Chapter 61 Don’t let your daughter end up like you again
"It's over." Qi Shixin emphasized again.
When the people next to him heard this, they stopped talking.
He Jingxian's eyes were still on the stage. Forget it, she decided to go back. Jiang Moli couldn't see her.
Jiang Moli had indeed not seen He Jingxian. She had never expected her to come. It didn't matter whether He Jingxian came or not; this play wasn't just selling one or two tickets. Jiang Moli hadn't felt nervous during the performance, but she did feel a bit nervous during the curtain call. She was worried the audience wouldn't be satisfied; this was her first time playing such an important role.
After the curtain call, Jiang Moli went backstage to change her clothes and remove her makeup before emerging. Jiang's father, Jiang's mother, and Teacher Lu and his wife were talking. Sheng Jiahao looked backstage. When Jiang Moli emerged, Sheng Jiahao hurried to her side and bought her a bouquet of flowers.
"Okay, let's go home first," Teacher Lu said with a smile. "Everyone go back and have a good rest, especially Jasmine. Jasmine performed well today."
"Teacher, did I perform poorly in any way?" Jiang Moli asked.
"That's pretty good," Teacher Lu said. "You sang well."
"Teacher, if there is anything I sing poorly, you must tell me." Jiang Moli said.
"Moli, you have to have confidence in yourself," Teacher Lu said. "As a teacher, you don't always have to put down your students; you have to encourage them. You've done well, so don't worry too much. You can tell from the audience's reaction; everyone really likes it."
Jiang Moli was relieved when she heard what Teacher Lu said. When Jiang Moli was performing on the stage, she tried her best to perform well, but she didn't know whether her performance was good or not.
"Jiahao, send Jasmine back." Teacher Lu looked at Sheng Jiahao, "and your future father-in-law and mother-in-law."
Teacher Lu did not urge Jiang Moli and Sheng Jiahao to get their marriage certificate as soon as possible. She thought that the two of them had their own plans, so Teacher Lu didn't have to urge them. If she urged them too much, it would be like avoiding others from making a choice.
"Okay." Sheng Jiahao nodded.
Mr. and Mrs. Lu took a separate bus back, and they were a little closer to the stage here.
He Jingxian and Qi Shixin returned home. He Jingxian was in a daze, her mind full of Jiang Moli's performance on the stage. "The birds in the trees were fighting..."
He Jingxian also sang a few lines in a low voice. It’s not that she can’t sing, she can sing it herself.
"The child is still here." Qi Shixin said, "Don't wake him up."
He Jingxian looked at Qi Shixin. She was wondering if Sheng Jiahao would ask Jiang Moli to stop singing when she sang opera in front of her.
"Little kid, just sing a lullaby." Qi Shixin said, "How can a child understand what you are singing? Or are you thinking about your child learning to sing opera from you in the future?"
"No?" He Jingxian asked.
"Look at yourself now," Qi Shixin said. "Women sing opera, and when it comes to getting married and having children, you have something to say. You don't even want to have children. Women should have children after they get married. Our daughter won't have to work so hard in the future and won't have to sing opera."
Qi Shixin didn't like opera that much. He could have a wife who sang opera, but he didn't want his daughter to sing opera.
"Singing opera is still good..." He Jingxian thought about her own experience. Is singing opera really good? He Jingxian was wondering, do you want your daughter to go through what you went through?
If it were a daughter, her future would be bright. Second Aunt Qi was a leader in her workplace. Even if she retired, He Jingxian thought she would have been promoted by then. He Jingxian would definitely protect her daughter and ensure she could play important roles. It would be fine as long as her daughter didn't try to stay flat like Zhou Yiran did. Zhou Yiran was such a loser. She had such great resources but didn't use them well.
Zhou Yiran will definitely regret it later!
If Zhou Yiran lies down like this, and her children learn to sing opera in the future, it would be fine if her mother is still alive. But if her mother is not alive, who will make plans for those people?
