Meng Shuyun slammed the courtyard gate shut. Looking at the mess on the ground, her eyes were filled with undisguised desolation, and her imposing manner weakened like a deflated balloon. She bent down and began to tidy up her things.

These two ingrates, compared to their previous life when they would at least put on an act in front of me, now they're too lazy to even pretend.

His eyes were filled with naked greed.

“Mother…” Su Xiuju called softly, and bent down to help Meng Shuyun pick up the things on the ground. “I will not get married in the future.”

"I'll take care of you in your old age..."

Meng Shuyun turned around, her eyes red-rimmed, and forced a smile before quickly wiping away the tears from the corners of her eyes.

“You silly child, if you find someone you like, you still have to get married. If the other person doesn’t agree, I’ll tie you up and bring you back.” Meng Shuyun was just joking, but Su Xiuju said very seriously, “Mother, I’m serious.”

Meng Shuyun patted Su Xiuju's shoulder and smiled, "You're still young, there's no rush to get married. If you meet someone you like someday, there's no rush either."

"Let's go to the grain station tomorrow and see if they have any grain to buy. We can also help your second sister. She's heavily pregnant and it's not easy for her."

Su Xiuju nodded and replied, "Okay."

The Su family's house was bustling today, providing everyone with plenty of fodder for conversation after the meal, and everyone was discussing it with great interest.

"Aunt Meng, you really don't acknowledge your two sons anymore? You really expect your daughter to take care of you in your old age? Girls will get married sooner or later, you can't rely on them."

"You should hurry up and chase after them now. Maybe you can still beg them to forgive you. Otherwise, you'll regret it later."

Meng Shuyun hated these gossipy women the most; they would sit on the sidelines with their rice bowls, watching the drama unfold and never minding making things worse.

She swiftly ripped off one of her shoes and hurled it at the gossipy woman's rice bowl on the wall, hitting it every time.

"Serves you right for being so talkative! Go eat shit!"

"Who I care about in my old age is none of your business. You're all so nosy. If you have so much free time to worry about my retirement, you might as well have your sons recognize me as their godmother and take care of me in the future."

"You guys are so good at worrying..."

The gossipy woman who had been watching the commotion slammed down her rice bowl, her face turning as black as the bottom of a pot in anger. She retorted, "We were just trying to be helpful and say a few more words. We didn't say anything wrong. If you kick your own son out, you'll regret it later."

"Exactly, they don't know what's good for them..."

Meng Shuyun rushed forward without warning, her frenzied energy startling everyone so much that they dropped their bowls and scattered.

"She's gone mad, she's gone mad, Meng Shuyun has really gone mad."

By the time the mother and daughter finished getting ready, it was already getting dark. After eating something simple, they went back to their room and slept in the same room.

Lighting an oil lamp, Meng Shuyun brought out fine cotton cloth, scissors, and needle and thread. Since there was no sewing machine at home, she had to cut and make the masks by hand.

Su Xiuju helped sew with needle and thread. She was skillful and her stitches were dense, even, and neat, almost as good as those sewn by a sewing machine.

"Mom, what's this for?" Su Xiuju asked curiously, looking at Meng Shuyun who was carefully cutting the paper.

“This is a face mask.” Meng Shuyun’s hands kept moving, her movements careful and attentive, as she explained, “It’s not widely used here yet, but it’s used in many places. For example, coal miners use these to prevent inhaling dust.”

"Wearing a mask has many benefits. Blocking dust is just the most basic function; it can also effectively shield against pungent odors, flu viruses, and more..."

Su Xiuju listened attentively, her eyes filled with surprise; she hadn't expected her mother to know so much.

She asked curiously, "Mom, how did you know?"

Meng Shuyun casually replied, "I saw it in a book."

In later generations, face masks are an essential daily necessity when going out; she couldn't very well say that she saw it on TV.

Su Xiuju had no doubts. She had gone to junior high school and still didn't know what a face mask was, but her mother did. That was amazing!

Hongxing Family Compound.

Su Dahai slowly walked upstairs. He was in a bad mood today and just wanted to find someone to have a drink with, so he naturally ended up at this door.

Just as he was hesitating whether to go in or not, the door opened from the inside, and Qin Hongying said with a smile, "Why don't you come in now that you're here? I bought some snacks to go with my drinks today, come in and have a drink."

Upon hearing that there was wine, Su Dahai went inside without hesitation. Qin Daya sweetly and obediently called out, "Uncle Su, I've served the rice, you can eat now."

Hot food and wine, the aroma of which made his mouth water—this was the life he should be living.

After having a few drinks, Su Dahai was coaxed by Qin Hongying in a gentle voice and managed to extract all the details of his work.

The mother and daughter were overjoyed; such a good job would definitely belong to their eldest daughter in the future.

Qin Daya was also extremely excited. She had heard that the people working there were all children of high-ranking officials. If she dated just any one of them, she would definitely become a wealthy woman in the future.

The next morning, Su Dahai brought two "useless snacks" to the door.

As soon as Meng Shuyun opened the door, she saw three unpleasant faces, which made her feel extremely disgusted, and her good mood for the whole morning was completely ruined.

Su Dahai looked refreshed today, his eyes devoid of any emotion. "Here is one hundred and fifty yuan, not a penny less."

When Meng Shuyun saw the money, she wasn't about to turn it away. After confirming the amount was correct, she didn't waste any more words and slammed the dilapidated wooden door shut.

She didn't want to hear another word of Su Dahai's nonsense.

Su Dahai was so angry that his nose was crooked. That old hag only cares about money.

He hadn't even uttered the whole barrage of sarcastic remarks he had prepared.

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