Chapter 5151【VIP】
After having a child, time seemed to fly by so quickly. Xu Shanshan looked in the mirror, gazing at the faint crow's feet at the corners of her eyes. Fang Zhiwen sauntered over, put his arm around her waist, and rested his head on her shoulder, trying to dispel the summer drowsiness.
Xu Shanshan's hands were constantly working, meticulously applying her makeup. Today was Hongxia's last day for the college entrance exam, and the sisters had agreed to wait for her at the school gate.
Fang Zhiwen once said something about a successful start, so Xu Shanshan put on a cheongsam after a long time.
At the entrance of the examination room
Parents hunkered down in the shade, fanning themselves with large palm-leaf fans. Everyone gathered together and couldn't help but complain, "It's such a scorching summer! I hope the sweat on the kids' foreheads doesn't make their answer sheets blurry."
"My kid is so careless, I'm really worried he might mess up something."
As they talked about the children, they touched arms, motioned for one another to look at the group of people holding umbrellas, and whispered, "Oh my goodness, this family really takes their children's exams seriously. Look, all these people are here, and they're all dressed up."
Xu Shanshan felt a little uneasy. The fancy dresses of later generations weren't popular back then, and the sisters' display was too conspicuous. However, some parents, hearing the auspicious omen of "a successful start," immediately returned home to change into their cheongsams, even those who lived close to home.
Xu Erya sighed and said, "It's still the city that values education." People in the countryside also value their sons, but they like to save money, saying that they want to leave it for their sons to get married, and few are willing to spend more than ten years to support their children to go to college.
In the city, it's different. Boys and girls all study, and if they can't keep up in class, they'll pay for tutoring outside. Xu Erya knows more people now, and often hears people talking about taking IELTS and TOEFL, studying abroad, and so on. If she follows Qian Ping's idea and makes money in a small place, even if she has enough food and clothing, her outlook and perspective will be far behind the times.
Thinking of Qian Ping, Xu Erya also felt a little angry. He had been communicating with his eldest brother-in-law privately for many years. Who knew what nonsense he had heard, but he insisted on going back to the village, saying that he was the only son of the Qian family and had to go back to the village to be filial to his parents.
Xu Erya made a harsh threat, asking him to choose between returning to the village and getting a divorce.
Qian Ping compromised, but without even saying hello to her, he brought the two elderly people from home. As soon as the parents-in-law arrived, they started to boss her around and even tried to interfere with her business, which Xu Erya simply couldn't stand.
Therefore, even on a day like today, Xu Erya couldn't force a smile. She held up her parasol, listening to her third and fifth brothers-in-law whispering softly, thinking about the good-for-nothing at home, and felt a little unhappy.
Just as Xu Erya was lost in thought, the school gate slowly opened and the children walked out one after another. Xu Shanshan placed the flowers in Hongxia's arms and said softly, "Hongxia, I wish you a prosperous life ahead."
Xu Ruyi patted her shoulder and said proudly, "Let's go back and have something good. We've studied so hard and finally finished the exams. Now, let's just eat, drink and have fun."
Qiang Hongxia was surrounded by her aunts and went to the restaurant. She tried to hold it back, but couldn't help asking, "Aunt, isn't my mom here?"
"Your mom is busy and doesn't have time to come over." Zhao Xiaohe rushed to smooth things over for her eldest daughter in front of her daughters, and then said, "Hongxia, if you miss your parents, come home and stay for a few days after the results are out."
"Okay, Grandma," Hongxia smiled nonchalantly. She was older now, and she understood the principles she needed to know. She knew her grandmother's feelings, and she was afraid that the bond between her and her mother would weaken, but that wouldn't happen. She was grateful for the sacrifices of her aunts, but she also understood that she was blessed to be her mother's daughter.
She loves her aunts and won't make things difficult for them. It's her duty to be filial to her mother.
Xu Shanshan and the others naturally didn't know what Qiang Hongxia was thinking. For so many years, not only did her elder sister and her husband ignore her on weekdays, but they also didn't bother with such a major event as the college entrance examination. No matter how busy you are, can't you spend a few days with the child?
