Chapter 1626: Suffered Grievances?

Li Xuewu accompanied his parents to Jicheng to attend his younger brother's wedding, and with his current ability, it was naturally smooth sailing.

Father Li Shun's complaints only lasted for one night; the son was ultimately the son, and a disobedient son at that.

Actually, he was only in his forties; if placed in later generations, that was the prime age of youth and strength to create a life.

But in this era, or to be precise, in the era when Li Shun grew up and lived, forty was already the first ten-year chapter of the twilight of life.

In an era where the average life expectancy was less than sixty, thinking and ideology already had a trend of solidification. He thought he was old.

When a person is old, they have to accept being old.

If he didn't have a son, or if his son was still young, or couldn't support the family, he would have to continue to persist.

But now three sons had married and started careers, married and had children, as if suddenly there was nothing for him to do.

Even his ambition for his career was gone, like this situation of asking for long leave to travel thousands of miles for his nephew's wedding, he might have been hesitant before.

But now, he was already on the road.

Li Xuewu naturally mentioned the call from his younger brother Li Xuehan to his father, even if it brought a sigh from his father.

"Why didn't she consider the child?"

Li Shun was just sighing and sulking, but Liu Yin was dissatisfied with Hong Min, especially after seeing Li Xuehan.

"An eighteen or nineteen-year-old young man, without a bit of vitality." She complained: "Is he not her own? How could she be so heartless."

"Even if she found a good partner, not looking at our family's face, not looking at the time she was a couple with his third uncle, she should at least look at the child. Will she not have any dealings with her son in the future? Really—"

Complaining could only be complaining; separated by thousands of miles, these sisters-in-law might not see each other again, so what was the use?

Li Xuewu understood his father's emotions, talked about the care and arrangements for Li Xuehan, and what to say to the old lady next, ultimately not being able to let Li Xuehan not go home.

What else could he say? He could only say that Li Xuehan was transferred to Beijing and wanted better development; he couldn't mention the third uncle's matter.

Li Shun still felt that he was going to be old, so how could he not care and worry about his sixty-year-old mother.

Hearing the news of his younger brother's death, he had to buffer for a while, not to mention the biological mother and son, the old lady.

How long this matter could be hidden, it had to be hidden; it could even be hidden forever. Li Xuewu had already given instructions to the family.

If the second uncle didn't mess up, the old lady wouldn't have any changes when she returned to Beijing.

Was the matter really as simple as he thought?

"Eldest uncle, eldest aunt, second brother."

Li Xueli wore a brand-new youth suit, and seeing the family of three enter the gate, he came to greet them with a smile.

People were coming and going in the second uncle's family compound; it was festive to have a happy event, and everyone in the same unit would come to join in the fun.

Moreover, today was National Day, and most units were on holiday. Forestry units, which were busy for half a year and idle for half a year, were even more so. The compound was decorated with lanterns and colored streamers, which was quite in line with their happy event.

And, as soon as Li Xuewu entered the compound, he found that there was more than one person getting married in the compound today; it had the meaning of a wedding special.

Actually, thinking about it, there weren't that many holidays in this era. A Labor Day and a National Day were the festivals most suitable for young people to hold weddings, celebrating with the whole world.

"Look at this groom, he's really handsome!"

Second aunt and second uncle also welcomed them out. At this moment, Liu Yin held the second aunt's hand, looked at her nephew Li Xueli, and praised with a smile: "Our family's Xueli has finally grown up."

"Hahaha—" Han Xiumei, the second aunt, pulled her hand and let them go upstairs, saying with a smile: "Eldest sister-in-law, why did you arrive only today? Didn't I tell you to come a few days early."

"Went to Steel City to see Xuewu." Liu Yin explained while following upstairs: "Haven't been to see him yet."

"You are still worried about him—" Han Xiumei looked at Li Xuewu, who was greeting the second uncle and others behind her, and said to the eldest sister-in-law: "In our family, he is the most capable, and the one who needs the least worry is him."

"You have also made it out now?"

Liu Yin teased her with a smile: "The daughter-in-law has entered the door, you have become a mother-in-law, just waiting for the daughter-in-law to fill you with a big fat grandson, waiting to enjoy the blessing."

