Daily Life in the 70s-Chapter 47 - Family Affairs

Yang Peijun lowered his head, saw the three of them walking in, and with a bit of embarrassment muttered in reply to Zhang Minghua’s question, “I came back because I didn’t eat enough.”

Yang Peihua exclaimed in surprise, “You actually came back not having eaten enough?”

Zhang Minghua pulled him a bit, “Let’s talk inside.”

Yang PeiMin looked curiously left and right but didn’t see Li Hong’s figure.

During these early days of marriage, the couple seemed very affectionate—Yang PeiMin had even inadvertently noticed them sweetly holding hands under the table while they ate.

Could it be that they were having a tiff now?

Once inside the main room, which was currently empty, they all took a seat on the kang.

Just as they were about to speak, Li Hong hurried in with two cups of water in her hands, handing one each to Zhang Minghua and Yang PeiMin, “Mom, you’re back—you must be tired from the journey.

Have some water to refresh yourselves.”

Zhang Ming took the water with a blank expression but did not drink, setting it down on the table on the kang.

Yang PeiMin said thank you.

Li Hong looked at her in surprise and then abruptly said to Zhang Minghua, “This morning when I went back to my parents, my mom had already slaughtered a chicken early.

Although there wasn’t a grand feast, she still intended to treat her son-in-law well.

My grandma was staying at my uncle’s place, so when the chicken was being prepared, we had to call her.

But unexpectedly, my uncle’s entire family came as well, and when my third and fourth aunt heard about it, they came over too, saying it was for the son-in-law to get acquainted with everyone.”

“My younger brother had been ill recently and we had to spend quite a bit of money, not to mention the chickens at home that were almost all used up to nourish him.

My mother still thought of us today and kept one chicken.”

“Mom, I’m sorry.

Peijun might not have eaten enough, which is why I argued a bit with my mom and came back and made a bowl of noodles for Peijun,” Li Hong explained clearly, shifting responsibility to her uncles, saying every family has those kinds of problematic relatives while downplaying her own family’s role regarding her brother’s illness and the lack of money.

Yang PeiMin glanced at Yang Peijun, noting his expression that seemed to disagree with what Li Hong was saying.

He appeared several times as though he wanted to speak, possibly not wanting to embarrass his wife, so he swallowed his words.

However, Zhang Minghua was not one to be easily fooled—just because there wasn’t any meat, weren’t they supposed to be fed properly?

Her family paid quite a significant bride price, and they only ate that much after going there.

How could it be pinched to this extent?

Besides, they also brought gifts over there.

Could they really end up at a loss?

“Peijun, is this how you behave?

Are you a fool?

Even without dishes, you must fill up on rice.

Have you never experienced hunger or what?

And now you’re acting delicate too?

Just wait until dad gets home; he’s going to smack you!” Zhang Minghua scolded Yang Peijun as soon as she opened her mouth.

Li Hong seemed to shake a little from Zhang Minghua’s loud voice.

As she regained her composure, her face flushed, and she hurriedly explained, “No, mom, it’s not like that.

We didn’t cook enough rice because there were many people, and my mom had to cook more.

I was just angry and didn’t wait for the rice, so I came back here…

Don’t blame Peijun, mom, it’s my fault; scold me instead.”

Li Hong was quite pretty with her round face and big eyes, and her skin was lighter than those girls who worked outside all year.

Her voice was soft and gentle, giving the impression of tenderness and sweetness.

Finally, feeling compassionate toward his wife, Yang Peijun whispered to Zhang Minghua, “Mom, please calm down.

I’ll remember this, it’s my silly behavior not Li Hong’s fault, everyone just didn’t anticipate this situation…”

Watching him defend his wife like that made Zhang Minghua even angrier for a moment.

She turned around completely, not wanting to see this sorry pair any longer, “Since you both put it that way, I can’t control you anymore.

Do whatever you like, but since you’ve already eaten now, there’s no need for dinner tonight.

We don’t have much food left.”

It was now just past two o’clock in the afternoon.

Yang Peijun’s face immediately fell, but he didn’t dare to argue.

Yang PeiMin secretly gave Zhang Minghua a thumbs up in his mind.

This was a great approach; withholding food was the most effective punishment for Yang Peijun, the glutton.

The truth was certainly not as Li Hong had put it, Zhang Minghua probably realized this as well, but this was the path Yang Peijun had chosen for himself, so he would have to deal with any consequences on his own.

Zhang Minghua’s anger quickly subsided.

After Yang Peijun and his wife left, she stood up to check on Xiao Bao.

Yang PeiMin followed her, wondering if Yang PeiYing could handle the situation, and suddenly felt a bit guilty.

When they entered, Yang PeiYing was changing Xiao Bao’s diaper, while Bai Hehua was sound asleep.

Zhang Minghua went over to help, inquiring about Xiao Bao.

After confirming that everything was fine, she nodded in reassurance.

Yang PeiMin pulled Yang PeiYing aside.

“Sister, what’s wrong?”

“Have you eaten?”

Yang PeiYing nodded, “Today, it was just dad and me at home.

I cooked some potato rice and steamed an egg for my sister-in-law.

Even though Xiao Bao was crying, I still managed to eat my fill.”

Yang PeiMin knew their makeshift meal was barely enough; she took out two extra meatballs she had gotten from her aunt, wrapped them in wax paper, and handed one to Yang PeiYing, “Eat this quick, before our brother sees.”

“Sister?

Why did you also bring these for me?

Won’t your sisters-in-law mind?” Yang PeiYing hesitated, wary of accepting.

“Don’t worry, my aunt gave them, knowing you weren’t around.

She also sent some for you.

Try them; they’re carrot and pork, really delicious.” Yang PeiMin pushed them into her hands, also handing over the red envelope Man Cang had given her.

“This is for you too.”

Yang PeiYing took a bite, her face glowing with joy as she looked at Yang PeiMin, yet asked nervously, “Sister, have you eaten?

There are four here; you eat too.”

Yang PeiMin shook her head, “I’ve eaten.

Let’s go back to the room to eat, then come out.

You don’t know, mom just banned my brother and his wife from having dinner tonight; don’t let him see them, he’ll definitely snatch them from you.”

“But…”

Yang PeiMin pushed her into their room, knowing full well that Yang Peijun, with a history of similar actions, was quite capable of it.