I, Your Uncle, am a Good Citizen (2)
Jiang Xiaoman didnât usually help Jiang Xing with his chores because Grandma said that he should do his own tasks. He was already big and cannot be pampered anymore.
But thinking about how Uncle was sick right now, he did need to be pampered a bit. So Jiang Xiaoman stood up and picked up a broom that was taller than her body. Still feeling that something was wrong, she said. âBut Uncle, the clothes you changed from yesterday was just a small shirt. Grandma told you to wash it yourself.â
âUncle is old, and I have a baby in my belly. I canât wash it myself.â
Jiang Xiaoman nodded stupidly, âohâ.
Jiang Xiumei couldnât stand it anymore. She rushed in and twisted Jiang Xingâs ears, cursing him. âThis little rabbit is still saying so much nonsense! Already so big but still bullying Xiaoman, arenât you ashamed? Would it kill you to wash one shirt?â
Jiang Xing had always received the harshest beatings, when his mother twisted his ears, he immediately howled loudly, âAiyo!â
âGrandma, donât scold him. He still has a baby in his stomach.â Jiang Xiaoman was so scared that she immediately threw aside the broom in her hands to protect Jiang Xingâs stomach.
She knew that if you were having a baby, you couldnât be beaten or scolded.
When Zhu Ziâs wife had a baby, her mother-in-law didnât scold or admonish her, saying that she might have a miscarriage.
Jiang Xiaoman was very angry and ignored him all day. Of course, she did not wash his little shirt either.
Jiang Xing had to present her with a bowl of fish soup during mealtime to coax her finally.
In the evening, the family of three was enjoying some fresh air in the yard. Jiang Xing used the excuse of being sick again and talked Xiaoman into fanning him, but her hand was stopped by Jiang Xiumei as soon as she touched the leaf fan.
âXiaoman, donât listen to him. He needs some beatings.â
Heaven and Earth were large, but Grandma was the largest1. Jiang Xiaoman obediently put down the fan.
Jiang Xiumei said again, âXingxing, consider this as me begging you, would you stop causing trouble in the future? We will live a proper life as a family; otherwise, I wonât be able to close my eyes even when I die. Even though the neighbours donât say anything, you can see it yourself. How many people came to visit you? Theyâre all afraid of you. Our family are all good people; you canât mess around and bring shame to your ancestors. Otherwise, I wonât have any face to see your father when I go under. Heâll beat me and scold me, saying that I lost your familyâs face and raised an unworthy offspring!â
In front of Xiaoman, Jiang Xiumei couldnât say things clearly, so she had to be subtle. She was telling him to be a good person, not to get involved with bad crowds and commit any crimes.
How could she know that Jiang Xing was really such a stick? Not only did he not understand, he even ignorantly asked, âWhy would the neighbours be afraid of me? Also, werenât you the one who usually chased around and beat my dad? How would he dare to beat you?â
Jiang Xiumeiâs face turned dark. She was so angry she wanted to smash his head to see if there was really a stick inside!
It was Jiang Xiaoman who thought quickly and cleverly said, âUncle, Grandma doesnât want you to cause trouble anymore. In the future, you should listen to me. You canât do bad things; only bad guys do bad things.â
Jiang Xiumei immediately agreed, âYes, just listen to Xiaoman.â
Jiang Xing finally understood. He became anxious and shouted, feeling greatly wronged. âMom, even though Iâm a jerk, Iâm a good citizen! I didnât do anything bad! I wasnât injured in a fight. I was injured because I was rescuing someone!â
1. Basically, Grandmaâs standing is number one.