"Then I'll borrow your auspicious words—hahaha!"

Li Xuewu didn't go upstairs. The second uncle's house was still the original set of rooms. Women and children could squeeze in, but these men could only stand downstairs, waiting for the wedding.

Second uncle Li Tong formally introduced them to the in-laws and the relatives of the in-laws.

In Steel City, Li Tong had no relatives. Being able to come from Beijing to attend the wedding could be said to be full of face.

After introducing the eldest brother's identity, he couldn't help but mention the nephew's identity, which, as he expected, caused surprise and praise from everyone.

It was really too young. Such a section-level cadre was rare in forestry, almost none.

Looking at Li Shun, who was introduced earlier, he was just a doctor in a hospital, which made Li Xuewu's outstanding appearance even more prominent.

Li Xuewu responded to the second uncle's introduction neither humbly nor arrogantly, smiling to distribute cigarettes, greet people, and be polite.

He actually didn't have the patience for such occasions, or perhaps it had been a long time since he had been in such a circle and heard such praise.

The higher you go, the different the circles you come into contact with. After a long time, you will find that you cannot return to the original circle.

Farm children pass university exams and develop in the city. It takes less than a year, and when they return to the village, they feel out of place.

People will still whisper behind your back, saying you have made it, and you can't even speak properly after being in the city for less than a year.

They cannot understand what you have seen, what kind of people you have come into contact with, what you have learned, and how much you have changed in this year.

If they could talk about topics you are interested in like your city circle, maybe you would be a chatterbox.

Therefore, Li Xuewu was now trying hard to show his harmonious side, so as not to embarrass his second uncle.

If he really acted according to his nature, these people would probably whisper behind his back that Li Tong had a proud nephew.

There were no Western wedding rituals in this era, and there were no old customs either; there was only liveliness and solemnity.

When the auspicious time arrived, the newlyweds, surrounded by relatives and friends, gathered in the unit's small canteen.

It was spacious enough, and this was the only time there was a reason to borrow the unit's small stove to set up a banquet.

The witness was the leader of the two units, which was particularly in line with the characteristics of this era.

Because marriage needed his approval, and even divorce needed his approval, he was the most correct person to be the witness.

And witnessing a pair of young people in the unit getting married and moving toward maturity was also a witness.

Li Tong and the in-laws were in the same system, and both sides' friends were almost in the same circle, so the scene was very lively.

Li Shun's family was also considered a proper groom's family, and only three people came, so they were arranged at the main table.

Not to mention others, even the forestry leader who came, seeing Li Xuewu here, kept talking to him.

Even the in-laws felt very decent seeing this.

The fathers of the newlyweds were in the same system, and now seeing the groom's family's system leader being so close, it was decent.

There was no saying of workplace reproduction in this era, but everyone who came to the wedding today determined one thing in their hearts, and that was that Li Xueli's future was limitless.

Under the host's leadership, the newlyweds faced the portrait hanging on the wall and swore solemnly with the red-covered book, and then they were married.

This ritual was more guaranteed than the kind of bowing to each other in later generations; after all, no one dared to lie on such an occasion.

"This is eldest uncle, this is eldest aunt."

Li Xueli brought the bride, led by Li Shun, to pour wine and toast at the main table.

After expressing gratitude to the leader, Li Xueli introduced the relatives he was meeting for the first time to his lover.

"Hello, eldest uncle. Hello, eldest aunt."

The bride was about the same height as Li Xueli, and her appearance was also very blessed; she had a round face and spoke very generously.

Liu Yin responded with a smile and stuffed the red envelope she had prepared long ago into the bride's hand.

The bride didn't expect to receive a red envelope, and after surprise, she pushed it away repeatedly; there was no such step mentioned before the wedding.

"It's the happy money your eldest aunt gave you; you must keep it."

Liu Yin persuaded her like this, and took out another red envelope and stuffed it into Li Xueli's hand, saying with a smile: "For my eldest nephew to press his waist, wishing you early birth of a noble son and growing old together."

"Eldest aunt, is there a share for me?"

Li Xueli wouldn't be polite, joking: "I finally got one today; they all gave it to Hongying."

