Chapter 85
After Liu Aiyun left, Xu Yuansheng and Xu Huaisheng rushed towards Gu Xi and grabbed her arms on either side.
Xu Yuansheng asked anxiously, "Big sister! What's wrong with your health?"
Xu Huaisheng, his eyes also brimming with tears, asked, "Big sister, you'll be alright, won't you?"
The two sisters were extremely anxious at this point, finally understanding why Gu Xi slept so late every day, why her face looked so pale, why she was so sensitive to the cold, and why Shen Mingzheng always carefully checked on her to see if she was cold or hungry whenever he was home...
All these events indicate that her health was not good and that she was not as healthy as the average person.
"It's alright." Gu Xi let them hug her and smiled at them. "I'm just taking care of my health. As long as I pay attention to it, I'll get better."
Her smile was free of gloom, peaceful and serene, making people unconsciously believe in her.
She was confident that she would recover, and after a few months, she felt much better.
The two sisters looked at her for a while and decided to believe her.
They were still very upset, and they knew without asking why her body was like this.
It must have been because they weren't raised properly from a young age. Not only did they often suffer from hunger, but they also had to work constantly, with endless chores, poor food and sleep... Under such circumstances, how could anyone be healthy?
Xu Yuansheng's eyes reddened as he said remorsefully, "Big sister, we didn't care about you enough before..."
My older sister has always been so thin, and she often felt dizzy and lightheaded after finishing work, needing a long time to recover. But she always forced herself to persevere and reassured them that she was fine. They actually believed her back then, never considering her actual health condition.
It's not that I believe it, but rather that I dare not think about it too much.
Xu Huaisheng pouted, feeling equally guilty that he hadn't cared enough about his eldest sister.
Gu Xi patted their heads, "You were all just kids before, what did you know? This has nothing to do with you. It's not like you didn't feed me or made me work, right?"
Even if she had any health problems before, she had no choice but to endure them.
That's how people in the countryside all live. It's not just her; many girls in the countryside aren't raised very well. Like her two younger sisters, they're thinner than the average girl.
-
Perhaps because they were suddenly informed of this, the two sisters were both very depressed.
In fact, Xu Yuansheng had long suspected something, but since her older sister didn't say anything, she could only suppress her suspicions. Now that she had finally confirmed her older sister's health condition, she was terrified, fearing that something might happen to Gu Xi.
In Xu Yuansheng's view, this was something the Xu family owed Gu Xi, a sin committed by the Xu family.
They were daughters of the Xu family, and thus indirectly harmed Gu Xi, which made them feel truly distressed.
Xu Yuansheng bit her lip, suppressing the bitterness in her heart, and said, "Big sister, you need to take good care of your health from now on. Eat whatever you want, and drink more chicken soup and fish soup; it's good for your health." She thought for a moment, "You can buy chicken from the nearby villagers. I remember Sister Ye and Sister Ma are from around here; you can ask them to help you find some..."
Soon she had an idea: how to get chickens without being seen as a speculator.
Having lived in the countryside for over a decade, she had seen a lot of things and knew how to handle situations without being reported. Moreover, she had two locals, Ye Fenghua and Ma Chunling, who had many options available.
Gu Xi smiled and said, "I know, I've been eating quite a lot lately."
Let Xu Yuansheng do what she wants. This younger sister has always been clever since she was little, always managing to get some food without anyone noticing and bring it back to share with her and Xu Huaisheng. It was also because of the food that Xu Yuansheng brought back that she was occasionally able to have a full meal.
At dinner, Xu Yuansheng and her sister kept putting food into Gu Xi's bowl, piling meat high in it.
"Big sister, eat more."
"You must take good care of your health. I hope my eldest sister lives to be a hundred years old."
The two sisters looked at Gu Xi expectantly, hoping she would finish eating.
In their minds, meat is a good thing, and the eldest sister should eat more meat.
Gu Xi reluctantly ate half of it, but in the end she couldn't eat anymore, so she shared the rest of the meat with them.
She has a poor appetite and doesn't eat much, so she can only eat small meals frequently.
After dinner, Xu Yuansheng and the others remembered the job that Liu Aiyun had mentioned.
"Big sister, your health isn't good, so you shouldn't go to work," Xu Yuansheng said. "Don't worry, I'll work hard to earn money to support you."
It seems she needs to take on more work so she can work later in the evenings.
Xu Huaisheng looked around and hesitated before saying, "Big sister, how about I quit my studies and give you your job spot? I'll go work and earn money to support you."
Gu Xi and Shen Mingzheng looked at the two sisters speechlessly.
It seems that learning about Gu Xi's poor health was a huge shock to them.
Shen Mingzheng felt that as the head of the family, he couldn't let his two sisters-in-law do this, otherwise they would treat him like he didn't exist and want to help him raise his wife.
He said, "I can support your eldest sister, and my salary can support my wife." Then he looked at Xu Huaisheng and said, "You are still young. Go to school after the New Year."
