Chapter 7. I'm so understanding; he's practically found a lucky break...

Nie Qingqing's first week of marriage went well. Song Zhao said that he had been transferred to the branch factory and there was a quota for family members to be assigned jobs. His mother wanted to use it for the girl her youngest son was dating, but Song Zhao did not agree. Nie Qingqing was able to use this quota, which explained why he was so confident that he would let her go to work on their wedding night, because the job had already been prepared.

The neighborhood committee assigned her to the Women's Federation. Her intolerant nature made her unsuitable for the Women's Federation, but what was there to complain about when her family was given a job? Song Zhao had told her to take the job first, and if it wasn't suitable, they could discuss alternatives. She felt that Song Zhao was a very reasonable person, and his actions were romantic in her eyes.

Nie Qingqing ironed the new dress she had just altered for Xiaoyin and called her over to try it on: "Xiaoyin, take out your new leather shoes and try them on with the dress. We're going to Grandma's house today, so let's dress nicely and not let her think we're not having a good time here."

In one week, Song Xiaoyin had already acquired three skirts, two jackets, a pair of trousers, and a pair of shorts. Her stepmother was skilled with her hands. In the days leading up to her job, she took the money her father gave her and went to the textile factory to fight over defective fabric. When she returned yesterday, the pockets of her clothes had been torn.

Dad told stepmother not to try to save a little money by buying defective fabric, saying that the market was open and ready-made clothes were more beautiful, and that stepmother should go and buy them.

The stepmother scolded the father, saying, "Do you think the clothes I made aren't nice enough? I used the best fabric to make clothes for you, and you're still complaining?"

Dad immediately apologized: "The clothes you made fit better than the ones bought in the store, and they're very comfortable to wear. Thank you."

The stepmother was very proud: "That's right, I only make clothes for the neighbors in Huazhi Lane, and I even charge them. The flawed fabric is very cheap. The price of one set of clothes can make three sets. I've embroidered all the flaws so you can't tell. We girls like to change our clothes more often, so don't worry about us."

Song Xiaoyin changed into a dress and paired it with small leather shoes. She turned around and looked at herself in the dressing mirror. She looked so beautiful. She had never worn such a beautiful dress before.

Grandma said that stepmothers can all pretend. Even if they are nice at first, it's all just for show. But the clothes are worn by her. Why can't she be happy just because her stepmother made her new clothes?

...

Nie Qingqing herself loves to dress up, and she thinks other girls love to dress up too. Anyway, when she makes clothes for Song Xiaoyin, the girl is happy to wear them.

Nie Qingqing's family was poor, and she rarely had the chance to wear new clothes when she was young. After she got married, her ex-husband went to school, and she had to be careful with every penny, so she didn't have much money to spend on herself.

Her second marriage was well-off, and Song Zhao didn't interfere with her spending. This week, she bought twenty or thirty yuan worth of flawed fabric, and she still had half of it unfinished.

Song Zhao said that her mentality was that she suddenly had disposable money and wanted to spend it to make up for her lack of money. Song Zhao is quite right. She had enough fabric for the year and didn't need to buy any more, but she was very happy and joyful in the process of hoarding it.

"So beautiful." Nie Qingqing really thought that the little girl's temperament had changed after changing into new clothes, which was wonderful.

Song Xiaoyin was overjoyed. She was going to show her grandmother that her stepmother hadn't treated her and her brother badly this week. Even though she was so observant, she hadn't noticed that her stepmother was pretending. Her brother had been much happier this week.

"Aunt Qingqing, Grandma wants my brother and me to come to her place for dinner. She'll scold us if we're late, so we're leaving now."

"Okay, let's go downstairs together. I won't cook, we'll go home and eat. We'll have dinner at my mom's tonight, is that alright?"

"Hmm." Song Xiaoyin has been at Guizhi's maternal grandmother's house for six days. She felt very awkward for the first two days, but now she actually wants to go again.

...

The most lively topic in Huazhi Lane now is Nie Qingqing's second marriage.

The day after the wedding, they were supposed to bring one child back, but they ended up bringing the younger one back as well, and even had him come here for dinner. They also arranged a job for Qingqing.

