Linxia

Chapter 160, bad fate

There are many people visiting the Fang family, and the house is always crowded, but there are also troubles. These people say nice things for free, flattering, fawning, and trying to please. It is nice to hear nice things, but you can't listen to them every day, all the time!
Besides, if guests come to your home, you should always greet them with a smile as long as they are not too inappropriate. Fang Lin's family felt like their faces were stiff from smiling.

After two or three days, they finally couldn't stand it anymore, so they closed the door and went to the big room to find some peace and quiet.

When we arrived at the eldest wife's house, the endless stream of guests finally stopped. But when it was time for dinner, Grandpa Fang, Grandma Fang, and the eldest uncle's family would always hold us back and not let us leave. They would also often call the second and fourth wives to come and eat together, so it was quite lively when the whole family was having a meal together.

On this day, the sunny weather for several days began to change.

When I woke up early in the morning, the sun was gray. After breakfast, the clouds in the sky were busy pushing and shoving, chasing each other. Soon, the sky became gloomy and dark, and the day was as bright as the evening. There was no rain, only the wind was howling violently, blowing the branches like crazy.

"A light wind sounds like a hum, a strong wind sounds like a whistle. Such a strong wind will surely blow a lot of leaves down onto the roof." Fang Lin said.

"Yes, the houses in our village cannot be without trees around them because they cannot block the wind. Even if there are trees, it is also troublesome because every time the wind blows, we have to go up to the roof to sweep the leaves and check for leaks." Tian Xuan also said.

The two stood at the door, looked for a while, and came back.

In the room, the eldest uncle Fang Boxian, the second uncle Fang Zhonggui, Fang's father, and the youngest uncle Fang Jiping were drinking some wine with beans and talking about the village, the provincial capital... Once they started talking, they couldn't stop.

Fang Chuanzong, Fang Chuanhui and Fang He were reading a popular novel they brought back. Fang Chuanzong knew fewer words, so the latter two could help him.

Fang Sui'an was holding a color-printed version of "Romance of the Three Kingdoms". Although he could not read, he was still enjoying the pictures.

The three girls, Fang Yuyu, Fang Caoer and Fang Xiaoxiao, were not playing the usual cat's tangle. Instead, they were playing the nine-ring and tangram puzzle that Huang Di gave to Fang Yuyu when she went to the provincial capital for the first time, as well as some small toys that Fang Lin brought back this time.

Everyone has his own business, and it's peaceful.

After a while, the children from the village came to play, including Goudan, Yaya, Xiuxiu... and so on.

——It’s windy today and there’s nothing to do, so the villagers are free and the children also have some free time, so they come over to play.

The older ones look for the older ones, the younger ones look for the younger ones, the boys look for the boys, and the girls look for the girls. Because of the new and interesting toys in their hands, the Fang family members have become the center of their respective groups of friends.

Fang Lin and Tian Xuan took out some food and distributed it to the kids, big and small. It wasn't too much, but it was enough to make them happy. They all said thank you, in a messy manner, like shepherding sheep.

The atmosphere suddenly became very lively.

The eldest aunt Fang Liu, the second aunt Fang Wang, Fang's mother, and the youngest aunt Fang Qin were making dumplings with several kinds of fillings such as dried bamboo shoots, pork, egg and cabbage, while talking as they made dumplings.

At noon, the group of children left reluctantly, and the Fang family prepared to cook.

First stir-fry the vegetables, then put the dumplings in. Fang Lin and Tian Xuan came over to help light the fire.

"Since you have returned to the village, you are considered half guests, so let us come!" Aunt Fang Liu said with a smile.

"Yes, although our skills are not very good, let us do it!" The young lady Fang Qin also said with a smile.

Second mother Fang Wang was even more enthusiastic and pushed Fang's mother aside: "Brother and sister, you are just the right people to supervise."

Now, as Fang Lin's family has become prosperous, and as each branch of the old Fang family has been able to benefit a little bit, the intrigues that once existed in the old Fang family have disappeared, and the family has become more harmonious than ever before.

For lunch, each person had a big bowl of dumplings and two stir-fried dishes, a pot of scrambled eggs with tender bamboo shoots and a big bowl of braised pork with pickled mustard greens. The food at the Fang family has improved dramatically recently.

This feeling is particularly strong for Fang Chuanzong, Fang Yuyu, Fang Caoer, Fang Xiaoxiao, and Fang Sui'an, the cousins ​​who did not go to the city. They feel like it is New Year's Day every day.

During the meal, the eldest lady Fang Liu said, "The other day, the Song family's daughter-in-law came over and said how good Qingqing from the old Song family was. She praised her and mentioned continuing the family line. I'm afraid she wanted to bring the two together, right?"

She is such a smart person that she could taste the flavor after thinking about it. Now she tells it out to let her family members think about it.

Grandpa Fang and Grandma Fang didn't say anything. The second and fourth wives didn't know what to say and just looked at the third wife.

