The tractor was no match for a mule cart in terms of speed. They reached the village just as dusk settled, precisely during dinnertime. Villagers were perched by their doorways, bowls in hand, chatting about gossip while they ate. It was the most leisurely time of day.
The sputtering sound of the tractor shattered the village's tranquility. People waved and greeted Xie Sui, "Ah, Xie Sui's back! You've really made it. Running back and forth every day, that must cost a lot in gas."
"It's manageable, not much money. If anyone needs to go to the city, I can give them a ride."
"Alright, we'll hold you to that! We'll look for you tomorrow."
"Sure, come early."
These days, many people had been taking rides in Xie Sui's tractor to the city. Whenever there was an empty seat, Xie Sui would give them a lift, wanting to change his once-terrible reputation. His standing in the village had completely transformed. From someone everyone scorned and avoided, he had become a sought-after figure, a model child for other families.
It wasn't easy, and Xie Sui relished the feeling of being praised.
Upon arriving home, the yard was brightly lit. The electric light, usually kept off to save electricity, was on today. Did they have guests?
Zhang Wenfeng parked the tractor outside the door. Because he had added a cargo bed, it wouldn't fit inside the yard. He covered the engine with a tarp before heading home after work.
Xie Sui and Lin Wanwan carried in the groceries they had bought. With children at home, they never returned empty-handed. Food and toys, ice cream, small cakes – keeping the children happy was more important than anything else.
"Little Sui's back! Your second sister has been waiting for you for a long time."
"Oh, Little Sui, you're making so much money you've forgotten your second sister, only caring for your eldest. Have you cast your second sister aside?"
Xie Sui had three sisters. The eldest, Xie Lan, was honest and traditional, sacrificing and dedicating herself to the family like a workhorse. The second sister, Xie Min, was the opposite: ambitious, opinionated, bold, and outspoken, not at all shy. She was the antithesis of her elder sister.
The third sister, Xie Juan, was quiet, reserved, and stubborn, her personality somewhere between her elder two. She was the most determined, so much so that she eloped and hadn't sent any news since, infuriating their elderly parents.
Of course, it wasn't that they were heartbroken over their daughter, but rather the loss of a dowry payment. After raising her for so many years, she was like a cooked duck that had flown away.
"Second sister's here, have you eaten?"
"No, waiting for you to cook something delicious for your second sister. Wanwan, you've finally made it, haven't you? I told you my brother would be successful, see? I wasn't wrong, was I?"
Lin Wanwan smiled faintly, "Why haven't you eaten? Waiting for us this late?"
Before Zhao Xiu'e could speak, Xie Min said, "Of course, I'm waiting for you! There's no meat, no eggs, what do you expect your second sister to eat?"
Lin Wanwan's smile faltered. So, she was here to find fault.
Xie Sui placed a hand on her shoulder, "Go and heat some water. You must be tired after a long day. Go rest with the children first. Have some cake to tide you over, and I'll make you a late-night snack tonight."
"Okay, you all chat."
Lin Wanwan knew Xie Min was difficult to deal with and didn't want to argue, so she turned and went inside.
"Look at her, putting on a sullen face for whom? Is being an educated youth something great?
Now that you're married into our village, you're a farmer's wife. Little Sui, you can afford to buy her a georgette blouse, but not your second sister? You've doted on her for nothing your whole life!"
Xie Min had sized Lin Wanwan up from head to toe the moment she entered. Her complexion was rosy, her clothes were the latest style, her shoes were the newest wedge sandals, and she even had two hair clips in her hair. She looked more fashionable than workers in the city. Jealousy gnawed at Xie Min, wishing she could strip Lin Wanwan and wear the clothes herself.
Xie Sui simply listened to her chatter, taking a sip of water. He hadn't even had a drink since entering the house, feeling hot and hungry. "Mom, I'm starving. My son and daughter-in-law worked hard all day, and we come home to no hot meal?"
Zhao Xiu'e said with concern, "I'll make you some noodles. I was just talking with your second sister and didn't get around to it."
"Yes, second sister is the most important. Even your son, who built a new house for the family, has to be filial to her."
Xie Dahe's face darkened, and he scolded Xie Min, "What are you even here for? Ever since you walked in, you've been causing a commotion. Your two daughters are no better, snatching toys and food from Doudou and Dingding. I didn't say anything about them. You're a married daughter, and it's rare for you to visit, but if you continue to be this unreasonable, get out!"
Xie Min said indignantly, "Am I not part of the family just because I'm married? Who did I do it all for? The dowry was given to Little Sui to pay off debts. Your in-laws looked down on me from the moment I married. Haven't I sacrificed enough for this family?
Now that you're all doing well, no one cares about me, and you're telling me to leave. Fine, I'll leave."
Xie Min had two daughters, the elder seven and the younger five. She hadn't had a son, so her in-laws treated her poorly. With her high aspirations, she became increasingly sharp-tongued and eager to stand out, yet she appeared grotesque and annoying.
Xie Sui merely drank his tea, ignoring her. He knew she wasn't serious about leaving; she was just being dramatic.
However, it seemed all women were dramatic, saying one thing and meaning another.
As expected, after a moment of affectation and seeing no one paying attention to her, Xie Min sat down and said, "It's already dark, how can I go back? I'll stay for one night and leave tomorrow."
"If you want to stay, go stay with Mom and Dad. There's no room for you at my place."
Xie Sui said mercilessly. This second sister of his was never satisfied. Give her an inch, and she'd take a mile. He couldn't indulge her.
"Yes, now that you have a wife and children, you've forgotten you have a second sister!"
Xie Sui laughed, "You're only just realizing? My wife and children are my own blood, but my second sister... you have your husband. Don't come to your younger brother to whine and act cute; it's inappropriate."
"You... Xie Sui, you're heartless."
"You're only just realizing?
It's not too late. If you want to visit, you're welcome. I'll host you with good food and drink. A married sister may not be like spilled water, but she's still family. However, if you stir up trouble, I'll treat you like spilled water."
Xie Sui couldn't be blamed for being harsh. This second sister had always been contentious. It was wrong for their parents to favor sons, but when he was young and didn't understand, she would secretly hit him when she felt wronged by their parents. If his eldest sister hadn't protected him, he didn't know how much he would have been bullied by her.
The back of his hand and the palm were both his flesh and blood. Even among his own sisters, there were differences.
Xie Min saw that he was unmoved and had no recourse. She said pitifully, "Your second brother-in-law doesn't farm properly, nor does he look for work to earn money. He just messes around all day, and when he drinks, he beats us—my two daughters and me. This life is unbearable. Can you find a job for your second sister? To do some bookkeeping or manage people at your factory."
Xie Sui chuckled, "How about I give you the factory? If you can't speak properly, then shut up."
Look at her ambition! She wanted to manage people and books right away. Why didn't she just fly to the moon?