Chapter 22: Pushing the limits and issuing transfer orders

Zhao Guodong had just taken off his shoes and socks and was washing the mud off them in the yard. He overheard what Niu Cuihua had said, and he understood what she meant. First, she wanted to leave something for the Niu family before they returned to the city, and second, they were asking Jiang's mother to send the things, but Jiang's mother wouldn't accept their money.

"Wait until we get back, and then buy some more and send them over." Zhao Guodong didn't want his mother to buy those things all the time. After all, his mother was a stepmother, and Jiang Yuqin had a bad temper. If Jiang's mother kept buying things for Zhao Guodong, Jiang Yuqin would have an issue.

Jiang Moli is Zhao Guodong's biological sister. She had no objection and even bought some things for Jiang's mother to send over.

Zhao Guodong had lived in the Jiang family for many years. He knew that Jiang's father was always wary of Jiang's mother, and that he cared more for Jiang Yuqin. Initially, Jiang's mother wanted to use the money to buy Zhao Guodong a job. She also wanted Jiang Yuqin to marry directly, so that she could stay in the city. However, Jiang Yuqin didn't want to rely on marriage to stay in the city, so she set her sights on the job and insisted that it be given to her.

In the end, the job was given to Jiang Yuqin, and Zhao Guodong didn't want to put his mother in a difficult position. Zhao Guodong thought that he was a man, and it was okay for a man to suffer a little in the countryside, so he didn't want to make things difficult for his mother.

"Won't it take some time for us to get back?" Niu Cuihua said, "This is the only time. Let your mother send it just once. From now on, we'll go to the city on our own and there's no way they'll mail us anything. Guodong, my parents asked us to bring those dry goods back to your house for your mother. My parents are so good to you, and you..."

"We will send more things to our parents when the time comes," said Zhao Guodong.

"It's time to make up for it." Niu Cuihua said, "If you don't go and call, I will!"

Niu Cuihua was about to leave. Her parents gave her so many things, and if she didn't show some appreciation, wouldn't that mean her family would suffer in vain? Niu Cuihua had to force Zhao Guodong. This was just the first time, and Zhao Guodong should do what she said.

Zhao Guodong had no choice but to call Jiang's mother. Niu Cuihua followed Zhao Guodong to the village committee to prevent him from telling her. She wanted to hear what Zhao Guodong told Jiang's mother.

Zhao Guodong naturally couldn't say that he was giving things to his father-in-law and mother-in-law to make up for it, and it was inappropriate for his mother to spend money to make up for his father-in-law and mother-in-law. Zhao Guodong could only say that his father-in-law and mother-in-law were good to him, and he wanted to leave something before leaving.

"Mom, you bought it for me and sent it to me. I will give you the money when I go back." Zhao Guodong said.

When Niu Cuihua heard this, she was not very happy and murmured quietly, "Why do I have to pay?"

Zhao Guodong looked at Niu Cuihua, and then said to Jiang's mother on the other end of the phone, "Mom, if you have money, please buy some for us. If you don't have money, then wait until we get back to buy it."

"I bought it for you and sent it to you." Jiang's mother didn't refuse. "When will you be back?"

"It will be soon. We will be back in ten days or half a month." Zhao Guodong said.

"Okay, I'll buy something and send it to you tomorrow," said Jiang's mother.

The mother and son exchanged a few words before hanging up the phone. Niu Cuihua did not speak to Jiang's mother. Niu Cuihua was unwilling to speak to Jiang's mother at this time. She did not want her mother to think that she forced Zhao Guodong to ask for those things. Of course, it must have been Zhao Guodong who asked for those things himself.

When Niu Cuihua saw Zhao Guodong hang up the phone, she said, "Why are you still talking about giving money? She's your biological mother, do you still want to give her money?"

"You have to give money, too, my dear mother." Zhao Guodong said, "You know..."

"I know your mother is a stepmother, and I know it's not easy to be a stepmother." Niu Cuihua knew what Zhao Guodong was going to say. She had heard Zhao Guodong say that a lot. "That's your biological mother. Don't you want her to give something to your stepsister? Your younger sister is related to you by blood, but your other sister is not. That sister is staying in the city, and you went to the countryside. Why, can't you get a little bit of something?"

Niu Cuihua always believed that Zhao Guodong was at a disadvantage, especially when she learned that Jiang's parents had used money to buy a job for Jiang Yuqin. They should have either not bought their child a job at all, or at least bought two jobs. If not, then Zhao Guodong should have taken over one. Even if Zhao Guodong hadn't gone to the countryside and wouldn't have met Niu Cuihua, Niu Cuihua still believed that.

"Don't say these things after you return to the city." Zhao Guodong was worried that what Niu Cuihua said would cause family conflicts. He was afraid that his mother would be caught in the middle and that Jiang's mother would be scolded by Jiang's father.

