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Daily Life in the 70s-Chapter 42 - Expression in Eyes
42: Chapter 42: Expression in Eyes
42 -42: Expression in Eyes
After dinner, the women cleaned up the dishes while the men sat at the kang table, continuing to drink tea and chat.
Shen Yiguang seized the opportunity of going to wash his hands to make a meaningful look at Yang Peimin.
Because of her injured hand, the women had not included her in their work, and she was telling a story to Daxiaoniu.
So when she saw Shen Yiguang’s gesture, she hesitated for a moment.
She looked around at the busy people, no one noticed, so she quietly followed him out.
Under the eaves of the courtyard, she saw Shen Yiguang already standing there, and she approached, “Brother Shen, what’s the matter?”
Shen Yiguang handed her a stack of 10 yuan bills, “Take these and pay back the money to Second Aunt for now.”
Yang Peimin’s first reaction was to shake her head, “No need.”
With the same gesture of offering the money, Shen Yiguang smiled and said, “Think of it as borrowing from me, take it, and pay it back first.
Xiao Bao’s medical expenses today cost quite a bit, and I’m afraid auntie might not gather enough money for a while, and Second Aunt might have something to say later.”
It was then that Yang Peimin accepted the money.
“Alright, I’ll borrow it from you for now and pay you back later.
Did you hear everything just now?” She asked, feeling a bit embarrassed.
That’s surely revealing internal family troubles, plus his observation skills were too sharp.
Shen Yiguang nodded lightly and said softly, “Who doesn’t have domestic issues?
It’s inevitable when you have a large family.
Don’t be angry, you don’t look good when you’re angry.”
Yang Peimin, feeling overwhelmed, turned her face away as her ears and face quickly turned red.
What was this even about?
“Thank you, I’ll go inside first,” she said and practically fled into the house.
His gaze seemed to have a piercing quality, and she could still feel it from afar.
As soon as she entered the main house, she ran into Zhang Minghua, who was smiling.
She even looked back behind herself.
Yang Peimin felt strangely scrutinized, but she was just about to hand the money to her, “Mom, take this.”
Zhang Minghua realized it was money, but when she saw it was exactly 50 yuan, she was startled, “Where did you get this money?” She knew exactly how much savings her daughter had; it was impossible for her to have that much money.
“I borrowed it from Brother Shen, Mom, you pay Second Aunt back first,” Yang Peimin told Zhang Minghua in a low voice, keeping an eye on the people inside.
“Oh, how could you do this, you haven’t even entered the family yet, how could you reach out for money to your son-in-law?” Zhang Minghua’s voice was even lower than hers, but much heavier, her face full of disapproval as she pushed the money back into her hand, “Go, give the money back to the son-in-law.”
What son-in-law, hearing these words, she felt even less inclined to move, “Mom, you go talk to him yourself, I can’t face that.”
Zhang Minghua was at a loss.
Just then, she saw Sun Mei coming towards her, evidently here to collect a debt.
Zhang Minghua’s heart tightened, her steps faltered, but then, putting on a smile, she said: “Sister-in-law, you’ve come just in time, I was about to return the money to you.
Been had a lot of things on lately and couldn’t gather the money; thanks to you and second brother for helping out.
Here, I borrowed it from Shen, so I’m giving it back to you now.” She handed over the money as she spoke.
Her voice was not loud, but some people inside still heard and stared.
Sun Mei lifted her eyelids to look at her, nodded, and took the money without a word.
Yang Peiqiong followed Sun Mei over, scolded Zhang Minghua with a smile, “Aunt, you seem so anxious, a delay within the family wouldn’t hurt.
We all know the situation at aunt’s house, if we didn’t help each other out, wouldn’t we be heartless?
It’s only right to support each other.”
“Even close brothers settle accounts clearly, with this money paid back, I can sleep more peacefully at night; that’s just my flaw, aunt,” Zhang Minghua said, waving her hand.
Shen Yiguang walked in from outside.
Noticing everyone’s expressions, he slightly raised his eyebrows.
