Chapter 428

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Main Character:

Shen Yao

After finishing talk of the Shen family's own affairs, Song Ling shifted gears and brought up the Cheng family's liveliness.

It must be said, the Cheng family is truly lively; originally just a few family members who loved to bicker and make a racket, and now adding the Zhao family with minds as full of holes as a sieve — good grief, it's practically comparable to the base's vegetable market.

Song Ling hasn't sought out Cheng Ma much lately; it's not that Song Ling doesn't want to, but because Cheng Ma has been made physically uncomfortable and ill at ease by her family members and household matters.

Her own side's days are going this well, while her in-laws' days are this stifling; thinking of how her in-laws helped them quite a bit on the road, Song Ling also feels awkward about going over to disturb them.

It's just talking to her own daughter, though; Song Ling pursed her lips, and aside from Cheng Ma, she cursed the Zhao family, cursed Zhao Xue, cursed Cheng Dage, cursed Cheng Ba and his whole crew.

Shen Yao: ……

Shen Yao truly didn't know what to say; after all, the one suffering is her own mother-in-law, but as early as at Dawn Base, Cheng Qi had already split off the accounts to live separately — appropriately managing a bit of the Cheng family's affairs is fine, but when it involves Cheng Dage and Cheng Ba and Cheng Ma, Cheng Qi as the youngest son also can't speak out of turn.

As for Shen Yao this youngest daughter-in-law, "Mom, Cheng Qi and I plan to rent an Outer District house for Dad and Mom first; there's no need to insist on squeezing together and suffering."

The Cheng family's house hasn't been bought yet; they're currently living in the public housing provided by the base.

To save a few points each day, the two families together only rented three rooms total; one can imagine how chaotic it must be.

Cheng Qi and Shen Yao aren't without having urged Cheng Ba and Cheng Ma to come stay at their place temporarily; although the Inner District has many restrictions, they're still close family, and living together would at least be comfortable.

But Cheng Ba and Cheng Ma refused this proposal; currently, privately looking for a house is also something they're temporarily keeping hidden from Cheng Ba and Cheng Ma — after all, elderly people of advanced age have stubborn personalities, and they don't dare press too hard.

Song Ling feels the daughter and son-in-law's house-hunting is wasted effort; she understands Cheng Ma's personality: "She won't move; she just can't swallow this grievance in her heart."

The Zhao family doesn't leave, so Cheng Ma won't leave; mutually eyeing each other, how could either side be the first to back down?

Shen Yao: ……

"The ones suffering are still Dad and Mom and them," Cheng Dage is clearly trying to smooth things over; Zhao Xue leans more toward her own natal family, and Cheng Ba and Cheng Ma looked at this way seem rather miserable.

"Don't think too much; once the Cheng family buys a house, they and the Zhao family will inevitably fall out sooner or later.

It's also the young ones not thinking things through; no matter how good the relationship, people can't live together — just wait and see," the Zhao family has many schemes and wants to freeload; Zhao Xue feels heartache now only because overall the Cheng family's reserves can still afford it — wait until later when the family assets thin out and there's a whole crowd sucking blood, then she'll be anxious.

Natal family members are important, but none compare to one's own children; Zhao Xue still has two boys by her side. The Zhao family's people can pretend for a time but not for a lifetime; once the Zhao family's interests conflict with her own interests, Zhao Xue will definitely wake up.

Shen Yao lowered her head and tugged a wild vegetable growing on the ground; after testing it and finding it qualified, she put it in her back basket; Manman followed at her side, running here and there, jumping about, and whenever she saw something good she had to bring it back to show off to Mom in various ways.

When the topic no longer focused on those trivial household matters, the surrounding atmosphere also became relaxed and cheerful.

Shen Yao picked wild vegetables while running her cheat, and occasionally when she encountered mushrooms growing above ground she took them all down too.

Song Ling was even more exaggerated than Shen Yao; even straw with no great use she had to carry back an armful to use as kindling — just as Song Ling's own self-mocking line: starting over.

