Chapter 571: Standing for Principle, Not Family

"I didn’t say anything. I’m just worried about leaving the pastries in this room. The rats here are big enough to make off with them. These were bought by Jianjun for his grandparents, and the child’s filial piety shouldn’t be wasted."

After saying this, she called Qin Jianjun to leave with her.

Qin Jianjun noticed the tense atmosphere between his mother and his aunt, which left him even more confused.

He knew his mother didn’t think highly of his aunt because of previous incidents involving her and their fourth aunt, but he’d never seen them so openly at odds.

After all, his uncle is his father’s own brother.

Is his mother really going to take the box of pastries away?

Is it appropriate to take away what he brought for his grandparents?

Seeing him look bewildered from one person to another, Mrs. Qin spoke up, "Jianjun, keep it with you. When I want to eat, I’ll come to your room to get it. It’ll be a chance to see my eldest grandson."

"Okay, sure, Grandma."

With Mrs. Qin’s words, Qin Jianjun finally felt relieved.

Outside, Qin Jianjun saw Qian Chuncao directly returning to their room with the box of pastries, making his heart tighten again.

He quickly jogged forward, "Mom, I bought the same pastries for you and Dad as well. There are two more boxes, so even if Jianjun gets greedy, there’ll be enough for you."

Qian Chuncao laughed angrily, "Do you think I took these pastries back just because I don’t want your grandparents to eat them? Am I that petty in your eyes?"

"No... no."

"To tell you the truth, I’m not afraid of your grandparents eating them; I’m afraid these fine pastries will be eaten by unrelated people. Your old aunt has been causing trouble ever since she got pregnant. She’s already had such a big argument with your second grandpa’s family, even asking your grandma to get strawberries from them. As if our Qin Family depends on her womb for descendants. If I didn’t bring these pastries to our room, they’d be taken by Ma Suyun in no time."

He guessed that perhaps his mother was worried about his aunt having some.

This was a five-jin box of pastries with plenty inside, and he thought it wouldn’t matter if his grandparents gave his aunt a piece or two.

But hearing his mother’s words, it seemed that’s not entirely the case.

He worked in the city and seldom called home. Even when he did, no one told him these things.

"How could my old aunt be like this? Doesn’t my old uncle do anything about it?"

Who constantly fixates on eating from the elders’ portion?

As younger generations, shouldn’t they be the ones showing filial piety to the elders?

"Deal with it? Many of these things are your uncle’s ideas. You’re grown now, and there’s no need to hide things from you. Do you know how your uncle lost his job?"

Qin Jianjun nodded, "I know, Uncle spread false rumors about Aunt, and did things behind her back."

His uncle spread rumors, and Aunt caused him to lose his job.

He thought Uncle brought it upon himself, and it seemed their accounts were settled.

"Right, they always say others wronged them without looking at what they’ve done themselves. Why did your second aunt go to the city with her big belly before? It was your uncle causing trouble behind the scenes. Do you think your second uncle would give them strawberries?"

Qin Jianjun widened his eyes, "Has my uncle gone mad? Why would he do such a thing?"

That’s a Qin family child they’re talking about.

Thinking about how cute he found Little Yaoyao earlier, Uncle actually didn’t want her to come into this world.

"How would I know? And your sister, if not for your old aunt stirring trouble, would she have gotten involved with Cai Jun? Your aunt never had good intentions from the start. I’m telling you this so you’ll know that our family, whether it’s your job or the greenhouses your dad and I manage, it’s all thanks to the uncle and aunt from your second grandpa’s family, especially your fourth aunt. Without her, we wouldn’t be enjoying these good days. Even though there’s some distance, you need to discern who’s near and who’s far. I stand by principle, not by closeness. You better keep your eyes wide open and don’t do heartless things."

"Mom, I understand. I’ll remember that."

Qin Jianjun really didn’t know there was so much behind it.

Before, his mother always said it was an adult matter and that he shouldn’t meddle. Even when things happened, she rarely told him, only reminding him to remember his fourth aunt’s kindness and repay her well.

He knew his mother was afraid he’d take sides and offend people.

Looking at it now, his mother had already chosen her side without needing him to.

And naturally, he could tell right from wrong.

...............

On the other side, Ma Suyun saw the mother and son really taking the pastries back to their room, making her stomach hurt with anger.

"Dad, Mom, you both saw it, right? Is there anyone like my sister-in-law, guarding against me like she’s guarding against a thief? Da Wen is the younger brother of the eldest brother, and the one in my belly is your own grandchild. What’s the meaning of this from my sister-in-law? I think she’s just unwilling to see us do well."

Mrs. Qin comforted her, "Your sister-in-law didn’t mean that."

"How could that not be her meaning? Don’t think I don’t know. She just looks down on us. Don’t forget when Da Wen worked at the Hardware Company, whenever the family needed something, wasn’t Da Wen always helping to buy them? Without Da Wen getting them bicycle tickets, where would they get bicycles to ride? Now, seeing we’re no longer useful, they push us aside and go to curry favor with Lin Chuxia’s family. If they were truly brothers, wouldn’t they remember it was Lin Chu who cost Da Wen his job? Now they watch Da Wen get bullied without saying a word. Guarding a few pastries from us, does she even see us as brothers?"

Mrs. Qin had heard these complaints from her third daughter-in-law multiple times. It was as if everyone owed them something.

But as to why the third son’s job was lost and why the eldest couple was closer to the second family than they were to Qin Wen, their own brother, she might be old but she’s not senile.

As for today’s matter, it really wasn’t the eldest daughter-in-law’s fault.

The eldest daughter-in-law was doing it for the good of the old couple.

They’re getting older, missing a bite shouldn’t matter, but these were bought by Jianjun for them, so of course, the eldest daughter-in-law didn’t want her son’s filial piety to be wasted.

"I understand, I’ll have a good talk with your sister-in-law. Don’t worry, focus on the baby in your belly."

Ma Suyun huffed arrogantly, "Only you care about me. Do you know how hard it is for me to carry this child? This is your Qin Family’s grandson and your last grandson. As long as you know, that’s what matters."

Mrs. Qin nodded, "Yes, take good care of yourself. It’s cold now, and soon it will be the New Year. Stay home, don’t wander around too much. This pregnancy needs you to rest more."

Ma Suyun’s face turned slightly awkward, "Mom, what do you mean? Do you also resent me coming around? I’m just worried about you and Dad."

"Your eldest brother and sister-in-law are with your Dad and me. You don’t need to fret about anything, just take care of yourself."

Ma Suyun was truly livid now, and she couldn’t stay any longer, leaving with a dark expression.

Today was the last market day before the New Year. When ordinary people prepare for the New Year, they either go to the grocery store in the county or to the market.