Ger, So Proud

Chapter 74

At lunchtime, the entire family filled three large tables: one for the men, one for the wives, and another for the two brother-in-law who were watching over the group of children. The two uncles were still in the kitchen helping Dad Guo.

“You know, Youcai, you have to drink this cup. My dear little brother has been married to you for so many years, suffering so much. Now, you finally have a new house built, and both you and your son have turned your luck around. It’s a great thing! If you don’t drink, it means you don’t respect me as your brother-in-law!” said He Ze’s second uncle.

As soon as he finished speaking, He Youcai’s face lit up, and he downed another full glass of wine.

“Exactly, drink another one. I never thought you would turn your luck around.” He Ze’s eldest uncle glanced at He Youcai, looking a bit wistful. “Don’t take this the wrong way. I’ve spent my whole life working with crops and can’t deal with all the twists and turns. You’ve built a new house, but you’re still far from being the brother-in-law I wanted…”

“Ahem…what are you saying on such a good day!” Eldest Uncle Li was interrupted by the arrival of Eldest Uncle-in-law, who was carrying a wine jug. “I know you can’t live without this stuff, so I heated up some rice wine for you.”

As he spoke, he poured a cup for Eldest Uncle Li and gave him a stern look. “Let this wine shut you up!”

“That’s right, Brother-in-law, you need to keep Big Brother in check. Youcai is not the same as before,” Second Uncle-in-law Li said as he placed a bowl of fresh fish in one hand and a bowl of stewed meat in the other on the table. He paused for a moment and then asked, “Youcai, I heard from the villagers that you and Caiyun are looking at land. Is that true?”

“Yes, we sold half of our land to pay for the medical expenses. I thought we can’t lack food, so we’re looking for more land to buy.”

Originally, the land deal should have been completed by now, but He Ze suggested buying a few more plots. He Youcai thought it would be better to buy them all at once and have the clan review them, so the selected plots had only been paid for with a deposit.

“See, don’t ever say Youcai isn’t capable, Husband(Second Uncle Li’s original name is Li Yang). Didn’t Caiyun repay the money he borrowed from us for San Mao’s school fees within two or three months? Our dad had a good eye, knowing that Youcai would surely repay…”

“Bang!”

Before he could finish his sentence, Li Houtian at the main seat slammed his bowl and chopsticks heavily on the table.

Second Uncle-in-law Li fell silent, quietly standing aside. He Ze instinctively glanced at him and frowned.

His second Uncle-in-law, surnamed Chen, hadn’t said much since their family arrived, but he could easily detect the barbs in his earlier remarks.

The original He Ze only visited the Li family two or three times a year and was close only to the two elders. He didn’t know much about the rest of the family. Now it seemed he had overestimated the harmony within the Li family.

Indeed, with so many people—one large family comprising three or four smaller ones—and all the money controlled by Li Houtian and Dad Guo, it was inevitable that private interests would emerge. The incident when Caiyun borrowed money seemed to have left Uncle Chen with some resentment, and he couldn’t hold back during the meal.

An awkward silence fell over the table. He Ze pulled his gaze back and noticed He Youcai reaching for the wine jug again. He quickly stopped him, “Father, drink less. We still have to go home later.”

Before he finished speaking, Dad Li from the other table stood up, only to be quickly pushed back down by Dad Guo, who had just entered. “Eat your food!”

“Dad!” Dad Li threw his chopsticks on the table, regretting ever coming.

Dad Guo gave him a reproachful look and then turned a stern gaze toward the men’s table, his eyes finally settling on Chen. “What kind of day is it today? Can’t we have a proper meal? Youcai and Caiyun rarely come home, so why speak so bitterly!”

With that, Dad Guo placed a bowl of rich soup in front of He Ze, his tone softening. “Xiao Ze, have a taste. We slaughtered a big black chicken yesterday, and I stewed it for a whole day just for you. Make sure to eat well!”

“Thank you, Granddad.” He Ze breathed a sigh of relief.

“Everyone, let’s eat. Today is the first day of the New Year! Come on, we are all men here, let’s not leave until we’re drunk!” Li’s second uncle nudged Chen gently, trying to lighten the mood with a hearty laugh.

Everyone seemed eager to ease the tension. Dad Guo and the two Uncle-in-law sat at the other table, and soon the room was filled with chatter, laughter, and the clinking of wine glasses.

After lunch, Dad Li helped Dad Guo clear the dishes and took them to the kitchen for washing. Knowing that the dad and son needed to talk, the eldest Uncle-in-law pulled Chen out of the room.

“Don’t take what happened today to heart. Your second brother-in-law is upset with me, not you.” Dad Guo sighed once the others had left.

Dad Li didn’t respond but paused his dishwashing for a moment.

