The Fat Wife of the 1980s Awakens

Seeing this, Gu Xiaoling quickly took up the conversation, speaking faster and more persuasively: "I'm not asking you to buy all pork. We can buy half a pound of fresh pork and add a pound of tender tofu. On the way home, we can pick some fresh vegetables from our own fields. Wouldn't that make for a hearty and economical dinner?"

As she spoke, she quietly moved closer to Xie Lao San, almost able to feel his breathing. She lowered her voice, her eyes revealing earnestness: "Hong, look at us, we are the most financially constrained among the brothers now. This dollar may not be a big deal for other brothers, but for us, it is an indispensable little blessing in our lives for a few days. There is no need to hold up face at this time and put on an unnecessary extravagance...

Besides, if our parents see how hard our lives are, maybe they will feel sorry for us and give us a hand, don’t you think?”

Xie Laosan fell silent after hearing this. He had not originally intended to win his parents' sympathy by doing such a trivial thing, but Gu Xiaoling's words were like a heavy hammer, hitting the soft spot in his heart.

He began to reflect and realized that indeed, his brothers and sisters were in much better situations than he was.

Chunyan and Xie Yi are of course good, and Chunli married into a scholarly family. Although she has a stable job as a worker, she is not rich. Although Dabin is also from a peasant family, he is much more hardworking than herself. The harvest from the land is abundant every year. With his three capable daughters, his family conditions are among the best in the village.

Looking back at myself, it seems that nothing I do goes well. My wife may not be virtuous enough in the eyes of others, and my children are not able to stand out in their studies. As for farm work, I lack that natural spirituality.

A few years ago, I followed the crowd and tried to do some small business. I made some profit in the beginning. However, life is unpredictable. I got cheated because of my poor judgment of people. Not only did I lose all my savings, but I was also left with a huge debt. It was not until this year that I was able to barely get through the difficult times, and my family is still struggling to make ends meet.

In contrast, it is said that the small shop run by the two elderly people in Beijing is doing good business. Even if they are not rich, they have enough food and clothing because of the frequent help from their second brother, his wife and the eldest sister's family.

If parents are willing to help me at this critical moment...

As his thoughts surged, Xie Laosan's eyes gradually became firm, and finally he nodded slowly, as if he accepted his wife's advice and his own situation at this moment.

Xiaochun wanted to express his own opinion, but he swallowed the words back when they came to his lips. He just took the dollar silently and walked towards the town.

The sun sets, and the golden afterglow casts a glow on the way home. The villagers finish a day's work and go home in twos and threes. The air is filled with a tranquil and warm atmosphere.

"Really?"

Xu Xiufang's eyes flashed with a hint of surprise and expectation. She gently raised her head and looked at Wu Jun. Her clear eyes seemed to be filled with desire for an answer.

"of course!"

There was unquestionable heroism in Wu Jun's voice. His hands deftly took the heavy food handed to him by Xiaoxi, as if he was taking over a promise of responsibility and reunion.

A confident smile appeared on his face, and he walked quickly towards the kitchen while speaking. "I'll do it right away. Xiao Ming, go help Dad light the fire! We're going to have a great meal tonight."

"Little cousin, do you want to come with me?"

Xiao Ming's eyes were full of anticipation, his little face flushed with excitement, and his gaze was fixed on Xiao Yun, as if he hoped to share this joy with her.

Over the years, during every festival, Wu Jun and Xiaoxi always took the trouble to bring Xiao Ming to Xu Xiufang's home in Beijing. During this time, Xiaoyun and Xiao Ming went from being strangers at first to being able to talk about anything now, and have already formed a deep friendship.

Xiaoyun lay lazily on Xiaobao's broad back, half closing her eyes, as if she was immersed in a sweet dream. In response to Xiaoming's invitation, she just shook her head drowsily, curled up a little more in Xiaobao's arms, and continued her adventure in her dream.

Xiaobao felt Xiaoyun's subtle movements, and considerately lowered his voice, saying softly: "Little cousin is sleepy, let her sleep for a while, and she will play with you when she wakes up."

There was tenderness and understanding in his voice.

A barely perceptible disappointment flashed across Xiao Ming's face, but he quickly nodded sensibly and followed his father in small steps.

Wu Jun turned around and gently patted Xiao Ming on the head with his loving hands, scolding him with a smile full of affection: "You stinky boy!"

At this time, the aroma of food from the next door came slowly, arousing people's appetite. Gu Xiaoling quickly responded, trying to ease the atmosphere: "Dad, Mom, we have prepared some food, don't worry."

In fact, when Chunhua came in with fresh vegetables, the two elderly people in the family saw it, especially the mother, who keenly noticed that there was not much meat, so she suggested sympathetically: "You can enjoy what you bought by yourselves. Let's go to the next door tonight to join in the fun. It's more fun when there are more people."

Gu Xiaoling was secretly delighted. Not only could she enjoy delicious food with her own money, but she could also take a ride with her neighbor. It was both economical and satisfied her craving. It was really the best of both worlds. She nodded in agreement quickly.

However, Xie Laosan on the side had mixed feelings. He had hoped that his parents would understand his difficulties and even lend a helping hand, but he did not expect to receive such a response.

In his eyes, taking out money to ask Chunhua to buy groceries was a way for him to show his filial piety. Now, this kindness seemed to be ignored by the two elders, which was like a trampling on his filial piety.

What was even more difficult for him to accept was why he had to go to Xu Xiufang's house next door to eat?

When we return to our own home, can’t we share a family dinner together?

Are he and his elder brother so unpopular with their parents?

For many years, Xie Lao San, who had always felt marginalized by the family, was extremely sensitive and vulnerable at this moment. He couldn't help but say, "Everyone has gone to the next door. What should we do with the vegetables? Dad, Mom, the weather is so hot. If we leave the meat out until tomorrow morning, it will go bad."

After hearing this, Father Xie pondered for a moment and realized the problem, so he said amiably, "Then let's take it to the next room and let's eat together, it will be lively!"

Xie Laosan couldn't help but mutter to himself, in this case, wouldn't his efforts and contributions seem insignificant?

"dad……"

Finally, Xie Laosan couldn't hold back his dissatisfaction and tried to express his grievance, "Do you think we bought too little? Yes, we did buy less, but given our family's situation, can we compare with Xiaoxi and the others? If conditions permit, we are willing to buy more."

"Including Xiaoxi's share, it's already a lot!"

Mother Xie didn't notice the subtle thoughts of Xie Lao San. She was straightforward and her voice unconsciously rose a few notes. "You are a grown man, why are you so fussy?"