What can a child this age do if they don't study?
Xu Yuansheng and Xu Huaisheng looked at him, still somewhat in awe of their serious brother-in-law, and agreed verbally.
They were actually quite satisfied with their brother-in-law, mainly because he was really good to their eldest sister and could earn money. Their eldest sister said that he handed over all his salary to her, which showed that he was a good man.
But they also want to take care of their eldest sister. When they were younger, their eldest sister took care of them. Now that they've grown up, it's their turn to take care of their eldest sister.
Gu Xi said, "Huaisheng, you're still too young. It's illegal for you to go out and work; that's child labor. I'm planning to give this job to Sister-in-law Ye." As she said this, she looked at Shen Mingzheng, "Big brother, what do you think?"
The two are husband and wife. No matter what happens between them, they should discuss it and make decisions together. Only in this way can the relationship last.
Shen Mingzheng said, "It's up to you to decide."
He has always supported her decisions, and the family doesn't need her to go out to work and earn money. Right now, the priority is to get her health back. Even if she misses this job opportunity, he believes she'll find better opportunities in the future. She's still young; there's no rush.
Seeing that he didn't object, Gu Xi smiled.
This was the candidate that came to mind when we learned that she also had a job opening.
The Miao family wasn't exactly struggling financially, but they still had to make ends meet. They not only had to send money back to their hometown to support their elderly parents, but also raise four children and occasionally even give money to the Miao family.
It was also thanks to Ye Fenghua's competence in managing the household so well that they were able to make a living.
Gu Xi wanted to give the job to Ye Fenghua because Ye Fenghua was a very nice person. Since Gu Xi moved in, Ye Fenghua had helped her a lot. She was also sensible and wouldn't interfere with other people's lifestyles. She was a very easy-going sister-in-law.
So when I got this job offer, I thought of Ye Fenghua.
It's because she's closer to Sister-in-law Ye.
Back in her room, Gu Xi turned to Shen Mingzheng and said, "Brother, Huanshan County is quite far from the army base. If I go to work in the county town, I probably won't be able to come back every day." She sighed, "I don't want to be separated from you."
They've only been married a few months, and they're already living apart because of work? She's not having it.
These words struck a chord with the man.
Shen Mingzheng pulled her into his arms and kissed the corner of her eye.
When he learned that the job was offered by a factory in the county town, he was not very willing. Besides the fact that her health was not suitable for her to go out to work, he also did not want the couple to be separated.
Gu Xi nestled in his warm embrace and continued, "But don't worry, I won't just lie here all the time. I'll find a way to make money."
"How do you earn it?" Shen Mingzheng pulled her onto the bed, wrapped her in the blanket, and asked curiously.
Gu Xi adjusted her posture and said, "Actually, I just had an idea. Recently, a lot of people have come to our house to hear the story of 'Comrade Gu's battle against human traffickers,' right? Qiao Hui said that since that's the case, why not write it into a short story and submit it for publication? Such short stories have educational value and should be able to be published."
Of course, it's best if it's been polished and processed.
Shen Mingzheng never expected her to have the idea of writing, so he naturally supported her.
I can write at home, so it shouldn't be too tiring. I'll start writing.
"But I'm not sure how well it will turn out," Gu Xi said somewhat embarrassedly. "I'm still thinking about it, and it might be a while before I finish writing it."
In the past few days, she has only managed to get a basic idea out of the box, and she is too embarrassed to tell anyone.
Shen Mingzheng encouraged her, "Xixi is so talented, she can definitely write it."
"What if it's not well-written?" Gu Xi asked, somewhat frustrated. "What if they think it's bad and reject my manuscript?"
Shen Mingzheng: "...Then rewrite it?"
Gu Xi: "..."
That conversation just died out.
That's it, this man is terrible at comforting people.
**
When the family placement office announced that paper mills and textile factories in Huanshan County would provide some job opportunities for military families and arrange jobs for military dependents with financial difficulties, and that those interested could apply, the family compound became lively.
Even the heavy snow couldn't dampen the enthusiasm of the family members, who flocked to the family employment placement office to inquire about job opportunities.
Because of this incident, no one came to Commander Shen's house to see the banner or hear his story anymore.
Gu Xi was also able to calm down and think carefully about how to write the story.
She has read a lot of books, not only those from this era, but also many online novels from the future. However, she has never written anything, so when it came time to put pen to paper, she really didn't know how to start.
Just as Gu Xi was pondering how to write a story, Ye Fenghua from next door came over with a basket.
The basket was covered with a bunch of tender bok choy picked from the snow, perfect for hot pot.
Gu Xi asked, "Why is my sister-in-law here?"
Ye Fenghua grabbed her hand excitedly, her lips trembling slightly, and said, "Gu Xi, I... I really don't know how to thank you enough, I... I..."
"Sister-in-law, don't rush, sit down and talk." Gu Xi pulled her to sit down, poured her a cup of hot water, and let her warm her hands.