Mr. Liu's wife still refuses to believe that Tang Guizhi's family is currently the best in Huazhi Lane.

Just then, Qingqing rode back on her bicycle, and she chased after her, asking, "Qingqing, is the job that Director Song said he would arrange for you still not done? If you can't do it, just tell the truth. We've been neighbors for so many years, we won't laugh at you."

Although the neighbors got along well, there was a certain amount of envy and resentment towards those who had it and those who didn't. Nie Qingqing used to be jealous of Grandpa Liu's children because they all had new clothes to wear for the New Year. It's only human nature.

She rode her bicycle very fast: "All done! Going to work tomorrow, a stable job with a government-approved position!"

When she got home, not wanting her neighbors to come and ask questions, she quickly closed the gate to her courtyard.

Her brother was called away to work for someone today, with room and board provided. Her sister-in-law was at home, and Tanggao was going to the park entrance to watch the street performances, so she took Tangyuan with her.

Tang Guizhi came out of the kitchen and saw that Nie Qingqing had brought home two jin of meat again. She scolded her for spending money recklessly. It was convenient to go back to her parents' home with a bicycle, but bringing things back all the time would affect the relationship between husband and wife.

Tang Guizhi received the salary from her son-in-law and felt that she hadn't done much. Taking more things made her feel even more guilty, so she instructed, "Don't spend Song Zhao's money to bring things back to your parents' home next time."

How could Nie Qingqing not understand? She didn't want to buy it; it was Song Zhao who bought it. Just thinking about it made her feel lucky.

She smiled sweetly and said, "I didn't buy any. Song Zhao bought it and brought it back. He and his two children had lunch at his mother's house and came to our house for dinner. He specially cut some meat and asked me to bring it."

It was the weekend, a time for family reunion. Tang Guizhi was in high spirits. She took the meat into the kitchen and said, "Xiaoyuan loves meat, and I think Xiaoyin likes fish. I'll go out and buy another fish later, and also kill that chicken that doesn't lay eggs and make chicken soup."

The sound of chicken soup simmering in an earthenware pot at home made my mouth water. Nie Qingqing rolled up her sleeves, ready to grab a chicken: "Mom, don't drink pure chicken soup, make some chicken noodle soup instead."

...

At noon, Nie Qingqing's family would kill a chicken and simmer it in an earthenware pot over the charcoal fire in the stove. By evening, they would have chicken soup noodles with the meat and bones simmered until they were tender.

Nie Qingqing added, "Song Zhao's family uses a gas stove, so they can't have chicken soup cooked over a charcoal fire. They'll definitely love it."

Seeing how much she was thinking about Song Zhao, Tang Guizhi said happily, "Then come more often. He pays too much. I make chicken soup for you every Sunday. He's busy with work and needs to be well-nourished."

Of course, the pillar of the family needs to be in good health. I wonder if she had a good lunch at her mother's house.

Tang Guizhi wasn't worried about a meal. She reminded Nie Qingqing, "That day, Song Zhao said he would give us wages and living expenses. I was so happy that I actually took the money. It's too much money. Your brother, sister-in-law, and I all benefited. Now we feel it's not right. Logically, the money should go to his mother to avoid any conflict. If we take it, Song Zhao will have a hard time with his mother."

Nie Qingqing thought about it and realized that was the case: "Mom, I hadn't thought of that until you mentioned it. But don't worry too much. It mainly depends on the children's opinions. Whether they want to have dinner at Grandma's house or here, let them decide."

Tangyuan would definitely prefer to stay at her maternal grandmother's house, since they are related by blood. Her maternal grandmother, uncle, aunt, and Tanggao sister are all close relatives she has known since childhood. However, Xiaoyin might also want to stay at her biological paternal grandmother's house.

Nie Qingqing was not an unreasonable person: "I think it's most appropriate for Xiaoyin to make the choice."

Tang Guizhi nodded repeatedly: "Yes, that's what I think too. If Xiaoyin wants to stay at Grandma's house, ask Song Zhao to give the money over there. Tell him that your brother and I won't be angry. A family can prosper if everyone is harmonious."

