Chapter 73
Jiang Leyun tugged at his sister's arm and stood on tiptoe to read the contents of the letter: "What did Sister Wei Yu say?"
Jiang Suihan folded the letter after reading it and said briefly: "Two things. My second cousin couldn't stand the hardship of going to the countryside and wrote home to ask to return to the city. My uncle and aunt are trying to find a way. Also, my eldest cousin's wife gave birth to a son, and my aunt plans to let Wei Yu drop out of school and stay at home to help take care of the child."
She just couldn’t understand, if a grandson is a precious grandson, then a daughter is not a precious daughter?
The most disgusting ones are my eldest cousin and his wife. If they have the ability to have children, they should raise them themselves. Why don’t they let my younger cousin go to high school and go home to help her brother and sister-in-law take care of the children? Doesn’t the youngest in the family have a say?
My eldest cousin and his wife tried their best to be good people, but they encouraged my eldest aunt to be the bad person. Since my mother said so, no matter how reluctant my younger cousin was, she dared not go against her mother.
Jiang Leyun frowned: "Sister Wei Yu is so pitiful! Auntie is really too much!"
When I went to my uncle's house for dinner, Sister Wei Yu would sometimes find an opportunity to find her sister to ask about problems she encountered in her studies. Her textbooks were kept very well and she was reluctant to get them dirty, so there were no creases on them. Sister Wei Yu loved reading so much, but my aunt didn't let her go to school. She must be very sad.
Xu Zhao poured a cup of hot water for Jiang Huihan to warm her hands. He had just heard the conversation between the siblings. He had never seen his wife's little cousin, but he knew that she was the youngest daughter of his wife's uncle's family. She was also the only member of the Jiang family in her uncle's family who had good intentions towards the two siblings. Moreover, under the circumstances at that time, she secretly came to report the news without telling her family. It can be seen that the girl has her own bottom line and can distinguish right from wrong.
"Mingjiang City is far away from Li Province, and it's not easy for us to intervene. Besides, this is your uncle's family's business. They are the biological parents of my little cousin, and they have the moral advantage. My little cousin is still young and has no ability to make money. She can only rely on her parents for a living. If the two sides fall out, the outcome may be even worse."
How can a fifteen or sixteen-year-old underage girl, who has no job and not much money, rebel against her parents?
What's more, in this age where all travel requires proof, it is simply unrealistic to run away from home. You may not even be able to leave the city, and you cannot buy a ticket at the train station without proof.
Jiang Huihan held the cup in both hands, steam rising from it, and it was hard to tell the expression on her face: "What should I do? I can't just know and remain indifferent, right?"
If someone was nice to her, she would give something of equal value in return. That night, Jiang Wei Yu took the risk to come over to report the news. She appreciated the favor and hoped to be able to help.
It was just as Xu Zhao said, the distance was too far, and communication was inconvenient, with news delayed. Looking at the time the letter was sent, it had been almost a month. By the time she finished writing the letter and sent it again, time was dragging on, and she had no idea what would happen in the meantime.
Xu Zhao couldn't think of a good solution either. After thinking for a while, he said, "How about this. After the Chinese New Year, I will write a letter to my comrade-in-arms. He works at the Public Security Bureau. I will ask him to help check on the situation. If my little cousin is not living well at home and doesn't want to stay at home, then we can bring her over. We can squeeze in some space at home."
After hearing what he said, Jiang Suihan also thought of Xu Zhao's comrade who had transferred to work at the Public Security Bureau. With him helping to keep an eye on things, she thought there shouldn't be any big problems.
But let's not talk about bringing Jiang Wei Yu here for now. Help in emergencies but not in poverty. If people don't work hard to improve themselves and their circumstances, even if others can help, they can only help for a few times.
After a simple lunch, mother-in-law started to prepare the New Year’s Eve dinner in the afternoon. Jiang Suihan wanted to help, but mother-in-law was worried that she would bump into her, so she didn’t let her into the kitchen.
Maybe it was because the New Year was approaching and she was a little excited. After noon, when she was most sleepy, Jiang Suihan simply didn’t take a nap, and she wasn’t very sleepy.
He took out the red paper at home and asked Xu Zhao if he had a brush and ink.
