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Our Family Matters
墨書 Inktalez
After my parents had two daughters, my father decided to get a vasectomy at the hospital.
He agreed with a smile and immediately went to the hospital for the procedure.
My grandmother once cried and insisted that he try for a son again.
While giving her a back rub, my dad comforted her, saying, “Mom, times are different now. Daughters can inherit the family business too.”
“Just think about it. If I had a son and he married a daughter-in-law who wasn’t filial, wouldn’t that just add to your troubles?”
“My two sons-in-law will definitely be respectful! Just wait and enjoy your peace!”
My grandmother fell silent.
My parents grew up together; they were childhood sweethearts.
When they got married, my dad used all the money from selling their house to buy my mom a diamond ring and wedding dress.
After marriage, he became a devoted husband.
With money in the family, they owned branded goods like cars and houses.
My mom became a fair-skinned, beautiful little rich woman.
However, she wasn’t very knowledgeable since she married my dad at eighteen.
She usually enjoyed drinking tea and shopping, never worrying about anything.
It wasn’t until a year ago that my uncle frequently called my dad to urge him to return home for the New Year.
As my uncle puffed on the cigarette my dad handed him, he exhaled a cloud of white smoke and said hypocritically, “Since you’re back, why don’t you three stay here tonight and have the reunion dinner at home?”
"However, you haven't been back for so many years, so you're surely not familiar with the local customs. Although we are brothers, there is still a hierarchy; the elder brother is like a father. You all need to behave well," he said.
Grandma nodded vigorously from the side.
My father furrowed his brow but remained silent.
My mother smiled and said, "What the elder brother says is true. We haven't been home in years; it's time we show our filial piety."
Only then did my uncle nod in satisfaction.
My father sighed and took out a gift box of cigarettes and liquor that he had prepared earlier, handing it to my uncle.
"Zhiwen has been saying he's too busy with work to come back and see you all. This year, he finally has some time, so he specially bought some things to apologize."
My uncle accepted the gift, grinning widely with a proud look in his eyes.
"Shu Qin is thoughtful; you should teach Zhiwen more in the future."
My father clenched his fists, suppressing his anger.
The reunion dinner was held at the best hotel in town, where we booked a table for a top-notch feast.
My uncle squinted as he scanned the lively dining room, and his last remark left my two daughters in shock.
"Don't let the girls sit at the table for dinner."
At that moment, there were only cold dishes on the table. They had barely taken a few bites of the appetizers and certainly wouldn't be full enough to last until the end of the meal.
My mother paused for a moment but quickly smiled and ushered my sister and me into the small kitchen connected to the dining room.
She turned around and called down Uncle's two daughters as well.
Uncle's expression changed: "Shu Qin, don't get it wrong! Xiao Yu and Xiao Ping are your eldest brother's daughters, the legitimate daughters of the first branch! They are not like your two!"
My Mom chuckled lightly, as if suddenly realizing something, and patted her head: "Look at my brain, I've really been away from home too long to remember the rules. How can our two families sit at the same table?"
"Eldest Brother, Sister-in-law, you enjoy your meal. I'll take the two girls outside to wait," I said.
Uncle nodded in satisfaction: "Shu Qin, your belly isn't cooperating, but at least you have some sense. Go on."
My dad slammed his chopsticks down and picked up his wine glass.
My Mom turned to leave but returned just a few seconds later with a waiter behind her.
Uncle frowned: "What's going on? Why haven't all the dishes been served yet?"
My Mom gestured for the waiter to stay quiet for a moment and turned back with a smile: "Oh, Eldest Brother, our table is a bit cramped. I thought it would be better to send all the dishes to that small room."
"Xiao Yu and Xiao Ping are over there too; after all, we're all family. It doesn't matter where we eat Reunion Dinner," Uncle finally nodded in satisfaction.
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