He Jingxian thought that if she were Zhou Yaran, she would work harder. If singing opera wasn't her forte, she could switch to an administrative position. Family connections would allow for quick promotions, and she could then help the next generation, making many things much easier. But Zhou Yaran didn't have those.
"What's so good about it?" Qi Shixin glanced at He Jingxian. "Second Aunt didn't perform in your unit. She's the leader. If you were like Second Aunt, she could still help you. If it weren't for Second Aunt, would you be able to join your unit?"
"I……"
"Don't even think about letting your daughter be like you." Qi Shixin said, "Mom said, we only have one daughter and that's not okay. We still have to have a son."
"..." He Jingxian pursed her lips. She was now wondering whether her decision to live with her husband's family was a good one or a bad one. These people oppressed her, forcing her to do what they said. He Jingxian thought that even if she didn't stay with her husband's family, these people would still force her to do what they said.
He Jingxian was heartbroken. She had successfully stayed in Nancheng, but she couldn't make the final decision on many things. She still had to listen to her in-laws. Whatever her in-laws said was what it was. He Jingxian couldn't resist them at all. She couldn't let her in-laws think she had other intentions.
After her miscarriage, Jiang Yuqin rested for a few days before returning to work. The factory leaders didn't say much about Jiang Yuqin. If she didn't come to work, her salary would be deducted. If she did come to work, her salary would be paid as usual. Everyone knew Jiang Yuqin was a relative of hers.
Che Lijuan's in-laws told everyone at the factory to treat Jiang Yuqin equally. The factory leaders weren't stupid. If they really treated everyone equally, who knows what others would say. It would be better to just let Jiang Yuqin work there. It doesn't matter how much she works. Don't really believe what others say; they're just being polite.
After Jin Manzhi talked to Jiang Yuqin, Jiang Yuqin knew that Che Lijuan would no longer care about her, so she had to make good use of the job she had and not lose it. If she lost her job, it would be even more difficult to deal with it later.
After the miscarriage, Jiang Yuqin didn't think about quitting work, but rather about not letting Ding Chao suffer too much alone. Jiang Yuqin didn't think about sending Ding Hongwang away, nor did she think about getting a divorce. When the neighbors asked Jiang Yuqin if she wanted to send Ding Hongwang away first, Jiang Yuqin said no.
"Ding Hongwang is my biological son."
"He calls me mom, so I have to raise him."
"No one can change what we have decided together as a couple."
…
In front of those neighbors, Jiang Yuqin acted like a good mother.
"I'm not my stepmother..."
"Is she still your stepmother?" the neighbor interrupted Jiang Yuqin. Jiang's mother wasn't Jiang Yuqin's stepmother, was she? "Is she your biological father's stepmother?"
"..." After hearing this, Jiang Yuqin didn't want to say anything anymore.
What the neighbors said was of no use at all. Jiang Yuqin felt that those people just wanted to laugh at her and wanted her to be a vicious adoptive mother.
Impossible!
In the past, Jiang Yuqin lived under the care of her stepmother. Now she couldn't let her adopted son live the same life as she had. She had to treat him better and let him feel her love and care. Jiang Yuqin had no idea what was going on in her adopted son's mind. When Jiang Yuqin was pregnant, someone joked with Ding Hongwang that Jiang Yuqin didn't want him anymore since she had her own child. Ding Hongwang was very angry because he didn't want Jiang Yuqin to give birth to the child at all.
But Ding Hongwang didn't tell Jiang Yuqin or Ding Chao. Everyone said Ding Hongwang was just an adopted son, not Jiang Yuqin and Ding Hongwang's biological son. Ding Hongwang went to Ding Chao and asked him if he didn't want him anymore, looking sad and upset. Ding Chao naturally couldn't say he didn't want Ding Hongwang anymore, and even said a few words of comfort to Ding Hongwang. Ding Chao wondered if Jiang Yuqin hadn't managed things properly, which was causing Ding Hongwang's anxiety.
Jiang Yuqin didn't dare to make things difficult for Ding Hongwang because of the miscarriage. She even had to coax Ding Hongwang a little more and took him to buy delicious food.
