Chapter 68 Aunt Wu's Sorrow
The little girl's exaggerated movements and amusing expressions slightly eased Wu Lifang's worries. "Xiaxia, what is 'horse mud'? Is it the mud that horses have trodden in?"
puff!
The husky burst out laughing, and Jiang Chao turned away, his face clearly showing his disgust.
"Godmother, this is English. Money means money."
"Hmph, it's a foreign language. No wonder I can't understand it. Xiaxia is right. Let's eat first and talk about it after we finish eating."
The group devoured their food, finishing in no time. Jiang Chao quickly washed the dishes and pulled Wu Lifang to sit down.
"I...I..." He stammered, unable to express the words in his heart.
"Mom, it's just quitting my job, what's the big deal!"
"Ah Chao, how...how did you know?"
“Aunt Wu, the news that the textile factory is going to lay off workers has spread all over Huaimin Street. When they went out, they didn’t take anything with them, but when they came back, they were carrying a big cloth bag, which looked like office supplies. They brought everything back. If you use your brain a little, you can figure out the reason behind it.”
Feng Jingling: So... I'm brainless?
"Sigh! The factory is still somewhat benevolent; they're giving each laid-off worker a 100 yuan subsidy. But... right now, every factory is laying off people, and jobs are hard to find!"
Wu Lifang, with her frail shoulders, supported the entire family. Suddenly losing her job, she was at a loss about what to do next.
“Godmother, once you bypass the dead end, you’ll see a vast world. The winds of reform have already blown into Jiangcheng, and private enterprises are springing up one after another. With your handsome features and diligent and efficient work, why are you afraid of not finding a job?”
“Aunt Wu, the fruit and vegetable business is very profitable. Xiaxia is already quite wealthy. You’ve worked yourself to the bone for years, so why not take this opportunity to rest? I’ll cover all the household expenses!”
"Xiaxia, how could your auntie touch your money?"
"Mom, you can spend the money your own son earns, right?"
Every time the business brought in money, the girl would put on a stern face, count out 20% of the bills, and force them into Jiang Chao's hand, secretly calculating that he had quite a bit of money in his pocket.
"Don't worry about adult matters, kid. Ah Chao, save the money you earn for college."
"Mom, don't frown, it'll cause wrinkles. Xiaxia said that being together as a family and being happy is the most important thing. We'll find a job slowly. An'an's mom is the best mom in the world, and she'll definitely find a good job!"
"Godmother, if you're still worried, I'll give you a backup plan. You can choose any position at Puhui Department Store. The warehouse manager position is quite suitable for you. It's not tiring and the salary is high."
Wu Lifang smiled faintly and hugged Xiao Jiang'an tightly. "Lingling, no need. Your godmother can handle the work on her own."
Home is the strongest support. No matter what difficulties you encounter, as long as you return home, your heart can calm down.
"Phew, Mom, it's so hot, An'an can't breathe!"
Upon hearing this, Wu Lifang quickly let go, picked up a wet towel, and gently wiped his face.
'Husky's' lips moved slightly, as if he wanted to persuade him, but Jiang Chao grabbed his wrist and gestured with his eyes for him to be quiet.
"Mom, I believe in you too. You can do it. Yunxia, let's cut the melon!"
Upon receiving the coded message, Yunxia quickly carried out a large oval watermelon from inside the house—the Black Beauty!
The scenery was breathtaking, and the three of them walked together. When did Little Butterfly buy the big watermelon?
"Aunt Wu, we got our report cards today. Jiang Chao and I both got first place! Here, cut a big watermelon as a reward."
"That's great! Hey, Lingling, what score did you get?"
When asked about his grades, the boy looked like he was facing a formidable enemy, cold sweat dripping from his forehead and his lips twitching. Anyone who saw him would have to say that his mental fortitude needed improvement.
"Aunt Wu, don't ask anymore, anyway, I passed every subject."