Xu Meili glanced at her niece and said with a smile: "Let's go, let's eat. The world is big, but a full stomach is the biggest."
Qian Ping asked curiously, "Hongxia, how did you do on the exam? Can you get into college?"
Qiang Hongxia's grades were very good, but I heard that many people performed poorly in the college entrance examination.
"It's okay. I think a bachelor's degree is a sure thing."
"That's great. Hongxia, you're free during the summer vacation, can you give your little brother Congcong some tutoring?" His boy, like Hongxia, studies in the nearby city and is now in his second year of high school. His grades are average, not as outstanding as Hongxia's.
When Congcong first arrived in Linshi, he was quite serious. But after he started high school, the siblings separated. Congcong lived off-campus with his parents, while Hongxia lived on her own. Qian Pingyuan thought he could arrange for extra classes for Congcong, but he didn't expect his grades to deteriorate.
This brat is obsessed with martial arts novels and goes to Internet cafes to play games. This time he can't even keep his position.
When Xu Erya mentioned her son's grades, she felt a bit unhappy, glaring at the scoundrel who was buried in his food. But the most infuriating thing wasn't her son Qian Cong, but her in-laws. Ever since they arrived in Lin City, they'd been fighting her. She was in charge of her son's pocket money, but the old couple insisted on giving it away secretly. She was in charge of her son's homework, but the old couple would occasionally bring him some fruit, a glass of milk, or just come over to chat, disrupting the child's work so much that he couldn't finish a single problem in an hour.
I couldn't control my temper and scolded them, but they still argued: "You work hard to make money, isn't it just for Congcong? He has a son now, he doesn't need to suffer so much."
Xu Erya has quarreled and talked, and worked herself to death, and is an enemy.
Seeing that her second sister was emotionally unstable again, Xu Meili hurriedly poured her a glass of water, and then said to her second brother-in-law: "Brother-in-law, Hongxia is going back to her hometown for the summer vacation."
Youyou looked at his parents and said, "Mom, can I go to the village to play with my cousin?"
Xu Shanshan paused and asked, "Youyou, why do you want to go back to the countryside to play?"
"My cousin said the mountains are so much fun in the summer, with tons of wild fruits and lobster fishing. Buffaloes are fun too, you can ride them down to the fields. Mom, I haven't been to the mountains yet, and I want to go, is that okay?" No matter how busy Xu Shanshan and Fang Zhiwen were, they couldn't miss their summer and winter vacations. However, they'd only been to major cities, both domestically and internationally. Youyou had never been to the mountains or the countryside.
Xu Shanshan thought it would be nice to go back to the village and stay there.
"Okay, Mom and Dad will accompany you."
Seeing that her third sister and her family wanted to return to the village, Xu Meili immediately said, "Then I'll go back with you too."
Xu Ruyi always went with her sisters for group activities. When she heard that they were going back, she asked Zheng Ran, "Are you free? Let's go back and play together?"
"The new project has just been completed, I'm free." Zheng Ran replied softly, hugging his two children.
Xu Ruyi and Zheng Ran got pregnant less than six months after their marriage, unexpectedly giving birth to twins. The Zheng family, already fond of Xu Ruyi, now valued their son and daughter-in-law even more. Now, within the Zheng family, Zheng Ran's words carry less weight than Xu Ruyi's.
"Then let's go back and take a look. After all, we've been out for so many years."
Qian Ping became interested after hearing their conversation and said, "Why don't we all go back and take a look, Third Brother-in-law, didn't you want to live in my house before? Come on, you all can live in my house. There are five rooms upstairs and downstairs, which is more than enough for us to live in."
Xu Erya didn't really want to go back, nor did she find the mountains interesting. But after all these years of hard work, she felt like something was missing if she didn't return home with a bang. Thinking of the envious looks from the villagers, Xu Erya decided it wouldn't hurt to go back.
