Uncle and His Wife

Glancing at his watch—11:00 AM sharp—Huo Xuan informed Shang Yang he was stepping out. After purchasing gift boxes of osmanthus cakes and premium Longjing tea, he realized he needed his mother's help for the address.

Lu Hongmei's voice tightened over the line: "Your third aunt has a tongue sharper than a kitchen knife. If you visit, weigh every word—don't make your uncle's life harder between his wife and us."

"Wait," Huo Xuan paused mid-step. "Now that you mention it—why did we barely visit Third Uncle since I was a kid? Did something happen?"

A bitter chuckle crackled through the receiver. "Childhood should be free of grown-ups' quarrels. Son, remember when I needed that gallbladder surgery?"

The memory struck: his mother's yellowed skin during ninth grade finals week. His parents had just emptied their savings to buy his uncle an apartment, leaving them scrambling to borrow 50,000 yuan for the operation.

"Didn't Third Uncle lend the money?" Huo Xuan frowned at a passing taxi.

"Your father begged twelve coworkers for each penny of that 50k." Her sigh carried static. "Though your uncle could have helped, his wife clutched her purse strings—said we'd never repay. When Dad argued... well, even blood ties snapped that day."

Discomfort coiled in Huo Xuan's gut. "But he's your own brother! Did a single fight really cut ties for years?"

"He sneaked calls when his wife shopped," Mother's voice softened. "Sent 20,000 yuan for your college laptop—the one you're using now. But that woman checks his bank statements like a hawk. Your uncle... he's kindhearted, just henpecked."

"Grudges spanning decades over 50k?" Huo Xuan kicked a pebble. "Don't worry—I'll bite my tongue till it bleeds."

"Give him my regards." She recited the address like a sacred text: "Yujingyuan, Building 3, Unit 1201."

Huo Xuan's third uncle, named Lu Jianjun, is in his forties. He operates a building materials business in Dongling and resides in the Yujingyuan Residential Community within Dongling City.

Yujingyuan Residential Community is located in Dongling City's prime area, where housing prices exceed 15,000 RMB per square meter. Lu Jianjun's ability to purchase an apartment here demonstrates his substantial financial standing.

As Huo Xuan approached the community gates, he dialed Lu Jianjun's number. After several polyphonic ringtones, a voice answered: "Hello? Who's calling?"

"Third Uncle, this is Huo Xuan. I'm in Dongling and would like to visit. Are you home?"

Surprise colored Lu Jianjun's voice: "Xiao Xuan! I'm home. Where are you? Let me drive to pick you up."

"No need, Uncle. I'll reach the community entrance shortly."

"Wait there—I'm coming down immediately," Lu Jianjun responded.

Five minutes after hanging up, Huo Xuan's car arrived at Yujingyuan. Through the window, he spotted a familiar figure anxiously scanning the street. "Third Uncle!" he called, stepping out.

A middle-aged man with sun-weathered skin and a prominent beer belly beamed as he approached. "Xiao Xuan, you should've warned me! I'd have prepared proper refreshments."

"Everything at your home tastes wonderful," Huo Xuan grinned, retrieving gifts from the trunk—six bottles of 15-year-old Feitian Moutai and ten cartons of Jinling's premium cigarettes.

At 5,800 RMB per bottle and 1,800 RMB per carton, the lavish gifts totaled over 40,000 RMB—Huo Xuan's attempt to mend fences between his parents and aunt.

Lu Jianjun's face fell upon recognizing the luxury items' value. "Xiao Xuan! What's this extravagance? Where did you buy these? Let's return them now!"

Huo Xuan chuckled, "Uncle, I won 3 million RMB after taxes in the lottery recently. Wanted to show my filial respect."

Lu Jianjun blinked, skeptical but intrigued: "Really?"

Producing a counterfeit lottery ticket from his pocket, Huo Xuan feigned solemnity: "Would I deceive you? Check these numbers yourself—recently drawn."

