Seeing the sun rising above the treetops, Ling Yao packed up and prepared to go home.
He carefully packed the toffee, boiled eggs and books into his patched yellow schoolbag. In his left hand he grabbed a handful of green onions that he had picked on the hillside that morning, and in his right hand he held a long branch to drive the pigs.
Drive the pigs back to the stilt house and lock them in the pigsty.
The pigpen is right below the stilt house, in the space supported by pillars.
When they first settled down in Fengming Mountain, the family of three felt very uncomfortable. The living environment was so dirty and smelly. Who would sleep in a pigsty? But after living here for a few years, I'm now completely used to it.
Considering that many people lived in cow sheds after being sent down to the countryside, living here is considered good.
This stilt house is a house in the village, but it was not originally used for living. Instead, it was used to raise livestock, store food and store some agricultural tools. When their family of three came, the captain simply cleared out a room for them to stay in.
One room, where a family of three eats, drinks and sleeps.
Ling Yao closed the door of the pigpen and walked up the wooden stairs to the stilt house. As usual, after entering the house, he put down his schoolbag, turned around and scooped a bowl of rice from the wooden bucket. Pour the rice into a winnowing basket and shake it to remove the rice bran, which should be swept up to feed the chickens.
Put the cleaned rice into a basin, rinse it, and then pour it into the pot to steam the rice.
Ling Yao would not do these things when in the city. After arriving at Fengming Mountain, I gradually learned all kinds of housework in order to help my parents share the pressure. He does everything very well, including washing clothes, cooking, raising pigs and chickens.
After the rice was steamed, he carefully washed the wild onions he had picked, not even throwing away the roots. He washed the roots until they were white and free of mud. He then cut them into half-inch long pieces with a knife and poured some of the pickle sauce on top.
After mixing the wild onions and sauce, father Ling Zhiyuan and mother Zhou Xueyun just got home from work.
Ling Yao served the meal, and Ling Zhiyuan and Zhou Xueyun washed their hands and sat down to eat.
Ling Yao picked up the chopsticks but didn't eat. He suddenly stretched out his left hand and placed two eggs and a candy on the table.
Seeing the eggs and toffee, Zhou Xueyun was stunned for a moment, then looked at Ling Yao and asked, "Where did they come from?"
Ling Yao said: "The girl I rescued yesterday was sent here."
Zhou Xueyun turned to look at Ling Zhiyuan and replied after a moment: "Oh."
She looked like she didn't know what to say, and then she said, "Then you eat it."
Ling Yao placed the eggs in front of Ling Zhiyuan and Zhou Xueyun respectively, "You have worked hard, you eat."
Ling Zhiyuan didn't want it and put it directly in front of Ling Yao, "You and mommy eat it."
There were two eggs and a piece of candy, but no one in the family wanted to eat it and they argued for a long time. Finally, it was decided that Ling Zhiyuan and Zhou Xueyun would eat the boiled eggs, and Ling Yao would eat the candy, and there would be no more doubts.
Zhou Xueyun sat at the table cracking eggs, breaking them and peeling them, then suddenly said in a calm voice: "Our family background is not good, and people look down on us wherever we go. It's better to have fewer contacts, because too many people will gossip and rumors will arise."
Ling Yao knew that his father ended up here because he was too outspoken in his dealings with others.
When his father first came, he was still handsome, but after these years of wasting time, he seemed to have aged by more than ten years, and was as dark as a country boy. He used to love to talk a lot, but now he doesn't like to talk anymore and sometimes he's like a piece of wood.
Ling Yao pinched the chopsticks and swallowed the rice in his mouth, "Hmm."
There were nine people from three generations at the Ruan family’s dining table, and they were crowded together.
After one night and half a day, Ruan Xi had almost adapted to this new home. She couldn't take care of other things. She was thinking about becoming a disciple first, so she asked her grandmother Liu Xinghua while eating: "Grandma, is there only one tailor on our Fengming Mountain?"
Liu Xinghua said: "Yes, an old tailor, in the Jinguan Village down below."
Second Aunt Sun Xiaohui was very sensitive and quickly asked, "Xiaoxi, why are you asking this? Do you want to make clothes? We don't have money to buy cloth. The clothes you sent are so fashionable. Our old tailor can't make those styles."
Ruan Xi didn't argue with her, she ate the rice and shook her head, "I don't want to make clothes, I want to learn how to make clothes."
Hearing this, everyone at the table was stunned and looked at Ruan Xi.
Grandpa Ruan Zhigao asked in confusion: "Want to learn how to make clothes?"
If he remembered correctly, his granddaughter couldn't even sew well.
Ruan Xi nodded, "I have to learn some skills."
Ruan Zhigao said, "Why learn it? What kind of skills does a girl need? Your family doesn't need you to make money. You can learn needlework well and stay at home for a few more years. Then you can find a husband and get married. Don't look for work for nothing."