With that, the four sisters were ready to take their children back to the village for the summer vacation. Zhao Xiaohe frowned with some worry. She wasn't afraid of anything else, but she was afraid that the old man would harm the children. In the past, it was always her daughters who protected her, but this time, she would have to stand in front of the children. Thinking of this, Zhao Xiaohe immediately said, "Okay, Mom will go back with you."
The four sisters looked at each other, and it was Xu Shanshan who spoke first: "Then let's all go back. Don't take the train. Zhiwen and I will arrange a driver and a commercial vehicle, and we will drive back."
......
Qiangjiapo
Xu Daya shouted towards the field, "Zhijie, Zhijie, come back soon." Since he made money from selling melons, Qiang Zhijie has leased two more mountains, raised free-range chickens, dug ponds to raise fish and shrimp, and added all kinds of mountain products and fruits. He has become the largest contractor in the township.
At this time, Qiang Zhijie was watching someone pruning fruit branches. Hearing Xu Daya's shouting, he frowned. After returning to the house and taking off his rubber shoes, he said unhappily, "What's the big deal that makes you scream like that?"
"Oh, my four sisters are all going back to the village for vacation. Do you think it's a big deal?"
"Four sisters? Are they all back?"
"Well, he just called me and said he would arrive the day after tomorrow at noon. Can't I ask you to come back? You should hurry down the mountain to buy some vegetables. Oh, and some wine, drinks, and snacks that the children like. Go to a big supermarket and buy those imported snacks, otherwise Youyou and the others won't want to eat them." Xu Daya gave the instructions hurriedly, turned around, put on her rubber shoes, and prepared to go to the mountains to catch two free-range chickens.
When Qiang Zhijie heard about this, he quickly said, "You're right. I'll ride my motorcycle down the mountain to buy some food. Go call my second brother and ask him to get some fish and shrimp from the pond. Oh, and some turtles, too. They're really good."
Qiang Zhijie gave these instructions and turned back to push his motorcycle down the mountain. When he met some villagers on the way, he said cheerfully, "Let's go down the mountain to buy some vegetables. My daughter Da Ya's four younger sisters are coming back to visit."
"Daya's sisters? Are they the sisters who opened big factories in the neighboring city?" Because of Zhaodi's story, the villagers also knew the abilities of the Xu sisters. In the past two years, many girls found jobs through the agency run by the Shanshan sisters.
"Yes, it's them. They are all back."
"Zhijie, you have to treat her well. If you need anything, just go to my uncle's house and get it. My little granddaughter is really indebted to your sister-in-law. Otherwise, she wouldn't be able to find a job with free food and accommodation and a high salary."
The news spread quickly, and soon the whole village knew about it. Someone else had a relative in Chaoyang Village, and the next day, Lao Xu's family also knew about it.
When Xu Laoer heard that Zhao Xiaohe was coming back this time, he was completely stunned. His later wife Zhang Cuihua saw this and sneered, "What's the matter? Are you missing your ex-wife? I advise you to stop worrying about it. Look at how slovenly you are now. Which woman would be interested in you? I heard that your ex-wife has become very rich and started a business at her old age."
Xu Laoer sighed and said, "I'm just thinking about the third child. He's afraid of hard work, can't concentrate on studying, and when I ask him to learn a trade, he complains about the trainee's attitude. What can I do about this?"
Because Zhang Cuihua already had two sons, the youngest son she and Xu Laoer had was called Little Third Son. Since he was her only son, and was born in her old age, Xu Laoer spoiled him to the hilt, making him even more spoiled than the average city kid.
Xu Laoer did not regret the divorce, after all, Zhao Xiaohe could not give birth to a son. He just really regretted that his relationship with his daughters had become strained, especially that he should not have listened to his eldest brother and sister-in-law and completely offended his third daughter.
Zhang Cuihua wasn't anxious, however, because her two older sons were both quite capable. The eldest, a fruit and vegetable vendor, earned a good sum. The second, a construction contractor, had been building houses all over the place for the past few years, and he'd earned even more.
