Song Lili had only been staying at her parents' home for two days when Zhang Qinghua took her back.
"I don't want to read. Seeing a book makes me want to cry." Song Lili glared angrily.
“That depends. I want to read books with you and improve together.” Zhang Qinghua was uncompromising.
"Can't you watch it by yourself?" Song Lili said irritably, still not giving in.
"Lili, I want to go with you. I don't want to go to university all alone." Zhang Qinghua also wanted to stay with her and never be separated.
"I didn't say I wouldn't go with you. You go to school, and I'll go with you." Then, I went about my own business.
"No, you should come with me." It's safer that way; once you get into university, you'll definitely leave.
Other methods are risky.
Therefore, Zhang Qinghua could not compromise; he was particularly insistent on this issue.
"But I don't want to go to university," Song Lili said anxiously, grabbing her hair. "I can't understand any of that."
She used to be terrible at science, and now the things Qian Liulin sent her were all science-related, which she couldn't understand and found very confusing.
Lately, I've been following Zhang Qinghua around, and she spends most of her time studying politics and mathematics; she avoids looking at anything else if possible.
Because, of all the things she can understand, it's math.
She prefers reading Chinese literature to physics and chemistry.
“I’ll teach you.” Zhang Qinghua picked up the book. “If there’s anything you don’t understand, I’ll explain it to you.”
Song Lili looked at Zhang Qinghua with a deflated and lifeless expression, "I don't understand anything." Then, she looked at him innocently, "So, please don't make me read the book anymore, I really don't know how."
Zhang Qinghua was in a difficult position. How could she not know anything about this? But looking at Lili, she didn't seem to be lying.
"No...no way." In the end, he still said firmly, deciding in his heart that he would spend more time teaching Lili around nine o'clock in the future, and he didn't believe she couldn't learn it.
Song Lili was unaware that Zhang Qinghua had such a terrible idea; she just looked at him listlessly.
"Do you really want me to go to university? Is it necessary?" There was still a sliver of hope in her eyes, but Zhang Qinghua shook his head.
"yes"
However, the ideal was far from reality, and Zhang Qinghua nodded without any hesitation.
Finally, Song Lili took a deep breath and raised her head. "Well... okay, but I won't study physics and chemistry. I'll study history and geography. I can't get into science subjects."
Those people really do know her, but she doesn't know them.
Every day feels like torture.
"Well... whatever you want." In the end, Zhang Qinghua compromised.
It was because she was so resistant and in so much pain.
He doesn't care about humanities subjects, as long as it involves reading and getting into university. He doesn't have any requirements regarding science or humanities, as long as you go to school with him.
In this way, the two achieved a balance and stopped their daily squabbles at home from becoming a form of entertainment.
Song Lili was finally able to calm down and focus on her studies.
She likes geography and does it very well. History is so-so, but she doesn't resist it like she does with science subjects.
So she lived a leisurely life from then on.
Aside from politics, Chinese, and mathematics, her books were completely different from Zhang Qinghua's, and she didn't need Zhang Qinghua to keep an eye on her all the time. She felt a sense of freedom.
Every day after dinner, I lie lazily, pick up a book, randomly open a page, and start reading.
She didn't have a study plan; she just studied as she went.
And so, New Year's Eve arrived.
Early that morning, just after the Zhang family had finished eating, Zhou Lanlan came to their door.
"Hey, Lanlan? What brings you here?" On New Year's Eve, people usually don't visit other people's homes.
"Cousin, are you home?" Zhou Lanlan, wearing a slightly worn blue dress, looked at Song Lili with a smile.
Song Lili nodded inwardly. It seemed that Lanlan's family matters had been resolved well; she looked much better than the last time she saw her.
At least, the sorrow on his face was gone, and his eyes were filled with ease.
"Yes, the kitchen is busy preparing food for the next few days."
"Come in and sit down quickly." Song Lili led Zhou Lanlan into the main room, indicating that something was up.
Zhou Lanlan first asked about the younger one's situation, and then took out a neat stack of small bills from her pocket and placed them on the table.
"Cousin, I've come today to pay back the money. I received my paycheck for this year, but it wasn't much. I'll pay you back the rest next year."
As he spoke, he pushed the money over.
Song Lili's gaze, however, remained fixed on Zhou Lanlan's chapped hands for a long time before she finally looked away.
"I already told you, there's no need to rush. I don't need the money urgently. You can keep it for now and pay me back when you're in a better position."
The Zhang family doesn't have any major expenses right now.
"It's alright, I took out what I needed for home use in advance." Zhou Lanlan smiled, not intending to take the money back.
"I've realized now that there's never any leniency when it comes to money; I always feel like I'm strapped for cash."
“But if you save it up, you’ll have it eventually.” Zhou Lanlan said, feeling a little bitter, but mostly she was full of energy and had something to look forward to.
“Now, the child’s father’s leg is almost healed, and there will be even more next year, so you should keep it.” Otherwise, she would never feel at ease.
Song Lili sighed, "Isn't that right? I always feel like I don't have enough money."
"Okay, I'll keep it. You can pay back the rest slowly." Although she knew Zhou Lanlan wouldn't listen, she still had to say it.
Life is hard, and she didn't want to add any more weight to Lanlan's shoulders, nor did she want to become a burden to her.
"I see."
Zhou Lanlan laughed, laughing at her cousin who always helped her without hesitation whenever she needed it.
Like that year when her family's kang (heated brick bed) caught fire, her cousin let her stay at her house without saying a word.
Just like last time when she asked to borrow fifty yuan, her cousin didn't refuse at all and immediately took it out.
This cousin always made her feel like she had someone to rely on.
Worried that Zhou Lanlan would ruin her health trying to pay off the debt, Song Lili thought for a moment and offered her suggestion: "I've seen some people selling things lately. Would you like your family to consider it?"
"For example, if you raise more chickens, there should be a lot of demand for their eggs."
Now, there's no limit to the number of chickens and ducks; it all depends on individual ability.
"I think this is good. I'll go home and take a look." Zhou Lanlan nodded, feeling that it wasn't anything special.
She already raises chickens at home, so raising a few more won't be a problem; she can manage them.
"Lanlan, take better care of yourself. Don't overwork yourself. Take good care of your health," Song Lili said with concern, looking at her fingers.
To pay off the debt, he must have been busy all year.
Besides, with the men in the family all fallen ill, she's definitely doing the most work. If this continues, her body won't be able to hold up.
Song Lili still felt sorry for her cousin.
Children without mothers often eat and cry a lot, but they can persevere and develop an indomitable spirit.
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