Chapter 125 - Chapter 125: Chapter 125: Stirring up a Big Beam (1/2)
Chapter 125: Chapter 125: Stirring up a Big Beam
Translator: 549690339
“Anyway, I’m not going. You all know that I’m the sort who can’t carry weight on my shoulders or back. To enlist would be to throw away my life, not to mention my wife is pregnant and needs someone to care for her.” Han Lin was always fond of shirking his duties, and at this juncture, he was even less likely to volunteer.
“What do you mean no one is there to take care of her? Who provides for your wife’s food and drink every day? What have you actually done? I don’t know how our old Han family ended up with such a lazy bum. Even if you were conscripted, you’d just cause trouble. Camp discipline is much stricter than home, and no one will be able to save you then. Still, since you are my son, I cannot bear to send you. The selection will have to come from one of your other three brothers.”
“What I mean is that the eldest can’t go. We, his elderly parents, depend on him to take care of us in old age. As the eldest son, he needs to hold up the family.” Mrs. Yang’s heart favored her youngest son, but in Old Man Han’s eyes as the family head, the eldest son was clearly exempted.
Mrs. Li became anxious upon hearing this, a rare look of worry spreading across her face. If the father-in-law’s intention was to exempt the eldest and the third son was well known for being unreliable and often threw tantrums, it was highly likely that the duty would fall on someone else. Considering how her own father and mother didn’t care for her and she was the most honest, wouldn’t the burden then fall upon her? If that came true, how could she, a woman, carry on with children to care for?
That was what Mrs. Li thought, her face not only filled with worry, but her eyes also brimming with tears. However, since no final decision was made, she dared not voice her opinions. She just felt aggrieved in her heart.
“Father, we’re all your sons. Even if I’m not here, my second brother and the others can still carry on. Why don’t I go? As the big brother, I should be the one to step up when there’s trouble.” The room was filled with silent worry, and suddenly Han Hu spoke up. True to his role as the eldest brother, he was not only generous in normal times, but also demonstrated a spirit of sacrifice when it mattered most.
Hearing Han Hu say this, both Mrs. Li and Han Lin couldn’t help but reveal a hint of relief on their faces. Mrs. Liu had been initially content with her father-in-law’s words and had reassured herself, never expecting her own husband to suddenly volunteer. She immediately became distressed and started to wail.
“You heartless man! We don’t have a son in our part of the house, and if you go to the army and something happens, what will your wife and children do? Who will carry on the family lineage of our main house? Wuu, wuu, wuu, if you really dare to go, I won’t have any reason to live. Wuu, wuu, wuu, why are our lives so miserable, being burdened with such an irresponsible man? You only ever think of your brothers; when have you ever considered your own wife and children? Heaven, how are we supposed to live like this!”
Mrs. Liu’s voice was loud, and her weeping so piercing that not only their own courtyard, but even the neighbors could hear her. Old Man Han and Mrs. Yang were already frustrated and had a headache due to Mrs. Liu’s wailing. Han Hu was also not looking too pleased; his wife only knew how to hold him back, always keen on taking advantage yet unable to bear any loss, and she never acted like a proper sister-in-law.
“Enough, you short-sighted woman! The decision I’ve made is not up for discussion by you!”
Mrs. Liu was not one to listen to Han Hu and became even more agitated.