"Hahaha—"

This deliberately playful joke made the crowd watching the fun laugh, feeling quite amused.

Han Xiumei walked over at this time, patted her son lightly with a smile, told him to be good, and looked at her daughter-in-law, saying with a smile: "This is Xueli's own eldest uncle and own eldest aunt."

After emphasizing, she made the decision for her daughter-in-law and said: "Since your eldest aunt gave it to you, just take it, thinking that when your brother and sister-in-law have happy events in the future, we will also go to join in the fun."

"Hahahaha—"

The two sisters-in-law were both good at talking, especially since the two families had been taking care of each other for these years, and since Li Xuewu came back, the movement was even more frequent, so the relationship was naturally more harmonious.

It was easiest for sisters-in-law to have friction, but the two families were separated by thousands of miles and only met once every few years, so what friction could there be.

Meeting only brought closeness, especially when neither was stingy, the scene would only be festive.

"Our daughter-in-law is called Yu Hongying."

Han Xiumei introduced her to the eldest brother and eldest sister-in-law with a smile and then urged her daughter-in-law: "After meeting, you must call people."

"I know, eldest uncle, eldest aunt."

Yu Hongying wore a red dress, looking festive and lively. Under her mother-in-law's introduction, she accepted the red envelope.

When Li Xueli poured wine and lit a cigarette for his second brother Li Xuewu, Li Xuewu took the cigarette and took out a stack of red envelopes.

"Look at how wronged my brother is—"

He held the cigarette between his fingers, stood up with a smile, and teased: "Let's say it first, there is no bride's share; this is for my brother to press his waist."

The crowd watching the fun was stunned; they didn't expect that such an episode would appear in the wedding until now.

After all, no one could say what kind of identity this young man who had been talking to the leader was, except for those relatives or friends who had been introduced.

His fuss made the scene a bit cold; after all, it was a happy day, so why talk about being wronged.

Liu Yin and Han Xiumei knew him, but at this moment they didn't interrupt or explain, just amusedly glanced at him, laughing at him for being so mischievous, and then looked at the in-laws, who were stunned.

"This share is from eldest brother and eldest sister-in-law, this share is from me and your second sister-in-law, and this share is from your third brother and third sister-in-law."

Li Xuewu raised the last two shares in his hand and said: "These are from Li Xue and Xuehan. There are five shares in total; look carefully!"

He explained to Li Xueli for a long time, even raising his hand as if to give it to him. Li Xueli naturally reached out to take it with a smile, but saw a stack of red envelopes shake around in his hand and then handed it to his wife.

Yu Hongying was also seeing this second brother for the first time. She had only heard Li Xueli mention him before. Seeing him say this just now, she felt a bit awkward, but she didn't dare to say anything.

It was just that after the stack of red envelopes was introduced, it was handed in front of her. She was stunned, looked at the second brother holding the red envelope, and didn't know how to react.

"Second brother, isn't this for me to press my waist?"

Li Xueli understood; his second brother was teasing him. At this moment, he said deliberately aggrieved: "You should give it to me!"

"Hahahaha—" The crowd at the scene also understood; it turned out to be a joke, and the in-laws also had smiles on their faces.

"What are you thinking? You're married; have some sense about who manages the money in the family in the future?"

"Hahahaha—" Seeing Li Xueli being played, the crowd laughed even more happily, and envied Li's relatives even more.

Not to mention anything else, just the generosity, who could compare? Looking at the thickness of the red envelope, it didn't look like someone slapping their face to look fat.

Clearly it was one family, but they spent several shares. Those who didn't understand only felt that this family had money to burn.

Only those who understood the etiquette of relatives understood why Li Xuewu said twice who gave the money, because the front ones were based on the family as a unit, which was called happy money to press the waist, and the back ones were the real happy money given by two separate names, which were two different things.

Li Shun and Liu Yin gave it to represent the elders, maintaining the face of Li Tong and Han Xiumei. Li Xuewu gave it as a representative to maintain the friendship between brothers and sisters, maintaining the face of Li Xueli and Yu Hongying; these were two different things.

Those who understood naturally secretly admired and envied, while those who didn't understand just hummed, for example, Shen Jianbing.