Then he quickly looked over and saw Yang Peimin sitting on the long bench, surveyed her expression to ensure she was unharmed, smiled, and greeted everyone as Yang Dahai gestured for him to sit beside him.
Yang Peiqiong, hearing that the money was borrowed from Shen Yiguang to pay it back, also gave him a discreet glance.
Her demeanor was indeed impressive, as her gaze darkened, Zhang Minghua actually spoke to her future son-in-law without fear of being looked down upon.
She maintained her composure, smiling helplessly at Zhang Minghua, “Look at what my sister-in-law is saying.”
“My Qiongzi here is really sensible.
Qiongzi, follow your mom and be careful when you go home alone in the dark,” Grandma Yang said with a smile, not wanting her daughters-in-law to start a feud in front of Shen Yiguang, which would be too embarrassing and could affect Yang Peimin’s reputation in the future.
Thus, she quickly changed the topic.
But her praise for Yang Peiqiong was genuine—her granddaughter indeed was sensible and considered the bigger picture.
Yang Peiqiong responded with a smile.
“You must find this amusing; they’ve been sisters-in-law for over twenty years and love to joke around when they’ve been together for so long,” Grandma Yang explained to Shen Yiguang.
“We can’t just use your money; let their own brothers sort it out.
I’ll have your uncle pay you back in a bit.”
At this point, she also felt somewhat dissatisfied with Yang Minghua; family matters should be resolved behind closed doors and not exposed to outsiders.
Shen Yiguang said softly, “It’s fine, Grandma, just don’t delay your second aunt’s urgent matters.”
Grandma Yang was momentarily speechless.
Yang Peimin almost laughed out loud.
Shen Yiguang was quite sarcastic indeed.
But she liked that.
She glanced at him, secretly giving him a thumbs up.
Didn’t she see how her usually skillful second uncle was somewhat embarrassed?
Shen Yiguang couldn’t help but smile, his gaze intense.
After a few words, as it was getting late, his second and third uncles went home one after the other.
Yang Dahai then kept Shen Yiguang for a further talk.
“What are the plans on your family’s side?” Yang Dahai asked him to sit across at the kang table, pleased with Shen Yiguang’s performance, which he had noted with satisfaction.
With the words spoken out yesterday, there was no need for secrets, and it was time to formally settle things.
“Just let me know when it’s convenient for you, Uncle, and I will formally visit,” Shen Yiguang responded respectfully.
Yang Dahai and Zhang Minghua exchanged glances, knowing that this matter required further arrangements.
Tomorrow was the second day of the new year, a day for visiting maternal homes, so any arrangements had to wait until after the third day, with preparations for the feast and company needing to be made in advance.
“How about we settle on the third day?
Your aunt and I will get the house ready, and we’ll welcome you then.” It was better sooner rather than later, Yang Dahai thought, knowing Shen Yiguang’s holiday was limited, and, if agreed upon, there were many things to take care of afterward.
Shen Yiguang agreed.
Yang Peimin watched as the two men merrily settled the matter without regard to anyone else.
She was, too, in a rush and cried out, “Dad!”
Zhang Minghua scolded her with a glance.
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“Child, your dad is here to decide, don’t speak out.”
Yang Peimin didn’t want to make a scene in front of the whole family, directly saying she disagreed and causing Shen Yiguang to lose face.
“I think this is too rushed; for such a big matter, we should think it through more carefully before deciding,” she said, looking at Shen Yiguang.
Shen Yiguang looked back at her with a smile, his expression unchanged, and said warmly, “Of course, this is the era of marital autonomy; we will certainly respect your opinion.
So, what time do you think is appropriate?”
Here he goes again with this tactic.
Could she say it outright?
No matter what she said, a slew of reasons were waiting for her!
Shen Yiguang, very adept at reading the room, seeing her hesitation, said again, “Alright, let’s find a time to talk.
Uncle and Aunt, what do you think?”
Yang Dahai readily nodded, “Yes, it’s good for the two of you to talk and clear things up.”