Liu Ping never thinks things through, everyone knew that Liu Ping wasn’t exactly chosen by Jin Lihui for who she was.
Liu Yang was worried that Liu Ping’s future life would be miserable and that she’d constantly come back to trouble his uncle and aunt. He quickly asked, “If you’re not going to fight or argue, how else can you scare them?”
“The guards have guns,” Song Zhaodi replied. “When they get to the Jin household, they just need to let the gun show a little. They don’t even have to say anything, once the Jin family sees something that looks like a gun, they’ll straighten up on their own.”
Liu Yang thought for a moment. “That’s a great idea. But I need to discuss it with Auntie first.”
“Go ahead,” Song Zhaodi said.
A short while later, Liu Yang returned, bringing Duan dasao along with him.
Song Zhaodi sighed softly. Thinking of how Duan dasao often helped her sew shoe soles, mend clothes, and invited her over to pick vegetables, she smiled and asked, “Auntie, what brings you here?”
“I need your advice,” Duan dasao said hesitantly.
Song Zhaodi felt embarrassed to make things difficult for her. “Is it about Liu Ping?”
“Yes,” Duan dasao sighed. “The Jin family is poor and has a lot of people to support. It was understandable that Jin used to give his salary to his parents. But if he suddenly stops, his parents won’t be happy. Your Uncle Liu and I have been thinking for days, but we can’t come up with a perfect solution.”
Song Zhaodi smiled. “Auntie, there’s no perfect solution. As far as I know, Liu Ping only cares about Jin. Just tell her that if she doesn’t eat well, drink well and rest properly during pregnancy, it could be life-threatening for both her and the baby. If something happens to her, Jin will marry someone else.”
“That’s… a bit exaggerated,” Duan dasao hesitated.
Song Zhaodi chuckled. “Auntie, you told me before that you lost a child. Does Liu Ping know about that? Then just tell her that you lost the baby because you were constantly cooking, washing clothes, and not eating well. Do you think she’d believe that?”
“She would,” Duan dasao admitted. “I’ve told her before that life was hard back then, and we didn’t even have enough milk to feed our babies.”
Song Zhaodi smiled. “Then just say that. Later, tell her that the baby she’s carrying is a boy, and that she’s a hero in the Jin family.”
“What if it’s not?” Duan dasao asked quickly.
Song Zhaodi shrugged. “Then it’s not. The Jin family has more than just Jin Lihui. Passing down the family name is his older brother’s responsibility. Besides, the baby has to be born first. It’s completely normal for the first child to be a girl. If Jin Lihui has a problem with that, tell him to give birth himself.”
“Isn’t that contradictory?” Duan dasao looked at Song Zhaodi. Was she serious?
Song Zhaodi grinned. “Auntie, you can’t always be too honest, or you’ll end up suffering. When Liu Ping is about six months along, tell her that from now on, all the housework should be done by Jin Lihui.”
“Liu Ping won’t agree,” Duan dasao said. “She dotes on Xiao Jin. Even when I ask Xiao Jin to start a fire, she rushes to do it herself.”
Song Zhaodi laughed. “That’s because she’s still in the early months of pregnancy and hasn’t experienced morning sickness, swelling or exhaustion. From what I’ve heard, pregnancy is incredibly tough on women. And Liu Ping doesn’t like housework to begin with. Once she starts feeling heavy and uncomfortable, she’ll start making Xiao Jin do things.” She paused for a moment and then continued, “Auntie, do you think Xiao Jin will actually do them?”
“I don’t know,” Duan dasao thought for a moment. “But most men don’t do housework.”
Song Zhaodi nodded. “Exactly. Jin comes from a big family, he has a mother, a grandmother, sisters-in-law, and younger sisters. Housework has never been his responsibility. If he refuses to help, Liu Ping is bound to fight with him.
“Jianguo is a military officer, yet he washes clothes and scrubs pots every day. Liu Ping will start to wonder, if even a well-educated military officer can do housework, why can’t a shipyard worker like Jin?”
“Wait a minute, Xiao Song, if this goes on, won’t they end up arguing all the time?” Duan dasao frowned. “I don’t want them to constantly fight.”
Song Zhaodi asked, “Would you rather see Liu Ping completely bewitched by Xiao Jin, doing all the housework, handing over her money to support his family, and making herself miserable?”
“They’re doing fine now,” Duan dasao said weakly.
Song Zhaodi smiled. “Auntie, even the most beautiful romance can’t withstand the grind of daily life.” She paused. “Right now, Liu Ping thinks Xiao Jin is perfect because she’s still in that ‘love conquers all’ phase.
“But love, if it doesn’t translate into tangible things, like food, clothing, shelter, money, won’t last. Because everyday life is filled with eating, drinking, sleeping and expenses. If they don’t argue now, they will in the future. And by then, it won’t just be about housework.”