As the eldest sister and eldest brother-in-law, not only could they not sit at the main table, but they couldn't even get to the front, and couldn't even sit at the table of the bride's family, so how could he feel in his heart.

Looking at the Li family constantly handing out red envelopes, and then thinking of the humiliation they suffered in Beijing, he was even more angry.

He knew that the brother with high power and position looked down on him, and he knew that the father-in-law's family didn't like him. At this moment, he could only hum; he didn't dare to say anything.

"If you give it to me, take it; what are you stunned for."

Seeing Yu Hongying still stunned, Li Xueli pushed her and said deliberately scaring her: "If you don't want it, I'll take it away!"

"Thank you, Second Brother—" Yu Hongying also took it with both hands embarrassedly and said: "Thank you for me to the brother, sister-in-law, and younger brother and sister."

"Although we are meeting for the first time, from now on, I can call you sister-in-law."

After Li Xuewu sent the red envelope, he said with a smile: "From now on, we are brothers and sisters. I will act as a representative and wish you two a happy and beautiful life."

"Thank you, Second Brother—" Li Xueli took Yu Hongying and thanked him seriously, and then followed his father's guidance to the next table.

It wasn't that Li Xuewu loved to be high-profile and make jokes, but he had no choice.

A whole family only came three people, and the old lady came first. If it wasn't lively, wouldn't it be in vain.

After sitting down, the old lady held his hand with a smile and asked about the situation at home in Beijing.

Li Xuewu teased her with a smile: "What? Had enough of staying here? Second uncle and second aunt don't give you food?"

"Go—" The old lady patted his arm with a smile and said: "Your second uncle and second aunt are good; I just miss home."

"Then had enough of staying—"

Li Xuewu pulled her hand and whispered to her: "You can't say it now; wait until it's over, otherwise second uncle will overthink and get anxious."

"He will just think blindly—"

The old lady naturally knew what kind of temper her son had, and also knew Li Tong's filial piety. He picked her up from thousands of miles away to Jicheng just to fulfill his filial piety.

But when a person is old, they are old; they cannot float outside. If something happens, wouldn't it be finding trouble for the children and grandchildren.

Don't look at how she is at home; the eldest son supports the elderly. Even if she is like this, it is what it should be.

So seeing the eldest son and second grandson come, the old lady spoke up.

Li Xuewu naturally understood, but he wasn't fooling the old lady. He would tell the second uncle later, and the second uncle would definitely overthink.

Anyway, he wasn't leaving today, so he would mention it after things were done.

After the newlyweds toasted, it was time to drink freely.

The cigarette in Li Xuewu's hand was put aside and never smoked. The forestry leaders who came to greet him also knew he didn't smoke anymore.

It was just that wine still had to be drunk. He didn't refuse anyone, and even as a brother, he took the initiative to entertain guests for Li Xueli.

This wasn't usurping the host's role. In second uncle's place, he was one of their own. If he really treated himself as a guest and put on the airs of a guest, that would be a real joke.

So Li Xueli left, and Li Xuewu was responsible for maintaining the liveliness of this table. With wine, it was naturally lively.

He started drinking from the bride's side, and then drank with these leaders. Anyway, he didn't neglect anyone, and drank very well.

Not only in Jicheng, but in the entire Northeast, the standard for a person who can handle the scene is the amount of alcohol.

If you can drink, you have strength at the dinner table, unlike later generations where whoever has money is the master.

If Li Xuewu used his means of being smooth in all directions, few people at this dinner table could leave standing.

But it was ultimately a happy wine, a happy banquet, and it couldn't be too excessive. Being helped away was enough.

Their table was considered the last one to finish eating, and second uncle Li Tong also came back to drink a round, which was considered the end of the banquet.

Liu Yin wanted to stay and help clean up, but was persuaded back by second aunt Han Xiumei. The reason was very simple: in this era, no family was rich, and what could be left on the dinner table.

That little bit of stuff wasn't worth cleaning up. She had already explained it; whoever wanted to take it could clean it up themselves. Someone had been watching it for a long time, and it was guaranteed to be cleaner than what the waiter cleaned up.