Some people saw Jiang Yuqin taking care of Ding Hongwang, and they deliberately praised Jiang Yuqin.
"You did a great job. You're really a good stepmother."
"Being a stepmother to others is still very different from being a stepmother to you."
"Your man will be very pleased if you do this."
…
Those people weren't really praising Jiang Yuqin; they clearly wanted to make fun of her. Jiang Yuqin, however, took it for granted that they were genuinely praising her; they simply thought she could be a good stepmother. Jiang Yuqin needed to do better, to let her man know what a good woman she was.
While Jiang Yuqin was trying hard to be good to her adopted son, Jiang Moli was developing her career.
Jiang Yuqin did not always come to the Jiang family to get things like in the original book, which made the Jiang family feel more relaxed.
In the past, Jiang's father always thought that Jiang Yuqin was his biological daughter, so he had to treat her better. But now, when Jiang's father thought of Jiang Yuqin, he frowned. He didn't want to care about Jiang Yuqin at all, nor did he think about letting Jiang Yuqin live a good life.
If a woman doesn't get enough rest after a miscarriage, her health will deteriorate significantly. Jiang Yuqin is in this state now. She's not feeling well and looks haggard, but she still has to keep working. Ding Chao hasn't told her to take a break.
Time soon came to the end of the year, and Jiang Moli's performance of "Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai" was very good.
CCTV previously held the Spring Festival Gala, which was very popular. During the Spring Festival, many people liked to sit in front of the TV and watch the Gala.
A few days ago, during a meeting at work, Jiang Moli suggested they could collaborate with the provincial TV station to hold a Spring Festival Gala featuring opera, arranging for performers from different factions to sing excerpts. They didn't have to choose from the provincial Xiaobaihua troupe; they could also select from other local troupes. Not just professionals, but amateurs as well could be chosen to perform.
Jiang Moli was just saying that. In her previous life, she had seen Spring Festival Galas with opera, and they were quite good. Such galas tend to be more regional, and they focus on a single type of opera, so the audience is also limited. But as a provincial Spring Festival Gala, it's quite good. Especially in their province, Yue Opera is their provincial opera.
The unit leader actually contacted the provincial TV station and said that they really wanted to hold a Spring Festival Gala with opera. However, they would use a pre-recorded version, which would be broadcast later.
Not all local drama troupes have people coming. If there are people recommended by local drama troupes, there are still options at the provincial TV station.
As new forces, the unit sent several young opera actors such as Jiang Moli, as well as the older generation teacher Li to take the stage.
The provincial TV station let the audience watch it, which was recorded on the day of Little New Year.
In the backstage, Jiang Moli saw Ma Yuwen. She didn't expect to see Ma Yuwen again.
"Long time no see." Ma Yuwen was in good spirits. She had accepted that she was not as skilled as others, and she didn't think Jiang Moli had done anything wrong.
People are like this. Once they accept a certain setting and let it go, the road becomes wider.
This time, the provincial Taiwan Affairs Office recommended Ma Yuwen for the Spring Festival Gala of Chinese Opera. Although Ma Yuwen left the provincial Xiaobaihua, this departure is not the end, but a new journey. Ma Yuwen can be regarded as a representative of a type of people.
In addition to these professionals, some amateurs also came. They were able to perform on stage. They felt a strong sense of participation and were very happy.
Zhu Zhixuan didn't come; she'd been rejected by the provincial "Little Hundred Flowers" group. Although she had connections at her local workplace and was highly regarded by the leaders, they didn't dare recommend her for the Spring Festival Gala. They knew that even if they did, she'd likely be rejected, so they couldn't recommend her.
Local units had obtained some tickets, but the leaders did not give them to Zhu Zhixuan. They all thought that Zhu Zhixuan should not go to see it, so as to avoid Zhu Zhixuan having any sudden ideas at that time, and they were afraid that Zhu Zhixuan would suddenly make a fuss.
Zhu Zhixuan knew that everyone was wary of her, afraid she would cause trouble. How could she possibly cause trouble? If she did, wouldn't it be all over the newspapers? Would she even be able to stay in this circle?