“I understand now,” Duan dasao looked at Song Zhaodi. “You really see things clearly.”
Song Zhaodi smiled. “I know what kind of life I want, and I’m lucky to have it, so I have the confidence to share my thoughts with you.”
“I’ll listen to you.” Duan dasao took a deep breath. “I’ve never fought for anything in my life, and I’ve never tried to manipulate anyone. But for my daughter’s sake, I’m going to do it this time.”
Song Zhaodi said, “Liu Ping might not listen to you directly. When you talk to her, use me and Jianguo as examples. Even if she doesn’t believe it outright, she’ll start paying attention.”
“Why is that?” Song Laibao asked quickly.
Instead of answering, Song Zhaodi asked, “Auntie, has Liu Ping ever said that my life is easy?”
“She has,” Duan dasao admitted. “She said you always make Jianguo do the laundry. And she also said…”
Song Zhaodi finished for her, “That I’m a lazy woman?” She chuckled. “She can say that all she wants, but I don’t believe she doesn’t secretly want to be lazy too.” She turned to Song Laibao. “Dajie, don’t you?”
Song Laibao instinctively looked at Liu Yang.
Liu Yang blurted out, “Mom does the laundry, so you’ve never really had to do much.”
Song Zhaodi burst out laughing. “Alright, I won’t say any more. Otherwise, before Liu Ping even starts arguing with Jin Lihui, you two will start fighting first.
“Oh, and Auntie, when the guards go with you, be firm. Whatever you say, they won’t dare to contradict you, and they won’t dare to openly mistreat Liu Ping. After that, how her life turns out is up to her. You should start thinking about Liu Wei’s future now.”
“You’re right,” Duan dasao suddenly realized. “In a few years, when Liu Wei gets married, if I keep running back to my married daughter’s house all the time, my daughter-in-law won’t like it either.”
Song Zhaodi smiled. “Since you understand that, I won’t worry about you and Uncle Liu anymore.”
“Thank you, Xiao Song,” Duan dasao said sincerely. She had never tried to manipulate people before, let alone stir up trouble between her daughter and son-in-law. But when she thought about her daughter scrimping and saving while the Jin family spent her money, she wished she could strangle Jin Lihui.
It was better for her daughter to be a widow than to suffer like that.
Seeing Duan dasao’s determined expression, Song Zhaodi felt relieved. “If anyone should be thanking someone, it’s me thanking you. I only had to use my words, but you’ve helped me mend countless shoes. Even a real mother-in-law wouldn’t do as much.”
“That’s true,” Song Laibao suddenly chimed in.
Song Zhaodi was stunned for a moment. When she turned her head, she saw Liu Yang looking embarrassed. She couldn’t help but rub her forehead, “Dajie, if you want to argue with jiefu, go to the seaside. Even if you fight till you’re both bruised and battered, no one will disturb you.”
A hint of discomfort flashed across Song Laibao’s face, and she mumbled, “Who wants to fight with him?”
“Then let’s talk about Liu Ping’s situation now. Don’t project it onto yourself,” Song Zhaodi said. “Aunt Yang isn’t in good health, but she can still help you take care of the two children. The rest of the housework is done by our parents. Even if you cook and do the laundry every day, it’s not enough to exhaust you.
“Liu Ping’s situation is different from yours. Jin Lihui has two older brothers and a younger brother. His parents may want to help Liu Ping, but his brothers don’t agree. If Jin Lihui doesn’t help Liu Ping with housework, she’ll have a really hard time.”
“Xiao Song is right,” Duan dasao said. “Laibao, if you feel tired, have Liu Yang do the laundry tomorrow.”
Song Laibao mumbled, “If my parents find out, they’ll scold me to death.”
“Then don’t interject anymore,” Song Zhaodi said speechlessly. “I’ll go ask the kids what they want to eat. You guys continue chatting.” With that, she walked out.
Liu Yang glared at Song Laibao. “Happy now?”
“I just said it casually,” Song Laibao didn’t want to admit that she envied Song Zhaodi, her children were smart and well-behaved, and her husband was both capable in battle and presentable in social settings. But she couldn’t help but hope that Liu Yang would also help with the laundry and washing dishes.
Duan dasao chuckled. “Xiao Song didn’t get angry.”
“She’s not angry?” Liu Yang asked quickly.
Duan dasao said, “Xiao Song never gets angry at her own family.” Thinking for a moment, she added, “I’ve been her neighbour for over three years, and the only times I’ve seen her angry were at Jianguo’s parents and Dawa’s maternal grandmother’s family.”
“Do they still come around often?” Liu Yang asked immediately.
Duan dasao shook her head. “They haven’t come for over a year. Maybe they realised they couldn’t take advantage and gave up.”
“That’s good,” Liu Yang said. Then, he saw Song Zhaodi walking in with Sanwa, chatting and laughing. “She’s really not mad.”
