Aunt Pei said confidently, "Don't worry about the paperwork. My eldest son works for the government, so getting you identity documents shouldn't be a problem."
"Really?" Li Sisi was extremely surprised. The image of Aunt Pei in her mind at this moment was like that of a compassionate living Bodhisattva!
She said gratefully: "Thank you, Auntie, you are such a kind person!"
Aunt Pei smiled cheerfully and said, "Hey, what's the big deal? I think you two are good people. Life is not easy, and I will definitely help you if I can."
Seeing that they had both finished eating, she stood up and cleared the dishes: "Then you should rest early. I'll take the things back first."
Li Sisi hurriedly stopped her, her face full of joy that she couldn't hide: "Don't bother, Auntie. I'll wash the dishes and bring them to you."
"No need," Aunt Pei said as she packed up her things. "I haven't washed the pots in the kitchen yet. I can wash them together with the pots when I take them back."
She snatched the empty plate from Li Sisi's hand and put it into the wooden tray.
Seeing Aunt Pei's enthusiasm, Li Sisi didn't continue to talk about formalities. She bowed gratefully and said, "Thank you for your help."
"Oh my, you two sisters are really well-mannered. You can tell at a glance that you are from a wealthy family."
Perhaps because she had rarely been greeted so solemnly, Aunt Pei smiled until her eyes narrowed into slits, and the wrinkles at the corners of her eyes seemed to be filled with joy. "I'm back, you should go to bed early too."
Seeing that Aunt Pei had left, Li Sisi turned around and said with joy in her eyes: "Niannian, this place is auspicious for us. We met such a nice family as soon as we arrived."
Li Nian was originally worried about the identity documents, but he didn't expect that it would be solved so easily.
She curved her lips and hummed softly, then said, "Tomorrow we'll go buy something for Auntie as a thank you gift."
————
When Aunt Pei came out of the kitchen after washing the dishes, she saw the light was still on in her eldest son's room. Remembering what she had just promised the two sisters, she walked over and knocked on the door.
Her eldest son was very smart, well-behaved and obedient since he was young, and was very popular with the teacher when he was in school.
He passed the imperial examination at the age of seventeen and should have been on a fast track to success.
But for some reason, he failed again and again, and his road to success ended at the level of a scholar.
The teacher took pity on his talent and recommended him to the government, where he was given a sinecure position.
Over the years, he was determined to continue taking exams and would study hard until late at night.
If you ask her, she will say that the current situation is pretty good. She has an official position and can stay with her.
"Knock knock knock," Aunt Pei raised her hand to knock on the door and said, "Yanli, open the door. Mother has something to talk to you about."
There was no echo in the house. The footsteps were getting closer and the door was opened with a creak.
Pei Yanli stepped aside and watched Aunt Pei enter before he followed her in.
When Aunt Pei entered the room and saw books piled up on the table, she sighed inwardly.
Alas! Thinking about her eldest son still not getting married and not even having a girl he likes, she felt extremely anxious!
"What do you want to see me about, mother?" Pei Yanli lifted his robe and sat opposite Aunt Pei.
Aunt Pei's eyes still held a hint of excitement as she said cheerfully, "Yanli, did you know that a pair of young and beautiful sisters moved into our home today?"
Pei Yanli was surprised: "They rented the side yard of our house?"
Aunt Pei clapped her hands happily and praised, "That's right, my Yanli is so smart, he guessed it right at once!"
Pei Yanli was startled when he heard his mother's praise. He frowned and looked at his mother warily and asked, "Did you promise something again?"
Aunt Pei's smile was awkward for a moment, then she waved her hand nonchalantly: "It's not a big deal, these two girls are pitiful!"
She embellished the sisters' miserable lives, finally getting to the point. "I was thinking, you work for the government, right? Getting them identity papers wouldn't be a big deal, right?"
Pei Yanli's expression suddenly grew serious upon hearing this. "Mother, right now, two countries are at war, and our northwest border is in constant turmoil. At a time like this, anyone without identification could be harboring hidden secrets, perhaps even a spy from the enemy nation."
"Impossible," Aunt Pei retorted, "You don't know, these two sisters are obviously from wealthy families. Their temperament and manners are rare here."
Fearing her eldest son might still suspect the sisters, Aunt Pei added, "Besides, the older sister is pregnant. How could she possibly be a spy from the enemy nation? Who would send a pregnant woman with limited mobility as a spy?"
Pei Yanli's doubts were somewhat relieved after hearing his mother's words, but he still said firmly: "Even if they are not spies from the enemy country, I cannot bend the law for personal gain. Fabricating identity documents is a serious crime!"
Aunt Pei's face flushed with anger, and she poked her eldest son's chest with her finger. "Why are you so stubborn? Every time I ask you to do something, you keep telling me you can't be partial or corrupt the law, and you have to be honest and upright. I see you're so disciplined, but I haven't seen you get promoted or become rich. On the contrary, your friends are living a life of luxury and are even rising in the ranks faster than you!"
Pei Yanli's face was full of disapproval, his brows furrowed even tighter. He said helplessly and seriously, "Since you know my character, you shouldn't easily agree to other people's requests. As an official, if I break the rules today, how can I convince the public in the future?"
Aunt Pei was so angry that her face turned pale and blue.
She shouldn't have spoken so hastily and forgotten what kind of temper her eldest son has.
But, she had just promised the two sisters solemnly, and now she was asked to go back and regret that she couldn't help? Did she still have the dignity to save?
But she couldn't control her eldest son, so she could only continue to beg, "Yanli, can you help me just this once? Those two sisters are renting our side yard! We'll see them every day. You can't let me break my promise on the first day, can you?"
Pei Yanli picked up the scroll on the wooden table and pretended to read. He said with a serious and helpless look, "Mother, please don't mention it again. I can't do this. And don't agree to other people's requests casually in the future. Since I am an official, I must strictly abide by the law. There will be no exceptions."
Seeing his stubborn look, Aunt Pei was angry and anxious, but she could do nothing about it, so she had to grit her teeth and leave.
Seeing his mother leave, Pei Yanli shook his head helplessly, stood up and closed the door, then returned to his desk and sat down to continue his night reading.
The night stars gradually became brighter. The night in Dong'an City was unlike that in the capital. The temperature would drop sharply late at night. The wild night wind would howl all night long, blowing the clouds in the clear night sky into pieces.
It didn't stop until the sun rose.
(Regarding the background setting of the northwest, it is completely personal, please do not refer to the actual geographical location. Any similarity is purely for reference!)
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