The village head visits her home every year. In this year, when other families have to eat coarse grains and vegetables, she can still eat corn, but no one dares to take advantage of her, which is enough to prove her status.
The old lady of the Zhou family is a very kind person and usually doesn't talk, but this time, she really can't stand it.
Everyone in the village can see how much Zhao Laosan listens to his brothers and how filial he is to his mother.
Pushing him to use a knife, how excessive is that?
Even rabbits bite when they are angry.
Mrs. Zhao didn't dare to show any strength in front of her sister-in-law, and could only stammer, "I'm just afraid he'll spend his money recklessly..."
"He gave money to Ma Laizi's family, which was out of loyalty. Everyone in the village praises his loyalty."
"In my opinion, of your three sons, your third is the most sensible and the most loyal, yet you treat your eldest and fourth sons like treasures. How foolish!"
Mrs. Zhou scolded her mercilessly. "You even cheated your grandson out of his pension. How can you be a decent person?
" "Not only did you cheat him out of the money, you also didn't give your son a chance to live. How can you be a mother like that?"
"If you don't like this son, give him to me!"
These words brought Mrs. Zhao to his knees. "Sister-in-law Zhou, please stop talking. I, I..."
The people around her were stunned. They hadn't expected Mrs. Zhou to support Zhao Zheng so much.
Even Zhao Zheng was surprised. He hadn't interacted much with Mrs. Zhou, but when his adopted son was alive, he had played well with her grandson.
Zhao Zheng's face actually flushed after hearing her say that.
But at this critical moment, he certainly couldn't show his weakness. Instead, he said helplessly, "Mother, it's not that I don't want to give you this silver. It's just that my family is struggling. If I still had money, I would definitely give it all to Sister-in-law Ma. How can I bear to keep it for myself?"
"Ten taels of silver can't buy back our blood relationship, but the eldest and fourth sons haven't contributed money or effort over the years, and I feel really aggrieved."
"Well, since you think I'm spending money lavishly, then take this silver!"
Zhao Zheng took out half a tael of silver from his arms.
Everyone looked at him with sympathy.
It was really too much, too bullying.
The Zhou family's wife grew angrier as she watched. "Look at how biased you are! What have
you done to the child?"
"Just now, he was so angry, but he didn't say a word against you, his mother. He kept defending you. I don't know what you were thinking!"
The Zhao family's wife, humiliated by the crowd, was too embarrassed to ask for the silver. Even if she wanted to pocket the half ounce of silver right now, how could she hold her head up in front of the villagers?
"Forget it, I'm just worried you'll spend it recklessly."
The Zhao family's wife's expression was stiff. She waved her hand. "It's getting late. I'll go home first..."
With that, she fled.
Everyone around tried to comfort Zhao Zheng, "Old Zhao, just do your best. You're not the only son your mother has. Sometimes you shouldn't give."
"Your eldest and fourth sons are such bastards. They picked on you and bullied you alone. You're too soft!"
Zhao Zheng smiled bitterly.
Mrs. Zhou said, "If they come to force you again, come to my house. I'll support you."
Zhao Zheng was shocked.
He didn't think Mrs. Zhou was just being polite. She
'd really meant the compliments she'd just given him.
Zhao Zheng thanked her, "Thank you, Auntie."
Mrs. Zhou nodded. "Everyone, go back and do what you need to do."
With that, everyone dispersed. Seeing
that it was getting dark, Zhao Zheng personally escorted the old lady home.
All the way, Mrs. Zhou praised Zhao Zheng's filial piety and understanding, her words hinting at wishing he were her own son.
As for listening to your brother and being foolishly filial to your mother?
Isn't that just brotherly respect?
How many brothers have turned against each other over a little bit of family property, fighting to the death?
She'd seen it all.
How many people are like Zhao Zheng?
Foolish filial piety?
In Dakang, there's no such thing as that.
Filial piety is filial piety!
At least in Mrs. Zhou's eyes, Zhao Zheng was the most filial son in the village.
Zhao Zheng's face flushed again, and he brazenly said, "If you're happy with this, treat me like your son. I'll take care of you in your old age!"
"Really?" Mrs. Zhou thought Zhao Zheng was joking, and replied jokingly, "Then I really do."
"How could it be false?" Zhao Zheng laughed. "If my mother were as kind as you, I'd wake up laughing in my dreams."
Mrs. Zhou smiled and let go of his hand. "Go back. Come see me if you need anything."
After Zhao Zheng left, Mrs. Zhou returned home.
She hadn't even lit the oil lamp.
The family didn't lack the oil.
She had enough food, clothes, and money.
She just needed a place to live.
After her son died, her daughter-in-law remarried, and her grandson hadn't even had time to find a husband.
She was alone, like a walking corpse. It would be better for her to die and put an end to everything.
But she was in good health.
Outsiders said that all the blessings of her children and grandchildren fell on her alone.
But she would rather not have such blessings.
"Old man, son, grandson... I miss you so much..."
She sat in the dark night, reminiscing about the past. The house was so cold that it seemed as if no one was alive. She
didn't know how long it had been until a knock on the door pulled her out of her memories.
"Who is it?"
It was so late, even night cats and stray dogs were unwilling to come to her house.
"Auntie, it's me!"
The old lady of the Zhou family then lit the oil lamp and went to open the door. Who else could the person outside the door be but Zhao Zheng?
However, he was holding a large bowl in his hand, and she didn't know what was in it. Her eyesight was not very good, and it was even worse at night.
"Zhao San'er?"
"It's me!"
Zhao Zheng walked in. "It's so windy outside. Come in! I brought you some food!"
Zhao Zheng closed the door and took her to the table.
When they reached the oil lamp, Mrs. Zhou could see the contents of the bowl clearly. It was a huge bowl filled with rice, eggs, and meat!
She was extremely surprised. "Here, San'er, where did you get the rice and meat..."
"I earned it." Zhao Zheng said, "After my son died in the war, the pension was gone, and the family could hardly make ends meet. I went to the mountains to chop wood and hunt, and asked friends to buy rice, and sold meat and eggs..."
The old lady of the Zhou family said, "This is too expensive, I can't accept it."
"Auntie, no matter how expensive the rice and meat are, they are for people to eat." Zhao Zheng said with a smile, "This is my thank you, please don't refuse it!"
The old lady of the Zhou family looked at Zhao Zheng's sincere smile and said, "I'm an old lady, and I can't eat so much!"
"Eat as much as you can. If you can't finish it, you can save it for tomorrow, which is also convenient." Zhao Zheng handed over the chopsticks, "Eat!"
The old lady of the Zhou family was moved, "Have you eaten?"
"I came here after eating a full meal."
"Hey, child, you have a really good heart!"