The Fat Wife of the 1980s Awakens

This intimate reproach hides her deep love for her husband.

Xie Yi's laughter was hearty, as if it could dispel the cold of winter. His eyes sparkled with love for his wife. "As long as I can see your flower-like smile, it doesn't matter if those little rascals fall into a few more traps!"

In Xie Yi's heart, the happiness of his family is more important than anything else.

In the next room, Sanbao was immersed in the joy of putting on new clothes. Suddenly, a series of sneezes interrupted his excitement. He rubbed his nose with an innocent look on his face.

Er Bao sniffed, frowning, and said with a detective-like determination, "That kid Guo Jiajun must be plotting against me again. I have to confront him later!"

His tone was childishly serious yet tinged with a hint of mischief.

Dabao slowly raised his eyes from the page and glanced at Erbao calmly. His eyes were deep and calm. "So, who is talking about me and Xiaobao?"

His voice was not loud, but it carried an authority that could not be ignored, causing Erbao to shrink his neck involuntarily.

"It's definitely not me," Erbao quickly waved his hands to deny it, secretly glad that he had changed the subject in time.

He had just accidentally soiled his eldest brother's book, and fearing that he would be "retaliated against" after being discovered, he hurriedly showed off his new clothes, "Brother, look at my new clothes, aren't they very handsome!"

His words were full of anticipation, hoping that this would divert his eldest brother's attention.

Xiao Bao held his second brother's hand tightly, and his childish voice was full of seriousness, "Second brother, you should praise big brother's clothes first, big brother's new clothes are the best!"

His eyes were clear, as if they could reflect all the beauty in the world.

"Right, right, right," Erbao suddenly realized and quickly made amends, "Brother, your clothes are so handsome, ten times more handsome than mine!"

His words were full of sincerity, hoping to gain the approval of his eldest brother.

However, Dabao just smiled faintly, took off the new clothes gently, folded them carefully, and planned to wear them until the New Year.

For him, new clothes are not only festive attire, but also expectations for the future.

For this year’s New Year’s Eve dinner, the family decided not to have their own meals separately, but to return to the old house, gather together and enjoy the joy of family.

When Xu Xiufang thought of Gu Xiaoling's nosy and talkative appearance, her heart was filled with ripples and she was reluctant to go.

So, after enjoying breakfast, she chose to stay at home, turned on the old radio, and let the melodious music and stories accompany her through this quiet time.

At the same time, Xie Yi and Sanbao were busy. They cleaned the house spotlessly and then went to the old house to help with the decoration.

The sunlight shines through the window lattices, illuminating their busy figures, reflecting a sense of warmth and harmony.

Not long after, Xie's mother arrived in a hurry, her voice filled with anxiety, "Second brother's, you are here!"

Her presence brings a touch of homely warmth and liveliness to the air.

Xu Xiufang looked up, a hint of doubt flashed in her eyes, "Mom, why did you come here in person?"

She didn't expect her mother to come all the way.

"I came here specifically to tell you that the Third Brother's family will not be having New Year's Eve dinner with us this year."

Mother Xie spoke straight to the point, her words revealing an unquestionable firmness.

Countless questions suddenly arose in Xu Xiufang's mind. Could it be that her mother made this trip just to tell her the news?

Mother Xie's eyes were firm and deep, as if she could see through Xu Xiufang's thoughts.

She knew very well that Xu Xiufang, like herself, was troubled by Gu Xiaoling's style of doing things.

Seeing that Xie Yi and Sanbao had gone there, but Xu Xiufang stayed at home, he guessed that she wanted to avoid the trouble, so he came directly and told her the whole story.

Xu Xiufang's eyebrows slightly raised, as if she was not surprised by this sudden arrangement. "Okay, Mom, you go back and rest first, I'll change my clothes and come over."

There was a hint of calmness and understanding in her tone.

"Don't worry, I'll wait for you here."

As Xie's mother spoke, she took advantage of the time when Xu Xiufang was changing clothes and began to talk incessantly about the difficulties of the third room.

The pain that had been pent up in my heart seemed to have found an outlet and could not be released anymore.

Only then did Xu Xiufang realize that the reason why the third room was absent from the New Year's Eve dinner this year was not only the long-standing conflict between Xie's mother and Gu Xiaoling, but also had deeper reasons.

Xie Laosan actually followed Gu Xiaoling's advice and, citing food shortage at home as an excuse, refused to fulfill his obligation to provide food to his parents every year as he had promised when the family was divided.

If the family is really poor and has difficulty making a living, it is understandable.

But this is not the case. This year is the first year that they have separated. Not only did they get 200 yuan, but even after deducting the cost of building a kitchen and some compensation, they would not be left without even a little food to honor their parents.

Xie's mother had always loved Xie Laosan and Li Tiezhu very much, and was especially partial to them before the family division.

Now, he can’t even do the most basic filial piety. How can Xie’s father and mother not be heartbroken?

This incident was like a fuse, igniting the dissatisfaction accumulated in the hearts of Xie's father and mother because Xie Lao San protected Gu Xiaoling.

There was no fierce quarrel, only a calm and resolute declaration - from now on, they and the third wife lived separately, as if Xie Laosan, their son, did not exist.

The rift in family ties was laid bare before everyone.

Once Xie's mother started talking, it was like a flood that broke through the dam, and Xu Xiufang could hardly get a word in.

This may be good news for her, but not necessarily for Xie's father and mother.

Therefore, she could only maintain appropriate sympathy, agree with them, and try not to make her joy too obvious.

Mother Xie didn't need her response, she just needed someone to listen, someone who could understand her difficulties.

The conflicts in the family were not convenient to be told to outsiders, and Xie's father was not a person who liked to gossip, so Xu Xiufang, who shared the same suffering, became the most suitable choice.

It was not until I stepped into the door of Old Xie's house that Xie's mother's nagging gradually stopped.

As soon as she entered the room, Xu Xiufang saw Xie Chunyan.

The textile factory closed early, so Xie Chunyan returned home early.

Xie Chunli and her family returned to the county town after the school holidays began.

Xie Chunyan was chatting with Qin Yunli. When she saw Xu Xiufang, she immediately smiled brightly, "Sister-in-law, you're here."

Her enthusiasm is like the warm sunshine in winter, warm and direct.

"Miss."

Xu Xiufang responded with the same warm smile and simply said hello.

"Second sister-in-law," Qin Yunli also greeted her with a smile, with a hint of caution hidden in that smile.

Xu Xiufang nodded slightly in response. Her attitude was neither overly enthusiastic nor cold, but compared with Xie Chunyan's enthusiasm, it seemed a little indifferent.

Qin Yunli pursed her lips, and suddenly, holding her bulging belly, she took a few steps closer to Xu Xiufang, with some trepidation in her eyes, "Second sister-in-law, I have to apologize to you for what happened before. I was really confused at that time, and I shouldn't have had such thoughts..."