Ye Fenghua was so excited that she didn't even feel the coldness in her hands and feet.
She took a sip of hot water and said, "Gu Xi, I have a job now. It's at a paper mill in the county town. The clerk at the resettlement office came to inform me today, saying that you specifically requested this job for me..."
Upon hearing this, Gu Xi finally understood.
She smiled and said, "To be honest, sister-in-law, you should be able to tell that my health isn't very good. I've been able to stay home and recuperate for the past few years, so even if I had a job, I couldn't do it. I don't know many people here, and since you've always been very kind to me, I thought it would be suitable for you to take this job. You have four children to support, and Cui Ni will be starting high school in two years, so we'll need a lot of money then..."
Hearing her say that, Ye Fenghua thought to herself, "I knew it."
Everyone knew that Gu Xi was in poor health, but no one expected that she couldn't even work. No wonder she rarely went out and didn't like to socialize...
"No matter what, I still want to thank you." Ye Fenghua held Gu Xi's hand tightly. "I really don't know how to thank you enough for giving me the job..."
These days, someone like Gu Xi, who directly gave her the job, is practically a lifesaver.
She was genuinely grateful to Gu Xi and didn't feel superior enough to think she didn't need the job.
After Ye Fenghua left, Gu Xi opened the basket she had brought and found a large piece of cured meat under the vegetables. She guessed that it was something her family had prepared to store for the New Year, and that's why they had brought it with them.
She sighed. These days, no one has it easy, but she still tried her best to bring the best from home.
**
The Miao family's dinner was very lively tonight.
Although it's usually lively, it's nothing like today. When the children returned home, they were all stunned to find that tonight's dinner included not only a large bowl of stir-fried cured pork with cabbage, but also steamed buns made of white flour.
We usually eat multigrain steamed buns or multigrain cornbread, and the vegetables are just greens and pickled vegetables. Occasionally there is meat, but not much of it, unlike today, where the cured meat is in large chunks that you can see.
The children cheered, "We're going to have meat today!"
Ye Fenghua said, "We're building the country, no looting allowed! Leave some for my sisters!" She turned to her husband and said, "Old Miao, hurry up and eat. No need to leave any for them, everyone needs to eat today."
Commander Miao picked up a piece of juicy cured meat and asked with a smile, "Why are you eating so well today? Is there some happy occasion?"
Ye Fenghua took a bite of her steamed bun and said with a smile, "It is indeed a joyous occasion."
As soon as she said that, everyone at the table looked at her, and the children asked eagerly, "Mom, what's the good news? Did Dad get a raise?"
Commander Miao shook his head: "Unfortunately, my salary hasn't increased, so don't get your hopes up."
Ye Fenghua rolled her eyes at them and finally announced, "I've got a job now!"
Upon hearing this, the Miao people looked at each other in bewilderment.
The children silently put down the steamed buns in their hands and looked at Ye Fenghua with concern.
Commander Miao also said, "Fenghua, if you feel unwell anywhere, go to the hospital to get it checked out. Don't talk nonsense."
Seeing their worried looks, Ye Fenghua became a little angry. "So what if I have a job? You don't believe me?"
The second son, Miao Jianguo, muttered, "I really don't believe that such a good thing could happen to our family."
The youngest son, Miao Jianshe, nodded in agreement.
The eldest daughter, Miao Cuini, was a thoughtful and sensible girl. Although she didn't believe it either, she still asked, "Mom, what kind of job is it?"
Ye Fenghua raised her chin and said proudly, "It's a job at the paper mill in the county town, right over in Huanshan County."
Seeing that she even had a workplace, the Miao people finally believed her and were all pleasantly surprised: "Really?"
"Is there any fake one? Why would I lie to you about something like this?"
Then Ye Fenghua told them how she got the job.
Commander Miao suddenly realized, "I remember now, the family placement office did say recently that they would arrange jobs for some family members in financial difficulty..."
However, their family wasn't exactly struggling financially, so after hearing this, he didn't take it to heart, knowing it wouldn't be their turn.
He was still puzzled, "How come Commander Shen's wife has a job opening? Aren't they only for families with financial difficulties?"
The Shen family is not in trouble. Although Gu Xi is unemployed, they have no elderly parents to support and no children. They live a very comfortable life and are not at all in trouble.
Ye Fenghua actually knew about this, because the clerk specifically mentioned it to her when he came over today.
"I heard that the job opportunities the county is offering to the families of our military personnel are related to Gu Xi. Didn't Gu Xi rescue the Mo family's child from human traffickers? The Mo family helped make the connection..."
There's no point in hiding this. The Mo family should thank Gu Xi; they can't just do a good deed and not leave their name.
The family employment placement office didn't specifically mention this matter to outsiders, but if Gu Xi wanted to give up her job spot to Ye Fenghua, she would definitely have to tell her.
Given the circumstances of Commander Miao's family, this job would not be assigned to Ye Fenghua. If it is not made clear, it may cause dissatisfaction among other family members.
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