Chapter 17: Fatherly Kindness and Motherly Love, All Bestowed Upon Their Son

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Xiang Yu was not swayed by Xiang Di’s sorrowful mood. She lowered her voice and asked, “Sister, do you know which village he’s from?”
She only remembered the name of that scoundrel brother-in-law and the place where he ran his shop in the county town.
Xiang Di glanced at her younger sister, hesitated for a few seconds, then softly replied, “Yangjiao Village.”
Xiang Yu happened to know the place; after school, Zhang Xiaoyan had told her that if she ever went to the market, she could visit her there. She was from that village, just on the edge of the small town.
“Sister, tomorrow find an excuse and take me to town.
I’ll take you to see my classmate—she’s from Yangjiao Village. We can ask carefully about Liu Gang’s family situation and get some real information.”
Xiang Di hesitated, “Mom and Dad have already agreed...”
What use is doing more? If something bad happens, it will only add worries.
Tears welled in Xiang Yu’s eyes as she looked at her, “Sister, just do it for me, so I can watch you get married with peace of mind. Otherwise, I’ll be worrying day and night.”
Xiang Di didn’t understand why her sister thought that way, but as a sister who adored her younger sibling, she subconsciously hoped her sister would be happier and more blessed than herself, placing all her own dreams of a better life onto her.
Like a mother to her daughter.
So that her own aching heart could find some solace.
She agreed, “Alright, tomorrow I’ll buy you a new dress. I’ve saved up some money.”
Xiang Yu’s heart ached deeply. She hugged her sister tightly again—her sister was about to be engaged, yet she still thought to buy her a new dress when her own clothes were so worn.

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No matter what, this time she would protect her sister.
The dishes were served just as Xiang Hao came home.
As soon as he returned, his muddy hands reached for the braised pork, grumbling discontentedly, “This is way too fatty.”
Li Meilan hurriedly pulled him back, “Good boy, go wash your hands. Remember the long worm you pulled out a few days ago?”
Xiang Fuqiang smiled and gently patted Xiang Hao’s head, “Hurry up. If it’s fatty, give it to me; you eat the lean parts.”
Xiang Yu watched this scene of parental affection coldly. All the tenderness of their parents was reserved for their youngest son, Xiang Hao.
For her and her sister, there were only reproaches, scolding, and demands.
With the spirit of someone in their thirties trapped in her, she had little interest in this kind of sourness that had gone cold in a past life. She sat down with a sullen face and pulled a chair for herself and her sister.
Li Meilan, having returned with her son from washing hands, saw Xiang Yu already eating the braised pork and scowled, “You little glutton, we and your brother haven’t even sat down yet.”
Xiang Yu pretended not to hear. Her priority was settling her sister’s broken engagement and her own upcoming exams—there was no need to anger Li Meilan.
Xiang Fuqiang was also a little displeased and pointed at Xiang Yu, “Don’t bother Ye Nuoxin anymore. Just focus on getting your diploma and then work at your sister’s factory. She’s not getting married until the end of the year and can look after you for a while.”
Xiang Di didn’t know about Ye Nuoxin’s situation, only that the two had always been close. Their parents never opposed their friendship because Ye Fen’s family was quite respectable in the village, having built a three-story cement house early on.
Su the lame man also owned a small chicken farm.
Their conditions were considered among the better ones in the village.

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She looked at her younger sister with concern.
Xiang Yu slightly shook her head to signal her not to say more, lest she lose control and snap back at Xiang Fuqiang and Li Meilan.
Xiang Di was not one to cause trouble; on the contrary, she was very honest and patient.
Xiang Hao ate quickly, making noises as he gobbled down his food. Rice and meat fell onto the table and floor. He only ate the lean parts of the braised pork, and within minutes half the plate was gone.
Xiang Yu hurriedly picked some pieces for her sister before Xiang Hao could devour them all.
Her sister was too thin; the factory’s communal meals were hardly oily, and she herself had little money to treat herself.
She felt sorry for Xiang Di, and Xiang Di felt the same for her. She handed her two pieces of meat, “Eat more.”
Xiang Yu nodded, eating piece after piece. In truth, her own lot was not much better. The town’s middle school offered little in the way of extras, and their parents secretly gave the better food to Xiang Hao.
No one ever made special meals for her, and she always came home to endless chores.
Xiang Hao wailed loudly, “Mom, they’re going to eat all the meat!”