The third brother is useless, so he will not starve to death if he follows his two older brothers and picks up food.
Xu Laoer, however, didn't think so. Over the years, he'd learned a few things. Whatever you have, he has, isn't as good as what I have. It's not safe for Xiao Sanzi to rely on others for a living, unless he's capable of going it alone. But those two guys are incredibly cunning. They're great at making big promises, but if they were to actually take over Xiaodi, he wouldn't believe it.
Shanshan is the best girl. She helps her sisters.
Xu Laoer was feeling confused when the eldest sister-in-law next door called him over for dinner. For the past two years, the Xu brothers had been on the verge of estrangement, with the sisters-in-law occasionally fighting. But Zhang Cuihua wasn't Zhao Xiaohe. She was a fiery woman, and her son was more accomplished than Xu Jun and the others. Yang Dani couldn't stand the argument, the scolding, or the beating.
But now that Xu Shanshan and the others were coming back, the Xu elders had begun to think about easing up. The second Xu thought about it and went to his eldest brother's house in silence.
The two brothers sat at the table, neither moving their chopsticks nor speaking, lost in thought. Yang Dani wasn't as capable and capable as she had been in her youth. She was now plagued by illnesses and had to take medication for pain all year round. Furthermore, her three sons were useless and their lives were getting worse and worse, which worried her, as a mother, and she felt completely drained of energy.
There was a table full of food, including chicken, duck, fish and meat, but no one at the table had much appetite.
After a long pause, Boss Xu finally said, "Second Brother, we're already so old, how long are you going to keep being angry?"
Xu Lao Er remained silent for a long time before he said, "If it weren't for my eldest brother and his wife, the children and I wouldn't have gotten into such a bad situation."
Yang Dani finally reacted and opened her mouth to refute, but was grabbed by Boss Xu. She shrank her shoulders in fear and kept quiet with gritted teeth.
"Second brother, is it fun to bring up who's right and who's wrong at this moment? We're all buried up to our necks in the dirt. If we're gone, we're gone. But what about the children? Are you really willing to leave the third child with his two older brothers?"
"Brother, what do you say?"
The children didn't acknowledge him, so what could he do? Could he just follow their lead and sue for money? Wouldn't that only make the relationship worse?
"The children are back, treat them well. Let's start by improving our relationship. If one time doesn't work, we can try twice. After all, L is your daughter. How could she completely ignore you, her biological father? Besides, Daya and Erya have given us all kinds of holiday gifts."
The two brothers drank a sip of wine with bitter faces. Just as they were about to eat some chicken to relieve the spiciness in their mouths, they found that the village chief had arrived with a group of leading cadres.
The two brothers quickly stood up and asked curiously, "Leader, why are you here?"
"I heard your daughter is coming back to the village?"
"That's right. Tomorrow I'm going to my eldest daughter's house, which is in Qiangjiapo."
"You'll come to our village eventually, right?"
"I don't know." Xu Laoer blushed and said nothing more. The village chief knew about his family's situation, so he said, "Well, tomorrow you come with me to Qiangjiapo. Even if you have to kneel, you have to make them kneel down."
Zhang Cuihua, who had come with the leaders to join in the fun, couldn't help but wonder, "Hey, leaders, what's going on?"
"What do you know? Now that Director Xu and Director Fang are back, you all should be more enthusiastic and warm-hearted. Those grudges from the past years should be apologized for and compensated for. Don't delay the important affairs of our township." As he said this, an official briefly explained some of the situations of Xu Shanshan and her husband.
Boss Xu took a deep breath. He knew that Xu Shanshan and the others were capable and talented, but he didn't expect them to be so rich.
"Our township leaders are trying to attract investment everywhere, but with little success. Now that Mr. Xu and the others are back, we need to seize this opportunity several times. If we really build a factory, our children won't have to travel far to find work. Also, look at this road in our village; it hasn't changed in decades. We have so many great mushrooms in the village, but we can't get them out. If the road is built, we can set up a shed and sell some mushrooms there, and we can make some money."