Ruan Xi felt subconsciously uncomfortable when she heard this, but she did not rebuke Ruan Zhigao, after all, he was her grandfather.
In a small and somewhat self-willed tone, she bit the rice on the tip of her chopsticks and said, "I just want to make trouble."
Ruan Zhigao looked at Ruan Xi, "Are you still arguing with me?"
Ruan Xi still said in the same tone, "You can't control me. I will study if I want to."
Ruan Zhigao was obviously a little angry, but he didn't say anything harsh. His expression and tone suddenly changed, and he said, "You want to learn the craft from an old tailor, right? I won't stop you. Just go ahead and see if he will accept you."
When it comes to the old tailor, there is a lot of gossip to be said. Second Aunt Sun Xiaohui became excited and continued, "Xiaoxi, don't you know? The old tailor is not a normal person. He has never married a wife in his life. Do you know why?"
Ruan Xi searched the memory in his head, but found nothing relevant, so he asked, "Why?"
Sun Xiaohui said, "When he was young, he was very handsome and had a skill. He had no problem finding a wife because many girls liked him. But he had a weird personality and couldn't get along with anyone, so he stayed single. You are just asking for trouble if you ask him to teach you a skill."
Liu Xinghua added: "He wanted to find a beautiful woman, and if he couldn't find one, he didn't want a wife."
After hearing this, Ruan Xi said, "You are quite principled. If you can't find someone you like and are satisfied with, what's the point of making do? It's better not to get married. If I can't find a man I like and am satisfied with, I won't get married."
Liu Xinghua glared at her and said, "You're talking nonsense."
Second uncle Ruan Changgui put down his bowl and said, "We are very popular as tailors here. Many people go to old tailors to learn the craft, but none of them succeed. Xiaoxi, you were not born to do this job, so don't think you can do it."
Ruan Xi looked at Ruan Changgui, "The more he says he is great, the more I can't do it. Then I have to go and meet him."
Ruan Zhigao snorted, "I won't turn back until I hit the wall."
Ruan Changsheng was not serious. He suddenly slapped the table and said, "Don't cry until you see the coffin!"
Ruan Zhigao raised his hand and hit him on the head, "You idiot!"
Ruan Yuejin, Ruan Yuehua and Ruan Jie watched Ruan Changsheng being beaten every day and laughed out loud.
After dinner, Ruan Xi took the initiative to wash the pots and dishes. After she was done, she went to Liu Xinghua and said to her with a smile: "Grandma, can I borrow the half basket of eggs at home? I will pay you back when I learn the craft and make some money."
She was going to find the old tailor to become his apprentice, and she would definitely bring a gift. There is a supply and marketing cooperative in two or three villages in Fengming Mountain, but there is basically nothing for sale there. It is difficult to buy some sugar. The only things that can be given away are eggs laid by the old hens at home.
Liu Xinghua glanced at her and asked, "Do you really want to learn?"
She still felt that Ruan Xi was just impulsive and had a short-lived enthusiasm. After all, Ruan Xi couldn't even do needlework well and she hated doing it the most. He suddenly said he wanted to learn how to make clothes. Is this not a joke?
Besides, the old tailor had a very strange personality and was difficult to get along with. Others couldn't learn the craft from him, let alone Ruan Xi. Not only can I not learn the skills, but I also have to endure his troubles and add a lot of things to it. It's really not worth it.
Ruan Xi had already made up his mind and nodded: "Yes!"
Liu Xinghua looked into Ruan Xi's eyes and said after a moment: "If you are serious, grandma won't stop you."
Ruan Xi raised his hand and swore, "I will definitely learn something!"
Liu Xinghua hesitated for a while, then finally breathed a sigh of relief, "Then you can take it."
Ruan Xi kissed Liu Xinghua heavily on the face, "Thank you, grandma."
Liu Xinghua laughed out loud when she was kissed by her, and said "naughty" with great enjoyment.
She agreed not because she thought Ruan Xi could succeed, but because her parents were not around and she had always doted on Ruan Xi and spoiled her.
Ruan Xi was happy, but made others unhappy.
After hearing this, Sun Xiaohui, who was sitting in the corner, returned to her room and said to Ruan Changgui with a frown, "Xiaoxi casually said she wanted to learn how to make clothes, and we all thought it was just a joke. Who knew your mother would really give her all the eggs that the family had worked so hard to save, and let her find that old tailor to become his apprentice? Isn't this like throwing meat buns at a dog? How can she spoil her child so much? She's still a worthless girl!"
Ruan Changgui sat on the edge of the bed, not caring much about these things at home, and just said, "Just give it to me."