Just this sense of detachment and breadth of mind was enough to see that second uncle and second aunt were absolutely powerful in the unit.

"Xuewu, didn't drink too much, right?"

Han Xiumei sent away all the guests, and seeing him and his second uncle come out, she asked with concern with a smile.

Li Xuewu just smiled and didn't speak. Second uncle patted his arm and said: "Him? A thousand cups without getting drunk."

"Go—" Han Xiumei scolded him and urged Li Xuewu: "Drink less alcohol; too much hurts the body."

"I know, second aunt." Li Xuewu smiled and said: "Haven't congratulated you yet; finally achieved a positive result."

"Hi, still early—"

Han Xiumei didn't know what he meant, waved her hand, and sighed: "As long as it's one's own child, one will miss them."

She walked on the other side of Li Xuewu, toward the direction of home, saying while walking: "Your second uncle and I are like this, your father and mother are like this to you, and how could the old lady not be like this to us."

"Still talking about it." Li Xuewu reached out and patted second uncle's back lightly, saying: "My grandmother misses home, doesn't dare tell you, just afraid you will overthink and get anxious."

"What's the matter?" Before second uncle could speak, second aunt asked first: "Isn't she staying well?"

"Everyone is like this." Li Xuewu hugged second uncle's shoulder and looked at second aunt with a smile: "I think she misses those little naughty bags at home."

"No wonder—" Han Xiumei nodded and said: "I've been too busy to take care of your grandmother these days; I see she's a bit wilted and doesn't want to talk."

"Old people are all like this." Li Xuewu shook second uncle's shoulder and looked at him with a smile: "Wait until you are old, you will also miss your grandchildren so much that you can't sleep."

"Hahahaha—" Second uncle smiled and nodded: "Then go back; I'll go back to see her after the New Year."

The reason why second uncle wanted to keep the old lady in Jicheng was not to compete with eldest brother Li Shun, but to avoid leaking the matter of the third brother, so that the old lady wouldn't know.

It was just that Li Xuewu had spoken out now, and he could understand the old mother's mood.

After all, that was not a grandson, but a great-grandson.

If it were him, if there were such a group of little naughty bags under his knees, he wouldn't be able to leave his eyes either. People are like this when they are old.

"Then I will tell the old lady that you and second aunt agree, and let her go back to Beijing with my father and mother."

Li Xuewu didn't intend to say it today, but since second aunt gave an opportunity, he said it.

Second uncle also sighed and asked: "Is Xuehan arranged?"

The three of them went to Yangcheng together. Even if second uncle didn't go, he had to notify second uncle about Xuehan's accident.

So second uncle knew Li Xuehan's situation very clearly.

If Hong Min was good to Li Xuehan, including Li Shun, no one in the Li family would take the initiative to interfere with Li Xuehan's growth, unless it was like now, Li Xuehan took the initiative to ask for help.

Why?

It cannot be explained by reason; it can only be said that they are mother and son, and they are uncles, brothers, and cousins.

Now that such a thing has happened, Li Shun and Li Tong naturally have to change roles, become Li Xuehan's elders and backers in the capacity of uncles, and plan for the future of the son left by their younger brother. This is the right given by family blood.

Zhang Luo work when it should be arranged, arrange blind dates when it should be arranged, and even take the responsibility of buying a house for Li Xuehan if capable.

This is the difference between having a mother and not having a mother.

Of course, why can't this matter be explained by reason? Because not all family affection in the world is like this. Whether one can calmly take on this responsibility and how much to take on depends on the actual situation and whether the parties are willing or not.

Li Tong could understand it, and before arriving home, he told his nephew Li Xuewu that if he needed money, take it, and if he needed him to do anything, just say it.

He naturally understood that Li Xuehan entering Beijing would naturally be arranged by Li Xuewu, and it wouldn't even need eldest brother Li Shun.

Don't worry about work, and don't mention money.

The stupid daughter at home didn't know what kind of economic strength her younger brother had, so how could he, who handled things for his nephew in Jicheng, not know?

Li Xuewu didn't lack money, nor did he lack relatives. Whoever is good, treat them well; whoever is not good, treat them from afar.

"Yo, eldest brother-in-law is here."

