Capítulo 842: Chapter 568: Joy for One Family, Worry for Another
Supplement for 28th, second update.
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Old Master Ye, who had walked to the Zhou family’s door, was halted by the cheerful laughter. After a moment, he shook his head and returned to his own home.
Just a few meters apart, the atmosphere of the Ye family and the Zhou family was entirely different.
The three sons of the Ye Family, Ye Zhonghe, Ye Zhongliang, and Ye Zhongjun, were rarely gathered together, but due to differences of opinion, none of them wanted to pay attention to the others.
Among the three daughters-in-law, Qiang Yuxian and Miao Yanlei, Ai Yuehong were not close, so the three of them, along with two nannies, sat there making dumplings, clearly forming two camps.
Ye Zhonghe only had two daughters, both married off. But the eldest daughter was going through a divorce, and the younger daughter Meiru had a series of scandals, driven out by the Huang family, which made it hard for Ye Zhonghe and his wife to be happy.
Ye Zhongliang and Miao Yanlei had a son and a daughter, but the son just enlisted this year and couldn’t return home for the New Year, and the daughter was married and stayed at the husband’s family for the New Year.
Ye Zhongjun and Ai Yuehong had two daughters, the eldest daughter Ye Meiqin married Song Xiaoyu’s brother, and the younger daughter Ye Meifang remained unmarried.
So, with the three sons and daughters-in-law all gathered, only Meiru and Ye Meifang were spending the New Year at home among the grandchildren. In contrast, Ye Meifang became the favored one, with the old lady chatting with her and unwilling to let her lift a finger.
This made Ai Yuehong very uncomfortable. The younger daughter was only nineteen and still somewhat immature in distinguishing right from wrong. Thus, she always had very strict expectations for her, hoping she wouldn’t be too pampered, so she wouldn’t be disdained by her husband’s family when married off.
Although the talk now is all about women’s liberation, in her view, the difference in physical strength between men and women inevitably leads to different roles in society. Yelling about gender equality while relying on men outside and letting men worry at home—over time, which man can bear it?
Okay, maybe there are men who can bear it, but she wasn’t confident her daughter would meet one. So she always taught her daughter to be strong and independent, but how many girls at this age are willing to do housework? Now with the old lady’s protection, the younger daughter could lazily enjoy herself.
Miao Yanlei, who frequently socialized with Ai Yuehong, occasionally went shopping together to buy things for the family. Thus, observing Ai Yuehong’s not-so-cheerful expression, Miao Yanlei could roughly guess her thoughts and lowered her voice to say to Ai Yuehong, “It’s just once a year, let the kids have some fun.”
“Letting her play this one time is fine, but the key is, when we go back, she’ll be out of sorts for a long time. Every time we come back for the New Year and return, we get into conflicts, and she says I’m the stepmother, and her granny is her real grandmother.”
“It’s the same for everyone. Wasn’t my daughter the same in the past, blaming me? But now? Every time she comes home, she’s close to me, saying that if it weren’t for my strict demands, she wouldn’t be the most liked daughter-in-law at her husband’s family now.
A woman, once she truly falls in love with a man, will understand this. So instead of worrying she’ll clash with you, you might as well pay attention to what kind of men she likes.”
“Is this how you give advice as a second aunt? What kind of idea is that?” Ai Yuehong looked at her helplessly, “Besides, we live at the garrison, and outside it’s all male soldiers. She’s familiar with many of them, a bunch of young boys. I’m not all-seeing; how can I tell which one she likes?”
“Then talk to her, don’t just scold her. You understand the principle of giving her a sweet after a slap, right? If you keep slapping her, she’ll rebel.”
Glancing at her daughter, who was laughing with her head tilted back, Ai Yuehong sighed, “She’s not as obedient as your Meizi. If I give her a sweet after a slap, she probably wouldn’t even know who she is.”
“How do you know if you don’t try? She’ll be twenty after the New Year, not a child anymore. If you keep treating her like a child, she won’t submit.
Think about when you were young. If your elders kept scolding you, like you couldn’t do anything right, would you feel comfortable or convinced?”
Before Miao Yanlei could respond, Qiang Yuxian, staring at them with a not-so-happy face, asked, “What are you two talking about so lively?”
“Just chatting…” Ai Yuehong smiled at her, “The kids are disobedient, so I’m asking Second Sister-in-law for advice.”
Qiang Yuxian’s face turned even darker, “What do you mean?”
Slightly stunned, Ai Yuehong realized Qiang Yuxian had misunderstood. Indeed, her two daughters were enough to cause worry. Seeing them whispering and then hearing her say that, wouldn’t it lead to misunderstanding? She quickly explained, “Sister-in-law, I really am asking Second Sister-in-law for advice. Xiao Fang will be twenty after the New Year. When I say one thing, she has ten responses waiting. She really gives me headaches. How will anyone at her husband’s house tolerate that?”