"We haven't even returned to the city yet, and you're already thinking about your mother, worried that I'll bully her." Niu Cuihua said, "Your mother is the mother-in-law, and I'm someone's daughter-in-law. How dare I act in front of her? My mother has long said that after I return to the city with you, I'll be a hardworking and capable daughter-in-law."

Niu's mother was afraid that Niu Cuihua wouldn't do well and would be dumped by Zhao Guodong. Once Zhao Guodong returned to the city and found a job, he might dislike Niu Cuihua's lack of education and appearance. Most of the male educated youth who abandoned their wives and children felt the same way: they didn't want their wives and children in the countryside and wanted to find another one in the city. Zhao Guodong wasn't particularly old; at forty-one, a man was in his prime. He could still find a new partner if he returned to the city.

The Niu family lived in the countryside, and if Niu Cuihua had a conflict with the Jiang family, it would be difficult for them to go to the city to support her. Even if they knew Niu Cuihua had been wronged, they wouldn't be able to call and criticize Jiang's mother. Being someone's daughter-in-law meant more or less bowing your head.

"I work in the fields with you, so am I not hardworking?" Niu Cuihua said, "After I married you, you worked in the fields, but I stayed home and did not work. I worked with you."

Zhao Guodong couldn't blame Niu Cuihua on this point. Niu Cuihua did often work in the fields. She was a very hardworking woman. She raised ducks and fed chickens, and she did a lot of work.

"Back in the city, I won't have to farm. It's not like I can't do other work. There's always work to do at home. We have a child, and I have to take care of him." Niu Cuihua said, "Over the years, my parents have helped us take care of the child. The child often eats at my parents' house, which saves us a lot of worry and money. You can't be a person without a conscience. My parents were afraid that your mother would look down on me if I went back with you, so they thought of preparing some extra things for me to take back."

Niu Cuihua kept talking, and Zhao Guodong listened. Zhao Guodong couldn't say that Niu Cuihua was wrong. Niu Cuihua was just an ordinary country woman, and she had indeed sacrificed a lot for him. Zhao Guodong couldn't let Niu Cuihua suffer too much, so he had to endure it.

"Mom will send us something," Zhao Guodong said. "Mom has always been like that. Once we ask, she knows we really need it. Even when we don't ask, she still sends us things."

Zhao Guodong assured Niu Cuihua that there would always be something there, and she didn't need to worry about not having it. Even if Jiang's mother didn't send the things in time, they could still keep some of the money they had and didn't have to take it all to the city.

When Jiang Moli returned home, she learned that Zhao Guodong had asked Jiang's mother to mail some things over. She did not say anything bad about her brother and sister-in-law.

"Your brother said he's coming back, so we have to give them something as a thank you for their care," said Jiang's mother.

"Yes, yes." Jiang Moli didn't say whether it was Niu Cuihua who instigated it. Zhao Guodong and Niu Cuihua were husband and wife. When the couple returned to the city, they couldn't live with Jiang Moli for too long. She didn't want to be a vicious sister-in-law. "We need to buy milk powder and other things, and some cloth so we can make new clothes for them. Does my sister-in-law know how to sew? If we buy cloth, we can buy more. If we buy ready-made clothes, we don't know what size clothes they wear."

Jiang Moli has always been quite generous. She doesn't argue with her brother about these things. When her mother wants to send something, Jiang Moli will help prepare it. Others joked with Jiang Moli that Jiang's mother loves Zhao Guodong more, but Jiang Moli doesn't bother to pay attention to them. He is her brother, not someone else. Her brother has already gone to the countryside, so how could Jiang Moli say anything wrong about him?

When Zhao Guodong was in South City, he was quite nice to Jiang Moli. Back then, Jiang Moli would share her delicious food with Zhao Guodong. Zhao Guodong's biological grandparents didn't care much about him, so Jiang Moli would secretly share the food she got from her biological grandmother and her family with Zhao Guodong. She also told Zhao Guodong to eat quickly and not let Jiang Yuqin know.

When Jiang Moli got into trouble, Zhao Guodong would protect her. The relationship between the brother and sister was good. Zhao Guodong did not think that his sister had taken away his mother's love and that he should not be so good to her.

"Buying so much at once..."

"Brother and sister-in-law are both going back to the city, and they won't be going to the countryside often anymore." Jiang Moli said, "Send more this time, just this time. You don't have to mail it later, brother and sister-in-law will do it. Since this is the only time, we have to do it well. Of course, if you want to mail something in the future, it's still okay, but it won't be possible to send it so frequently, nor will it be possible to send so many things."

Jiang's mother mainly mailed things to her own sons, grandsons and granddaughters, not to the Niu family.

"If your sister..."

"I don't have a sister." Jiang Moli said, "My cousin does."

"Alas." Jiang's mother sighed, and sometimes she would still think of Jiang Yuqin. If Jiang Yuqin saw those things, she would definitely ridicule Jiang's mother in front of Jiang's father.

