Chapter 32: A Temper That Comes and Goes Quickly

Father Li slapped away his third son’s outstretched hand. Seeing his carefree attitude, he said angrily, “Go ask your mother. I don’t have any.”

“Dongzi is going to do something important, not go out and spend money recklessly. What’s wrong with you giving him some?”

Grandma Li was very dissatisfied, her eyes fixed on Father Li.

Father Li felt his hair stand on end under his mother’s gaze, “Mom, I really don’t have any. Don’t you know? It’s been so many years. Since I got married, when have I ever had money or tickets on me? My salary is all with Dongzi’s mother.”

Seeing Father Li’s spineless appearance, Grandma Li felt that her son was too disappointing. It was one thing for his wife to control him when he was young, but now he was over fifty and still being controlled by his wife.

“You useless thing. At your age, you can’t even control your own wife.”

Father Li complained, “Can you blame me for that? Wasn’t it you who found this wife for me back then?”

Mother Li came into the room with the newly washed aluminum lunch box and happened to hear Father Li’s words. She slammed the lunch box on the dining table with a “bang.”

She walked up to Father Li and started scolding, “What are you saying, you old thing? What’s wrong with me being your wife? Where have I not met your expectations?”

Father Li quickly explained, “What are you talking about? That’s not what I meant just now. Don’t misunderstand.”

“If that’s not what you meant, then what did you mean? I heard your tone of voice clearly just now. Don’t think you can fool me!”

Father Li and Mother Li were bickering and arguing, but none of the three Li Xiangdong brothers said a word to mediate. They, the younger generation, were already used to it.

They knew their own parents. Father Li and Mother Li had been arguing for a lifetime, and the commotion was never smaller than this time.

They all knew that Mother Li’s temper came quickly and went quickly.

Only Father Li, who had been caught by his words, sat on pins and needles. He opened his mouth, not knowing what to say, his face full of difficulty.

His face turned from dark to red, then from red to dark. In the end, he didn’t say anything. He just snorted, didn’t even eat his meal, and went back to his room.

Li Xiangdong thought his father looked quite pitiful, but he didn’t feel sorry for him.

His father would definitely not go hungry. This was not the first time. His eldest brother would remember to bring food for his father when he went to work.

“You should say less in the future.”

Old Man Li said to Grandma Li. Grandma Li closed her mouth and didn’t say anything. She also knew that she had caused trouble for her son this time.

Mother Li packed the aluminum lunch box she had just slammed on the table and said, “Dad, Mom, I didn’t mean to target you two just now. Don’t take it to heart. You know what my temper is like. When I heard him muttering about me behind my back, I just couldn’t help but say a few words to him.”

Grandma Li didn’t speak. Old Man Li chuckled, “It’s fine, it’s fine. Your mother and I didn’t mind. But it’s better for a family to be harmonious. If you can avoid arguing, then don’t argue.”

At this moment, Li Xiaozhu, who was standing in Zhou Yuqin’s arms, propped her hands on the table. Not only was she not scared, but she opened her mouth to reveal a few small teeth, and with a fierce expression, she slammed the table and shouted, “Hit…”

“Grandma… hit.”

Hearing Li Xiaozhu’s words, a smile immediately appeared on Mother Li’s face. Her smiling appearance was a completely different person from just now.

She walked over and sat down next to Zhou Yuqin, reaching out to touch the small tuft of hair on Li Xiaozhu’s head.

“It’s still my little Xiaoqi who knows how to dote on Grandma. She’s so young and already knows how to speak up for Grandma.”

A not-so-big, not-so-small storm passed, and the atmosphere in the room immediately relaxed a little. The children at the small dining table began to chatter again.

Li Xiangdong moved closer to his mother and said flatteringly, “Can you give me some money and tickets? I’ll need them if I can’t make it back for lunch and have to eat outside.”

Mother Li took out a handkerchief and asked, “How much do you want?”

Li Xiangdong said with a smile, “You can just give me what you think is right. More or less, I won’t be like my dad and say you’re wrong, will I?”

Mother Li rolled her eyes at him, “Li Laosan, are you trying to stir up trouble?”

Li Xiangdong explained, “I wouldn’t dare. I’m speaking up for you. Didn’t you hear?”

“I really didn’t hear! Take it and get lost after you finish eating!”

Mother Li took out a few bills and tickets, stuffed them into her third son’s hand, and then ignored him. She hadn’t finished her breakfast yet.

No one spoke, and breakfast was quickly finished.

Before leaving, the eldest brother took two steamed corn buns from the basket. Mother Li glanced at her eldest son but didn’t say anything. Arguing was one thing, but she would definitely not let her husband go to work on an empty stomach.

Li Xiangdong went back to his room, changed his clothes, put the prepared things in his cloth bag, and planned to go to his mother to get the household registration book.

When he came out of the room, he saw his grandfather pacing in the courtyard. Knowing that he was waiting for him, he walked straight over.

Old Man Li asked, “Is what your mother gave you enough? If not, I’ll get you some more.”

Li Xiangdong glanced at the main house and saw that no one was there. He said in a low voice, “It’s enough. My mother definitely won’t let me go hungry. She’s just sharp-tongued but soft-hearted. You and Grandma shouldn’t be angry because of this.”

Old Man Li shook his head, “We won’t. It’s been decades. How could your grandmother and I not know your mother’s temper? Don’t worry about it. Go and report for duty with peace of mind and get your job settled.”

Li Xiangdong nodded, “I know, Grandpa. I’ll go and get the household registration book from my mother now.”