country bumpkin

Gao Qingzhi's home was just as lively. Her mother-in-law lay in bed, oblivious to everything, and her husband disliked her and ignored her completely.

Since the aunt who usually helps take care of her mother-in-law during the Lunar New Year didn't come, and Li Daniu was also unable to take care of his mother, this heavy burden fell on Gao Qingzhi.

Her original intention was not to interfere in her mother-in-law's affairs, but if she did not, these responsibilities would fall on her eldest daughter.

The two daughters never enjoyed their grandmother's love growing up; instead, they suffered her abuse. How could they possibly take care of their grandmother? Especially since the old lady was bedridden and unable to move her.

Gao Qingzhi endured the nausea as she helped her mother-in-law change her boils. Every time she did this, Gao Qingzhi would recall the scenes of her mother-in-law abusing her.

I hardened my heart and refused to wipe her body, but then I complained that the room smelled too bad. So I had no choice but to continue taking care of her.

However, the boils that had been removed were left for Li Daniu to wash. Li Daniu was very resistant, and Gao Qingzhi had an argument with him about it.

“You won’t even take care of your own mother, who else can you expect? All these years of marriage, how your mother has treated me, how she’s treated Da Ya and Er Ya, you can see it all if you’re not blind. Now that she’s lying there, I’m the one taking care of her, and you should be the one washing the boils. You say it’s inconvenient to change her clothes and clean her body, but you can at least wash the boils!”

Li Daniu, having run out of excuses, reluctantly went to the backyard to wash his boil. His father, hearing the two arguing, didn't bother to intervene and took his beloved grandson to the main room to watch TV and eat braised pork knuckle.

Not a single person in that family is of sound mind. Except for the three women, they're all muddleheads.

Gao Qingzhi didn't prepare many dishes for the New Year's Eve dinner. There was a sick person in the family, and she was in a bad mood, so she only prepared four dishes.

One stew, one cold pig's ear salad, one braised pork knuckle, and one stir-fried pork intestines with chili peppers. All meat dishes; since my family sells meat, meat dishes are the most convenient to prepare.

For other families, meat is a good dish; for them, vegetables are the best dish.

The eldest and youngest daughters helped make the dumplings. Otherwise, with none of the men in the family being hardworking, they might starve to death if we relied on them.

Gao Qingzhi said to her two daughters, "Girls, when you look for a partner in the future, you must keep your eyes open. Never marry someone like your father, who is irresponsible and spineless, and doesn't protect his wife and children when they are wronged. And you must never marry a mother-in-law like your grandmother, who is selfish and narrow-minded."

The two sisters nodded repeatedly, indicating they understood. Because the older sister was older and had always lived in her grandmother's shadow, she developed a fear of marriage and was unwilling to find a partner or get married even at 30. These things happened many years later.

The Gao family's New Year's Eve dinner passed by amidst all the noise and commotion.

…………

Deng Jiahu Jinhua was cooking in the kitchen, while Deng Yiyao and her second sister-in-law Su Yingying were making dumplings in the living room.

The eldest son, Deng Yifei, was still in prison, while the second son, Deng Yichen, watched TV with his son, occasionally glancing at his younger sister.

He felt that his sister had become a different person after her suicide. It was as if she had a different soul.

My younger sister was just as mischievous as she is now, but the scheming in her eyes was always unmistakable.

She was selfish and reckless in pursuing her own interests, which led to her older brother going to prison. Her attempt to harm others backfired and harmed herself instead.

Sun Jue wasn't harmed by her, but he lost such a good marriage because of her.

The younger sister now has clear eyes; she has lost all her scheming and is now just pure, kind, cute, and dignified.

Deng Yichen felt as if he had suddenly returned to the time when his younger sister was a child. His sister was still as pure, lovely, kind, and beautiful as ever.

"Dad, Dad, look! The Monkey King is out!"

His son's shouts brought him back to reality.

He turned to look at the television, which was broadcasting the Spring Festival Gala.

Inside were the actor playing Sun Wukong, and a group of impersonators dressed as the Monkey King, performing stick-wielding techniques.

He laughed and said, "Oh my! It really is the Monkey King! And there are so many little Monkey Kings too!"

The four-year-old son retorted, "Dad, that's not the Little Monkey King, that's his monkey offspring."

Deng Yichen feigned surprise and said, "Wow, our Xingchen is really amazing. They know so much, they even recognized that it was a monkey's offspring."

Deng Xingchen said with a smug look, "That's right, I'm the smartest." Then she continued watching TV and playing with her toys.

Deng Qingshan ran in from outside, rubbing his hands as he said, "Oh dear, it's so cold outside!"

Deng Xingchen saw his grandfather and ran over happily to ask for a hug. Deng Qingshan said happily, "Wait a while, wait until Grandpa is warm before hugging you. Grandpa is too cold right now, like an ice pop."

Deng Xingchen nodded: "Okay! Grandpa, don't forget later!" Deng Qingshan was overjoyed and quickly said: "Don't worry, I definitely won't forget. Even if Grandpa forgets to eat, he can't forget his precious grandson."

Deng Yichen walked over and asked, "Dad, where have you been? It's almost dark, and you're still out running around. It's almost time for New Year's Eve dinner."

Deng Qingshan said unhurriedly, "It's nothing, I'm just going to visit my neighbor Brother Liu and his wife. Their children are all working away from home and didn't come back for the New Year. Seeing the old couple all alone, I felt quite sorry for them."

Deng Yichen said, "I'll go and bring them a bowl of dumplings in a bit."

Deng Qingshan said, "They've already made dumplings, so let's take some other food with us! It would be best to bring Xingchen to their house for a while to add some fun."

Deng Yichen thought this was good, as only the laughter of children could soothe the hearts of these elderly people living alone.

Around 7 p.m., Deng Yichen took his wife and child to Uncle Liu's house next door. They stayed at their house for more than an hour before returning.

Uncle Liu and Aunt Lü escorted the family to the gate before helping each other back into the house.

It was already 8:30 when Hu Jinhua got home. Seeing her second son and his family return, she began to grumble at him.

"Why are you running around like this during the New Year? I finished cooking the dishes, and when I came back to the living room, no one was there. I felt so upset. Everyone else has a reunion dinner during the New Year, but we won't be able to have one. Your older brother isn't home either, and you're leading the whole family around like this. Are you trying to drive me crazy?!"

Deng Yichen felt that his mother's old habit of nagging was about to strike again, so he said, "Alright, it's the New Year, so stop saying such unpleasant things. I just saw that Uncle Liu next door was lonely and pitiful, so I took Xingchen to play for a while to make their family more lively and happy. We didn't go far."

Hu Jinhua shut her mouth. She knew her second son's temper well. If she got angry and he left with his wife and children, it would be a loss for her.

The most important thing is for the whole family to get together, have a New Year's Eve dinner, and celebrate the New Year joyfully.

She walked up to her grandson and said with a smile, "My dear grandson, how about Grandma gives you a hug and lifts you up high?"

Deng Xingchen blinked and looked at his mother. Su Yingying nodded, and he smiled as he let his grandmother hug him.