Jiang Yuqin couldn't bear to see Jiang's mother and her family living well, so she had to say a few sarcastic words to make Jiang's father feel resentful towards Jiang's mother.

"Jiang Yuqin is no longer at our house, don't worry." Jiang Moli said, "You don't have to be afraid of what Dad says. If Dad says it, I'm still here. Just say that I'm a weak woman, and it's always good to have a brother to protect me. If you have a certain degree of propriety, Dad won't say much. It's not like you emptied the whole house for your brother. If you are really selfish, you should have let your brother stay in Nancheng. No matter how Jiang Yuqin feels, just let her go!"

In the past, Jiang Moli felt that Zhao Guodong and Jiang's mother were too accommodating to Jiang Yuqin. Perhaps it was because Jiang Moli was Jiang's father's biological daughter that Jiang Moli could be more unscrupulous. Even if Jiang Moli dared to go against Jiang Yuqin, Jiang's father would sometimes say a few words to her.

When Jiang's mother heard what Jiang Yuqin said, she felt warm in her heart. Her daughter was still very filial to her and knew how to be good to her brother.

"That's it, buy some more things and send them over." Jiang's mother said.

"Do you want to go over there?" Jiang Moli asked.

"I can't go there anymore. I still have to work. I can just wait for them to come over." Jiang's mother said, "It's not like I haven't been there before. With the money for the trip, I might as well buy them some more things."

Jiang's mother was reluctant to spend money on the journey. Those people were all coming back, so why bother coming here again? Life in a remote small village was really hard. Jiang's mother used to have red eyes and shed tears when she went there before, always feeling that Zhao Guodong's life was too hard.

"Okay, whatever you arrange is fine." Jiang Moli said.

When Jiang's father came back and saw the large and small packages on the table, he frowned slightly, "These things..."

"It's for my brother." Jiang Moli said before Jiang's mother could speak, "My brother has been in the countryside for so many years, and he's relied on his parents-in-law a lot. He's coming back, so I bought some things and sent them to his parents-in-law and their family. People will say that we have good family education and that we are sensible people, and my brother will save some face. I can't just not show any appreciation at all, it's not like I show appreciation every day."

"Send it." When Jiang's father heard his only biological daughter say this, he certainly couldn't say no.

"Yes, we need to send more." Jiang Moli said, "It takes time to mail. Otherwise, I can buy some other things and send them. My brother is very good to me. They even sent me dried fruits before. The dried fruits there taste really good. Life in the countryside is not easy, but my brother still remembers that I like to eat them."

Jiang Moli said this deliberately. Zhao Guodong knew to leave the food for Jiang Moli to eat, but Jiang Yuqin didn't know. Jiang Moli didn't say Jiang Yuqin's name, but when she said this, Jiang's father still knew what Jiang Moli meant.

"They'll be back soon," Jiang's father said. "Let them stay at home for ten days or half a month. Have some fun with them."

"When my brother comes back, he'll have to take over Mom's job. He has a wife and children to support, so he won't have much time to play." Jiang Moli said, "Dad, my brother and his family just came back, and they don't have that much money. If they go out to rent a house..."

"Do you want them to live at home forever?" Jiang's father frowned.

"No, no." Jiang Moli waved her hand quickly. "I was thinking that when the time comes, your parents, your brother and sister-in-law will pay two months' rent to help them settle in. If there is not enough money, we can pool it together. I have saved some money."

Jiang Moli understood how much her father valued his biological children. He wouldn't have cared less about a child who wasn't his biological father. Jiang Moli didn't want to live under the same roof with Zhao Guodong's wife. Their different living habits would inevitably lead to conflicts. And since her father wasn't Zhao Guodong's biological father, it would be more likely for other problems to arise.

Jiang's father did want to consider Jiang Moli more, but he still couldn't let Zhao Guodong and his wife live in the house for too long. If they stayed in the house for too long, wouldn't they think that everything in the house belonged to them? Zhao Guodong and his wife had to move out sooner rather than later. Jiang Moli was a weak woman, and Jiang's father was worried that his daughter wouldn't be able to defeat Zhao Guodong and his wife.

Jiang Moli is not stupid. She has to accept that her father is thinking about her. She cannot step on his heart.

"If your brother knew, he would be overjoyed." Jiang's mother said with a smile, "You've thought so much about him. Aren't you afraid that he'll get married and forget about you, his sister?"

"If Mom isn't afraid, I'm even less so," Jiang Moli said. "Besides, my brother and sister-in-law are going to spend their lives together. They're a family, so they should be closer. Isn't that natural? How can I treat my sister and my wife equally?"

Jiang Moli didn't expect Zhao Guodong to be as nice to her as before, nor did she expect Zhao Guodong to help her do things.

A sister is a sister, and a wife is a wife. A sister-in-law should know her limits and not interfere in everything. If a sister-in-law insists on interfering in other people's lives, it would be a shame.

