Yun Lei gently moved Zhao Fangâs hand away, âThen why are the New Yearâs gifts given to my parents different from those you carry home to your parents? Our daughter is nearly ten, weâve been doing this for ten years, ten years! I know youâre aware that my parents didnât want me to marry you, and itâs because of this youâve had no respect for them.â
These words struck Zhao Fang hard, and she collapsed onto the floor in shock. She looked up at Yun Lei in disbelief. Was this still the same man who had loved her and shielded her?
When did he change? When did it happen?
âXiaofang, as my younger siblings have said, there are certain things Iâve just chosen not to point out. Iâm not a fool. I anticipated this from my parents and didnât say anything, but this is the aftermath of letting things go. I was just waiting for the day you would notice youâve been bringing less for the New Yearâs gifts. Given your nature, I fear if I hadnât pointed it out, you wouldâve been in the dark forever.â
âIâm tired, Iâm going back to my room.â Yun Lei stood up without sparing Zhao Fang a glance and left.
This left Zhao Fang alone with her shock.
He knew. He had known all along but chose not to say anything.â
The second day of the lunar year was the day for returning to oneâs maiden home. As their father had suggested it earlier, Yun Hai and Yun Leiâs families didnât go back to their maiden homes.
Yun Men took with her the sugar and a bag of flour that Meng Yunhan had brought on his last visit to her motherâs house.
And Yun Shuang, along with her husband and children, took meat, sugar, and some cakes to her motherâs house.
But Meng Yunhan came empty-handed this time, without Little Huzi on his back and carrying nothing.
With the exception of Yun Hao, virtually all of the Yun Family had gathered.
âHanhan, why didnât you bring Little Huzi?â Yun Shuang asked Meng Yunhan, thinking it was his first visit back since the New Year began.
âMy father took him to visit some relatives,â Meng Yunhan responded, brushing off the question.
Yun Shuang was taken aback when she saw her eldest and second eldest brothers. For years they had always gone to their wifeâs maiden homes on the second day of the New Year. Why were they here now?
She feared that Xiaomen had relayed their conversation to their mother.
But itâs just as well, just as well.
âSince everyone is back home, let the kids go out and play. We have matters to discuss in the living room.â
Zhang Cuihua, looking at her stern-looking father-in-law, and seeing her third sister-in-law had also returned home, was puzzled about what was to be discussed.
âXiaoliang, youâre the eldest, so why donât you take your siblings and go out to play.â
Yun Mingliang nodded, âAlright.â
The children, aside from the two still nursing, all went outside to play.
âEveryone, take a seat.â
Yun Men took a seat next to Meng Yunhan, and Zhang Jiang stood behind them.
Everyone found a seat.
Yunâs father glanced over at them, âIâve called you all here today to discuss elderly care. Your mother and I are old and we can no longer work.â
âFather, didnât you say before that youâd be staying with the third younger brotherâs family? Now whyâ¦.â
Zhang Cuihua, already bitter about their previous conversation, started to retort when she heard the father say this. She was cut off by Yun Hai, who sharply pulled at her sleeve, âBe quiet, listen to father.â
The conversation Yun Lei had the previous day seemed to have calmed Zhao Fang, as she didnât rush to protest.
Once their father started talking about elderly care, she understood. This meeting was to discuss that matter.
Everyone in the family, except for the one in the army, had returned.
Yun Hai looked at his father and said with a hint of remorse, âFather, go on, please continue.â
Yunâs mother glared at Zhang Cuihua.
âRaising a child for old age, is exactly why we raised you. Now weâve reached an age where we no longer can work.â@@novelbin@@