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  Changsheng's face turned red with embarrassment, and he nodded in agreement while secretly glancing at Wu Yue. Wu Yue also seemed to be shy, and finally stepped aside. Changsheng let out a sigh of relief. But after walking normally for a few steps, Wu Yue squeezed back beside him again.

  Changsheng took a look at Old Man Xia.

  Old Man Xia was still fuming about his second son, trying to figure out what he wanted to do, and didn't notice anything unusual about Changsheng and Wu Yue. Changsheng had no choice but to look back, and saw Xiao Heiyu and Xia Zhi whispering in each other's ears while staring at him and Wu Yue.

  It felt like May had been beaten again, and Changsheng jumped up, taking three steps to rush to Xiao Heiyu and Xia Zhi's side, seemingly wanting to squeeze in between the two of them. Xiao Heiyu didn't understand what was going on, so he coldly glanced at Changsheng. If Changsheng wanted to squeeze in between him and Xia Zhi, how could he still talk to Xia Zhi?

  Helpless for a long time, he simply followed behind Xiao Hei Yu and Xia Zhi, walking alongside Da Qing.

  He was actually a bit afraid of Da Qing. But walking with Da Qing was easier than walking with Wu Yue. Da Qing didn't know that Chang Sheng was afraid of him, and he still wanted to get close to Chang Sheng, so he came over to sniff at Chang Sheng's pant leg. Chang Sheng was so scared that he didn't dare make a sound, and walked with his hands and feet together.

  When Xia Zhi heard the voice behind him, he didn't feel quite right, and when he turned his head back, he happened to see this scene. Xiao Hei also turned his head to look, and immediately couldn't help but burst out laughing: "Chang Sheng, what are you doing?!"

  Changsheng cried and laughed: "Old uncle, sixteen, you... Save me!"

  May wanted to go, but she was also afraid of Da Qing. Old Man Xia finally sensed that something was off, he turned his head and looked, then smiled: "Still a child, usually looks like an adult. Once relaxed, the monkey-like nature is revealed." He didn't take it seriously at all, continued walking, and his mood even improved a bit.

  Changsheng is a monkey-like person. When he was young, he was thin and agile, jumping around like a little monkey.

  Back home, Xia Er Uncle and Xia Er Auntie had not returned yet. It turned out that the two of them went to Linshui Town to buy vegetables. July was also not at home, it's unknown whether she went to chase her parents or hid somewhere else.

  Xia Lao Yezi had to hold his breath and wait for Xia Er Shu and Xia Er Shu's wife to return. He didn't go back inside, but instead sat on the stone pedestal at the entrance of the house. Changsheng accompanied him, as Wu Yue was still by his side, and he even held Xiao Hei tightly in his arms.

  Xiao Hei Yu'er felt that his elder nephew was scared, and he asked Chang Sheng somewhat helplessly: "Chang Sheng, you've frightened Da Qing, haven't you?"

  "Hmm." Chang Sheng nodded, not wanting to say he was afraid of May.

  "You're so old, yet you're still afraid of the big green snake. The big green snake won't bite you." Little Black Fish comforted Chang Sheng. "You're just timid."

  Changsheng didn't argue, and held onto the little black fish tightly. With the little black fish in his arms, Wu Yue didn't dare to squeeze him, and even when speaking, he was much more restrained.

  Xia Zhi saw Yueyue at the gate and waved at her. Yueyue immediately ran out and went to the front yard with Xia Zhi to talk.

  "Our grandma and eldest aunt are talking in the upstairs room, I don't know where Second Uncle's family has gone," Lanyue told Xia Zhi.

  Xia Zhi knew that Old Lady Xia was definitely talking to her daughter about personal matters. Old Man Xia taking Changsheng downstairs also had the intention of avoiding them. As for where Second Uncle Xia's family went, she did know.

  Layue was also surprised after hearing Xia Zhi's account.

  "Wu Yue Jie has been clinging to Chang Sheng Ge," said Lai Yue to Xia Zhi. The little girl had been in the backyard, and she had long discovered Wu Yue's different treatment of Chang Sheng. "She used to love picking on him."

  Two sisters chatted while doing needlework. The embroidered pouch for the Lunar New Year was getting more and more exquisite.

  In the backyard, just as Xia Zhi had expected, Old Lady Xia and Eldest Auntie Xia were speaking in hushed tones. When Old Master Xia returned, they were discussing how Xia Zhu had informed on someone and Second Auntie Xia was being unreasonable.

  "...later wife long later wife short, are all said to me to listen. I'm so old age now, still have to listen to her these nonsense words. Luckily sixteen..." Xia Lao Tai Tai told Xia Da Gu about how Xia Zhi came out to protect her and Xiao Hei Yu Er, and how he slapped Xia Er Shu's face, telling every detail.

  "If you don't get sixteen, your brother will get a beating and I'll be wrongly accused. You know what your dad's temper is like."

  Xia Dagu tightly grasped Xia Laotaitai's hand: "Mother, you've suffered."