"Do you want to ask Dad, who is more important, your sister or your wife?" Jiang Moli asked.

"Who is more important?" Father Jiang was a little confused.

"Mom, look at Dad. His expression is frozen. Is he stupid?" Jiang Moli winked at her mother and counted on her fingers. "The mother-in-law and daughter-in-law problem, the sister-in-law and sister-in-law problem, those are eternal problems. Let Dad choose, and he's standing in the middle. He appears calm on the surface, but he's so flustered inside. Dad must be wondering if he can just stop asking and stop interfering."

"You." Jiang's mother reached out and gently poked Jiang Moli's head, "You really dare to say anything."

"This is the fact, why don't you dare say it?" Jiang Moli said.

"You're such a straightforward person. What are you going to do when you get married?" Jiang's mother asked. "People who are too honest are more likely to suffer losses, and others will think you're fake."

"It doesn't matter. God is watching what you do. I'm not doing this for others to see." Jiang Moli said, "I don't need those people to say whether I'm good or not. Good or bad, it doesn't matter. It's their turn. How can I control it?"

Early in the morning, Sheng Jiahao came to pick up Jiang Moli, and the two of them went shopping in the mall together.

"My brother and sister-in-law are coming home soon, along with their children," Jiang Moli said. "When they come back, I have to prepare gifts for my nephews and nieces. I don't know their sizes, so I won't buy clothes. Let's buy other things, like books. They're young and may not understand what they're reading, and they may not like books. What else should I buy? Food? Toys? Or both?"

"If you want to buy it, buy it." Sheng Jiahao asked, "Do you have enough money?"

"Enough, of course it's enough money." Jiang Moli said, "I don't spend all my money every month. I still have some money saved."

Jiang Moli and Sheng Jiahao went to look at toys together, including small tanks, cars, dolls...all kinds of small toys with many varieties.

"I have some toys in my room, some of which I played with when I was very young. They are kept in a box," Jiang Moli said. "The quality of the toys is pretty good, and some are still in good condition. What about you? Do you have any toys?"

"There are some." Sheng Jiahao said, "Some of them are very tattered."

"Buy new ones." Jiang Moli said.

"Buy a new one?" Sheng Jiahao looked at Jiang Moli.

"Yes, children can play with toys, and they can play with them when they grow up. A ten-year-old is a child of 120 months, and a twenty-year-old is a child of 240 months." Jiang Moli said.

"That's right." Sheng Jiahao agreed with Jiang Moli's statement, "You can play with it. I'll buy you two toys later."

"I take it seriously." Jiang Moli said.

"Really." Sheng Jiahao held Jiang Moli's hand tightly.

Jiang Moli and Sheng Jiahao went shopping happily, while He Jingxian went to the South City Theater to practice. He Jingxian wanted to do it for others to see. When others were playing, she was practicing, and when others were practicing, she was also practicing.

Zhou Yiran was naturally not at the theater. It was a holiday, and she needed to rest, not stay at work all the time. Some hardworking people were still practicing at work. The people at work didn't say they couldn't stay at work to practice because they were on holiday.

When Aunt Qi Er learned that He Jingxian was practicing at the unit, she knew a little bit of what He Jingxian was thinking. He Jingxian really wanted to replace someone else. When Aunt Qi Er went to find someone to handle the paperwork, the dean joked that she had found a good niece-in-law, saying that He Jingxian was so young and so capable.

The dean knew about the relationship between He Jingxian and Aunt Qi, and Aunt Qi understood that the dean's words were also a hint at her. Aunt Qi had been good enough to He Jingxian. Given the competition between He Jingxian and Liang Tong, Aunt Qi couldn't harm Liang Tong and couldn't let He Jingxian replace Liang Tong. If Liang Tong fell ill, He Jingxian could fill in for a few games, but she couldn't do it forever. The key was that Liang Tong was still healthy and there was no way Liang Tong would step down at this time.

Second Aunt Qi didn't tell the dean that Jiang Moli seized the opportunity. Jiang Moli's strength is obvious to all, and she has been at the unit for a long time. Second Aunt Qi hasn't told He Jingxian about the role yet, and let He Jingxian practice. When the time comes, if He Jingxian doesn't play, Liang Tong will feel a little relieved. No matter how hard He Jingxian tries, it will be the same.

Being a minor leader in the troupe, and possessing a certain amount of power, Second Aunt Qi had a keen eye for who to offend and who not to offend. Their troupe was considered a local troupe, but Nancheng, being the provincial capital, was more prosperous, leading to a surge of interest. Those in the Nancheng troupe were even more eager to join the provincial Xiaobaihua (Little Hundred Flowers) troupe, creating a fierce competition.

