NOVPUB
Chapter 418: Chapter 408 How Can You Be So Ungrateful
Shen Yunfang had never seen Old Lady Shen curse at Uncle so vehemently before. Back home, Uncle’s word was law, and she couldn’t fathom what could have set Old Lady Shen off at Shen Yunxiu’s place.
In their hometown, Old Lady Shen always held herself with dignity, since Uncle was the production team leader. She was considered the first lady of Gaijiatun, so Shen Yunfang only ever saw the more pleasant side. Now, as a mother worried about her daughter, she had let go of all regard for her own image and revealed her true nature.
"Old Lady, calm down a bit, will you? Yunxiu isn’t young anymore; her kid’s almost old enough to act grown up now. You’ve looked after her when she was small; can you keep doing that forever? Children have their own fortunes, so you don’t need to worry so much," Shen Yunfang whispered as she quietly moved her stool backward.
Old Lady Shen was caught off guard by her reply; this wasn’t how the conversation was supposed to go, and she found herself at a loss for words.
But as a mother, how could she give up so easily? Seeing that Shen Yunfang wasn’t following the script, she went straight to the point.
"Yunfang, you and Yunxiu are sisters, and although you’ve had your disagreements in the past, that’s all when you were younger. Be big-hearted and don’t hold grudges against your sister Yunxiu. These past few years, she’s really had a tough time, and it breaks your uncle and my heart to see it," Old Lady Shen said as she began to tear up. "Yunfang, I see that your house has plenty of space, so I’m swallowing my pride to ask you, do you think you could help out your sister Yunxiu?"
Shen Yunfang raised an eyebrow; she had a hunch about what Old Lady Shen was asking for today, but she had her principles. Regarding someone like Shen Yunxiu, she had always lived by the idea that not getting back at her was help enough. Thus, she had never considered rekindling any connection with Shen Yunxiu.
"Old Lady, what exactly do you want me to do to help?" Shen Yunfang asked, certain she wouldn’t agree but still curious to know what Old Lady Shen wanted, or rather, how much.
"It’s not much, just spare one of your three rooms for your sister Yunxiu and her family of three," Old Lady Shen said, perhaps worried Shen Yunfang would refuse, so she quickly assured, "Don’t worry, your sister Yunxiu and her family will definitely not disturb you and your two daughters’ lives."
Old Lady Shen had a clear plan; although her daughter expressed a desire to live in the courtyard house, how could it compare to this apartment? If her daughter could move in here, it would be like hitting the jackpot.
As for whether her niece would agree, Old Lady Shen was quite confident. After all, she and the old man were Yunfang’s elders, and back in their hometown when they wanted Yunfang to lend her house to Yunxiu, Yunfang had refused, which had been a blow to her face. She couldn’t possibly face another refusal this time.
She had never considered that since someone had refused once, what was so difficult about doing it again?
"What are you talking about? How could we let Yunxiu’s family of three stay at Yunfang’s place? That’s just not proper," Uncle immediately frowned upon hearing his wife’s words. He was not even fully on board with Yunxiu’s desire to live in Yunfang’s courtyard house, let alone his wife now suggesting that Yunxiu’s family move into Yunfang’s home. Even if he lacked sophistication, he understood how inappropriate it was to move into someone else’s home. Put yourself in their shoes; if someone wanted to move their entire family into your home for half a year, it wouldn’t be just him objecting; his wife would never agree either. And if Yunxiu’s family moved in, they couldn’t just stay for a short while. Given Yunxiu’s personality, what would happen if the two sisters got into a fight again?
"Why not? Yunfang, your house has so many rooms, even a dog can have its own room. Why can’t Yunxiu and her three kids live in one of them? Yunfang, tell me, isn’t it true that although bones may break, the sinews still hold? You can’t just watch her suffer without helping. Besides, as a woman alone in an unfamiliar place, having your sister Yunxiu live with you means there’s someone to lend a hand in times of need. If you really find it inconvenient, then let Yunxiu make another doorway; that way you both can live your own lives separately." Shen Da Nainai said all this with such fervor.
Shen Yunfang fell silent. Da Nainai, this is the third floor, are you expecting Shen Yunxiu to just jump straight down if she opens another door? 𝖓𝔬𝖛𝔭𝔲𝖇.𝔠𝔬𝖒
However, Shen Yunfang knew that at this point, nothing she could say would penetrate Da Nainai’s determined fantasy. So, it was more useful to speak to those who still retained a sense of reason.
"Da Ye, I remember you always said a phrase when I was a child, ’One should enjoy a life that matches their capability.’ Shen Yunxiu had desperately wanted to move to the city in the past, and now this is what she has worked for; I think even if she suffers now, she must accept it gladly. My home is only this big. Hongjun and I need one room, my child needs another, and my dog Taxue also needs its own space. There’s simply no room for outsiders to stay. Besides, we’re living comfortably as a family; why go looking for trouble and let someone troublesome in, just to make everyone’s living situation uncomfortable?" Shen Yunfang spoke calmly, but her words were sharp; she did not leave any face for the elders.
Shen Yunfang mainly hoped that Da Ye and Da Nainai could see her stance clearly, and drop the subject for everyone’s sake. If they continued, it would surely lead to an argument, something Shen Yunfang did not want to see happen.
Shen Da Ye felt as though his face was being slapped resoundingly, ashamed his wife could make such an unreasonable request, but deep down, he still faintly hoped his niece would agree for his sake.
Upon hearing Shen Yunfang’s words, Shen Da Nainai’s face instantly drooped, but still harbored hope, not daring to start an argument with Shen Yunfang at this moment. So, she could only vent her frustration on her husband, "Drink, drink, drink, that’s all you know. You think you’re still at home on your own kang? Why don’t you just choke to death on it." She said this and, still not satisfied, snatched the wine cup from Shen Da Ye’s hand and threw it onto the table.
The wine cup rolled a few times on the table before falling to the floor with a clatter.
Taxue dashed out from the bedroom at once, barking loudly at Shen Da Nainai.
"Taxue." Shen Yunfang’s smile had vanished; she had invited people to her home because Shen Da Ye was her relative, but that didn’t mean Shen Da Nainai had the right to throw dishes and bowls around her house.
"Well done, Yunfang, even your dog dares to bully me. Are you going to let it bite me too? Go on, let it bite me! Better yet, let it bite me to death so I can go down below and have a good talk with your mother and father about how well I treated your family, how well I treated your mother. I’ve warmed your wolf pup’s bed for so many years. I haven’t even asked you for anything major, just a place for Yunxiu to stay, and you begrudge even that. Tell me, are you being fair to me, are you being fair to your Da Ye?" Shen Da Nainai said before starting to sob.
Shen Yunfang stroked Taxue’s back, calming it, quietly listening to Shen Da Nainai’s complaints.
"Yunxiu is really struggling now. Do you think I would debase myself to come and beg you if it weren’t the case? I know you and your husband are capable, but no matter how capable you are, I am still your aunt. How can you be so heartless?"
