Brother Xie: Brother Xie is back.
Liu Shufeng’s entire worldview was overturned.
She couldn’t believe what she had just heard. What? The son-in-law she picked for her daughter, Xie Mingtu, was actually a learning prodigy? He had even been praised by a professor and could earn translation fees by helping with translations?
This all sounded like something that shouldn’t be happening in their small Qiao Xin Village.
“Xiaoman, is this really true?” Liu Shufeng asked, still dazed. It was as if a massive pie had fallen from the sky and knocked her senseless.
It was hard to describe her emotions at this moment. Liu Shufeng had been quite content, thinking she had brought home a piece of iron that others had mistaken for mud. But now, it seemed she had been mistaken—this wasn’t iron; it was gold.
She had struck gold.
This kind of fortune—was it even real?
“Mother, you don’t believe me? Let Xie Mingtu show you,” Su Xiaoman said with a glance at Xie Mingtu. He opened one of the bound manuscripts and handed it to Liu Shufeng, even reading some passages aloud.
In fluent English.
Before they left Mr. Wang’s house, the professor had taught them some pronunciation tips, and Xie Mingtu had memorized everything.
Although Liu Shufeng didn’t understand the strange, foreign language, her son-in-law’s fluency was unmistakable. He even explained the content to her or recited Chinese passages for her to test him.
He truly had a photographic memory.
“Alright, I believe you.” Liu Shufeng finally put down the manuscript, but no author in the world could capture the emotions surging in her heart.
She was thrilled!!!
She had truly picked up a golden treasure.
Her eyes sparkled like the night sky. Now, when she looked at Xie Mingtu, it wasn’t as if she were looking at a person; she was gazing at a walking piece of gold—a golden nugget she had secretly brought into her home.
This was completely unexpected. When she had first chosen a husband for her daughter, her requirements had been simple: someone good-looking, hardworking, honest, and who would pamper his wife.
But it turned out…
This “honest man” was also a genius!
Unable to contain her excitement, Liu Shufeng felt like running two laps around the courtyard and slaughtering a chicken to celebrate. With a beaming smile, she took her son-in-law by the arm and pulled him into the main room, treating him like her most cherished treasure.
“Mingtu, come, come, sit here. Sit properly. I’ll get you some water.”
Not only was he good-looking and academically talented, but he also knew those strange foreign languages and had been praised by a professor. Most importantly, he treated her Xiaoman exceptionally well.
Who in the village didn’t say that Xie Lao Wu listened to his wife? If Xiaoman told him to go east, he wouldn’t even glance west.
Where else could she find such a perfect son-in-law?
Under Liu Shufeng’s fiery, affectionate gaze, Xie Mingtu sat nervously, cautiously saying, “Mother, I can pour water myself.”
“No, no, no, Mingtu. You must sit still. Mother will pour it for you,” Liu Shufeng said, waving her hand as she bustled off to fetch a clean cup. She didn’t even spare a glance at her daughter, who could fend for herself.
At this moment, her heart and mind were entirely occupied by her extraordinary son-in-law.
There’s a saying: the more a mother-in-law looks at her son-in-law, the more satisfied she becomes.
Su Xiaoman: “…”
She couldn’t help but feel that her status was slipping.
Liu Shufeng brought over a clean cup and, before pouring hot water, opened the sugar jar. She scooped spoonful after spoonful of sugar into the cup—four heaping spoonful’s in total.
The sound of sugar cascading into the cup was enough to make Su Xiaoman’s eyes widen.
Inwardly, Su Xiaoman mused, So this is her version of “half-sugar.”
Half a cup of sugar, half a cup of water.
It wasn’t “half-sweet”—it was “half-sugar.”
This kind of motherly love… I’ll pass, she thought.
Today might as well be Xie Mingtu’s “sugar day.” She had only fed him two candies earlier, but now her mother was about to give him a “half-sugar” cup.