After the village official finished speaking, seeing that Zhang Cuihua still looked ungrateful, he immediately said with a stern face, "Zhang Cuihua, don't think that just because your son is so capable, he can ruin the good things happening in the village. Your eldest son is so successful, isn't it because he followed Xu Daya's path?"
Zhang Cuihua wanted to retort, but her two sons, whom she hadn't seen for a long time, came running back. The first thing they said was, "Dad, Mom, are my Xu sisters coming back? Oh, boss, you heard the news too. What a great relationship! Mom, you have to treat them well and take them to my big restaurant for a meal."
Zhang Cuihua was dumbfounded. She didn't expect her sons to curry favor with others on their own.
"Mom, you have to get things done. If we can get an order from Director Fang Xu, our family will never have to worry about food and drink for the rest of our lives." Zhang Cuihua's daughter-in-law was afraid that her mother-in-law would not be able to distinguish the important from the unimportant, so she immediately opened her mouth to give her some advice.
At this moment, Zhang Cuihua, Yang Dani and others truly felt the power of the Xu sisters.
.....
Almost twenty years had passed since leaving the village, and the development of Dingkou County seemed to have been paused. The streets remained the same, the roads the same, but the car shook more violently the further into the mountains we drove. Youyou opened the window and peered out with curiosity. In the distance lay rice paddies, farmers bent over their work, their backs shining black. The children looked much like Xu Shanshan had in her childhood, wearing patched clothes and running around barefoot.
The car was halfway there when it couldn't go any further. Xu Shanshan and the others had no choice but to walk. Youyou jumped up like a monkey, grabbing a handful of weeds and asking, "Sister, what kind of grass is this?" "Brother, what kind of fruit is this? Can I eat it?"
Fang Zhiwen supported Xu Shanshan as they slowly walked up the stairs. He said with a smile, "Look, only your daughter L looks like she's on a trip."
The others are all depressed.
Xu Erya rubbed her waist and said, "I'm so used to a good life that I can't stand any hardship. Why didn't I realize that the mountain road was so difficult to walk on before?"
"Yeah, no, no, I need to take a break." Xu Ruyi took a breath and sat down on the grass.
Just then, a cool breeze blew, carrying the fragrance of flowers and fruits from the mountains. Xu Shanshan sat next to her fourth sister and smiled slightly, saying, "This wind smells so good."
Xu Shanshan felt very strange. At this moment, she was sitting on the ground, feeling the breeze and looking at the green mountains and green waters in the distance. She felt particularly peaceful.
"Sister, do you still remember that hillside? It rained heavily that year, and you picked up a wild rabbit and brought it back. Oh, I feel so satisfied just thinking about it now."
The four sisters sat in a row, talking about the past. Zhao Xiaohe sat two steps behind them, looking at her daughters' backs and listening to their stories. A smile gradually appeared on her face.
Xu Shanshan stepped on the wild flowers and vines at her feet and wove a garland with her nimble hands. Youyou curiously placed his little head under the garland, tilted his head and chuckled, "Mom, am I beautiful?"
"Beautiful." The four sisters said in unison.
Youyou smiled with satisfaction, then ran to his father and shook his head and said, "Dad, do I look good?"
"Beautiful, beautiful. My daughter L's biological mother is the most beautiful." Fang Zhiwen joked with a smile, which made his daughter L wrinkle her nose and snort.
Fang Zhiwen looked at his wife's relaxed and tolerant face, and his mind couldn't help but reflect on his past life. In his past life, his wife had also returned to the village, but she wasn't so relaxed, and instead had the aura of a female leader.
Fang Zhiwen couldn't help but quietly puff out his chest and thought to himself, "Xiao Fang, Xiao Fang, you've done a good job in your life. You've given your wife a sense of security. Keep going, keep going, and keep doing it in the future."