Xu Zhao was squatting in the yard killing chickens. He had become a skilled worker now. Whenever he was at home, he was the one who took care of the chickens.
Hearing this, he shook his head: "No, only a pen."
Jiang Huihan felt a little disappointed, but then she thought, if there is no answer, then there is no answer. Just do it for fun and write with a pen.
She asked her brother to go upstairs and get a pen, then spread out a piece of red paper and put it on the table. There was an uneven spot on the table, and she was worried that the red paper would be torn while she was writing, so she moved the red paper again.
Jiang Leyun took off the pen cap, held the pen in both hands, and presented the pen respectfully.
Jiang Suihan was instantly amused and poked her brother's forehead: "You're being weird again."
Jiang Leyun covered his forehead and laughed, revealing a row of small white teeth: "Sister, please write it nicely, I want to stick it on the window of my room."
Jiang Huihan rolled up her sleeves and waved her hands, her confidence evident: "Don't worry, your sister has learned penmanship for several years, and she has learned from a master. Her handwriting is much better than yours. Just open your eyes and watch carefully."
Jiang Leyun curled his lips and said unconvincedly: "I was still young. When I grow up, I will definitely write ten times better than you. No, a hundred times better."
Xu Zhao took the time to glance at them, a smile on his lips. They were competing to see who could write a single word. Lele was fine, she would be eight years old next year, and in another six months she would be a mother. How could she still be like a little child, with such childish cuteness?
Su Ying came out carrying an enamel basin. She noticed her son staring at his daughter-in-law with burning eyes, his face full of tenderness and affection. She couldn't help but let out a soft sigh.
Xu Zhao raised his eyes to meet his mother's teasing gaze, then calmly returned to his usual indifferent expression and lowered his head to continue working.
Su Ying put down the basin and came forward with a smile: "This word is good, well written."
Jiang Suihan smiled a little embarrassedly, she knew her own worth very well, her handwriting was only for her to admire at home and to fool children who had never seen the world, she was not shameless enough to show it to others.
"I haven't written for a long time, and my hands are rusty. Do you want one? I'll write one for you and put it in the study."
Su Ying nodded: "Write a few more, and you can also put two on the door."
Jiang Suihan was a little conflicted. No one would mind if she put it at home, but if she put it at the door, where people were coming and going, everyone would see it and would definitely talk about it.
Su Ying added: "I bought a lot of red paper. I will teach you how to cut window paper-cuts tonight. It's more interesting than writing the word 'Fu'."
Jiang Suihan had never seen window paper-cuts before. Her family never put up window paper-cuts during the Chinese New Year. No one in the family knew how to cut them. Her mother was in poor health and didn't have the energy to do so. Her father was devoted to his work and rarely took these trivial matters to heart.
"Okay, I will definitely study hard."
Jiang Leyun raised his hand and said excitedly that he wanted to join in: "I want to learn too. I want to cut a majestic tiger."
My mother-in-law put a lot of effort today and made a lot of delicious food, including braised lion head, braised pork, steamed pork ribs with taro, stir-fried yam slices with black fungus, stewed chicken with potatoes, and stir-fried cabbage, a total of six dishes, and a pot of yam stewed chicken soup.
Jiang Leyun sat at the dining table and watched the dishes being served, his eyes shining and his saliva almost watering.
Su Ying drank a bowl of soup and said with regret: "It's a pity that I didn't buy fish, otherwise I would make braised fish for you. It would be nice to have fish every year."
Jiang Suihan was particularly supportive: "There are so many delicious foods. Mom has worked hard. Come, let's toast to Mom. Well, let's use soup instead of wine. I wish Mom good health, good luck, and everything goes well in the future."
Xu Zhao glanced at Jiang Huihan, pursed his lips and smiled. Why was she so funny? He had only heard of using tea instead of wine, but this was the first time he heard of using soup instead of wine.
Jiang Leyun sat on Jiang Suihan's left. She touched her brother with her arm and whispered, "Hurry up and say your New Year's greetings."
The child was very considerate. He held the soup bowl in both hands and said the blessing seriously: "Aunt, you have worked hard. You have taken care of my sister in the past two months and made many delicious meals for me. I am very grateful. I wish you a happy life in the new year, all your wishes come true, and you will have your first grandson and granddaughter next year."
He raised his head, with a heroic spirit: "I'll do it first."
