Xie Sui didn't want his good mood ruined by his aunt on his way home. He suggested taking his parents and grandmother to live in the city for a few days. There wasn't much to do in the fields, and the elders were naturally happy to go and see the county town with Xie Sui.
Everyone in the village was extremely envious. The most disappointing child in the Xie family was actually able to open a factory and make a lot of money. Most importantly, he had become filial and doted on his wife. The family was harmonious and happy, which was better than earning any amount of money.
Xie Sui was not stingy either. He would contribute money to repair the village's water channels and roads. The villagers couldn't fault him for anything.
Of course, there were still those who were not satisfied and spoke sourly. He earned so much money, yet he only spent this little on the village and didn't even bring the villagers along to make money. He was clearly a rich man who was not benevolent. Xie Sui didn't care. Whoever dared to say it in front of him would be verbally annihilated.
The rented house in the county town was very large. Xie Sui had considered his entire family and the occasional visits. He had rented the entire house that was originally intended for five households. If it weren't for the fact that houses couldn't be bought or sold at this time, Xie Sui would definitely have bought it.
The spacious courtyard also had some vegetables planted. Grandma Xie was very satisfied, "It's clean and comfortable. Wanwan tidied it up well."
Lin Wanwan liked Grandma Xie very much. It was easy to be filial to a sensible elder.
The children ran around the courtyard. Xie Lan and her elder brother-in-law also returned, and the family had a reunion dinner.
Mother Xie felt a pang of sadness and couldn't help but say, "I wonder how your third sister is doing? Whenever the family gets together, I think of your third sister..."
Xie Sui put down his chopsticks and said, "Mom, third sister is doing very well. She went to vocational school and became a teacher. She has a son and a daughter. Her in-laws and husband treat her very well. You don't need to worry about her."
"Really?"
Not only Mother Xie, but everyone else was surprised, "Do we have news of third sister?"
Xie Sui explained Xie Juan's situation. "I think third sister wouldn't want us to disturb her life, otherwise, she wouldn't have been silent for so many years. Since she doesn't want us family, why should we bother her?"
Mother Xie disagreed, "Don't say that. What you see is just the surface. What if it's not like that? You still have to see her. Without her maternal family to support her, she would have to endure any mistreatment from her in-laws and be looked down upon by them."
Xie Sui sighed. The older generation's ideas were really stubborn. Even with a maternal family, they were poor relatives. Wouldn't people look down on them even more?
"Her home is in Changzhou City, which is very far away. It takes half a day to drive there. Are you sure you want to go? I can borrow a car. Traveling by bus would take a whole day, which would be too tiring."
Mother Xie hesitated, "We have to borrow a car? What if Mom gets carsick?"
Xie Sui said, "Traveling by car is to give third sister face. If you arrive in a mule cart, they won't even let you into the city!
Lin Wanwan kicked him. "Speak nicely. Mom, just listen to Xiao Sui. Open the car windows for ventilation, and you won't get carsick. If not, you can take a motion sickness pill. You'll be fine.
Or I can accompany you. I'll take care of Mom on the way."
Xie Lan said, "I'll go with you. Third sister listens to me. I miss her too."
In the end, Xie Lan, the elders, and Xie Sui went together. They didn't bring anyone else. They prepared some gifts and borrowed Director Liu's car. They even brought a driver, so Xie Sui didn't have to drive himself.
Mother Xie was astonished. She felt uncomfortable even sitting in a car belonging to a county leader.
She didn't dare to speak the entire way, and she even forgot about being carsick.
The driver was taciturn and looked like a retired soldier. Xie Sui tried to get friendly with him a few times, but the man ignored him and seemed aloof. Xie Sui couldn't handle him, so he gave up.
The journey took four hours, and after entering the city, they drove for another half an hour. According to the address, they found Xie Juan's family building. It was already noon, and they were having lunch.
They had left early in the morning and only drank some water on the way. Everyone was hungry. Xie Sui said, "Why don't we eat first? At this hour, people might think we're here to freeload."
"No, we're already at the doorstep. I can only rest assured after seeing Mom."
Father Xie was also rarely excited. After all, she was his biological daughter. How could he not miss her at all?
"Alright."
The driver found a place to park and waited. Xie Sui and Xie Lan carried the gifts and inquired about Xie Juan's home. A kind neighbor directly led them to Xie Juan's house.
It was a typical dormitory-style building where the toilet and kitchen were shared. They had to be careful when walking, lest they bump into someone's cardboard briquette stove.
"Are you Xie Juan's maternal relatives? We haven't heard of any relatives from her maternal family for years."
The neighbor was very gossipy. Xie Sui perfunctorily answered her questions and then asked, "Is Xie Juan doing well at home? Are her in-laws treating her well?"
"It's pretty much okay. After all, she has a son and a daughter. They are a model family in our neighborhood."
"That's good."
Mother Xie was relieved. They finally arrived at Xie Juan's house. The door was open. A fan was blowing in the living room, so it wasn't too hot. When Xie Juan saw them, she dropped her bowl. "Dad, Mom, Big Sister, no, why are you here?"
She thought she was seeing things. Seeing her husband stand up, she knew it was real.
There was no surprise, only panic.
Xie Juan's in-laws were also very surprised. Didn't Xie Juan say she had severed ties with her family? How did they find her here?
Since people were already here, they had to be polite. "Xiao Juan, it's your parents? Come in quickly and sit down. We haven't prepared anything. I'll go borrow some meat and cook a couple of dishes!"
Xie Juan quickly said, "No need. I'll talk to Mom and Dad. I'll arrange it. You go ahead and eat."
Xie Juan didn't even let them in. She pulled Mother Xie aside and questioned, "What are you doing here?"
Xie Sui's face darkened. "Third sister, what are you saying? Mom has come a long way to see you. What are you doing here?"
Xie Juan unleashed all her anger on him. "Do I need you to see me? Have you come because you see I'm living well and expect me to support you again? Xie Sui, I don't have a Big Sister or a Second Sister who are so foolish and sacrifice themselves for you, their son. You are the son of the family, the only one, and I've had enough of this family."
Xie Sui said, "The past is the past. I know you feel wronged, third sister. I was a scoundrel before. I apologize. Mom and Dad have always missed you. I searched for a long time to find you. Don't worry, I won't be as useless as before and won't drag you down. We'll interact as relatives from now on, and it will put Mom and Dad at ease."
Xie Juan didn't believe him. "Aren't you here to ask me for money?"
Xie Sui lost his patience. "Are you saying that if we ask you for help, you won't even let us in?"
Xie Juan said righteously, "Of course. I can't let my in-laws look down on me. If you really care about me, leave now. I thank you."
Mother Xie was completely disheartened. Xie Lan couldn't bear to watch, "Third sister, how can you talk to Mom like that?"