With a look of sympathy, Su Xiaoman glanced at Xie Mingtu. Sitting stiffly on the stool, he stared at the “half-sugar” concoction in his hands, swallowing nervously.
After adding hot water, Liu Shufeng handed the cup to him with a doting smile. “Here, drink some sugar water.”
Liu Shufeng had always thought her son-in-law was a bit too thin. To make him stronger and smarter, sugar was the answer.
“Careful, it’s still hot,” she said.
Xie Mingtu held the cup, his lashes lowering slightly. Resigned, he blew on the sugar water, closed his eyes, and took a couple of gulps. When he put the cup down, his expression was so indescribable that Su Xiaoman couldn’t bear to look.
If her mother continued this extreme behaviour, Su Xiaoman resolved to step in next time. Otherwise, Xie Mingtu might develop diabetes at a young age.
Sitting beside him, Su Xiaoman leaned closer. “Are you okay, Xie Gouzi?”
Xie Mingtu gave a dry response, “…Xiaoman, do you want some?”
He looked at her with hopeful, puppy-like eyes.
Su Xiaoman resisted his pleading gaze and mercilessly said, “Nope, you can finish it yourself.”
Liu Shufeng immediately turned her sharp eyes on Su Xiaoman. “What do you mean, Xie Gouzi? He’s your brother Mingtu. If you want water, go pour it yourself.”
Xie Mingtu: “…”
He stared at the cup of sugar water in his hands, lost in thought. If he didn’t finish it, it wouldn’t end well. But finishing it might be worse.
Su Xiaoman gleefully called out, “Brother Mingtu, I’m off to pour myself a glass.”
She stood up and poured herself a cup of plain water, turning to him with a mischievous grin. “Want me to top yours off?”
Xie Mingtu’s handsome brows twitched involuntarily. He stared at the bottom of his cup, where the sugar hadn’t fully dissolved.
If he didn’t add water, it would be like eating straight sugar. But adding water… wouldn’t make it much better.
“Thank you, Xiaoman. No need to add,” Xie Mingtu replied obediently, clutching the cup in his hands. Whether he drank it now or later, it was going to be the same. He resolved to finish it in one go.
A real man does things in one go.
Seeing this, Su Xiaoman sat down beside him with the kettle in hand, teasing, “Gouzi, let me add some water for you.”
Xie Mingtu was at a loss for words. He couldn’t quite describe his feelings. He was happy that Xiaoman was being affectionate, but he’d be happier if she didn’t add more water. Thinking about the sugar water he still had to drink, he steeled himself and said, “Go ahead.”
Su Xiaoman chuckled as she poured water into his cup and clinked hers against his. The two sat together, drinking their respective drinks.
From the kitchen door, Liu Shufeng watched the couple sitting outside. Her heart felt lighter than ever.
She came out with the sugar jar again. “Mingtu, do you want more water?”
Xie Mingtu: “…”
Su Xiaoman stifled her laughter.
“No, thank you, Mother,” Xie Mingtu said, turning his deep, puppy-like eyes toward her, filled with a silent plea.
Liu Shufeng, feeling entirely doting, waved him off with a smile. “Alright, alright. You and Xiaoman sit tight. I’ll call your eldest brother to bring back some meat…” Before either of them could stop her, she dashed off to make arrangements.
Left behind, Su Xiaoman and Xie Mingtu exchanged resigned glances before continuing to sip their drinks.
But only Su Xiaoman’s cup had no sugar.
After Xie Mingtu managed to finish the overly sweet sugar water, Su Xiaoman poured him two cups of warm water to help him recover.
“You’re so silly! You didn’t have to finish it all,” Su Xiaoman scolded, even as she laughed. The sheer amount of sugar made her teeth ache just thinking about it.
Xie Mingtu smiled warmly. “Mother poured it for me. How could I not finish it?”
Meanwhile, Liu Shufeng had hurried out to find Su’s eldest brother but instead bumped into the third.
