Shen Xiaobin entered the house with apprehension. Wang Guizhi was already having a warm chat with Shen ng, with Lv Qinlan and Su Xiaoi also sitting around them, the two sisters-in-law taking turns making pleasant conversation with Shen ng and the children, expressing their concern for them in the cold weather.
"Xiao Long, co here, your auntie and uncle are here, co over quickly and say hello. In a bit, you’ll be going to learn carpentry, and your auntie and uncle will surely be a help to you then."
Xiao Long appeared bashful, his face painted with two patches of highland red, and he shuffled over to Shen ng’s side. It wasn’t that he was afraid of people; it was just that his impression of Shen ng had been too deep-rooted, and he wasn’t quite sure how to get close to her. As for Lu Zhenping, admiration was mixed with a bit of awe; his uncle was no ordinary man, having been a soldier on the battlefield, and all the village lads envied him for having such a formidable uncle.
"Auntie, hello Uncle."
"Xiao Long, you’re going to your master’s house after this month ends. If you start to miss ho, just tell your master and his wife, and they will let you co back. When you’re not busy in Lu Family Village, co to your auntie’s house. I’ll make sothing delicious for you, okay?"
"Yep, thank you, Auntie." After Xiao Long spoke, his hopeful gaze turned to Lu Zhenping, wishing to receive so advice.
Lu Zhenping looked at Xiao Long, thinking that once he went to the army and Shen ng went to work in the county, it would be a good ti for him to co ho and help take care of Ming Kai.
"Xiao Long, you’re getting to be a big boy now. Carpentry is a trade that once mastered, can take away the bread from your master’s mouth. Typically, apart from teaching one’s own children, few pass their skills on to outsiders. Your master has agreed to take you on, and your auntie has made quite an effort; it’s not just about giving so gifts, it’s that simple. Your auntie saved the lives of your master’s wife and little sister, which convinced your master to take you on as an apprentice. When you get to your master’s, learn well, put in hard work, and ask questions boldly if you don’t understand anything. Don’t be shy, and don’t be afraid. If your master is strict with you, it ans he wants to teach you well. If he isn’t strict, then that would harm you. When you’re not busy, take care of your younger brothers and sisters at ho as well, be diligent, understand?"
Shen ng: "....."
The last sentence is so crucial, so important, and the request is so shaless!!!
Hearing Lu Zhenping say this, Lv Qinlan, Shen Shoutian, Wang Guizhi, and Shen Fugui were all deeply moved. Only a family would give such detailed and thoughtful instructions, which showed that Lu Zhenping truly considered Xiao Long as his family, otherwise if it were so other uncle, you’d be lucky if they didn’t give you a few harsh words.
Xiao Long was incredibly excited, his face flushing a darker red, and his lips quivering.
"Thank you, Uncle. I understand. I will work hard and study well. When I have ti, can I, can I go and play with my brothers and sisters? I won’t just think about playing when I’m free, I will study diligently and ask questions boldly."
"Good boy."
Lu Zhenping praised him with these words, making Xiao Long so happy that he was all thumbs when he left. Shen ng felt awkward, not knowing how to describe her feelings at the mont, feeling like her nephew was a bit of a simpleton.
Lv Qinlan and Su Xiaoi greeted Shen ng for a while, and then hurried off to prepare lunch. Wang Guizhi originally wanted to help as well, but the two daughters-in-law wouldn’t allow it; the auntie had co to visit, and they wanted the mother and daughter to have a good chat, it wouldn’t make sense for the mother-in-law to help cook.
Shen ng and Wang Guizhi were chatting. When they arranged the marriage for Shen Xiaobin earlier this year, the family spent quite a bit of money. Although the bicycle and watch were paid for by Shen ng, the family still gave her so money. Wang Guizhi ticulously recorded every cent she spent on the Shen Family, and although they were all expenditures, she rembered them clearly.
The Shen Family moved into a bigger house and acquired a bicycle, but they abided by certain principles, rooted in the fact that she was already married. They were worried about her being unhappy, afraid that Lu Zhenping would disapprove, afraid of conflicts with her own parents-in-law. Though they accepted the help they were given, they kept it in mind, knowing that if the Shen Family had the ans, they would repay the money and perhaps even more.
When it ca to the work points red envelope distributed at the New Year, so were used during the marriage arrangent—no, it probably covered quite a bit of the famine.
Looking at the people laughing and chatting inside the room, the children playing in the yard, and the busy figures in the kitchen, Shen ng felt they were still too poor. She was calculating things in her mind.
Uncle Guai and Shen Fugui, the two old n, were having an animated conversation. If it weren’t for Shen Xiaobin coming over to pour them a glass of water, interrupting them, they might have already started discussing what nas to give the future children of Shen Xiaobin and Lu Xiangxiang.
After warming up a bit, Shen ng took out the gifts she brought. Uncle Guai was no stranger, so there was no need to hide anything. She took them out one by one.
"For Dad and Mom, I brought malted milk essence, elder milk powder, egg cakes, rock sugar, brown sugar and jujubes for my elder and second sister-in-law, and two bottles of red wine. This sugar-infused stewed egg is good for won’s health. And here are two silk scarves, two pieces of defective cloth, a fountain pen and scarf for Xiaobin, hats and gloves for my elder and second brothers, snacks and head accessories for the children, Mom, you distribute these. Also, the most important thing, here’s the New Year’s gift money for the kids, ten cents each."
Shen Shoutian and Shen Yutian watched as Shen ng kept taking things out, feeling as if their sister’s bag was a magical, bottomless pouch.
"Good heavens, you extravagant girl, buying us all these things. Every ti you co back it’s like this. If you do this again next ti, I won’t let you in the door," exclaid Shen Yutian.
"Little sister, look at the big head cotton shoes on your brother’s feet, I just put them on. And here you are buying hats and scarves, all precious items. How much did these cost? Now at ho..."
"Cough cough... Yutian, look at the hat your sister got for you, it’s fur, right? It’s so soft and warm to the touch. These gloves are really thick too, convenient for working. Xiao ng is just so caring."
Shen Shoutian didn’t an to criticize Shen ng; their family was just so hard-pressed by the famine that they couldn’t catch a breath. He himself was quite helpless, year after year, all depending on those few work points from the fields. Seeing his sister bring so many things, he just felt distressed. Even with money, she shouldn’t spend it like this. She still had four children at ho, and there would be plenty of expenses in the future. He just wanted his sister to think more about the future.
Wang Guizhi, sticking to her old stance, was afraid that Lu Zhenping would disapprove. The son-in-law had already been very good to their Shen Family. If they continually reached out to the young couple for help, they might beco fed up one day, and then her daughter would be caught in the middle. She didn’t want to see that day co.
"Mom, second brother, these were all bought by and Xiao ng. It’s good that she has you all in her thoughts, better than those who still cling to their parents’ ho for money and grain. Take it, and with you living a good life, she can be at peace."
Sure enough, as soon as Lu Zhenping spoke, Wang Guizhi imdiately lost her words, her face beaming with a smile. Despite knowing her mother-in-law had good intentions, Shen ng was still shocked at how quickly the old lady could change her deanor.
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