Ye Zhenghua scoffed at Meng Xueyun's statement.
"You dare listen to her? She's a troublemaker who only knows how to make up lies all day long. She's the one who stirs up nine and a half out of ten arguments in the village. Just think about it, if she tells you this, and Xiao Chen comes back without money, you'll make a scene. How can our family have any peace then? She'd be more than happy to see that!"
After considering Sister-in-law Ye's character, Meng Xueyun had to admit that it was indeed possible.
Ye Zhenghua was able to get a job at the steel factory entirely thanks to his cousin's introduction.
There was only one spot available, and since Brother Ye was already married, the job fell to Ye Zhenghua, who was only seventeen years old at the time.
Brother Ye and Sister-in-law Ye were very dissatisfied, and they also gave the couple a cold shoulder.
Every time they went back, she would speak with barbs and sarcasm, and even if they handed over all their wages, they still wouldn't get a kind look from her.
How could I possibly tell her this news on my own initiative?
"So that's why she suddenly became kind."
Meng Xueyun believed it completely and looked down on Ye Linchen even more.
I thought she had some skills and could make money, but she's still a good-for-nothing!
She said to Ye Zhenghua in a bad mood, "I don't think she's cut out for studying. Continuing to study is a waste of time. Why don't you just find her a temporary job to earn money to help support the family? You don't need to go through the transfer process. It'll save you the trouble."
Hearing her say that, Ye Zhenghua felt somewhat dissatisfied.
He had clearly promised Xiaochen that he would take her to complete the formalities on Monday.
Meng Xueyun's sudden change of heart leaves him with no authority at home.
Ye Zhenghua's expression darkened, but he still patiently asked Meng Xueyun.
"What's wrong now? Why are you so angry? Don't ruin your health."
“I get so angry just being around that brat. Look at her attitude! She doesn’t treat me like her mother at all; she treats me worse than a stranger. Besides, you know our family’s situation. How can we afford to send four children to school? Even if we did, she wouldn’t appreciate it!”
"Alright, alright, you keep talking about the child, but look at yourself! She just got back and started hitting you, no wonder Xiao Chen is angry."
Seeing that Meng Xueyun was getting agitated again, Ye Zhenghua quickly interrupted her.
"Look at the bigger picture. In just two or three months, she'll graduate from high school. A high school degree sounds better than a junior high degree, and it'll be easier for her to find a job with a higher salary."
Meng Xueyun was still unhappy: "How much higher can it be? A few dollars is nothing."
Seeing that this approach was not working, Ye Zhenghua changed his approach: "There are four children in the family. You support the education of three of them, but you won't even let your own daughter finish high school. What will people think of you? How will you explain it? It's better to let her get her diploma and say that she felt she couldn't get into university and didn't want to study anymore. No one can blame us then."
Meng Xueyun thought about it and realized that it made sense.
Ye Linchen just returned from the countryside, and today she caused such a scene. If we don't let her go to school, who knows what those gossipy women in the factory will say about her.
She didn't want to ruin the image of a virtuous wife and loving mother she had painstakingly cultivated for so many years.
Moreover, it does sound better to be a high school graduate than a junior high school graduate.
With this identity, they can find her a man with better conditions and ask for more dowry to accompany Meng Zihan.
Thinking of this, Meng Xueyun stopped insisting and nodded.
"Alright, let her get the diploma." Meng Xueyun thought for a moment, then instructed Ye Zhenghua, "But you must make it clear to her that she won't continue her studies after getting the diploma, and she shouldn't think about anything else."
"I know," Ye Zhenghua nodded in response.
“It’s not that I’m biased, but the teaching conditions in the countryside can’t compare to those in the city. We’ve put so much effort into Xiaohan, and it’s still uncertain whether she can even get into university. It’s a complete waste of time and money. We might as well put in the effort and help Xiaohan get in so that at least one member of our family can go to university. That brat is your daughter, so it’s easier to ask someone to help you find a job.”
Ye Zhenghua grew impatient: "Why don't you go with her to complete the formalities on Monday, and then you can tell her yourself afterward?"
Meng Xueyun, however, was unwilling to go out with Ye Linchen.
“I have to go grocery shopping in the morning, and when I get back I have to cook and clean the house. I have a lot of things to do, so I don’t have time. You should go. Just ask for a short break.”
"Okay, remember to bring your household registration."
Meng Xueyun was not satisfied and kept nagging on and on.
The steel mill's high school graduation exam is scheduled for April, which is three months away.
During this time, Ye Linchen will be eating and drinking for free at home. She has a good appetite and can eat more than half a bowl of mutton by herself.
Meng Xueyun's heart bled just thinking about it.
Moreover, if Ye Linchen goes back to work after graduation, he will lose three months' worth of income.
All things considered, this is quite a large sum!
Wouldn't it be better to use this money to pay for Meng Zihan's tutoring or to buy nutritional supplements for the twins?
We should let this ungrateful wretch get away with it!
But what other choice do we have?
We'll just have to be patient for now and wait until she graduates before making any plans...
Ye Linchen was unaware of her parents' discussion over there. After Meng Xueyun left, she immediately closed the door, took off her outer pants, and squeezed the small bag on her belt.
There was a hard bulge there, tightly sewn shut with needle and thread, containing all her possessions.
This was taught to her by her grandmother: keeping it close to her body makes it less likely to be noticed, and she can always feel it herself.
Ye Linchen took off all his clothes and pants, folded them neatly, and carefully placed them next to his pillow.
Although she told Meng Xueyun that she had no money, it was hard to guarantee that Meng Xueyun wouldn't become suspicious and sneak in to search her in the middle of the night.
Meng Xueyun would do such a thing for money.
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