…………

When the mild season had passed for nearly two months, the Cheng family, who had been tangled up for some days, finally bought a house.

Unexpectedly, the house was smaller in area than what the Lei Mercenary Team had introduced back then, and the price wasn't cheap either; therefore the Cheng family lost nearly ten thousand points inside and out.

When Shen Yao received the news, Cheng Qi was sulking in the studio.

The reason was Cheng Dage's job search going poorly; in the end he lowered his head to Cheng Qi, not to mention the two brothers' relationship now finds it hard to return to the past.

Cheng Qi doesn't understand, but beyond not understanding he also feels some complex emotions; seeing Shen Yao enter carrying a fruit platter, he forced a smile and beckoned.

Shen Yao quickly came to Cheng Qi's side and sat down, her hand touching his forehead; "Don't be too upset; there's still me to discuss family matters with."

Cheng Qi shook his head, hugged Shen Yao, and buried his head in her; "Dad and Mom still aren't willing to move out; the Zhao family and Cheng family living together, I'm worried Dad and Mom and them will be bullied."

Staying under the same roof, whether it's daily eating and drinking or communication, major disagreements will arise.

Take the simplest example: how to allocate food? The cold season lasts five consecutive months; relying on Cheng Dage alone going out to work fundamentally can't supply a whole family's eating, drinking, defecating, and urinating — yet those few from the Zhao family just don't want to join the mercenary team.

Shen Yao: ……

Shen Yao patted Cheng Qi's shoulder, telling him everything must look forward; right now it feels worrying and uncomfortable, but maybe in a few days everything will become clear.

Cheng Qi: ……

Cheng Qi's expression was complex; "Impossible, unless Dage and Eldest Sister-in-law separate."

Song Ling still guessed a bit wrong; what Zhao Xue values most in her heart is her natal family — even her own two biological children have to be ranked behind them.

Shen Yao continued smiling as she comforted Cheng Qi; "Then wait for Dage and Eldest Sister-in-law to figure it out."

If it truly gets to that extent, Shen Yao won't stand by; nominally they're still relatives, and Shen Yao has to help the Cheng family hold the bottom line to protect her own family's ceiling.

Otherwise, if the Cheng family's several adults have successive incidents, who will take care of the two children? It would definitely be them, as uncle and aunt elders, responsible.

The base is relatively cruel for young children, but that's built on the premise of children having no relatives; as long as relevant relatives exist, the base will persuade relatives to help raise them, and the base will provide corresponding points to assist.

Of course, these points nominally must be used on the children, but in reality they're all subsidizing the relatives; as long as they don't starve the fostered children to death, the base will choose to open one eye and close the other, not pursuing it.

Having said so much, still must emphasize that raising children in this era isn't easy — and they're two who can eat and drink, big boys about to step into adolescence.

Even purely to reduce her own burden, Shen Yao doesn't want to take them on; so the Cheng family will at most split households, no larger upheaval will appear.

System: …… This still isn't big enough?!

The Cheng family topic ended in the two's mouths; the approaching cold season attracted most gazes; everyone in the base was busy stockpiling supplies at home; the hot rain season's lesson was deeply impressed, so this time the Exchange Center's nutrient agents sold fastest, and every household bought more than usual, fearing being blocked in by blizzards with nothing to eat or drink and starving to death.

Zhao Xue struggled with great effort, hugging two boxes of nutrient agents she'd snatched, entering from outside the door.

Before they could be delivered to her own room, Zhao Ma tearfully pleaded and snatched away one box — and it just happened to be seen clearly by Cheng Ma who was going out.

Zhao Xue: ……

Zhao Xue was subjected to a bout of yin-yang sarcasm from Cheng Ma, and Zhao Ma was also cursed with bloody invective.