Ma Yuwen's invitation was the provincial TV station's choice. The station wanted to create an inclusive, not exclusive, Spring Festival Gala featuring opera. Someone like Zhu Zhixuan wouldn't be an option, but Ma Yuwen would be, and she could even share her thoughts.
Opera is now developing again, and the province also hopes that Yue Opera can develop better.
"It's been a long time since we last met." Jiang Moli said.
Ma Yuwen didn't say anything bad about Jiang Moli; she now respected her. Jiang Moli was indeed excellent, and Ma Yuwen thought she was doing well in the local opera troupe. She didn't have to be in the Provincial Xiaobaihua. There were so many excellent people in the Provincial Xiaobaihua, and the pressure was too great. Ma Yuwen liked her current life. After returning to her local unit, she even felt that her opera singing skills had improved a little. Perhaps it was because she was too nervous in the Provincial Xiaobaihua, which was counterproductive.
Those who came to watch the Spring Festival Gala today included members of relevant organizations and ordinary people who received free tickets. Yes, tickets for this Spring Festival Gala are free. However, not everyone can get in. Some people, even if they have tickets, are intoxicated and cannot enter.
Jiang Moli and her colleagues sang excerpts from "The Butterfly Lovers," chatted with the host, and had some small interactions before leaving the stage. Jiang Moli and her colleagues weren't the final act; they were just the middle act. Similarly, Ma Yuwen wasn't the finale.
After Ma Yuwen finished her performance, she came to the Provincial Xiaobaihua Theater to talk with her former colleagues. Ma Yuwen is in a really good and energetic state now, which is quite different from her original state.
In the past, Ma Yuwen always gave people a sense of urgency and decadence. This decadence does not mean that Ma Yuwen did not work hard enough, but the decadence when Ma Yuwen was not chosen for the role. Now Ma Yuwen gives people a very sensitive and natural feeling.
Jiang Moli thought that if Ma Yuwen was in this state before leaving the Provincial Little Hundred Flowers, then Ma Yuwen would definitely be chosen to play some important roles. But there is no if, there is no regret medicine in this world.
After the recording session, Ma Yuwen headed back to the hotel. She had to rush back to her local workplace early the next morning for a performance. With her tight schedule, she didn't have much time to chat with her former colleagues.
When Sheng Jiahao took Jiang Moli back, Jiang Moli expressed her feelings.
"She has really changed a lot." Jiang Moli said, "The change is very, very big."
Teacher Lu was also in the car. The Jiang family didn't attend the Spring Festival Gala, not because they didn't want to, but because they didn't have tickets. Teacher Lu was from the Nancheng Art College and was invited by the provincial TV station to attend. As a representative senior, the host also asked these seniors to comment and say a few words.
"Big changes are normal," said Teacher Lu. "People have different feelings in different places. After leaving Provincial Little Hundred Flowers, there's not as much pressure. She'd rather be the head of a chicken than the tail of a phoenix."
"It's actually good for her to be like this. What's important is that she's happy and content." Jiang Moli said, "If she had stayed in Xiaobaihua, she might not have been able to perform on the Spring Festival Gala. But now that she's back, she's on it."
"She's found a good way out," said Teacher Lu. "There's nothing wrong with striving hard, but if you can't make it, then retreating while you can is also not wrong."
"Mom, when you went to school to be a teacher, did you also quit while you were ahead?" Sheng Jiahao asked.
If Sheng Jiahao wasn't driving, Jiang Moli would have wanted to pinch Sheng Jiahao's arm. Is it okay to ask this question?
"I guess so." Teacher Lu recalled his past thoughts. "It would be more appropriate for me to be a teacher in a school. There will always be people looking for young people. Without teachers, how will they learn? Jasmine must have had a teacher when she was young."
"Yes, and I'm not just learning from one teacher." Jiang Moli said, "Sometimes, while I'm learning, the teacher says he doesn't want to teach me anymore. The teacher says it's not that they dislike me, but that they don't want to sing opera anymore."
