Ugly girl only wants to farm

Chapter 154 The Old House Was Pried Up

Xu Chaoyan also looked angry, but there was no use in being anxious now. They could only wait for Meng Jiuhe to come back from school. They had to go back to the village to deal with this family matter. Her second uncle was really something. Wasn't the embarrassment he gave her last time enough? What else did he want to do this time? All he did was cause trouble all day long.

After resting for a while, the uncle said goodbye, saying he was going to town to bring back some things, and that he would also take this message with him today, telling them to go back as soon as possible.

“You all know what kind of people his second uncle’s family is. Hurry back and deal with this matter. That’s an old house left by our ancestors. I don’t know what’s going on in your family. Your parents haven’t come home for so long, but your uncle is just trying to be helpful. You should go back and handle it first.”

After the driver left, Meng Jiuxia was so anxious that she almost cried: "Sister-in-law, what should we do? Why is my second uncle's family doing this? It's one thing for them to bully us before, but Father always said that we are all family and don't need to take them seriously. Now they are bullying us because we have no parents."

As she spoke, tears streamed down her face.

The brother and sister had been recovering from the loss of their parents, but this incident has brought back their painful memories. They had tried to keep their parents' disappearance a secret from the villagers, but now it's impossible to keep it a secret any longer. Someone must have leaked the news to their uncle's family, probably because they think the younger siblings have no elders.

Xu Chaoyan finally managed to coax the little girl: "When your older brother comes back, we'll go back to the village first thing tomorrow morning to see. I don't believe there's no law anymore. She can dig up our house whenever she wants."

As evening approached, Meng Jiuxia saw her elder brother and Zhang Xuyang returning from afar and immediately ran over: "Brother, brother, you're finally back! Someone from the village sent word that something happened, so let's hurry back to the village first thing tomorrow morning."

Meng Jiuhe: "Don't rush, speak slowly."

As the siblings walked, they recounted what had happened. Meng Jiuhe frowned, looking displeased: "What exactly does your second uncle's family want? They're always causing trouble. You go back first and I'll talk to Xuyang and ask him to ask for three days off for me tomorrow. We'll go back to the village and deal with this matter."

After dinner, Xu Chaoyan went back to her room to pack a few clothes so she could go back to the village the next day. She also asked Uncle Zhang to keep an eye on the craftsmen. As for lunch, she asked Uncle Zhang to take care of her for the next two days. After arranging everything, she was so tired that she drank two bowls of tea.

"I'm so thirsty! It's been hard on Uncle Zhang these past two days, taking care of Auntie and making lunch for me. I really feel bad about it. I was thinking of going to the restaurant to get two tables, but Auntie knows that Uncle came to see me, so she just sent Zhang Xuyang over. They're so kind, I can't refuse them. So, husband, let's go back early tomorrow and get this over with quickly."

Meng Jiuhe nodded: "Yes, you're right. Although Auntie's leg injury has improved a bit these days, she still needs to rest more. Uncle is having a hard time making lunch for more than a dozen people. How about we give him some money to hire a few women to help?"

Xu Chaoyan took some copper coins out of the jar: "Yes, that's what I was thinking too. The aunties next door are usually idle and have nothing to do. I'll give them some copper coins so they can help Uncle Zhang. They can deliver lunch over there and also brew a pot of herbal tea."

After the couple discussed these matters, it was already around midnight before they finally lay down to rest.

Xu Chaoyan was completely baffled. She tossed and turned in bed for a moment, then couldn't help but ask, "Husband, what exactly is the feud between you and Second Uncle's family? Why do you keep targeting us?"

Meng Jiuhe wasn't sleepy either. He sighed slightly, as if unwilling to mention it, and finally said helplessly, "Actually, it's not a big deal. Before, my second uncle and father had a very harmonious relationship. But after he married my second aunt, she became rather petty and greedy for small gains. She instigated the two families to split up and also wanted my grandmother to come to our family. They wanted my grandfather to come over, saying that he was strong and healthy and could help them earn some money."

