Ye Zhiguo silently drank his rice porridge without saying a word. The old lady knew that her son was afraid of spending money, so she gently persuaded him, "You can be frugal during normal times, but you can't be frugal during holidays. You still have to spend what you need to spend, otherwise the neighbors and villagers will laugh at you!"

After a year of hard work, shouldn't we treat ourselves to a nice feast for the New Year?

Even when she was poor and struggling, the old lady would never dress too shabbily during the New Year. Now that conditions are so much better, why is she being so hesitant?

Ye Zhiguo said in a muffled voice, "I used to handle all the arrangements, but this year I'll let Weiguo and the others take care of it, so I can relax for a year."

Since he started working, he has been the one to buy most of the New Year's goods every year without ever uttering a word of complaint. He has been doing this for more than ten years, and this year it's his turn to relax!

The old lady was stunned for a moment, and finally understood what her eldest son meant. He wanted his two younger brothers to contribute money for the New Year.

The two sons from the countryside were both hardworking farmers, toiling in the fields, and honest and simple, only knowing how to make money in the mud pits.

After a busy year from beginning to end, besides feeding the family, there's hardly any extra money left.

Although the eldest brother is no longer a cadre and his salary has been reduced by several hundred yuan, he is still living a very comfortable life compared to the two below him.

At least 1,000 yuan a month is achievable. The second and third sons work hard all year and don't even earn 1,000 yuan!

To the old lady, both sons are her flesh and blood, but now that her eldest son is living a more comfortable life, it's only right that he helps out his two younger brothers!

Besides, she didn't ask her eldest son to help out much. She just asked him to buy more things when she came home for Chinese New Year each year, so that her two younger brothers could save face for her!

The second and third sons are honest and simple, and they can't even speak clearly. If it weren't for their older brother who is a cadre in the city, the villagers would probably bully them a lot!

But now...

The old lady felt a tightness in her chest. Her eldest son usually spent money lavishly, but now he refused to support his two younger brothers and wouldn't spend a single penny.

“How much money could Wei Guo and Ai Guo possibly have…” The old lady wanted to persuade Ye Zhiguo further, but—

"Life is better in the countryside than in the city now. In the city, you have to spend money on everything, but in the countryside, apart from buying some meat, there's nowhere to spend money. I used to be the one preparing for the New Year, but this year I'll be able to relax a bit!"

Ye Zhiguo decided to make things clear and stated that he would not pay, so as to stop the old lady from nagging endlessly.

The old lady opened her mouth, but in the end she said nothing more, only letting out a long sigh.

Ye Qingqing looked over and suddenly noticed that the old lady didn't seem as energetic as when she first arrived, and her face had many more wrinkles.

She cursed Ye Zhiguo in her heart for being a scoundrel. Every year when he went to the countryside for the New Year, he would bring his whole family and stay for several days. He ate and stayed at their place, so shouldn't he be doing his duty to buy them some New Year's goods?

Moreover, Ye Zhiguo's two younger brothers are completely different from Ye Zhiguo; they are honest, simple, and kind.

The two sisters-in-law are also very understanding. Every year when they go to the countryside for the Spring Festival, even though Ye Zhiguo buys a lot of things, they always give the children red envelopes.

Even Ye Lan and Ye Hua received a share. Although there was only 10 yuan in the red envelope, it was still a token of their appreciation!

This shows that they are not a stingy person who only takes and never gives!

Compared to Ye Zhiguo, he is so much better.

Gourds growing on the same vine definitely look different!

Ye Zhiguo was in a bad mood. He slurped down a bowl of rice porridge and prepared to go to work.

When Ye Qingqing went to the kitchen to put the bowls away, she passed by Ye Zhiguo and lightly flicked her hand, sprinkling the colorless and odorless powder on him.