Jiang Moli was naturally disappointed when she heard what her teachers said. Before one of her teachers left, she told her that one person might not be able to sing opera for a lifetime, and that she might want to switch to something else in the future. But Jiang Moli was stubborn and insisted on learning opera. She was determined to keep learning. If this teacher retired, she would find another one.
"Don't blame the teachers. They also need to eat and live." Jiang Moli said. The most important thing is that during that special period, some opera actors felt that opera was suppressed. They felt a deep despair, so they didn't want to touch opera anymore and thought about retiring.
Some teachers have not encountered any problems themselves, but their friends have, and the teachers are also very disappointed, disappointed with the world, and confused about the future.
"This situation is quite common," said Teacher Lu, who has been through it all. "Many of my singing classmates changed careers very early on. Some of them also turned to other things when they got older."
In the early years, those who learned to sing opera were all children from poor families. They all lived a hard life and sang opera just to make a living. They were not particularly obsessed with singing opera. The important thing was to survive.
During the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, some opera troupes raised money to provide logistical support for the war, such as buying medicine for the soldiers.
All we can say is that the changes in the times have led to some things happening, and that is something that an insignificant ordinary person cannot change.
"This time, I didn't expect that the provincial TV station would actually hold an opera Spring Festival Gala." Teacher Lu said.
"I just told my boss at work," Jiang Moli said. "We sell tickets for our performances, but only a few people can see them. If the provincial TV station held a Spring Festival Gala for opera, people in many places in our province, not to mention other provinces, would be able to see it."
Jiang Moli had watched many variety shows in her previous life. She couldn't plan those variety shows, but she could still say a few words. If the company could adopt Jiang Moli's opinions, Jiang Moli would be very happy. If not, Jiang Moli would not be disappointed.
"CCTV's Spring Festival Gala is very popular," Jiang Moli said. "My parents always sit there and watch it during the Spring Festival. The first year, they didn't know about it and didn't stare at the TV, they just watched the replay. The second year, they found out and sat in front of the TV early to watch it. I was performing outside, and they were watching the Spring Festival Gala at home."
I wonder if this opera Spring Festival Gala recorded by their provincial station will be popular. This program will not be broadcast on New Year's Eve, but on the evening of the first day of the Lunar New Year. It will be staggered with CCTV's Spring Festival Gala so that more people can watch it.
"Don't worry, there will still be people watching our party." Teacher Lu is not worried at all that no one will watch it. Their main purpose is not to have a lot of people watch it, and it is not to match CCTV's Spring Festival Gala.
The provincial TV station recorded this opera Spring Festival Gala mainly to let as many people as possible watch it. This can also be regarded as an effort to promote the development of opera. If the relevant departments do not help, how can the opera be promoted?
Sheng Jiahao sent Jiang Moli home first, and he went back with Teacher Lu. It was too late, so Sheng Jiahao and Teacher Lu did not go to Jiang's house together. Jiang Moli got out of the car and waved goodbye to Sheng Jiahao and Teacher Lu, saying, "Have a nice trip."
When Jiang Moli returned home, her parents were both at home.
"Mom, you haven't slept yet." Jiang Moli said.
"Since you haven't come back yet, I thought I'd wait for you. Your dad has even peeked out several times." Jiang's mother asked, "Did everything go well today?"
"It went smoothly, quite smoothly." Jiang Moli said, "I even ran into a colleague who had left Provincial Xiaobaihua before."
"Isn't that the one who reported you?" Jiang's mother frowned.
"No, it's the person who applied for transfer from Provincial Xiaobaihua." Jiang Moli said, "She was invited to the party and performed well."
"That's good." Jiang's mother said.
"Actually, there's not that much hatred." Jiang Moli said, "Everyone is doing their own thing. It's not necessary to steal other people's work."
"Your work is thriving," Jiang's mother said. "By the way, did Jiahao tell you when we're going to get the marriage certificate?"