  "Much stronger than before, anyway you guys are all grown up. I'll just raise Xiaolong a bit bigger and then nothing will be a problem."

  "Second brother and second sister-in-law are still as useless as ever! Mother, we haven't wronged them in any way."

  "No matter how good they are to you, I've figured it out. Your father, he's been good to me, and I'll be grateful to him for the rest of my life. But his temper is such that he's afraid others will say he's taking sides with me or your brother, even though he knows we're innocent. He still favors your second brother... If your third brother can tolerate it, then so be it. But Xiaolong's temper is violent and stubborn, and both I and your father are getting old, so I worry that he'll suffer in the future..."

  At his age, Xia Lao Ye Zi will probably be too old to help when Xiao Hei Yu grows up and gets married. Now Xiao Hei Yu is favored, but later he'll have to rely on himself.

  Old Lady Xia spoiled him so much because she was thinking about the future. Now that she can spoil him, she'll just spoil him more.

  "Daughter..." Xia Dagu was somewhat heartbroken by what Old Lady Xia had said.

  "I know, everyone has their own life to live. Every family has its own unsolvable problems, and even if you want to help your brother, you still have to consider his father's longevity. You all still have to make a living... I think that 16-year-old kid is quite good, she really cares about Xiaolong, she's someone with feelings and responsibilities..."

  Then, Old Lady Xia brought up the matter of Xia Zhi again. Not only did Eldest Aunt Xia listen carefully, but also Pearl, who was quietly standing beside her, widened her eyes in surprise.

  When Xia Ershu and Xia Erjie returned from Linshui Town, the sky was already a bit late. Tian Shi suddenly realized that they wanted to invite Xia Dagu's three people to eat, and felt a little irritable.

  "I don't know what kind of person she is, but as long as there's a gap, she can sharpen her head and drill in. It also depends on whether others look up to them or not!" Mrs. Tian said with a sour tone, but ultimately couldn't bring herself to get close to Xia Dagu. She placed all her hopes on her children, because she knew that Xia Zhi was accompanying Xia Laoye and Changsheng had come down to earth, so she ordered Xia Zhi to invite Changsheng over.

  "Mother, let's go to the backyard," Xia Zhi said. She hoped that Tian Shi and the backyard could ease their relationship a bit.

  Tian hesitated for a moment, and finally nodded unknowingly, calling Xiaqiao and Xiaoshu to his side, letting the three children surround him from front to back as they headed towards the backyard.

  As I walked into the backyard gate, Old Man Xia was standing in the courtyard scolding Second Uncle Xia.

  "The land is all barren, and you still have the nerve to do this and that! Your elder sister doesn't need you to treat her to meals, hurry up and get down to work and pull out the weeds. You've ruined a good piece of land! I can't even take my eyes off it for a moment! You're quite good at putting on a show. The weeds at the edge of the field are actually pulled pretty cleanly!"

  Although Xia's family land was all divided among his sons, Old Man Xia still supervised them without relaxing a bit.

  Tian saw this scene and walked to the back door of the yard before turning around and going back.

  "I'm not going. Seeing your grandfather scolding people makes my heart jump! He's the only one who interferes with everything! Even after we split up, he still interferes!" Tian returned home and lay down on the kang, seemingly recalling some past psychological trauma, so she didn't even bother to look at Xia Ershu's joke.

  Xia Qiao sat down beside Tian Shi and comforted her in a low voice.

  Xia Zhi turned around and came out of the house, she thought for a moment, and still headed to the backyard. In the backyard, Old Man Xia was still scolding Second Uncle Xia, forcing him to immediately pull up the weeds.

  Xia Ershu's attitude was very good, no matter how Old Man Xia scolded him, he didn't get angry, just saying it was late and he would go again tomorrow, so one night wouldn't make a difference.

  Old Man Xia wouldn't budge at all. "What's the hurry, the sun is still high up in the sky! Even if it gets dark, you have to go! Farmers must look like farmers. The land has been left barren, I'd be ashamed for you!"

  Xia Ershu vaguely responded to Old Man Xia, his eyes kept drifting towards the upstairs. At this time, the only person who could come out and resolve the situation was one. Madam Xia didn't have the weight for it either, so it had to be Eldest Aunt Xia who stepped forward.

  Xia Dagu was also in a difficult position, she knew Xia Lao Ye's temper very well, and on the matter of farming, there was no room for compromise. In the end, she had no choice but to sigh and come out from the upper house.

  "Dad, it's late today, why don't we let Second Brother stay overnight? He must be exhausted too these past few days."

  Old Man Xia couldn't scold his daughter: "He's exhausted, every day he's either eating or sleeping, otherwise he's wandering around the streets." And also forced Xia Ershu to immediately pull out the weeds.

  Xia Dagu could only invite Zhang Sheng to let Zhang Sheng support Xia Lao Ye back into the house. Xia Lao Ye had no choice but to give his daughter and grandson a face, he walked to the door of the upper room and turned his head to tell Xia Ershu: "Just tolerate you for one night. Tomorrow morning, you will go down to the ground to pull weeds."