Both felt somewhat guilty in their hearts, so they endured Cheng Ma's scolding; but the Zhao family's always-favored precious egg, the grandson raised spoiled, didn't know — he ran out and with a clang shoved Cheng Ma to the ground; the matter directly turned from a verbal battle into a fight; in the end Cheng Ma was sent to the hospital, and both Cheng family and Zhao family people all had bruises on their faces.

"Mom's body needs recuperation and rest; temporarily stay at my place for now."

Cheng Qi and Cheng Dage faced each other, brothers face to face; compared to the previous wordless mutual regard, now it appeared even more awkward.

Cheng Dage had also just returned from the mercenary team; he had become even more silent.

For a long while, Cheng Dage nodded. "Mm, Mom and Dad go to your place first. After I settle things at home, I'll bring them back."

Cheng Qi's tone was indescribably complex. "Dage, some things can't just be left muddled."

He was fine at Dawn Base, but ever since coming to Base No. 25, trouble keeps happening.

Because they were family, Cheng Qi couldn't say anything too harsh, but Cheng Ma, lying in the hospital bed, wasn't one to hold back. She'd fallen and hurt her legs and feet, but otherwise she was still healthy.

Taking advantage of this opportunity, Cheng Ma issued harsh words: the Zhao family had to get lost.

"Mom, my mom and Xiao Zhi..." Zhao Xue still wanted to defend her own mother and nephew.

But Cheng Ma gave her no chance, pointing at Zhao Xue and saying, "If you don't want to stay at the Cheng family and live with Eldest Brother, then go back to the Zhao family and don't come back!"

Zhao Xue:...

Zhao Xue looked pitifully toward Cheng Dage outside the door, while Cheng Qi chose cold observation.

At this time, Shen Yao brought back the medicine the doctor prescribed, with the points advanced by them. Cheng Dage was embarrassed and asked Zhao Xue to transfer the points, but the fact that Zhao Xue's wristwatch had absolutely no points completely infuriated Cheng Dage.

"Get back to the Zhao family, and don't come back."

Cheng Dage turned and left. Eldest Young Master's man was simply willful beyond endurance—hey, his own mother was still lying in the hospital!

Shen Yao and Cheng Qi:...

The couple were both speechless, thinking, what TV drama plot are Cheng Dage and his wife acting out now? Not only were they chasing each other around, but the points they'd advanced still had no source in sight. Shen Yao even began to suspect they were deliberately skipping out on the bill.

Cheng Qi shook his head, pointing at Cheng Ma, full of vigor on the hospital bed. "Take Mom home first. I'll go get Dad. Let the two of them make their own trouble."

In the end, whatever result came from the trouble, they'd bear it themselves.

Shen Yao expressed understanding; indeed, there was no other choice.

The two used a vehicle to pull Cheng Ma home. Since Cheng Ma's injuries were mainly in her legs and feet, and the hospital's treatment was effective, Cheng Qi was even more unwilling to let his own mother suffer. So for now it just looked serious; resting a few days would be enough for her to get out of bed and move around.

Cheng Ba was subsequently brought over by Cheng Qi. The elderly couple sat in the room, speechless with each other, feeling both ashamed and self-reproachful. How had things come to this?

"Old Cheng, no matter what, the Zhao family definitely can't keep living there."

As for Zhao Xue's matter, it's up to Eldest Brother's own thinking. That house was bought too big. Once I recover, I'll go back and sell it, exchange it for two smaller ones. Then we'll live separately from them."

Even now, Cheng Ma had no intention of staying long at Cheng Qi's place.

Absolutely cannot, just because the eldest son had problems, go and shaft the youngest son. Children aren't easy.

Cheng Ba sighed. "I'm just afraid Eldest Brother will think the worst, that we're deliberately refusing to take in the Zhao family."

Cheng Ma snorted coldly. "I am doing it deliberately. The Zhao family relying on their son instead of their daughter—is that even reasonable? This house must be sold no matter what."

"If they're determined to get involved with the Zhao family, let them stir things up themselves. We won't care."

The elderly couple having a small house was also to leave another retreat route for the two grandsons. Otherwise, with this kind of muddled mother, Cheng Ma truly worried the children would suffer losses in the future.

