While the Xie Sui family was filled with laughter and joy, the Xie Chen family was far from it. The eldest aunt had no idea her dream of having a mayor as a son-in-law was about to shatter. She was still scolding Hu Pan for being inconsiderate and not bringing any New Year's gifts.
Xie Chen, annoyed, retorted, "Stop talking. She's not my wife yet, why should she send you gifts? Mom, your attitude is wrong. Hu Pan is a guest at our home, not someone who owes you anything. Why are you always picking on her?"
The eldest aunt was bewildered. "Didn't she like you and chase after you wanting to marry you? Wasn't Mom just setting some rules for her first?"
"What era are we in? You're still talking about this?"
Uncle Xie added, "Even if you wanted to set rules, you should do it after she's married. Nothing is settled yet, you're trying to eat the meat before you've caught the duck."
Uncle Xie's words were practical but ill-intentioned. Did he mean that the girl marrying into their family was only meant to be tormented?
However, this was the norm for most families at the time. Daughters-in-law were always outsiders, married to serve as beasts of burden and bear children. Tormenting them caused no pain.
Xie Chen, annoyed, went back to his room to lie down.
Xie Sui's family was cleaning the courtyard. The new house didn't need much cleaning. Pasting couplets and chopping filling were chores.
The children ran around the courtyard, as lively as a flock of chicks. Grandma Xie, holding a thermos, sat under the eaves, watching them play with a smile.
The lively atmosphere was interrupted by a group of people from the He family.
He Liang saw Xie Min and exclaimed excitedly, "You're finally back! I finally caught you! Let's see where you run this time!"
Xie Sui was chopping filling and grabbed the cleaver, walking over. "What do you want? Are you looking for trouble during New Year's? You think my second sister is hiding from you? She couldn't care less about you. Why would she run? If she doesn't run, you don't have to."
Xie Min, who was stoking the fire, followed with a fire poker. "Little Sui is right. Why would I run? He Liang, you're here at the right time. Let's talk!"
"If we're going to talk, we'll talk at home. You're still my wife. It's only natural for you to come home with me. Are you leaving on your own, or do I have to force you?"
A murderous glint appeared in Xie Sui's eyes. He tightened his grip on the cleaver and pointed at them, shouting, "I'd like to see who dares to touch her!"
The He family was surprised by Xie Sui's ferocity. Daring to wield a knife, they flinched and tried to placate him. "Let's talk things through. Don't resort to violence during New Year's. We're here to invite Xie Min back. After all, she's our He family's daughter-in-law."
"Is this how you invite someone? Do you think you can bully us because you have more people? Believe it or not, if I shout, you won't be able to leave the village!"
Xie Min put a hand on his arm. "Little Sui, don't be angry. I'll handle it myself."
Xie Sui threw the cleaver onto the cutting board with a clang, startling everyone again.
He didn't use the knife because he was afraid of accidentally injuring someone. It wasn't worth ruining his bright future for these scoundrels.
Xie Min leaned on the fire poker and smiled. "He Liang, are you ignoring my words, or do you think I'm easy to bully? I told you, if you can support me and our daughter, I'll stay with you. But what about you? You're still as lazy and slippery as ever, showing no sign of repentance. You say I'm your He family's daughter-in-law. Where's the marriage certificate? We never got married, so legally we're not husband and wife. You have no right to control me."
At that time, marriages in the village were considered valid if a wedding banquet was held. No one bothered to get a marriage certificate; it was too much trouble! Many were underage and married early, forgetting about the certificate as they went about their lives. Xie Min, having seen the world, was no longer the naive Xie Min of the past.
He Liang panicked, but quickly came up with an idea. "The child is mine, right? Give me back our daughter!"
"That's right, give us back our daughter. Even if you didn't get married, it's been so many years. Everyone knows you're my He family's daughter-in-law."
Xie Min sneered, "Just because you say the child is yours doesn't mean it is. Don't be so confident. I gave birth to her, so I know best. To tell you the truth, she's not yours. Get lost!"
He Liang was furious. "Xie Min, how dare you cheat on me?"
Xie Sui and Lin Wanwan were stunned. Their second sister was this fierce?
Xie Min struck his hand with the poker. "What are you pointing at? Have some manners! Have you ever acted like a husband for a single day? You were the first to be unrighteous, so don't blame me for being unjust. Now, I have nothing to do with you, and the daughter isn't yours. If you dare to cause trouble, I'll beat you to death. You won't leave? Fine, I'll beat you until you leave!"
Xie Min beat He Liang until he cried out in pain. Anyone who dared to intervene was also beaten. The He family was dumbfounded. Things had turned out this way; they didn't seem to have the right to ask Xie Min to return.
"Let's go, we'll talk at home."
Some felt pity for He Liang, being cuckolded and beaten. The Xie family was now wealthy and influential, running a factory in the county. The He family couldn't afford to offend them!
"Hold on!"
Xie Sui called out to them, pulled out a wad of cash, and shoved it into He Liang's hands. "Thank you for taking care of my second sister. This is your compensation. From now on, you are no longer my second brother-in-law. Don't show your face to us again. Do you understand?"
He Liang nodded blankly. He hadn't expected Xie Sui to give him money. However, the words were unpleasant to hear, as if he were a male prostitute. The insult was severe. He Liang wasn't a proud man. The more insults he received, the better. This money was over two thousand yuan, and the He family's eyes widened.
Without the villagers having to intervene, the He family left in a daze. Xie Sui's actions had stunned them.
The courtyard fell silent. Xie Min suddenly burst into laughter. "Little Sui, your final move was brilliant! How could I have not thought of it?"
Xie Sui said smugly, "Women have long hair and short knowledge. Can they be as smart as me? Money gives people confidence. Doesn't it feel great to smash people with money?"
"It truly does. Little Sui, second sister thanks you."
Xie Sui was startled. "You can scold me instead. Suddenly thanking me makes me uncomfortable."
Xie Min playfully hit him, and Lin Wanwan smiled. This kind of family was wonderful.
The elders were worried about the money. They chided Xie Sui, "You've earned money, but you don't spend it like this. That's more than your dad and I earn in a year."
Grandma Xie said, "You two are foolish. Xie Sui throwing money is cutting off the He family's retreat, severing ties with them completely. You only see money and don't think about how to solve problems. Matters that can be solved with money are not problems at all. Stop being a burden to the children. Don't be like your eldest aunt, who has a hole in her brain. Seeing her makes me angry."
Xie Sui gave his grandmother a thumbs-up. "Grandma, you're wise! You've hit the nail on the head. The He family members will surely covet this money and have contributed to it. He Liang won't share it with them, so they'll start fighting. Who will follow him to cause trouble then? Without help, He Liang alone, I can crush him with a finger!"
Mother Xie worried, "But your second sister's reputation... Sigh, Xiao Min, is the child really not He Liang's? How could you... how could you be unfaithful?"