OBS Chapter 265 Long-Awaited Peace
Chapter 265 Long-Awaited Peace
Seeing Li Xiangyang's resolute attitude, his uncle Li Jianguo frowned and was speechless for a moment.
“Xiangyang,” Li Guihua gently tugged at her younger brother’s sleeve, “there’s no rush about the old house. I… I’ll just stay here temporarily. When I have more money, I’ll build my own house.”
Her voice was soft, but it carried a hint of stubbornness.
Although she had just divorced, Li Guihua's inherent self-respect and strength had not been diminished.
Li Xiangyang glanced at his older sister and understood that she didn't want her younger brother to make too many sacrifices for her, and also wanted to save face in front of their relatives.
“Sister, don’t be so quick to refuse,” Li Xiangyang’s tone softened. “The old house is empty right now. Xiaoyun and I will live in the new house. You can stay here for now, and we can talk about the future later.”
Auntie sighed and took Li Guihua's hand, saying, "Guihua, don't be stubborn. Your brother is doing this for your own good. Let's settle things down first, and we can talk about the future later."
Xiao Lan timidly hid behind her mother. Seeing this, her aunt smiled, took a piece of candy from her pocket, and handed it to Xiao Lan: "Here, have a piece of candy, it's sweet."
Xiao Lan glanced at her mother, and only after seeing Li Guihua nod did she carefully accept the candy.
As Li Jianbo, the second uncle, watched this scene, the displeasure on his face gradually faded.
He patted Li Jianguo on the shoulder: "Brother, everyone's back, so there's no need to bring that up again."
"What is it?" Li Xiangyang keenly sensed that his second uncle's words had a hidden meaning.
Li Jianguo waved his hand: "It's nothing. I just heard yesterday that you went to pick up your sister, and your second uncle and I were discussing whether we should also go to the Yan family to support your sister. Now it seems we won't need to."
Li Xiangyang felt a warmth in his heart. It turned out that the two uncles' argument was about how to help his eldest sister.
"Since things have come to this, let's go back. Guihua, if you need any help, just let us know."
After all, blood is thicker than water. The little bit of unhappiness in my second uncle's heart came and went quickly. He said goodbye and left with my second aunt.
"Thank you, Second Uncle," Li Guihua said softly.
After his second uncle's family took their leave, Li Xiangyang said to his eldest uncle, "Uncle, I'll take my eldest sister and Xiaolan to the old house to settle in first, and then I'll come back to talk to you in detail later."
The uncle nodded: "Go ahead, and make sure to tell your mother as soon as possible, so she doesn't misunderstand."
Li Xiangyang nodded, picked up his luggage, and left his uncle's house with his older sister and Xiao Lan, heading towards his own old house.
Although the old house had been vacant for a while, it didn't seem particularly desolate because Li Xiangyang often came back to tend to the pond.
"Sister, this is the pond I dug. I usually raise fish and shrimp here, and I'm also planning to raise forest frogs. If you want to eat fish, you can catch some anytime. Of course, there will be more mosquitoes in the summer, so please bear with it. Try burning some mugwort before bed. Also, crush some wild rice seedlings, mix them with water, and apply it to your skin to prevent mosquito bites."
As Li Xiangyang spoke, he pushed open the door. The room was somewhat empty, but it was very clean.
"Big sister, please settle in here first. I'll go back to the new house to get some bedding and daily necessities," Li Xiangyang said to his older sister after putting down his luggage.
Li Guihua nodded, tears welling up in her eyes.
Back at the new house, Li Xiaoyun was hanging clothes to dry in the yard.
Seeing Li Xiangyang return, he quickly went to greet him: "How did it go? Did you bring your older sister back?"
Li Xiangyang nodded and briefly recounted his experiences over the past few days.
“I plan to let my older sister live in the old house. She just got divorced and has a child, so she needs a place to stay,” Li Xiangyang said.
Upon hearing this, a hint of approval flashed in Li Xiaoyun's eyes: "That's great! The old house is just sitting empty anyway, and it'll be good that someone will look after it now that my eldest sister is living there."
Li Xiangyang held his wife's hand: "I still want to give my older sister some money so that she and Xiaolan can have a better life."
Li Xiaoyun laughed: "That's money you earned hunting. You can give it to them if you want. You're the head of the household, why are you asking me about this?"
"Wife, you're so good to me." Li Xiangyang looked at Li Xiaoyun with deep affection.
Li Xiaoyun's cheeks flushed slightly, and she gently nudged him, saying, "Stop being so cheeky, go get your things. I'll also pack some rice, flour, oil, and salt to take to my older sister."
The couple packed their necessities and headed to the old house together.
Inside the old house, Li Guihua was wiping the furniture with Xiao Lan when she saw her younger brother and sister-in-law arrive and hurriedly went to greet them.
"Big sister, this is my wife, Li Xiaoyun," Li Xiangyang introduced. Although he had met his older sister and wife at their wedding, they had only exchanged greetings and were not very familiar with each other.
"Hello, elder sister." Li Xiaoyun greeted her warmly, placing the bundle she was carrying on the table. "I brought some rice, flour, and seasonings. Please see if there's anything else we need, and we'll go get it."
Li Guihua said somewhat apologetically, "You've already gone to so much trouble; this is enough."
Li Xiaoyun took Li Guihua's hand: "Sister, we're family, don't be so polite."
Li Xiangyang put away the bedding and other items, then took a small cloth bag from his pocket and handed it to his older sister: "Sister, here's fifty yuan. Take it and use it first. If you need anything in the future, just let me know."
Li Guihua's eyes reddened as she looked at the money her younger brother handed her: "Xiangyang, this is too much... I can't accept it."
"Sister, please accept this," Li Xiangyang insisted. "You need to start over now; this little bit of money is nothing."
Li Xiaoyun also chimed in, "Big sister, please accept it. It's Xiangyang's kind gesture."
Li Guihua finally accepted the money without further refusal, but still kept her lips pursed, as if she had something to say.
Li Xiangyang noticed his older sister's hesitation and encouraged her, "Sister, just say what you're thinking. We're family."
Li Guihua took a deep breath and looked at her younger brother and sister-in-law: "I don't want to take your money for nothing. I plan to do some chores to supplement the family income. During my years with the Yan family, I learned to make insoles and do paper cutting; my skills are pretty good..."
Li Xiaoyun's eyes lit up: "Big sister can make insoles? That's great! This is a good business opportunity. Although most people in the village can do it, selling them in the city will definitely ensure a good market."
Li Xiangyang looked at his wife approvingly, his heart filled with gratitude.
Li Xiaoyun not only accepted his family, but also immediately thought of ways to help her older sister become independent again.
"Then it's settled!" Li Xiangyang decided. "Sister, you settle down first and get some rest. We'll discuss the business deal when you're ready."
Li Guihua nodded repeatedly, her eyes glistening with tears, but this time they were tears of joy.
Xiao Lan smiled when she saw her mother's smile.
As the sun set, Li Xiangyang and Li Xiaoyun bid farewell to their sister and niece.
In the courtyard, two ponds reflected the sunset, and fish swam leisurely in the water.
Under the eaves, several swallows chirped as they returned to their nests.
Standing in front of the old house, holding her daughter, Li Guihua looked at this home that had started anew and felt a long-lost sense of peace welling up in her heart.