Previously, Mao Xia thought Zhou Fangchun was shrewd and calculating, always with a purpose in everything she did. But after hearing Xu Yiyi's words, Mao Xia realized how naive she had been. Her hard work in studying, befriending the children of the powerful, getting into university, and dating—all her life's efforts were less tangible than the benefits of her father getting a promotion.
Xu Yiyi and Dai Qinxue both said they wanted to help the Mao family, and Mao Xia couldn't possibly absolve herself of all responsibility. Since that was the case, why not help Xu Yiyi out, since she didn't have much of a relationship with her cousin anyway?
The Mao family got the answer they wanted, but Zhou Huilan was ostracized. She began to feel sorry for her five pieces of dried tofu! She had spent 60 cents to buy them, but had lost money and returned empty-handed. Zhou Fangchun was not going to accept that!
No matter how tactful Zhou Fangchun was, she was just an uneducated rural woman, not very shrewd, and she pulled Dai Qinxue aside and asked:
"Qinxue, do you remember what you promised your elder sister? You said that if I helped you get rid of Shu Hui, I would arrange a job for Bao Liu and transfer my son's household registration to Beijing. Do you acknowledge that?"
Dai Qinxue looked somewhat awkward. "Elder sister, I remember everything I promised you, but Jian'an and I haven't had our wedding yet. It's not proper for us to get married, so I'm really embarrassed to ask my father for help."
Zhou Huilan's expression changed. They've been sleeping together for years, and it's still not legitimate? When she was a vixen seducing men, why didn't she say it wasn't legitimate?
That little hussy dares to play tricks on her!
Once Dai Qinxue returns to Beijing, who will she turn to for justice?
"Qinxue, I'm not forcing you, but you know about my family's situation. I'm not well-educated and don't understand many things, but I know that you have to keep your promises to me!"
With debt collectors coming to their door every day, Zhou Huilan had never considered divorce, even though they were so poor. She thought that Bao Liuren was a good person, and that he had been led astray by others. She wished they could move to another city.
Her entire family's lives depended on Dai Qinxue, how could Dai Qinxue have such an attitude?
Dai Qinxue breathed a sigh of relief; she hadn't expected Zhou Huilan to be so difficult to deal with.
Seeing that she didn't speak, Zhou Huilan said in a light tone:
"Qinxue, my whole family's hopes are pinned on this job of yours, so you can't fool me. Otherwise, I really don't know what I might do."
Dai Qinxue's heart skipped a beat. Zhou Fangchun and Mao Guangyu were respectable people, and they had to watch their expressions when they spoke. Dai Qinxue thought that all members of the Zhou family were like that.
What's wrong with Jiang Meifeng bullying Shu Hui?
Even a country woman who has never seen the world would obediently submit and fawn over her.
Zhou Huilan is illiterate, so what's wrong with her deceiving people like that?
Who would take something said offhand seriously?
But Zhou Huilan acted completely out of the ordinary, speaking so rudely that it seemed she was about to break off all relations. Dai Qinxue almost couldn't laugh anymore, and after letting out a long sigh, she took Zhou Huilan's hand and comforted her:
"Big sister, I remember all the kindness you've shown me."
Zhou Huilan scoffed.
Bullshit! What good has she done for Dai Qinxue? Zhou Huilan doesn't believe Dai Qinxue really cares about her, considering she's only met her sister-in-law once.
Dai Qinxue smiled and said, "I'll get started on this when I get back. Once I have some progress, I'll have Jian'an send you a telegram to let you know."
Zhou Huilan forced a smile, "Qinxue, that's right, even a child knows to keep their word. Then I'll wait at home for your good news!"
Just as Zhou Huilan left, Jiang Meifeng came in again with a basket. Dai Qinxue mustered her spirits to deal with this vulgar countrywoman, but Jiang Meifeng just smiled and waved to her.
“Jian’an told me that you should go to Beijing first, find a place to live, complete the transfer procedures, and then bring Chu Fei to Beijing.”
Jiang Meifeng wasn't easily fooled, but Zhou Jian'an's words made a lot of sense. He and Dai Qinxue hadn't registered their marriage yet, and bringing Zhou Chufei along now might scare away Dai Qinxue, their stepmother. It would be better to give Dai Qinxue some time to change her status, move to a bigger house, find a school for Chufei to attend, and then transfer the child there.
During this period, Jiang Meifeng was also exhausted, not only because of the dozen or so acres of land, but also because she had to pretend to be a good mother-in-law in front of Dai Qinxue.
Pretending to be a good person is too difficult.
You can't be arrogant, you can't swear, and you can't be bossy!
Zhou Jian'an wanted her to be a good mother-in-law, so Jiang Meifeng put away her harsh demeanor in front of Shu Hui and spent all her time showering Dai Qinxue with care and concern, practically worshipping her like a goddess. Having acted for so long, she was exhausted and couldn't wait for her daughter-in-law to leave so she could have some peace and quiet.
Dai Qinxue smiled at her, placing her hand on her luggage, where the money Zhou Fangchun had given her was kept; it looked to be close to two thousand.
She's really generous; she's practically risked everything to help Mao Guangyu climb the ladder.
Giving two thousand yuan is a bit too easy.
If you've given me two thousand, why wouldn't you be willing to give up five thousand? If you're willing to give up five thousand, wouldn't you also have to give up ten thousand? Dai Qinxue never knew that money could come so easily. The title of the eldest daughter of the Dai family is really useful. You can get anything just by talking.
If all of this were true...
Dai Qinxue simply couldn't believe it.
With Chu Yu's more than five thousand yuan and Shu Aiguo's more than one thousand yuan, there were six or seven thousand yuan in cash at home. Shu Aiguo couldn't sleep well at all, fearing that the money would be stolen. So he simply carried a wire bed out and slept in the yard to guard the house.
Chu Yu was both amused and exasperated. "Second Uncle, there are a lot of mosquitoes outside. Why don't you go back inside and sleep?"
Shu Aiguo waved his hand, saying that farmers are used to being poor, and suddenly having so much money makes them uneasy.
"You have an exam tomorrow, go to bed early!"
Chu Yu was indeed exhausted. She had thoroughly reviewed all the science subjects and had no major problems. She had also memorized the Chinese and English subjects. Only she was unsure about politics.
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