"Second Uncle, my father said that Auntie is coming to visit tomorrow, and you should bring these kids over."
After leaving Grandpa Tu's house, Chen Yang thought about it and went to his second uncle's house to pay a New Year's visit.
No matter how harsh his second aunt was towards him, he didn't care much.
Five yuan was a considerable sum of money back then, and given his past behavior, she did deserve to be scolded.
He just couldn't stand it when his second aunt threatened to drag Shen Xue to the old village secretary to humiliate her in front of the whole village.
If a family truly reached that point, there would be no kinship left.
If it weren't for his second uncle treating their family well, and recalling from his past life that his daughter refused his help no matter what, it was his second uncle's eldest daughter, Shen Mei, and his sister-in-law, Shen Rong, who pooled money to help them buy a small thirty-something square meter house for their wedding. Chen Yang wouldn't have wanted to step into this house.
"Second Grandpa, Second Grandma, I wish you good health and longevity."
The two little ones looked at Shen Guangfu and sweetly offered their New Year's greetings.
Children don't hold grudges. They only knew that Second Grandpa often came to their house and brought them delicious food, and Aunt Shen Mei often played with them. They naturally followed suit for the New Year's greetings.
"Yanyan, Haohao, you're so good. Come, have some candy. Have some candy."
Cui Xiufang clearly hadn't expected the two little ones to be so sweet. She happily stuffed handfuls of candy into their pockets.
These were White Rabbit candies, and at home, she herself was reluctant to eat even one. Yet now, she was giving them away as if they were free.
Chen Yang sighed. His second aunt had a sharp tongue, but if she hadn't agreed back then, how could his second uncle have produced five yuan?
Didn't he see that all the money his second uncle earned with him was managed by her? Before, when he visited their house, his second uncle and Shen Mei were still wearing patched clothes.
It was only after he specifically gave instructions that this entire family finally got new clothes.
In the 1970s, not many relatives could lend five yuan. It was just that his second aunt's words when she pressed Shen Xue to repay the money were too harsh. Chen Yang had just been reborn.
He doted on his wife and couldn't stand seeing her bullied like that, so his words were a bit harsh.
"Thank you, Second Grandma."
The two little ones, holding their candy, had their eyes curved into crescent moons with joy.
Their mother had sewn them large cloth bags, and today they were filled to the brim. Coming out for New Year's greetings, these two kids were the happiest, having reaped a bountiful harvest!
"Your little mouths are so sweet. We're family, why be so formal?"
Cui Xiufang patted the two little ones' heads, then took a deep breath and looked at Chen Yang.
"Slap."
Cui Xiufang slapped herself. This sudden action was something even Chen Yang hadn't anticipated.
"Second Aunt, what are you doing?"
Seeing Cui Xiufang about to hit herself again, Chen Yang quickly stopped her.
"Yangzi, don't stop me. Second Aunt did wrong, and I deserve to be slapped as an apology."
Cui Xiufang's eyes were red. She knew very well how much money her husband had made with Chen Yang's family by selling fish last year.
However, she had been too proud to go to the eldest brother's house to apologize. The relationship between the two families had remained strained. Her husband and children had not been shortchanged by Chen Yang, but she, as his aunt, had been snubbed. Truthfully, she felt uneasy.
Back then, without her approval, could Shen Guangfu have lent the money? Wasn't it because she saw her niece eating rice and white masks that she went to ask for the money?
It was just that she had a foul mouth and her words were too unpleasant.
She never expected that the nephew-in-law she had always looked down upon would suddenly mature. He didn't resent her for damaging the relationship between the two families and was even bringing her husband along to make money.
Today, the two children's calling her "Second Grandma" truly broke Cui Xiufang.
She felt that if she continued to be stubborn, there would forever be a rift in this family. Why should it be so difficult?
Having received such great kindness, what pride did she still have?
"Second Aunt, you weren't wrong at the time. I used to be lazy and good for nothing. It's normal for you to worry we couldn't repay the money."
"Nowadays, everyone earns their money through hard work. Five yuan is not a small amount."
"It was just that I was angry when you said you'd take Xue'er to the old village secretary to make it known to the whole village that she was a debt defaulter. We are family, doing something like that damages our feelings."
Chen Yang stopped Cui Xiufang. In his past life, he hadn't even known about this five yuan matter, and Cui Xiufang hadn't taken Shen Xue to the old village secretary to demand repayment.
In his past life, although his second aunt's words were sharp, the two families ultimately shared the same surname, and they hadn't been so resentful and nearly estranged.
It was likely that his second aunt was angry because he had earned money those days, and his family was buying rice and meat without repaying the debt, hence she spoke out of anger.
"Yangzi, Second Aunt was wrong about this. Second Aunt apologizes to you and to Xue Yatou."
Cui Xiufang was so touched by Chen Yang's understanding that she almost cried. These days, her own brothers had often criticized her for being short-sighted.
Such a good nephew-in-law, and her husband was making money with him, yet she, his second aunt, was not acknowledged.
"Second Aunt, let bygones be bygones. Let's not mention the past. Tomorrow, bring Shen Mei and the others to our house."
"You and my mother can cook and entertain Auntie's family, just like it's been for years. Come over and sit with Xue'er later and have a chat."
Chen Yang didn't say much more. His second aunt had already slapped herself, so he didn't need to press the issue. There was no need.
His second uncle's family had treated them well before, otherwise, his second aunt wouldn't have lent them five yuan.
It was just that they had been afraid of poverty.
Of course, Chen Yang was also very clear that this was because he had money now and had also helped his second uncle make money. Otherwise, with his second aunt's temper, she might have really cut ties with them because of the previous incident.
"Yangzi, I have nothing more to say."
"I'll go to the house right now to apologize to Eldest Brother, Eldest Sister-in-law, and Xue Yatou. My mouth, it just speaks too harshly."
"You have a generous heart, not holding grudges, and even helping your second uncle make money. I'm far behind."
Having cleared the air, Cui Xiufang felt much better.
These words had been weighing on her heart for a long time.
Before Chen Yang could say anything, she had already rushed out of the door.
"Yangzi, sit down. Don't mind your second aunt. She's wanted to apologize to Eldest Brother and Sister-in-law for a long time, but she's been too proud to do it."
"This is good too. As a family, we've spoken openly, and it will save us from feeling unhappy in the future. You are magnanimous and don't hold it against her. Your second aunt is actually not a bad person. Otherwise, I wouldn't have been able to lend that five yuan to Xue Yatou back then."
"Also, when you were building your house, she personally asked my elder brother to help as a mason. Her only flaw is this mouth of hers."
Shen Guangfu sighed. He had seen how difficult his wife had been these past few days.
If this opportunity could lead to the family living in harmony, he would be happy.
"Meizi, take Yanyan and Haohao to eat."
As he spoke, Shen Guangfu quickly attended to his daughters and sons, guiding the two little ones to eat. After all, it was the New Year, and it was all about the children enjoying their food.