Sun Xiaohui was unhappy. She had been oppressed by her mother-in-law for more than ten years after marriage. Recently, she didn't want to be oppressed anymore and she also wanted to be the master of the house. Why does Liu Xinghua have the final say on all family affairs and is the one who makes the decisions on everything?
The anger that was pent up in her heart last night had not yet dissipated, and now there was another layer of blockage, making it almost impossible for her to breathe.
The idea of splitting up the family began to roar wildly in her mind again, so strong that it seemed to burst out of her brain.
She calmed herself down, sat down next to Ruan Changgui, looked at him and said in a calm tone, "Have you noticed that the food at home has been getting worse and worse recently? We are almost starving. There used to be two plates of hot dishes on the table, but now there is not even a drop of oil. I managed to save some eggs, but I didn't even eat a bite. I just gave them away as a gift."
Hearing this, Ruan Changgui touched his belly and said, "That's right. I've been feeling a bit lonely lately."
Sun Xiaohui deliberately sighed and said, "I think I can't live like this any longer."
Ruan Changgui turned to look at her, "What's the matter?"
Sun Xiaohui said, "You didn't realize that your mother has put away all her money recently and is planning to spend it all on Xiao Wuzi and Xiaoxi. Your parents are partial. They gave your eldest brother the opportunity to join the army so that you could stay at home and farm to support the family. Now, they favor Xiao Wuzi and Xiaoxi, but these two are good-for-nothings. One is idle and always makes trouble, while the other is spoiled and does whatever she wants. She can't even sew well, but she said she wanted to learn how to make clothes, and your mother really gave all the eggs to her."
Speaking of favoritism, Ruan Changgui felt a little angry but didn't say anything.
Sun Xiaohui continued, "What can she learn? She's just giving things away for free. That old tailor is the best at making things difficult for people. Many people who came to learn his craft threw things at him and didn't learn anything."
He moved his body and said, "Your mother is now planning to spend all the family money on the two prodigal sons. She doesn't plan for us. Don't you think we should plan for ourselves? Yuejin is already fifteen years old. Won't he need money to marry in a few years?"
Ruan Changgui was a soft-hearted person and was immediately shaken after hearing what Sun Xiaohui said.
Sun Xiaohui had a very shrewd plan in mind. All the money that her eldest son Ruan Changfu had sent back was spent at home, so her family got a good deal. They had good food and clothes and lived a comfortable life. So she didn't mention anything and let her mother-in-law Liu Xinghua oppress her.
Now Liu Xinghua has to save money for Ruan Changsheng's wedding. They usually live frugally, so not only can they not get any benefit, but they even have to pay back to the family. She was born with the mentality that she cannot suffer any loss, otherwise she will feel uncomfortable all over.
She thought to herself that Ruan Changsheng, that idle and prodigal son, should not have married, and it was even more of a joke that Ruan Xi was going to learn how to make clothes. These two are spendthrifts. Liu Xinghua is willing to spend money on them, but she is not willing to pay them back and let them get away with it.
When Ruan Changsheng gets married and his wife has children, the family will have more people, and they will probably have to continue to spend money to support the whole family. So for them, the sooner they separate the better. If they could get rid of Ruan Changsheng and Ruan Xi, two burdens that only ruin the family, with the work points they earn, the family of five would be able to live better than they do now, or at least eat better.
Ruan Changgui understood what Sun Xiaohui meant. They had talked about splitting up the family several times before. He pursed his lips and thought for a while, then said, "My eldest brother is not here, so I am the eldest son. My fifth son has not found a wife yet, so I should help support the family and help my parents share the hard work and pressure. My eldest brother also sends money back. If I mention dividing the family now, won't people point at my spine and scold me?"
Sun Xiaohui said in a serious tone: "I don't want to endure it anymore. This matter must be resolved today. I am not afraid of being scolded. Let me be the bad guy."
She gritted her teeth and gathered her breath to make the decision, but Ruan Changgui didn't immediately understand what she meant.
The couple looked at each other for a moment. Sun Xiaohui's eyes, filled with resentment, became redder and redder, and her breathing became more and more rapid. Then she suddenly jumped up, as if she was extremely upset, and screamed at Ruan Changgui: "Get out! I'm going back to my parents' home now. Ruan Changgui, if you have the guts, don't beg me to come back! Why? I'm doing this for this family! For your two sons!"
After saying this, she rushed out the door with tears in her eyes and a red face.
Ruan Changgui was startled by her and was stunned for a moment, but he reacted quickly and soon understood Sun Xiaohui's intention.
Liu Xinghua heard the sound and went out of the house with Ruan Xi, only to see Sun Xiaohui running away with red eyes.
Seeing Ruan Changgui coming out of the house again, she asked with concern, "What's wrong?"
Ruan Changgui deliberately panted with a dark face, holding his waist with both hands, and said with a slightly poor acting: "Suddenly she yells that she wants to separate the family, let her go, I...I will not indulge her!"
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