“Mother, where are you off to?” Su’s third brother asked, noting how radiant she looked. It was rare to see her in such high spirits.
“Perfect timing. You go buy two catties of meat. Your sister and brother-in-law are here, and I want to make a good meal,” Liu Shufeng said, grabbing his arm and enlisting him as the helper.
“Mother, really? All this excitement just because Xiaoman and her husband came by? I thought something major happened at home!” Su’s third brother teased.
Liu Shufeng swatted his head lightly. “Isn’t your sister’s harmonious marriage a major event? And besides—”
She paused, realizing she was about to spill the beans about Xie Mingtu’s talent and translation earnings. But this was the village. Spreading such news might invite jealousy or trouble.
Better to keep it under wraps.
“You were saying, Mother? And besides what?” Su’s third brother prodded.
Clearing her throat, Liu Shufeng straightened her face. “Stop asking so many questions. Just go buy the meat.”
“Fine, fine, I’ll go. But remember, this was your idea,” he muttered, already looking forward to the meat.
Later, with the meat bought, Su Xiaoman took charge of the kitchen, whipping up a delicious meal that delighted her father, Su Guodong. At the dinner table, Liu Shufeng was unusually affectionate, showering attention on Xie Mingtu. She even used a soft and gentle tone, asking him questions and piling food onto his plate.
This scene left the Su family men—father and two brothers—raising their eyebrows in silent protest. By the time Xie Mingtu left, Liu Shufeng’s kind words and warm demeanour left him feeling like he’d been embraced by a spring breeze in the midst of autumn.
As Su Xiaoman led him back to the Xie household, she teased, “You see how well Mother treats you? Aren’t you happy?”
“I am,” Xie Mingtu said with a small smile. But after a pause, he added, “It’s just…”
“Just what?”
“I feel like Father and the brothers were looking at me oddly.”
Su Xiaoman patted his shoulder. “Your feelings are spot on.”
Having married the family’s most beautiful daughter and become the focus of their mother’s adoration, it was no wonder the Su men were eyeing him as if he were a thorn in their side.
“But don’t worry. Over time, Father and my brothers will come to appreciate you.”
“Let’s hope so,” Xie Mingtu said, though he wasn’t overly optimistic. Still, he resolved to win over his father-in-law and brothers eventually.
When they returned to the Xie household, they were greeted by a visitor: Xie Mingtu’s fourth sister, Xie Caixiang.
Having married into a family in the neighbouring village, Xie Caixiang often returned to her parents’ home. Her husband’s household was financially comparable to the Xie family—neither much better nor much worse—so Xie Caixiang frequently relied on her natal family for support.
She was clever and calculating, much like her mother, Sun Mei. As the only daughter, she enjoyed her mother’s favour. She also maintained a good relationship with her second sister-in-law, knowing that Sun Mei doted on Xie’s second son. Xie Caixiang often used this connection to her advantage, bringing small benefits back to her marital home, which elevated her status there.
Now, seeing an opportunity with the imminent return of the eldest Xie brother, who always brought back goodies, Xie Caixiang had come to claim her share—and perhaps something extra to flaunt back in her husband’s household.
“Where did the fifth couple go?”
“Didn’t they say they’d come back?”
“Someone just saw them in the village; apparently, they went to the Su family for a meal. That Liu Shufeng even told her third son to butcher some meat.”
“Now people in the village are saying that our fifth son seems to have become a live-in son-in-law for the Su family.” Second Daughter-in-Law, Xu Yanlan, spoke with a hint of insinuation.
She thought to herself that this couple returning and immediately running to the Su family—couldn’t it be because they were aiming to be a live-in son-in-law?
When Sun Mei heard this, she let out a cold snort.
Xie Caixiang, who was eating, found this story intriguing as she listened to Second Daughter-in-Law talk. It was already astonishing enough that the fifth son could marry someone like Su Xiaoman. But for the Su family to even accept him—how was that possible?
