Jiang Ruyi took the money without hesitation. She knew her mother didn't have much money left, but she still had a job: "Mom, you saw how they treated me. Let me tell you, Gu Changzheng is from a military compound, his father is a division commander, his family is rich and powerful. He might be transferred back to the city at any time. You don't want such a good son-in-law to run away, do you?"
Wang Shuhua never expected that her daughter's boyfriend would be such a high-ranking official, a division commander! They were just ordinary citizens; they had never even seen such a high-ranking official before.
"Then you'd better hurry up and find someone great."
Jiang Ruyi cursed her mother for being so slow to react: "Mom, how come you don't understand? He's rich and powerful. Going to the countryside is just a temporary thing. When he returns to the city, I'll be left in the countryside. I won't be able to catch him even if I want to."
"Huh? What should we do then? We can't just let someone else have our cake and eat it too." Wang Shuhua still didn't understand what her daughter wanted her to do.
Jiang Ruyi simply said, "Mom, whether I can snag this rich husband depends on you. If he goes back to the city, leave your job to me and I'll go back with him. Once I marry him, let's see who in the family dares to criticize you."
Wang Shuhua hesitated and was reluctant when she heard her mother ask her to work. She no longer had the right to manage the family's finances, and if she didn't have a job, she would really have to depend on others for food and water.
Besides, if she gives the job to her daughter while she stays at home, she'll have to put up with her daughter-in-law's temper. After all, her grandson is getting older and her daughter-in-law doesn't have a job yet. If she gives the job to her daughter now, unless her daughter takes care of her in her old age, her son and daughter-in-law will definitely resent her.
"If you want my job, will you take care of me in my old age? Can you take Mom with you when you get married?"
Jiang Ruyi frowned as she looked at her mother: "Mom, are you out of your mind? You have two sons, and my father is still alive. What are you to me? Besides, what kind of married daughter still has her mother with her? What will others think of you, and what will they think of me?"
Seeing her daughter's attitude, Wang Shuhua said directly, "Then I can't give you the job."
Jiang Ruyi became anxious: "Mom, why aren't you helping me anymore? What will I do if Gu Changzheng returns to the city? Can you really bear to see me miss out on such a good opportunity?"
Wang Shuhua lowered her eyes. She had already realized that she couldn't rely on anyone in this family. She couldn't provide a job, but she could still offer suggestions.
"Don't rush things. Our families are worlds apart. Even if you go back to the city with him, you still can't marry him if his family doesn't agree. It's better to..."
"How about it? Mom, tell me quickly!" Jiang Ruyi urged.
“Go back and deepen your relationship with him. It would be best if everyone in your brigade and all the educated youth knew that you had a very good relationship and could get married at any time. Then,” Wang Shuhua whispered in Jiang Ruyi’s ear.
Jiang Ruyi's eyes widened, her face flushed red: "Will this be okay? Won't he think I'm too easy?"
“My dear daughter, would I ever harm you? Listen to your mother. Before you bring him back to his home, whether it’s getting married or getting pregnant, you have to make sure he can’t live without you. Make sure he takes you with him even if he goes back to the city. Even if he doesn’t go back to the city for your sake, that’s even better. Win him over and have a few children while you’re at it. When you have children, take them with you when you go back to visit your family during the New Year. In time, even if his family doesn’t care about him, they’ll have to think about the children for the sake of their grandson.”
Jiang Ruyi listened and felt more and more that her mother was right: "Mom, you are so good to me. You are the only one in the family who is good to me. Mom, don't worry, after I marry into the Gu family, I will definitely take good care of you."
No one heard the conversation between the mother and daughter inside the house. If Jiang Jianguo and his sons had heard it, they would probably have made a huge scene again. Wang Shuhua has really led her daughter down a path of no return.
They still think this is a smooth road, without considering that no matter when you get married, it depends on whether the two families are well-matched. Living environment and education will have different impacts on a person's values. Some high branches are not something you can climb just because you want to, and even if you do, you may not live a better life.
Jiang Ruyi left, but instead of taking the train back to the production team, she booked a room at the guesthouse closest to Gu Changzheng's house and waited for him there. This was the best man she could ever meet, and she was determined to hold on to him.
Time passed day by day, and soon it was the eighteenth day of the first lunar month. Jiang Jun's holiday was over, and he had to go back home. Jiang Ruyu still had to go to work, so she gave him the various things she had prepared for her second brother during this time.
"Second brother, I won't see you off. I have to go to work. This is a gift I prepared for my future sister-in-law. You'd better work hard and try to bring her back for Chinese New Year this year."
Jiang Jun felt a lump in his throat and his eyes reddened as he looked at his cousin, Ruyu: "Ruyu, thank you. I'm clearly your brother, but you're acting like you're my sister."
Jiang Ruyu covered her mouth and laughed: "Second brother, even if you dare to call me sister, I wouldn't dare to answer. I'm afraid Grandma will beat me with a broom."
Grandma Jiang has been recovering quite well over the past two weeks, and when she heard her granddaughter's words, she sighed helplessly: "Go to work now, you brat, you have no manners."
Wang Shuhua knew her son was leaving today, but she didn't react much. Since her son didn't respect her anyway, why should she care about him? She went to work without saying a word.
Jiang Jianguo took half a day off today. He couldn't let his child come back unnoticed and leave without anyone to see him off. That would make him seem like no one cares about him.
"Grandma, I'm leaving now. Take good care of yourself at home. I'll try my best to bring your granddaughter-in-law back to you this year."
As Jiang Jun was about to leave, he felt very reluctant to part with her. Old Mrs. Jiang also wiped away her tears: "Go, go, be careful on the road. If you're sure you're getting married, tell your family first."
"Oh, don't worry, Grandma."
Jiang Hui and Jiang Lin have also started school. This is their last semester. After graduation, they won't be able to continue their studies, and they don't know what to do after that.
Jiang Jianguo rode his bicycle to the train station with Jiang Jun and their luggage. The father and son didn't speak a word the whole way. Fatherly love is often silent; it's always there, you just need to feel it carefully.
At the train station, after seeing his son off, Jiang Jianjun took out a small cloth bag at the window: "This is what your grandma and I prepared for your wedding. Keep it safe. Make sure you get everything you need. If you need anything, write back and I'll try my best to prepare it for you, okay?"
Tears welled up in Jiang Jun's eyes. He had been used to his parents' neglect and indifference since he was a child. He had older brothers and sisters and a younger sister who knew how to flatter and be obsequious. He was not a person who liked to show off or say nice things, so he was ignored most of the time.
Only at his second uncle's house next door, in front of his grandmother and cousins, could he feel valued, seen, and cared for. Now, he is twenty-two years old, and his father has finally seen him. His heart is filled with countless thoughts and emotions.
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