After Chen Jiayi finished scolding Chen Xiaobao, her mood improved a bit.
She turned and went into the study, intending to read for a while to calm her mind.
Chen Jiayi searched through the bookshelves in the study, but couldn't find any books she wanted to read.
As she turned to look at another bookshelf, her gaze fell upon a dusty black notebook.
Chen Jiayi was a little surprised. She picked up the notebook and looked at it, and found that it was the notebook her father had given her.
After moving, she didn't know where it was, and Chen Jiayi hadn't been able to find it.
Upon finding this diary, Chen Jiayi dusted it off and opened it to take a look.
The handwriting was clear, but the font was a bit blurry, and the pages of the diary were yellowing.
Chen Jiayi turned to a page, her gaze lingering on the notes.
…
Today is July 29, 1966, 15 years, 6 months and 29 days since my daughter went missing.
My name is Chen Qiming. Others call me General Manager Chen, Mr. Chen, Comrade Chen, or Entrepreneur Chen. But only I know best that none of these titles prove who I am.
My wife and my daughter are the proof of who I am.
After finishing my work in the city, I once again chose to go to the countryside to search.
My wife is looking for our daughter in the city, and I'm looking in the countryside, though I don't know when we'll find her.
But I'm afraid. I'm afraid that my daughter might be in the countryside, and that she just missed out on being with me.
This time, I was in the countryside when I was invited by an old friend to do some volunteer teaching.
Now that the national college entrance examination has been abolished, fewer and fewer children in mountainous areas are being sent to school.
I was worried that my daughter might also be among those who couldn't go to school, so I promised my old friend.
I started visiting each family, telling them that the school didn't charge tuition, that they could send their children there to learn, and that their children would be successful in the future if they studied.
Many people don't actually want to send their children to school. After all, at an age when most people have enough to eat, where do they find the time and money to raise their children?
I also went from being poor to being rich, so I know the importance of education. That's why I told them that sending their children to school would cover tuition and meal fees.
The villagers who initially disagreed immediately agreed when they heard that the food expenses would be waived.
If there's an extra person in the family, there's an extra meal to eat. If you can go somewhere to learn something for free and eat for free, everyone is naturally willing to do so.
Thanks to my persistent efforts, most people in the village are now willing to send their children to school.
However, I learned about a family on the far east side of the village. This family had two daughters, twins, and they did not want them to go to school.
I tried to understand the situation better, but the other party was unwilling to tell me. It wasn't until I asked the two girls why their families didn't want them to go to school that they looked at me with innocent eyes and asked curiously.
"Can I not get married if I study? Will I be able to earn money if I study? Will my parents stop us from getting married for a dowry?"
I was taken aback. How old are these two children? How could the family have such thoughts?
At first, I didn't want to explain, until I looked into their dark eyes, smiled, and said...
"Studying doesn't mean you can stay single, nor does it guarantee you'll make money. But studying can give you control over your own destiny."
I don't know if the little girls understood. Despite multiple negotiations with the girl's family, even when I offered to pay for their education, they refused to let them attend school.
Just when I was about to give up, these two girls somehow convinced their families and started attending school.
I was very curious and very happy.
I asked them how they convinced their families.
The youngest girl blinked her clear eyes at me, her voice incredibly innocent and childlike.
“Teacher Chen, I told my dad that the girl next door who is mentally challenged only went to school for two years, but she can ask for more dowry. If my sister and I went to school for two more years, we can ask for more dowry when we get married.”
I was speechless for a long time.
I never imagined that such a simple sentence could change the mind of a stubborn and feudal person.
I felt deeply sorry for them, but at the same time, I felt incredibly terrified.
I wonder if my daughter will live a similar life?
...
Chen Jiayi stared blankly at the diary for a long time.
After a long while, she hugged her laptop and wept bitterly.
Hearing the noise, Chen Xiaobao, who was outside the door, opened the door in a panic.
"Sister, I really know I was wrong."
Please, please don't be angry!
Why are you crying? Open the door!
The children's innocent voices made Chen Jiayi feel the two girls in the story even more clearly.
She didn't know what happened to the two girls in the end, but in those days, the fate of girls was either to get married or to marry someone else...
Hearing the commotion, Shen Jialiang rushed over.
Upon learning why Chen Jiayi was crying, he fell silent.
They exchanged a glance but didn't say anything in front of Chen Xiaobao.
Mr. Chen's health deteriorated significantly starting this year.
The doctor said it was caused by poor diet and environment during his years of homelessness.
He might only have two or three more years to live!
Chen Jiayi was unaware of this news; she only knew that her father was unwell, but Shen Jialiang did.
Shen Jialiang's eyes darkened, and he gently patted Chen Jiayi's back.
He sighed but didn't say anything.
"Jiayi, how about we go to Dad's for a drink?"
"Sister, don't cry. I'll never do bad things again."
Chen Xiaobao blinked, somewhat at a loss.
Chen Jiayi wiped away her tears and looked at the two of them with amusement.
"Shen Jialiang! Don't you know my dad's health condition? He can't possibly drink alcohol right now!"
"Chen Xiaobao, I told you to write it 100 times, you were wrong. Have you finished writing it?"
Chen Xiaobao felt like the sky had fallen.
His eyes darted around, and he reached out to hug his sister's leg, trying to act cute and coquettish.
"Sister, I really know I was wrong! I'll never do it again!"
Although Chen Xiaobao is young, he has already deeply realized his mistake.
However, Chen Jiayi was unmoved by either persuasion or coercion, and made Chen Xiaobao go back to continue copying the wrong questions.
Just as Chen Xiaobao pouted, about to cry, Chen Jiayi tapped him on the head first.
"Don't cry! Or I'll send you back."
Upon hearing this, Chen Xiaobao immediately became obedient.
Does anyone in my family understand this? I was only five years old when my family forced me to learn this and that, for no reason at all. He's supposed to inherit the family fortune, so he can't be such a useless person.
The little Lao Tzu was only five years old: "?"
Chen Xiaobao felt very stifled by the constant studying at home, but felt very comfortable with her sisters.
His sisters don't really care about him, but it's not that they don't care at all. However, compared to his mother, Chen Xiaobao feels much better here with his mother!
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