As the four sisters were immersed in beautiful memories, they suddenly heard a chuckle. Xu Daya led her younger siblings to the slope and said with a smile, "I was wondering why you guys hadn't come yet. Turns out you were here enjoying the scenery. Youyou, what do you think? Isn't the scenery in our mountains beautiful?"
"beautiful!"
"Not only is the scenery here beautiful, but the food is even more delicious. Come on, come back with me, there is a surprise." Xu Daya urged her sisters to go up the mountain quickly, and walked in front with her arm around Youyou.
Shanshan followed behind, holding Hongxia's hand, and heard her younger sister jokingly ask, "What surprise? Big sister, are you pregnant again?"
"Go away, you only know how to tease your sister." Xu Daya raised her hand as if to hit her younger sister. She looked up and saw her own daughter Hongxia standing silently beside her. She said, "Hongxia has really grown up. How did you do in the college entrance examination?"
Seeing that her elder sister finally cared about Hongxia, Xu Shanshan couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.
Hongxia smiled and said politely, "Mom, I did well in the exam. I should be able to go to college."
"Oh, that's good. If Hongxia passes the exam, it will be amazing. She will be the only college student in the Qiang and Xu families, and a female one at that." Xu Daya was really happy to hear that. She couldn't help but hold her daughter L's hand and bring her to her side.
Xu Shanshan took the opportunity to pull Youyou to her side and pinched her little hand. Youyou understood immediately and followed her aunt's words to praise her cousin.
After climbing the slope for a short while, Xu Shanshan saw a huge crowd of people standing in front of the village. In the front were a few unfamiliar men. Xu Daya introduced them as officials from our town government, who came to welcome you home.
As soon as the leader raised his hand, a group of children wearing red scarves, beating gongs and drums and waving small flags came to welcome their arrival.
Xu Erya straightened her back, tugged at Qian Ping, and asked him to straighten his clothes quickly. The couple instantly looked like successful people.
Xu Meili looked at it and couldn't help laughing.
Fourth sister is right, second sister and second brother-in-law are really a good match.
Zheng Ran, who was socially anxious, hid behind the crowd, holding his children. Xu Ruyi stayed with him and said, "Isn't it just going home? Why is it so grand? It's like a grand opening in the city."
Xu Shanshan and Fang Zhiwen had seen this kind of scene before. The couple looked at each other and immediately understood.
At the same time, Xu Laoer, who was standing in the crowd, was stunned when he looked at Zhao Xiaohe.
Yang Dani asked softly, "Second Brother, is that Xiao He? Why does she look younger than before? Am I recognizing the right person?"
"I didn't recognize the wrong person." Zhang Cuihua said with a fake smile.
Xu Laoer swallowed hard and said with difficulty, "Sister-in-law, it's her. It seems that she is enjoying great fortune in the city."
Yang Dani also sighed: "Xiaohe is so lucky." She gave birth to five daughters, but L is the one who lives the best life.
When she was young, she was so proud of having three sons. But now, in her old age, she realized that having a little one was still a blessing. Her three scoundrels were more unfilial than the other. They sent all the good things to their mother-in-law's family and only remembered their parents when they had to do hard work.
Even though she worked very hard, she still didn't get any reward and was often scolded.
Unlike Zhao Xiaohe, who seems to be getting younger and younger despite her old age, she is still enjoying a happy life with her daughter L.
Yes, compared to Xu Shanshan and the others, Zhao Xiaohe actually had a greater impact on everyone. After all, everyone knew what a pathetic person Zhao Xiaohe had been in the past. It could be said that any of the women standing here were better than her.
I didn't expect that after not seeing her for a few years, she has become like a rich lady in the city, with a white and tender face, and looks even prettier than Xu Daya.
But they themselves, with bent backs and falling teeth, are no match at all.
Come to think of it, it’s better to have a daughter L, and it’s even better to have a capable daughter L.
What's the use of a son? He only knows how to make me angry.
All the boys in this village put together are not as filial as Zhao Xiaohe, a girl.
As for a person's fate, it is really impossible to predict it until the day he is buried in the earth.
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