Second Aunt Qi more or less knew that Jiang Moli was going to be transferred to the Provincial Little Hundred Flowers, but she didn't say it yet. He Jingxian might think that joining the South City Drama Troupe wasn't enough and that she had to join the Provincial Little Hundred Flowers. Second Aunt Qi didn't have the ability to arrange for He Jingxian to join the Provincial Little Hundred Flowers. The Provincial Little Hundred Flowers wasn't something that ordinary people could just say they would join. Many people tried their best to get in but couldn't.

At this time, Qi Shixin told his parents that he and He Jingxian planned to live at home for a while and decide whether to move out at the end of the year.

"Is she willing to live in your little house?" Qi's mother asked Qi Shixin.

"I'm willing." Qi Shixin said, "I also said that the room is not big, not as big as my eldest brother and his wife's. I can't ask my eldest brother and his wife to give up their room to me, so she and I will live in the room I live in now."

"If that's the case, you can stay at home first." Qi's mother said, "Just think it over and don't let anything go later."

"Nothing to say." Qi Shixin said, "She herself wants to live at home first. She wants to. If she has anything to say, I will tell her."

"Are you willing to do that?" Qi's mother asked.

"Why should I be reluctant to let her go?" Qi Shixin said, "She is my wife, the daughter-in-law of this family, and my younger brother's sister. Second Aunt also helped her transfer to the South City Theater. She should be satisfied."

Qi Shixin didn't love He Jingxian that deeply; he just thought she looked okay. His second aunt selected girls from the drama troupe to go on blind dates with him. Some girls were forced to go on blind dates with him under the intimidation of his second aunt, but that didn't feel good. Qi Shixin felt that he wasn't taken seriously enough and felt perfunctory.

He Jingxian's feelings towards Qi Shixin are more about exploitation than love. Qi Shixin, however, thinks that He Jingxian is good this way, knowing how to climb the ladder. He Jingxian needs Qi Shixin, so she will definitely behave better.

"If you hadn't gotten your marriage certificate, your second aunt wouldn't have helped you," Qi's mother said. "As for your partner...your wife, she's very ambitious. If our family can't help her, she'll definitely ask someone else for help. You're not married yet, and even if you help her, it's still uncertain whether your marriage will be successful."

"No, we are in Nancheng. Even if her business is done, Second Aunt will still be her leader." Qi Shixin said.

"You can only know a person's face but not his heart." Qi's mother said, "You still need to think more about everything."

Qi's mother didn't like He Jingxian very much, but Qi Shixin did, so she could only go along with her son. Qi's mother didn't just care about Qi Shixin, so she didn't want to control everything. She let her son make his own decisions, and as a mother, she wouldn't interfere.

Qi's mother was not very happy about He Jingxian living in Qi's house. She hoped that He Jingxian would not cause any trouble for her.

"After she graduates and moves out of school, she'll come and live here permanently," Qi Shixin said. "She might just stay here for a few days now, but not for long."

"Just discuss it with your husband and wife," Qi's mother said. "You can eat at home. Just let us know in advance. We won't need you to eat at home."

Qi's mother didn't want to meddle in He Jingxian's affairs, but if He Jingxian really came to her, she would think about some things. When Qi's mother talked about He Jingxian with Qi's father, she was very dissatisfied, but it was hard to say too much.

When Sheng Jiahao heard that Jiang Moli was going to buy some things to send to her brother and sister-in-law in the countryside, he also bought some supplements. Sheng Jiahao had money and was generous. If he didn't know, he wouldn't have bought anything. If he knew, he would have bought a little. Zhao Guodong would be his brother-in-law in the future, and Sheng Jiahao wanted to show off.

"Do you have so much money that you don't know where to spend it?" Jiang Moli saw Sheng Jiahao bought so many things.

"You can't just buy it for your brother, you have to buy it for your uncles and aunts too," said Sheng Jiahao.

Sheng Jiahao debated for a while whether to call Jiang's father and mother uncle and aunt, or uncle and aunt. Later, he simply called them uncle and aunt, which made him seem younger. Sheng Jiahao also wondered if Jiang's mother and father, who were stepmothers and stepfathers, would dislike being called uncle and aunt. Fortunately, Jiang's father and mother didn't dislike it.

When Sheng Jiahao was carrying things to the Jiang family, some people in the compound saw it. Some people said that Jiang Moli's boyfriend was really rich, and some people said that Jiang Moli had not even married Sheng Jiahao yet, so why did Jiang Moli let him bring so many things.

Jiang Moli doesn't care what those people say. The most important thing is that she is happy.

"Stay for dinner." Jiang's mother wore an apron. "We have stewed meat at home, but my cooking skills may not be very good. I don't know if you like it."

"Okay, then I'll try it." Sheng Jiahao said, "The food you cook must be delicious."

Jiang Moli tugged at Sheng Jiahao's sleeve, "Didn't you just say you had something to do tonight?"

"I'm working on a plan." Sheng Jiahao said, "At worst, I can just rest later tonight."