Gulp, gulp, the child wanted to finish the bowl of soup in one gulp, but he drank it too quickly, overestimated his ability, and choked.
Jiang Suihan was both angry and amused, patting her brother on the back: "Where did you learn all this nonsense? This bowl of soup has a grudge against you, can't you drink it slowly?"
Su Ying smiled so much that the wrinkles at the corners of her eyes were obvious. She reached into her pocket and a red envelope appeared in her hand: "You are so good. I wanted to give it to you after dinner. Your little mouth is so talkative."
When Jiang Leyun saw the red envelope, his eyes sparkled and he shouted loudly and clearly: "Thank you, auntie."
Jiang Huihan gave Xu Zhao a look. She and her brother had already told him about it, setting a good example for him. She signaled him to hurry up and stop playing dumb.
Xu Zhao picked up the bowl helplessly: "Mom, I wish you a happy new year and good health."
Su Ying didn't mind him picking up what Jiang Huihan said, and continued to take three red envelopes with a smile, one for his son and the other two for his daughter-in-law: "The baby has one too."
Jiang Suihan said with a smile: "Thank you, Mom."
Feel the thickness of the red envelope, it should be quite large.
Xu Zhao didn't put the red envelope into his own pocket, but handed it directly to Jiang Huihan: "Here you go."
Jiang Huihan curled up the corners of her mouth and accepted it with a smile.
The wind was howling outside and the temperature was very low at night. I felt so cold after walking outside for a few minutes that I couldn't stand it.
The family gathered around the fire and chatted. Jiang Suihan suddenly wanted to eat roasted sweet potatoes. Mrs. Wu gave her a basket of sweet potatoes a few days ago, but they didn't finish them, so there were some left.
Xu Zhao went to the kitchen and brought back four sweet potatoes. Maybe the soil here was not fertile enough, so the sweet potatoes were not big. The fire was burning very strongly, but there was not much charcoal.
Jiang Suihan was anxious. She smelled the aroma of roasted sweet potatoes and asked for the fifth time, "Is it ready?"
Xu Zhao was holding a thin wooden stick in his hand and pulling the sweet potatoes out of the fire. Jiang Huihan couldn't wait to reach out and grab it, but she pulled her hand back because it was so hot.
Jiang Leyun was also staring at him intently. Xu Zhao gave him one, and the child grinned happily.
Since dinner, the child's mouth has not stopped eating biscuits, candies, and delicious home-made food. He even took a small bamboo basket and filled it with snacks and placed it on the ground to his right. He can take whatever he wants. Half of the snacks in the basket are gone.
Jiang Suihan couldn't help but look at her brother and said, "Eat less. If you can't sleep at night, let's see what you'll do."
Jiang Leyun has his own theory: "There is only one day in the year, so I have to eat my fill."
Su Ying said quickly, "It's okay. Eat some hawthorn to help digestion."
Xu Zhao broke the roasted sweet potato in half, tore off the charred outer skin, and then gave it to Jiang Suihan: "You two siblings, eat less."
Jiang Suihan pretended to be dead, eating the roasted sweet potatoes silently without responding.
Looking at the time, it was just past seven o'clock. Jiang Suihan wanted to go out for a walk. Xu Zhao couldn't persuade her, so he helped her put on a thick coat, scarf, hat, and gloves. She was fully armed, leaving only a pair of eyes exposed.
The two walked aimlessly, and Xu Zhao asked her, "Are you cold?"
Jiang Huihan nodded and shook her head: "It's okay, I'll go back when it gets cold."
She raised her eyes and looked into the distance. She didn't know if it was an illusion, but she vaguely felt a flash of light.
Pointing in that direction, he showed Xu Zhao: "Look over there, is there a light?"
Xu Zhao raised his head and took a closer look, confirming that there was light.
His expression suddenly changed, and he looked serious: "I'll take you home first. Lock the doors and windows at night. Don't open the door unless I tell you to."
Jiang Suihan didn't know what had happened. Seeing his heavy and serious expression, she nodded without saying anything more: "I understand."
It was supposed to be a relaxing and enjoyable walk, but we were back in less than ten minutes.
Su Ying asked: "Why did you come back?"
Xu Zhao repeated what he had just told Jiang Huihan, and then left in a hurry.
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