stingy landlady

Chapter 29 The Old Man Takes Over Driving the Cart

Guizhi agreed and replied, "Father, I'm small and can run fast! I'll go!"

Dazhu nodded, waved his hand, and went to chat with the old man and Zhou Mingzhi about their land.

Meanwhile, they were preparing dinner. Inside, Zhao was talking about the fight she'd had with Li. When she mentioned Er Ya taking out a knife, she even gestured with it.

Da Bao, disregarding everything, said, "Mom! Next time you two fight, I'll take a sickle and chop her up. I won't be satisfied until I cut off one of her hands! How dare a woman without a son speak so loudly! She's gone too far!"

Guizhi had already gone inside. The house was crowded and lively, and no one noticed her. She listened quietly, and no one thought it was wrong for Dabao to speak like that.

Zhao chimed in, "We have to beat her! Beat her until she's scared. Now that we've separated the family, she's getting all cocky. All she does is make new clothes and eat meat—such a spendthrift! All that money should belong to my son in the future."

Erzhu and Lao Si sat on the kang (a heated brick bed), watching and listening, while the old lady also sat on the kang. Taozhi and Xiaobao sat next to the old lady. Zhao Shi and Dabao gestured on the ground.

When Mrs. Sun returned from the toilet, she saw Guizhi standing at the door and hurriedly said, "Sanya's here! Come in! What are you doing standing at the door? Come in and eat! Sit next to your fourth uncle!"

Everyone was embarrassed!

Everyone watched Zhao Shi and Da Bao gesturing and listened to their conversation, treating it as a spectacle. But Gui Zhi was right there, and no one knew how long she'd been listening or how long she'd been there.

That looks a bit bad!

The old lady's face darkened: "Sanya's here, why didn't you say anything! Did your mother send you here to eavesdrop? How do you discipline your child?"

The atmosphere grew tense. No one spoke. Da Bao suddenly jumped over, raising his fist to strike.

"You dare come to my house! You dare come here to eavesdrop and laugh at me, huh? I'll beat you to death, you little brat!"

Sun was standing nearby and quickly reached out to stop Da Bao. The fourth son also jumped off the kang (a heated brick bed) and hugged Da Bao.

The whole family just stared at Guizhi!

After a long pause, Guizhi slowly said, "My dad specially bought a chicken today, stewed mushrooms and vermicelli, and even bought extra meat! He said that Second Uncle and Fourth Uncle must be tired after working all day! He wants you two to go out and eat, to treat you to something nice!"

Then he added, "Grandma, are you coming? Grandma, I'm just here to call Second Uncle and Fourth Uncle to have dinner and drinks! I'm not here to watch the fun!"

She even curled her lip in disdain and rolled her eyes, saying, "Not even as good as the monkey show on the street!"

The old lady was called upon, and her face fell. "I'm not going! I can eat anything, why would I want to eat that little bit of food!"

"Oh! Grandma's not going! Second Uncle, Fourth Uncle, are you going? My mother seems to have made six dishes! The table is full! She even specially bought two catties of wine today!" Guizhi said, pretending not to understand what was good or bad.

Upon hearing this, Erzhu immediately got up and put on his shoes, shouting, "Go, go, go! Sanya came specifically to call us. Big brother made so much delicious food, we have to go! Fourth brother! Hurry up and put on your shoes!"

The fourth brother was still holding onto Dazhu. Erzhu came over and pulled Dabao aside, saying, "Go eat! You're so clueless! You have no sense of propriety at all! Didn't you see Sanya came to invite me and your fourth uncle to dinner? You think you're so tough now! You even dared to hit someone! Wait till I get back, I'll teach you a lesson!"

The fourth son had already put on his shoes and stood up. Erzhu smiled and said to Guizhi, "Sanya! Let's go! Your grandpa and your father are waiting!"

As they walked, Erzhu said, "The first load of cow dung was delivered to your land today. Your grandfather, along with me and your fourth uncle, helped load it. Later, to speed things up, we split into two oxcarts. Your grandfather and your Uncle Zhou were the ones delivering it to your land. Your grandfather is getting old, and he must be exhausted today. I feel like my whole body is falling apart!"

The fourth brother was still young and shy, so he stayed behind and remained invisible.

