"Dad, I'm back."
As he was thinking, Li Xuemei's voice suddenly rang out, and when Li Qinghai looked up, he broke into a smile. The two little ones had already run over and thrown themselves at him.
"Grandpa, grandpa, we're back."
Gu Xiaoqing hadn't seen his grandfather in many years. Back then, because of his sister Gu Xiaoying's and his own marriage, grandpa Li Qinghai had come over with two uncles to strongly oppose it, trying to stop his sister and him from getting married like that.
But there was nothing that could be done. Gu Ruhai was determined to listen to their grandparents, which made grandpa Li Qinghai so angry that he spat blood.
He left saying he'd never meddle in their family's affairs again, and since then, grandpa and the uncles hadn't visited again.
Seeing Li Qinghai now, Gu Xiaoqing felt waves of emotion because this was the only relative in his past life who genuinely cared for him and his siblings.
In the past life, Li Qinghai was wholeheartedly kind to them. Every time Li Xuemei went home, he would secretly give her some dry food and grain, and occasionally slip her a bit of money. Although not a lot, it was enough to help with their expenses over the years.
Even if the two aunts always showed them a sour face, they never really did more than that. Once the uncles returned, the aunts would sensibly put on a cheerful demeanor.
After all, the two uncles were not the type to be trifled with and had cherished and doted on their mother Li Xuemei for many years. So even if the aunts were a hundred times unhappy, they dared not show it in front of the uncles.
The result of doing so would definitely be a good beating. The uncles were kind, but it depended on the situation. For trivial matters, they would plaster on a smile and coax the aunts. However, when it came to their sister Li Xuemei, they were as touchy as a tiger's backside.
Whoever dared to cross that was unlucky.
So over the years, the aunts had learned to behave.
"Oh my, my two darling grandchildren are back. Quick, come inside and sit. Grandpa just finished up and will get you some tasty treats soon. Your uncle picked some wild jujubes and pears from the mountains a few days ago, and grandpa has saved them for you."
Li Qinghai's hands were dirty with pig grass clippings, so he couldn't hug the kids right away but spoke cheerfully.
"Dear, quick, Xuemei is back."
Li Qinghai called into the house.
Grandma Wu Zhaodi lifted the curtain and came out, happily saying to Li Xuemei, "Quick, bring the kids in. The yard is still a mess. Your brother and sister-in-law have been busy in the fields these days; we just got back and haven't had a chance to tidy up."
Gu Xiaoqing went up and affectionately called, "Grandma."
Wu Zhaodi, this grandmother, was the typical doting mother but was still measured, ensuring that the two daughters-in-law didn't feel resentful to the point of being unbearable. Most of the time, the extra help given to the daughter came from her and the old man's pocket money, like from selling eggs.
Of course, people are selfish, and Gu Xiaoqing liked having a biased elder who favored his family. At least someone cared; who wouldn't want that?
"Grandma!"
When Gu Xiaojie heard Gu Xiaoqing call out, he immediately ran over and clung to Wu Zhaodi's leg, sweetly calling her.
Making Wu Zhaodi exceptionally delighted.
She pulled the two children inside, "Come, come, come sit. Grandma has some tasty treats for you."
Unlocking the big wardrobe, a fresh scent wafted out, a mix of apples, pears, and other fruits.
This was common in many homes; who didn't keep their good stuff hidden? So when a cupboard or box was opened, a scent like this would often fill the air.
Wu Zhaodi took out a basket from the cupboard, filled with green and red wild jujubes and a couple of green pears, placing it in front of the two little ones.
"Go ahead and eat."
Watching the two little ones stare dumbly at the basket, not daring to touch, Wu Zhaodi laughed. Her grandchildren were well-mannered; if adults didn't say so, they wouldn't dare move. They learned the rules well.
In fact, Gu Xiaoqing and Gu Xiaojie were just overwhelmed with joy.
It took them a while to react, which is why they just stared blankly.
Wu Zhaodi grabbed two handfuls of wild jujubes, giving one to each, and said happily, "Try them, are they sweet?"
Looking kindly at the two children.
Li Xuemei couldn't bear it, pulling her own mother to sit on the edge of the kang.
She glared at Gu Xiaoqing and Gu Xiaojie, clearly indicating not to take too much.
Gu Xiaoqing quickly tugged at Gu Xiaojie, and they carefully placed the wild jujubes in their pockets, then ran outside to watch grandpa cut pig grass.
These days no one was wealthy, and the uncle's family had four children too. Grandma clearly locked these treats away. If Gu Xiaoqing and Gu Xiaojie ate it all, Li Xuemei would feel unfair to her two brothers.
"Mom, don't do this, save some for Jianguo and Jianhui, or the sisters-in-law might quarrel with the brothers." She advised her mom.
Wu Zhaodi glared, "Who dares? Don't think your mother is biased. These wild jujubes were already divided among Jianguo, Jianhui, and Yufeng Yuhoo; otherwise, your dad would scold me for being prejudiced.
They are also my grandsons and granddaughters. I can't mistreat them. Your life is hard, marrying into such a family, so can't I give you what little I have left over?"
She looked at her dark and skinny daughter with heartache, internally cursing son-in-law Gu Ruhai countless times.
Li Xuemei knew her own mother was just worried about her and comforted her, saying, "Mom, don't hold back. As your daughter, I lack the ability to be filial to you and dad, and you still have to worry about us. I'm already unfilial, but if you hurt yourself trying to help us, I couldn't accept it."
This was Li Xuemei speaking from her heart. Over the years, it had always been her parents helping; their family was a bottomless pit, a bloodsucking one at that.
The parents were growing older each year, and it was time for her to be filial, but here she was, shamelessly coming to borrow money again.
Truly unfilial.
Wu Zhaodi glared at Li Xuemei, "What are you talking about? If it weren't for those two old biased folks from the Gu family, you wouldn't have such a hard life. In a few years, when Xiaoqing and Xiaojie grow up, life will get better. I'm waiting for you to take good care of me."
Li Xuemei cuddled her mother's arm like a child, "Alright, alright, I will take good care of you."