While painfully pulling up rice seedlings, Yang Wanwan was also thinking about what could make money.
Er Ye and Shang Tao are both good at their jobs, but Yang Wanwan is having trouble keeping up.
As the sun began to set, the three siblings moved to a different field and started planting rice seedlings.
Several families were also working nearby, chatting and greeting each other loudly, filled with a strong sense of community and the joy of harvest. The farmland scenery was fresh and bright, with a unique rural charm.
At 6:30 p.m., Shang Tao went back to cook, while Yang Wanwan and Er Ye continued planting rice seedlings until the stars came out before going home.
The starry sky was clear, the insects chirped, and the atmosphere was peaceful and serene.
At home, Shang Tao had already boiled water. Yang Wanwan and Er Ye filled the tub with water and went to take a shower together.
After taking a shower and resting for a while, she helped Shang Tao move the dried rice to the warehouse.
Shang Tao smiled without a care in the world, "Big sister, there's still five-tenths of an acre of rice left to harvest, that's wonderful."
Seeing how adorable her younger brother was, Yang Wanwan silently patted Shang Tao's head.
Yes, that's great.
After they finish these tasks, they can take a break.
Such simple happiness, such simple joy, such a simple child—how could the Lin family bring themselves to do this?!
Shang Tao cooked rice, poached three eggs, made loofah soup and stir-fried bitter melon, and also prepared a small bowl of steamed vegetables and eggplant stew.
"Fu Zi Cai" is essentially steamed pork with rice flour, but with an added charcoal grilling step—a local specialty that locals love. The Yang family's Fu Zi Cai is cut into very small pieces, about two fingers wide. Each of the three received a small piece, a very even distribution.
It was just a taste, not enough to eat.
Eggplant jerky is made by repeatedly steaming eggplant with fermented black beans and oil, and it goes very well with rice.
I've only had braised vegetables and poached eggs at home these past few days because I've been doing heavy work. Usually, we only have eggplant rolls and various vegetables, and we use very little oil when stir-frying them.
With meat, vegetables, and soup, the three siblings ate heartily under the starlight, listening to the croaking of frogs and the chirping of insects. Although they were poor, they were at peace.
Er Ye and Shang Tao chatted happily about school matters, creating a lively atmosphere.
Yang Wanwan had too many things weighing on her mind, so she had no mood to talk to the two children about elementary school matters. She picked up her rice bowl and went upstairs.
The small villa has two floors. The second floor contains several bedrooms, a bathroom, a stairwell, a storage room, etc.
The bedrooms were reserved by their parents for the three siblings, one room for each of them. The beds, tables, and cabinets inside were all matched and neatly arranged, and the furniture was exquisite and elegant, which was considered extremely luxurious in the rural areas at that time.
The second floor also has a balcony with tables and chairs.
The small villa was the best built in the village; it was not only fully equipped but also had a beautiful exterior.
No wonder Cao Xinchun was so eager to possess it.
Er Ye and Shang Tao were eating under the grape trellis in front of the kitchen on the first floor when Yang Wanwan heard a girl arrive under the trellis. This was Cao Xinchun's niece, Cao Lili.
Cao Lili is a little older than Yang Wanwan and occasionally stays at Cao Xinchun's house. Although Er Ye and Shang Tao don't like Cao Xinchun, Cao Lili is lively and cheerful and often comes to Yang Wanwan's house to play. You can't hit someone who's smiling, and Er Ye, being a child, soon became familiar with Cao Lili.
After finishing her bowl of rice, Yang Wanwan came downstairs. Cao Lili greeted her with a smile, then continued chatting with Er Ye: "Er Ye, I want to go and get a job. My cousin works in an electronics factory and earns 450 yuan a month."
This income is quite high. Even rural middle school teachers don't earn this much; they usually only get two or three hundred yuan.
Therefore, Futaba was extremely astonished: "Four hundred and fifty? That's so many!!"
“Yeah! My mom says studying is useless, and I should start working early to earn money. Otherwise, if I wait until I graduate from junior high to start working, I don’t know how much money I’ll waste! Wanwan, how about the three of us go to my cousin’s electronics factory? I heard they’re hiring! But you can’t get in without someone you know vouching for you.”
Yang Wanwan remained silent for a moment, but a thought suddenly occurred to her.
She was worried about money, but now she has a good solution.
Cao Lili continued, "My cousin has been working in the factory for a year, and the photos she sent back show her wearing such nice clothes! Sneakers, jeans, and she even got a perm, carrying a small bag, just like a Hong Kong or Taiwanese TV star. My cousin was brought here by an aunt from my maternal grandmother's side of the family. She's coming to take me in a few days, and I'll be going to Shenzhen with her. My aunt knows about your family's situation and asked me to ask if you'd like to go."
Er Ye looked at Yang Wanwan with a mixture of hesitation and anticipation.
At this time, working was very attractive to girls; the outside world was so wonderful, no wonder Futaba was tempted.
Not only Er Ye was moved, but Yang Wanwan was also moved.
However, she didn't want to work, because working not only makes money too slowly, but also carries risks.
The biggest risk was not receiving wages. If the boss delayed paying wages, there would be no one to turn to for help. At that time, wage arrears were all too common in factories.
Besides, they are just child laborers; they're lucky if they get a couple hundred yuan a month.
At that time, there were many opportunities to make money in Shenzhen. She felt that she would definitely make money if she went there, but her grandparents would not allow them to go to Shenzhen if no one took care of them.
If we can go with this aunt, my grandparents might agree.
Because the girls who go out to work are basically brought there by relatives, friends, and neighbors.
Although Cao Lili is Cao Xinchun's niece, this is the only method Yang Wanwan can use at the moment.
Yang Wanwan thought for a moment and said to Cao Lili, "Let's try it after I finish the double harvest."
Futaba immediately cheered, "Sis, really? That's great!"
Shang Tao hurriedly asked, "Big sister, what about me?"
"You're too young, they won't take you in. Just stay home, raise pigs, grow vegetables, and take good care of the house."
Shang Tao frowned in disappointment, but Yang Wanwan remained unmoved.
Cao Lili didn't clarify whether Yang Wanwan and her brother were going long-term or short-term. A day or two later, she replied, saying that Aunt Wang there had agreed to take them with her.
When Cao Xinchun heard that Yang Wanwan and her brother were going to work, she seemed even happier than if she herself were going to work.
She even came to visit, her usual gloom gone, and said with a smile, "Wanwan, you've finally become sensible. Anyway, you'll have to work after graduating from junior high, so the sooner you start, the sooner you can earn money. Who would complain about having more money? Don't you think that makes sense? I'm doing this all for your own good. You'll understand when you're a little older."
Yang Wanwan always felt that Cao Xinchun's smile was inexplicably strange.
But she didn't think too much about it.
Cao Xinchun had long wanted to stop her from studying, and Yang Wanwan had known this for a long time.
It's very simple. Cao Xinchun believes that if Yang Wanwan studies for another year, her grandparents will definitely secretly subsidize her and her siblings for another year.
This is something Cao Xinchun dislikes and is unwilling to accept.
Knowing that Yang Wanwan had gone to work, Second Aunt Maodouhua, as always, coldly curled her lips and said nothing.
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