Chapter Seventeen: An Jianping's Shame

By the end, Yuan Qionghua’s feelings grew even more complicated.

After all, their daughter was already married off.

Otherwise, given the way the two younger uncles were handling things, their daughter might truly have become disheartened.

Moreover, their youngest son had already married and built a house last year.

So this year, there was no need to join the two younger uncles in construction.

Even so…

Thinking of her husband, who had unhesitatingly joined his three brothers, almost putting forth the family’s entire savings and even purchasing an orchard parcel, Yuan Qionghua found herself unable to continue speaking.

An Songyu didn’t quite understand her aunt’s sudden moodiness and was also momentarily at a loss.

So the two of them simply stopped talking.

In truth, An Jianping’s recent busyness in the village wasn’t mainly because of the few houses currently under construction.

But at this moment, An Songyu had missed the chance to learn more.

That evening, upon returning home and seeing her busy mother, An Songyu hesitated several times but didn’t ask.

She felt that the application for homestead land and house construction for the two sisters probably wasn’t her mother’s idea.

Yet recently, every member of the Jiang family took every opportunity to visit Jiang Village.

Even if her mother hadn’t known before, she would likely find out next time she went.

Who knew how she would react then?

With such thoughts weighing on her mind, An Songyu couldn’t wait for her father’s return.

Seeing dinner nearly ready, she couldn’t help but rush out.

“Mom, I’m going downstairs to see if Dad and the others are back.”

“That child…” Bi Lizhu peeked at the already closed door, helplessly shaking her head.

After tasting the last dish, she finally turned off the stove with satisfaction.

Looking at the time, it was indeed when her husband and daughter would be finishing work.

Bi Lizhu hurriedly set the dishes on the table.

Only after the meal was laid out did she realize that the second eldest was off today—probably visiting Jiang Village.

Judging by how she looked earlier…

It seemed that on her next day off, she should hurry to go as well.

Last week, due to matters involving her natal family, Bi Lizhu hadn’t gone to Jiang Village on her day off.

She didn’t know how Jianping’s affairs there were progressing.

An Songyu was unaware that her own unusual behavior had prompted Bi Lizhu to decide to visit Jiang Village sooner.

At this moment, An Songyu, like a joyful little bird, quickly dashed downstairs.

Just then, she saw An Jianping slowly returning on his bicycle.

Though their family lived in the housing area for the Silk Weaving Factory where An Jianping worked, even after twenty years, the factory remained the top silk weaving factory in Shuncheng, renowned for inheriting intangible cultural heritage techniques to produce precious silk products.

The entire factory and residential area combined covered more ground than some future large communities.

“Dad!” An Songyu obediently greeted him, taking the leather bag from his hand to make it easier for him to lock his bike.

“Back from the village?” An Jianping asked calmly.

Just by looking at his daughter’s expression, he could guess her thoughts.

But this place was clearly not suitable for such a conversation.

After locking his bike, An Jianping took the bag, greeted some acquaintances finishing work, and gestured to his daughter to hurry home.

Excited and eager, An Songyu ran forward but couldn’t bring herself to say anything, reluctantly returning home with her father.

Before the two could go upstairs, An Songxiang also came back riding her bike.

The father and daughters waited downstairs for a moment.

Once An Songxiang locked her bike, the three of them went upstairs together.

Upstairs, Bi Lizhu had finished serving rice and was adding soup when she saw the three walk in.

She glanced at her second daughter and the others but noticed nothing unusual.

So she temporarily set aside the strange feeling she had earlier.

After dinner, the two sisters helped Bi Lizhu tidy up the kitchen.

Bi Lizhu looked at the remaining fruit in the house and asked loudly, “Ayun, Axiang, we’ve almost finished the fruit at home. Do you want to go out and buy some later?”

An Songyu’s eyes brightened slightly, but she quickly refused.

“Mom, no need. You can go buy it yourself.”

Bi Lizhu paused in her tidying and couldn’t help but glance toward the kitchen again.

Usually, if she asked this, both daughters would agree.

One, so they could choose their favorite fruits.

Two, they would accompany her and help carry things.

But Bi Lizhu said no more, instead reminding them, “Then wash and cut the fruit at home. Tonight, finish the remaining apple and pear first.”

“I know, Mom. Don’t worry, just go out.”

After the door closed outside, An Songxiang put down the dishcloth she’d been using and looked at her sister as if urging her to speak up.

But An Songyu didn’t answer immediately; instead, she urged An Songxiang, “Axiang, hurry up. Let’s finish cleaning the kitchen and go find Dad!”

An Songxiang grew even more puzzled but resumed working.

Soon the sisters finished cleaning the kitchen.

An Songyu didn’t even have time to take out the trash; she quickly pulled her sister outside.

In An Jianping and Bi Lizhu’s bedroom, An Jianping was earnestly recording something in his notebook.

The sisters knocked on the door but, receiving no response, entered without waiting.

An Jianping sighed and took off his glasses, looking at them.

“Dad…” An Songyu started but hesitated, unsure where to begin.

After a long pause, she lowered her voice and asked, “Dad, did you apply for homestead land for Axiang and me in the village?”

“And this time, are we building four houses together?”

“What?” An Songxiang exclaimed in shock.

She looked at her sister, then at their father, feeling as if she were dreaming.

An Jianping looked at his daughters with helplessness.

Didn’t they even properly read the documents they signed at the bank a few days ago?

Although he didn’t intend for the two daughters to bear the loans, this wasn’t how things were supposed to be done!

Before he could speak, An Songxiang whispered anxiously, her voice trembling, “Dad, is what my sister said true? Did you really apply for homestead land for both of us in the village?”

Faced with his youngest daughter's reaction, An Jianping found himself unable to scold them.

He nodded wearily, answering their question.

Then suddenly, An Songxiang burst into tears.

She threw herself into An Jianping’s arms.

It had been years since he’d seen her like this.

Flustered, An Jianping tried to comfort her for a long time with no success.

He quickly looked at his second daughter, hoping she could help.

But even the usually strong An Songyu had tears glimmering in her eyes.

For a moment, An Jianping fell silent.

All along, he had trusted his wife’s firm belief that their sons would be well cared for in old age, and that they should give their sons more consideration.

For the first time, he felt a pang of guilt.