Rebirth in the 50s: The Couple with the Hidden Space-Chapter 377 - 288: Familiarity Breeds Disrespect

Xi Zi and the others laughed heartily; their little uncle’s way of speaking was always interesting. He never treated them like kids and fooled or scolded them.

At Huang Yaozong’s house, the three Huang siblings gathered today with their children to celebrate Father Huang’s small birthday. The three brick houses were packed with people from the Huang family, both young and old.

Mrs. Huang and her two daughters-in-law were cooking, while Father Huang was chatting with a neighbor outside in the yard.

He was happily talking to the neighbor about his son-in-law working at the grain station when he noticed his daughter sitting behind his elder son on a bicycle, her face looking downcast.

Father Huang paused in thought, wondering if his son-in-law and grandson had had a fight since it was almost dinner time, and they hadn’t arrived yet. Absently, he exchanged a few words with the old neighbor before heading back inside to the east room.

In the east room, Huang Yaozong and his brother Huang Yaoguo were sitting on the kang.

Father Huang glanced at his wife in the outer room and noticed they hadn’t paid attention to their daughter’s unusual demeanor. He turned to pat his elder son Huang Yaozong on the shoulder and asked softly, "Your little sister came in looking upset, did something happen? Where’s your brother-in-law and the kids?"

"Brother-in-law will come right after work. The kids are eating over at Zhang Guoqing’s and will be here later," replied Huang Yaozong, skirting around the issue. He didn’t dare mention he had upset the in-law’s auntie.

Seeing his son with his head down quietly responding, Father Huang tapped the kang edge with his pipe and said, "Speak up. What foolish thing have you done to upset your sister again?"

Huang Yaoguo laughed, seeing his brother avoiding eye contact, "Dad, it’s nothing serious. Little Sis probably got scolded by him and is upset. We siblings often play around like this."

Huang Yaozong smiled as his brother backed him up, then he pulled his father to sit down.

"Dad, what do you think about me visiting Xiao Wu’s place later tonight to see the in-law’s auntie and uncle? Xiao Wu is home in the evening. I think for Little Sis to get a job, her in-laws need to be persuaded first. Xiao Wu is quite filial to his parents, so as long as they say something, he’ll find a way."

After listening to his younger son’s words, Father Huang thought for a while, shook his head, and said, "Better wait till after the new year. They just underwent separation; let’s not bring it up. I think they have plans. Didn’t Xi Zi and the others mention their little aunt was helping them with tutoring for school in the county after the new year? We shouldn’t meddle in their affairs and make it difficult for your sister."

Huang Yaozong braced himself and said, "Second Brother, maybe we should still go later. I seemed to have offended Mother of Xiao Wu today." He looked at them, expecting him to continue.

He chuckled a few times and explained, "I went with Little Sis to buy defective goods, and happened to run into Mother of Xiao Wu. Without thinking, I blurted something like, ’Would Xiao Wu really let you buy these?’ Perhaps my tone was off since she looked pretty angry. She didn’t even say goodbye when leaving." 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮

Father Huang shook his head with a smile, tapping his forehead with his pipe, playfully scolding, "You fool. The in-law treats her youngest son like her eyeball; she must have thought you were mocking her precious son.

The supply and marketing agency is right in front of Xiao Wu’s place, why didn’t you have your sister invite her mother and daughter-in-law over together? Such wasted opportunities. Who did Mother of Xiao Wu go with?"

"With our workplace accountant and another chubby woman, the three of them went together."

After a moment of reflection, Huang Yaoguo said, "Your workplace accountant, Huang Juan, lives right next to Xiao Wu, and her husband is a manager at the food bureau. Remember brother-in-law’s job.

Since Xiao Wu bought the house, he’s been connected with the two of them. But do you honestly think brother-in-law’s job was obtained solely on merit?

The official explanation for Zhang the Second and brother-in-law’s jobs was simply that they applied when there was recruitment and got hired. But what kind of work are they doing? That’s the real grain ration."

"I know! That’s why I know Xiao Wu’s capabilities. He didn’t help Little Sis find a position, which is why I was somewhat mocking him since I genuinely felt uneasy.

When Little Sis married in, how old was Xiao Wu? It was our family’s sister helping them manage the house.

Now that he’s successful, he conveniently lets his big sister-in-law look after his parents. Is that how you do things? If he was incapable or lacked skills, I wouldn’t care so much."

Seeing his father about to explode in anger, Huang Yaoguo quietly said to his brother, "You say he’s successful, but does he have a job now? You mention him intentionally letting Little Sis care for his parents, but the in-laws have been kept by the young couple in the county, not letting them leave.

Elder Brother, I have had the most interaction with Xiao Wu; he may be young, but he’s shrewd beyond his years. He does things where no one can catch him, yet your reasoning doesn’t pass.

Don’t forget, Little Sis is first a daughter-in-law, then a sister-in-law. She should care for the elderly, and help younger siblings-in-law. And how do you know Xiao Wu intentionally didn’t arrange jobs for the sisters-in-law?

Not relocating Little Sis, while Xi Zi and the other three are going to school in the county next year. Short-term care at his place is fine, but long-term who wants to bear the burden? No matter how benevolent, he won’t let his precious wife serve a bunch of nephews.

Isn’t that reasonable? I have never worried about Little Sis’s work. Instead, I’m concerned that as time drags on, it’ll become increasingly harder to find a job.

Several of my colleagues’ wives have been jobless for extended periods, unable to even get temporary jobs. There’s only so much work in the county, and it’s saturated with people; who knows when an opening will come."

"Then what should we do if Mother of Xiao Wu tells Xiao Wu about it, then, then..."

Huang Yaoguo chuckled, "Dad, let’s eat early tonight and visit Xiao Wu’s place. You can chat with Xiao Wu’s father, and Elder Brother and I will express our concerns about the auntie’s potential anger and come by to check on things.

Saying it like this will resolve the issue. They are good talkers, and Xiao Wu isn’t one to hold grudges. Moreover, both families have always had a good relationship."

Father Huang nodded after hearing this, agreeing it’s better to clarify things early. Once things are sorted out, there won’t be any lingering issues between the families. After all, his little daughter still lives under the mother-in-law’s watchful eyes.