Just as Jiang Heping had predicted, Jiang Ermin became the first college student in their family. Although the school wasn't as prestigious as Lin Xi's, it was still quite good, and he's almost graduating now.
At the dinner table, everyone was reminiscing about the changes over the past few years. Jiang Heping stroked his beard and said, "Our family is what it is today thanks to Xiaoxi. You two rascals, you must remember her kindness."
The quick-witted Jiang Damin immediately chimed in, "Okay, sir, we understand. You've said this countless times since we were kids, I'm sick of it."
Jiang Ermin now exuded an even stronger air of refinement, and simply nodded to indicate that he had remembered.
Li Taohua's life is better now, and she's gained weight. She dresses much better than before, wearing all the latest fashions. Holding up her wine glass, she said:
"That's right. Without Xiaoxi, we'd still be stuck in that village, toiling away in the fields. We wouldn't even dare to dream of the life we have now. We have a color TV and a telephone. Everyone envies our life now. I can finally stand up straight there."
Lin Xi felt embarrassed by what they said, and smiled, saying, "It's not as exaggerated as you all make it out to be. I just made a suggestion. You all did all the work, so your current life is the result of your hard work."
Jiang's mother smiled and said, "That's right. You can't keep praising her, or she'll get carried away."
Chen Xiuhua didn't want her daughter to speak ill of her granddaughter: "Xiaoxi did a good job, why can't we praise her? Besides, you're leaving tomorrow, and we don't know when we'll see each other again, so why can't we praise her more?"
"That's right. After you moved away, we saw each other less often. I've gotten used to being with you guys."
The atmosphere suddenly turned somber.
Seeing that everyone was unhappy, Lin Xi quickly tried to lighten the mood:
"Oh, we'll be back for Chinese New Year, otherwise, we'll be so bored in that big city where we don't know anyone. Grandma, you have to prepare lots of my favorite foods, like nuts, for me to eat."
"Okay, okay, after they get their holiday, I'll make them go up the mountain to pick nuts for you."
Jiang Damin wailed, "Oh, Grandma, we finally got a holiday to rest, and you've arranged everything for us so meticulously."
Chen Xiuhua glared at him: "What? Your sister wants to eat this, and you, as her brother, aren't you going to pick it for her?"
Jiang Damin quickly raised his hands: "I'll pick it, I'll pick it."
Wang Meili's little daughter, who is a little younger than Lin Lin, also said in a childish voice, "I'll go pick some for my older sister too. I'm really good, I'm a big sister."
Lin Xi touched her round little face: "Then I'll thank you in advance, little girl."
"Okay, eat up, it'll get cold soon."
Everyone drank alcohol and ate meat. Even the children drank a few cups of rice wine. Lin Xi drank a bit too much and felt dizzy. She lay down on the bed and slept soundly until dawn.
Lin Xi was woken up by Jiang's mother. They had to get there early, as there was only one train to B City.
Everything was packed, and the group carried a lot of things in large and small bags. Even so, Chen Xiuhua was still worried and felt sorry for the two of them, so she kept telling them to bring more things so they wouldn't go hungry on the way.
"Grandma, don't worry, we have the money. We'll buy whatever we want to eat. But you two, you must take good care of yourselves. When I come back, I'll be angry if I see any of you who have lost weight."
Chen Xiuhua held Lin Xi's hand reluctantly: "We agreed that we would come back as soon as the holiday started."
Lin Lin pouted and said, "Grandma, you're being unfair. You don't even say you miss me."
Jiang's mother slapped him: "You little rascal, what are you missing for? Do you want me to lick your grandpa's beard? Or to steal the things your grandma hid?"
Lin Lin rushed to the car, saying, "Mom, can you give me some face?"
Jiang Heping helped them put their things in the car: "Alright, take good care of them, hurry up and go, don't miss the bus."
"Grandma, Grandpa, Aunt, we're leaving."
Chen Xiuhua wiped away her tears and nodded.
"Call us when you get there, don't forget."
"Okay, you can go back now."
They had just boarded the train and found their seats when it started moving. Lin Lin was incredibly excited, staring at the scenery outside and chattering away. He clearly had never seen anything like it before, which Lin Xi found utterly distasteful.
Turning his head, he saw Lin Jianguo staring intently outside, looking preoccupied.
"Dad, are you still worried about the milk?"
Lin Jianguo nodded and said, "Your grandmother has done a lot of wrong things. She was proud all her life. Now that she's old, she has that disease and has to live with your aunt's attitude all the time. I feel uncomfortable about it too."
He had harbored resentment towards his mother for her life, as she had been biased towards him the whole time. But seeing her like this, he cried his eyes out when he visited her yesterday, saying that his sister-in-law had abused him, not giving him food, pinching him, and not changing his clothes.
He implied that they wanted to visit their home, but he refused. Even if they didn't go to B City, he wouldn't let his mother come over. Their family had finally gotten better, and if his mother went over, who knew what kind of trouble she might cause.
When asked why she didn't go to her younger brother's house, she pointed out that he at least had a job and could support his elderly mother.
It would have been better if she hadn't mentioned it, because once it was brought up, Old Mrs. Shen started cursing, saying that her third son's wife was no good, and that she was supposed to be an educated woman, but during the days she was there, she treated her like dirt.
They indirectly urged her to return to her hometown.
Even that heartless third brother didn't speak up for her. She hadn't even stayed there for three days when he sent her back, saying that he was now a live-in son-in-law and that his father-in-law was providing her with food and lodging.
They're always making veiled criticisms, finding fault with this and that, and they all have a lot of complaints about them.
I didn't find him a wife, and he lived with my sister when he was in school, so I have no obligation to take care of him in his old age.
Bah, why did I even give birth to him? I might as well have strangled him.
After Old Mrs. Shen finished scolding, Lin Jianguo took out five hundred yuan and handed it to her, telling her to keep it safe. He said that if she had money, her brother's family would treat her better.
Unexpectedly, Old Mrs. Shen still complained that it wasn't enough, grumbling that he was so rich now, he should at least give her ten thousand or eight thousand, this five hundred yuan was just to appease a beggar.
Tens of thousands? She really thought her son owned a bank?
Lin Jianguo didn't want to get entangled with her, so he left the money, went out to talk to Lin Jianqun for a few words, and then fled home.
To be continued!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com