Wang Zhen understood. So, the story of his second brother wanting new clothes and a bicycle, and being discriminated against in the dormitory, was also made up by him.
Wang Song shook his head.
"Second brother, students compare grades, not food and clothing."
“When Wang Peng was in junior high school, his clothes weren’t as nice as yours, but everyone wanted to play with him.”
"Listen to your father, don't pay attention to those trash students. Your grades are better than theirs, and you look down on them anyway."
After Wang Cheng finished speaking, he continued to eat his cornbread and pickled vegetables with his head down.
"Okay, I'll listen to Dad and ignore them," Wang Cheng said. "I know our family's situation; where would we get the money to buy me clothes?"
Li Guifen felt bad because her son was so sensible. "Husband, go to the village tomorrow to sell two bags of wheat. We can't let clothes affect the child's studies."
Upon hearing this, Wang Xia and Wang Zhen both looked up at their mother, their eyes filled with jealousy.
To raise money for my second brother's tuition, we sold almost all of our wheat.
“You’re right.” Wang Song gritted his teeth. “The second child is our family’s hope. The county is different from the village; his clothes can’t be too tattered.”
"Dad, my fourth sister and I haven't paid our tuition fees yet. Please use the money from selling wheat to pay for our tuition fees first," Wang Xia said weakly.
Students at Wangcun Junior High School who didn't pay tuition were always publicly criticized by the principal, making the two sisters feel ashamed in class.
Every time class ended, the class teacher would ask Wang Zhen for tuition fees. Wang Zhen could only hide in the toilet and return to class when the next class started.
Bang--
Wang Song slammed his fist on the table. He had been holding back his anger for a long time because his precious son had been wronged at school.
"Hasn't your second brother's matter been resolved yet? Why are you all making things worse?"
"If you sisters can go to school, then go; if not, then go to the south to work."
“Old Zhang’s daughter is the same age as you. She works in the south and sends her father 100 yuan every month.”
At this point, Wang Song slammed his fist on the table again, taking his anger out on the two sisters.
"Dad, don't be angry, I don't want the clothes anymore." Wang Cheng hurriedly picked up a match and bent down to light Wang Song's cigarette.
He turned to look at his third and fourth sisters and said softly, "You two should say less and not make Dad angry again."
Wang Xia lowered her head and dared not utter a sound. Wang Zhen's eyes flashed with contempt, and she continued to eat her pickled radish with her head down.
At this moment, Li Guifen stared at them and sneered.
“If you want to blame someone, blame your good older brother Wang Peng for not handing over the admission notice.”
“If he gives us the admission notice, the tuition fee of two hundred yuan will be enough, and we won’t have to pay the one thousand yuan transfer fee.”
“Saving 800 yuan will not only pay your tuition fees, but also allow you to eat white flour buns every day.”
"Remember this: it's all Wang Peng's fault that you can't pay your tuition, understand?"
In the end, she went on and on about how Wang Peng was unfilial.
Dinner ended amidst complaints.
Wang Zhen felt that her mother was a bitter woman; she could complain to you for three days and three nights if you mentioned anything bad about Wang Peng.
She went to the yard to wash her second brother's clothes and saw the discharge on his underwear, which made her so disgusted that she almost vomited.
“In the past, my older brother always washed the clothes at home. Did he ever feel disgusted when he washed our underwear?” Wang Zhen wondered.
Half an hour later, her back and hands ached, but she finally managed to hang the washed clothes on the line.
As for Wang Cheng's underwear, she didn't wash it; she just soaked it in water for a bit.
...
Li Longfei's home in Xiaowangzhuang, the county town.
A dining table was set up in the bright living room, with eight dishes: four meat dishes and four vegetable dishes.
Four Happiness Meatballs, Braised Pork Belly with Mustard Greens, Braised Beef, and Daokou Roasted Chicken are all hearty dishes.
Sitting at the banquet were Li Longfei's family of three, guest Wang Peng, and Chen Xiaojing, who was freeloading.
"Dapeng, this is the third time I've treated you, including this time." Li Longfei raised his glass. "What? Can't I get you to come back with my old face?"
"What are you saying?" Wang Peng quickly smiled apologetically. "You've already given me a thousand yuan as a thank you gift, so I'm embarrassed to come here for another meal."
“A gift is a gift, and a meal is a meal.” Li Longfei got up and poured him a drink. “Come on, have a drink with your uncle.”
It was baijiu (Chinese liquor) that was being poured, and Li Mengjiao quickly stopped her, saying, "Alcohol stimulates the brain; he's still a student."
Li Longfei felt a pang of jealousy when his usually proud daughter showed concern for a male classmate.
However, he has confidence in his daughter and believes she will never date in high school.
"Although liquor stimulates the nerves, drinking a couple of cups won't hurt," Wang Peng said, standing up to drink with Lao Li when he saw that Lao Li was unhappy.
The father and son drank large cups of wine and ate large chunks of meat.
Four Happiness Meatballs are savory, tender, and crispy; Mustard Greens with Braised Pork Belly melts in your mouth; Braised Beef is rich in savory sauce; and Daokou Roast Chicken is a delicacy beyond compare.
Moutai is the kind that can fly to the heavens; of all Wang Peng's two lifetimes combined, today was the most enjoyable meal he'd ever had.
After several rounds of drinks and dishes, Li Mengjiao's mother, Xu Rong, went into the bedroom and took out a brand-new T-shirt.
Short-sleeved shirt, overall gray-black, with the Montblanc brand on the chest.
"Xiaopeng, all the Montagut items in Ping'an County are fake. This is one I bought for you from Beijing." Xu Rong handed over the T-shirt.
"No, no, you're too kind." Wang Peng was so startled that he stood up abruptly.
Authentic Montblanc products start at 788 yuan, while the average wage in Ping'an County is only 300 yuan. This gift is too extravagant.
"Auntie, you've given me money, meat, and discounted eggs. How can I possibly ask for such expensive clothes?" He hurriedly waved his hand.
If you want this dress again, that would be greedy; one shouldn't be too greedy.
“This is what you deserve. Without your reminder, our family would have gone bankrupt.” Xu Rong insisted on giving it to him.
"I really can't." Wang Peng put his hands behind his back. "Uncle and Auntie, if you feel bad about it, please lend them to me for a month."
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