"Okay!" Brian looked at her clear, bright eyes and didn't ask why, even after more than half a month of being married, she still hadn't gotten to know everyone. Life should move forward; there was no need to dwell on the past.
Brian calmly introduced the family members:
"Our dad, Mr. Guo, is 50 years old. He's straightforward and doesn't overthink things, but he's hardworking and dependable. We all grew up relying on him.
Our mom is Madam Hua, 48 years old. You've seen her. Her legs aren't well, but she's gentle and capable—great at everything inside and outside the house.
They're my biological parents. It's my duty as their son to be filial. I won't force you to treat them as your own parents, but you must at least show them basic respect.
Can you do that?"
Brian looked seriously at Freya, waiting for an answer.
"Of course I can. As long as they don't mess with me, I'm a respectful and caring daughter-in-law," Freya said with a smile.
This man had such a solid mindset! Even in modern times, it's rare to hear someone say that.
"Thank you!" Brian let out a breath of relief, a soft smile forming on his gentle face.
"Mua, so sweet." Freya, feeling dazed from his charm, couldn't help kissing him on the lips again, savoring it as she spoke.
"Freya, why are you so inappropriate!" Brian's face turned red as he blurted it out.
"You seduced me!" The shameless woman countered confidently.
"Keep talking, my dear Comrade Brian! You haven't finished the introductions yet!" Freya clung to his arm like a satisfied cat that just stole something tasty.
"You…" Brian was helpless against this sweet and clingy Freya, and could only continue.
So this was her true self? Such a little flirt!
"Big brother, his name is Brother Sheng, 35 years old. He's honest but a bit traditional in his thinking.
His wife, Sister Lan, is 33. She's gentle and hardworking. Since marrying in, she's helped our mom a lot.
They have twin daughters. The older one is Zhad, the younger is Lai. They're only five!
Our family wasn't well off, so Brother Sheng didn't get married until he was 30.
Our eldest sister is Sister Biyun, 30 years old. She's also gentle and treats me well. She married someone in town and has a son and a daughter. She only comes back during holidays.
Second brother, Brother Bigui, is 25. He married a widow from our village when he was a teenager. The kid helping with the firewood is the child she brought with her—his name is Dan. He's 13 now and a very sensible boy.
Sister Fang is 35 years old.
They have a son and daughter together—Zheni, who is 8, and Daya, who is 7.
I'm the fourth child. Cali is the youngest, she's 11 this year.
You should stay away from Brother Bigui. He's not a good person!" Brian warned.
"Hmph, if he dares get close, I'll beat him so bad his parents won't recognize him!" Freya said sharply.
"I know you're good with your fists, but some people use sneaky tricks. Just be careful," Brian said gently.
Freya saw the worry in his eyes and felt a bit soft-hearted. She compromised.
"Fine, I won't mess with him, and I'll stay far away, but only if he doesn't come bother me first!"
She didn't even realize that she had lowered her bottom line. In her past life, she wouldn't have cared what others said, she'd just tell them to get lost. Her strength was her pride!
"Good girl." Brian couldn't help stroking her head and coaxing her gently when he saw her pouting unhappily.
Just as the mood between them turned tender and intimate, it was broken by four children suddenly barging into the yard.
They both looked toward the door.
"Madam Hua, you old hag, I'm hungry! Hurry up and get me food. I want to eat!"
Leading the way was a chubby little boy with several patches on his clothes. This was Zheni, Brian's second brother's son.
He wiped his runny nose with his filthy sleeve and shouted toward the kitchen.
Usually, Madam Hua did most of the cooking in the evenings, so he didn't even check who was there and just called for her.
Following behind were three girls. One was the daughter of the second family, Daya. Her face was yellow and thin, looking like a five or six-year-old. Her loose, patch-covered clothes hung on her like a sack and looked like they were boys' clothes, likely passed down from her brother.
The other two were the twin daughters of the eldest family, Zhad and Lai. They were five years old too, skinny and bony, with dirty faces that hadn't been washed in who knows how long. Their big heads bobbled on their thin necks like they might fall off any second.
Freya glanced at the little brats. Since they didn't seem like any threat, she lost interest quickly and leaned on one hand, admiring Brian's handsome face. Brian blushed under her gaze and looked at the children to avoid meeting her eyes.
She had nothing else to do anyway and couldn't take out her phone to play with. Back then, she had brought a whole bunch of things like a generator, phone, and more.
At that moment, hearing Zheni rudely curse at his own grandmother, Madam Hua, made Brian frown. Just as he was about to speak, Madam Hua came out of the room and gently spoke to Daya.
"All right, all right, dinner's almost ready! Daya, your mom is cooking right now. It'll be done soon.
You're older and run fast, go to the fields and call your uncle, aunt, and grandpa to come eat."
"Pfft, you cripple, why should I go? Why don't you go yourself?"
Daya cursed impatiently. She was tired from playing. Why should she go call people? That old woman dared order her around? Her mom said that old lady was supposed to serve them anyway.
"Cali, you worthless girl, what are you sneaking around eating?
It smells so good. Give it to me!" The little fatty saw Sister Xiao come out of the room chewing and immediately rushed over shouting.
"No, this is from Fourth Sister-in-law!" Sister Xiao stood her ground for once, covered her mouth, and quickly ran into the yard.
The little fatty quickly chased her, trying to pry open Sister Xiao's mouth. Daya came up to grab Sister Xiao's hands, holding her still, and then started rummaging through her pockets, pulling out three candies.
It turned out the two elders had given up eating them, put them in their mouths, then wrapped them back in candy wrappers and tucked them into Cali's pocket.
When Zheni saw his sister got the candy, he pushed Sister Xiao to the ground and arrogantly put his hands on his hips, shouting like his foul-mouthed mother:
"You useless brat, rotten to the core, how dare you steal my stuff. I'll beat you to death!"
He then started kicking her.
"That's right. Everything in this house belongs to my little brother! Hmph!" Daya echoed him with her hands on her hips and joined in kicking Cali.