Xia Wenhua was stunned for a moment, but quickly reacted and nodded without hesitation.

"Of course it went smoothly."

The initial difficulties were nothing to worry about; in fact, she turned misfortune into a blessing and was promoted to team leader.

Even though Director Mo said it still needed approval from higher authorities, Xia Wenhua felt it was probably close to being finalized.

Pei Ying nodded and took the passbook out of her bosom again.

"I hope everything goes smoothly. Now that you're working, you'll definitely need money for many things in the future."

I'm home every day and never need the money, isn't it a waste to keep it with me?

This money was originally given to her by Pei Songbai. Apart from the fact that she used it when her family was really struggling financially at the beginning, she saved it all for Pei Songbai afterward.

Xia Wenhua's money belongs to Xia Wenhua, and it should be returned to the couple. Pei Ying felt uncomfortable taking it.

She looked somewhat uneasy, as if she wouldn't dare to continue speaking if Xia Wenhua didn't accept the passbook.

"Mom, just tell me what's wrong. I really don't need the money. I'm not lying to you."

Xia Wenhua even showed Pei Ying her bankbook, so Pei Ying should know that even if it wasn't all of her savings, she was still quite wealthy.

Suddenly, Pei Ying took out his money, which Xia Wenhua found very strange.

Pei Ying's lips moved slightly, and before Xia Wenhua could think she would speak, she quickly shoved the bankbook towards Xia Wenhua.

"Wenhua, please take this first, please take it first, I'm begging you."

Her emotions were so urgent that Xia Wenhua felt that if she didn't agree, she might break down the next moment.

In the end, Xia Wenhua accepted the passbook under Pei Ying's eager gaze. She opened it, glanced at it, and frowned.

"Mom, there's something wrong with this bankbook."

Pei Ying had taken out his savings book when they visited Hongshan Village and later when they came to Guangxi Province.

Initially, there was two thousand yuan in the savings account. Later, to thank them, they gave Pei Cuihong some more money. By any calculation, it should be less than two thousand.

Currently, there is about three thousand yuan in the savings account that Pei Ying gave me.

A little over a thousand yuan is not a small amount of money, Xia Wenhua frowned.

She didn't want to speculate in her mind, so she chose to ask directly.

Pei Ying kept clutching the hem of her clothes, as if she wasn't the elder, but Xia Wenhua was.

She answered Xia Wenhua's questions truthfully.

“I originally had some things, but in previous years when everyone was struggling to afford food, no one dared to buy them, so keeping them was useless.”

Things have gotten a little better in the last two years. I was sick and was planning to move out, but I didn't have time to bring it here.

I asked my sister-in-law to exchange some money for me, and then I deposited it back in. I know it's not much, but it's a token of my appreciation.

Pei Ying has always been wholeheartedly devoted to her children, but due to the burdens of life, Pei Songbai, as the eldest son, inevitably suffered a lot.

She originally planned that after exchanging what she had, no matter how much she could get in return, she would give half to Pei Songbai and the other half to him.

The three Pei brothers always showed great gratitude to Pei Songbai, and Pei Ying and Pei Songbai once believed that they were truly brothers working together.

Xia Wenhua eventually learned the result. Pei Ying didn't argue much, she just smiled.

"The things I have are meant for the children. I've already given Cuihong what I was supposed to give her. I'll give you the rest along with the money Songbai has with me."

She knew Xia Wenhua didn't want her money. There were very few wives like Xia Wenhua in the village. Pei Ying had sighed more than once that she had done a great deed to meet Xia Wenhua.

Although Pei Ying had ulterior motives, her intention to give the money to Xia Wenhua was genuine.

“I’ve never been rich in my life, and I’ve never seen so much money. I can’t sleep well at night if I have so much money. Wenhua, please accept it, consider it as helping me out.”

Having said all that, Xia Wenhua looked at Pei Ying's fearful expression and finally sighed before taking the passbook from Pei Ying's hand.

“Since Mother has said so, we’re all family, so I’ll just take it for now. If you ever need money, just let me know.”

Pei Yinggang breathed a sigh of relief, and Xia Wenhua immediately picked up where they left off.

"I've already taken the money, Mother, just tell me what you want."

Xia Wenhua couldn't bear to watch Pei Ying's nervous demeanor.

Having such a gentle-tempered mother-in-law, she couldn't help but feel that she was quite lucky.

Whether they met every day or went back to visit for a few days occasionally, Pei Ying was devoted to her and the child, and never said a single inappropriate word.

Furthermore, it was Pei Ying who gave her the bracelet, allowing her to experience the unknown and have a chance to escape her fate, so she naturally had feelings for Pei Ying.

I wouldn't say she's like my biological mother, but she's still a very important family member to me.

Xia Wenhua took Pei Ying's wish quite seriously.

After hesitating for so long, and seeing that it was getting late, Pei Ying was worried that it would affect Xia Wenhua's work the next day.

After gritting his teeth, he finally voiced his unreasonable idea.

"Wenhua, your sister-in-law said that the army had prepared a job for you in the canteen, but then they transferred you, and the job became available."

I'll be a temporary worker for a while, but I'm sure I'll be able to get a permanent position. I...I..."

Pei Ying had already said most of what she meant, and she was sure that Xia Wenhua understood her meaning, but she just couldn't bring herself to say the last two words.

I don't know when my son will be back, my daughter-in-law has gone to work, and there are two children at home.

She's an old lady, staying home to take care of the children is the best option, how can she be so selfish?

Pei Ying was torn between her own thoughts and her own beliefs, and in the end, she found that she couldn't convince herself.

Before Xia Wenhua could respond, Pei Ying raised her hand and slapped herself.

"Smack!"

The crisp sound startled Xia Wenhua.

Pei Ying seemed to have truly come to her senses, and she looked up at Xia Wenhua.

"Wenhua, I know I'm getting old, and I should stay home and take care of the children. But... but I'm not willing to accept that!"

Tears streamed down Pei Ying's cheeks; she truly wanted to be brave for herself this once.

"Zijin and I grew up together. We used to be such good friends. We said when we were little that we would live next door to each other and be best friends for life."

If... if there hadn't been so many unexpected events, I should be like her, with a job, abilities, and my own confidence, instead of being like me now, just like me now..."

Pei Ying burst into tears, her mind filled with memories of the past, which, when compared to the present, filled her with inexplicable sorrow.

Unable to control her emotions, she hugged Xia Wenhua tightly.

"Wenhua, I'm not jealous of Sister Zijing, I'm truly grateful to her. But... I'm not reconciled, I'm not reconciled!"

Afraid of disturbing the two children, Pei Ying lowered her voice.

Her voice wasn't loud, but every word she spoke came from the bottom of her heart, each word a tear of blood.