"There's no rush for now." Jiang Moli was really not in a hurry. Even if the two of them got married, wouldn't it still be too early to have children? They could definitely get married a few years later, which wouldn't affect their being together.
"Don't worry, don't worry. You always say there's no rush." Jiang's mother said, "After you get married, won't you be able to live in the same house?"
"Mom, are you in a hurry to get me out?" Jiang Moli joked, "Didn't you say that this house would be mine in the future? Can't I live here now?"
"Yes," said Jiang's father. "Yes, it's okay to get married later."
Jiang's father doesn't care if Jiang Moli gets married later, as long as his daughter is happy.
Jiang's mother looked at Jiang's father. Jiang's father was indeed not in a hurry. He was just thinking that if his daughter broke up with Sheng Jiahao, the worst that could happen was that his daughter would find a son-in-law. With all these things at home, his daughter could still find a son-in-law. Jiang's mother didn't insist that her daughter get married early, but the man was young and energetic, so he couldn't just watch and do nothing.
Jiang's mother sometimes considered asking her daughter if she and Sheng Jiahao had slept together outside the home, but she was afraid she would be upset. So far, except when her daughter was away on business, she had always come home to sleep, rather than staying out.
Although Jiang's mother is not a man, she understands men a little bit. Men still need the company of women, especially at night.
"What do you know?" Jiang's mother glanced at Jiang's father. "Even if you don't have children sooner, you can still get married earlier. If you get married earlier, you will have a legitimate relationship and it will be good to be together."
"We're engaged, so we have a formal relationship." Jiang Moli said, "Mom, you don't have to worry about this. It's a different era now, and we don't have to get married so early. It doesn't matter whether Jiahao and I get a marriage certificate or not."
"There are differences between this era and ours, but how big are the differences?" Jiang's mother asked. "Look at Xiaoxue. She got pregnant before marriage, but she got married later. Didn't people still criticize her? You and Jiahao aren't married, but people still speculate whether you did something intimate."
"What if we did it? What if we didn't?" Jiang Moli said, "We haven't broken any laws. We can get married whenever we want. If we don't want to, we can wait. Mom, are those people talking about you and putting pressure on you?"
"Just a few words." Jiang's mother said.
Jiang's mother, unemployed, often chatted with neighbors, and they would tell her that Jiang Moli should get married sooner. Young men and women are often passionate about each other, and there's no telling what might happen. Others told Jiang's mother that she, as a mother, should be more involved. They also said that if a woman gets intimate with a man too early, he might not take her seriously.
Those people like to talk about these gossips in their spare time, and they talk about them in a very serious manner.
"That does make some sense," Jiang's mother said. "But this matter still depends on the two of you. Whether you want to get the marriage certificate sooner or not is up to you."
"Let's wait until after the Chinese New Year." Jiang Moli said, "I just reached the legal age to get a marriage certificate. It's still early, so there's no need to rush."
"Time flies by in the blink of an eye." Jiang's mother said.
"Then it will pass in the blink of an eye." Jiang Moli said, "I think time will pass in the blink of an eye, and I will become very powerful."
"Then forget it," Jiang's mother said. "Time doesn't fly when you're struggling."
On the other hand, Teacher Lu also asked about the time when Sheng Jiahao and Jiang Moli got their marriage certificate. They only told him after they returned home.
"It depends on what Jasmine means." Sheng Jiahao said.
"It depends on what she wants," Teacher Lu said. "Where will you live after you get your marriage certificate?"
"Jasmine wants to live with her parents now," Sheng Jiahao said. "Auntie is unemployed now, so she makes delicious food for her at home. She doesn't want to leave her parents."
"So what do you mean?" Teacher Lu asked, "Do you want to live outside, or live with Jasmine at her parents' house?"
"It's all fine." Sheng Jiahao didn't mind that.
"Aren't you afraid that others will say you are a live-in son-in-law?" Teacher Lu asked again.
"Don't be afraid." Sheng Jiahao said, "Why would a grown man be afraid of this? You know whether you have the ability or not. Jasmine's parents are very nice. I often eat there."
