Having said that, Hua Wanjiang looked at Gu Lanyan and asked, "What do you think?"
Gu Lanyan thought for a moment and said, "If the child really has enough energy, we can let her try, but it's agreed that if her grades drop, then she can't do it."
Hua Kai agreed, took out her drawings, and handed them to Hua Wanjiang and Gu Lanyan: "Dad, Mom, take a look at these. I drew them all. When I was in middle school, I was too free, so I learned from a teacher. Now I draw these in my spare time. Anyway, it doesn't cost anything. Let's give it a try. If it doesn't work, we won't lose anything."
She did lie again, but there was no other way. Saying it this way would allow her parents to know the source of her skills and also give them a trace of the craft, achieving the best of both worlds.
Of course, she didn't tell her parents about starting a company in the future or anything like that. Those things were too big, and telling them would only make her parents worry more. So she just said she would give it a try first, and that way there was nothing to worry about.
As expected, Hua Wanjiang wasn't too nervous. Instead, he asked with a hint of doubt, "Does your brother take the bus every day?"
Hua Kai said, "I'll go back and rent a house for my brother. I want him to learn drawing, digging for medicinal herbs, and going to the market from me. These are not long-term goals. I still hope that my brother can have a skill in the future."
Hua Qingyi also said to Hua Wanjiang, "Dad, now that I see how thoughtful my sister is, I've realized the importance of studying and broadening my horizons. So I want to go out and see the world. Please agree."
Before Hua Wanjiang could make a decision, Gu Lanyan spoke up: "I think it's a good idea. Our children are not to be trifled with. I'm willing to let them go out and try their luck. It's better than them going out to do hard labor for others. Anyway, we can make money by going to the market now, so let's support the children's dreams."
Hua Wanjiang nodded: "What you said makes sense. Let's work harder and earn more money in the future. Even if the children don't earn money and lose money, it's okay. Just consider it as going out to broaden their horizons."
Hua Kai smiled and said, "Mom and Dad, don't underestimate us. You'll be proud of us in the future."
Gu Lanyan said, "I believe my child will definitely amount to something."
When Hua Kai saw that her parents had agreed, she said, "Then let's have lunch. You don't need to worry about anything, I'll take care of everything."
Gu Lanyan took off her shoes and climbed onto the kang (a heated brick bed). As she rummaged through the quilt for money, she said, "Give Kaikai some extra money this time, so he won't be short of cash when he needs to get things done."
Hua Kai quickly replied, "No need, Mom. I've already earned eighty yuan from the drawings I did for others. I spent thirty yuan helping a friend, and then I bought a watch for convenience. I still have quite a bit left. When I go back and hand in these drawings, I can get another twenty or thirty yuan. That's enough."
Gu Lanyan looked at the blooming flowers and smiled helplessly: "My child is too successful. My brain can't keep up. Other children ask their families for money to go to school, but our child earns money while going to school. How can this be explained?"
Hua Kai laughed to herself. She couldn't have done it if she hadn't had a different soul, but she couldn't say it.
All she could say was, "Mom, isn't it because you gave me such a smart and capable life?"
Gu Lanyan laughed and said, "You're so good at coaxing me." After saying that, she still took out fifty yuan and gave it to Hua Kai: "Take this too. If you need to rent a house or something, you'll need money. Don't be in trouble if you don't have enough."
Hua Kai didn't refuse: "Okay, I'll take it. Mom can rest assured now."
Gu Lanyan was satisfied this time: "Get ready to eat, and after you finish eating, Kai Kai can go back early."
Hua Kai agreed and helped Gu Lanyan get the bowls and chopsticks to prepare lunch.
During the meal, the topic of Zheng Shuzhen also came up.
Hua Wanjiang was still somewhat nervous after listening to them finish speaking: "Then this matter is probably not over. They will definitely not let it go after they have suffered a loss."
Hua Kai said to Hua Wanjiang, "Dad, reason prevails everywhere. You don't owe them anything, so what are you afraid of? When I'm not home, you and Mom remember this: if they go too far, go to the village. If the village can't handle it, go to the township. They'll be scared if you make a scene. Don't be fooled by their seemingly reasonable arguments; they're just used to suppressing you like this. Look at Captain Ye, an outsider, and how scare they were by his righteous words. They're guilty and have a guilty conscience. You must protect our family, otherwise, no matter how hard we try, we'll just be doing all the work for someone else."
Hua Wanjiang listened to the child's words and fell into deep thought. He knew the child was right, but he still lacked some courage.
Gu Lanyan walked up to Hua Wanjiang and said, "Over the years, it seems like we've become less and less sharp-edged. But have you ever thought about how our behavior will worry our children? They won't trust us to do anything when they go out. We're not capable enough to help them. If our children have to worry about things at home, how much of a failure would we be?"
After listening to his wife's words, Hua Wanjiang sighed deeply: "Yes, we used to be bullied together with the children. Now the children are finally going to stand up for themselves. I can't hold them back, or what kind of person would I be?"
Hua Qingyi looked at his parents and said, "Mom and Dad, I always wanted to get rid of that kind of life, but I was never brave enough. Now I'm not afraid anymore. Just like my sister said, we don't owe them anything, we're not in the wrong, so what are we afraid of? What if we cause trouble in the village? It's the unreasonable people who are shameful. We earn money with our own hands, so what are we afraid of?"
Hua Kai also said, "Yes, Mom and Dad, when Grandpa and Grandma come asking for money or things, we just don't have any. All my uncles have built big new houses, and our house needs to be rebuilt too. When they come asking for money, just say it's for building a house. We'll start building it next spring. We also need to save money for my brother's wedding. Tell them to get ready. If we don't have enough money in the future, we can borrow from them and see if they're scared."
Gu Lanyan smiled as she listened to her daughter's words: "Kaikai is right. I can't be so easy to bully anymore."
Hua Wanjiang took a deep breath: "I have to change too. I can't let you suffer like I did."
Hua Kai said, "Dad, as our family changes, as your knowledge and perspective change, you will look at Grandpa and Grandma's side with different eyes."
Hua Wanjiang may not have fully understood Hua Kai's words at the moment, but his heart has been changing recently, although it is not obvious, it has always been there.
After dinner, Hua Kai had Hua Qingyang do another set of practice questions and drew a few diagrams herself. While drawing, she explained the concepts to Hua Qingyi so that he could have a basic understanding of these topics. Later, when her older brother went to the city, she planned to buy some books on architecture for him to read, so that he could lay a good foundation for taking the Level 1 Construction Engineer qualification exam. If her older brother didn't know where to start, she would help him pursue a career in civil engineering.
At 3 p.m., Hua Kai packed her things, said goodbye to her family, and told them not to see her off. She said she would go and say hello to Li Jing first, and then go to the brigade to find Ye Yifan, as it would be inconvenient to see her off anyway.
So her family saw her off at the door. She didn't have much stuff, just a schoolbag, which she carried as she left.
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