When Shen Xiaobin was leaving, Shen ng gave him two books that Ming Liang had used and no longer needed, along with two notebooks and a pen. Shen Xiaobin’s face turned awkwardly red as he received them, and he even tried to sneakily leave them on the table, pretending to have forgotten to take them with him, but Shen ng twisted his ear and scolded him.
"You’re not being asked to beco the top scholar; just learn a few more characters and you’re resisting so much. Do you think working at the textile factory is easy? Most of the people there are educated and assigned to work there, so may even be children of employees from the factory’s residential complex. In the future, when you et those people and they ask you to write sothing and you can’t, won’t that be embarrassing? Also, rember, I am the one who got you this job, so you better not embarrass ."
Wang Guizhi clenched her fists and vehently pumled her son a couple of tis.
"You foolish boy, your sister is doing all this for your own good. Such a great job opportunity, others would wish for it even if their ancestral graves were ablaze, and you’re getting all worked up just to recognize a few characters. Xiaobin, if you don’t think about making progress, not only would you embarrass your sister and brother-in-law, if you make things difficult for them, I certainly won’t let you off."
Shen Xiaobin’s expression turned serious, and he hurriedly tucked the paper, pen, and textbooks close to his chest.
"I understand, sister, I will study hard. If there’s sothing I don’t understand, I’ll ask the educated people in the village. I definitely won’t bring you any embarrassnt."
"Good."
When Shen ng and Lu Zhenping were sending off the Shen Family at the entrance of the courtyard, Wang Guizhi pulled her aside and sneakily handed her thirty yuan.
"Daughter, I’ve been keeping track of all the money you’ve given to the family. This ti, your brother is getting engaged, and you helped with buying a watch and reserving a bicycle. Your parents and your brother and his wife owe you a lot. Take this money. Once your brother’s affairs are settled, your parents, brother, and sister-in-law will work hard together for a couple of years to repay our debts and return the money you gave us."
Shen ng hurriedly pushed the money back and stuffed it into her mother’s pocket.
"Mom, what are you doing? Our family’s life has just started to taste sweet, why are you giving money? If you have spare money, you should treat my sisters-in-law better so they can buy so decent gifts for their own families and avoid getting scolded every ti they go back. Xiaobin is my brother, and my brother and his wife have done their best contributing both effort and money. As his sister, it wouldn’t make sense for to live comfortably while leaving you and dad in difficulty, would it?"
"Xiao ng, that’s not the right way to think about it. After all, you’re married now. Always taking money from your family, your son-in-law might have complaints in the long run. And your in-laws, as much as they might not be upfront, they are still Zhenping’s parents. You cannot treat them differently; you should still respect and support them. The New Year is coming; rember to buy so gifts for your in-laws as well—no pouting, just listen to your mother!"
Shen ng laughed it off, thinking that during the ti Lu Zhenping had his military comrades gathering, she had already sent a batch of gifts. When New Year’s ca, sending over a dish of at would suffice. As for anything else, she wasn’t about to give anything to Liu Sanjin, that old peacemaker!
"Alright, I got it. You better hurry onto the oxcart, it’s so cold, and it will be dark by the ti you get ho. I don’t need this money; if I want any, it will just be the money for building the house, and I’m not in a hurry. Just give it to when the family can afford it. Lu Zhenping won’t mind; he’d probably rather you spend more of his money to feel at ease. Once he returns to the military, knowing you all are looking after us three makes him feel much more assured."
Besides, she had plenty of these items in her space, so they were not worth much. Seeing her daughter’s sowhat perfunctory attitude, Wang Guizhi felt a mix of anger, joy, and helplessness.
The twenty-eighth day of the twelfth lunar month was when every household was busy frying atballs, making sugar cakes, simring oil, and visiting relatives. The old courtyard was crowded with relatives, and everyone gathered around Zhou Jiaojiao and Lu Jiaxuan. One worked as an official in the Cooperative Society, and the other was about to start work at the textile factory. These two people holding secure "iron rice bowl" jobs were naturally the center of attention like stars surrounded by the moon. Wu Xianglan, alone in the kitchen, was busying herself until she was covered in soot and dust. After finally preparing a table full of dishes, she was even ordered by Liu Sanjin to borrow tables, chairs, and benches from the main house, which made her stomach cramp with irritation.
After hearing her complaints, Shen ng’s eyes and eyebrows were full of smiles as she waved Mingyang over.
"Mingyang, take your younger siblings and deliver the things your second aunt needs. Don’t linger there; dad is about to finish cooking, so hurry back for dinner!"
"Got it, mom. Second aunt, take a rest; we’ll deliver the stuff for you."
Wu Xianglan was incredibly touched; she must have been blinded by greed before, always making things difficult for her elder sister-in-law!
Mingyang and the others, carrying stools, rushed towards the old courtyard. Their mother had said that during the New Year, they could collect New Year’s gift money. With many relatives visiting, they could ask for New Year’s gift money in front of everyone, and the grandparents would have to give. If not, they could make a fuss, and whoever had the guts to ask for it could keep it—no need to turn it in. They had been waiting for this mont!
"Have so orange drink; I bought this last ti I went to the county at the Cooperative Society. It was in such high demand I almost couldn’t buy it. The Cooperative Society in the county is really big, much bigger than the one at the commune. When you go to the county, you should also have a look and buy whatever you want."
Wu Xianglan took a sip, mmm, really delicious, sweet. She looked at the half-pack of orange powder with desire in her eyes.
"Xianglan, we still have a pack at ho. Take this one back and let Yong Qiang and Yong Li have a good taste too. But you have to bring it out or else the old lady will see it and surely take it from you."
"This, should I really take it? Elder sister-in-law, how can I accept such a precious thing from you? You keep it, keep it for the kids."
As Wu Xianglan refused, her heart ached. If it had been before, she definitely would have secretly taken it. But not now; Shen ng had been good enough to her. If she kept shalessly accepting gifts, how could she continue to associate with her!
Shen ng sighed and directly shoved the half-pack of orange powder into her arms.
"Just take it if I’m giving it to you. Don’t be so formal with . I just heard you say that Jiaojiao led the visiting relatives to her own room. That room is both small and old - where the children and I used to live. With so many people, I can’t believe she’s not worried about losing things. If soone can’t resist the temptation and slips sothing into their pants, who would think of that? Sigh, it’s not that I want to say it, but the hands and feet of Uncle’s family are all... Sigh!"
Wu Xianglan’s heart tightened upon hearing this. Right, Uncle’s family mbers weren’t here to visit relatives; they clearly ca to take advantage. If they stole Jiaojiao’s textile factory admission letter, wouldn’t that ruin her future?
"Well, elder sister-in-law, there’s a lot to take care of at ho. I can’t chat anymore; I need to rush back. I’ll take the orange powder then. Thank you, elder sister-in-law."
Shen ng smiled and sent her to the courtyard gate. After a while, she saw Mingyang leading a string of younger siblings, puffing up their chests and strutting towards their ho like victorious roosters.
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