After Li Xuewu entered the house, he saw Shen Jianbing sitting in the room, and eldest sister Li Juan was coaxing the child in the inner room.

He wasn't using a teasing tone; that yo was very light, just an exclamation.

He never expected that Shen Jianbing would reply with a cold laugh as if he had caught a reason: "Just saw us now?"

"Also, what kind of rank are we."

He sat on the chair with his legs crossed, looked at Li Xuewu rudely, and said: "Can you, Director Li, see us? Now call me brother-in-law, and I don't dare to answer."

"If you don't dare to answer, don't answer; go do what you should do."

Second uncle Li Tong's face turned cold, and he waved his hand: "Eat and drink enough, go home."

Li Xuewu didn't intend to say anything, and wouldn't be as knowledgeable as him. It was second uncle who saw that there were still guests who hadn't dispersed in the room, so how could he tolerate him acting wild here.

It was just that after this sentence was finished, the atmosphere in the room suddenly turned cold, and then he heard the movement in the inner room.

"What are you doing—"

It was second aunt Han Xiumei's voice, seemingly carrying complaints.

Only to see eldest sister wiping tears, holding the child and about to go out, even if second aunt was pulling her, it was no use.

"You look down on us, and you don't allow us to leave?"

She shook off the arm her mother was pulling, shouted at Shen Jianbing: "What are you still sitting there for? Haven't seen enough of the face? Go home quickly—"

Shen Jianbing, having gained her support, shouted even more wildly with the wine madness, stood up, curled his lips and said: "I don't want to stay even if I wanted to; there are no relatives of ours in this room, go if we go—"

Second uncle's face became even more iron-blue, staring as if he wanted to eat someone, but was hugged and pulled to the other side by Li Xuewu.

Li Xueli was anxious, rushed over and wanted to beat him, but was stopped by someone, and eldest sister Li Juan shouted at her own younger brother: "You hit! You hit! I see you have grown up, even daring to hit your own brother-in-law, you are good, Li Xueli, you are awesome!"

"Hahaha—" Shen Jianbing added fuel to the fire and shouted: "We are poor relatives, you didn't even prepare a red envelope, can people treat you as an eldest sister, treat me as an eldest brother-in-law? Forget it—"

"Get out quickly—" Li Tong suppressed the anger in his heart, pointed his finger at the door and scolded: "All get out of here!"

"Go if we go!" Li Juan swung the child, regardless of the child crying, pulled Shen Jianbing and went out.

The couple made a scene and left, leaving the door slammed with bangs, leaving a mess, and everyone looked at each other.

"This word follows word, blame me for talking too much."

Li Xuewu coaxed second uncle and persuaded him: "Didn't see eldest brother-in-law had emotions; if I had known, I wouldn't have spoken."

"Don't blame you—" Han Xiumei wiped a tear, said with a hoarse voice: "It's all sin."

"Xueli, send your grandmother and eldest uncle and eldest aunt to the guesthouse to rest; I have already agreed with Director Liu."

Li Tong didn't want the matter to expand again, waved his hand, and signaled his son Li Xueli to take care of the guests at home first.

Actually, at this point, everyone shouldn't stay long, but no one was embarrassed to leave first.

Now Li Tong instructed his son to send the relatives at home, and they all said goodbye one after another, making Li Tong and Han Xiumei exhausted.

Li Xuewu didn't leave. If he left, second uncle and second aunt would definitely be more angry.

Especially with the newcomer entering the door, making such a scene, even if it was for the sake of his own younger brother, he shouldn't have played like this.

"Already holding back anger."

After sending away the guests, second aunt sat on the sofa, sighed and said: "Complaining about me and your second uncle."

"Okay, sister-in-law, sit down and rest." Li Xuewu saw Yu Hongying pour tea for him, so he waved his hand, signaling her not to be polite.

Turning his head, he persuaded second uncle and second aunt: "My eldest sister has a stubborn temper; don't be as knowledgeable as her. When she gets older, she will be fine. Young people getting married and living their lives, without any reliance, always feel insecure in their hearts."

"You don't need to explain for her." Li Tong squeezed his hand, let out a long breath at this moment, and said: "They are just blaming me, blaming us for being meddlesome and not letting them manage themselves."

