94. 094 Planning
According to the enrollment date on the admission notice, there are only half a month left before school starts, not even counting the time spent on the road. Su Yu immediately began to deal with her personal matters.
"Congratulations!" Qiu Fuli said. He hadn't heard anything from her for so long and thought she hadn't passed the exam. He was startled when he heard she was resigning. He quickly congratulated her, "That's great. Going out and seeing the big city is good." He was at a loss for words. He wasn't much older than Su Yu and had always stayed in the orchard in this small town. He hadn't felt anything before, but now that his colleagues had silently left, he felt a little uneasy. He felt like the orchard caretaker who had been left behind after being selected.
“You’ll all go out and see the world someday.” Su Yu could see his disbelief, but she didn’t say much more. Time would tell.
“I don’t know what’s wrong with us. None of the young kids passed the exam, and even the older ones have all left. He Qing left too,” he sighed.
"Where did she go for the exam? What about her two children? Will she take them with her?" Su Yu asked.
Qiu Fuli shook his head, "She didn't say anything. She was probably afraid that Liu Quan would come back and come looking for her. She didn't say anything, sold the house, and took the two girls away by train the next day."
This woman is truly ruthless. As soon as Liu Quan went to prison, she reported him, which resulted in him being unable to return for several years. Now that he has been admitted to university, she has sold off his house and private land, leaving Liu Quan with nothing. You might be wary of this kind of person, but you wouldn't look down on her. She raised two children on her own without ever complaining. Even with a bright future, she didn't abandon her children. She is a good mother.
"Impressive, a decisive person." Since he had already offended him, he might as well go all the way. Some women would hesitate in this situation, thinking that he was the father of their child and they should leave him a place to stay. Su Yu admired He Qing's actions.
"Well, Brother Qiu, I'm leaving now. I won't be coming back tomorrow." Su Yu was about to leave.
“Come visit us when you come back. You’ve worked here for six or seven years, so we’re practically family.” Qiu Fuli took out a red envelope from his pocket. “Here you go. You’re the first person from our orchard to get into university. This is a congratulatory gift from the orchard to express our gratitude.”
"Thank you, Brother Qiu. I'm so grateful to you and Brother Yu for taking care of me in the past. You've also given me this job opportunity. I'll come back to visit you when I have time off." Su Yu looked around the orchard. The branches were all covered with new buds. They've been here year after year. She accepted the red envelope and said sincerely, "I hope our orchard will be well and get better every year."
Su Yu said goodbye to Qiu Fuli and headed down the mountain, but Yu Yuan'an caught up with her. "Su sister, leave your address. If the fruit trees get sick and I can't fix them, I can ask you for advice."
"The address I leave now might not be accurate. I'll give you a more accurate address when I'm settled and come back during the summer vacation." Su Yu declined. She thought about He Qing's actions. If Liu Quan was still resentful when he came out and couldn't find He Qing, she would become his target for revenge. She didn't want to cause trouble for nothing.
"Goodbye, Brother Yu." She waved and continued down the mountain.
Xiao Yuan went to school safely, and she was all alone at home. Ning Jin switched shifts and is now driving long-distance trucks. He plans to take her to school when she starts her new semester.
Er Ya heard some noises next door. Not wanting to stay home and sit idly any longer, she dried her hands and said, "Xiao Hu, your second sister is at Aunt Su's house. You and your eldest sister play at home. If you need anything, just call out and I'll hear you." She glanced at Da Ya and winked at Xiao Hu.
"I understand, Second Sister. I've always played with Eldest Sister."
"Good boy." She patted her little brother's head and closed the door behind her when she left.
"Auntie." She called out from outside the door, and only pushed the door open after receiving a response from inside. As soon as she opened the door, Xiao Hua rushed over. Its mother dog was lying in the yard sunbathing, and only wagged her tail perfunctorily when she saw people passing by.
"Auntie, Xiao Hei and Xiao Hua must miss you terribly now that you're gone." She thought to herself, "I'll miss you too."
