NOVPUBChapter 81: Chapter 81: Repaying a Kindness
Chapter 81 -81: Repaying a Kindness
“Big brother, I actually have something I want to talk to you and sister-in-law about. I’ve thought about it for several days, fearing that you wouldn’t agree! But today, I feel I must say it. Otherwise, if I leave secretly, it would be unfair to you for all the years of care you’ve given me—you are my family.” He Weng spoke openly and frankly to He Wang.
Bai Ju and He Wang were startled by his words, which seemed to suggest he was planning to leave.
Where was He Weng planning to go?
Bai Ju grabbed He Weng abruptly. Since her marriage into the He Family, she had been taking care of this younger brother-in-law. Back then, He Weng was just a child, but now he had grown into a young man. He Weng was like her own child, so how could she not be anxious? Addressing He Weng, Bai Ju began to scold him without feeling any burden in her heart.
“Where do you want to go? The family is having good days, what are you thinking about? It’s not that great out there. Have you thought about it? Your sister-in-law treats you as one of her own, and you’re not well-educated. You look frail; can you do physical labor outside, or sit in an office? I’m still a temp worker, you know, and it took a lot of effort just to get this job through a connection. Who will help you out there? I’m telling you, you’re not leaving. You just stay home, recover your health, and then after a while, I’ll talk to the factory manager to try to arrange a temp job for you. Eventually, things will get better for us, and our family will thrive.
I’m telling you, don’t feel like you owe your brother and sister-in-law anything. We are family, no one owes anyone anything, do you hear? The home of your brother and sister-in-law is your home, and we’re even planning to save up money for you to get married and start your own family. Don’t start causing trouble now,” Bai Ju really was a kind woman.
He Wang also advised, “Your sister-in-law is right; don’t mess around. You’ve just recovered, what are you fussing about? Just stay quietly at home, our family won’t starve without you working.”
He Weng smiled, pried Bai Ju’s fingers off, helped her sit down, and sat in front of them both, speaking seriously, “Brother, sister-in-law, I’ve thought this through. Here, I can’t do anything. You both know too well how scarce work is here; if temp jobs were easy to find, why wouldn’t my brother work in the factory? It’s also because there aren’t the right conditions. Every extra mouth at home is another to feed. Moreover, having received such a great kindness from Bai Xiao, if I do nothing, then I really am heartless.
Brother, sister-in-law, listen to me. I know Bai Xiao’s family doesn’t expect anything in return. Even if I gave my life, it wouldn’t amount to much. I’ve thought it over. Bai Xiao has to continue her studies and needs money. Plus, she found such a capable partner! It turns out she really does need someone to help her. These past few days, I’ve thought about it—Bai Xiao is a girl, and from now on, I’ll treat her like my sister. School always requires money. Even if she’s frugal, as a grown girl, especially Bai Xiao, if she doesn’t buy some clothes in the city, she’ll be ridiculed. It’s different from our countryside where any clothing will do. Also, that Officer An clearly comes from a different background. If Bai Xiao spends his money, her in-laws might look down on us in the future. I might not have any other skills, but I can still do odd jobs. I know my body is weak, but I can still work other jobs. I’ve heard there are more job opportunities in the provincial city, so I’ll go there to work and earn money.
From now on, Bai Xiao’s affairs are my affairs. As her brother, I’ll take care of her and won’t let her suffer. I want her to be able to stand proud as a city dweller. So don’t stop me. I thought there was no chance for a different life for me, just living and waiting to die. But now it’s different; I’m not content to just accept that. Let me go, or I’ll never be at peace for the rest of my life.”
This was truly what He Weng felt in his heart. He Wang instantly realized he had been wrong about his brother. Such a kind-hearted person, who wouldn’t even harm an ant, how could he be ungrateful?
He slapped himself on the forehead, “I’m such a fool, such a coward. How could I not trust my own brother, I…”
He Weng immediately hugged He Wang’s arm, shouting anxiously, “Big brother, what are you doing? I didn’t say that, how could you know what I was thinking? Therefore, no one is at fault. We’re all good people in this family, and we’ve always encountered good people, so I believe in good karma.”
“Alright, brother agrees to what you said! Do whatever you feel you should do. People must do what they think is right in this life, and now you’re a man. Repaying a favor is your choice; I can’t stop you. All your brother can do is support you.”
He Wang patted his brother’s shoulder; these years, the two brothers hadn’t spoken heart-to-heart like this. He had always been worried about making a living, frowning all day, or racking his brains to make money, with no time to talk about heart matters with his brother. Now he finally knew his brother had grown up! Like a man, made decisions and treated others properly, so he was very pleased.
He Weng knew his brother would agree. He turned to look at his sister-in-law and shook Bai Ju’s arm, “Sister-in-law, my big brother agrees! Please agree too, my dear sister-in-law!” He would act coquettishly with his sister-in-law because in his eyes, she was like a mother to him. Over the years, she had cared for him selflessly; he knew his situation, and such tasks as she did, few unrelated people would ever undertake.
Bai Ju, her head spinning from her brother-in-law shaking it, could only laugh and say, “Stop shaking, you’re making your sister-in-law dizzy. I agree, okay?”
He Weng immediately laughed like a child, “Sister-in-law, big brother, thank you.”
His heartfelt thanks were his utmost effort.
Bai Ju grabbed He Weng’s arm, “Don’t be happy just yet; I still have something to say. If you don’t agree to do this, you can’t go!” She was a woman whose thoughts were ultimately thorough, considering more aspects.
He Weng quickly sat down obediently, “Sister-in-law, speak!”
“When you’re out there, take good care of yourself. Don’…