Hearing that the fifth son had become more handsome, Xie Caixiang found it even more laughable. How good-looking could the fifth son get?
“Su Xiaoman lives in the same shabby house as the fifth son? Can she even tolerate that?” Xie Caixiang knew how poor Xie Mingtu’s house was. And Su Xiaoman, such a delicate woman—could she really bear to live there and not demand to return home?
The eldest sister-in-law and the third sister-in-law didn’t say much, but Xu Yanlan continued, “You don’t know, do you? Their house has changed a lot. They threw out all the old junk, brought in lots of nice things, even a sewing machine, and on the bed is a silk quilt. We can’t even afford things like that.”
A sewing machine? A silk quilt?
Upon hearing these two items, Xie Caixiang’s mind began to churn.
“Little Aunt!”
“Uncle and Auntie, you’re back!”
Outside, the children shouted excitedly. Now, Su Xiaoman had a good relationship with the children of the eldest and third branches, giving each of them two pieces of candy.
“Thank you, Auntie.”
When Sun Mei saw this, she demanded, “Where did you get that candy?”
“I brought it from my parents’ house. What’s wrong with sharing it with a few nephews and nieces?”
Hearing the commotion outside, Xie Caixiang and Xu Yanlan walked into the courtyard to watch the drama. Xie Caixiang immediately spotted Su Xiaoman, radiant and full of energy. Unexpectedly, after marrying the fifth son, she seemed completely unaffected by hardship and even more beautiful than before.
And the fifth son…
Her gaze fell on the tall, handsome man beside Su Xiaoman. She was instantly stunned. This was… Xie Mingtu?!
Was this her timid, plain-looking fifth brother?
The once scrawny figure had transformed into lean muscles. Clothes that fit perfectly emphasized his tall, upright posture. The previously slouched back now stood straight like a flagpole.
His features were striking, his sharp, bold face exuding charisma. Even standing beside the beautiful Su Xiaoman, he didn’t lose any presence.
Standing together, the couple resembled the sun and moon, complementing each other. Anyone who saw them would call them a perfect match.
This was really Xie Mingtu?
Xie Caixiang was utterly shocked. How could someone have such impeccable features? She even doubted whether he was the same person.
“You…”
“We’re all from the same village, no need for introductions. This is the fourth sister. This is the fifth son’s new wife, Su Xiaoman. Funny enough, you both have something in common—you’re both the fourth child in your families, each with three older brothers,” said the eldest sister-in-law.
Su Xiaoman glanced at Xie Caixiang, who was still in a daze. Xie Caixiang looked very much like her father, Old Man Xie, with prominent cheeks that made her face appear wide. Although this made her seem approachable, everyone in the village knew each other’s character.
And Xie Caixiang had a reputation for taking advantage of others.
“Oh, Xiaoman, you’ve become my fifth brother’s wife. It’s truly fate. We’re family now.”
Xie Caixiang greeted Su Xiaoman warmly, calling her “sister-in-law” and “Xiaoman” with enthusiasm. Su Xiaoman responded with a pleasant smile and called her “fourth sister.”
After some small talk, Xie Caixiang finally got to her point. She started lamenting about her poor marriage, how she suffered at her in-laws, and then subtly suggested that her maternal family should support her more so she could gain some respect at her in-laws.
Su Xiaoman agreed, “Fourth sister, the maternal family should certainly support you.”
“Xiaoman, you’re so understanding. When I got married, our family conditions weren’t great. I didn’t even have a decent quilt as a dowry, just some ragged bedding. My mother-in-law has been complaining ever since, saying my maternal family has no backbone.”
Su Xiaoman: “…”
Su Xiaoman could already guess where this was going.
She feigned sympathy, “Fourth sister, you’ve had such a hard time.”
After expressing her sympathy, Su Xiaoman didn’t say another word.