They all knew that the Song family came to them and wanted to propose marriage to Fang Chuanzong, the eldest son of the Song family. A big part of the reason was that they wanted to get closer to the Fang Lin family so that they could get some benefits from it.

In other words, as Fang Lin's family has become more prosperous, their status in the entire Fang family is now very important, and they even have a large say in the marriages among the various branches of the Fang family.

"My family is not in the village, so I don't know everyone's situation. It's better for my eldest brother and sister-in-law to make the decision." Fang's father had been working at the dock for quite some time and had learned to be cautious. He would not give advice on things he didn't know about.

——In the provincial capital, Fang Lin was actually the one who made the decisions on major family affairs; after returning to the village, Fang Lin quietly gave up his position and let his father take the lead. This was also the case in the eyes of the villagers; no matter how successful Fang Lin was, he was still a son.

For example, last time Fang's father forgave his uncle Fang Jiping on behalf of Fang Lin, Fang Lin didn't say anything.

Of course, Fang's father's forgiveness only represents the general direction, and does not mean that Fang Lin will no longer have any grudges in his heart. This is impossible, but it is not considered as a grudge. After all, his uncle Fang Jiping did not have the bad intention to kill him, and later returned the ginseng.

The most important thing is that this is based on the assumption that all the current results are good. Otherwise, neither Fang’s father nor his mother will be able to let it go easily.

Back to the point, Fang Lin didn't want to express his opinion, but this time he had to speak up because Song Qingqing was indeed not suitable: "A few days ago, Sister Xuan and I went out and saw the Song family talking to a young man from the village, and they were a little closer."

"Yes, when the young man saw me and Lin Di, he hid away. He looked a little strange." Tian Xuan also said.

What the two said was not very clear, but there were many smart people present. Grandpa Fang, Aunt Fang Liu, Second Uncle Fang Zhonggui, and Younger Uncle Fang Jiping thought about it and reacted immediately, thinking that the man might be from the Bai family.

"Chuanzong, what do you think?" asked Aunt Fang Liu.

"I listen to my mother." Fang Chuanzong said in a muffled voice.

"Then I think Song Qingqing is not suitable, so let's reject her!" Aunt Fang Liu naturally didn't want her son to mess with such a troublesome person.

"Let's take another look, let's take another look!" Upon hearing this, Mr. Fang relaxed his frown and said this.

"Dad is right. It's right to look more." Second uncle Fang Zhonggui said with a smile, "Since returning from Linzi's house, my Cao'er has been targeted by many people, and many people want to propose marriage to her. Sister-in-law, if you don't believe me, just wait and see. The proposals for Chuanzong's marriage have just begun!"

The whole family laughed after hearing this. This was indeed a happy trouble.

"Just like grandpa and second uncle said, Brother Chuanzong, look around more. If you can't find it in the village, go to the city and find a better one." These were said by Fang Lin.

Mr. and Mrs. Fang knew what was going on and they hadn't promised anyone anything in the past two days.

And he said this this time to confirm that when the business grows in the future, at least his family members will be used, so that the other party will also know what to do, and not be too limited to the small piece of land in front of them, and restrict the future early. This is the first time Fang Lin has expressed his position. After hearing this, the first, second, and fourth wives all have expectations in their hearts. Each family also has smart people, who are shrewd and know what to do and what not to do.

Beside him, Fang Chuanhui secretly breathed a sigh of relief. With his elder brother standing in front of him, he didn't have to worry about these things for the time being. However, he didn't know that many families in the village had already been keeping an eye on him!
The meal ended happily.

……

In the afternoon, the wind stopped and it started to rain. Perhaps the clouds were blown away, and the rain was not heavy, just a drizzle. After a while, it became even lighter.

Not long after lunch, more children from the village came to play. Fang Lin's family brought back a lot of new and interesting things, which made Fang Yuyu and others the center of attention. The old house soon became lively again.

In the afternoon, a sound was heard in the village, as if someone was arguing, and the voices were very loud. It was determined that the direction was from the Bai family.

The four branches of the old Fang family, as well as the children from the local village, all braved the drizzle to watch the fun.

The Bai family is the Bai family of Old Lady Bai and Bai Bao. Now that Old Lady Bai is gone, the person in charge is Old Lady Bai’s eldest son Bai Feng.

At this time, Song Qingqing, who was seen that day, had a slap mark on her face. Her mother, Song Chen, dragged her to the Bai family, and cursed Bai Feng in a rage.

Bai Feng's wife was not willing to be outdone and retorted. Beside her, Bai Feng's younger brother Bai Rao lowered his head with despair on his face.

Many people came to watch the fun. When the people from Old Fang's family came over, the villagers greeted them warmly and even offered their seats to them.

"It turns out that the young man that morning was Bai Rao, and the incident between him and Sister Qingqing of the Song family broke out." Fang Lin looked over and thought to himself.