Cheng Ba persuaded Cheng Ma not to get agitated. Everything would follow Cheng Ma's wishes. Just let Eldest Brother and his wife sell the house and exchange it.

Strictly speaking, the truck that had been driven over was Cheng Qi's personal asset left to the elderly couple, and had nothing to do with Cheng Dage and his wife, nor with the Zhao family.

Cheng Ba and Cheng Ma insisted on selling it to exchange for a house. No matter how Cheng Dage pleaded, it was useless. Besides, Cheng Dage's mindset had long since changed. The marital affection between him and Zhao Xue had faded somewhat quickly. Cheng Ba and Cheng Ma's move was also for the sake of their own two younger children. In the end, Cheng Dage agreed.

Cheng Dage's side had softened, which only highlighted Zhao Xue's dilemma. Even Shen Yao, when out gathering, had encountered Zhao Xue coming to her for help.

Shen Yao:...

Oh heavens, what does this have to do with me? This kind of family matter—a daughter-in-law like me really shouldn't butt in.

After casually saying a few words to send the person away temporarily, Shen Yao, turning back, didn't forget to nag at Cheng Qi.

Cheng Qi and Shen Yao spoke of the Cheng family's current affairs. Clearly it was also his own family, but Cheng Qi felt a sense of it not concerning him. Perhaps too much had happened during this period, and family affection was no longer as strong as before.

"Dage has already found a house. Whether the Zhao family leaves or not doesn't affect the transaction. At most, the price will drop a bit. Dage this time found a Tianlang Mercenary Corps with a decent reputation, but whose actions are too overbearing. The Zhao family's petty squabbles mean nothing in their eyes."

Perhaps this was exactly what Dage had in mind—to dump the Zhao family's troubles onto the Tianlang Mercenary Corps.

After all, the Zhao family were a typical case of being domineering within the nest. They had no ability to deal with outsiders, but within the family they weren't timid.

Shen Yao nodded upon hearing this. "In the future, Dage's household will probably be lively."

The Zhao family would even less let go of Zhao Xue, this golden thigh. They'd surely cling to her desperately and not let go.

Cheng Qi raised an eyebrow. "Dage has already handed over the points he earned at home and his own to Mom and Dad to manage. The two children are also entrusted to Mom and Dad for care."

If Zhao Xue wants to take care of the Zhao family, she can rely on herself. Anyway, Dage doesn't plan to help.

Shen Yao:...

Shen Yao quietly pointed a finger toward the door. "Have Dage and Mom and Dad all discussed it?"

Cheng Ba and Cheng Ma were still at Shen Yao's home and hadn't left yet, but it was almost time.

Cheng Qi made an affirmative sound, indicating he had served as a witness official on the scene. Now they were just waiting for the house to be acquired, and then both sides would move.

Great!

The Cheng family split up and lived separately at a speed beyond imagination.

Not only were the two small houses' areas halved, but it also greatly delayed the gathering time during the Mild Season, which originally wasn't abundant. During this period, the Zhao family indeed didn't leave, but ultimately moved into Cheng Dage's house to live.

As for Cheng Ba and Cheng Ma? They took the two grandsons and moved away. Every month, Cheng Dage would give support money for the children and the elderly.

Shen Yao:...

Shen Yao went out, sighing as she exclaimed to Song Ling what was all this. Fortunately, the Shen family was relatively normal.

Song Ling:...

Song Ling reached out and lightly patted her. "What nonsense are you talking? Our family was also miserable before. Fortunately, the Chen family people ran fast. Compared to the Zhao family, they appear even more short-sighted. Otherwise, the Cheng family's today would be the Shen family's tomorrow."

"Nowadays, your father and I go out gathering every day. Your brother goes out with the mercenary team to earn points. Our family's days are also slowly getting better."

Song Ling expressed great satisfaction. Just like this. Not seeking great wealth and honor, just having enough food and clothing without worry.