NOVPUB
Chapter 417: Chapter 407 I’m Actually an Outsider
After dinner was served, Shen Yunfang also heated a pot of wine for Uncle Shen. In this weather, a small cup of wine makes the whole body comfortable.
Perhaps because of the wine, after eating for a while, Uncle Shen became less restrained and opened up to Shen Yunfang, talking about the changes in their hometown over the past two years.
"It was only after I came to the city that I heard about this new policy in the south, ’household responsibility system’, where the land is now allotted to individuals to cultivate. And I heard that the government has agreed to it, which is a great thing. When I return, I’ll have a good talk with our village folks and get everyone to prepare. Once the fields are divided among the families, I want to see who dares to be lazy. With hard work and good farming, better days aren’t far away." Uncle Shen was so excited when he heard this news, he could hardly believe it at first, but then he heard it was reported in the newspapers, and not just any newspapers, but those from the Capital, and that’s when he believed it.
"Uncle, this is really a good thing. If our village also implements the household responsibility system, could you help me check if I can also get a piece of land? I plan to go back to the countryside to farm in a few years."
"Didn’t you go to college? Why would you want to return to our poor place?" Uncle Shen asked with wide eyes. This niece of his was like a phoenix that had flown out of the mountain hollow, why would she want to return after flying away?
"I’m studying agriculture, and ultimately, I’ll be farming somewhere. What’s the difference where I farm? I’m familiar with our village, it’s better to go back there to farm." Shen Yunfang had her own plans and was steadily working toward her goals.
"Alright, if you really want land, and if our village really does start dividing it, I’ll set aside a piece for you, since our place has more land than people," Uncle Shen agreed without hesitation.
After that, Uncle Shen talked to her about many plans for the future.
Shen Yunfang listened with a smile. She enjoyed hearing these stories and was hopeful about hearing them.
But Aunt Shen was not pleased. These matters were too mundane, already endlessly discussed back home and now they had followed them to the city, utterly nonsensical. Aunt Shen stealthily jabbed Uncle Shen under the table.
"Ouch, what are you doing? I was having a good talk with Yunfang," Uncle Shen said, becoming excited; he was startled by his wife’s sudden poke.
Aunt Shen glanced at Yunfang, then let out an embarrassed smile. This stubborn old man, with his advanced age, was still set in his ways, his pig-headed mind never changing direction.
"Oh dear, Yunfang has come to the city, why are you still talking about those rural issues? If you’re going to discuss anything, talk about the city," she said, seeing that Uncle Shen hadn’t caught her meaning, so she just spelled it out for him.
This time, Uncle Shen understood, and he also remembered his daughter’s situation. He was bubbling with excitement a moment ago, but now he furrowed his brows and fell silent. He still thought it was unfeasible, but for the children, he was willing to put aside his pride and ask his niece for help.
Aunt Shen saw that her husband was of no use and decided to take matters into her own hands. This was a task given by their daughter, and she would be blamed if things didn’t go well. Besides, she thought that Yunfang, who seemed to be doing well, would agree.
"Yunfang, the main reason your uncle and I came to the city this time is to see how your sister Yunxiu is doing. You know what Yunxiu’s temper is like; I’m afraid that she’s not doing well without us by her side." Aunt Shen spoke with heavy concern.
Shen Yunfang nodded in agreement, truly worth worrying about. With Shen Yunxiu’s personality, her days surely aren’t going well.
"You have no idea, when I went to Yunxiu’s in-laws, I saw all three generations of the Fang Family, ten people, crammed into a small house to live their lives. There’s truly no space to even turn around, not as spacious as our old home in the countryside. Yunxiu is also unfortunate, when she and your brother-in-law came back, the Fang Family’s eldest daughter wasn’t even married off yet. They bullied Yunxiu and your brother-in-law. They don’t even let the couple sleep together at night. Yunxiu has to squeeze in with her younger sister-in-law, while the kids sleep with their grandmother. How can the couple live like this, and can their marital affection be good? Yunxiu is having a hard life!" Aunt Shen concluded, tears swimming in her eyes. Even though she meant to say these things for Shen Yunfang to hear, as she spoke, she truly felt the heartache. Her own beloved daughter, treated this way by the Fang Family, how could any mother not feel pained?
Shen Yunfang wasn’t Yunxiu’s mother, so she didn’t feel the pain. Moreover, she uttered ’deserved’ to herself. This path was one that Shen Yunxiu insisted on taking as if her life depended on it, and no one could pull her back. Now, any bitter fruit was her own to bear, and she couldn’t blame anyone else.
Uncle Shen, hearing his wife tell their niece such private matters about their daughter, felt he couldn’t save face, and scolded, "What nonsense are you spouting? All these things you’re saying, is this something virtuous?"
"Why are you yelling at me? I’m just feeling sorry for my daughter. Besides, Yunfang isn’t an outsider, so what’s wrong with me chatting with her?" Aunt Shen stood her ground and immediately pushed back against Uncle Shen. "Just drink your wine honestly, and let me and Yunfang talk."
On the side, Shen Yunfang really wanted to say, I’m actually an outsider, you really don’t have to tell me all this. Have you forgotten we once had a disagreement over Shen Yunxiu before? My relationship with Shen Yunxiu really isn’t good, I truly can’t share your animosity. How come you’ve forgotten all about it after just two years?
"Yunfang, don’t mind your uncle. He’s had a couple of drinks and for whatever reason, he thinks he’s fine now. Let’s continue our chat." Aunt Shen gave Uncle Shen a warning glare, signaling him to shut up. After seeing him bow his head and drink in silence, she then put on a smile and continued to talk to Shen Yunfang about her daughter Yunxiu’s issues.
"Auntie, let’s not talk about this anymore. Let’s eat, eat, the food is getting cold. We can continue chatting after we eat," Shen Yunfang hastily served Auntie a helping of food, trying to plug her mouth.
But this attempt was not very effective.
"I can’t eat anymore, I’m full, can’t swallow another bite, let your uncle eat by himself. Let’s keep talking." Aunt Shen was unmoved, determined to say everything she wanted to say. From the moment she saw Shen Yunfang, she had wanted to speak up, but it wasn’t appropriate to start with such topics right away. That’s why she had waited until now, but now she couldn’t hold back any longer.
"Where were we? Right, your sister Yunxiu has been living a tough life. After going back to the Fang Family’s place, not to mention taking care of their whole family’s eating and other needs, she doesn’t even have her own place to sleep at night..." Aunt Shen continued while looking at Shen Yunfang, hoping to see some reaction, even a little sympathy would be nice.
Shen Yunfang showed no such reaction, and sympathy was certainly out of the question. Shen Yunxiu was reaping what she sowed. She wanted to enjoy the city life, so let her keep ’enjoying’ it.
"Oh my, talk about being unlucky. With just one daughter, who I couldn’t bear to scold or hit, and now she suffers under the Fang Family’s mistreatment, it’s my fault for being a useless mother. You old man, you were the production team leader, your daughter doesn’t even have a place to call her own, and all you know is drinking. Drink, drink, why don’t you drink yourself to death." Having said all this without achieving the effect she desired, Aunt Shen’s anger flared up, but she couldn’t take it out on the rightful person, so her anger was misdirected.