Xie Caixiang cursed her inwardly for being so tactless. As a sister-in-law, didn’t she know how to please her elders? If she wanted to stay on good terms with the family, she should at least offer some gifts.
“I heard you have a silk quilt. Could you lend it to your fourth sister? Just for a while. I’ve had such a tough time. Even during my wedding, I didn’t have a decent quilt.” She even pretended to choke up.
It was the first time Su Xiaoman witnessed such exaggerated acting. Xie Caixiang was truly shameless, directly asking her sister-in-law for something.
While Xie Caixiang was busy putting on her act, Su Xiaoman didn’t bother to respond. She simply grabbed some sunflower seeds and started snacking leisurely on the side.
The fact that Xie Caixiang had come around meant that the eldest brother would soon return, and with that, the family division would happen. They weren’t even part of the same family, so there was no need to give her any face.
However, some things Xie Mingtu had worked hard for all these years needed to be reclaimed.
It was time to sever ties.
“Xiaoman, why haven’t you said anything? Can’t you help your fourth sister?” Xu Yanlan chimed in. “It’s not easy for her. Her in-laws’ situation isn’t as good as your family’s. Even without one quilt, our family wouldn’t look down on you.”
“Your fourth sister has been struggling to hold her head high at her in-laws without a decent quilt. Can’t you help her?”
After Xu Yanlan finished speaking, Xie Caixiang immediately turned her gaze to Su Xiaoman.
Su Xiaoman set down her sunflower seeds and replied slowly, “Second sister-in-law, I heard you and the fourth sister have the best relationship?”
Xu Yanlan: “What about it?”
“I think a single quilt can’t really help the fourth sister gain respect at her in-laws. After all, nobody is going to see it in her room. But if you’re willing to lend her your new radio, then there’s no need to say more.”
“I guarantee the entire village will envy the fourth sister, and she’ll hold her head high.”
“Then everyone in her family will rely on her to listen to the radio. Now, that’s making a big impression, don’t you think? Fourth sister, what do you think?”
Xie Caixiang hesitated. She had only intended to ask for a silk quilt, but… if she could have a radio at home, she’d be the centre of attention in her in-laws’ household.
The temptation of the radio was too great to resist. Xie Caixiang turned to Xu Yanlan, “Second sister-in-law, could you help me?”
Xu Yanlan cursed her inwardly, furious at how shameless Xie Caixiang was. After she had just defended her earlier, this wretch still dared to eye her belongings.
Xu Yanlan was so angry she wanted to slap her.
Because of the radio, Xu Yanlan’s status in front of Sun Mei had already declined significantly. She could no longer relax every day and now had to work and do housework alongside the eldest sister-in-law.
The hard-earned radio—could she just give it to this person?
Ridiculous!
It was bad enough that the radio was brought up. Once mentioned, Xu Yanlan lost all composure and angrily cursed, “Get lost! Go curry favour with your mother-in-law yourself. Want my radio? No way.”
After speaking, she stormed back to her room in anger.
“Fourth sister, I’m heading back too. I still have to prepare. Is big brother coming back tomorrow?”
Su Xiaoman needed to get things ready and prepare for the family division drama.
She was curious about what kind of scene the eldest brother’s return would bring. Would there be another uproar over dividing the family this year? Most likely, since she had already heard some hints from the eldest sister-in-law. But whether Sun Mei would agree this time was still uncertain.
If Sun Mei outright refused to separate the eldest brother’s family, who knew what kind of chaos might ensue.
The next day, the eldest brother of the Xie family returned.
Not only did he return alone, but he also brought three children—two boys and one girl. The eldest of these children wasn’t even seven years old. It was said they were his comrade’s children. His comrade had fallen ill and passed away, leaving no one to care for the kids, so Xie Jianping decided to adopt them.
Moreover, Xie Jianping had retired from the military. His left leg was injured, leaving him with a limp.
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