After exchanging a few words with her mother, Nie Qingqing understood: "I know, I'll tell him, hehe, I'm so understanding, he's really lucky, hasn't he?"

...

He Suwen had the nanny cook six dishes for lunch and even sent her youngest son out to eat so she could talk to her eldest son.

Xiaoyin and Xiaoyuan were taken back by their stepmother for a week, and she felt that Xiaoyin should have seen through her stepmother's hypocrisy.

She placed a chicken leg on her granddaughter's plate and asked, "Your dad arranged a job for your stepmother and wants you and your brother to have dinner over there. Are you getting used to it?"

Xiaoyin rebelled when she saw the chicken leg. She couldn't have it before, and now that she's getting it, it doesn't taste good anymore.

But at her stepmother's family home, things were different. On her first day there, she ate ribs, and on the second day, she had braised rooster with two drumsticks. One drumstick was for her and the other for her stepsister, Tanggao. When her maternal grandmother, Guizhi, saw that she wasn't eating, she said, "You eat it. Before, the drumsticks in our family were always eaten by your Aunt Qingqing. After Tanggao came along, it was Tanggao and Qingqing who ate them."

She didn't believe it; could such a family really exist?

Tangyuan said, "Really, sister? There are only two chicken legs. You and Tanggao can eat them. Mom said that she got her chicken legs by snatching them, so there's no need to snatch them from Tanggao."

The uncle laughed and said, "My dad used to eat the chicken legs. He would give them to me but not to Qingqing. Qingqing made a fuss about it several times. Eventually, she ate the chicken legs. That's how it is in our family. You can eat them without worry."

The chicken leg Xiaoyin ate that day smelled so good, much better than today's.

"That's good. Xiao Yuan is much more lively over there. Why is Grandma asking this?"

He Suwen said sullenly, "It's not surprising that they treat you well. Your dad gives you fifty yuan a month. That's thirty yuan in salary and twenty yuan for living expenses. How could they not treat you well?"

With the comparison in mind, Song Xiaoyin was finally able to speak: "Grandma, when my dad gave you fifty yuan, I had a clear idea of ​​what I was eating. You want to ask Dad to give you the money so you can come and pick us up and cook for us? My brother and I can do that, but what about Tangyuan? He's closer to Grandma, would he want to come here? Do you want my dad and Aunt Qingqing to fight over fifty yuan!"

Enraged, He Suwen slammed her hand on the table: "You little brat, don't you know how important money is? Fifty yuan is a lot of money. Your father just gave up his job, giving away a third of his salary. Why should I give money to someone else when I raised my own son? Why not give it to me?"

Song Xiaoyin was furious: "Dad gave it to you before, but now he won't, preferring to give it to someone else. It's not Dad's problem, it's your problem."

He Suwen took the chicken leg from Xiaoyin's bowl with her chopsticks, very annoyed: "Giving you the chicken leg is pointless."

Xiao Yuan had been pouting for a while, but this sudden movement startled him, and he sidled up to Song Xiaoyin, saying, "Sister, don't fight. Xiao Yuan wants to go find Brother Tangyuan and Sister Tanggao."

Song Xiaoyin quickly hugged her younger brother and patted him gently: "Don't fight, sister will take you out to buy candied hawthorns."

"Does your sister have money?"

"Yes, Aunt Qingqing and Grandma Guizhi both gave you pocket money, enough to buy you lots of candied hawthorns."

"Aunt Qingqing is so kind, sister. Let's buy a few more skewers. We can't forget about them!"

He Suwen was truly regretful: "Go where? I shouldn't have let your stepmother take you away too. It's only been a few days, and she's already made you forget your own mother."

Xiao Yuan felt like crying again. Couldn't he even buy candied hawthorns for his older siblings? And couldn't he go anymore? He didn't want to be left here alone.

"Enough! Mom, I can't believe it. Did you always raise my child like this?"

Song Zhao couldn't hold back any longer and softened his voice to say to his eldest daughter, "Xiaoyin, take your brother to buy candied hawthorns. Buy a lot of them. I'll talk to your grandma. She won't leave you and your brother here."

A note from the author:

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