"I'll be back in the summer. The two of them should stay home and guard the house, helping me keep Xiao Yuan safe." Su Yu rubbed Xiao Hua's head, and Xiao Hei also got up and squeezed over. "You can't eat meat thrown in from outside at home, that'll kill you dogs." She tugged at the two dogs' ears and instructed them.
"Xiao Yuan and Ping An aren't coming back for lunch, what will they eat?" Er Ya asked, sitting to the side.
“After I leave, Xiao Yuan’s grandparents will move in. I’m worried about leaving Xiao Yuan and Ping An alone at home while Ping An’s dad is driving. I’ll have their grandparents move in so they can keep each other company.” Su Yu paused for a moment and said, “When that happens, please keep an eye on things at home for me. If my parents get sick or can’t walk, go to the logistics department of the cannery and find my older sister, Su Min.”
Er Ya nodded and agreed, but after a moment's hesitation, she revealed her plan: "Auntie, I want to go to school this fall. When I'm not home, I'll have my older sister look after me."
"Did your mom agree?" Su Yu asked instinctively.
"No, I haven't told my parents yet." Er Ya scratched her head in distress and sighed with worry: "I haven't figured out how to tell them yet. Anyway, I'm definitely going to school. I'll go no matter what. If she doesn't give me the tuition, I'll pay for it myself. I've saved up about twenty yuan, which is enough for two years of tuition."
This is the last resort. If Du Xiaojuan doesn't agree, she has a million ways to prevent Er Ya from finishing high school: lock her at home, cause trouble at school, find her a good husband... There's no such thing as a thousand days of guarding against a thief.
"Talk to your parents first, especially your dad. Only after you convince him can you focus on taking the college entrance exam."
Er Ya subconsciously shook her head, "My dad, my dad rarely talks to me, and he doesn't listen to me. A hundred of my words are not as good as one of Xiao Hu's."
Su Yu was silent for a while, then said, "I'll tell you a way. Think about it when you get back." She whispered to Er Ya, instructing her, "This is all to appease your parents. If you want a new life and want your parents to be able to control your future work and marriage, you must stay far away from home so they can't find you. Otherwise, the more successful you are, the tighter your parents will cling to you, and you'll be the one to support Da Bao, Er Bao, and their children in the future."
Seeing Er Ya's disgusted expression, she continued, "If you still have lingering feelings for your family, then you don't need me to tell you what to do next."
"No, I'm a complete mess myself. I've been a pitiful person for the past twenty years. If I don't seize this opportunity, I'll end up like my older sister. I don't want to raise Xiaohu like a son. Only when I stand up for myself can I help others."
Su Yu went inside, took out fifty yuan, handed it to Er Ya, and said, "I like ambitious children and admire people with a rebellious spirit. When I first helped you, you were still a timid girl. I am surprised and happy that you have changed so much. I really hope that you can get out of the mire and take control of your own life."
Er Ya's hands trembled slightly. She also hoped for a new life. She didn't take the roll of money and refused, saying, "I have enough money saved up for school, and maybe my mom will even pay my tuition."
"Take this, for emergencies. Having money gives you confidence. If you don't need it, just save it." Su Yu squeezed her hand and stuffed the money into her palm, comforting her, "Don't feel embarrassed. When you go to college, you'll find that lacking money is the easiest problem to solve. You'll have many fifty-yuan bills after you start working. Don't feel pressured. Just consider it a loan from me. You can pay me back in ten years."
"Thank you." Er Ya bit her lip, tears falling down her face. She said in a sobbing voice, "Auntie, if it weren't for you, I would be Er Ya after Daya."
Su Yu didn't think she had done much; Er Ya's personality change was due to her own efforts. "I just gave her some food, but it wasn't enough to fill her up every meal..."
“No, you’re different from other women. I envy Xiaoyuan’s peace of mind, and I want to be like you. You’re different from others.” Er Ya couldn’t explain any more. There are many women with jobs, but they are all different from her.
