Zhang Guifen really didn't expect to meet her match here: "You've got a sharp tongue, but no matter what, I'm still a daughter of the Zhang family. Who do you think you are? My brother and sister-in-law haven't even said anything yet, and you're already talking nonsense?"
When Hua Kai spoke with Zhang's mother before, she learned that Zhang's mother had always felt ashamed in the Zhang family because she hadn't given birth to a son.
Zhang's mother also mentioned this sister-in-law to her. She lived in the neighboring village and would often come back and say unpleasant things.
Of course, she could also tell that Zhang Guifen had caused Zhang Miao and his family a lot of trouble in the past, so today she was not afraid to say something harsh and would speak up for Zhang Miao and his family.
She said to Zhang Guifen, "What I am is none of your concern. Anyway, I will definitely treat Zhang Miao better than you, her own aunt. Don't worry, Zhang Miao's family will definitely live better than you in the future."
Zhang Guifen burst out laughing: "Oh, aren't you afraid of biting your tongue in this strong wind? They think their family is better than ours? Dream on! They don't even have a man who can shoulder the burden anymore, while I have two sons."
Hua Kai frowned at Zhang Guifen and asked, "You really think so highly of your own brother's family, belittling them like that? Are they even your brother's family? I feel like they're your enemy's family."
Zhang Guifen, embarrassed by Hua Kai's words, walked past Hua Kai into the house and addressed her father, who was sitting on the kang (heated brick bed): "Brother, who are these people who have come to your house? Why are they interfering in everything? I may not always be the kind of person you speak to, but I'm doing this for your own good. What good is this girl? Going to school and earning money, she'll still belong to someone else's family in the future, haven't you seen that? She's closer to her classmates than to me, her aunt. If she gets married, I guarantee she won't even recognize you as her father. I've told you so many times, don't let Zhang Miao go to school anymore. There's a factory that opened near our village, let Zhang Miao work there, she can earn two hundred yuan a month, and when she finds a good family, you can get a higher dowry."
Zhang's father used to think that way, but things are different now. Zhang Miao has really made money and the plan to open a shop in the city next year has been finalized. He has something to look forward to, so Zhang's father's thoughts are completely different now.
He said to Zhang Guifen, "Guifen, our family has its own way of doing things. You're married now, so don't interfere in our family affairs. Miaomiao will definitely go to school. Once she goes to university, her future will be different. Our family can earn money, and you don't need to pay for the child's education anyway, so you don't need to worry about it."
Zhang Guifen curled her lip and said, "Brother, you make it sound so easy. How will your family make money? You can't even stand up anymore. I heard from Mom that Zhang Miao sets up a stall at school to support herself through school, but she won't come back after she finishes. Can you count on her then? If she finds a man from out of town, then it will be as if you don't have this daughter anymore. You'll regret it then."
Zhang Miao's eyes reddened as she listened to Zhang Guifen's words. She looked at Zhang Guifen and said, "I won't go far away in the future, and I won't abandon my parents. You don't need to worry about these things, Aunt."
Zhang Guifen glared at Zhang Miao: "You brat, you're still being stubborn. You've been obstinate since you were little, and you're getting more and more stubborn as you grow up. You don't think about your family at all. If you had started working and gotten married earlier, how much worry would you have saved your parents? You're just being unfilial."
At this moment, Hua Qingyi, who was standing nearby, couldn't stand it anymore. She said to Zhang Guifen, "I don't agree with what you're saying. Why should a girl getting married early be considered to save her parents worry? Why should it be considered filial piety? Zhang Miao is capable of earning money, capable of going to university, and has a better future. How can you ruin her future with just one sentence? Can you take responsibility for someone's entire life?"
Zhang Guifen hadn't paid much attention to Hua Qingyi before, because Hua Qingyi and Hua Qingyang were both behind the door. As soon as Zhang Guifen came in, she stood opposite her father with her hands on her hips.
At that moment, she saw a young and handsome man, dressed in a manner befitting someone of status, and was stunned: "Who are you?"
Hua Qingyi said, "I am Zhang Miao's older brother and also Zhang Miao's friend."
Zhang Guifen thought for a while, then suddenly became even angrier. Pointing at Hua Qingyi, she said, "Do you have something going on with Zhang Miao? How can a classmate's brother come to visit? They're not even from the same village. Something's definitely up."
Hua Qingyang stood in front of Zhang Guifen: "I'm Zhang Miao's younger brother, and I'm here too. So, according to Auntie's wishes, am I not normal either?"
Hua Kai also looked at Zhang Guifen and said, "I saw it. My brother and my younger brother are here with me to deliver some New Year's goods to Zhang Miao's family. They came to visit and help with some chores. You said it yourself, they don't have any boys in their family. They can't expect your two sons to do the heavy lifting, can they? If they could, Zhang Miao wouldn't be chopping wood."
Zhang Guifen didn't want to force Zhang Miao and Hua Qingyi to gossip together, but something just felt off. Why would this classmate be working for their family?
Looking at the blooming flowers, she asked, "You and Zhang Miao are classmates? Can classmates be so close that they bring their families to work? Is there no other meaning behind this? I don't believe it."
Hua Kai smiled and looked at Zhang Guifen: "You don't have friends like that, so you don't believe me, but Zhang Miao and I are just that good friends. I won't hide it from you. After the New Year, I will help Zhang Miao's family go to the city to do business. You may have an extra brother in the city in the future. Before, I was worried that Zhang Miao's family would be reluctant to leave their relatives and would not want to go to the city. But now that I've seen you, I think it's good that they go to the city. Staying away from you will save them a lot of trouble."
Hearing that Hua Kai said Zhang Miao's family was going to the city to do business after the New Year, Zhang Guifen looked at Hua Kai in complete disbelief: "Are you kidding me? These few people in their family, going to the city to do business? My brother can't even stand up, and they're relying on a woman with two daughters, and they want to go to the city to do business? Are you crazy?"
Hua Kai chuckled dismissively: "Anyway, you don't need to spend any money or effort on this, so just wait and see, it won't be long."
"Hmph, you're making it sound so real. You're just a student. Even if your family has some money, would your parents let you spend it on your classmates? You're kidding me. Stop bragging and go home." Zhang Guifen didn't believe Hua Kai's words at all.
Hua Kai didn't intend to prove anything to her; on the contrary, just as Hua Kai said, the truth would be revealed after the New Year.
She said, "Believe it or not, we agreed to have lunch here. This is Zhang Miao's house, so you really have no right to kick me out."
Zhang Guifen looked at her brother: "Brother, are you just going to let outsiders bully your sister like this? Get these brats out of here right now."
Since Zhang's father became paralyzed, he has been ridiculed by his younger sister a lot. She has never helped him at all, and compared to Hua Kai, a friend who genuinely cares about Zhang Miao, she is far inferior.
Zhang's father used to really think that blood ties were important. Before he became paralyzed, his sister's words, though unpleasant, were not that excessive.
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