Chapter 305 Comfort
“How could your second brother blame you? You are my own sister. We grew up together, going hungry and picking up coal cinders together. How could I not know what kind of person you are? You always think of the family first, but sometimes you make yourself suffer too much.”
He paused, glanced at the tightly closed door, and lowered his voice even further: "The city and the countryside are inherently different. Your second sister-in-law is thinking too simply, only considering it as a matter of matching social status and warm family ties. But reality is never that simple. She hasn't experienced the coldness and warmth of human relationships, the constraints of rules, so naturally she doesn't understand."
"Besides, even if she really stays here, who knows what trouble she'll cause in the future. What family's daughter-in-law can please everyone the first time she comes to the city? But Li An's job can't withstand the slightest disturbance. Second brother knows this perfectly well. You're not saying it's for my own good, but for Miao Miao's good, and even more so to prevent the whole family from being implicated."
Upon hearing this, Qiao Wanyin's nose tingled, and tears welled up uncontrollably.
She tilted her head back, blinked hard to force back her tears, but her chest felt like it was being squeezed tightly, the pain making it hard to breathe.
Even now, her brother is still protecting her, defending her, and finding reasons for her choices.
He clearly knew best the difficulties of rural life, yet he was willing to stand by her side and bear the brunt of his sister-in-law's resentment.
"Second brother, take this money."
She pulled a small, faded cloth bag from her pocket, her hand trembling slightly, but she firmly placed it in Qiao Xuezhi's palm. The edges of the bag were frayed, and the corners had been patched with two stitches. "Go back and pick a good school for Miaomiao. Something far from the factory's affiliated primary school, like that experimental primary school in the west of the city. I heard the teaching quality is good, and the child can get a good foundation there."
Her voice was soft, but each word was clear: "This money is enough for her to finish elementary school. It covers the cost of books, school uniforms, miscellaneous expenses, and lunch at school. If she does well in school, she can continue to junior high and high school... I, I will continue to find a way."
Qiao Xuezhi reacted as if he were on fire, his hand trembling as he tried to push the money away, his voice trembling: "We can't accept this money! Little sister, it's too heavy, too heavy! You've saved this little bit of money with great difficulty, you can keep it for emergencies or to buy a house, how can you give it all to us? Miaomiao is still young, there's no rush..."
"Second Brother."
Qiao Wanyin held his hand tightly; her fingertips were icy cold, but her palm was frighteningly hot.
Her tone was soft, yet firm as iron, leaving no room for argument: "You must accept this. It's for Miaomiao's schooling, not for you, nor for you and your second sister-in-law. It's a small token of my affection from your aunt, hoping that she won't end up like us, forced by life to have no other choice."
She looked up, tears welling in her eyes, but her voice remained steady, as firm as a rock: "She has to study, she has to go out into the world. I can't go out, at least..."
Give her that opportunity.
The cloth bag was heavy, pressing down on Qiao Xuezhi's palm like a piece of red-hot iron.
He didn't need to open it to know how much was inside—it was the hard-earned money his sister had saved by scrimping and saving, working overtime late into the night, and begging from all sides; it was the dignity and hope she had earned by bowing and scraping in this city.
His throat tightened, and he opened his mouth, but couldn't utter a single word.
His lips trembled slightly, as if he wanted to say something, but he couldn't bring himself to speak.
"There's no room for negotiation."
Qiao Wanyin interrupted him firmly, her eyes already red and her voice trembling slightly, "Second brother, don't say anymore. Once I've truly established myself in the city and my life has settled down, I will definitely bring Miaomiao over as soon as possible. Consider this money as me paving the way for her in advance, and also a small token of my appreciation as her aunt."
Qiao Xuezhi's eyes welled up with tears, and his heart ached. He could no longer hold back his stubbornness.
His throat tightened, and tears welled up in his eyes.
Of course he understood; his sister had always been stubborn, and once she made up her mind, nothing could sway her.
She may look delicate, but she's actually tougher than anyone else at heart.
If he refuses again, she will really burst into tears on the spot, and he simply cannot bear that scene.
Finally, he took a deep breath, as if trying to suppress all his reluctance and helplessness into his lungs.
His fingers trembled slightly as he carefully took the bundle wrapped in layers of old cloth and slowly stuffed it into the pocket of his shirt, pressing it tightly against his heart.
He lowered his head, his voice so low it was almost inaudible: "...Alright, Second Brother will accept it."
No sooner had he finished speaking than the door creaked open.
Li Hongmei led Miaomiao out of the house, carrying two bulging cloth bags in her hands. The bags were so heavy that they made her shoulders slump slightly.
There was no smile on her face, and her eyes were as cold as ice. As soon as she came out, she gave the brother and sister a cold look.
Seeing them standing in the courtyard talking, she snorted coldly, said nothing more, turned around, grabbed her daughter's hand, and walked out without looking back.
"Red Plum!"
Qiao Xuezhi hurriedly took two steps forward, his voice filled with anxiety and unease, "Wait! I have something else to say!"
Miao Miao stumbled as her mother pulled her along, but she didn't stop walking. Instead, she subconsciously looked back.
Her face flushed red, her lips moved, and she whispered in a voice barely audible, "Auntie... goodbye."
Qiao Wanyin bit her lower lip, trying hard to hold back her tears.
But her eyes could no longer hold back the tears, which kept welling up and blurring her vision.
She raised her hand and waved forcefully at Miaomiao, her voice choked with emotion but firm: "Miaomiao, be good, study hard! You must be obedient!"
She stood there, watching her brother and sister-in-law's family of three gradually disappear into the distance, finally vanishing behind the old locust tree at the village entrance.
A gentle breeze blew by, lifting the stray hairs on her forehead and also blowing away the tears she finally couldn't hold back.
One drop after another, they pattered onto the soil beneath their feet, spreading out into dark, mottled patterns.
Fu Li'an stood behind her the whole time, neither trying to persuade her nor moving. He simply walked forward silently and gently placed his hand on her shoulder.
The hand was warm and firm, as if silently telling her: I am here.
His voice was low and gentle, yet soothing: "Don't cry, Wanyin. Once you're settled, we can go back to see them. It won't be long."
Qiao Wanyin raised the back of her hand, wiped her face hard, and sniffed her sore nose.
She straightened her back and tried to keep her voice steady: "I won't cry."
She paused, looked towards the village entrance, and her eyes gradually hardened. "Only in this way can we truly do justice to them."
After her second brother's family left, Qiao Wanyin's life gradually returned to its former tranquility.
The footsteps in the yard were fewer, the laughter inside the house was fainter, and even the air felt unusually cold.
She sat alone on a small stool in the main room, gazing at the path outside the door, which was whitened by the sunlight. She felt empty, yet also at peace.
After all, even though someone is gone, life goes on.
Every day revolves around the kindergarten, feeding children, putting them to sleep, and comforting them when they cry—it's mundane but fulfilling.
At 5:30 in the morning, she gets up to boil water, cook porridge, steam buns, and chop vegetables.
Arrive at the park at 6:30 sharp, open the iron gate, sweep the ground, and set up the tables and chairs.
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