The next morning, after finishing her night shift, Cuihua went straight back to Xihe Village. She laughed when she learned that the couple was too busy and it was boring for them to stay there.
"It's normal. You're used to being at home. You're in a completely unfamiliar place there, so it's natural to feel uncomfortable being naked."
"It's good that you're back. We can plant a season's worth of vegetables, dry them a lot, and then go back there in winter. They have central heating over there, it's warm and comfortable."
When asked about her three children, Cuihua smiled and said...
"They're all studying in the city. I have to go back to the county town soon. Now that I'm older, I can take care of the younger ones and manage."
"I heard from the villagers at the hospital that you were back, so I came to see you."
"And what about your mother?" Tang Cuihua asked calmly when Cao Amei was mentioned.
“She doesn’t earn many work points even when she goes to work now, but considering that she helped me raise several children, I can support her.”
But I won't let her live in my house. It's my dad's old house, and it's quite suitable for her to live there.
I give her five yuan a month for pocket money and about ten kilograms of grain as a subsidy. If there's no more, I let her figure out how to get it herself.
With the village's basic grain supplies, plus the work points she earns each year, and my monthly allowance, it's enough for her to have enough to eat.
Zhao Lingli nodded upon hearing this, "That's good, she didn't cause you any trouble, did she?"
Tang Cuihua shook her head, "Now it's just me, Cuiju, and Cuilian giving her five yuan a month. The three of us are supporting her, so what complaints could she possibly have?"
Cuiju and Cuilian are so far away, she can't rely on them. The only one she can count on is me, so she definitely wouldn't dare to throw a tantrum at me.
Of course, she had no right to make a fuss. Compared to the kindness of her raising me and giving me life, my sisters and I had long since repaid that debt.
Zhao Lingli was worried that she might still miss those daughters who had been sent away, which made Cuihua laugh.
“Even if I don’t say it, other people will tell her that her sisters have been found.”
She probably felt ashamed, because even though she lived in our Xihe Village, she never asked.
Maybe they inquired about it without my knowledge, but as long as they don't ask me directly, I'll pretend I don't know.
Don't worry, godmother, Xiao Jiu won't acknowledge her. Even if she comes looking for us, Xiao Jiu won't give her a second glance.
She was the only sister he hadn't acknowledged; Cao A-mei had no idea she existed.
Zhao Lingli shook her head. "I'm not worried about that. I'm afraid she'll be greedy and her appetite will grow too big, making it hard for her to stop."
Tang Cuihua had anticipated this. "I have an agreement with her because she only supports the three of us, so she can only look for the three of us."
If she goes behind our backs to other women and tries to morally blackmail us, then the three of us have the right to abandon her.
When Cuiju and Cuilian returned home, they specifically went to the Taoyuan Village Committee to find a witness to sign this agreement.
So don't worry, godmother, I'm on guard against her!
It's a bit shameful for a mother and daughter to have things come to this point.
But the harm she caused us goes far beyond what four people can describe as shameful.
The people who needed to be discarded have already been discarded; what difference does one or two more items make?
Cuihua also brought up gossip about the Tang family's eldest branch: "Li Qingqing remarried and found a bachelor to marry into the family, but he ended up bullying Tang Cuicui."
Tang Cuicui was already engaged, but then she got pregnant. The old man was so happy that he kept nagging Li Qingqing to divorce him.
Tang Cuicui's arranged marriage fell through, and her children were also corrupted from the inside out, constantly stealing chickens and dogs.
The villagers were shouting for a fight, and in short, the house was completely ruined.
Cao Amei saw this and, seeing the stark contrast, naturally dared not harbor any improper thoughts.
When asked about Tang Cuilan's ex-husband, Duan Changwei, Cuihua smiled and said, "Don't worry, he's already started going on blind dates, and it won't be long before he's settled down."
Once they're married, I'll find a way to get rid of him from the township health center and never see this unfaithful man again.
Oh right, his widowed old woman, who's been plagued by disease, got beaten up the other day when she was fighting with someone over meat. Haha, that was so satisfying!
She was beaten up by three old ladies for her sharp tongue, leaving her bruised and swollen, so badly that even her own son didn't recognize her.
Taking advantage of being Duan Changwei's biological mother, she stayed in our health center for half a month, and even specifically asked me to take care of her.
That beautiful woman is so shameless. We start arguing and cursing the moment we meet.
If it weren't for my wife's sake, the director would have talked to me long ago!
If you can't find me, you can only find Duan Changwei.
That guy, after all, considered his job and got his mother discharged from the hospital, and only then could he finally have some peace and quiet.
Before Cuihua left, Zhao Lingli gave her another letter.
"This is what Xiaojiu left for you. Go back and take a look with Sanhe. The Weng family's old house has been occupied by people from a certain committee in the city."
Go back and ask if you know anyone in Sanhe who wants the house back. If you really can't get it back, then you'll just have to let it go.
"So, the Weng family elders gave the house to our Xiaojiu?"
After receiving Zhao Lingli's affirmation, Cuihua immediately took it seriously. She had been to the Weng family's old house before; it was quite a large house.
There are quite a few family members living in Los Angeles, so we absolutely have to get this house back.
"Okay, I'll go back and make him worry about it."
Zhao Lingli also told her about Tang Cuilan's recent situation. She learned that the mother and her daughters had found a place to stay and temporary jobs, and even found a school. She breathed a sigh of relief.
"Everything is difficult at the beginning. Cuilan is hardworking. I believe that as long as she is willing to work hard, she will definitely do well in the future."
Not long after Cuihua left, the father-in-law and son-in-law strolled back from the village, surrounded by several men.
Upon entering the house and seeing the peach shortbread and canned goods on the table, I was taken aback: "Are there people at home?"
"Cuihua just left, and you two are back in the village looking for confidence? Old Tao, don't overdo it with your bragging."
Tao Changyi was displeased upon hearing this: "Go away, don't talk nonsense. My son-in-law is right here. Who gave me the right to speak?"
Besides, it's no secret that land has been distributed to individual households; it will be our turn soon.
"Once they have their own land, and can do some side jobs, the people will soon be able to eat and stay warm."
"So you bunch of old men just get together and talk about national affairs?"
"What can we old farmers talk about when we get together? Isn't it all just about having enough to eat?"
Our son-in-law is so knowledgeable and worldly-wise; he left them speechless, and they didn't even want to go home for dinner.
Zhou Yue turned his head to look over while washing his face.
"Father, what I mentioned is all in the newspapers and on the radio, it's just that people don't know about it."
In the past, the production team would hold large meetings to read newspapers.
Now that many households have radios, this ritual has been discontinued.
Besides, policies vary from region to region; I was just sharing this as an aside.
After the father and son finished washing up, Zhao Lingli served millet and pumpkin porridge, steamed buns, stir-fried shredded potatoes, and pickled cowpeas on the table.
"You two eat, I've already eaten with Cuihua."
After we finish eating, let's not go anywhere. Let's go to our parents' graves together. I've prepared everything.
Zhou Yue, don't wait for Xiao Jiu. Take your brother and sister-in-law up first, and come back when Xiao Jiu returns.
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