"After the Chinese New Year, ask Jasmine," Teacher Lu said. "You can get married sooner rather than later. You can live in Jasmine's house or buy a separate house."
"I have prepared another house." Sheng Jiahao had already prepared it. The house was not far from the Jiang family and the Sheng family, so it was very convenient to drive there.
If Jiang Moli lived in the Jiang family, she would feel more at ease and more able to strive. Sheng Jiahao didn't feel much. He hadn't lived with his parents for a long time. As a grown man, he didn't expect his parents to think about him or what they should do for him.
Sheng Jiahao also understood the situation of the Jiang family. Jiang Yuqin was not Jiang's father's biological daughter, so Jiang's father naturally hoped that Jiang Moli could stay with him for a while longer.
"When the time comes, you can live wherever you want." Sheng Jiahao said, "It's also okay to stay in another house for a few days occasionally."
"That's a good arrangement." Teacher Lu nodded. "Moli's house is pretty good, not too bad. It's okay for Moli to be filial and want to spend time with her parents. After your second sister got married, she came to visit us from time to time and cooked us a meal."
"Moli doesn't cook. She is only responsible for eating and doesn't wash dishes." Sheng Jiahao said.
"Her parents didn't let her do those things, and you can't let Jasmine do those things either." Teacher Lu said.
"Of course." Sheng Jiahao nodded, "I'll also ask someone to do it. That's no problem."
Sheng Jiahao thought, if it is inconvenient for Jiang's mother to cook, they can hire someone to do it. The Jiang family has few rooms, which may not be suitable for servants to live in. They can also rent a house nearby and let the servants live there. Sheng Jiahao did not think that he had to live in a big house or have to do it in this way. Sheng Jiahao wanted to accompany Jiang Moli. The life of the Jiang family was very ordinary and warm, and Sheng Jiahao also liked that kind of life.
With the Lunar New Year just around the corner, Jiang Yuqin was much quieter this time. Perhaps it was because she was too weak, or because Che Lijuan didn't give her face, or perhaps Jiang Yuqin was afraid that others would know her background and that the Jin family would stop giving her money. As long as she could get something, Jiang Yuqin would take it.
The Jin family is not the Jiang family. The Jiang family will allow Jiang Yuqin to take things from the house. As long as Jiang Yuqin is a Jiang family member, Jiang's father will tolerate it. The Jin family will see the situation and see if there are other interests involved.
This Chinese New Year, Jiang Yuqin received the same benefits from the factory as everyone else, but she was not very happy.
Ever since Jiang Yuqin and Wang Chunfen had a falling out, Jiang Yuqin found that she didn't have a single friend around her with whom she could be honest. Did she really have so few friends?
Jiang Yuqin had never thought that she had so few friends before. She told herself that she didn't have to tell those people if she had something to say. If she did, wouldn't they just laugh at her?
Many people claim to be friends, but they don't really consider others their friends. Instead, they laugh at others behind their backs and criticize them. They tell others what others say to them, and they don't think they are wrong. They just think they are right.
Jiang Yuqin was preparing the New Year's Eve dinner at home, but the people in the Jin family were unwilling to let Jiang Yuqin go. At most, they would wait until the second day of the New Year for the dinner to take place before Jiang Yuqin could go.
These days, Jiang Yuqin hadn't been able to properly nourish herself. She stewed a chicken at home, giving the drumstick to Ding Hongwang and Ding Chao. Ding Chao, being a man with a big appetite, ate more, while Jiang Yuqin ate less.
This was also Jiang Yuqin's own fault. She had a miscarriage, and Ding Chao bought a chicken. She could have cut the chicken into four large pieces and eaten one piece at a time. Jiang Yuqin insisted on cutting the chicken into small pieces and letting Ding Chao and Ding Hongwang eat them, in order to show her respect for her husband and adopted son.
Ding Chao wasn't polite with Jiang Yuqin. Jiang Yuqin said she couldn't finish the food, saying it would go bad, so Ding Chao ate more. Ding Chao also felt that Jiang Yuqin worked hard outside, so he really needed to eat. Ding Hongwang was even less likely to care about Jiang Yuqin; even at such a young age, he already knew how to rely on Ding Chao.
