Chapter 19: Explanation

He felt as though he was witnessing history unfold. As Xiao Weiguo sat in the tree, swinging his legs, he pondered these things.

The initial benefits had been promised in abundance. Everyone was in for good fortune. After the speech, they were given a day off to go home; Xiao Weiguo thus missed another day of work and was quite pleased.

Upon hearing the news of the assembly, Xiao Tieniu felt uneasy and wanted to discuss the matter, so he said to Xiao Weiguo, “Weiguo, go find your father and your second uncle, have them go to your second grandfather’s house. Let's sit together and ask in detail what this is all about.”

Second Grandfather’s house held considerable influence in Xiao Family Village. The former village chief, now the brigade secretary, Xiao Gonglin, was Second Grandfather’s nephew. Technically, he was also Xiao Tieniu’s nephew, but Xiao Gonglin’s branch was closer to Second Grandfather’s family.

“Alright, Grandpa, I’ll go get them now,” Xiao Weiguo replied, turning to look for his father and second uncle.

He soon spotted Xiao Pingxi and Xiao Pingle walking home together, so he caught up to them and said, “Dad, Second Uncle, Grandpa wants you to go to Second Grandfather’s house for a visit.”

It had been two days since the father and sons last met. Xiao Pingle said to Weiguo, “Alright, your second uncle and I will go now. Weiguo, you should come home tomorrow—your third brother misses you.”

“Dad, please don’t say that. I won’t go back, and you shouldn’t bring it up again. I’ll go with you to Second Grandfather’s house instead,” Xiao Weiguo said, turning to walk alongside the two men.

“Weiguo, you know, if you could just bear with your mother, it’d be fine. Free meals at home are such a blessing. Your grandparents manage as best they can—you shouldn’t trouble them,” Second Uncle Xiao Pingxi remarked.

“Second Uncle, I heard that after the family split, Grandpa and Grandma lived with you, didn’t they? Why did they move out to the old house again?” Xiao Weiguo asked, feigning ignorance.

Xiao Pingxi was momentarily speechless. “It’s just the old folks—they can’t sit still. If you ask me, they should keep living with me. It’s comfortable, and every day I bring their meals right to them and take care of them.”

“Well then, when I go back, I’ll tell Grandma that this afternoon we’ll move into your house so you can fulfill your filial duties,” Xiao Weiguo said, pressing the point.

“Let’s hurry up. Second Uncle and the others must be getting impatient,” Xiao Pingxi quickly changed the subject.

Xiao Weiguo was secretly amused. Neither brother could be relied upon. Not to mention his own father, Xiao Pingle, who had tried several times to say something but always stopped short—likely wanting to talk about caring for the elderly, but when he thought of the woman at home, he probably couldn’t bring himself to say it.

“Fourth Brother, Gonglin will be here soon. Let’s hear what he has to say and see if it’s trustworthy,” Second Grandfather said to Xiao Tieniu as the group arrived at his house.

Xiao Tieniu was the fourth in his generation, and Second Grandfather’s name was Xiao Tieli.

“Dad, Second Uncle, we’re here,” Xiao Pingxi called out as they entered.

“Come in and sit. Wait a bit—let’s listen to Gonglin explain it himself. He knows more than any of us,” Second Grandfather said to them.

Xiao Weiguo found a spot in the corner and sat on the ground; the younger generation had no say. Beside him was Second Grandfather’s grandson, Xiao Weinan.

In Xiao Weiguo’s generation, all the brothers were given the character ‘Wei’ in their names. As for his third brother, even his stepmother insisted on this tradition. For his father’s generation, there was no such consistency—back then, survival itself was enough, and no one led the effort to coordinate names.

While they were talking, the brigade secretary, Xiao Gonglin, arrived.

“Good day, Second Grandfather, Fourth Grandfather...” Xiao Gonglin greeted everyone as he entered. Aside from Xiao Weiguo’s family, other Xiao clan members had also come; the room was packed.

“Enough with the pleasantries, Gonglin. Tell us quickly—what exactly is this thing? Is it beneficial or not?” Second Grandfather pressed Xiao Gonglin.

“It’s certainly beneficial—very much so,” Xiao Gonglin replied.

Xiao Pingxi interjected, “Gonglin, don’t just give us vague assurances. Be specific.”

“To be specific, starting tomorrow, all commune members will have soy milk and fried dough sticks in the morning, braised pork at noon, and big white steamed buns at night. No one will need to cook at home anymore—isn’t that a benefit? Besides the canteen, we’ll set up nurseries, factories, nursing homes, and so on. The primary school will get more funding and hire more teachers. From birth to old age, your life will be just like people in the city.

For example...”

After some more casual conversation, everyone eventually dispersed.

Back home, Xiao Weiguo hurriedly asked his grandfather, “Grandpa, does our family have anything valuable?”