The temperature was around seven or eight degrees Celsius, and it was indeed getting cold quickly, so Xia Yuanqiang didn't insist on waiting for everyone to eat together: "Okay, I'll start eating first, you guys eat quickly too."
On the other side, Xia Taiping took out several homemade red envelopes and handed them to Gao Shujing and Gao Guojing: "This one is for Shujing, this one is for Guojing, and these are for the children."
Then he took out a noticeably thick red envelope and handed it to Gao Shujing: "This is for Rujia. She has worked hard this year. Please take this red envelope back to her later."
When the Xia family arrived at Shangfen Brigade, apart from having their work points halved and being isolated, they were not treated harshly in any other way.
Work points are exchanged for grain, oil, money, and various supplies, just like the team members. The difference is that they cannot go to the team to collect them themselves; Captain Huang will deliver them to them.
Although they had no choice, they were much better off than others in the same situation. Some didn't even have work points, had to find their own food, and were frequently taken out to be tortured; just surviving was a struggle for them.
They've been here for half a year this year. There are many of them, and even after the discount, they still received sixty or seventy yuan in cash.
Gao Shujing held the red envelope and weighed its thickness in his hand: "Second Uncle, this money is probably all the wages you've received this year, right?"
Xia Yuanqiang took a moment to say, "Shujing, take it back. We have things from the team and things you sent, so there's nothing we can do with the money."
Xu Xiangyue: "We can't move around freely because of our identities. We can't spend the money even if we keep it. You can take it back and use it with peace of mind."
Han Meifeng kept mentioning Rujia: "Take this back and buy Rujia some nice things. She does so much work every day and also has to take care of us. She really works hard."
Considering the Xia family's situation, Gao Shujing did not refuse again. They would always send some of the things they bought to the cowshed. If he took this money back, Yu Rujia would definitely use it for everyone.
However, when Yu Rujia was mentioned, Gao Shujing said what he had prepared in advance: "Grandpa, eldest uncle, eldest aunt, second uncle, second aunt, Rujia and I are together. When we reach the right age, we will get our marriage certificate."
Xia Jingxing, who had just placed his bowl on the table, was so startled by those words that he almost dropped it. The other members of the Xia family were not much better off than him.
Xia Yuanqiang quickly recovered. Yu Rujia was the Xia family's adopted daughter, and they weren't registered in the same household, so they were actually from two different families. She and Gao Shujing could be considered childhood sweethearts, knowing each other inside and out. Their union sounded like a perfect match.
Xia Yuanqiang: "Rujia is a good person. Since you have chosen to be with her, you should treat her well. If I find out that you are not treating her well, even if you are my own grandson, I will not let you off easily."
Xia Taiping continued, "Shujing, Rujia is someone we've watched grow up. She's different from other women. We won't allow you to bully her, understand?"
Han Meifeng had been worried that Yu Rujia would be implicated by Duofu and the others and would not be able to get married. Now that she heard that Yu Rujia had gotten together with Gao Shujing, and she couldn't stand him, she felt that Rujia was being wronged.
Han Meifeng: "Tell me the truth, did you bully Rujia?"
Gao Shujing sat upright, having already anticipated the reactions of the rest of the Xia family; they wouldn't be an obstacle to his relationship with Yu Rujia.
Only Han Meifeng was different; she truly regarded Yu Rujia as her precious darling. Everyone else, including her husband Xia Tai'an, her two sons, and her two grandsons, were ranked after Yu Rujia.
Gao Shujing: "Second Aunt, I cherish Rujia like a treasure, and I will never bully her in this life. Whether it is in terms of life or money, I will find a way to make Rujia live comfortably."
"As for income, I have two salaries. One is from the commune's cadre position, which pays me fifty-six yuan a month plus twenty pieces of meat."
"The other job was as a technician in the brigade, earning full work points every day, five yuan a month, and a 10% bonus on the profits from repairs. The combined income from the two jobs was among the highest in the town."
"As for living conditions, I'm a good cook. The food you're eating now is made by me. I do most of the housework when I'm around. I will try my best to make Rujia's life better. Please grant us your request, Auntie."
The Xia family had known about Gao Shujing's income for a long time, including his daily chores. They had seen him many times from the cliffs behind the mountain and knew he wasn't lying.
Han Meifeng scrutinized Gao Shujing with the discerning eye of an 'old father-in-law.' His conditions were indeed top-notch: he was rich, capable, good-looking, and even did the housework.
Before the Xia family's misfortune, the Xia family was wealthy, and Yu Rujia didn't need to worry about money or household affairs.
Times have changed. Since we can't hire servants anymore, Gao Shujing's abilities are especially important.
In order to make Yu Rujia's life better and prevent her from growing up too old, Han Meifeng, even though she still disliked Gao Shujing, did not strongly oppose their relationship.
Han Meifeng coldly stated her conditions: "You must reduce the number of times you come here in the future, to a maximum of once a month. In addition to what you said, if you can do all of these, I will agree to let Rujia be with you."
Since Gao Shujing came here, he has visited the cowshed at least two or three times a month. These past few days, with the New Year approaching, he has been coming even more frequently, visiting five or six times in the last half month.
Before he and Yu Rujia got together, Han Meifeng wasn't so resistant to his comings. Now that he's with Yu Rujia, she can't let him come anymore, lest he implicate Yu Rujia.
If she weren't afraid that directly refusing Gao Shujing's request would make Yu Rujia come in person, she wouldn't have wanted Gao Shujing to come at all.
Xia Yuanqiang: "Shujing, listen to your second aunt, come less often or not at all in the future. We can earn enough to eat, we don't need this."
"You've seen how we've been here. No one's coming, it's safe and sound, you don't need to worry. You and Rujia just need to live a good life with the children. There'll be plenty of time for us to get to know each other later, no need to rush."
While the adults were trying to persuade Gao Shujing, Xia Jingxing was stuffing something into his mouth and whispering to Gao Guojing.
Xia Jingxing: "How dare Fourth Brother get involved with Rujia? Aren't you afraid that Rujia will make him unable to stand up straight for the rest of his life?"
The voice was so soft that no one except Gao Guojing next to him could hear it.
When Gao Guojing came over, he was mentally prepared. Even if Yu Rujia bullied him every day and took his things away, he would tolerate her because she had saved the Xia family.
After spending half a month with Yu Rujia, Captain Gao Guojing found that she was not as difficult to get along with as he had imagined. He realized that apart from being a little lazy and a bit of a glutton, she had no other flaws.
It's not even a drawback that it tastes good; he himself enjoys it.
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