| TBBOTOF | 337
Ever since Tang Xu was born, the father and son had never argued, and Tang Erhu had never been one to say much. But today, he suddenly exploded.
Startled, Tang Xu nearly spilled his sobering tea as he steadied the cup in his hand.
Seeing his father glaring with puffed-up cheeks, Tang Xu raised an eyebrow and said, “Dad, if you have something to say, say it properly. Why are you shouting? If you don't want them to go, yelling won’t change anything.”
Tang Erhu was momentarily speechless, irritated as he slapped the heated kang. “What nonsense! They are always thinking about running off. Why go so far away? You can earn silver anywhere. Why insist on going just because it gives you a lot of profit?”
Wang Cuicui interjected, “Yongcheng.”
“Exactly! Yongcheng! That’s so far! Every time Dongzi goes out, he’s gone for three or four months. If Ah Li and her husband go, won’t it be years before they return?”
The more Tang Erhu spoke, the more his eyes reddened, clearly unwilling to let his daughter move so far away.
Tang Xu sighed lightly and shifted to sit on the heated kang. “Dad, they say a man should first establish his family before his career. Liu Yao has lived with us for years, but he’s not actually married into the Tang family. He’s already in his late twenties—how can he just stay here forever? Besides, if Ah Li and her husband have kids, are they supposed to squeeze in here with you and Mom?”
No matter what, Tang Li was a married daughter. While their own family didn’t mind, the villagers had whispered about it plenty.
Liu Yao never showed it on his face, but who knew how he really felt?
Right now, he seemed stable and treated Ah Li well, but who could predict what would happen in a few years?
“Dad, we have to put ourselves in his shoes. People have been calling Liu Yao a live-in son-in-law—do you think he’s happy about that? If you were in his place, wouldn’t you have fought with those gossipers by now? I admit I have my own reasons for wanting them to go. Our Ah Li is capable. Even if this man turns out to be unreliable, she has the skills to earn silver and live comfortably.”
Tang Xu’s voice was gentle and steady. After a few sentences, Tang Erhu’s expression softened, though he remained stubborn, pursing his lips in silence.
Tang Xu continued, “You and Auntie are still in good health and don’t need us to take care of you. The braised meat shop in town is well managed with the three of you handling it. Wouldn’t it be good if they could go out and earn a few years’ worth of silver? Besides, Dongzi has already paved the way for this route.
The trade caravan isn’t something that can just be abandoned. They’ll still be able to come back once a year—what’s there to be so reluctant about? Even if you don’t consider Liu Yao, think about Ah Li. Letting them go out to see the world would be good for them. And if they can’t settle down over there, in a few years when you and Auntie aren’t as strong as before, they can always come back. It’s not like that’s impossible.”
“We’ve saved up quite a bit over the years. If we wanted to, we could move to the county town or even the provincial capital. Dad, are you really afraid you won’t get to see your daughter again?”
Based on what he knew of Tang Li, she’d probably start missing home not long after leaving.
Whether she and Liu Yao could establish themselves out there was still uncertain. But he couldn’t say that in front of his father—otherwise, the old man would definitely refuse to let them go altogether.
Tang Erhu remained silent for a long time before furrowing his brows and asking, “They’re going so far away, and we won’t be there. What if Ah Li gets bullied?”
“Dad, by your logic, Ah Li wouldn’t have been able to get married at all if that was the case. And let’s be honest—Liu Yao is still relying on our family to make a living. How could he possibly mistreat Ah Li?” Tang Xu felt that his father was simply being an overprotective parent, making a fuss over nothing.
Wang Cuicui poured another bowl of hot water for her husband, thought for a moment, and then spoke up to persuade him.
“We’ve known Liu Yao for years—we’re clear on what kind of person he is. If you really thought he was unreliable, you wouldn’t have agreed to let Ah Li marry him in the first place. The kids are grown now and want to go out and explore. As a father, there is no reason to stop them. What do you say?”
Tang Xu nodded in agreement. That was exactly the point.
Tang Erhu didn’t respond. Instead, he turned over, lay down on the heated kang, and pulled the thick quilt over himself—this was his way of saying he didn’t care anymore, do whatever you want!
Tang Xu looked exasperated and turned to Wang Cuicui.
She shot him a look and waved her hand, silently telling him to let it be. Then, she got up and walked out of the room.
Once Wang Cuicui had closed the bedroom door behind her, she and Tang Xu sat down at the table in the main hall.
“Auntie, why is my dad so stubborn?” Tang Xu picked up the kettle of boiled water that had cooled slightly and poured them each a cup.
Because of the fireplace, the water hadn’t cooled completely.
He took a few big gulps, wiped his mouth, and grumbled, “He’s making a fuss over nothing.”
Wang Cuicui chuckled and said, “You know your father’s temperament. No matter how unwilling he sounds, he won’t really stop them from leaving. He’s just worried and reluctant.”
“Auntie, I get what you mean. I’m not actually mad at my dad. But Ah Li and Liu Yao are really eager to go to Yongcheng. Even if he stops them this time, they’ll just try again later. Instead of dragging this out, why not just let them go? The trade caravan sets off every three or four months anyway. My dad is still strong and healthy—if he’s really that worried, he could even go with them for a trip and see things for himself.”
The more Tang Xu spoke, the more he felt like this was a good idea. His father wasn’t even fifty yet. If he traveled with the trade caravan, maybe it would broaden his horizons.
Wang Cuicui, however, found the idea ridiculous. She quickly waved him off. “No, no, no. Go to your bedroom and rest. Your father isn’t that young anymore—he can’t just go wandering around like that.”
Tang Xu thought to himself that it wasn’t impossible. If he put in a little effort to persuade his father, who knew?
Maybe he’d actually agree.
But he didn’t say that out loud—it was better not to upset his aunt.
When he got back, Tang Li and Liu Yao were in the kitchen, tidying up. There wasn’t actually much to clean; they were just waiting for him to return so they could ask about the situation.
As soon as she saw him, Tang Li’s face lit up with expectation, her eyes full of urgency.
Tang Xu, of course, wouldn’t keep his sister waiting.
He said, “Dad probably listened to what I said, but I can’t guarantee that he won’t change his mind by morning.”
After all, he was still tipsy now, and once he sobered up, he might just claim he didn’t remember anything.
Who could argue with that?
Tang Li’s face expressed disappointment.
Tang Xu patted her shoulder gently in reassurance. “Don’t worry. I’ll talk to him again tomorrow. You two go wash up and get some rest. We’ll figure things out in the morning.”
He finished speaking and gave Liu Yao a look, his gaze carrying a hint of scrutiny.
Liu Yao was slightly taken aback, unsure what his brother-in-law's look meant.
"Brother Xu, is there something you want to say to me?" Liu Yao asked.
Tang Xu shook his head. "It's nothing. We’ll talk tomorrow. Hurry up and head to bed," he waved him off.
Tang Xu then went to check on the kids. Seeing they were already lying down quietly, he didn't say anything and went straight back to the main room.
Inside, Wei Dong was sitting on the heated brick bed, examining a large stack of silver notes.
Hearing the noise, he turned his head, raised an eyebrow, and asked, "So, did Dad not agree?"
Tang Xu sighed and spread his hands. "Who knows? I’ll ask again tomorrow."
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