Rebirth: He Decides to Lie Flat
Chapter 500 - 500 495 Taking a Fancy to Yang Dan

Chapter 500: Chapter 495: Taking a Fancy to Yang Dan Chapter 500: Chapter 495: Taking a Fancy to Yang Dan Yang Dan returned home with her father and Yang Yan, her mother limped out of the house with a crutch, asking worriedly, “Did you argue with your sister-in-law?”

It wasn’t too far away, and she had vaguely heard some commotion, but because it was difficult for her to walk and her husband had told her to wait at home, she didn’t go.

But she was still very worried.

Now, seeing the scooter ridden back home, she breathed a sigh of relief. Before the New Year, there were so many things to buy, and it was indeed inconvenient for the old man to go out without an electric scooter.

But at the same time, she was worried. The eldest daughter-in-law was not an easy person to deal with, and now that she had demanded the stuff and the scooter back, with the New Year approaching, she feared that the woman might cause more trouble.

Mother Yang had been honest all her life, never arguing with anyone, nor quarreling, she was truly conflict-averse.

Yang Dan told her mother, “With Yang Bo being such a good-for-nothing, if he wants to take down the lantern, you let him? Couldn’t you have grabbed a stick and chased him out? Can’t count on your son, and you want to count on that ungrateful brat to respect you in the future? Let me tell you, from now on, even if the food at home grows fur, don’t let him eat it, whatever it is…”

Mother Yang pursed her lips and stayed silent.

Yang Yan advised her, “Mom, it’s not that we don’t want you to love your grandson, but you have to see if the child is worth your affection. He took down a lantern because his mom told him to, what does that tell you? It shows that he doesn’t care about his grandparents at all. If he doesn’t care about you, why should you care about him?

In recent years, Yang Yan had become much more generous and capable in her interactions. Her mother-in-law also loved her son. Whenever her family had some meat or made something delicious, she’d pack a bowl for her son to take to his grandmother, and she’d casually remark, “When your grandma eats meat, she saves some for you, so when you eat, don’t forget about her. Go on, take it to her.”

It wasn’t a big deal, but her young son, learning to speak, would tell his grandma, “My mom said, if you love me, I have to love you too. We can’t leave grandma behind when eating meat.”

This touched his grandmother deeply. Rural elders are easily satisfied; even if a grandchild thought of them while eating a piece of candy, it would move them for a long time.

Since then, the relationship with her daughter-in-law Yang Yan had become even more harmonious. When her daughter-in-law needed help at her parental home, she would stay and take care of the children and help with any work. She had become more willing to dote on her grandchildren.

Yang Yan would do this, but her eldest sister-in-law was different. She was not happy seeing her son being affectionate with his grandmother. She constantly insinuated, both overtly and covertly, “I am your true mother, and if you’re to be close, it should be with me.”

As for your grandma loving you, well, she’s your grandma; it’s only expected!

In the countryside, it isn’t uncommon for daughter-in-laws to take such an entitlement attitude, the key being that some grandmothers, even if insulted by their grandchildren, would still shower them with love. Yang Dan wondered in her spare time how such a distorted custom came to be?

She couldn’t control other families, but she had to take charge of her own.

Yang Dan said to her mother with determination, “I’ve already told Yang Bo not to come to our house again. If he dares, I’ll break his legs! I said it in front of Dad, and his lack of objection means he agreed. Right, Dad?”

Father Yang nodded, telling his wife, “When he took the lantern, I told you, this grandchild is spoiled in vain. Today, Dan Dan had a falling out with the eldest’s family, and it’s like tearing off the façade, but it’s also good. We don’t expect him to support us in old age; as long as he doesn’t come over to take things every so often, that’s fine.

And think about it, your leg has been injured for so many days; have either of the sons come to see you even once? Let’s just leave it at that.”

Then he helped his wife, calling his two daughters to the kitchen to eat.

Yang Dan looked at her father’s graying hair and stooped back, her nose tingling with emotion.

In the countryside, like her father, who was already considered quite good because he at least didn’t favor boys over girls. When her sister got married, he let her take all the dowry money, trying his best to provide a respectable dowry.

Because she was the youngest and an unmarried daughter, her father actually adored her. Throughout her life, apart from cooking at home, he hardly let her do any fieldwork. After she began school, because her grades were very good, he happily told her that if she could get into college, he would continue to support her education.

However, due to the excessive physical labor in his youth, his health had deteriorated, and with farming no longer being profitable in recent years, supporting Yang Dan through college had become a matter of willingness without the means.

At this moment, Yang Dan had an idea in her mind; she wanted to take her parents to Beijing after the New Year.

Her father’s bone proliferation needed treatment at the hospital before it worsened. She remembered a third uncle from their kin, who about ten years earlier had become paralyzed because of bone proliferation and passed away within a year.

She was not medically trained and didn’t understand the disease well, but she knew that diseases shouldn’t be neglected because delaying could mean that they become untreatable.

Maybe Jiajia could ask her elder brother tonight to see what needs to be done about this disease.

As she calmed down, the family had dinner and then gathered in the main room to chat and watch TV.

On the other hand, after Ding Yamin and his father returned home, his mother, elated at first, inquired about his travel and school before allowing him to visit his grandfather. Then she said, “Son, I think you could reconsider your situation with Guan Jiao. You haven’t even graduated yet; there’s no need to settle down so soon. How about discussing it after graduation, okay?”

Ding Yamin panicked upon hearing this. Why was she suddenly disagreeing?

“Didn’t we agree before? After we graduate and work for half a year or a year, we’ll get married. What’s changed now?”

Although he was doing quite well at his part-time job at the internet cafe and enjoyed it, he was clear about what his real occupation should be—once he graduated, he had to become a teacher at a school.

Guan Jiao felt the same way.

Therefore, regarding the future employment and career prospects of the two, both families had previously been satisfied, considering it a good match.

His mother, however, snorted coldly, “Your plans are fine, but does her family agree? Go on, visit your grandfather first. We’ll talk about this when you come back.”

Ding Yamin knew his grandfather was waiting for him and didn’t ask further, taking the gifts he’d bought for his grandparents and heading over.

Watching Ding Yamin leave the yard, his father walked into the kitchen and sat on the stool by the fire, asking his wife, “Hey, what do you think about Yang Dan?”

“Yang Dan? That girl’s got looks and height; she’s terrific, of course,” said Ding’s mother, sighing. “But what’s the use of her being good? It’s just that your son fancies a girl who’s shorter, and her mother is so troublesome. Just thinking about it irritates me.”

Guan Jiao was nearly half a head shorter than Yang Dan, but she was pretty and very fair. However, in rural matchmakings, people liked to first consider height. Generally, taller individuals had an advantage and were more sought-after.

So, compared to Yang Dan, Guan Jiao seemed somewhat less impressive.

Ding Yamin’s father clearly preferred Yang Dan, but his preference was useless; he wasn’t the one getting married.

“Yamin usually listens to you, so why don’t you take the opportunity during the holidays to persuade him to break up with Guan Jiao and pursue Yang Dan?”

Ding’s mother was somewhat tempted but also reluctant to break up a couple, asking her husband, “What if our son gets mad at me?”

Ding’s father glared, “Why should he get mad? It’s not our family that disagrees, it’s Guan Jiao’s mother who’s demanding a dowry of eighty thousand and insisting we support her brother’s education until he graduates from college… Go ask around within ten miles, has anyone ever heard of such terms? Who would agree to such an absurd demand?”