"Yuanyuan, to be honest, when I first heard my grandma talk about this, I had the same reaction as you. I thought someone was spreading rumors!" Zhao Xiaocao sniffed and said.
Zhou Yuanyuan understood that when Aunt Gu told Zhao Xiaocao about this matter, it was not because she had any deep feelings for the old man in the neighboring village, but because she felt sympathy for the old man!
"Sister Xiaocao, tell Grandma Gu to relax. When you go to Kyoto to study, you can bring Grandma Gu and the others to Kyoto to live in their old age. Don't worry, we can't guarantee anything else, but we have enough money." At this moment, Zhou Yuanyuan immediately made the decision to let Zhou Jiasheng and Zhao Xiaocao take care of Grandma Gu and the others in their old age.
Didn't Zheng Qiulian despise Aunt Gu for being poor? It didn't matter, Zhou Yuanyuan's family had plenty! Their family wouldn't be short of money, let alone supporting Aunt Gu and her husband, even if they could support a hundred or eighty elderly people.
"Yuanyuan, no, my grandma will definitely not leave Zhaojiagou. She doesn't even want to spend the money my cousin gave her, so how could she agree to let me support her in her old age?" Zhao Xiaocao shook her head, tears streaming down her face.
Aunt Gu is too stubborn.
Certain notions were deeply ingrained in Aunt Gu's mind. She had always believed that raising children was a way to protect against old age, and storing grain was a way to protect against disasters. If the Zhao Hongsheng brothers were willing to support her in her old age, Aunt Gu would happily accept their offer. As for other people, she simply didn't consider them.
Gutiezhu went back to Zhaojiagou during the Chinese New Year, and the two of them, father and son, stayed at Gu Da Niang's house for a few days.
Before leaving Zhaojiagou, Gu Tiezhu gave Aunt Gu a passbook with 3,000 yuan in it. Gu Tiezhu said that it was his pension money for Aunt Gu.
Aunt Gu always refused, saying that she had a son and did not need her nephew to support her in her old age.
Under Gu Tiezhu's pressure, Aunt Gu just accepted the passbook but did not use a cent of the money in it.
In the past six months, Zheng Qiulian has been acting like a jerk, expressing her dissatisfaction with Aunt Gu for keeping such a large sum of money but not allowing them to spend it!
After listening to Xiaocao's explanation, Zhou Yuanyuan was speechless for a long time.
It is not a good thing that the old woman is too stubborn. Looking at Aunt Gu's attitude, unless Zhao Hongsheng and his wife are willing to treat her well, other people's comfort will have no effect on her.
But Zheng Qiulian and Zhao Hongsheng are both very tight-lipped about money. Aunt Gu and her husband are old and can only do some light work at home. How can they earn much money?
Zhou Yuanyuan is rich and she is willing to spend money on Aunt Gu, but Aunt Gu will never accept it.
As a result, Aunt Gu's business has reached a dead end. Unless... Aunt Gu can make money herself.
A vague thought flashed through Zhou Yuanyuan's mind.
"Sister, I'm so hungry! Is breakfast ready?" Before Zhou Yuanyuan could catch the thought that flashed through her mind, Zhou Jiasheng's loud voice rang out at the kitchen door.
While Zhou Jiasheng was practicing boxing with Zhao Qingshan in the yard, he kept glancing towards the kitchen. Unfortunately, he never saw Xiaocao.
Zhou Jiasheng's heart had already flown to the kitchen. After finishing his morning exercise, Zhou Jiasheng washed up by the well and quickly ran to Xiaocao to show his presence.
"Brother, ask grandpa and the others to come over for dinner. I have something to say." Zhou Yuanyuan saw this and ordered Zhou Jiasheng to run errands again. Zhou Jiasheng was so angry that he cursed his sister in his heart for not showing any courtesy today.
However, Zhou Jiasheng always followed Zhou Yuanyuan's instructions obediently.
Xiaocao's cooking skills were good. Zhao Qingshan and the others were all very satisfied with the simple white porridge and steamed buns. Zhou Jiasheng was especially happy. He gave Xiaocao a thumbs-up while eating, which made Xiaocao shy but also very happy.
No matter how sensible Xiaocao is, she is only a seventeen-year-old girl. She is still very happy that her efforts can be praised by her lover.
After breakfast, Zhou Yuanyuan gathered everyone together to discuss how to help the elderly in Zhaojiagou enjoy their old age.
"Xiaocao, don't worry, grandpa and grandma will live with us from now on." When Zhou Jiasheng heard Zhou Yuanyuan talk about how Aunt Gu was disliked by Zheng Qiulian because of her illness, he quickly comforted her.
"Jiasheng, don't interrupt. Listen to Yuanyuan first." Zhao Xiaocao looked at Zhou Jiasheng lovingly. Although the method proposed by Zhou Jiasheng was not suitable for Aunt Gu, Zhao Xiaocao still appreciated Zhou Jiasheng's intentions.
"Brother, don't be in a hurry to express your feelings to Sister Xiaocao. Now, let's all think of a way to change the situation of the elderly in the village. I think the elderly in the village have a hard life because they are poor. If the elderly have enough money, their children and grandchildren will be more attentive when showing filial piety to them." After Zhou Yuanyuan put forward his point of view, he waited for everyone to express their opinions.
A few minutes later, Zhao Qingshan spoke.
"I agree with Xiaojiu's idea. Your Uncle Youtian also brought this up yesterday. Elderly people are too old to do heavy work, and they don't have much money. If they get sick, their children will dislike them. Xiaojiu, Jiasheng, I'd like Yunxiang and Guohui to set aside a portion of their annual donations for charity, specifically for the living and medical expenses of the elderly in the village. Do you think this idea is feasible?"
"Yes, yes! My mother and uncle's companies have to donate money every year anyway. It doesn't matter who the money is used for." Zhou Jiasheng nodded vigorously, agreeing with Zhao Qingshan's proposal.
The hopeful glint in Zhao Xiaocao's eyes dimmed. No matter whose money it was, it was something she took for free, Aunt Gu would never accept it.
Zhou Yuanyuan turned her gaze to Zhou Xi. Among those present, Zhou Xi was the only one who remained silent.
Zhou Xi understood the questioning look in Zhou Yuanyuan's eyes and said only two words: "Not appropriate."
Zhou Yuanyuan was sweating profusely. Ever since Zhou Xi became "Zhou An," his speech had become increasingly concise. This was a bad habit; it was exhausting to constantly have people fill in the blanks.
"Xi... Cousin An, can you tell me the reason?" Zhou Yuanyuan originally wanted to call Zhou Xi "Grandpa Xi", but when she remembered that there was Zhao Xiaocao who was in an unknown situation at the scene, she quickly changed it to "Cousin An".
Among the people present, Zhou Xi is the oldest and has the most experience. To be honest, Zhou Yuanyuan is looking forward to Zhou Xi coming up with a good idea.
"Then... I'll tell you my opinion. I hope you won't mind, my dear father-in-law." Zhou Xi said, looking at Zhao Qingshan.
Seeing Zhao Qingshan wave his hand, Zhou Xi continued, "Although the young lady and the uncle are not short of money, this money can't be given like this. A little kindness can turn into a grudge, and people's hearts are unpredictable. Besides, not everyone is willing to accept others' "charity", even if the young lady and the uncle's original intention was not to do so. Also, in Jingyang City, will those with ulterior motives think that we are buying people's hearts?"
Zhou Xi's words left Zhao Qingshan stunned.
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