As soon as she entered the house, Guizhi shouted, "Mom, my second uncle and fourth uncle have come to eat!"

Although Li was unhappy, she had no choice but to open the door and welcome the guests since they had already arrived.

"Second brother, fourth brother, come inside and eat!"

Daya and Erya also took bowls and chopsticks and called their two uncles to come up to the kang (a heated brick bed).

The two brothers climbed onto the kang (a heated brick bed), their wine cups already filled. The old man, Dazhu, and Xiao Zhou were all waiting for them.

The group of guys sat together drinking and bragging. They didn't mention the fight between Li and Zhao at all. It was as if they knew nothing about it, as if it had never happened.

Dazhu said, "Dad! Xiao Zhou and I are going to Erdaogou tomorrow morning. You need to help with things at home. I'm worried about those three girls driving the cart to town on their own. Please help them drive the cart these next few days. They're all experienced at it, so just listen to them!"

Hearing this, Zhizhi chuckled and interjected, "Grandpa, you'll have to follow my orders. Wherever I say go, you go. If I say east, you can't go west! Hehe."

After he finished speaking, the whole family laughed.

Li laughed and scolded, "You brat! No respect for your elders! That's your grandfather!"

The old man chuckled and said, "Alright! From now on, I'll listen to Sanya. If she tells me to beat a dog, I'll never chase a chicken!"

Everyone burst into laughter!

The old man believed that family matters, big or small, should be discussed and resolved through dialogue. He thought that disagreements were inevitable, and once they were over, they should be let go. There was no need to dwell on them.

Guizhi thought to herself: This is truly a family conflict. On one hand, they fight and bully each other, and on the other hand, they help with chores. They don't complain about the hardship or the fatigue. No wonder they say even an upright official finds it difficult to settle family disputes!

The old man continued, "Second brother, fourth brother. Your eldest brother has found two people and two oxen from Erdaogou to come over tomorrow morning to help plow and harrow the land until it's planted and watered."

Our family will do the same this year. I talked to the village chief today and we agreed that his two sons will come over with the oxen to plow our land tomorrow morning.

I'm going to town with Da Ya and the others. Your brother's business can't stop. Let's all work hard, so we can harvest an extra season's worth of grain after the wheat harvest!

Keep your mouths shut, don't spill everything after just a few drinks!

After the men had eaten and drunk their fill, they all went back to rest.

Li heard it too; the men had been busy with farming these past few days. She really couldn't take her own little matter seriously.

He asked Dazhu, "Are we having pancakes for breakfast again tomorrow? Are we bringing Dad, Second Brother, and Fourth Brother?"

Dazhu pondered for a moment and then said, "Take them! Although we've separated the family, we're still too busy to manage everything ourselves. We'll need Dad's help. You'll have to work hard these next few days! Make sure to cook plenty of food every morning!"

Li said, "Alright! Then let Dad eat in our room for the next few days!"

"Dad, Mom! Grandpa Zhou will finish his medicine tomorrow morning! Take him to the clinic tomorrow to have Dr. Qian take another look and get some more medicine."

He was worried he wouldn't have enough copper coins to sell boxed lunches and bean sprouts. He remembered the last time he got medicine, Dad said it would cost a tael of silver!

Dazhu said, "This afternoon, Xiao Zhou gave me 1.7 taels of silver. He said he hadn't paid for the cow dung yet, and he would pay me all at once after he finished dredging it tomorrow or the day after."

I estimate it will take seventeen cartloads, totaling 1,020 cash. I'm afraid I'll lose the money while I'm working if I leave it with you.

"Da Ya, keep this tael or two. Keep all the money you make from selling boxed lunches and bean sprouts tomorrow. Give it to your mother when you get back."

Daya didn't take the silver Dazhu offered, and asked nervously, "I've never carried so much money before! I'm afraid to! What if I lose it? Erya, Erya, you take it!"

Guizhi reached out and took it, placing it in Daya's hands. She said, "There's a first time for everything! You're the eldest, and besides, your second sister and I are your bodyguards, right? Second sister?"

Er Ya also came over and grabbed Da Ya's other arm. She said, "Big sister! Two bodyguards on either side! Pretty impressive, huh!"