"Okay, I won't ask anymore, let's just enjoy the show!"
Upon hearing this, the boy breathed a sigh of relief, smiled gratefully at the girl, and got up to help get a knife from the kitchen.
Black Beauty (a type of fruit) has thin skin, thick flesh, is crisp and juicy, and has an extremely high sugar content.
"Wow, it's so sweet. It'll taste even better if I put it in the fridge for a while."
"Lingling, even though it's summer, you shouldn't eat too much cold food. I heard from Achao that you have a sensitive stomach. Make some millet porridge for you tomorrow to soothe your stomach."
"You little rascal, Jiang Chao, how dare you snitch!" the boy said, glaring angrily at someone while eating his melon seeds.
When Jiang Chao looked over, his expression suddenly changed. He blinked guiltily, looking very well-behaved and innocent.
"You've got guts!"
She rolled her eyes at him, lowered her head and continued eating her melon. Feng Jingling was furious, but she dared not glare at Jiang Chao again.
The enormous black beauty was eaten by the group, who couldn't finish it. 'Husky' suggested putting it in the refrigerator, but Yunxia rejected the idea, knowing that if it was left overnight, the bacteria growth would be alarmingly high.
There were plenty of watermelons in the yard, so half of one wouldn't make a difference. I simply picked it up and knocked on the neighbor's gate.
Tiger's eyes lit up when he saw the big watermelon. Grandma Wang declined several times before accepting it, and gave him some black-eyed peas in return before closing the courtyard gate.
"Grandma, this melon is so sweet!"
Tiger, with his craving for a bite, took a bite along the edge of the melon, and the juice dripped down his chin.
"What a spendthrift! Such a good watermelon, just giving it away like that. The Jiang family... is doomed sooner or later."
Yunxia, holding the black-eyed bean: "He who eats another's food is bound to do his bidding; he who takes another's gift is bound to do his bidding. Grandma Wang has no morals. If it weren't for Tiger's constant longing gaze on the wall, she wouldn't have given him half a watermelon."
Which family is doomed? Waiting for time to tell, I smiled dismissively, quickened my pace, and returned to my own little courtyard.
"Ugh, it stinks!"
"Oh, these are black-eyed peas. They're rarely seen in the city. I haven't had them in years."
A few black-eyed pea vines can climb all over the courtyard wall, emitting a pungent odor that can be smelled from half a mile away.
"Sister Xiaxia, take it away, it stinks!" Xiao Jiang'an pinched her nose and said with a disgusted look.
"Put it in the kitchen. Black-eyed peas are a rare treat. Blanch them, mix them with batter, and fry them until golden brown on both sides. The taste... just thinking about it makes my mouth water."
Yunxia had eaten black-eyed peas before. After cooking them, they no longer had a bad smell. After putting them in the kitchen, she washed up and went back to her room to sleep.
The next day, early in the morning, after a quick breakfast, the group hurriedly rushed to the street office.
"Little Butterfly, it's all my fault for oversleeping. If I go now... will I still be able to get the fish?"
"The quantities are all calculated in advance, and each household has them; the only difference is in the variety and size."
"Do you have small yellow croaker?" He'd been craving crispy, spicy fried small fish for ages.
"Ha, what a pipe dream. You can't find such high-end fish in a rural fishpond."
"Oh! Ah Chao, what kinds of fish do you have? Tell me!"
Jiang Chao ignored him and strode away, widening the distance between them.
The husky, feeling rejected, immediately wilted. Yun Xia quickly stepped forward to comfort it, "If you knew beforehand, there wouldn't be any surprise, right, big brother?"
"Little butterfly, you really know how to talk."
The three of them argued and made a scene as they walked to the neighborhood office, where a crowd of people were blocking the entrance.
"Line up, everyone line up properly, get yours and leave immediately, don't linger, don't push, every store has them..."
Director Liu stood on a chair with a megaphone, shouting orders, and below... it was chaotic; no one was queuing at all.
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