“I’m so glad to be your role model.” Su Yu admitted that Er Ya’s words satisfied her vanity. She had truly influenced a girl. “You will definitely be able to be like me in the future and become the person you like.” She encouraged her.
"Xiao Yuan will write to me when he's safe and sound. If you need anything, write to me too. Give the letter to Xiao Yuan and have him send it to me. I'll write back to you then," Su Yu promised.
"Okay." Er Ya wiped away her tears, feeling a little embarrassed. She grabbed Xiao Hua and rubbed her for a while, calming herself down a bit. She asked, "Auntie, is there anything you need to tidy up? I'll help you."
"No need, there's nothing to bring. It's cold in the Northeast, and our clothes won't be a problem. I'll buy new ones when I get there." Su Yu thought for a moment and picked out the clothes she had worn to the orchard for Er Ya. "These are older, so they won't stand out if you and Daya wear them. Your mother won't take them away."
"Mmm." Er Ya silently took it and hugged it to her chest. To prevent Aunt Su from returning the things to her, she got up to leave. Just then, Xiao Hu called her. She said, "Auntie, Xiao Hu is calling me. My sister must be going out again. I'm going back now."
"Okay, good luck. I'm waiting for you to get into university. If you have any difficulties, write to me. If you get sick or need money, contact Ping An's dad. I'll tell him."
"No, no." Er Ya hurriedly declined. Even though they had been neighbors for many years, she still didn't dare to speak much when she saw Ping An's father. He looked quite serious. "I'm perfectly healthy and won't get sick. I'm going back now." She hurried out the door.
"Sister, where are you going?" She saw Daya when she went out, immediately came back to reality, took Xiaohu's hand, and said reproachfully, "You said you liked Xiaohu, but how do you like him? You're practically dragging him on the ground."
"Don't talk nonsense." Daya glanced at Xiaohu cautiously and said guiltily, "I like Xiaohu the most."
"Little Tiger, do you believe it or not?" Er Ya asked as she walked home.
"I called to my older sister not to leave, but she ignored me." He looked at Daya with a pitiful expression.
"I'm not going to talk to you." Daya hurriedly explained, skipping after him into the house, obediently closing the door, and said with a smile, "Look, your older sister isn't going out; she'll stay home and play with you."
"Where were you going?" Er Ya wouldn't let her go.
"I...I haven't been out for a long time, I want to go back and visit." She couldn't lie, so she could only give a dejected answer.
I knew it. Er Ya used to get angry, but now she's used to it and doesn't feel much anymore. She took her older sister's hand and asked, "Do you want to have your own child?"
Da Ya immediately nodded.
"Then you should stay at home and not go looking for that man. You can stay home and take care of Xiaohu, do the laundry and cook, while I go out to earn money. Once I've earned money, I'll take you to see a doctor. After you're cured, you can marry a man who won't hit you and have your own children," Er Ya slowly persuaded.
"Really? You'll take me to get treatment?" Daya asked eagerly.
You have to listen to me.
“I will listen to you.” Daya stretched out her hand.
Er Ya rolled her eyes and made a pinky promise with her, then made a pinky promise with Xiao Hu, saying, "Xiao Hu, if you listen to your second sister, your second sister will always like you, buy you candy, and buy you new clothes."
"Eat meat."
"Okay, I'll buy you meat. What we're talking about today is a secret between the three of us. No one can tell any outsiders, or I'll have to go back on my word," Er Ya warned cautiously.
"I won't tell anyone, not even Dad," Xiao Hu said, leaning against his second sister.
“My little brother is so good.” Er Ya hugged him. She felt that the best thing her mother had ever done in her life was to give birth to Xiao Hu. “It’s a good thing you weren’t named Sanbao or Xiaobao, otherwise we would have been doomed.” She whispered with relief.
"Yeah, I don't like it either. Da Bao and Er Bao are both awful." He agreed with his second sister, but didn't forget to add insult to injury.
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