Since his future mother-in-law had spoken, Sheng Jiahao had to stay for dinner. It wasn't an urgent matter. If it was urgent, Sheng Jiahao would have gone back. As for whether the Jiang family had enough food, Sheng Jiahao thought he could send some grain, oil, rice and flour over another day. After all, he was dating Jiang Moli, and Jiang Moli was not yet of legal marriage age, so they hadn't married yet.

Even if Jiang Moli and Sheng Jiahao were married, Sheng Jiahao couldn't come to dinner empty-handed. He would have to bring something with him.

"..." Jiang Moli glanced at Sheng Jiahao sideways. Sheng Jiahao knew how to get the attention of his future mother-in-law.

After dinner, Jiang Moli saw Sheng Jiahao off to the door and watched him get in the car and leave. Before Jiang Moli even reached the door, Jiang's mother pulled her into the living room.

"How can you have the nerve to let others buy so many things when you go shopping with them?" Jiang's mother asked.

"He wanted to buy it himself, not me. He's not willing to buy more things and treat me well right now. I can't count on him anymore in the future." Jiang Moli said, "Since he's willing to buy it, let him buy it."

"Aren't you afraid his parents will think you're bad? You haven't even gotten married yet, and you're asking him to spend so much money." Jiang's mother was a little worried. "What if you split up? Will you have to return all this? What will you use to pay him back?"

"If he's still nice, I'll continue dating him and not break up with him. If he wants to break up with me and I haven't done anything wrong, how can I return those things to him? That's compensation for the loss of my youth!" Jiang Moli said.

"You still have a point?" Jiang's mother said.

"That's how it is." Jiang Moli said, "Mom, if you tell him not to buy it now, he will really not buy it in the future."

"I was just being polite," Jiang's mother said. "You can't ask them to buy more next time."

"Isn't that enough?" Jiang Moli shrugged. "As elders, you guys just say a few words. If he takes it seriously, that's his problem."

Many elders are like this. They say things like "don't do this or that", but if others take them seriously, they will scold them.

"You have a big mouth." Jiang's mother smiled. Her little daughter was indeed quite talkative.

"It's better to let others suffer than to let yourself suffer," Jiang Moli said. "It's so painful to let yourself suffer. People's sorrows are incommensurate with each other. We can't feel much of other people's sorrows."

Jiang Moli has been like this since she was a child. She can't let herself be wronged. If she is wronged, she has to comfort herself, think about revenge, and ask her parents to help her.

After Yang Bingliang's wife, Lu Dongxiang, made it clear that she would not do more housework, Yang's mother had to do more work herself. If Yang's mother had a stern face in front of Lu Dongxiang, Lu Dongxiang would even make a mockery of her.

In her previous life, Yang's mother had money, and Yang Bingrong and his wife hadn't discussed splitting up the family property. She used the money to buy Yang Bingliang and his wife a lavish wedding, ensuring a lavish ceremony. After Yang Bingliang married, Miao Guifeng continued to do the chores, leaving Lu Dongxiang with no additional responsibility. This led to Lu Dongxiang's frequent attempts to coax Yang's mother, only to see her increasingly resentful of Miao Guifeng. Miao Guifeng, clearly the one doing the most work, was ultimately perceived as the problem, leaving her deeply distressed.

In this life, Miao Guifeng and her husband separated, and Yang's mother could only lend money and things to Yang Bingliang for his marriage. The relationship between Yang's mother and Lu Dongxiang was not that good.

Miao Guifeng sometimes saw Lu Dongxiang's unkind attitude towards Yang's mother, and she felt a little happy in her heart. This is how it should be. Whenever Miao Guifeng thought about the anger she had suffered in her previous life, she felt very uncomfortable. Why did she have to endure so much anger, and why did Lu Dongxiang have such a good life?

In fact, Lu Dongxiang did not intend to sell Miao Guifeng's son. She lived with her husband's family and naturally wanted her parents-in-law to treat her and her husband well. There was nothing wrong with that. Lu Dongxiang looked down on Miao Guifeng. Miao Guifeng herself was very humble, so others would naturally look down on her.

But Miao Guifeng still thought that Lu Dongxiang could suffer some grievances, and also thought that Lu Dongxiang would embarrass Yang's mother.

In the room, Miao Guifeng looked at her sleeping child and then at her husband.

"I want to get a stove and sell roasted sweet potatoes near the hospital or the train station," said Miao Guifeng.

"Roasted sweet potatoes?" Yang Bingrong didn't expect Miao Guifeng to say that she wanted to sell roasted sweet potatoes.

"Yes," Miao Guifeng said, "I originally thought that if someone asked me to make clothes, I could do it for them and make some money. But, you know, I'm from the countryside and I'm not that fashionable. Those people even asked me if I'd read magazines, but how could I know so much? They showed me the pictures and left them, and I could make them myself, but I haven't read much myself."

