean her up. If you love acting so much, you'll be filming a movie tomorrow."

Little Red, clutching her bottom, ran into the house, yelling, "You old hag, just you wait! I'll get my revenge when you're old!"

Kexin's mother, standing nearby, asked with a smile, "How are you going to get revenge?"

Xiao Hong said, "I'll beat up his grandson and granddaughter, I'll shave them both."

Xiaowei's mother said to Xiaowei, "You guys, don't stay here. Go and walk around the village. Visit any families with elderly members and leave them some money. Make sure to help those who are really struggling. Do you have any money left? I brought 40,000 yuan, and I have over 10,000 yuan left."

Xiao Wei said, "That's enough. One or two hundred yuan per family is fine. Giving more isn't a good thing. Will you continue to give? How much will you give?"

Xiaowei's mother hesitated for a moment and said, "Isn't that a bit too much? Don't give them the money and then let them gossip behind our backs."

Xiao Wei said, "If paying money can generate gossip, then we might as well save ourselves the trouble in the future."

(End of this chapter)