Chapter 497: Chapter 497: Vicious Mother-in-Law 43
The fourth sibling, Ma Xiangmei, got married three years ago. Her husband is Ma Xiangdong’s comrade, Wang Jian Country, and it was Ma Xiangdong who acted as the matchmaker for their marriage.
Because the two went to the unit on the third day after their marriage, they hadn’t had a home leave for the next three years.
However, every year during the festival, Ma Xiangmei would send twenty yuan to Yuan Chun and also send some nutritional products for Yuan Chun to consume.
This year, even before the festival, Ma Xiangmei sent twenty yuan to Yuan Chun. After Yuan Chun received the money, she asked Ma Xiangdong to write a reply to Ma Xiangmei and also sent back a few dried rabbits and two jin of dried mushrooms by mail.
On the twenty-second day of the twelfth lunar month, Ma Xiangmei and Wang Jian Country returned with their one-and-a-half-year-old daughter.
The day after returning to her in-laws, the couple, carrying their child and lugging big bags and small bags, went to Qinghe Village to visit Yuan Chun.
As soon as Ma Xiangmei entered the door, she kneeled in front of Yuan Chun, "Mother, I’m back. I haven’t been filial, coming to see you only now after getting married."
Yuan Chun hurriedly pulled her eldest daughter up, "Meizi, you haven’t been unfilial. You are a military spouse. Your responsibility is to take good care of Jian Country’s home front and manage that household well for him."
Ma Xiangmei immediately started crying, "Mother... I miss you..."
"I miss you too," Yuan Chun quietly said on behalf of the original owner.
Then, Ma Xiangmei noticed Ma Xiangdong’s empty pant leg, and she couldn’t control her tears anymore, "Brother, how are you? Does your leg still hurt?"
"Meizi, don’t cry. I’m doing well, and my leg doesn’t hurt anymore," Ma Xiangdong raised his hand, habitually patting his little sister’s head.
Ma Xiangmei cried even louder, "Brother, my heart aches for you."
"I’m okay." Ma Xiangdong took out a handkerchief to wipe her tears, "Even though I only have one leg left, I’m not useless. I will work hard to earn money, support the family, and raise your two nieces, and also take care of our mother in her old age."
Ma Xiangdong pointed to a few bamboo furniture pieces in the room, "Look, these pieces of bamboo furniture are my handiwork. Even if I were to lose both of my legs, I could still support the family with this craftsmanship."
It was only then Ma Xiangmei noticed the furnishings in the room had changed from before.
Several pieces of bamboo furniture had been added to the room.
Every piece was as beautiful as a work of art.
Ma Xiangmei instantly fell in love with them.
Seeing the fondness in her eyes, Ma Xiangdong said, "Meizi, there are a few more pieces of bamboo furniture in the warehouse at home. You can take them back with you. They are something your big brother prepared for you."
"Brother, I can’t take your furniture for free. I will pay you."
"What are you talking about? These are gifts from me. Consider them as compensation for your dowry from your big brother."
"Brother, I..."
"Alright, they’re just a few pieces of furniture. The mountains have plenty of bamboo, and it doesn’t cost anything. It’s just a bit of effort on my part. Don’t argue with me about it."
"Okay, then I will accept them. Thank you, Brother."
Moved, Ma Xiangmei smiled through her tears.
Among the siblings, Ma Xiangmei had the best relationship with Ma Xiangdong and always respected her eldest brother and sister-in-law, being very close to them.
Before she was married, whenever she was home, she would help her sister-in-law with household chores.
After she followed the military, she didn’t worry about her mother but was concerned about her sister-in-law and her two nieces having a tough time, worrying her mother might be difficult towards her sister-in-law and her two nieces.
Last year, when her brother was severely injured and lost a leg, she was upset and stressed which caused premature labor by half a month for her daughter.
With her brother forced to retire and return home, she worried her mother would treat him poorly, and she had been worried about her brother all the time, unable to sleep well for over a year.
Unexpectedly, her mother not only didn’t blame her brother and sister-in-law but also started treating them very well, making her heart that was always raised finally settle heavily.
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