Li also said, "What are you afraid of! Your grandfather is still with you! Just don't flaunt your money, and keep it safe!"

After Erzhu finished eating and drinking, he returned to his room, where Zhao Shi greeted him.

"Drinking so much! Did your older brother scold you?"

Erzhu asked in surprise, "Why did you scold me, brother? I've worked all day, and you're still scolding me? Oh! Was it you! What bad thing did you do this time?"

Zhao's heart finally settled. She was worried that Li would tattle on her behind her back. Her elder brother doted on his wife and daughter; what if he scolded Erzhu, and Erzhu, after drinking, beat her up? There would be no one to reason with. Thank goodness!

When the fourth son returned to the room, he saw Sun sweeping and laying out the kang (a heated brick bed).

"Wife, I'm back!" The fourth son, a little excited from the wine, came over and hugged Sun.

Sun shyly pushed him away and said, "Stop it! Husband, I think I'm pregnant!"

"Wife, what's wrong? Let me see!" The fourth son didn't understand and continued to lean against Sun.

Having no other choice, Madam Sun said again, "Husband, I think I'm pregnant!"

The fourth son was startled, then clapped his hands excitedly, rubbed them together a few times, and asked, "Really pregnant? You're carrying my child? I'm going to be a father!"

The fourth brother wanted to touch her but didn't dare; in reality, he wanted to hug his wife even more.

"Won't I hurt him with my clumsy hands and feet?"

Seeing her fourth son's reaction, Sun laughed instead.

"It's still in my belly! It's a long way off! It's just that my eldest sister-in-law and second sister-in-law were fighting today, and I didn't dare to break them up!" Sun's voice grew softer and softer as she spoke.

The fourth brother thought for a moment and said, "Forget it! Let it go in the past. Besides, your situation is special. You can explain it to your sister-in-law when you have the chance later."

As he spoke, he embraced Mrs. Sun again.

"Honey! Let me touch it! Let me touch it gently! I'm going to be a dad!"

When the old man returned to the old house, the old woman had already set up the kang (a heated brick bed) and prepared the water for washing his feet.

"Old man! How much did you drink? You smell so strongly of alcohol! You're getting old, not like you used to be! Your health is your own responsibility, you have to take care of it! Go soak your feet!"

"My wife understands me best. I'm really tired today! I'm no match for the young people!"

I said, "Don't be so biased. Dazhu's family and their granddaughters are really good people."

"Hmph! That Li woman didn't give Dazhu a son, leaving him without an heir! After the family division, I don't want to care about anything else!"

But I felt terrible; Dazhu was a piece of my own flesh and blood. The old lady wiped away her tears.

The old man wasn't feeling well either.

He continued, "Let's stick to the facts! After Dazhu split the family property, he bought us fabric to make clothes, wine, meat, and noodles. He spent a lot of money on us!"

They're willing to spend their earnings on us old folks! That's already pretty good!

The old woman retorted, "That's my son! I gave birth to him, raised him, and helped him find a wife. If he's not filial to us, then I'm truly heartless!"

"What's your rush! Look at you, so old! Yet you've become so irritable. Take that third son and his family, for example; they've made a fortune in town. What have they bought for you all these years?"

Be content! Our lives are getting better and better!

"Hmph! Didn't the third son not separate from the family? Besides, they're in town, and they're still taking care of the fifth son, aren't they?" The old lady wouldn't admit defeat!

"Yes, yes, you're right! I can't take it anymore, I'd better go to sleep!" The old man said and then fell fast asleep.

Silent all night.

The sky was just beginning to lighten, and it was another busy morning.

Li and Zhou's wife mixed cornmeal with wheat flour to make flatbread in a large pot, which also contained a simmering sauerkraut soup. Everything was cooked in one pot. You have to eat dry food when doing manual labor, otherwise you'll get hungry quickly.

Guizhi went to call Erzhu and Lao Si to have breakfast, and the two brothers were a little surprised!

I didn't expect that even though they've already separated the family, they're doing their own work. Logically, they should eat separately too. Besides, Li and Zhao just had a fight.

I thought I was going to go hungry this morning! Because the old lady forgot to ask Zhao and Sun to make breakfast last night.