“Your life isn’t easy, look at what you eat, what you wear, and what your two children wear and use. Isn’t everything provided by the Yan family? You’re still not satisfied. Even if Nan Nan gives you the opportunity, do you have the money to do it?” Tang Jianjun’s voice began to rise.
"What do we need money for as a family? Dad, really, I don't understand what you're thinking." Tang Xiaoling's voice softened as she remembered what Southwest had said about not having money to invest.
"Dad, I think I should go back to my hometown. Wu Jinban still needs to go to school, and it's not convenient for Mom and me to live here." Tang Xiaoling wanted to go home. Surely he wouldn't divorce her if she went back to her hometown in the southwest.
"Okay, I'll take you back. I'm going home to farm too." Tang Jianjun had made up his mind. He wouldn't come out again after this trip, regardless of whether Tang Xiaoling got a divorce or not.
"Master, open the door, it's Southwest." A knocking sound came from outside.
Tang Jianjun was overjoyed. Today was the first day of the Lunar New Year, and the fact that Southwest was willing to come see him proved that he still cared about his master.
"Southwest, come in quickly." Tang Jianjun hurriedly opened the door.
The smell of noodles filled the air, and Southwest regretted forgetting to bring dumplings. She placed the food on another bunk bed and bowed to Tang Jianjun, saying, "Happy New Year, Master and Mistress."
Both of them reached out to stop them, and Tang's mother asked, "Southwest, have you had breakfast? Would you like me to make you a bowl of noodles?"
Southwest shook his head: "Thank you, Master's wife. I came today to wish you both a Happy New Year. Also, Nannan said she wants you to stay at the furniture factory. I don't know if you'd be willing."
Tang Jianjun had no desire to leave. He loved the life of a carpenter and could earn so much money; only a fool would want to go back.
But if the two get divorced, wouldn't it be very awkward for me to be here?
“Master, whether Tang Xiaoling and I get divorced or not, you are you, she is she, and I will be taking the college entrance exam next year. Wu Jinban will also be studying in our hometown. You can stay here without worry, Master’s wife. I’m entrusting Wu Jinban to you. I will come back before the college entrance exam this year.”
Tang's mother felt much better upon hearing this. She understood that Southwest was worried that Wu Jinban was having a hard time back home and probably wouldn't get a divorce for the time being. That was good, even if it was only temporary. It was an opportunity, in case Xiaoling changed for the better.
Tang Jianjun knew perfectly well that if Southwest got into university, the divorce was inevitable, because his daughter was too easily swayed.
Let's just get a divorce. It'll save me from being caught in the middle and pleasing neither side. While I'm still healthy and have good skills, I should earn more money for retirement. The idea of relying on children for old age is just a fairy tale.
Tang Xiaoling looked at Xinan eagerly. When she heard Xinan say that he would return to Mushroom Village before the college entrance examination, she was overjoyed. Just as she was about to speak, Xinan spoke up:
"Master and Mistress, I'll be going now. Let me know when you're going back, and I'll bring you the five and a half catties."
"Why don't you finish your meal before you leave?" Tang Jianjun urged.
Southwest smiled and shook his head, then turned and left without glancing at Tang Xiaoling once. Tang Xiaoling's enthusiasm instantly turned to ice, and she looked at Southwest's retreating figure with disappointment in her eyes.
Southwest left quickly, feeling much more relaxed. If he could get a divorce sooner, he would be willing to spend some money each month to support Tang Xiaoling, but he felt that listening to North South was the right thing to do.
Grandma Yan was also a little worried at home. Southwest was honest but not good with words, and she would definitely suffer if they got into an argument. She hoped that this New Year's visit would go safely and that he would return safely.
Hearing a soft knock at the door, Grandma Yan quickly looked towards the entrance and saw that it was indeed Southwest returning. She was relieved and asked, "Southwest, are you alright?"
"Grandma, it's alright. I left my master here. When my master's wife goes back, I'll have her take Wu Jin and a half with her."
"Dad, I don't want to go back, I want to stay here." Wu Jinban ran out as soon as he heard the voice, without even putting on his coat.
Southwest picked up Wu Jinban in one scoop and went into the side room with his grandmother: "Wu Jinban, my good boy, I'll try my best to get into university next year so you can study here with me. Otherwise, you won't be able to go to school, and that won't do."
"Dad, can I come here to study next year?" Wu Jinban asked eagerly.
"Dad will do his best to get into university, and you should also try your best to learn academic knowledge so that you won't fall behind when you come here to study." Southwest could only promise to do his best, and as for whether he could get into university, that was up to fate.
Grandma Yan sighed inwardly. Her precious child had said that the first year after the resumption of the college entrance examination was the easiest, and it would get harder every year after that. She hoped that Southwest could pass the exam, otherwise he would really never be able to get rid of his peasant identity.
Seeing that it was getting late, Southwest went into the kitchen. There were still many dumplings left from the morning, as well as glutinous rice balls and other things. Southwest cooked the dumplings, made some rice vinegar, and had lunch with the milk and the children.
After dinner, the children and their grandmother went to sleep, and Southwest picked up his textbook and began to read. The entire courtyard was quiet, but the quiet did not last long, as there was a knock on the gate.
Southwest hurriedly put down his book and went to open the door. It turned out that Xu Da and some colleagues from the security department had come to wish him a Happy New Year. Southwest quickly invited them to sit down in the living room and made them some hot tea.
As soon as Xu Da stepped into the warm and welcoming place, he felt relaxed all over, and the hot water made him feel a little tired.
"How's work these past few days? Thanks for your hard work," Southwest asked with concern.
"I have people on duty 24 hours a day, don't worry, things will be fine once we start work in a couple of days."
Southwest nodded. Orders are tight right now, and we were originally supposed to work overtime, but with the raw material supply so tight, we have to use it sparingly.
Ye Chen'er and Sheng Lijuan and a few others came over. They had been woken up by hunger. The kitchen in the second courtyard was just for show, so they had to come to Nan Nan's place to eat.
Sheng Lijuan expertly cooked some glutinous rice balls and dumplings. When Xu Da and the others saw them, their stomachs rumbled. Xinan felt a little ashamed, realizing he had forgotten to ask them if they had eaten.
To make up for his mistake, Southwest quickly told Ai Dang to set up a round table and then went to the kitchen to bring out dumplings and glutinous rice balls.
Xu Da and his companions weren't interested in glutinous rice balls, but their eyes lit up when they saw dumplings. They picked up their chopsticks and started eating. You see, the fillings that Cuihua made were all top-quality. They ate until their stomachs were full, but they still didn't want to put their bowls down.
Grandma Yan secretly thought, "Cuihua doesn't need to embroider and make clothes anymore; she can become a chef."
Southeast and Xuemei returned, Cuihua returned, and finally Nannan and the others returned, making the courtyard lively again. Xiaolu, who originally wanted to hide in the small wooden house, saw Yan Xiaonan and ran over feeling wronged.
A subtle aura of mountain spirit entered the deer's body from Yan Xiaonan, and the deer's grievances vanished in an instant. It affectionately nuzzled Yan Xiaonan and returned to its wooden house.
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