Chapter 672: Money Isn't Everything
Instructor Yang had no idea what the two of them had just talked about, nor did he know that the house belonged to Bai Zhi's family. He had only heard Liu Guifang mention it before, but he had been too busy these past two days to ask her about it.
He took it as a casual remark.
Unexpectedly, this woman actually put it into action.
Instructor Yang said to Bai Zhi, "Sister-in-law, please help me persuade her to stop this nonsense. She wants to rent a kitchen in the county town to set up a stall. Who will take care of the family then? Besides, setting up a stall is not easy. It's exhausting."
Bai Zhi's expression was subtle upon hearing Instructor Yang's words, but she didn't respond. Liu Guifang, however, retorted, "There's not much to manage at home. You're usually busy in the army, and you don't eat at home much. Sometimes you even have to go on night duty. Xiao Kai is a middle school student, and I can't tutor him in his studies. Our child is self-disciplined and obedient, and he won't run around outside. I can just leave his food at home or give him money to buy food outside. He can manage on his own. You two are both busy, and I have nothing to do at home. I should do something I like now."
Seeing Liu Guifang's assertive attitude, Instructor Yang backed down, saying, "Then just do what you usually do, do less, go out and sell for a while and come back. Why rent a house and set up a stall?"
If she rents a place to set up a stall, wouldn't she be never home?
Liu Guifang frowned, feeling disheartened by her husband's lack of understanding of her actions. Having already gone to such lengths, she naturally wanted to argue her case. "Our kitchen is so small, you have no idea how slow it is or how hard I work. Since I have this skill, I want to expand the business a bit, offer more variety, and earn more money. Who would turn down money?"
"Are you obsessed with money?" Instructor Yang was disgusted by Liu Guifang's money-grubbing behavior.
“I’m not as high-minded as you. I want a real life. Your mother takes medicine all year round and is waiting for us to send money back. Your son will be starting high school next year and will need more and more money. Can your salary support this whole family? Besides, as women, we’re not just housewives who do laundry and cook. Housewives should also have their own value.”
Liu Guifang looked at him seriously and asked, "Do you look down on women?"
Instructor Yang, who was in charge of ideological and political work, was most afraid of others questioning his political awareness. When his wife asked him this, especially with Bai Zhi in front of him, he immediately turned dark and gritted his teeth, "Can you please stop labeling me all the time?"
"I didn't label you."
The couple argued, and Bai Zhi, standing to the side, didn't know what to say and felt very awkward. She decided to find an excuse to leave.
Liu Guifang is no longer the same as before; she no longer needs anyone to speak for her or give her guidance.
She knows very well what she wants and will argue her points and reason with her husband.
Before Bai Zhi could leave, their son Yang Kai came home from school.
Yang Kai greeted Bai Zhi politely.
When Instructor Yang saw his son, his eyes lit up slightly. He intended to use Yang Kai to put pressure on Liu Guifang and prevent her from renting a house in the county town to set up a stall.
However, Yang Kai's attitude was completely different from that of Instructor Yang after learning the news.
Yang Kai's eyes lit up, and he asked with a smile, "Mom, have you made some money lately? Do you have enough to rent a place now?"
Liu Guifang said, "I haven't earned much, but it's definitely enough to cover the rent. I want to make more variety of dishes and recreate all the recipes that your grandmother taught me. I'll set up a stall in the county town so that I can earn more and have an easier time."
Yang Kai immediately said, "Mom, I fully support you. You're really not able to work properly at home making noodles, and I have no way to help you. You should rent a bigger place, and I'll come over to help you on weekends."
"Xiao Kai, you..." Instructor Yang did not expect his son to have such an attitude, and he was so angry that his face turned black.
"Your mom's not coming home!"
Yang Kai looked up at his father and said righteously, "Dad, I'm all grown up now and I don't need my mom to take care of me all the time. You're busy with work all day and you don't need my mom to cook for you at home anymore. Let my mom do some chores."
She was always sighing and complaining at home, and it was hard to watch her like that. Look at her these days, selling noodles outside. Even though her skin has gotten darker from the sun and wind, her overall spirits are still good. More importantly, she's earning money, and her life at home has improved. Isn't that a good thing?
"So I fully support my mom renting a large kitchen to improve efficiency and reduce her workload, which will make things much easier for her."
Yang Kai said with a determined look, "I not only support my mother, but I also want to help her make money."
Instructor Yang's face grew even uglier.
The mindset of this mother and son is extremely dangerous.
He sternly taught his son, "Money isn't everything."
Yang Kai: "But you can't do anything without money."
Instructor Yang, "!!!"
He had been doing ideological and political work for so many years, but at this moment he was so angry that he couldn't speak, not knowing how to correct his son's thinking.
Yang Kai could tell his father was very angry. He looked up at his father and said,
“Dad, stop saying Mom is materialistic. I think it’s right for Mom to want to make money. And the fact that she can make money proves that she is capable. There’s nothing shameful about earning a living through your own labor. On the contrary, many of my classmates have tried Mom’s roufen (a type of noodle dish) and praised her skills. I’m very proud of her.”
"Of course, you make me very proud, but our whole family needs to eat, live, and take care of our elders. You also need to consider these expenses. I believe that only when I have enough to eat and drink and live a good life can I have better conditions to study and become a useful person in the future to serve my country."
"In short, I fully support my mom in supporting herself. Look at my Aunt Xiaobai, she doesn't stay at home as a housewife. I feel like she shines every day. I hope my mom can also realize her own value like Aunt Xiaobai."
Yang Kai said a lot in one breath.
Instructor Yang and Liu Guifang were stunned. They never expected that their son, who didn't usually communicate with them much, would say so many heartwarming things. Liu Guifang hugged her son tightly, moved. "Xiao Kai, thank you for understanding Mom. I'm so happy. I'm so glad I raised you."
Bai Zhi was still standing there. Yang Kai felt uncomfortable being hugged so tightly by his mother. She pushed Liu Guifang away and said, "Okay, Mom, stop hugging me. I'm so grown up now, it's embarrassing. You can go ahead and do your work without worry. I'll come help you this weekend."
Liu Guifang was overjoyed. "Okay, no problem. From now on, Mom will give you a dollar of pocket money every day. You can buy whatever you want to eat."
"Thank you, Mom, you're so generous." Yang Kai grinned from ear to ear when he heard that his mother gave him pocket money every day.
As soon as my mother earns money, the first thing she does is spend it on him.
He was happy to have pocket money, but he was even happier to see the smile on his mother's face every day.
Instructor Yang couldn't persuade his son and Liu Guifang, so he tried to pin his hopes on Bai Zhi, thinking she might say something.
As a result, Bai Zhi spoke up in Liu Guifang's favor, "Instructor Yang, please support my sister-in-law. You don't need to worry about safety. I lent her the kitchen in the courtyard we rented, so she can make noodles there."
Upon hearing Bai Zhi's words, Instructor Yang had even less reason to object.
He felt at ease living in the same courtyard as Bai Zhi.
But I'm afraid that my wife will be too busy outside to be home.
But he knew that his wife would never listen to him, the head of the household.
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