"Who knew they would go even further? My grandfather was worked to death by them. When he was bedridden, he refused to stay at my second uncle's house because my father and my second uncle's family had some disagreements after my grandfather fell ill. My second aunt was always making trouble for him, so the two families had never been on good terms."

Xu Chaoyan thought for a moment and figured it was probably just these kinds of things, everyday matters, but even such simple things shouldn't have caused the two brothers to become so estranged.

Meng Jiuhe gently put his arm around her shoulder, picked up a palm-leaf fan and fanned her lightly a couple of times, and said in a gentle voice, "Are you still a little hot? It's already September, don't be too fond of cooling off, or your stomach will hurt again."

Xu Chaoyan chuckled twice, trying to get away with it.

After giving a doting smile, Meng Jiuhe continued, "Second Uncle used to study with Father, but he wasn't cut out for studying. After attending school for a while, he dropped out and came home to farm or do odd jobs. So he always felt that he had given up the only spot for studying. Father also felt that as the eldest son in the family, he should give way to his younger siblings, which is why he was so tolerant of Second Uncle and Aunt."

Xu Chaoyan wrapped her arms around his waist and leaned against his chest, listening to him talk. As they talked, she felt a little sleepy, and slowly a steady drowsiness crept in.

The next day, the three of them got up early, packed their things, told the craftsmen what they needed to do, and then hurried off to the village.

Some of the craftsmen were indignant: "Your second uncle's family is like that, we must not let them get away with it. If anything happens, let us know, my wife and parents are at home, we'll come and support you."

They didn't delay any longer and hired a mule cart in town to go back to the village. The mule cart was much faster than the oxcart, saving half the time. When Meng Jiu and the others got back to their own yard, they found that a large part of their yard wall had been pried down.

The stones were scattered everywhere, as were the firewood piled up earlier. The yard was a mess; they hadn't returned for a long time, and weeds were growing rampant in the yard.

The courtyard was a far cry from its former vibrant state. Xu Chaoyan glanced at Meng Jiuhe, whose face was grim and somber. This was the place where he was born and raised, and now it was destroyed like this; he must be feeling terrible.

Just then, Liu came over from not far away with a hoe. After seeing the three of them, she was stunned for a long time before she reacted.

What are you three doing back here?

Xu Chaoyan laughed in anger. Before they could even ask any questions, Liu had already taken the initiative.

"This is my home, why can't I come back? Second Aunt, why did you knock down my courtyard wall?"

Meng Jiuxia retorted twice.

Meng Jiu asked in a cold voice, "Second Aunt, when exactly did my family offend you, and why did you knock down my courtyard wall?"

Liu chuckled twice and said dismissively, "You mean the courtyard wall? This is yours, how could it be? When I was arranging the marriage with my husband, this area was originally allocated to us by the old man. Later, your second uncle saw that your family was going to build a courtyard wall, so he gave it to us. Not only is this courtyard wall mine, but the side room next to the wall is also mine. It was all allocated by the old man. We gave it to you because your family had a lot of people. Now we want it back. Your cousin is also of marriageable age, and the house is not spacious enough, so we will definitely need to expand it. Unlike you, you are so lucky to have a woman who comes to you with her money. Our family would never do such a shameless thing."

Meng Jiuxia pointed to the courtyard wall not far away, looking shocked: "Second Aunt, you say it's yours, but this has been our courtyard wall since I was born. Why did you knock it down? We should go find the village chief."

Liu took the hoe and dug a couple more times, her face full of sarcasm: "You lot are really born of a mother but not taught by one. I was wondering why you were so rude to me last time. It turns out your parents aren't here, and no one is teaching you. As your elder, I'll give you a lecture today so you won't embarrass yourselves in the future. The Meng family has more than just you as a daughter. My Peach Blossom is also looking for a husband."