Recently, Jianqing's enthusiasm for learning surged remarkably because of the snowfall, the literacy class switched to once every two days. However, the study workload doubled, far surpassing the pace and difficulty of a regular primary school. Jianqing's determination to join the army was unstoppable, and when he realized his sister Xianglu had an exceptional mory, he almost stopped asking the educated youth teacher and turned directly to his sister for help.
Xianglu, seeing Jianqing's motivation, was also willing to teach him, so usually after lunch, they would place a small table on the warm kang on the east side to study.
However, it was mostly a pattern of Jianqing asking questions and Xianglu answering.
In the afternoon, with no need to attend the literacy class and no chores left at ho, both of them would study cozily on the kang. Xianglu's shoes were already crafted, with a thick collar made from rabbit fur. She was currently sewing the fur onto the sole. The awl she used was borrowed, and she had to be especially careful with the needle, for it was hard to replace if broken.
Jianqing was reciting poems and just then, a woman's voice called out from the courtyard: "Second Uncle, are you there?"
It was Xiangwei's voice. Xianglu quickly put on her cotton shoes and went out to invite her in. Xiangwei's plump cheeks were slightly red from the cold. Upon seeing Xianglu, her gaze flickered and she blinked, asking, "Little sister, where are Second Uncle and Second Aunt?"
Feeling puzzled, Xianglu replied with a smile, "They've both gone out, probably visiting soone's house."
Xiangwei said, "Grandma is calling for them. She wants Second Uncle and Second Aunt to co over."
Jianqing also put on his shoes and ca down from the kang, saying to Xianglu, "They're probably at Patriot's house next door. I'll go call them."
Watching him leave to call them, Xiangwei hesitated and seed like she wanted to say sothing but didn't. She slightly opened her mouth, then frowned and closed it, feeling a bit awkward, she said, "Well, little sister, I should head back first. Everyone is waiting at ho."
Xianglu wanted to ask sothing but saw her quickly leave through the door. Xianglu frowned, wondering why everyone had beco so strange lately.
Before long, Jianqing returned, took off his shoes, and climbed back up the kang. Seeing one of his sister's shoes was done, he curiously held it, inspecting it from all angles. Although it looked sowhat odd, the inside felt extrely warm to his touch. Smiling broadly, he said, "Little sister, make a pair for too."
Xianglu didn't respond directly, as she was already making soles for Jianqing's shoes. She had gathered scraps of fabric, not enough, so she even took out so worn jeans from a storage space to use in the middle layer of the soles, making them very sturdy. Adding the cut rabbit fur would make them extrely warm for sure.
Squinting and smiling, Xianglu asked, "Big brother, when you went out to find Daddy just then, did he say what he was up to?"
Holding his sister's shoe and examining it, Jianqing absentmindedly answered, "Yeah, found him. He was just at Patriot's next door. Not sure what they're up to, it's odd. Third Uncle's house also had visitors."
Third Uncle? He's the eldest elder in the Li family. What's the matter that he's being called to big brother's house at this ti? It's such a formal occasion, and they even invited Ge Sani too?
Normally, when discussing big family matters, n are usually called to deliberate. If won from that household are also invited, it could signify that the matter relates to their family, and more specifically, likely to their children. That's why the female host is called.
Li Xianglu felt a bit irritated, her intuition telling her that this matter might have sothing to do with her. However, she couldn't go to seek the news, so she had no choice but to stay in the cave fixing the soles of her other shoe.
In the east cave of Li Dafu's house, five n were sitting cross-legged on the heated brick bed, and Old Mrs. Wu was sitting on the edge of the bed. Ge Sani and Li Erfu were sitting on wooden stools on the floor, and both of them had different expressions.
Everyone was quietly staring at their faces. Ge Sani, with eyes wide open, after thinking for a mont, frowned and said, "I disagree. Xiang is the child I carried for ten months, you can't just casually give her up for adoption."
Everyone looked surprised at her words, even Li Erfu, who was originally smoking, widened his eyes in shock.
Ge Sani knew her sudden interjection had startled everyone, and couldn't help but explain, "Although I am strict with Xiang on normal days, it's for the child's own good. She will eventually get married, and not teaching her well at her parental ho, what if she makes mistakes when she leaves ho? Wouldn't that be people poking at our Li family's spine?" She expressed this with righteous indignation, the image of a strict mother excusing her actions spoke volus.
Li Erfu put his cigarette down, turned his head and looked up and down at his wife, raised his eyebrows in puzzlent, completely disbelief written on his face. He knows his wife, after all these years, but what's going on now?
Wu Zhaodi, the old lady, originally thought since Xiang was not favored by her second daughter-in-law at ho, it would be better to give her up for adoption and at least give the child so prospects. Now hearing her daughter-in-law speak, she felt imdiately relieved. She thought to herself, 'A tiger doesn't eat its cubs', how would her daughter-in-law prioritize sons over daughters to such an extent that her own daughter is disregarded? It turns out it was for these reasons, she had to regard her second daughter-in-law in a new light, nodding in agreent.
Liu Aidang's eyebrows twisted like hemp. She knows her sister-in-law too well. Her words may sound nice, but she would never believe that's the true reason. It was clearly a matter of valuing boys over girls; how could it be for the child's future?
Then Second Uncle Li, a robust old man of seventy-eight, cleared his throat: "Yes, the second child's family is good, a person to be respected as a Mom. In the future, our branch should follow her example. This is a model; we can't spoil both our girls and boys. No matter where we go, they must be presentable!" After saying this, the old man declared, "Well, since the second child's family disagrees, let it be. We'll help Huai Ren look further; if not, we might as well adopt from another branch."
Everyone nodded in agreent, and several elders were the first to leave the bed and exit. At last, only Li Dafu, Li Erfu, and their family remained in the room.
Li Dafu said, "I originally thought that since the clan wants to adopt a child to Huai Ren, and since the second brother's family has many children and Xiang is at a suitable age. I didn't expect sister-in-law to be so righteous; then let's drop this matter."
Li Erfu took a drag of his cigarette and responded to his brother, "Yes, big brother was also considering what's best for my family. However, it's better to raise the kids ourselves. The household is in a decent state now, we can afford it."
Seeing that his brother understood his goodwill, Li Dafu nodded and added, "Good, as long as you understand. I was worried you might overthink it."
Li Erfu gave a simple, honest smile.
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