Chen Xiaodong was originally a very lively person. He used to go hunting and gathering mountain products with Wei Lao Er.
Later, Song Yan would go up the mountain and hunt things, and he would give them to Song Yan so that Song Yan could exchange them for grain.
Cheng Youfu went to the capital to seek refuge with Song Yan, and later even took his mother away.
Erzhuang's wife secretly ran away, and Erzhuang went with her. They must be living a good life together.
Otherwise, why would Aunt Wei be so envious and insist on ruining other people's lives?
Liu Shuhong and Erzhuang divorced. During the winter when she was free, she sent her older and younger brothers to Kyoto. They didn't come back when it was time to plant crops in the spring.
So his heart came alive too.
He inquired about Erzhuang's return.
Erzhuang said that whether it was good or bad, he could come out and see for himself.
His family isn't so poor that they can't afford the travel expenses to Kyoto.
Chen Xiaodong followed them to Kyoto.
Erzhuang's wife is living a good life.
When he arrived at Aunt Wei's place, this cheerful Northeastern man became quite timid.
He came in from the front yard.
This courtyard is truly beautiful.
Let alone in Kyoto, he couldn't afford to buy or build a house like that even in his rural hometown.
Shen Qian chuckled, "This is my uncle's."
Chen Xiaodong is older than Shen Qian; he used to play with Wei An's father.
They grew up together and share a deep bond.
Shen Qian didn't hide anything from him and told him roughly about her background.
Chen Xiaodong was so surprised that his mouth was wide enough to fit an egg.
After listening, he asked, "So what should I call you from now on? Your surname is Chen, so what do you think you should call yourself now?"
"You've been called Wei Lao Er for so many years, can you really change it?" Shen Qian laughed heartily.
Just by looking at Aunt Wei, you could tell she was living a comfortable life. He also asked about Wei An and Wei Ping and learned that both children were in school and doing so well academically.
Chen Xiaodong laughed too; Wei Lao Er was still Wei Lao Er. He patted Shen Qian on the shoulder, "You're something else! You're capable and have a conscience!"
Shen Qian: "Yes, I have a conscience. As your conscientious younger brother, I still have to ask where you live."
Chen Xiaodong lived at Erzhuang's house, along with his two brothers-in-law.
“There’s an empty room in my front yard, you can stay there! Erzhuang’s family is quite large now,” Shen Qian said.
Chen Xiaodong and Erzhuang had a good relationship, but he was originally closer to Wei Lao Er.
Erzhuang and his wife stayed with the old lady, making time for Chen Xiaodong to tell them about what was happening in the brigade.
Now, Xiaohu's wholesale business has shrunk, and only acquaintances can get his goods.
Giving Chen Xiaodong some money is fine, but it definitely won't be the same as before, where he could ask for as much as he wanted.
Actually, Chen Xiaodong was already extremely happy to receive this.
Aunt Wei was also very happy to see Chen Xiaodong. She sat in the shade with her child in her arms and told them about the people and things in the brigade.
The fourth and fifth children needed to be carried, while the third and fourth children ran all over the place.
Chen Xiaodong must be incredibly envious.
Old Zeng and Yueyue are back from their walk.
"This is the Chen family's young master! Is he here in Kyoto for fun?" Old Zeng recognized Chen Xiaodong.
Old Zeng is no longer the slovenly old man he used to be.
Not only are they dressed neatly and smartly, but their energy and spirit alone make you realize they are someone important.
"Hello, Grandpa Zeng!" Chen Xiaodong greeted him.
Erzhuang and his wife both call him Grandpa Zeng.
"Okay, okay, all good!"
"You're all staying for dinner today!" Old Zeng said.
Yueyue stared wide-eyed at the new stranger who had come to the house.
Chen Xiaodong reached out to touch Yueyue's head.
Bai Shuang was faster than Chen Xiaodong, and started barking.
This startled Chen Xiaodong.
Song Yan quickly explained, "Bai Shuang is especially protective of Yueyue."
Old Zeng also asked about some of the elderly people in the brigade.
The people of Qingshan Brigade are truly simple and honest.
When Lao Zeng first arrived at the brigade, people often watched him work.
How much firewood to gather and how much grass to cut is always being watched.
Once, Old Zeng was carrying a huge bundle of firewood down the mountain when it rained a little that day. Wet firewood is really heavy.
At that time, Chen Xiaodong happened to run into them and helped out.
They helped him carry the firewood all the way to the brigade headquarters.
Old Zeng brought this up specifically now.
To be honest, Chen Xiaodong had forgotten about it.
The dinner that evening was particularly lavish.
Chen Xiaodong was envious; he felt that coming to Kyoto gave him hope. He envisioned a future where he too could easily afford such a feast to entertain his good brothers.
The next morning, Song Yan looked at the tomato seeds she had planted the day before; they had already grown to half a foot tall.
This is good, but the area is too small.
Before we knew it, the fourth and fifth babies had both been a month old.
Quan Guangxia helped find a nanny, who was his sister-in-law's sister-in-law's sister-in-law, named Ruan Cuilan.
Her husband died two years ago. She has a son and a daughter. Her daughter is the eldest and is 16 years old this year, in her first year of high school.
With the breadwinner gone, it's very difficult for a woman to support her family.
Especially since both children are still in school.
Someone suggested that she marry off her eldest daughter, and with the dowry, she could afford to send her son to school.
In the countryside, even if they know the child is underage, they can still collect a bride price and marry the girl off first. They can then register the marriage when the child is old enough.
Ruan Cuilan felt sorry for her daughter, who was doing well in her studies. But she simply couldn't afford to send two children to school.
Ruan Cuilan gets along quite well with her brother's wife, who is also Quan Guangxia's sister-in-law.
Last month, Quan Guangxia's sister-in-law, Shi Jianmei, returned to the city with her husband. Through Quan Guangxia's connections, she found her sister-in-law and her husband jobs at a food factory.
Ruan Cuilan shamelessly begged her brother's wife to find some work for her daughter. She didn't care about earning a lot, just enough for her to eat.
It's better than letting her get engaged and married now.
In rural areas, not having both parents is considered a deficiency when it comes to finding a partner, whether it's a son or a daughter. Good families prefer to find someone with both parents alive, preferably someone of the right age, and they'll marry if they feel it's a good match.
Those who sent matchmakers to their door were all older men who couldn't find wives. One family in particular had many brothers, and they were quite shameless, trying to take advantage of the widow and her orphan family.
Ruan Cuilan couldn't bear to treat the girl so badly.
Now that a large number of educated youth have returned to the cities, it is really not easy for them to find jobs.
Quan Guangxia, her sister-in-law, was also quite embarrassed to speak up. Over the years, her brother had supported her financially, and his wife had never complained. Now, she had even found them jobs.
But to be honest, Ruan Cuilan's family is also having a tough time, especially since the child is a good student and sensible.
They originally thought that if the couple received their salaries, they could help Ruan Cuixia, at least to ensure that the child could finish high school.
But now there's trouble. If such a family targets her, I'm afraid this girl won't have a good ending.
She really couldn't bear to see the child she had watched grow up.
Upon receiving the letter, the couple were so anxious that they developed blisters on their lips.
They didn't dare to say anything about taking the child out, because without a household registration and food, what would they eat?
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
