"Uncle, second uncle, brother-in-law!"
As Chen Yang arrived at the doorway, a young man with a buzz cut was helping his father-in-law and his second uncle into the house.
Heaven is high, earth is vast, but maternal uncles are supreme!
In the countryside, when a wedding takes place, the maternal uncles must be seated in the place of honor; it is the rule.
Shen Futang and Shen Guangfu had arrived, and Zhao Wukang immediately welcomed them into the house.
"Yangzi, come in."
Chen Yang naturally wouldn't join the throng. Zhao Wukang was merely a peer, but Zhao Donglai quickly beckoned him inside.
"Uncle, second uncle, brother-in-law."
Upon entering the house, wow, it was packed. First were the two other cousins from his paternal aunt's family, Zhao Wujing and Zhao Wufeng, both thirteen or fourteen years old.
Zhao Donglai's family was very welcoming. Even Chen Yang, the son-in-law who had a poor reputation among the Shen family, was warmly invited to sit down. Su Dan Novel Network.
The three elder nephews helped Shen Futang and Shen Guangfu to the seats of honor, showing no disdain for their maternal uncles being from the countryside.
"Big brother, second brother."
However, compared to the warmth of Zhao Donglai's family, the attitude of his paternal aunt's family of four, also seated at the table, was much cooler.
Only Shen Xue's paternal aunt, Shen Xiao'e, called out "Big brother, second brother." Her husband, Tian Zhijun, dressed in a Zhongshan suit, didn't say a word. The two young girls beside him didn't even glance at Chen Yang and the other two.
"Little sister and Zhijun are here. Tian Run and Tian Ye have grown even prettier, they're young ladies now."
Shen Futang smiled awkwardly. His younger sister's husband and two nieces not greeting them clearly showed they looked down on him and his brother.
However, today was to congratulate his eldest nephew, so he couldn't lose his temper.
"You two girls, what's going on? Why aren't you greeting them? You're usually so sharp-tongued, why are you mute now?"
Seeing Shen Futang actively greet her two daughters, Shen Xiao'e's face fell.
Tian Zhijun had been like this since their marriage, never calling the elder brothers "big brother" or "second brother." She was used to it, after all, he was a leader in the commune and needed to maintain his status.
Her two daughters not greeting people was likely learned from their father. But even if her sons-in-law were mediocre, they were still her maternal uncles. They would still have to sit in the place of honor at their future weddings.
If these two ignorant girls offended their maternal uncles, and no one came to their home for the seating of honor at their weddings, how embarrassing would that be?
"Xiao'e, it's alright. The children don't see them often and they're a bit unfamiliar."
Shen Futang smiled. If people looked down on him, he wouldn't go out of his way to seek their approval.
"Alright, today is to celebrate Wukang. What's the fuss about such a small matter?"
"Now that everyone is here, Wukang, you've joined the food factory. Come on, say a few words to everyone about your feelings."
Just then, Tian Zhijun, who had been silent, interrupted Tian Run and Tian Ye, who were about to greet them. The two girls were also happy to be spared the task.
Chen Yang glanced at this uncle-in-law. His Zhongshan suit with four pockets was neatly pressed, and a Hero brand fountain pen was tucked into the middle pocket, exuding an air of arrogance befitting a superior.
To be honest, Chen Yang really disliked this uncle-in-law's family; they exuded a sense of looking down on others.
"Ahem, his maternal uncle. Wukang is just a young lad, what feelings could he have? You, boy, why are you standing there blankly? Go pour wine for your uncle, second uncle, and maternal uncle."
Zhao Donglai also disliked his brother-in-law's tone, which sounded like he was directing work. Today, his family was hosting, and Tian Zhijun's opening remark made it seem like he was chairing a meeting in the commune.
Seeing Zhao Donglai, the host, stand up to Tian Zhijun, Chen Yang decided not to speak.
To be honest, having lived two lives, he had met all sorts of leaders, and the greater the leader, the gentler their demeanor.
Not to mention anything else, Tian Zhijun's bearing alone suggested he wouldn't achieve much.
Hearing his father speak, Zhao Wukang knew the atmosphere was awkward and quickly began pouring wine.
"Uncle, second uncle, maternal uncle, you've come a long way. Let me toast you first."
Zhao Wukang raised a bowl of wine and drank half of it in one gulp, his face expressionless. This made Chen Yang's eyelids twitch fiercely.
This was a large bowl, easily holding over half a kilogram. With that one gulp, Zhao Wukang must have consumed at least a quarter of a kilogram.
Chen Yang sniffed the wine Zhao Wukang had poured for him. Even if it wasn't the 52-degree baijiu common in later years, it was at least 40-proof.
His elder cousin's drinking capacity was simply astonishing!
They say nephews resemble their maternal uncles. Setting aside other things, his drinking capacity truly rivaled his father-in-law's.
"Drink slowly. We're family, no need to gulp it down."
Looking at his elder nephew, Shen Futang was genuinely fond of him. This temperament was just like his own.
With Zhao Wukang initiating the toasts, the atmosphere at the table finally eased a little. Chen Yang also joined in, raising his glass from time to time. Tian Zhijun didn't try to embarrass himself further.
However, from beginning to end, Tian Zhijun never asked Chen Yang anything, and Chen Yang never toasted him. There was a tacit understanding between them, and neither acknowledged the other.
Chen Yang was happy with this. He truly couldn't be bothered with relatives who looked down on him.
But as they were about to finish, perhaps Tian Zhijun had drunk too much or had other intentions, he suddenly stopped Chen Yang.
"I heard you're collecting fish in the village?"
"Although policies have loosened in the past two years, the higher authorities haven't explicitly stated they won't deal with speculation and profiteering."
"Someone has already filed a complaint against Director Liu in your Wanli Commune. If Director Liu hadn't heard that you're my niece's husband, Shen Fuguo would have arrested you long ago."
"You'd better be sensible, stop that business as soon as possible, and voluntarily submit your illegal earnings to the commune. This kind of speculation and profiteering is not to be done."
Tian Zhijun spoke casually, as if he had done Chen Yang a great favor.
Not to mention Chen Yang, even Zhao Donglai couldn't stand it.
"Bang!"
But before Chen Yang could speak, Shen Futang, who had been holding back his temper, finally couldn't take it anymore and slammed his palm on the table.
"Tian Zhijun, setting aside everything else, when has Shen Futang ever wronged you?"
"My sister, whom I raised with my own hands, married you. Did I ask for a single cent of dowry? Your family's mud walls were so leaky back then."
"Was it not you and I, brothers, who worked during the day and cut reeds and mixed mud at night to build your house?"
"Now that you've become successful, a commune director, you don't even help your own family, and now you're here spewing venom. What kind of person are you?"
Shen Futang's face was flushed with anger. As the elder brother, he had always endured Tian Zhijun's disrespect to maintain harmony within the family.
But now, it concerned Chen Yang, and the safety and happiness of his eldest daughter's family. He could not tolerate it!
If anyone dared to touch his eldest son-in-law, he would risk his old life to fight them.
His eldest son-in-law was helping the entire village earn a living, so why couldn't he?
He dared to argue this point anywhere!