The two brothers, Jiang Xuewen and Jiang Xuewu, are now both working.

After graduating from the Workers-Peasants-Soldiers University, Jiang Xuewen entered a government agency as a junior staff member, earning a monthly salary of just over forty yuan.

This amount of money isn't small, but he recently got a girlfriend, and his expenses are high.

To avoid being sent to the countryside, Jiang Xuewu's family paid for him to work as an apprentice in a steel factory. Now he is a level-two fitter, earning a monthly salary of over thirty yuan.

He was lazy by nature, and after studying for several years he didn't make much progress. He also liked to drink and gamble with others, and didn't save any money.

Jiang Jianguo's rehabilitation costs are so high that they simply cannot afford that much money. They also agree with Feng Shuyao's decision to take him home.

"Mom, since Dad is like this, then you shouldn't go to that temporary job!"

Jiang Xuewen suggested.

Feng Shuyao was very upset when she heard this, "With your dad like this, he can only take early retirement and can't go to work anymore. If I don't go to work, what will this family eat and drink in the future!"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Xuewu revealed a look of disdain:

“Doesn’t Xiaorou have a salary? She has never taken out any of the money she earns. Now that the family is in trouble, it’s time for her to take it out.”

Jiang Rou wasn't home. If she heard him say that, she would definitely get excited and start fighting with him.

She has two sons, so why should she take the money back?

Feng Shuyao knew it was time to reveal that Jiang Rou was Jiang Jianguo's biological daughter.

She beckoned to the two brothers, signaling them to sit down; she had something important to announce.

The two brothers sat down impatiently, fiddling with the things in their hands, their minds elsewhere.

Feng Shuyao slowly said, "I have something to tell you. Rou Rou is your father's child with another woman. She is your younger sister..."

"What?"

"Are you kidding me?"

Both brothers were dumbfounded.

It wasn't just because Jiang Rou was their younger sister, but also because of Feng Shuyao's calm and composed attitude.

She has such a big heart!

However, it's too late to say anything now. If Mom really gets a divorce at this time, they'll be in real trouble!

Dad needs to recover now and can't be left alone. Now that Mom is gone, they have to take over.

"Mom, you've been wronged." Jiang Xuewen patted Feng Shuyao on the shoulder.

Jiang Xuewu then suddenly said:

"Didn't you go to see Ningning? What did she say? She said she wouldn't care about Dad's affairs?"

When Feng Shuyao heard him mention Jiang Ning, her face immediately fell:

"Don't mention your sister. It turns out she already knew that Jiang Rou was your biological sister, but she just wouldn't say it."

This time, and in front of so many people, they made me lose face.

She said she wanted to sever ties with us.

The two brothers were shocked again. Although they knew that their parents had not treated her well since she was a child, they had always coaxed her. They didn't think their parents would get so angry and try to break off the relationship.

"I'll talk to her another day. How can she not care about Dad's sick!"

Jiang Xuewen's tone was filled with anger.

When he was corresponding with Jiang Ning, he knew that she was now in a good position and wouldn't be unable to come up with a few hundred yuan.

Jiang Xuewu also said that if Jiang Ning didn't pay, he wouldn't pay either.

Nobody's money comes from thin air.

Soon, Jiang Xuewen found Jiang Ning's house and explained his purpose.

Jiang Ning was busy washing diapers in the yard when she saw Jiang Xuewen. She immediately stopped what she was doing and wiped her hands with a towel to greet him.

In her memory, her older brother had treated her quite well, so her attitude towards him was naturally different after they met.

She also called Lin Chen out and introduced them to each other.

Jiang Xuewen looked on with envy when he saw that the family had bought such a large yard.

"Ningning, you guys are so rich! I don't know when I'll be able to save up enough money for my wedding!"

Jiang Ning comforted him, "Your salary isn't low; you can save up for two years and buy it."

"Sigh, how can I save any money? I recently started dating someone who is the boss's daughter. I try every day to please her, and all my money goes to her."

Jiang Xuewen sighed.

Jiang Ning wondered to herself, is this really the older brother she knows?

Find a partner and spend all your money on them, just to take shortcuts to improve yourself.

Perhaps, he has always viewed his memories through a lens?

When Jiang Xuewen offered to give money to her father, her idealized image of him shattered completely.

"Big brother, you know how my parents have treated me. I don't want to please them anymore. Let's all just go our separate ways!" Jiang Ning said firmly.

She couldn't help but suspect that her older brother's kindness towards her in the past was all an illusion.

Looking back now, he did think of saving some for her whenever there was something delicious at home, but he never volunteered to do any chores; he just comforted and encouraged her.

How ridiculous! For so many years, she had always thought that her older brother had been very good to her.

Perhaps, when others treat her badly, even a little kindness can make her feel warm.

However, all of that is in the past.

She politely declined her older brother's request to give money for their father's medical treatment, and also refused to lend him money.

When Jiang Xuewen left, he was filled with resentment.

"Ningning, why did you have to be so ruthless! You're a woman, and if anything happens in the future, won't you still have to rely on your family?"

I'm dating my boss's daughter now. If we get married, I'll get a promotion at work. What if you ever need my help someday?

You've really disappointed me!

Jiang Ning smiled and waved to him.

Please, never show your faces again. The storms and hardships of the past life were all brought about by your so-called family.

Jiang Rou, in particular, always deceived her with the image of a pure and innocent woman, causing her to live a life of suffering.

She will repay all this pain in her lifetime.

After Jiang Xuewen left, Jiang Ning never mentioned him again.

Lin Chen could tell that she was still feeling down and her mood was affected, so he quickly comforted her:

"Honey, don't overthink it. I will treat you well for the rest of my life. Let's work together to make our lives better."

You don't need your family to support you, because your back won't bend for anyone.

Hearing him say that, Jiang Ning's mood indeed improved.

The two of them went to school and supported each other in raising their two children, and soon it was 1981.

The two children are almost four years old and will be starting kindergarten, while the couple is in their final year of school.

While it's called job hunting, the school actually recommends jobs as long as you're not picky.

Most jobs at Linchen Electrical Engineering College are related to electrical engineering, and there is a high chance that they will work in a motor factory.

Jiang Ning disliked the assigned work and her goal was to open an office for a port city trading company in the capital.

She studied economics, and it happened to be a period of booming economic development, so she wanted to work in international trade.

That day, after dropping her two children off at kindergarten, she rushed to the school. When she got to the school gate, she ran into Meng Jiao.

Meng Jiao has six months left until graduation, and she has already secured a job as an editor at a large publishing house.

Her current attire—a suit, a black handbag, and high heels—is already very professional.