In the Qi family courtyard, Qi's mother and Xiao Cui were at an impasse. Qi's mother, holding the same amount of money as usual, trembled and cried out in grievance, "What do you take me for? A thief in the house?"

Xiao Cui said slowly, "Mom, what's wrong with you? What do you mean by 'family thief'? It sounds awful!"

Qi's mother took a deep breath and tried to calm herself down. "The New Year is almost here, and you're still giving me these money notes. Are you keeping an eye on me?"

Xiao Cui looked completely innocent and said, "Mom, what do you mean by that?" Then, seeing Qi Zhijun come home from get off work, she immediately raised her voice and said, "Zhijun, you're back." Then, she smiled at Qi's mother and said, "Mom, let's see what kind of perks Zhijun got." She happily went over, and Qi Zhijun didn't think much of it and took the things off the bicycle. "Two pounds of pork, two pounds of wheat flour, and five pounds of cornmeal."

Xiao Cui happily exclaimed, "That's great!" Turning back to Qi's mother, she flashed a bright smile and cheerfully said, "Mom, you don't have to worry this time! Fangzi will definitely distribute things when she comes back. Even if she doesn't, three catties of pork will be enough for us to celebrate the New Year."

Qi Zhijun looked at his mother and smiled, "Mom, don't worry about that. We still have cabbage at home. We'll chop it up and make dumplings tomorrow, and invite Dongdong and Honghong over."

Mother Qi was so angry her liver ached. Little Cui, suppressing a laugh, sincerely said, "Mom, this year we'll eat well for the New Year! On New Year's Eve and New Year's Day, we'll have dumplings twice. Don't worry, we'll cover the New Year's supplies. All the benefits are here. Zhijun, look, there are three jin of pork, three jin of wheat flour, seven jin of cornmeal, and two jin of eggs. I also traded two jin of grain coupons with Teacher Guo for a carp. It's not big, but we'll have fish, meat, and eggs. Mom, don't worry, the money and coupons I gave you still cover these few days, don't worry!"

Mother Qi snorted coldly, sighed helplessly, and revealed deep disappointment in her eyes. She raised her head slightly, her trembling lips seeming to be silently chanting some kind of desperate incantation.

Qi Zhijun hadn't noticed this, and nodded repeatedly after hearing his wife's words. After all, Xiao Cui had been planning her work and strictly controlling her spending over the past two months, and the family had already saved 30 yuan and 10 jin of grain coupons. Moreover, the two of them could go out to eat wontons, meat pies, and dumplings five, seven, or six times a month. Having a surplus every month was a reassuring thing.

Seeing that Qi Zhijun no longer had eyes for her, Qi's mother finally couldn't help but speak up, "What do you mean by calculating money so meticulously? Zhijun, do you also think that your mother doesn't know how to manage a household? Does she not know how to live a good life? Do you treat me like a maid or servant in this house?" Her voice was deep, as if it was seeping out from between her teeth, with a hint of accusation.

Qi Zhijun glanced at the innocent-looking Xiao Cui, her heart softening. She put on a smile and said, "Mom? Look, you're making things difficult for yourself again! Who said anything bad about you?" Turning to Xiao Cui, she asked, "Did you give the money to Mom?"

Xiao Cui immediately spoke gently, "Look at what you're saying. I gave it to Mom before you came in. Mom, look at what you're saying, as if I've wronged you. I can't say you should dress nicely, but I made sure you were well-fed, right? You weren't starving, were you? There's meat, eggs, and fish. We can't complain about not having enough. We can't forget our roots after eating well for a couple of days! Also, please don't keep calling her the nanny. 'Nanny' sounds awful!"

Qi's mother swayed a few times in anger, barely able to stand, and seemed about to fall. Qi Zhifang saw this and quickly put down what she was carrying to support her mother. She looked at Xiao Cui with annoyance, "What are you doing now? Trying to drive my mother crazy?" Then, looking anxiously at Qi's mother in her arms, she asked, "Mom, are you alright?" Turning back, she scolded Qi Zhijun, "Brother, you're really something! Now you even dare to bully Mom. If anything happens to Mom, I'll never forgive you!"

Xiao Cui comforted the bewildered Qi Zhijun, gently saying, "Fangzi, what you're saying is like tearing your brother's heart out. Don't you know how much your brother has done for you and this family all these years? Let's not talk about the distant past; just look at the immediate future. We only have one main room, which we gave to you and Mom, while my husband and I squeezed into the side room. We haven't complained about it all these years. If Mom weren't so bad at managing the household, why would I have bothered? These days, who doesn't save money by cutting back on expenses? You won't go poor from eating or dressing, but you will if you don't plan ahead! Even I know this, I..." "You and Mom don't know! Zhijun and I give Mom 20 yuan every month, along with various receipts. I only give her one set of egg and meat coupons each month. Do you think I'm embezzling? I'm saving them for future use, aren't I? I can't just spend everything I'm given without leaving any backup! I just don't understand, Mom, why are you so fixated on these few coupons and money I have? You get upset if you don't spend them all?" Her eyes reddened with grievance, but she stubbornly turned her head away. Qi Zhijun sighed and said, "Alright, Xiao Cui, you can go back now!" Xiao Cui readily agreed and left. Inwardly, she scoffed, "Actually, being a weak blade of grass isn't so bad. Today you step on my head, tomorrow I'll grow on your grave! People like you dare say you hate me, don't like me? It's like your liking me elevates my life! Ignorant fools!"

Qi Zhijun glanced coldly at his mother and Qi Zhifang, then at the scraps Qi Zhifang had brought back: a pound of pork and three pounds of cornmeal. His brows furrowed, his eyes filled with disgust. His lips were tightly pressed together, as if suppressing his emotions. Qi Zhifang couldn't take it anymore and shouted, "Brother, what's with your attitude? Are you disgusted with me and Mom?"

Qi Zhijun crossed her arms and looked at Qi Zhifang's sharp and sarcastic expression, which resembled that of a shrew. Her mind merged with Wei Shuqing's previous hysteria, and she said impatiently, "You are you, and your mother is your mother. I haven't even said anything to you yet! Have you given your salary and ration coupons to your mother?"

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