Jiang Yuqin bought chickens, ducks, and fish, but she still had to take care of them herself. Ding Chao didn't help. At most, Ding Chao would put up Spring Festival couplets. In some places, there's a custom that men burn incense and put up Spring Festival couplets. Ding Chao did what he thought was his job, and he didn't do other things that women should do.
Two days before the Chinese New Year, Jin Manzhi came to find Jiang Yuqin. She was sneaky and asked Ding Chao to take the child out. She wanted to say something to Jiang Yuqin.
"Mom, if you have something to say, can't you say it in front of Ding Chao?" Jiang Yuqin complained. "How can I face Ding Chao if you do this? How will he see me? He still thinks we are going to say something bad about him."
"Keep your voice down." Jin Manzhi looked around and made sure the door was closed. "Have you considered divorce?"
"What?" Jiang Yuqin opened her eyes wide, her face full of shock.
"Yes," Jin Manzhi said, "There's a good family. The man lost his wife, leaving behind a child. But he's well-off. He owns his own house, his parents have jobs, and he has money. He's been married before, so he doesn't care if his partner is married before. If you want, you can divorce Ding Chao and live with that man."
"No!" Jiang Yuqin said, "Mom, how could you do such a thing?"
"Aren't we doing this for your own good?" Jin Manzhi said, "Look at your sister, Lijuan. Isn't she living a good life now?"
"She's not going there to be someone's stepmother." Jiang Yuqin said.
"Aren't you a stepmother now?" Jin Manzhi asked, "Whose stepmother are you? If you're not a stepmother, can't you choose someone with more control? That man's wife left behind a daughter. If you just give them a son, won't those people listen to you? Their family is so well-off..."
"So you married my dad first... married Jiang Moli's dad first. But did you feel happy at that time? If you were happy, why did you elope with your current husband?" Jiang Yuqin just thought it was ridiculous.
"We are living well now." Jin Manyi said unhappy.
"That's because it's been many years since you eloped," Jiang Yuqin said. "Ding Chao and I are just young. If we were your age, we could live well and our financial conditions would be better. Don't use your age to bully us younger ones. Mom, you can be with the person you like, so why can't I?"
"You...you even had a miscarriage, and you still want to be with Ding Chao?" Jin Manzhi asked, "Can you survive such a hard life?"
"Did you have a hard time when you eloped?" Jiang Yuqin asked.
When Jin Manzhi eloped with her current husband, they did have a hard time. But Jin Manzhi didn't think those days were hard. They were hardship mixed with happiness. Being able to be with her beloved was a very happy thing.
"Can your man compare to mine?" Jin Manzhi said, "Your uncle didn't raise anyone else's child."
"So you didn't support me." Jiang Yuqin said.
"You...isn't this for your own good?" Jin Manzhi said, "If you marry him, you won't have to ask us for money, and you'll have plenty of money. But now, you're taking that little salary, and your health isn't good. Is it worth it?"
"It's worth it, very worth it!" Jiang Yuqin said, "That man is so good, you can let someone else marry him. I can't marry him, not in this lifetime. Hongwang is not my child, nor is he Ding Chao's child. This stepmother is different, she is an adoptive mother, an adoptive father and a foster mother."
Jin Manzhi acted like her daughter was failing. She had found a better path for Jiang Yuqin, but Jiang Yuqin insisted on following it. What good was this path? Ding Chao was really not a good person.
This time, Ding Chao didn't bring Ding Hongwang with him to listen outside, but when he came back, Jin Manzhi had left. Ding Chao still asked a few questions, "What did Mom say to you?"
"She thinks everyone is just like her. She married my dad for money... Jiang Moli's dad wants me to divorce you and marry another man, saying that man is rich." Jiang Yuqin was very angry. "I drove her away. There is no way I can divorce you! Hongwang is our son! They are not really doing this for my own good!"
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