CHAPTER 37: CHAPTER 37 NEW YEAR GREETINGS

Xia Xiao was startled when he heard that they had also gone into the mountains to look for the black bear.

However, they must not have encountered it, he thought, considering the hidden cave in the mountainside and the grass that covered it. Xia Xiao breathed a sigh of relief, thinking they were concerned about the injured black bear and decided to be more cautious next time they entered the mountains.

Although the two black bears had injured the Gao family members, after the incident with the mother bear giving birth, Xia Xiao had saved them and built a friendly relationship. If they could be considered friends, Xia Xiao didn’t blame the black bears—it was, after all, Luo Mingzhe and Liu Yue who had trespassed on their territory.

He didn’t have much sympathy, but now that they were friends with the black bears, Xia Xiao didn’t want to see anything happen to their family.

The Gao family’s place was truly bustling, with the leader of the Red Star Production Team, Liu Jiefang, showing great sincerity by bringing half a wild boar, which Gao Guoqiang then shared to enrich the production team’s meal. Luo Mingzhe and Liu Yue had also brought some items, and Zheng Xianghong had invited some of the educated youth to join them.

Xia Xiao saw Liu Haihua’s family, Ge Lai, and Hong Xing, along with acquaintances like Luo Mingzhe and Liu Yue, and also Wang Aihua and Yang Xuehua.

"Xia Xiao," as soon as they saw Xia Xiao coming, Wang Aihua and Yang Xuehua both called out.

Luo Mingzhe also looked over, while Liu Yue immediately turned her face away; Liu Haihua seemed to have heard something from Liu Yue and was now looking at Xia Xiao with a hint of hostility.

"Sister Aihua, Sister Xuehua, didn’t Meihua come?" She noticed everyone from her dormitory was here except Dong Meihua.

"She went to the He Family."

Xia Xiao uttered an "oh" and said nothing more. Lately, she had been deliberately avoiding He Xuebing, and she knew that Dong Meihua and the He Family had become close, so the news didn’t surprise her.

Everyone was picking vegetables, and Xia Xiao joined them, keeping close to Yang Xuehua, especially since Luo Mingzhe and Liu Yue were around.

However, Luo Mingzhe and Liu Yue were keeping to themselves; Luo Mingzhe occasionally glanced at Yang Xuehua, but Liu Yue didn’t look at Yang Xuehua or Xia Xiao again, sticking close and talking to Liu Haihua.

"I’ll go see if Aunt Hong needs help, lend a hand," Yang Xuehua said, likely feeling uncomfortable with Luo Mingzhe’s gazes and wanting to leave.

Xia Xiao followed her to the kitchen, where Zheng Xianghong and her daughters were, along with Liu Hai’s mother.

Gao Yongfang saw Xia Xiao and quietly said something to her two sisters, who both looked towards Xia Xiao, who pretended not to notice.

Zheng Xianghong had three daughters: Chunfang, Lifang, and Yongfang. The oldest and the second daughters weren’t as pretty as the youngest, but they were brisk and efficient women, just like Zheng Xianghong.

Soon, the kitchen work was done, and Xia Xiao helped everyone carry the dishes out. The women from the kitchen also went out, and Zheng Xianghong was outside, calling everyone to come eat together.

Gao Yongfang said to her two older sisters, "I really don’t know what Mom is thinking, with so many educated female youths in the production team, she just likes Xia Xiao, who is dark, thin, and short. She’s not at all suitable for our younger brother."

"Yongfang, enough, Mom doesn’t mean that at all," Gao Chunfang said.

Gao Lifang also glanced at Gao Yongfang and added, "She isn’t ugly, and she isn’t that dark. Actually, she is quite delicate-looking, just a lot shorter than our younger brother."

"Mom may not mean it now, but who knows about later? You see, she even specifically invited her over for dinner." Gao Yongfang just couldn’t look favorably upon Xia Xiao and was very opposed to the possibility of Xia Xiao becoming her sister-in-law in the future.

"You’re overthinking it. It still depends on our younger brother. As for what you mentioned, I don’t agree," Gao Chunfang stated.

Gao Lifang nodded, "Exactly, I don’t know what you’re thinking, suggesting that Jiazhi go and marry into her family. Mom would kill you!"

Gao Yongfang grumbled, "The whole family dotes on our younger brother the most, even Dad is biased towards him. Whenever there was anything good to eat, Dad would give it to our younger brother first. Although Mom loves Jiazhi too, she loves our younger brother even more. What future could Jiazhi possibly have with such treatment? He’s already been through high school. If he marries into the deputy manager’s family, he might even have a chance to become an official and make something of himself."

"Ugh, get ahead in life? Do you even understand what it means to marry into a family like that? It’s demeaning and people would laugh about it. Don’t talk about whether Dad, Mom, and Jiazhi agree; you wouldn’t even get past Grandma," Gao Lifang mentioned Old Lady Gao, who valued her descendants more than life itself. Even though her two younger brothers didn’t receive as much favoritism from Grandma as her other cousins, they were still more valued than all the girls.

At the mention of Old Lady Gao, Gao Yongfang pouted, "Maybe not. If Grandma knew that there are great benefits to Jiazhi marrying in, she might be the first to agree."

"Gao Yongfang, how dare you!" Gao Chunfang glared and warned, "If you mention this to Grandma, I won’t acknowledge you as my sister anymore."

"Big sister, second sister, how can you not understand? With such great benefits, aren’t you moved at all?" Gao Yongfang was anxious, thinking she might be able to persuade her two older sisters.

"Moved? How can we be moved? Sell our brother?" Gao Chunfang retorted.

"How is it selling him? Even married into another family, he is still our brother," Gao Yongfang failed to understand, "Mom and Dad have two sons. What’s the problem if one of them marries in? We’re so poor now. What can we provide for Jiazhi and Jiaxing in the future? With such a good opportunity and great benefits, why not fight for it?"

Gao Chunfang looked at Gao Yongfang and said, "Have you even asked if Jiazhi agrees? Since childhood, you two have been close. Whenever you got into trouble, he took the blame for you. If Mom gave him something to eat and you were jealous, he would give it to you. Search your conscience—using Jiazhi to gain benefits, wouldn’t you be afraid of hurting his heart?"

"Exactly, little sister. Ever since you married into that family, you’ve changed so much, become so sharp," Gao Lifang spoke, "Appearance reflects the heart. We three originally all looked like Mom, but now when I look at you, you have become sharper."

Gao Yongfang frowned unhappily at Gao Lifang. "Second sister, are you jealous of me? I am more beautiful and married better than you, and Mom loves me the most. I know you’ve always been unhappy about it."

Gao Lifang, speechless, turned to Gao Chunfang, "I’m not talking to her anymore. You handle it. Anyway, this must not get to Grandma. After all the suffering Mom has endured, if anyone creates drama with Grandma, I’ll be the first to have a problem with them."

Saying so, Gao Lifang walked out. Gao Chunfang looked at Gao Yongfang and said, "I feel the same way. You know how explosive my temper can be. Try persuading Jiazhi if you’re so capable, but if Grandma finds out, don’t blame me for dealing with you harshly."

Gao Chunfang was really disappointed in Gao Yongfang. After getting married, the sisters hadn’t interacted much, and Gao Chunfang didn’t like to visit Gao Yongfang’s house either. Even greetings during the New Year were uncomfortable and awkward.