Looking at her graduation certificate, Yan Xiaonan was overjoyed. She had the key to getting into university, and now everything was ready except for the final push. Once the college entrance examination came, she could take her family away from this place and head to a place of poetry and distant horizons.
Southwest sat dejectedly in the main room, caught in a dilemma. On one hand, there was his wife and job; on the other hand, there was the allure of the big city. Neither was a good choice.
On the day Yan Daqiang left, Grandma Yan told Southwest the good news and told him to make a careful choice. Southwest was very happy to hear this. He had been wanting to go to university for a long time and finally it had come to him.
But Tang Xiaoling disagreed: "Southwest, if you go to university, what will happen to me and Wu Jinban? I don't know many words, what can I do in a big city? And my parents are in Mushroom Village. They are getting old and there is no one to take care of them. How can I feel at ease?"
Southwest wanted to say something more, but Tang Xiaoling continued, "And our jobs, we both bought them with money. Your permanent job costs 350 yuan, and mine costs 100 yuan. If you give them up like this, you might be willing to give them up, but I'm not."
Southwest opened her mouth as if to say something, but in the end it turned into a sigh. Yes, even if you get into university, you still have to make a living. She and her mother have already separated their households. Does she expect to rely on them to support her when she goes to the city?
My son, Wu Jinban, eats at his mother's house most of the time. Apart from giving her money for her retirement and occasionally buying her some food, toys, and school supplies in town, I haven't done anything else for her. I already feel guilty towards my family. Sigh, maybe I should just give up the exam.
Just as Southwest was lost in thought, Tang Xiaoling delivered some news that completely extinguished his dream of going to university.
"Southwest, come with me to the hospital tomorrow at noon. I think I'm pregnant. I hope it's a girl this time, a girl like Nan Nan."
Southwest nodded. If it really is a daughter, a daughter like Nan Nan, then so be it. She can just go to work and earn money to support her family. That's fine too.
Southwest came to the main room and told Grandma Yan and Nannan, "Grandma, Nannan, I'm not taking the exam anymore. Xiaoling is pregnant, and I have to take care of them."
Grandma Yan nodded understandingly. Everyone has their own sky above them, and no one else can interfere.
Yan Xiaonan felt a little sorry that Southwest had given up an opportunity to make a career for himself, but then she thought it was for the best. Southwest was too honest and was not suitable for venturing out into the world. If it were North South, she would definitely have persuaded him to stay.
On the 28th of the year, Dongnan returned with Xuemei. This time, Dongnan also received some news, but it was all hearsay and he was not sure about it. So he decided to come back and ask Nannan.
Xuemei laughed at Dongnan for being such a grown man, still asking Yan Xiaonan for instructions on everything, wondering who the older brother and younger sister were, and whether they should switch identities. Yan Dongnan nodded in agreement, saying that if they could switch identities, he would be an ant in a honey pot.
Xuemei also agreed that Nannan was extremely important to the Yan family. Putting aside the changes in the family's circumstances over the past ten years, even her own son, Liujin, seemed to be more like Nannan's younger brother than her own, always clinging to her and refusing to leave.
She even shamelessly declared, "If Mom and Dad hadn't had my little sister, I would never have gone back." Grandma Yan was delighted and agreed wholeheartedly, and Yan Xiaonan also raised both hands in agreement.
Southeast left, Southwest got married, and North South went nowhere. The house was too quiet. Having a little one around to make noise and cause trouble was better than being lonely. Now that there's another five and a half pounds, the house is even more lively. Even Zhongzi has become more energetic and no longer hides in South South's room to sleep.
Grandma Yan's constant calling was so loud it gave me a headache. She would miss the two children if she didn't see them for a day, so she simply let them stay in the old courtyard, eating and sleeping together. Of course, Wu Jin Ban slept in his own room at night.
Xuemei touched her belly and sighed. Liujin was already nine years old and would be ten after the New Year, but there was no sign of anything happening in her belly. Not to mention a little sister, she didn't even have a little egg.
Southeast smiled good-naturedly and said, "Children are all celestial spirits, and they are choosing their own parents, so there's no need to rush. When the time is right, they will naturally come together."
The two packed their belongings. Southeast even brought a large duffel bag, which was filled with things for Grandma, her parents, and Nannan, as well as new clothes for that ungrateful little Liujin.
The two arrived home, travel-worn. Liu Jin, the little rascal, rushed over and exclaimed, "Dad, Mom, you're finally here! I missed you so much! If you hadn't come, I would have asked Auntie to take me to find you!"
Southeast snorted coldly: "If you miss us, then come back with us in a few days."
Liu Jin's heart skipped a beat, and he quickly moved away from the southeast, throwing himself into Xue Mei's arms. Xue Mei hugged Liu Jin tightly: "You heartless little thing, do you really miss us or are you just imagining us?"
Liu Jin rolled his eyes, not daring to answer rashly, worried that if he gave the wrong answer, his parents would catch him and take him back.
Yan Xiaonan looked at this drama queen and didn't know whether to laugh or cry. She said to Grandma Yan, "Grandma, let's play a trick on Liu Jin and see if he still dares to act."
Grandma Yan agrees. This little devil, that's right, this drama queen, needs to be taught a lesson. Otherwise, she'll think she's invincible and can fool everyone in the world. What an arrogant fool.
"Six Jin, your parents are here. Go back with them after the New Year. Grandma can't afford to raise you anymore." Grandma Yan was quite theatrical, her face clearly showing the sorrow of not being able to support her grandchildren.
Yan Xiaonan swallowed hard. The title of "drama queen" should belong to Grandma, right? An old drama queen has raised a little drama queen, it's really true.
Liu Jin was stunned. What happened to his great-grandmother? Was she sick? He quickly pushed Xue Mei aside and ran to Grandma Yan. He held Grandma Yan's head in his hands and looked her over carefully from all angles. Grandma Yan was inwardly groaning. She had set a trap for herself.
Sure enough, after the examination, Liu Jin stood on the heated kang and loudly announced, "Great-grandmother is sick. I want to stay here to take care of her. No one can take me away. Otherwise, they will be unfilial."
Southeast's hands had been clenching and unclenching repeatedly. Xuemei looked at this and that, her face turning a deep red. "Never mind," she thought, "I'll go to the kitchen and help my mother cook."
Yan Xiaonan covered her face. "Wise Grandma, how could you lose to this little rascal?" Grandma Yan was also angry. "This boy is too clever." The more she thought about it, the angrier she became. She picked up the pipe from the kang (a heated brick bed) and wanted to whip Liu Jin's bottom.
Seeing this, Liu Jin immediately shouted, "Dad, I told you Grandma was sick! She keeps hitting me for no reason. I have to stay and take good care of Grandma and make her happy!"
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