Witty Wife, Better Life

Chapter 714: Chapter 704 Love It or Leave It

Shen Yunfang couldn’t say she didn’t want to see the old Li man again. After how he treated her child, her perception of him had plummeted to the lowest. Even Qiu Shuping fared better, at least she only gave her attitude when incited, and never berated her child so disgracefully.

Their child was not the Li Family’s little cat or dog, to be used as an outlet for anyone’s displeasure. This was something she, as a mother, could not tolerate.

"We can just find a hostel in the county to stay for one day, that’s all. It’s been so long since we returned, and we haven’t had the chance to properly visit the county." This was purely nonsense.

Before the New Year, they had already visited several acquaintances in the county. Besides, going to the county in the afternoon when it’s already dark, where could they possibly go? And with the morning bus the next day, there would be even less time.

"Oh, in this freezing cold, what’s there to see? It’s more comfortable to stay indoors," Wang Dan actually believed it.

Shen Yunfang smiled, "Sister-in-law, whenever Goudan decides to go to the Capital, just give me a call. You remember my number, right? Then, I’ll have Hongjun ask his comrades-in-arms in the Capital to keep an eye on Goudan. In such a big city, it’s better to have someone looking out for him."

A sixteen-year-old is just in the throes of adolescent rebellion. Shen Yunfang was worried that Goudan might do something unreliable once there, or be led astray by others, as he was still an impressionable boy. Thus, she thought of asking Ma Liguo for help—after all, Goudan was Hongjun’s nephew.

When Wang Dan heard her mention Goudan’s trip to the Capital, knowing she hadn’t forgotten about borrowing the house, she immediately beamed with joy.

"Oh, that would really trouble you both. You have no idea–I feel both happy and anxious about Goudan going to the Capital," Wang Dan said. "There’s a saying: ’When sons travel far, mothers worry.’ I haven’t even experienced his departure, yet I already feel it. I can’t count on Li Hongxing, that hopeless case, so I can only hope that my sons will make something of themselves, allowing their mother to enjoy some blessings."

"You shouldn’t always talk that way about your eldest brother. He’s quite capable. He may work a bit slow, but a good temperament is his strong suit. Nobody’s perfect, right? If you had married a man who works briskly but has a terrible temper, your life would be chaotic," Shen Yunfang didn’t quite approve of how Wang Dan belittled her own husband. It was only because Hongxing had a good temper—Hongjun would have slapped her long ago.

Wang Dan was pleased that her husband’s slowness wasn’t described as laziness, and upon further reflection, she found Shen’s words made sense. If she really had married a tough one, they would have been at each other’s throats. With this in mind, she felt even happier. "You know, a college graduate like you really talks differently. Somehow, you make me feel so much better."

Shen Yunfang could only chuckle.

After chatting for a while longer, Wang Dan tactfully took her leave, as Shen Yunfang still had to pack.

At noon, Shen Yunfang took some time to prepare all the best and most possible dishes. Anything that wasn’t eaten would simply be left to others, not worth it.

When the old Li man strolled back a little after eleven, hands clasped behind his back, Shen Yunfang was already dining with her two children in her room.

"Dad, I thought you weren’t going to come. The food’s all ready. If you and Niuniu want to eat, just help yourselves. We’re almost finished and won’t be joining you."

The door was not closed, so the old Li man saw Shen Yunfang and her children eating as he entered the room.

The old man’s face darkened. What was the second daughter-in-law implying by not serving him food?

"Don’t just look, hurry up and eat," Shen Yunfang urged the children.

She had already prepared a bowl of rice for Niuniu in the other room earlier. Even though she was angry, she couldn’t bear to have one child feast in this room while a smaller one starved in another.

Angered, the old Li man went into his own room and slammed the door shut with a bang.

Shen Yunfang shrugged her shoulders, "Eat it or not, it’s even better if you don’t eat."

Not until Shen Yunfang had cuddled the child to sleep did Li Hongjun return.

"You’re done talking, right? I’ll go and ask elder brother in a bit if we can use the donkey cart to get us to the county. I forgot to mention it when sister-in-law came by today." Shen Yunfang looked up at the sound, "Have you eaten yet?"

"I’ve eaten. Just get the luggage ready, and don’t worry about anything else. You continue sleeping. When the kids wake up, we’ll leave." Li Hongjun, having removed his shoes that were damp from walking in the snow outside, said.

"Alright, you’d better hurry up and take off your clothes to sleep for a while too," Shen Yunfang said, already drifting off.

However, Li Hongjun still didn’t manage to get that nap in.

Just as he’d stripped off his clothes that were giving off a chill, the old man Li called out to him from the main room.

Worried about waking his wife and children, Li Hongjun quickly opened the door and went out.

"Dad, you were looking for me?"

The old man Li was sitting cross-legged on the edge of the kang bed and, after glancing at his second son, suppressed his irritation and asked, "Where did you go at noon? You didn’t even come home for dinner."

"I went to my eldest sister’s place," Li Hongjun didn’t hide the fact.

"What did you do at your eldest sister’s house?"

"I’m planning to return to Z Province this afternoon. I went to let my elder sister know."

The Old man Li fell silent. He hadn’t even complained about nobody serving him at noon or clearing the table after he finished eating, and now he found himself without words.

For a while, the only sound in the room was the old man Li drawing on his dry pipe. (Niuniu had already lain down for a nap.)

After a good while, he then spoke, "Why are you suddenly going back to Z Province? Weren’t you going to stay for a few more days?" He was wondering to himself if his son was unhappy about their morning conversation regarding Niuniu or was it because his daughter-in-law got upset after what he said about the Li Family’s girl.

"Yeah, originally, I was planning to stay longer, but you know my situation over there, I’ve got to go back whenever it’s necessary." Of course, Li Hongjun couldn’t say it was because his wife was angry and insisted on leaving; an adequate reason still needed to be found, but both sides knew the real reason as clearly as if they were looking into a mirror.

As Li Hongjun spoke, he took out a hundred-yuan bill from his upper pocket and placed it on the kang, "Dad, this is your allowance for this year. Take it. Later on, if you see someone in the village who has the time, you can find someone to cook for you. Since you’ll choose the person yourself, you’ll definitely be more satisfied than if I find someone for you. If not, elder brother is also here, and if you need anything, you can ask him to run errands for you." He simply decided not to mention Niuniu anymore.

"You’re planning to abandon me, aren’t you?" The old man Li drew on his pipe several times before finally pressing out these words, sounding quite aggrieved.

Li Hongjun laughed, "Dad, what are you talking about? Haven’t I told you? I am your son and will always take care of you. If you can’t get used to living here, then come with us to Z Province. As long as your son has a bite to eat, you won’t starve. If you think you’re not accustomed to living at my place and prefer staying in your hometown, then as your son, I will provide the allowance for you. Whoever you fancy to take care of you, just find them."

The old man Li understood. His son was saying that if he went with him, he would take care of his every need, but then there would be no allowance. If he stayed here, they would stick to the original agreement of an annual allowance of one hundred yuan.