"Otherwise, why say it's all sin."

Second aunt Han Xiumei lowered her head, crying silently, saying: "Managing them has managed to make mistakes. What is the point of raising children."

Yu Hongying felt a bit uncomfortable when she encountered this kind of thing just after entering the door. At this moment, she didn't dare to say anything, just sat on the side.

"Maybe it's because I didn't handle this matter well." Li Xuewu rubbed his chin and said: "When eldest sister and eldest brother-in-law arrived in Beijing, I should have made the words clear."

"What could be done if it were made clear."

Li Tong sighed: "They are obsessed with money, obsessed and not waking up. The clearer you explain, the less they believe."

"Even if they really believe it, they will stick to you. Human hearts are not satisfied, and the elephant is swallowed. It will be even more embarrassing then."

"Forget it, just like this—"

He waved his hand and said: "Just treat it as not raising this daughter; let them go however they want."

"Hongying, I'm sorry."

Han Xiumei cleaned up her tears, looked at her daughter-in-law sitting on the side embarrassedly, and said: "Your sister is insensible; don't take it to heart."

"Mom, it's okay." Yu Hongying was sensible; she knew that the eldest sister-in-law was relatively special when she was dating Li Xueli.

It was just that she didn't expect the other party to make a scene today, but even if she was dissatisfied in her heart, she wouldn't say it to her mother-in-law now.

No matter what, she was a daughter-in-law who had just joined, and couldn't compare to the daughter born to her.

As for the second brother sitting opposite, she couldn't say anything more. She could see that it had nothing to do with him.

This family was only so big; everyone could hear what was said, and what could that sentence from the second brother count for.

Li Xuewu looked at her and smiled, saying: "Don't look at what your father-in-law and mother-in-law say; in my eyes, they are ultimately eldest sister and eldest brother-in-law. Breaking bones connects tendons; they are all one family."

He could only say this here, especially in front of second uncle and second aunt, could he complain about eldest sister Li Juan?

Still that sentence, how many times can they meet in a year.

At that time, his father and mother were in the room, and the old lady was also there. Eldest sister was so insensible, and the family was watching.

Now he could only maintain it, not letting everyone have estrangement in their hearts, otherwise, this relative really couldn't be treated.

To be honest, except for eldest sister Li Juan and her husband, second uncle's family was really good to their family, without any saying.

So his principles hadn't changed: treat them if you can, and don't scold or talk about them behind their backs if you can't.

"I know, Second Brother." Yu Hongying nodded; she wasn't a stupid child and could hear the subtext in Second Brother's words.

"She only became like this after getting married." Li Xuewu explained to her with a smile: "Before getting married, she always called me brother, brother, and was very close."

"So she is not a bad person; don't look at her differently, and don't be angry with her."

Li Xuewu persuaded her: "After a long time, you will know that there will be contradictions between brothers and sisters, but there will always be a day of resolution. After all, it is blood relationship, right."

Hearing him say this, second aunt couldn't help it anymore, covering her face and crying silently. Making such a scene, the most embarrassing should be the two of them, especially in front of the daughter-in-law who had just entered the door, making her face as a mother-in-law nowhere to put.

If this spread back to her mother's family, her face would be lost even more.

There were some words she couldn't say, but with Li Xuewu making the meaning clear, she could be considered relieved.

Second uncle Li Tong patted his arm. At this moment, he let out a long breath and said: "If she were even a little sensible, she wouldn't have done such a thing."

"All say it's a biological daughter; you say what I should say."

He was also in tears, plus he drank alcohol at noon. At this moment, he had both the joy of his son forming a family and the bitterness of his daughter not being competitive and insensible, telling Li Xuewu the bitterness in his heart with tears.

Li Xuewu persuaded softly; what else could he say.

Yu Hongying looked at Second Brother.

She was, of course, not stupid. Since she had already married into the family, her maiden home was home, and her husband's home was also home. If she really brought every bit of unpleasantness into the house, she would also be part of the embarrassment.

When it reached the ears of relatives, they would all say she had married the wrong person, or that her husband was no good, or that her in-laws were no good; there would be no benefit to her at all.