Tian Xuan had the same thought in her mind and looked at Fang Lin.

There were many other families nearby who were very enthusiastic and explained the whole story to the Fang family.

"Song Qingqing and Bai Rao are secretly together. Her mother found out today and came to the house."

"What a sin! Qingqing is such a good girl. She could date any boy in the village, but she chose the Bai family."

"Isn't it? When we went to the capital, Old Lady Bai stabbed Song Guangcheng, and the Song and Bai families got into a mess. How could the two families get married?"

……

It turned out that this happened a year or so ago. Song Qingqing went to the river to collect grass for pigs and met Bai Rao, who helped her. Their relationship grew deeper day by day.

Until one day.

Bai Rao met Song Qingqing again by the creek and said, "I have something to tell you, but I'm afraid to tell you because I'm afraid you won't agree."

Song Qingqing kicked the stone, knowing what the other party wanted to say, and said, "You haven't even said anything yet, you're just afraid that I won't agree. You might as well tell me what it is."

Bai Rao rubbed his hands and said, "I like you so much, I wonder if you are willing to marry me?" Seeing that Song Qingqing didn't say anything and was still kicking the stones with her head down, his face flushed red and he said in one breath, "Qingqing, I will treat you well for the rest of my life. In the future, you don't have to do any hard work, let me do the heavy work, I have plenty of strength. From the first time I saw you, there was only you in my heart, I secretly swore in my heart that I would not marry anyone else but you..."

Song Qingqing was moved and finally raised her head: "I like you too, and I will not marry anyone else. We will work hard together in the future, no quarrels, no scolding, and love each other very much..." She felt so ashamed after saying these words and quickly lowered her head again.

Originally, the next step was to tell the parents and let the elders arrange a marriage, but it was around that time that the matter of Song Kai and Bai Bao came back, and the two families began to quarrel. Later, Old Mrs. Bai killed Song Guangcheng, which made the hatred between the two families irreconcilable.

The two of them still met secretly. Song Qingqing ran away early in the morning with a backpack on her back, without telling her family. When she met Bai Rao by the creek, there was nothing polite about it. They were just happy to talk together.

There is no wall that is impenetrable. Song Qingqing's parents finally found out something and followed Song Qingqing. It happened to rain today and they met again. They were caught and slapped Song Qingqing in the face, then came to Bai's house to make a scene.

"What good things does your Bai family have? I will never let Qingqing marry into the Bai family. If I see you, Bai Rao, associating with my Qingqing again, I will set fire to your house. You have only built this house for a year, you definitely don't want it to be burned down, do you?" Song Chen cursed.

To be honest, the Bai family was somewhat in the wrong, and at the same time, they were very disappointed with Bai Rao. Why did he choose a girl from the Song family when there were so many other people to choose from?

The saddest people were the two parties involved. Bai Rao, under pressure from his family and clan, could only watch as Song Qingqing burst into tears and was dragged away by her parents. She didn't know how she got back. When the two were separated, everything that happened in the past seemed to disappear like a puff of smoke.

On the way back.

Second wife Fang Wang said: "Fortunately, the eldest sister-in-law didn't agree. I think Song Qingqing's heart is hanging on Bai Rao. If she really marries her, who knows what kind of disgraceful things she will do in the future!"

"Can't you speak more nicely?" Uncle Fang Zhonggui scolded his wife, and then said, "However, the truth is, Song Qingqing cannot be married into our Fang family."

"Alas, Qingqing is also a poor girl." Aunt Fang Liu sighed.

'It's a tragedy indeed.'

Fang Lin thought to himself: "Song Kai and Bai Bao committed a crime. They should be dead, but they also implicated the living. As for Song Qingqing's family, although they are from the same clan as Song Kai, the relationship between the two families is relatively distant, and they were also implicated... However, in this era, people of the same clan stick together, so this kind of thing cannot be said."

……

That night, Song Qingqing's parents found the eldest wife and said that Qingqing had given up and wanted to match Fang Chuanzong and Song Qingqing.

Different from the aggressive attitude they showed towards the Bai family during the day, at this moment they were really humble and their words were flattering.

Firstly, the Fang family is indeed very popular in the village, and this marriage is a step above their station; secondly, the incident involving Song Qingqing has become known to the whole village, and it can be considered that their daughter has a flaw.

But no matter how much Song Qingqing's parents assured her, Song Qingqing had already given up, and her aunt Fang Liu still resolutely declined the marriage.

Just like mentioned before, no matter how good Song Qingqing is, she doesn't want to get involved in this trouble. At the same time, she also feels that Fang Lin is right. She can wait and see, and there is no need to decide Fang Chuanzong's future too early.

Song Qingqing's parents could only leave in disappointment.

……

Song Qingqing's parents came secretly, but some people in the village still saw them. This act of currying favor with the Lin family had a great impact on them, and they felt even more deeply the prosperity of the Lin family today.

……

(End of this chapter)