Another large sinus responded to him. Huang Mancang looked at him seriously and said, "You should have at least some respect for your parents."
Huang Xiaoqiang was speechless. Now he felt that his mother had hit him well, and even that she had been a little too lenient.
Grandma Wu glanced around and noticed Huang Xiaofu wasn't there. She knew exactly where he was without even thinking. Just as she was thinking of him, Huang Xiaofu's voice suddenly came from outside the door.
"Mom, I'm back."
Gently pushing open the door and peeking out, he was startled by Huang Xiaoqiang's bruised and swollen face on the ground. "Fourth Brother, what happened to you?"
Old Mrs. Wu snorted coldly, feigning ignorance.
"If you don't want to come in, then don't." Huang Xiaofu immediately stepped through the door, closed it, held his breath, and stood still, all in one smooth motion.
When everyone was present, Old Mrs. Wu slowly spoke, first addressing Huang Xiaoqiang, who had gotten up from the ground, "Tomorrow, I will process your withdrawal from school. From now on, you won't need to attend high school anymore."
In her past life, she always thought that the fourth brother was a good student, but she never expected that he was skipping classes and hanging out in the underworld. He had a sworn brother who beat someone up, pushed him out to take the blame, and promised to give him a large sum of money after he got out.
She only found out after the incident, but it was too late. She was young and had a criminal record that would affect her children and grandchildren.
After he got out, he complained that she hadn't forced him to drop out of school, which led him to go astray.
Upon hearing this, the whole family was shocked, and Huang Xiaoqiang was stunned. "Withdraw? Withdraw from school?" After recovering, he vehemently objected, "I'm doing well in my studies, why should I be withdrawn? I won't withdraw!"
Old Mrs. Wu frowned at his loud voice and was about to raise her hand to pick her ear when Huang Xiaoqiang's voice suddenly lowered, "Mom, I won't back down."
Old Mrs. Wu sneered, "You won't pay? Do you even understand your studies? You hang out with a bunch of thugs on the street all day, skipping classes every few days. Do you think I don't know?"
Huang Xiaoqiang seemed to have his throat suddenly choked, unable to utter another word.
Huang Mancang was also educated, so he naturally understood the principles of studying and being a good person. However, understanding is one thing, and being able to put them into practice is another. He had four sons, the worst of whom graduated from high school, and none of them even graduated from junior high school.
After much deliberation, seeing her fourth son's pitiful look, she finally mustered the courage to speak up for him, "Honey, he'll be a junior in high school this fall, and he'll graduate in two more years. Besides, he's still young. What else is he going to do if he doesn't study? What do you think...?"
Grandma Wu didn't look at him, but asked the silent Huang Xiaoqiang, "Now you can take the worker exam with just a junior high school education. You didn't study hard in high school and just wasted your days. Do you think that's fun?"
Huang Xiaoqiang remained silent, and Wu Laotai's words were a tacit response to Huang Mancang's words.
Seeing his expression, Old Lady Wu suddenly remembered Huang Xiaofu's words from her past life and abruptly gave up on lecturing him. "Whatever, it's your own business to decide. I won't force you."
Seeing Wu's state, Huang Xiaoqiang felt a sudden panic, thinking about the elder brother he had just sworn brother to, and his mind was in turmoil.
The other three brothers stood obediently to one side. As soon as Old Mrs. Wu's gaze fell on them, Huang Xiaoguo spoke first, "Mom, don't worry, I'll go pick Huijun up in a little while."
Grandma Wu nodded. "There's one more thing. You and your third son are both married. There's no reason for you to still have to support your wives and children at home."
Huang Xiaoguo and Huang Xiaomin were taken aback. Were they being asked to go out and find work? The two looked unwilling. They were living a carefree life at home, eating and sleeping, and going out for walks whenever they had nothing to do. It was like living the life of a god. Suddenly having to go out and earn money to support their family, how much hardship would they have to endure?
"Mom, but there are no vacancies anywhere. Where are we supposed to look?"
Old Mrs. Wu's temple throbbed, and she suppressed her restless hand. "How come you didn't know if you didn't go out to look for them?"
"Mom..." The two brothers tried to resist, but Old Mrs. Wu slapped them back down. "If you say another word, take your wives and children and move out!"
The two brothers covered their faces and lowered their heads, looking aggrieved.
Huang Xiaofu, who was left behind, stared blankly as Wu Laotai walked up to him. "Mom... I work in a food processing plant, and I earn twenty yuan a month."
Grandma Wu didn't speak, staring straight at him before finally saying, "You've been working at the food processing plant for about six months now, haven't you?"
"Yes...I think so."
Grandma Wu nodded slowly, "Alright, you said before that you wanted to marry Miao Fengying, didn't you?"
Upon hearing Miao Fengying's name, Huang Xiaofu's eyes lit up. "Yes, Mom, you!"
Grandma Wu raised her hand to stop him, and only continued after he stopped talking, "From now on, you can keep five yuan for pocket money, and give the rest to me."
Huh? Huang Xiaofu was stunned. Why would his mother want to charge him money out of the blue?
"Why?"
Grandma Wu remained calm and said, "The son is responsible for the father's debts. Your father is in debt, shouldn't you do your part?"
"I think so."
Huang Xiaofu glanced hesitantly at Huang Mancang, his remaining fatherly affection supporting him as he replied with a weak "yes".
Turning her head, she thought of Miao Fengying and hurriedly said, "But I still need..."
"I know." Old Mrs. Wu waved her hand. "I'll save the remaining five yuan for your future wife."
Five dollars? How long would it take to save that up?
He was a little unhappy at the moment, "Miao Fengying's mother is asking for a dowry of three hundred, how long would it take me to save up that?"
Seeing her other brothers, a thought struck her. "How about Mom doesn't take my money yet? Let my older brothers go out and earn money for you first. I'll keep my own for later..."
Before he could finish speaking, a loud slap landed on his face.
"How dare you say that!"
When Old Mrs. Wu saw his face, she lost all interest in arguing with him, and her waist, which had been perfectly fine, suddenly started to ache terribly.
As if utterly exhausted, she slumped back into her chair. "In these past six months, have you saved a single penny?"
Seeing his mother's disappointed look, Huang Xiaofu's initial displeasure vanished instantly. "No."
As soon as he finished speaking, Huang Xiaofu realized that he hadn't saved a single penny in the past six months. If he had left the money with Old Lady Wu, he might have been able to save it much faster.
Besides, what parents wouldn't contribute to their son's wedding?
Then he can pester Old Lady Wu and Huang Mancang, and then he'll have the money to get married.
After figuring it out, Huang Xiaofu, who had been slapped, was not angry at all, but happily handed over his salary for the month.
This action left Huang Xiaoguo and Huang Xiaomin, who had just been looking angry, completely stunned.
Was the second brother beaten senseless?
Grandma Wu calmly accepted the red and green banknotes on the table, but there were only ten yuan in her hand.
Old Mrs. Wu paused, too lazy to argue any further, and simply waved her hand, "I've already told you everything, so get out and don't get in my way."
The four brothers either went back inside or went out.
Huang Mancang was left standing there, looking completely lost.
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