In her previous life, Miao Guifeng did not make a lot of money by making clothes for people. In this life, she wanted to do something different and try whatever could make money.

"You go to work, and I can go with the child on my back," said Miao Guifeng.

"This... there are kidnappers out there." Yang Bingrong didn't really want Miao Guifeng to go out and do things. After thinking about it, he gave this reason, "Our child is a boy, so he's more likely to be targeted by human traffickers."

"I carried the child on my back, hugged the child, and tied the child to my body. If those people wanted to steal my child, they had to take me with them. They wouldn't dare to take me because of my size." Miao Guifeng said, "I went to crowded places. If things didn't work, I could just shout and someone would come to my aid."

Miao Guifeng had thought about it all. She couldn't stop working just because she was afraid her child would be kidnapped. She knew what Yang Bingrong was thinking. Yang Bingrong wasn't very capable, but he wanted her to stay home and take care of the child. In her previous life, she'd listened to Yang Bingrong more and done more around the house, but her parents-in-law thought she was a freeloader and gave her the cold shoulder. Miao Guifeng needed a new lifestyle; she couldn't live like she did in her previous life.

"When our son grows up, he'll need to go to school, get married, and have children, all of which require money," Miao Guifeng said. "We live here, and they say they gave us the room, and there's a written agreement. But the name on the property deed isn't ours, it's your parents'. Who knows, at any point your parents might put your brother's name on the house, and we won't have a share."

Miao Guifeng thought about the house demolition again. In her previous life, her biological son had just returned not long ago, and the people in the Yang family said that her biological son came for the demolition compensation. Miao Guifeng thought about those things and began to feel distressed. Even if her son came for the demolition compensation, it was not wrong. Those things should belong to her son.

Now, Miao Guifeng is raising her son personally. She will try her best to give her son the best things and not let her son suffer.

"Let's make more money and buy a house so your parents won't kick us out in the future," Miao Guifeng said. "You're willing to sleep on the street, but our children can't."

"Okay, I'll find you a stove," Yang Bingrong said. "It's getting hot, roasting sweet potatoes. Can you sell them?"

"There are always people who want to eat them," Miao Guifeng said. "Roasted sweet potatoes are much more delicious than steamed ones. Sweet potatoes can also help with hunger."

Miao Guifeng had considered doing something else, like selling noodles. But selling noodles is more complicated. Even if you buy ready-made noodles, you still have to cook them and prepare all the seasonings. With her child, Miao Guifeng couldn't handle so many things all at once. Once the child is older, she'll be able to do more. If she has a daughter, she can also ask her to help with some things; her daughter is quite capable.

As for asking her son to do things, Miao Guifeng never thought that she owed her son in her previous life and let her son suffer outside. She could not let her son suffer again in this life, and she had to strive to let her son live a better and happier life.

"I'll go out and give it a try in a couple of days," Miao Guifeng said. "Everyone has to take this step."

"I'm worried that you'll have to work hard." Yang Bingrong said.

"Are you afraid that I will suffer?" Miao Guifeng really wanted to laugh when she heard this. If Yang Bingrong was really afraid that she would suffer, he should have helped her more in his previous life.

"Yes, I'm afraid you'll suffer. You just gave birth to a child not long ago." Yang Bingrong said.

"You still have to work after giving birth. Didn't your mother say before that a country woman like me doesn't need to stay in confinement after giving birth? We country women can go back to work in the fields a few days after giving birth." Miao Guifeng sneered.

"Mom just said that..."

"Just saying it? She clearly did it on purpose." Miao Guifeng said, "Your mother has already been like that, and you're still saying good things for her?"

"No, that's not the case." Yang Bingrong said quickly.

"Don't talk about your mother in front of me," Miao Guifeng said. "The same goes for our child. If our son knew what his grandmother did in the future, what do you think he would think?"

"Don't tell him." Yang Bingrong frowned, "The child is still so young..."

"You just know how to say that to gloss over the truth," Miao Guifeng said.

When He Jingxian learned that her transfer order had come, she was extremely happy. He Jingxian thought that she would be a member of the South City Theater and would not have to return to her original unit. She would be able to stay in South City in the future. If she did better, He Jingxian wondered if she could apply for housing. With Aunt Qi around, it should be easier for her and Qi Shixin to apply for housing.

He Jingxian had been to the Qi family before, and this time she went back to eat with Qi Shixin, and Qi's second aunt also went. When Qi's second aunt told He Jingxian about the transfer order at the table, He Jingxian was very happy.

"Thank you, auntie." He Jingxian said, "I'll toast you a glass."

"It's a good thing to be motivated, but you've just joined the unit, so there are some things you still need to pay more attention to." Aunt Qi said, "I went to the dean, and he reminded me. You and Liang Tong, stop arguing, and change your roles. Jiang Moli is going to be transferred to the Provincial Little Hundred Flowers, and the transfer order has been sent to our unit. She can go there after she graduates. Her going to the Provincial Little Hundred Flowers will also free up a good role."