  Xia Er Shu repeatedly agreed, secretly wiping away a bead of sweat.

  He immediately went back into the house and discussed with Xia Ershu for a while, then the two of them came up to the upper room.

  "I bought some vegetables. My younger sister has come back all the way, and my brother and his wife didn't show any appreciation, just a simple family dinner." Xia Ershu said with a smile to Changsheng, "The big nephew should give his second uncle some face, right?"

  Changsheng couldn't take over the conversation, so Xia Dagu tactfully declined Xia Ershu's offer, saying that one family didn't need this.

  "It's all the same wherever you eat. You still have to get up early tomorrow, so eat and rest early. Old Second, if you're free, come over with your third brother tonight and keep your father company for a couple of drinks." said Mrs. Xia.

  Generally speaking, when it comes to matters involving Xia Ershu, Old Lady Xia would not utter a word. Xia Zhi, who was standing beside her, felt that she must know something.

  "Uncle Xia let Xia Er uncle not to bother. 'One family, no need for this courtesy. You do what you should do, as long as the intention is there.' Go busy with your own things."

  The refusal was straightforward, with no room for compromise. Because Old Lady Xia had spoken up earlier, they couldn't even bring up their usual trick of questioning her identity.

  Xia Er Shu and Xia Er Shu exchanged a glance, then Xia Er Shu reluctantly left. Xia Er Shu stayed behind: "Then I'll keep my father and my elder nephew company for a couple of drinks."

  Because of Xia Ershu and Xia Sanshu, the upstairs was very lively at night. Those who drank sat on one side, while those who didn't drink sat on the other side. The drinkers talked about their own affairs, while the non-drinkers chatted among themselves.

  Xia Er Shu said a lot, he asked Xia Da Gu: "Haven't you decided on a marriage for Changsheng yet? Definitely not, if it was decided, we would have known the news long ago." This shut down Xia Da Gu's words.

  "What can Xia Dagu say? She could only smile and say: 'I've shown the child two families, but haven't made a final decision yet.' Xia Dagu revived the conversation."

  Xia Zhi lowered her head and smiled, thinking in her heart that these two people were quite eloquent.

  Xia Er Shu looked at Xia Da Gu and said, "Your niece in May hasn't gotten engaged yet!"

  Xia Dagu smiled: "May must find a good one. I'm not capable as an aunt, and the ones I know are not worthy of May's niece."

  "It's fine if I just live a long life." Xia Ershu covered his face with wine and said so.

  "It's good that you're looking out for him, of course." Xia Dagu smiled and said slowly. Then she called out to Xia San Shu, "Third brother, keep Second Brother company and have a drink with him. Make sure he doesn't drink too much."

  "Not drunk much, not drunk much." Xia Er Shu said, "Big brother is a scholar, big sister you have lived in the city for a long time, and now look down on us farmers!"

  Summer's face was somewhat unacceptable.

  Old Xia felt that his son had gone too far and glared at him: "Nonsense. If you can't drink, then don't."

  "Dad, I was just joking. Hehe." Xia Er Shu drank another cup of wine, his face red as he looked at Changsheng. "Changsheng, what do you think of your second uncle?"

  "Second uncle is great, second uncle is great." Guo Changsheng could only say, feeling that the wine and dishes in his mouth had lost their flavor for a while.

  "You think Second Uncle is good, then we uncle and nephew will get closer..." Xia Er Shu immediately followed up.

  "Second elder, eat some food. You love this braised pork the most, have a bit more." Old Lady Xia told Second Uncle Xia to eat, then asked Third Uncle Xia, "You two are still going out to work in a couple of days, right?"

  Xia Dagu seems to care about this matter too, and the topic at the dinner table immediately turned to Xia San Shu.

  Mr. Xia drank silently, seemingly oblivious to the storm brewing at the dinner table. Mr. Xia's second brother tried to speak up several times, but was either interrupted by Mrs. Xia or sidetracked by Eldest Sister Xia. The meal ended very late, and Second Uncle Xia still hadn't managed to get his words out.

  However, almost everyone at the dinner table had already understood what he meant.

  Xia Ershu walked away with a wobble, insisting that Changsheng see him off: "Changsheng, you're a good kid. Your mother, our Xia family has been kind to her. Changsheng, you're a good kid with a conscience!"

  The two words "have grace" came out of his mouth, and several people in the house changed color.

  Old Man Xia glared with his eyes: "What nonsense, if you've had too much to drink then roll back and sleep." He wouldn't let Changsheng see off Second Uncle Xia, only letting Third Uncle Xia pull Second Uncle Xia away.

  Xia Zhi returned to the front yard, and Tian Shi seemed to have recovered a bit, so she asked about the situation in the back yard. Xia Zhi just said that everyone was eating well, without saying anything else.

  She had just entered the house for a short while when Xiao Hei Yu Er brought Da Qing over. "Sixteen, come on, let's discuss something."

  (。)