“He’s not a bad person, just short-sighted and a bit calculating. He’s always worried about San Mao’s future and fears that the money I gave you won’t be returned,” Dad Guo continued, trying to explain Chen’s behavior.

“Dad, it’s not that I’m upset about that.”

His dad had to manage the finances for over a dozen family members, making sure they had food and clothes. Giving him six taels of silver at once must have strained the family’s resources significantly. Given their situation at the time, if it weren’t for Xiao Ze, they wouldn’t have been able to return home in such a short time. Chen’s resentment was understandable; he would feel the same in his position.

What made him angry was Chen, as a married ger, criticizing his own brother-in-law in front of the younger generation!

And also…

“Dad, you need to talk to Father and my brothers about treating Youcai better! I insisted on marrying him back then. It’s been twenty years; why can’t they…”

“Feeling sorry for him?” Dad Guo looked up at him. “You know your father well. Back then, he almost fought with Youcai. In the first two or three years after you got married, he never stopped thinking about bringing you back. Now, he’s too proud to admit he was wrong!”

“And your brothers, didn’t you scold them every time you came back? Can they change overnight? At first, they wanted to keep Youcai in check so he wouldn’t mistreat you. But after so many years, they got used to it. When Youcai had his accident a few months ago, both your brothers were frantic. Remember that remedy I gave you? They found it by visiting every clinic in town!”

“And when you came to borrow money, they agreed without a second thought. As soon as you left, Chen and your second brother had a big fight over it. Did your brother ever mention it to you?”

“…”

Dad Li was silent for a moment, frowning deeply. “I know, but…”

“Alright, I’ll find a chance to talk to them.” Dad Guo wiped the splashes of water from his forehead with his elbow and then laughed. “They say a married ger is like spilled water. I guess that’s true!”

“Just think of me as spilled water. And what about you? We just got here, and you started talking like that!” Dad Li snapped, as if remembering something.

“Me? I’ll be honest; I really don’t think much of him!”

“…”

“Father, I told you not to listen, and now it hurts, doesn’t it?” He Ze patted He Youcai on the shoulder.

The two of them stood in the doorway of the kitchen, out of sight from those inside but able to hear everything. He Youcai kept his gaze straight ahead, listening intently to the conversation inside.

Dad Guo’s words stung even He Ze.

The conversation inside continued. “Do you remember Li Xiu? The one who used to play with you when you were kids? He wasn’t as good-looking as you, and his family wasn’t better off than ours, but he married well! He’s now living in a big house in town with his husband. The matchmaker came to our house several times for him. Such good prospects—how did you not see it back then?”

“Dad!” Dad Li raised his voice.

Dad Guo didn’t seem to care. He finished cleaning the last bowl and poured half a basin of clean water into the wooden basin. His voice, mixed with the sound of water, carried to the father and son outside. “Don’t tell me that Youcai is a good man and treats you well. But Li Xiu’s husband isn’t a good person? A few years ago, Li Xiu’s mother came back and said that his son-in-law had never argued with Li Xiu once. Their family has money and never indulges in vices. Isn’t his character just as good as Youcai’s?”

“Yes, Youcai hasn’t been lucky, but how many people are lucky their whole lives? No matter what, a man must take care of his wife and children. Good character and skills don’t conflict! Your father… well, your father isn’t a capable person. But your dad wanted you to marry someone capable and promising so that you could live an easier life. When I saw your white hair the last time you came home, it felt like needles in my heart…”

“Dad, please stop,” Dad Li’s nose tingled, and his voice grew hoarse, “I’m the one who let you down. But I chose Youcai, and I don’t regret it whether he’s capable or not. I don’t want anyone else.”

“Don’t cry, don’t cry, silly child!” Seeing his reddened eyes, Dad Guo quickly smiled to comfort him. “I know, everyone has their fate. I’m just saying. After all these years, your father and I have long treated Youcai like half a son. I might complain, but no matter what, he’s still family.”

“Dad, can’t you say something nice about Youcai…” Dad Li’s tears receded after hearing Dad Guo’s words.

“…”

There was a moment of silence in the room. He Youcai hung his head, staring at the ground for a while before finally moving. The sunlight cast a shadow of his slightly bent figure on the ground.

He Ze worriedly followed him. “Father…”

He Youcai didn’t respond, just waved his hand and headed towards the main room.

Li Houtian was there.

He Ze, feeling anxious, kicked a pebble at his feet. He had a bad feeling something was going to happen.

Sure enough, after overhearing that conversation and not knowing what Li Houtian said to his father, He Youcai was distracted from the moment they returned from the Li family. For several days, his state was off; he didn’t even touch his favorite dry tobacco.

The sun must be rising from the west!

Several times, He Ze tried to invite his father to drink with him, but each time he was refused. Besides him, Dad Li and He An also sensed that something was wrong with He Youcai.