After all, the maiden home and the husband's home were not enemies, nor were they opposing roles; why bother looking for trouble for herself?

However, she was quite surprised that this second brother would "warn" her so bluntly, or perhaps it was advice, and a few words made her understand the ins and outs of the situation.

Li Xueli had introduced her to this second brother's identity, but she wasn't very clear about it, nor did she understand what kind of figure this second brother was, whether in the capital or in Steel City.

Today, she did have an intuitive impression: even the leader who officiated their wedding didn't have the chance to get close to this second brother.

This second brother was constantly being pulled aside by the unit's top leader to talk and drink, and the leader from her own unit couldn't even get near him.

To be able to talk and laugh freely with the top leader, and yet not be a local cadre from Jicheng—how formidable must this influence be?

Furthermore, after returning, Li Xueli secretly teased her, telling her to see how much of a red envelope the second brother had given.

She had indeed looked; every one was substantial, even far more than the "waist-pressing" money given by her relatives from her maiden home.

There was one that was especially large, and Li Xueli told her that this must have been from the second brother and second sister-in-law; there was no need to guess.

She asked why the second brother gave so much.

Li Xueli answered quite casually, saying it was because the second brother didn't care, and that this second brother had always been very caring toward his family.

Before they were married, Li Xueli would never say too much, and certainly wouldn't tell the truth, but now that they were married, he had spoken up.

He said that in Jicheng Forestry, where her father's words didn't carry much weight, this second brother's words would definitely carry weight.

No matter what the matter was, even if it was the most difficult thing, as long as this second brother wanted to handle it, he would definitely be able to.

Forestry exported so much timber every year, all of which were off-plan quotas; in recent years, they didn't even need to go out and find projects themselves—it was all bought up by the distribution company.

Put simply, to the top leaders, the second brother was a living God of Wealth, and he was also the God of Wealth for these people in Forestry.

The Red Steel Group established a branch in Jicheng, and its scale had grown larger and larger over the past two years, even merging with a traditional Chinese medicine pharmaceutical factory and transforming it into a more advanced and modernized pharmaceutical plant.

Gradually, more projects would come in over the next few years. If their family hadn't been considered influential in this area before, everything had changed since the second brother arrived.

Take her own family, for instance; back when they were dating, her family also felt that the Li family had been on the rise these past two years, which was why they agreed so readily. It wasn't because they saw that this young man had a bright future, but because they saw that his father's words in Forestry were carrying more and more weight.

Just think about it: he had served as the office director for the leader for several years, and now he was managing operations; in the future, he would have the status of a deputy, and perhaps there would be even better developments ahead.

Now, who would dare look down on Li Tong? Just look at the guests who came today; who could ignore Li Tong's status?

Even the top leader came; who would dare not come?

Today, among all the people in the courtyard hosting banquets, theirs was the liveliest, and they were even able to use the unit's small cafeteria.

With Li Xueli's explanation, Yu Hongying was naturally able to understand why her family approved of her and Li Xueli dating.

The more capable her in-laws were, wasn't that a good thing for her? What did she have to be dissatisfied about?

The more she thought about it, the more she understood, and the more she could grasp the second brother's reminder from just a moment ago.

Just think about it: no matter how much the eldest sister caused a scene, she was ultimately the biological daughter of her mother-in-law and father-in-law. Even if she was unreasonable, she was a daughter who had married out; how much could she really affect her?

If she thought about it carefully, if she was sensible, her father-in-law and mother-in-law would treat her better, and instead, they would ignore that eldest sister.

Otherwise, they ultimately couldn't let go; even if they drove the other party away today, they might reconcile in the future.

Just as the second brother said, they were ultimately one family; even she couldn't speak ill of the eldest sister and the eldest brother-in-law.

Because she didn't have the qualification yet, and even if she did, she couldn't say it, because that would be stupid.

She had to coax, she had to persuade, and she had to be sensible.

In fact, she hadn't been wronged; no matter how much the eldest sister caused a scene, it wasn't directed at her, and certainly not at her family.

To say one more practical thing, even if it were directed at her, who would her father-in-law and mother-in-law help now?