Duan dasao looked over. “Not to praise your sister, but Jianguo is truly lucky to have married her.”
“Of course,” Song Laibao said with pride. “Zhaodi, isn’t it time to cook?”
Hearing this, Dawa, who was talking with Dali, looked up and said, “Mom, let’s not have noodles today.”
“We’re having dumplings today,” Song Zhaodi said, glancing at the sun. “There’s still time. Let’s make chive dumplings.”
Duan dasao thought about how she had nothing to do at home and offered, “I’ll help roll the wrappers.”
“Thank you, Auntie.” Since there were many people in the house, they needed to make a lot of dumplings. Song Zhaodi didn’t refuse her help. However, they ended up making too many.
Afraid they wouldn’t finish all the dumplings, Song Zhaodi put the extras outside to freeze.
The next morning, she steamed the frozen dumplings for breakfast.
Liu Yang took a bite of the steamed dumplings and couldn’t help but say to Song Laibao, “Let’s do this when we get home too.”
Song Zhaodi looked at Song Laibao and said, “Jie, the kids are here. Think before you speak.”
“No need to think,” Song Laibao said impulsively. “Dali, Liugen, whenever you want to eat dumplings, just tell me, and I’ll make them for you.”
The two children exchanged glances, then simultaneously looked up at Song Laibao. After a three-second hesitation, they lowered their heads and continued eating their dumplings, as if they hadn’t heard her at all.
Song Laibao was stunned.
Zhong Jianguo quickly covered his mouth and motioned to Song Zhaodi to get him a glass of water, he had choked.
Song Zhaodi pinched his arm. “Serves you right!”
Zhong Dawa was confused. “Mom, Dad, Auntie, what are you guys doing?”
“Nothing,” Gengsheng glanced at his dad, then at Song Zhaodi. Seeing that his parents didn’t stop him, he added, “It’s just that Dali doesn’t believe his mom.”
Dawa thought for a moment, then said, “I wouldn’t believe it either.”
“Pfft!” Zhong Jianguo sprayed water into his mug.
Song Zhaodi quickly said, “Dawa, that’s enough.”
“But I’m not wrong,” Dawa didn’t understand why he couldn’t say it. “It’s just the truth.”
Song Zhaodi frowned. “Still talking?”
“Fine, fine,” Dawa muttered, “It’s okay for her to say it, but not for others to point it out. Now she’s going to threaten not to cook lunch.”
Song Zhaodi’s breath hitched, and she stepped on Zhong Jianguo’s foot. “Take care of your son.”
Just as Zhong Jianguo was about to get up to wash his mug, his foot was pinned down, making him stumble. Looking down, he met Song Zhaodi’s gaze and gritted his teeth, “Zhong Dawa, if you’re full, go play outside. Stop causing trouble at home.”
Zhong Dawa’s hand trembled slightly. He looked up and saw his father walking away, as if he hadn’t been the one to speak just now. He couldn’t help but turn to Zili and ask, “What’s wrong with Dad? I barely ate anything.”
Zili, too focused on his food, didn’t know what had happened. “Maybe because you said you didn’t believe it and made Dad choke.”
“That’s not my fault,” Dawa instinctively glanced at Song Laibao, but noticing Song Zhaodi beside her, he feared his mother’s ‘threats’ and shut his mouth.
Song Laibao felt uneasy under his gaze. She habitually wanted to nag, but before she spoke, she remembered her promise to Song Zhaodi, to say fewer useless things that made others uncomfortable.
The large living room suddenly fell silent.
After a moment of thought, Song Zhaodi smiled and said, “Dali, Liu Gen, your mom was too busy before, so she would forget things she promised the two of you. That’s why she didn’t keep her word. But from now on, she won’t do that. Your dad will remind her. Right, jiefu?”
Feeling guilty about his children’s reaction, Liu Yang immediately said, “That’s right. From now on, I’ll remind your mom.” He directed his words at Dali.
Dali lifted his eyelids, glanced at his father, and continued eating his dumplings.
Liu Yang was extremely embarrassed. “Zhaodi, you see…”
See what? She wasn’t going to help him criticise Dali.
Besides, it wasn’t like she could bluntly say: You two make ten promises, fulfill one, and that one time is probably only because the child threw a tantrum. The fact that Dali was merely silent and not voicing his grievances was already remarkable.
So instead, Song Zhaodi subtly said, “I always try my best to keep my promises to the kids. If I ever fail, like if I promised Dawa egg fried rice tomorrow but then found out we were out of eggs, I would explain, and Dawa would understand. He wouldn’t say I don’t keep my word.”
“Exactly.” Zhong Dawa chimed in before turning to Dali. “If you ever want to eat something, just come to my house. I’ll ask my mom to make it for you.”
Song Laibao’s face changed.
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