Chapter 54: Night Conversations of the Xiao Clan

Turning to his grandmother, he said, “Grandma, in a while we’ll go visit Second Great-Uncle’s house to discuss today’s matter. For now, could you go to my room and help patch my old trousers? There’s a hole in them.”

Hearing about today’s events, his grandmother let out a long sigh. “Such misfortune,” she said. On hearing about the torn trousers, she immediately stood up, fetched her sewing kit, and headed toward Xia Weiguo’s room, muttering, “Weiguo, your clothes can’t have holes. Grandma will mend them well, so no one will notice the patch.”

Xia Weiguo hurried into his room ahead of her and tossed the old trousers onto the bed from his secret stash. Once his grandmother had entered, he slipped out to the main room, joined his grandfather, and, carrying a pile of goods, they quietly left for Second Great-Uncle’s house.

On the way, Xia Weiguo teased his grandfather, “Grandpa, what do you think Grandma will say when she sees you’ve given away so many things?”

Grandfather straightened his back and, looking up at the sky, said, “What can she say? I’m the head of this house. If I say east, your grandma won’t say west. If I ask for thin porridge, she won’t make it thick.”

Thin porridge—wasn’t that because there wasn’t enough grain? Xia Weiguo suppressed a laugh at his grandfather’s stubbornness.

When they reached Second Great-Uncle’s house, they found it nearly full of people. Second Great-Uncle addressed Xia Iron-Ox, “Old Fourth, I knew you’d come today. I called over the heads of all the households. Let’s have the Xia family sit together for a talk.”

“Second Brother, thoughtful as always. We’ll wait for my disappointing Third Brother—he’s gone to see Doctor Zhang but will be here soon. After all, today’s matter concerns him.” As he spoke, he placed the things he’d brought onto the table. “These are some things Weiguo brought back to honor our elders. There’s also this cloth—divvy it up as you see fit. It’s discount fabric; don’t mind the flaws.”

Second Great-Uncle looked over the pile and nodded at Xia Weiguo and Xia Iron-Ox. “Weiguo is considerate—why would we mind? Every household needs cloth these days. If you get the chance, buy more next time. The more the better. Each family can pool some money.”

He then called toward the inner rooms, “Wife, come out and open this can; let everyone have a taste. Cook the chicken and rabbit right away—let everyone have some chicken soup and a bit of meat to warm their bellies. And fetch my wine; let each person have a drink.”

Xia Iron-Ox quickly interjected, “Second Brother, keep some for yourself; we brought it for you.”

Others from the Xia family chimed in, “Yes, you should keep it. We’ve already had a good meal before coming; we’re not hungry.”

But Second Great-Uncle paid no heed and shouted again, “Wife, hurry up!”

Second Great-Aunt shot her husband a fierce glare as she came out, then carried the items to the kitchen.

“Take the cloth too—cut it into five pieces, each eight feet long, enough for a set of clothes. Tomorrow, deliver them to the five Xia family households who are struggling most for now,” Second Great-Uncle called after her.

She ignored him, placing the items in the kitchen, then washed and dried her hands before carefully carrying the precious roll of cloth to the inner room.

The house was filled with idle chatter and the smoke of dry tobacco, swirling so thickly that it seemed like a fairyland.

Just then, Xia Gonglin and Xia Pingle arrived together. Gonglin, patting Pingle’s shoulder, seemed to be offering comfort.

“Find a seat—almost everyone’s here. Let’s begin,” Second Great-Uncle announced to the room.

The thick smoke made Xia Weiguo cough twice and he hurried to open the door for fresh air.

When Xia Weiguo had sat down again, Second Great-Uncle began, “First, let’s speak of good news. Most of you have heard—our Xia family’s Weiguo has become a worker in town. He’s now a city resident. Among this generation, he stands out. From now on, work hard in the city. We country folk have nothing else, but we have strength and endurance.

“If the opportunity arises, you can help bring other Xia family members into town. Of course, not if it causes you trouble.”

Xia Weiguo quickly stood and replied, “Don’t worry, Second Great-Uncle. I’ll do my best in the city, and if there’s a chance, I’ll see if I can recommend Weidong or Weinan to come as well.”

The room filled with congratulations for Weiguo, and he responded with thanks to each.

When the voices quieted, Second Great-Uncle raised his hand for silence and continued, “Now for the bad news.”

He pointed at his third son, Xia Pingcheng—who was also Xia Weinan’s father—and said sternly, “Stand up!”

“Tell me, when Pingle was being beaten this afternoon, were you present? Why didn’t you intervene? Why didn’t you help?”

Xia Pingcheng bowed his head, silent.

In truth, he’d already received several kicks from his own father upon returning home, and his backside still ached.

Second Great-Uncle went on, “On our own turf, watching our own kin getting beaten, and all of you act like turtles hiding in their shells—is that it?”

In his anger, he slapped Xia Pingcheng on the head. Those present who had also witnessed the incident bowed their heads in shame.

“In my eyes, whether Pingle divorces his wife or not is no great matter—if you can’t live together, you just separate. There are plenty of good women out there.

“What truly enrages me is that so many of our clan stood by, watching one of our own being beaten, and did nothing. That is the great disgrace of the Xia family.”

As Second Great-Uncle lectured, no one in the room dared even breathe too loudly.

“Remember this: Even if our family member is at fault, you must first stand up for him—stand tall and drive outsiders away! Do you all hear me?” Second Great-Uncle’s voice boomed.

“Don’t worry, Second Uncle. We promise we won’t be so cowardly in the future. Today, we just thought it was Pingle’s family matter, so we didn’t dare get involved,” a middle-aged man explained from the crowd.

“Family matter? When four men surnamed Wang had knocked him to the ground, you still call it a family matter?” Second Great-Uncle’s anger flared again.

The man immediately fell silent and stared at the floor as if searching for ants.

At that moment, Xia Iron-Ox interjected, “Second Brother, don’t be angry anymore. Everyone understands now. Let’s discuss how to handle Third Brother’s issue.”

Second Great-Uncle turned to Xia Pingle, “Pingle, what are your thoughts? Do you still want to live with that girl from the Wang family? Let’s hear what you have to say.”