Daily Life in the 70s-Chapter 133: Going Back

These were things she’d never mentioned before.

Chen Guizhi was the first to panic, "Why didn’t you say anything about this before?"

He Dal was also frantic, "Wife, look, isn’t this all in the past? Your parents are like that, and my mom was hit in the waist and couldn’t stand up for quite a while. The doctor said she had a contusion; it also took her lying in bed for over half a month before she could get down. At the time of the accident, it was inevitable for my mom to curse in anger, and my brothers felt sorry for her so their faces couldn’t hide some dissatisfaction with Yidong. But it was all a moment of desperation, under those circumstances. Later on, it was still me who thought to let Yidong come and stay with us a while until my mother’s anger subsided before going back."

"Not telling you two about it was also because I didn’t want you to worry. And with my mom’s temperament, her anger comes and goes quickly; once she got better, having Yidong go back and say a few kind words would have smoothed things over. It was my lack of consideration for not coming over sooner." As he spoke, he sighed, "I won’t lie to you, the older generation in my family does indeed value grandsons a bit more. Sometimes they can’t help but favor grandsons over granddaughters a little, and I’ve tried to persuade them, but it hasn’t had much effect. Once she turns her back, she’s still the same."

"I can only secretly tell Xiao Fen and her sister not to crave what’s at their grandma’s, and whatever they want to eat, I’d try my best to get it for them. I also told Yidong not to take my mother’s bias to heart; it would just take me a couple of extra trips to further places, taking on some work to earn money for them, mother and daughter."

He Dal was indeed eloquent as Shen Yidong had proudly claimed, acknowledging the conflict without denial and giving it a sensible, humanizing explanation—he was indeed talented.

Yang PeiMin also listened intently.

After listening, Chen Guizhi’s previously anxious leaning posture unconsciously relaxed, and she, too, sighed, "Every family has its own difficult scripture to read." Her tone was now leaning towards agreeing with her son-in-law and somewhat understanding his point of view.

However, Shen Yidong didn’t see it that way. She felt especially wronged, believing that her own personal qualifications and family background were no worse than that of the He family, and even thought them better because Yiguang was making good progress in the army. Why should she marry into their family and put up with He’s old grandmother’s temper and the exclusion from the other wives? Just because she hadn’t given birth to a son yet?

She wasn’t incapable of having children. Why should she be looked down upon for such a shortsighted and infuriating reason? Why? And why should her husband’s earnings still have to be handed over to her mother-in-law, something she had long been dissatisfied with? Why didn’t her brothers-in-law have to make such contributions?

"I won’t go back; I’m afraid I won’t even have peace of mind when giving birth. With your mother’s attitude, as if she can’t wait to eat me alive, I’ve been married into your He family for eight years now, how could I not know what she’s like? She’s definitely still angry about me accidentally pushing her, just waiting for me to return so she can settle the score."

He Dal looked at her helplessly, "Wife, my mother wouldn’t not want her grandson, right? She was just blinded by anger at the time and didn’t mean to hit you. Plus, she’s always been looking forward to the baby in your belly. She was even scared afterward, grateful that she hadn’t hit your stomach. That’s her grandson, and my first-born son in my middle age—how could she not care? Don’t overthink it."

Chen Guizhi nodded after hearing this and turned to persuade Shen Yidong, "Yidong, your husband is not wrong. How could your parents-in-law not care about your unborn grandson? When you go back, just apologize and say a few kind words. What obstacle can’t be overcome within a family? Plus, she’ll be able to help you during your confinement, won’t she? Don’t be stubborn; pack up and go back with your husband today."

Shen Erniu shared the same thought, "You also need to temper your temper. What kind of life doesn’t have its bumps? Sometimes even teeth and tongue fight. Your mother-in-law, after all, is an elder, and as the younger generation, it’s only right that you listen to her more and accommodate."

He Dal quickly said, "Thank you, dad and mom. Yidong is just outspoken and has no bad intentions. Her heart is in the right place; she’s worked hard at home managing the household, raising children, and looking after the elderly all these years."

Yang PeiMin couldn’t help but praise He Dal again. In this reticent era, how few people ever say to their partner "You’ve worked hard." With that remark, one could imagine how touched the Shen family must have felt.

Even the stubbornly opinionated Shen Yidong softened a little.

Chen Guizhi nodded repeatedly, her face breaking into a smile, "Don’t praise her too much. What’s important for a couple is to work together and discuss things. What she’s doing is what she ought to."

He Dal quickly agreed.

At the end, Shen Yidong obediently followed He Dal back, but she was unwilling to take her two daughters with her. She claimed she didn’t have enough energy to properly care for both of them and asked for the children to stay with the Shen family a little longer until she finished her confinement period before picking them up.

Chen Guizhi had no objections, as she was at the age where she yearned to have her grandchildren around her.

It was Xiao Fen and Xiao Fang who wanted to go with them.

Shen Yidong scolded them, "Are you two dumb or stupid? Do you think you can get any of your grandma’s sweets and pastries into your mouths or what? If you go back with us, you won’t even have enough food to eat! Eating cornbread every day, covered in soot, isn’t that enough to make you foolish? Not only will you go hungry, but you’ll also have to work. If you’re slow, watch your grandma smack your ears! You have no prospects at all!"

Huddled together, the two sisters, Xiao Fen and Xiao Fang, shrank back, looking as though they wanted to cry but didn’t dare.

Yang PeiMin went over and hugged them, "Fourth sister, you’ve scared the children."

Chen Guizhi was also so angry that she gestured to her, "Just leave already! You’re really killing me!"

He Dal was also dissatisfied with his wife, "What are you saying in front of the children? With you acting like this, isn’t it natural for the kids to resent their grandma?"

Finally, urged by everyone, Shen Yidong left. She didn’t bother with her children, simply turning around and walking away. He Dal wasn’t much better, only perfunctorily telling the two sisters to listen to their elders at their grandmother’s house and not to be naughty.

Then they left.

It wasn’t until they saw the couple’s silhouette disappear at the gate that the two children couldn’t hold back and started crying softly.

Yang PeiMin and the Shen family hurried to comfort them.

"Fourth sister is too unreliable, leaving like she’s dumping burdens, just dropping the kids and walking away. What kind of mother does that?" grumbled Shen Yixiang.

But her complaint was overheard by the older child, Xiao Fen, who burst into tears again with a loud wail.

Chen Guizhi went over and gave Shen Yixiang a smack, "Xiao Fen, don’t cry. Your auntie is brainless, she doesn’t speak properly, see, I’ve hit her for you."

Shen Yixiang, holding her smacked arm, stomped her foot, "Mother!"

It took quite an effort to finally calm the emotions of the two little sisters.

Then everyone started debating who would sleep with Xiao Fen and her sibling that night.

Since Xiao Fang was still young and would definitely need to get up in the middle of the night to urinate, climbing up and down the bed was a hassle. There was also the need to check in time whether they had enough blankets on, and so forth. The group was concerned that the chore might be too much for Chen Guizhi and her husband since they were old and might not have the energy.