Zhang Fang supported the old man Zhang, smiling as he said, “My family has supported me through so many years of schooling. Now that I have earned some money, it’s time for me to spend it on my family. In the future, when I make a fortune, my family will enjoy a good life with me.”
Sisters-in-law Zhang Er and Zhang San exchanged smiles, thinking they must treat Zhang Fang well!
Upon hearing Zhang Fang’s words, the old man Zhang suddenly sighed but did not share the family’s troubles with Zhang Fang.
In the old man’s eyes, Zhang Fang was now safely released from prison, and that chapter was closed. The family should be harmonious and united, without any rifts arising from this incident. Therefore, he didn’t want to tell Zhang Fang about it. However, unsure if Zhang Fang knew what had happened at home, he tentatively asked, “When did you return home? Did your elder brother tell you anything?”
Zhang Fang calmly replied, “I’ve been home for a quarter of an hour. As soon as I entered the house and learned that you were unwell, I came in to see you. I wanted to help you change into new clothes and shoes.”
The old man breathed a sigh of relief, realizing that Zhang Fang was still unaware of the situation at home.
“Since you’re back, let your elder brother fetch some pomelo leaves to boil water for you to take a good bath and wash away the bad luck.” He planned to take advantage of Zhang Fang’s bath time to warn everyone in the family that this matter would be considered as done and that no one should mention it again!
After all, the disgrace of selling a granddaughter to save a son was not something to be spoken of! For a scholar aiming for success, reputation was of utmost importance! The old man Zhang did not want the family’s issues to affect his youngest son’s future!
Then, the old man Zhang called over Zhang Daliang, asking him to go outside and pick some pomelo leaves to prepare hot water for Zhang Fang’s bath.
“Thanks for your hard work, elder brother!” Zhang Fang smiled as he thanked Zhang Daliang.
Zhang Daliang felt a bit awkward. His fourth brother had suddenly become polite! In the past, Zhang Silang would never speak like this. He wondered if the events of the past few days had distanced his fourth brother from them.
However, Zhang Daliang wasn’t good at expressing himself and could only nod awkwardly before going outside to look for pomelo leaves.
Only now did Zhang Er’s sister-in-law and Zhang San’s sister-in-law notice that Zhang Dazhao was missing! It seemed she hadn’t been seen since they started dividing things earlier!
The two ran to the kitchen to take a look and indeed saw Zhang Dazhao squatting there, boiling water!
“Elder sister-in-law, you’re boiling water? Let me do it!” It was obvious that this pot of hot water was for Zhang Fang, and Zhang Er’s sister-in-law rushed to take over the task.
Zhang San’s sister-in-law’s eyes darted as she planned to go find Zhang Fang.
Grandma Zhang watched coldly as Zhang Er’s sister-in-law took the hot water task from Zhang Dazhao, not intending to interfere in the subtle competition between her daughters-in-law. After these past few days, she had seen clearly what kind of character her three sons and daughters-in-law had! She didn’t hold any expectations of relying on them in the future! Thus, Grandma Zhang was even more determined to shower all her affection on her youngest son!
Old man Zhang went into the room to change clothes, while Zhang Fang returned to his room to find a clean outfit, preparing to change after his bath.
“Fourth brother!” Zhang San’s sister-in-law called out from outside.
Zhang Fang turned to face the door and asked, “Is there something you need, third sister-in-law?”
Zhang San’s sister-in-law gently said, “After you finish your bath, please give me your dirty clothes, and I’ll help you wash them!”
Although Zhang Fang was reluctant to wash clothes, he also didn’t want his sister-in-law to do it for him. So he declined, saying, “That’s not very appropriate.”
Zhang San’s sister-in-law felt embarrassed; it indeed wasn’t appropriate. So she quickly changed her words, “Then you can leave the dirty clothes for me, and let your third brother help wash them clean tomorrow!”
That was acceptable. Though, Zhang Fang still pretended to be polite and said, “It wouldn’t be good to trouble third brother, would it?”
Zhang San’s sister-in-law immediately replied, “What trouble? You gave us the fabric shoes; we are grateful to you! Letting your third brother wash a few pieces of clothing is only right! Then it’s settled! Leave the dirty clothes for your third brother to wash!”
After speaking, Zhang San’s sister-in-law happily left.
Zhang Fang was well aware that his three brothers and sisters-in-law were trying to win his favor. He didn’t dislike their approach. Human nature was like this; why be too harsh?
When Zhang Daliang returned with a basket of pomelo leaves, he was surprised to find Zhang Er’s sister-in-law guarding the fire in the kitchen, but he didn’t think much of it.
He told Zhang Er’s sister-in-law, “Dad said to boil the pomelo leaves in the water for Fourth Brother to wash away the bad luck.”
“Hey! Elder brother, leave it to me!” Zhang Er’s sister-in-law snatched the pomelo leaves from him, lifted the pot lid, and placed all the clean pomelo leaves into the hot water. Then she continued to sit there watching the fire.
Zhang Daliang glanced at Grandma Zhang who was busy, and opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but then felt awkward and feared his mother wouldn’t respond, so he simply decided to go find his wife instead.
“Why are you staying indoors? Aren’t you going to help out?” Zhang Daliang asked Wu Shi.
Zhang Dazhao was feeling the fabric, glanced at her husband, and said softly, “Second sister-in-law stole the task. Third sister-in-law is eager to help Fourth Brother wash his clothes.”
In fact, she was well aware that these two sisters-in-law were competing to win over Zhang Fang’s affection.
Zhang Daliang pointed at the fabric in her hands and said, “This was bought by Fourth Brother. Try the shoes on and see if they fit. I’ll also try on mine.”
Just as he reached out to grab the black shoes, they were snatched away by Zhang Dazhao.
Zhang Dazhao rationally told him, “We can’t accept these things. We didn’t help when Fourth Brother was in prison. Plus, we made Dad sick, and Mother is angry with us. How can we accept Fourth Brother’s things?”
Zhang Daliang hadn’t thought much about it, but hearing his wife say that, and recalling how polite Zhang Fang had suddenly become towards him, he felt guilty and said, “Then I’ll return these things to Fourth Brother.”
“Okay.” Zhang Dazhao neatly folded the items and handed them to Zhang Daliang.
“Fourth Brother.” Zhang Daliang directly walked into the room and said to Zhang Fang, “Please return these things!”
Zhang Fang was in the process of organizing his belongings and casually replied to Zhang Daliang, “If elder brother doesn’t accept them, won’t that embarrass second and third brothers?”
“This…” Zhang Daliang was at a loss for words; he wasn’t sure if Zhang Erlang and Zhang Sanlang would return the things to Zhang Fang.
“Just accept them! In the past, I relied on the family; from now on, I will become the family’s support.”
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