A few months passed in the blink of an eye, and Wei's eldest sister-in-law gave birth to a son. Wei Xigun was overjoyed to have a son when he was nearly forty years old.
The Wei family was overjoyed. Zhao's mother altered three sets of clothes for them, gave them an old hen and two cans of milk powder, and then went over with her grandson, son and daughter-in-law.
"Oh my! Mother-in-law, I don't know what to say, thank you so much. You've helped our family so much!" Mother Wei was truly grateful to her in-law.
Zhao's mother smiled and said not to worry about it. As relatives, it's only natural for them to help out if they have the means. She held the newborn baby, Wei Jianshe, in her arms with great affection.
Liu Taohua nudged Wei Xigun, who gave her a wink and spoke for a while before leaving. He then handed a red paper-wrapped package to Zhao Dahu.
Zhao Dahu was taken aback and asked, "Brother, what are you doing?"
Wei Xigun smiled憨厚ly and said, "When your sister-in-law was pregnant before, she was weak and needed to be protected and given nutrition. I was also worried that Mom would suffer. If something happened and we were short of money, I would give you this money, but you couldn't accept it. It weighed on my mind like a stone. Now it's all right. Your sister-in-law has given birth, and our salaries will be enough from now on. You can keep this money."
Zhao Dahu's face darkened. "Brother, what do you mean?" Wei Xigun's hand, like a pair of large pincers, gripped the paper package in Zhao Dahu's. His sincerity was evident. "Dahu, we all know how good you've been to our family. Everyone around here—my coworkers, and even those from miles away—knows that my Wei family has found a good son-in-law, and Shuqing has married into a good family. But even brothers have to keep clear accounts. I really need the food and coupons you gave me, and I can't repay you, but please take the money. That way, we're still family. Otherwise, I'd have no face to stand before you."
Just as Zhao Dahu was about to say something, Wei Xigun, his eyes red, said, "Listen to me, take this. It's always been said that relatives shouldn't share finances, because sharing finances will ruin relationships. I can never repay your kindness in this lifetime, but I remember it all! But you can't let me owe you too much!"
Holding Zhao's mother's hand, despite her red eyes, Wei's mother said with comfort, "My dear in-law, you've raised Dahu so well, we're so lucky. Dahu, listen to your mother and take the money back. It's not time for you and your brother to share your retirement yet!"
Zhao's mother laughed and said, "Little sister, you've raised your son well! Good job! Da Hu, you can keep this. Just let me know if you need any more in the future."
Looking at Zhao Dahu, he said, "Take it! Don't ruin the harmony."
Zhao Dahu reluctantly accepted the money. Back home, he opened the bag and found 180 yuan inside. Wei Shuqing looked worried. Zhao Dahu patted her shoulder, took the money back, and seeing Zhao Aiguo staring expectantly, he couldn't help but laugh. He slapped Zhao Aiguo on the neck, handed him a yuan, and Zhao Aiguo obsequiously took it, saying, "This money is more befitting my status! Hehe!"
Zhao's mother couldn't bear to watch any longer. After the grandmother and grandson returned to the house, Zhao's mother finally said, "Why did you look so unhappy at your uncle's house earlier? What happened?"
Zhao Aiguo sat dejectedly on the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed), looking at his mother with a wronged expression, and said, "I just suddenly realized something!"
Intrigued, Zhao's mother went over and asked, "What's wrong? Did you discover something?"
Zhao Aiguo whispered, "Grandma, do you think all the parts on our bodies are quite expensive? If one of them breaks, there's nowhere to find a replacement, right?"
Zhao's mother looked at her like she was an idiot and said, "That's an interesting question. When did you learn to speak with your lungs? Isn't that obvious?"
Zhao Aiguo sighed and said, "Then why do I look like a piece of junk assembled from such expensive parts? I feel like you guys don't care about me as much as before."
Zhao's mother was taken aback and quickly coaxed her precious child, "My dear! What are you thinking? If I don't cherish you, who will I cherish?"
Zhao Aiguo snorted and said, "I knew it, you all think I'm stupid!"
Zhao's mother sighed... Zhao Aiguo wasn't very bright, but heaven had mercy on her son; the old couple had never looked down on him!
Just then, Zhao's father returned, and the elderly couple quickly comforted their precious son.
Privately, he repeatedly warned Zhao Aiguo not to make things difficult for him anymore, because the child had become self-conscious.
This was Zhao Aiguo's last day of elementary school. Although he wasn't a good student and didn't learn much, it didn't diminish his enthusiasm for school at all.
The thought of not having to come to school tomorrow made him feel strangely relieved. As soon as he stepped out of the school gate, he saw Qi's mother standing there waiting for him, as always. Uncharacteristically, he didn't argue with the old lady, and instead smiled and went over, saying, "Grandma, let's go! I'll take you a little further today!"
Qi's mother asked curiously, "What's wrong?"
Zhao Aiguo smiled indifferently and said, "I won't come here tomorrow. It's vacation time, and I won't go to school here when school starts again."
Qi's mother felt a slight pang of sadness and said, "Yes, go well!"
Zhao Aiguo overheard and said, "Grandma, I've been with you for almost half a year now. What are you thinking? Why do you always want to chat with me?"
Mother Qi smiled and said, "Yes! I'd love to chat with you!" Zhao Aiguo looked at Mother Qi and asked, "Why? Do you know me?"
Qi's mother looked at him for a while and said, "Because when I see you, it's like looking at my son when he was a child."
Zhao Aiguo chuckled, "Your son is just as handsome as me!"
Mother Qi choked for a moment, then smiled with relief, "They're alright! My son and daughter are both good-looking! They stand out in a crowd."
Zhao Aiguo couldn't stand Qi's mother's smugness, so he curled his lip and said, "Old lady, I'm telling you, that's enough. Good-looking people aren't necessarily good. People say that out of ten good-looking people, three are bad, and six have affairs. The smuger you are, the faster you'll die. It's the honest ones who stay alive! Look at your son and daughter, they're not around. Tsk...tsk...tsk...who knows what they're doing out there!"
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