Zhu Youxian felt wronged by Zhu Youjie's criticism, and she felt she was doing it for Zhu Youliang's own good. With that in mind, she took a pot of water and went to the fields to find Huangmei. Huangmei was weeding in the fields. Seeing her bringing water, she glanced at the sun and said happily, "Aren't you afraid of the sun? Why are you here to bring me water?" With that, she walked towards the ridge of the field.
"Look at what you said. I just feel bad for you." Zhu Youxian poured her a glass of water and fanned her with his straw hat. Then he tentatively said, "Mom, you don't know yet, right? It's spread all over the village. Sixth Brother donated fifty yuan to the school."
"What? This prodigal son, he only got a few bucks, and he gave away fifty. How's he going to make ends meet? No, I'll have a proper talk with him when he comes back tonight," Huang Mei said, putting down her bowl. She hadn't been willing to use the white porcelain jar with red flowers that Zhu Youliang had given her. She'd planned to give it to Zhu Yourong when she got married. Since she was getting married for the second time, she couldn't let anyone look down on her.
"That's right, that's right, Mom, you have to talk to Sixth Brother. If it weren't for you and Dad's support over the years, his family would have been destitute. Now that he finally has some money, he hasn't even thought about showing filial piety to you."
Huang Mei retorted, "How could he not be filial? As soon as he got the money, he bought meat as a gift to your father and me, and also gave us a pair of white porcelain jars with red flowers, and also gave us twenty yuan."
Zhu Youxian opened his mouth in surprise, and after a while he asked, "How much money did the machinery factory give him as a reward?"
Huang Mei said proudly, "About two hundred. This prodigal son donated another fifty to the school, so the rest is only enough for them to go to school. Your sixth brother is too generous. I have to talk to Liang Yuan and ask her to keep a tighter eye on the money. It would be best if she could manage it."
Zhu Youxian said somewhat sourly, "Sixth Sister-in-law always lets Sixth Brother do whatever he wants. You might as well try to persuade him more. By the way, Mom, why don't I see you using white porcelain jars? Why don't you give them to me and Seventh Brother? We're both studying in the city, and we don't have anything to show off, so we're always looked down upon."
"It's too late. I've already decided to give that jar to your eldest sister as a dowry. It has big red flowers on it, so it looks festive. Our family was poor before, so she only had two quilts made for her when she got married, so she couldn't be so arrogant. This time, mother has to give her some face to avoid being looked down upon again."
"She's a second-married woman, and she wants..." Zhu Youxian was halfway through her sentence when she noticed Huang Mei glaring at her. She quickly shut up and changed the subject, "Alright, alright, I don't want it anymore. My eldest sister is also pitiful. Mom, look at you. I just said a few words in private, and you glared at me like this."
Huang Mei sighed, then said earnestly, "Youxian, Mom is just an old farmer who can't read or write. I don't know how to teach children, I just know to be nice to them. But I do understand some principles. Not all the good things in this family are yours. You are my child, and your eldest sister and the others are also my children. You have been educated, so you should know better."
Zhu Youxian said impatiently: "I know, Mom, I was wrong."
Huang Mei didn't say anything more after hearing that. After taking another sip of water, she got up and went back to the fields to weed. Forget it, she didn't know how to teach her. A few days ago, Yourong's words made her sleepless for several nights. She always felt that she had delayed the children's development. Maybe the old man was right, and she couldn't spoil the younger ones like this anymore. In the past, he always felt that the older ones had suffered, and now that life was better, he couldn't let the younger ones suffer again. Who knew that the ones he raised would be so unsatisfied. It's okay now, but what will happen if she goes to someone else's house in the future? Will she be unable to bear it and come back to blame herself? Thinking of this, she called Zhu Youxian again, "Youxian, you are older now, and it's time for you to help with some housework. While you are on vacation, go into the kitchen more often and learn from your sister-in-law."
Upon hearing this, Zhu Youxian became more and more annoyed. She waved her hands and said, "Mom, I'm very busy with schoolwork now. I'm going to be a senior in high school soon. I don't have time to cook. Let's talk about it after I'm done with the college entrance examination. Okay, I'm going back to read." After that, she ran away.
In summer, the thatch on the ridges of the fields grows like crazy, especially in dry land, where it reaches waist-high. A single trip to the edge of the field leaves Zhu Youxian's arms covered in red marks. As she used a stick to pull the grass aside, she thought bitterly, "I don't want to cook. The kitchen in summer is like a steamer; you'll stink after a while." And to save firewood, they can't use more water. It sounds nice, but why isn't Seventh Brother allowed in the kitchen? It's just gender bias.
As she walked, she somehow arrived at the backyard of Zhu Youliang's house. Looking through the gate, she saw Zhu Yourong taking care of the rabbits. Looking at the fat rabbits, she couldn't help swallowing.
"Sister." She called out before entering the yard.
"Youxian, are you going to bring water to Mom?" Zhu Yourong asked, looking up. She had originally planned to go weed, but Huang Mei had advised her to stay home and take care of herself, saying it would be best to get married and have a child so that they could truly live together.
"I heard from my mother that she found another one for you, so I thought of coming over to ask." Zhu Youxian said as he looked down at the two rabbits.
"Well, you know this guy too. He's Brother Guangzhong." Ever since Zhu Yourong's marriage was finalized, her heart had settled down. She had become much gentler, no longer as prickly as before. Although she tried hard to hide her prickliness, it still pricked people.
Zhu Youxian nodded. "Then I'm relieved. Brother Guangzhong is a good person. He will definitely be right this time. Sister, I said some things to you earlier that I shouldn't have said. Just treat them as nonsense and don't take them to heart. I'm sorry. I know I'm selfish, but I really don't have any bad intentions."
Zhu Yourong looked at her in surprise. "It's okay. I don't blame you. You're still young, so it's normal for you not to understand. There are many things that don't make sense."
Upon hearing this, Zhu Youxian happily took her arm and said, "Big sister, this rabbit is so cute, can you give me one?"
Zhu Yourong stiffened for a moment. "No, these rabbits were caught by Ah Tong. She loves them so much that she cuts grass to feed them every day."
"Children have short memories, and there are several of them here. Big sister, are you still angry with me?" Zhu Youxian said as she let go of her hand.
Zhu Yourong was feeling embarrassed when several children suddenly ran over and said, "Auntie, these are my rabbits, don't give them to me." Tongtong bent his knees and took all the rabbits into his arms.
Zhu Youxian ignored him and said to Zhu Xingtong with a smile: "A Tong, as long as you are willing to give me a rabbit, I will buy you a hair flower next time I come back from the city. You see, you have so many rabbits, how about giving one to my aunt?"
"No." Zhu Xingtong flatly refused.
Zhu Youxian was about to speak when Liang Yuan came over. "I was wondering why the backyard was so lively. It turns out my little sister is here. Why didn't you sit in the front yard?"
If there was anyone in the family who spoiled her the least, it would definitely be Liang Yuan. She was even more spoiled than herself, so it was a wonder she could be spoiled. Having failed to get the rabbit, Zhu Youxian didn't want to stay any longer. She smiled and said, "I have to go back and help my sister-in-law cook, so I won't sit down." With that, she left through the backyard.
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