On my way home from the cemetery, everyone I met asked what happened last night. If it weren't for the fact that the Lunar New Year was just around the corner, there would probably be even more people coming to see what was going on.

Xia Jianshe and Chen Chunhua probably delayed going to worship their ancestors to avoid the peak season for ancestor worship, and they also locked their rooms.

Last night, Chen Chunhua didn't make a big fuss after entering the room, so even fewer people knew about it, and she could have gotten away with it by talking loudly. But she kept cursing after she went in, and she spoke especially loudly so that Xia Jianguo and the others could hear her.

Nowadays, people have fewer entertainment options, and not every household has a television set; even black and white televisions are not always available.

Anyone who speaks even slightly loudly will attract attention, and if it lasts for a while, people will definitely gather around to watch.

Xia Minmin's family didn't have a TV either. Li Chunmei and Xia Jianguo left early and returned late every day, and they didn't even have enough time to rest, let alone watch TV.

Xia Jianshe's family did have a television set, which was one of the betrothal gifts that Chen Chunhua had demanded back then. Chen Chunhua had asked for a high betrothal gift and also requested that a new house be built.

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"I heard from Sister Chun today that Chen Chunhua was cursing Xia Jianshe's sister-in-law and brother-in-law last night."

"Why did Xia Jianshe insist on marrying Chen Chunhua back then?"

"Chen Chunhua has always been kind on the outside but evil on the inside. I could tell from the last time the family was divided. You idiots still think she's a good person."

"That's not because she's good at pretending. What else do you know? Tell us about it."

“My sister married someone from her family’s hometown. Their family has a bad reputation. Their daughters all marry out of the area, and they can’t find a partner in the surrounding villages.”

Why?

"It's because their family has high dowry demands and many requirements, which most families in the village cannot meet."

“I know that! Her eldest sister married into my second aunt’s family, and it’s said that the dowry was the highest in my second aunt’s area.”

"Keep your voices down, Xia Jianguo and his family are coming over."

Xia Minmin could see a group of people chatting from a distance.

"Chunmei, have you finished paying respects to our ancestors?"

"Yeah, sis, what are you guys talking about?"

"We didn't talk about much, just chatted casually."

"Yes, just chatting."

"You guys chat, we're going home now."

Everyone knew what was going on, so Li Chunmei didn't bother them any further.

"Come on, they're gone, let's continue."

"My uncle, who is Xia Jianguo's father, borrowed several thousand yuan the year Xia Jianshe got married. I don't know the exact amount."

"So much money? Really?"

"Really! Don't let their poor living conditions fool you, all their relatives are wealthy and work in companies."

How did you know?

"His father and my father-in-law accidentally revealed it while drinking."

"Doesn't that mean half of the debts incurred during the last family division were from Xia Jianshe's wedding?"

"That's right!"

"She is always very enthusiastic whenever I see Chen Chunhua."

"Who says otherwise? They often help out!"

"I heard from my younger sister that Chen Chunhua often scolds Xia Xiaomei!"

"Why? Little sister is so well-behaved. When Chen Chunhua was pregnant and gave birth, she took care of all the housework and her family's vegetable garden."

"They think she's freeloading!"

"I'm treated like a nanny every day, and they even complain about eating! This is just outrageous."

"With my parents gone, how could I not suffer while living with my older brother and sister-in-law?"

"His second brother doesn't care."

"How can we manage? Her second brother is too busy taking care of himself, but they buy their little sister a few outfits every year, so at least she doesn't lack clothes to wear."

“My younger sister said a while ago that she was going to go to work with my sister-in-law after the New Year and even asked her to help her buy train tickets. But this morning she said she wasn’t going anymore and was going to Shenzhen with her second brother.”

"Is Jian Guo going to Shenzhen?"

"That's what Xia Xiaomei said."

"At least if I go out with Xia Jianguo, I'll have someone to look after me."

"yes."

"I'm done chatting, I need to go home and get ready for tonight."

"Then let's call it a day!"

The group dispersed and went home.

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When Xia Minmin got home, she asked, "Mom, do you know what they were talking about?"

"Why are you such a gossip, you little kid?"

"If you have nothing to do, go help your dad pack his things!"

“Dad doesn’t need my help, he just tells me to walk around.”

"Does that prove you really are annoying?"

Xia Minmin said innocently, "Mom, I didn't want to either. I was so bored and had nothing to do."

"Nothing to do, huh?"

Li Chunmei called Xia Jianguo over and said, "Jianguo, give Xiaomin some more math problems to do, at least four-digit ones, let her work on them."

Xia Jianguo's eyes lit up; it was indeed a good idea. He'd do it this way from now on, and his ears would be much quieter. Tomorrow, the first day of the Lunar New Year, he wouldn't be visiting relatives; he'd teach her how to use a dictionary and get a few more books—that would keep her busy.

An hour later, Xia Minmin, who was wandering around the house rummaging through drawers and cabinets, received a loving gift from her father—a book of arithmetic problems.

"Dad, are you trying to force things to grow too fast?" Xia Minmin looked completely bewildered.

“Xiaomin, Dad knows that with your intelligence, this is nothing. You can do three-digit numbers, so four-digit numbers are even less of a problem.”

Xia Minmin could only take her notebook and pen back to her room and sit quietly at the table to do her homework.

Li Chunmei said with a big smile, "Jianguo, isn't my method effective?"

"I plan to teach you how to use a dictionary tomorrow since I'm free. I'll buy a few more books before we go to Shenzhen so we can rest quietly on the way."

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!