“Um, I’m getting married. Mother told me to come and let you know, and I also wanted to see how you’re doing.”
Xia Yang scratched his head, and when he said the last part, he stole a glance at Shen Nian.
Shen Nian raised an eyebrow. Was he afraid he’d bully his sister?
“Brother, you’re getting married? Is the date set?” Xia Tian was quite happy. “Which day is it?”
“It’s set, April 18th,” Xia Yang said sheepishly.
Xia Tian calculated. “That’s just a few days away!”
“Mm,” Xia Yang replied.
“Is everything ready for the wedding at home?”
Xia Tian was quite moved. Although her eldest brother was usually quiet, he still cared a lot about his younger siblings.
When Grandma Xia often skimped on their meals, he would secretly give them the steamed buns he’d saved from his own share.
“Yes, everything’s ready,” Xia Yang answered.
“Si Ya, will you come that day?” Xia Yang felt uneasy, worried that his sister might still hold a grudge against the family and refuse to attend.
“Of course I’ll come. How could I, your own sister, miss my own brother’s wedding?” Xia Tian assured him.
Xia Yang glanced at Shen Nian again, and Xia Tian immediately understood. “Don’t worry, brother. Brother Shen treats me very well. Look, I’ve even gained a little weight.”
As she spoke, Xia Tian stood up to show Xia Yang.
Xia Yang looked at her carefully. Indeed, she looked much better than the dark, skinny girl she had been at home. Her face even had a bit more flesh now.
Xia Tian turned to Shen Nian. “Brother Shen, will you come along?”
Shen Nian shook his head. “You go.”
It wasn’t convenient for him to go out now, lest someone with ulterior motives noticed and caused trouble.
Xia Tian thought about it and agreed.
Shen Nian was in poor health, usually spoke very little, and probably didn’t like crowds, noise, or socializing. Going would only make him uncomfortable.
Even when Sister-in-law Yao came to chat with Xia Tian, she rarely entered the house. The two would talk in the open space outside the courtyard gate, saying that seeing her husband made her a bit nervous.
Xia Tian had found it amusing at the time.
She thought Shen Nian had a good temper—he had never lost his temper with her, though they hardly exchanged more than a few words.
Perhaps it was because she was already familiar with Shen Nian; otherwise, she might have felt nervous too.
Xia Tian explained to Xia Yang, “Brother, Brother Shen isn’t in good health and can’t walk long distances. He usually just sits in the courtyard. He won’t be going that day, but I will.”
Xia Yang understood. He had no right to demand anything from Shen Nian, especially since the Xia Family’s intentions when marrying off their daughter were no secret to him.
The three of them talked for a while. Seeing that it was almost noon and time to prepare lunch, Xia Tian insisted that Xia Yang stay for the meal before leaving.
Xia Yang had planned to leave before lunch, but Xia Tian pulled him back, insisting he stay for the meal. Seeing that her husband didn’t object, he stayed.
Xia Tian quickly prepared lunch, and the three of them ate while talking.
Mostly, Xia Tian asked questions, Xia Yang answered, and Shen Nian listened quietly to the siblings’ back-and-forth conversation.
After the meal, having learned enough about the situation at home, Xia Tian began to “brainwash” Xia Yang.
“Brother, now that you’re getting married, you can’t just bury your head in work all day. You need to think more about your own family.
You can’t rely on Father and Mother with their temperaments. You need to stand on your own.
You’re the pillar of our second branch. In the future, you’ll have to support us, your younger sisters.”
Seeing Xia Yang nod, Xia Tian continued.
“Our second branch isn’t favored by Grandpa and Grandma. Why? Isn’t it because we’re obedient and easy to bully?”
They say the crying child gets the milk. Look at Uncle, Third Uncle, and Xia Shan—all grown men who slack off as soon as they set foot in the fields.
"Of course, I'm not telling you to slack off, but don't be so honest all the time."
"It's fine if I work a bit more," Xia Yang replied earnestly.
Xia Tian was exasperated by Xia Yang's response. Was this really about who did more or less work?
Seeing Xia Yang's stubbornness, she knew he wouldn't grasp the bigger picture easily. She patiently explained further.
"Brother, it's not about how much work you do. What I'm saying is that Grandpa and Grandma aren't being fair. Don't just bury your head in work—think about your own family too."
Xia Yang, noticing Xia Tian's frustration, scratched his head sheepishly. He had never thought this way before. To him, they were all one family, and this was how things had always been. Though he sometimes felt his grandparents showed favoritism, he never considered speaking up.
Seeing the naive look in Xia Yang's eyes, Xia Tian sighed helplessly. She knew it would be impossible for him to accept her perspective right away. She would have to gradually influence him, planting a seed in his mind to help him break free from blind filial piety.
"Also, once you bring your wife home, as long as she isn't being unreasonable, you should stand by her and protect her. Don't let anyone bully her—not even Grandpa, Grandma, Mom, or Dad."
"In this world, women already have it hard. Marriage is like being reborn. You need to make your wife feel that she can rely on you."
"And if anyone in the family mistreats her, don't stay silent. You should be the one to care for your own wife."
"Don't tell her to just endure it or that it's fine to do a little more work. Don't follow Mom and Dad's example."
"If it's really no big deal, why don't others do it? Right?"
"Any man who says such things to his wife is just incompetent."
Xia Yang felt that Si Ya had changed a lot. She used to argue with the family often, but she never reasoned like this before.
In all his life, no one had ever spoken to him this way. At home, when his mother or sister were mistreated, his father never stood up for them.
He thought all women lived like this and never considered how difficult their lives might be.
But then again, who in this world has it easy?
Yet, as Si Ya said, hardships vary. He could do his part to make life a little better for his wife and daughter.
Seeing Xia Yang deep in thought, Xia Tian guessed her words had struck a chord.
She continued, "Brother, during the off-season, you often go out to work, right? From now on, when you earn money, save some secretly. Don't foolishly hand it all over."
"What if your wife or child has an emergency and needs money? Will you be able to provide?"
"Or are you counting on Grandma to help?"
"You need to understand—the only one who will stay with you for life is your wife. Be good to her, understand?"
"I will, Si Ya. Don't worry," Xia Yang assured her, feeling her intense gaze.
Xia Tian's rapid-fire advice left Xia Yang stunned. No one had ever told him to act this way.
Worried he might not take it to heart, she emphasized her points again. Only when he nodded did she let him off the hook.
Shen Nian, listening nearby, was also deep in thought. He had never heard such perspectives on how to treat a wife.
Upon reflection, it made perfect sense.
Xia Tian was so focused on brainwashing Xia Yang that he didn't notice Shen Nian listening with great interest nearby.
Once the brainwashing was mostly done, the rest could only be digested slowly by Xia Yang himself.
Xia Tian took a sip of water and asked Xia Yang, "Big brother, have you and our parents ever considered dividing the family property?"
Xia Yang was still stunned by Xia Tian's earlier words.
Unexpectedly, Xia Tian immediately followed up with another bombshell.