The next day.

Wang Xiaolan dragged her tired body back home.

As soon as she entered the house, she saw Zhaodi, Laidi and Xia Wei.

They rushed to call out Wang Xiaolan.

"sister in law."

"sister in law."

"sister in law."

Wang Xiaolan asked in surprise, "Why are you here?"

Zhaodi said, "The exams are over and school is on vacation. We'll come here to see you when we have some free time. You know, we haven't seen you for a long time, and we really miss you, Dabao, and Xiaobao."

Wang Xiaolan said, "I was just about to go back to Xiangshui Village, but now I don't have to go back."

Everyone sat down and started chatting.

Zhaodi started talking about the Xiangshui Village Brigade.

Zhaodi said happily, "Director Wang asked me to tell you that our pharmaceutical factory and pickle factory are doing great! Since the last incident, no one has come to cause trouble! The county really values ​​our village-run enterprises and sends people to inspect them from time to time!"

"And then there's Director Cheng Gang, a really busy man. He runs back and forth between the county and the village every day, managing production technology in perfect order! And then there's Liu San, who's in charge of sales. He's doing such a great job. His business is all over the province, and we even have products from other provinces! Our products are in great demand right now, and demand can't keep up with supply! The workers are often working overtime! They're so rich now! I'm so envious!"

Lai Di said, "Our brigade has changed so much. Many villagers have bought bicycles, and every household is living a much better life. We eat meat every few days, which is even better than Chinese New Year. And the unmarried girls and boys in our brigade are very popular in our commune."

Wang Xiaolan jokingly said, "Zhaodi, you are not young anymore. It's time to find a young man, otherwise the good man will be snatched away by others."

Zhaodi said, "Sister-in-law, I'm talking to you about serious matters. I'm still young and don't want to talk about this."

Wang Xiaolan said, "Oh! You still say you are young, didn't you have your eyes on Liu Feng?"

Zhaodi said seriously, "Sister-in-law, you're right. Brother Liu and I are from two different worlds. It's not the kind of person I can marry."

Wang Xiaolan said with satisfaction, "It seems that our Zhaodi has grown up and knows what kind of person is right for her. I am really happy for you, and I am relieved."

Zhaodi said, "The villagers in our village are living a good life, so I am not worried about not finding a good man."

Lai Di said, "That's not entirely right."

Wang Xiaolan asked, "What do you mean? Could it be that there are still families in need in our village?"

Lai Di said, "There's another family, that's Captain Shi's family. After Captain Shi was released from prison, he lived on the little relief food given by the team."

Zhaodi gnashed her teeth and said, "He deserves it. He's done so many bad things in the past. This is retribution."

Xia Wei, who had been silent the whole time, looked a little gloomy and said, "He came to me a few days ago and asked me to take care of him in his old age. I asked him why, and he said he was my father."

When Zhaodi heard him say this, she was furious and said, "How dare he say that? Has he ever supported you for even a single day? Doesn't he feel like a jerk? He's clearly trying to get his hands on you. Why didn't you tell me? If I knew, I'd tear his mouth apart."

Wang Xiaolan was also surprised and asked, "Did you agree to him?"

Lai Di said, "If it were me, I would definitely not agree to him."

Xia Wei, always feeling insecure about his background, never dared to face the villagers. Thanks to Wang Xiaolan's help, he was able to emerge from the shadows. If Zhaodi hadn't called him back to the village, he would never have returned to the place he despised.

Xia Wei's face was calm as water, with the corners of his mouth slightly raised, revealing a faint smile, but the smile did not reach his eyes.

He slowly said, "Huh, asking me to agree to this? That's simply wishful thinking! If it weren't for him, how could I have come into this world? For so many years, I have endured the cold stares and discrimination of people in this village."

“When I walked on the street, the villagers would always point and talk about me. Even when I ran into them, they would immediately turn their heads away, as if looking at me any longer would pollute their eyes.”

"And I, on the other hand, can only cower like a pitiful creature, not even having the courage to look them in the eye. Isn't he the culprit of all this? I hate him to the core and wish he would get his comeuppance soon. And now he's even dreaming of me taking care of him until the end of his life? What a pipe dream!"

Wang Xiaolan's bright eyes sparkled with determination and encouragement as she slowly spoke, "Xia Wei! I think you did the right thing! Really, absolutely. But please don't feel the slightest bit of shame because of your background. You know, this isn't your fault at all! The real fault lies with those two irresponsible people. They should bear the consequences and accept condemnation for what they did."

"You are so brave and fearless in facing the things that once caused you unbearable pain, and you are still able to step out of that endless darkness with strength. This is truly amazing! Sister-in-law, I must give you a huge thumbs up! And this thumbs up not only represents my recognition and support, but also a deep respect for your perseverance."

Xia Wei, after hearing what Wang Xiaolan said, became more confident. He said, "Sister-in-law, don't worry, I've let it go a long time ago. Sister-in-law, I was selected by the provincial capital's basketball team, and I came to the provincial capital to register this time."

Wang Xiaolan was overjoyed when she heard this and said, "Congratulations! Train hard and strive to become an excellent athlete. Go abroad and win glory for your country."

Xia Wei said, "Sister-in-law, you don't have to give me living expenses anymore. They give me a salary of 40 yuan a month, and there are other subsidies."

Zhaodi was originally immersed in defending Shi Huaishui when he asked Xia Wei to take care of him in his old age. When she heard what Xia Wei said, her eyes suddenly lit up and she said loudly, "Oh! I know! That old man wants you to take care of him in his old age. It's because you've made it, so he wants to rely on you."

"That old bastard, he must have heard from somewhere that you'd made the provincial basketball team and become a glorious athlete. Then, his greedy heart started stirring, and he wanted you to take care of him in his old age! Humph, what a shameless guy! How shameless!"

Xia Wei said calmly: "It's possible that he knows about this."

Zhaodi gritted her teeth and said indignantly, "Humph! A man like him, who spends his days in debauchery and women, who knows how many women he has ruined. Who knows, there are probably many more people in this world who are his evil offspring! Maybe none of those evil offspring will ever amount to anything."