Though partially convinced, Lu Jianjun admonished: "Even with money, don't splurge like this! Three million vanishes quickly at this rate."

"You're special, Uncle," Huo Xuan nodded earnestly. "For others, I wouldn't spare thirty cents per pack."

"Since when did you become such a smooth talker?" Lu Jianjun chuckled, then waved a hand. "But enough chatter—your aunt just finished cooking. Let's eat first."

As they walked back, the uncle gripped his nephew's elbow. "You know how your aunt's tongue can sting. Whatever she says later... let it slide."

Huo Xuan nodded sharply. "Understood."

The 200-square-meter duplex gleamed with marble floors. Huo Xuan whistled low. "This palace must've cost a fortune to renovate."

"Three million for the property," Lu Jianjun puffed his chest, "plus another million for renovations. Stay a week—we'll catch up properly."

"I'll take you up on that," Huo Xuan grinned. "Just like when you told me fox spirit tales till dawn."

The uncle's nose tingled. Memories flooded back—his bachelor years spent spoiling this boy with street snacks, huddling under thin blankets while spinning bedtime stories.

"At least you remember this old man's kindness!" Lu Jianjun barked a laugh, hastily wiping his eyes.

A woman with razor-thin lips emerged. "If it isn't Sister's nephew," she drawled, eyeing Huo Xuan like expired milk. "Grown so tall I barely recognize you."

Huo Xuan bowed slightly. "Auntie, time spares you—still radiant as the day I left."

The woman's initial suspicion (another loan request?) softened at the flattery. "Don't loiter in the doorway," she muttered, gesturing toward velvet couches.

When Lu Jianjun revealed the Moutai and cigarettes, her brows knifed upward. "More bribes for contractors?"

"Our nephew's gifts," the uncle beamed.

The aunt's face purpled. "Your family could barely afford rice last year!" she spat. "These counterfeits reek of desperation."

Lu Jianjun slammed the gift boxes onto the quartz countertop. "Yizhu! Must you poison every kindness?"

Aunt Yizhu sneered: "Enough, Lu Jianjun! Has your impoverished sister not tormented us enough? Back when you were struggling, they demanded 50,000 RMB. I said we couldn't spare it, and they cut ties with their own blood brother. Was that human behavior?"

"Must you dredge up ancient grudges?" Lu Jianjun's face darkened, angered by her provocation.

Yizhu's laughter crackled sharply. "Oh, he should know how his parents acted inhumanely!"

Rage surged from Huo Xuan's soles to his chest, yet he forced calm. No wonder my parents were livid back then.

"Aunt," he said evenly, "I may be unsuccessful, but I'd never deceive Uncle with fakes. The past is yours to resolve—I won't interfere."

"Silver-tongued brat." She curled her lip. "Your family slaved a year to afford these luxuries, didn't you?"

Wordlessly, Huo Xuan uncorked a Moutai bottle. The rich aroma filled the room. "Uncle's palate recognizes authentic liquor. Surely you do too, Aunt?"

Yizhu—a connoisseur of fine spirits—froze at the unmistakable scent.

"If you doubt the cigarettes," he added, "feel free to test them."

Color drained from Yizhu's face as Lu Jianjun shifted uncomfortably. A 12-year-old boy clutching an iPad bounded into the room.

"Who's him?" the boy demanded.

"Xiaolong, this is your cousin from Aunt's family," Lu Jianjun urged. "Greet him properly."

The child glared. "The beggar's brat? Here to scam us again?"

Ice flooded Huo Xuan's veins. She's poisoned even this child against us. His belief in reciprocal kindness shattered.

Bitter realization struck—what humiliations did my parents endure here? "Uncle," he smiled bitterly, "an urgent matter calls. I'll visit another day."

He strode out, ignoring Lu Jianjun's protests. Only when exiting the gated community did he exhale the toxic air.