"She's going to be transferred to the Provincial Academy of Little Flowers?" He Jingxian opened her eyes wide. She had worked so hard and tried so hard to finally get into the South City Theater, but Jiang Moli was going to join the Provincial Academy of Little Flowers. This was hard for He Jingxian to accept.

"Yes." Aunt Qi said, "The people in Xiaobaihua Province admire her very much. Jiang Moli has developed very well in recent years, and her performances have been very good."

"Why is she the one going?" He Jingxian asked, "Shouldn't someone else go? It's based on seniority..."

"In this line of work, seniority isn't simply the basis for advancement." Second Aunt Qi interrupted Jiang Moli.

"Is it because she is with Teacher Lu's son?" He Jingxian had already heard about it. Besides, Jiang Moli and Sheng Jiahao were together without hiding the fact from everyone and without deliberately concealing it.

"If it weren't for this, Provincial Xiaobaihua would have wanted to transfer her there a long time ago," said Aunt Qi. "She's young, has a good figure, and has excellent conditions in all aspects. If she hadn't gone to Provincial Xiaobaihua, the unit would have also trained her as a pillar."

"The pillar of the stage..." He Jingxian wondered why she didn't receive such treatment.

"Instead of arguing with Liang Tong, you might as well think about the role Jiang Moli is playing." Aunt Qi said, "She went to the Provincial Little Hundred Flowers Theater and is not in our unit. If she wants to act, she will play the role of the Provincial Little Hundred Flowers Theater."

The competition among provincial Xiaobaihua is very fierce, and there are many outstanding people inside.

Second Aunt Qi didn't think it would be difficult for Jiang Moli to make a name for herself. On the contrary, she felt that if Jiang Moli went there, she would quickly rise to prominence. No matter how outstanding those people were, they were still inferior to Jiang Moli. Due to the talent shortage caused by the special era, someone like Zhou Yaran could be considered a relatively good opera actor in the unit, let alone Jiang Moli.

"Second aunt, can I...can I enter the provincial Xiaobaihua?" He Jingxian couldn't help but ask.

Qi's mother was just about to pick up some food with her chopsticks when she was stunned when she heard what He Jingxian said.

"You just got into your current unit, and you're thinking about getting a better one?" Before Aunt Qi could say anything, Mother Qi said, "Your second aunt worked so hard to get you transferred to your current unit, and our family spent a lot of money and favors. And you still want to go to heaven?"

Mother Qi looked at Second Aunt Qi. Naturally, she didn't want Second Aunt Qi to be unhappy. He Jingxian was really getting too much.

"Do you think the Provincial Little Hundred Flowers was opened by your second aunt?" Qi's mother said again.

"Mom, I was just saying that. I didn't mean anything else. I just spoke too quickly." He Jingxian saw that Qi's mother's face turned cold, and she knew she had said the wrong thing.

He Jingxian said that to test whether Second Aunt Qi could do it. If Second Aunt Qi could do it, maybe she could stay in Nancheng Theater for a few months and then go to Provincial Xiaobaihua.

"Eat, eat." Aunt Qi said, "Jingxian, if you want to go and save Xiao Baihua, you have to rely on yourself. My arms can't reach that far, so I can't help you."

"Of course not. You're so capable, you can help me." He Jingxian said, "You've already helped me a lot."

"Just work hard first." Aunt Qi said, "Xiao Baihua, if you want to go, that's fine. Just work hard. If you really have the ability, you will be able to go sooner or later."

Second Aunt Qi said these words because she didn't want to embarrass Mother Qi. Second Aunt Qi had already put in a lot of effort and used her connections to help He Jingxian get into the South City Drama Troupe. Asking her to help He Jingxian get to the provincial Xiaobaihua was impossible. Second Aunt Qi knew her own weight. She could have a say in her current unit, but not in other units.

After dinner, Qi Shixin and his wife saw Second Aunt Qi to the door. Second Aunt Qi waved her hand and said, "No need to see me off."

Aunt Qi was still smiling on the surface, as if she didn't care about what happened just now. He Jingxian wondered if this matter was over. She really wanted to move up. Only by moving up could she get more attention and become more famous. She wanted to become a famous actor.

"Go in." Qi Shixin said. He didn't say anything to He Jingxian. He was a grown man and didn't think there was anything wrong with those words. She was his aunt, and it was okay.

After Second Aunt Qi left, He Jingxian and Qi Shixin returned to the living room. Mother Qi barked at He Jingxian, "You just joined the Nancheng Drama Troupe. What else do you want? How dare you say that in front of your Second Aunt? Your Second Aunt is not stupid. She's such a smart person. How could she offend others for you? If she could join the Provincial Little Hundred Flowers, she would have gone there herself. Why would it be your turn?"