Jian Dan felt sad, but she also knew that this world was so unfair to women. She was just an ordinary person and had no intention of advocating for women.
Moreover, this is not a good time to discuss this topic. We have been advocating for gender equality for so many years, but now, if a man and a woman get close, they will be criticized. While we are shouting to break feudalism and eliminate the Four Olds, on this issue, we have even reverted to a state that is more feudal than feudalism itself.
Actually, it's quite funny.
"Political Commissar's wife, if you don't worry, I'll go over there and talk to them these next few days, see if I can help them relax. They're so young, how can they be thinking about death all the time?"
This kind of thing is simple and requires no experience, but Tang Sumei thought about it for a while.
"Sister-in-law, to be honest, if it were us going over, they would definitely still be nervous. But if it were you, chatting about everyday things, it might actually make them feel better."
Aunt Chen's face was all wrinkled from smiling.
"Yes, yes, that makes sense."
These kids are still too young. Life is long, and everyone has their ups and downs. It all depends on how you look at it. No amount of advice will help those who are narrow-minded.
As the old saying goes, it's hard to persuade a damned ghost with kind words.
Even if you stop her today, you won't be able to stop her tomorrow or the day after. A rope and a knife—if she really wants to die, then it's just a wall and a needle. Even if she hardens her heart, she won't survive.
"That's right, sister-in-law, that's exactly what you're saying."
But you say they are indeed pitiful because of what happened to them, so how can we persuade them?
If you're too lenient, they won't listen; if you're too harsh, it won't work.
You know, people like you who are reasonable should know what happened and that they couldn't figure things out on their own. If you didn't know, wouldn't you think the military region was mistreating them?
Don't you agree?
"Yes, yes, we were among the first to join the military, and we've been here for several years now. Our military region..."
Jian Dan didn't even realize what was happening. In the blink of an eye, she watched as several family members and Tang Sumei instantly became friends, and then Tang Sumei took her arm and led her back.
"Alright, alright, Xiao Hu and Xiao Li are here, so don't worry about it. You didn't sleep well last night, and it's getting dark soon, so go back and rest."
Sister-in-law Wang walked on the other side of the simple path.
“Jian, if we’re free tomorrow, let’s go with Auntie. We’ll bring some work with us so they won’t have time to overthink things.”
"Oh, sister-in-law, you're so thoughtful. I didn't even think of that. Finding them something to do keeps them busy and gives them something to look forward to."
Jian Dan felt she might be experiencing "pregnancy brain" for three years—such a simple truth, yet she hadn't even considered it. But when she gets busy, she's capable of many things, something she's quite adept at.
"Sister-in-law, I have some scraps of cloth. I'll give them to you later. Take them with you when you go. You can divide them up and see what you want to make. You can ask them to help you make it. This stuff takes a long time to make, so it's good for killing time."
Sister-in-law Wang's eyes lit up, but she quickly became a little embarrassed.
"Sister, no need, no need. How can we ask you to contribute? Those scraps of cloth are all good stuff. You should keep them for yourself. Giving them to us would be a waste."
The others, though envious, nodded in agreement. Seeing this, they glanced briefly at Tang Sumei, who then took over the conversation.
"Haha, this child is clumsy with words and didn't explain herself clearly. She knows you definitely won't accept this for nothing. What she wanted was for you to help make some clothes and shoes, and the scraps of fabric were to thank you, but she was afraid you would find them undesirable."
This child, the way you said it, you've twisted the meaning.
"Ah, yes, yes, aunties and sisters-in-law, that's what I meant. I'm clumsy with my hands, I don't know how to sew clothes or anything like that. As you know, my parents-in-law and the children are here. The weather is going to get cold soon, so I was thinking of making them each a thick coat and a pair of cotton shoes."
But I'm not one to visit people's homes often. I'm only really familiar with Aunt Wang and Aunt Chen in this residential compound. I was just thinking about how to tell you all, and now I'm so nervous I can't even speak properly."
“Look at this child, he’s so young, and he doesn’t know much about social etiquette yet. He’s very straightforward in his speech and actions, and he can’t even open his mouth to ask for help. Luckily, he has such understanding neighbors like you, otherwise, I wouldn’t feel at ease.”
Jian Dan secretly breathed a sigh of relief, tightened her grip on Tang Sumei's arm, and realized her mistake. She hadn't thought things through!
They were much more accepting of Tang Sumei's explanation.
They were all from the countryside. Although the men were in the army, they only received a few ration coupons a year, which they couldn't buy here. Fabric was also in short supply. The elderly and children at home wore clothes that had been worn for several years. Now, they could earn some scraps of fabric by making clothes for others, which was a good thing. Maybe if they could save up, they could make new clothes for the children for the New Year.
"It's nothing, making clothes and shoes is something we do all the time. If a few of us work together, we can finish it in a few days. It's not worth giving them any scraps of cloth."
The polite words were easy to understand, and he immediately waved his hand.
"Auntie, you're the one who said that. If I really let you do our work for free, then what's the difference between me and those landlords who exploit the poor? It's only right that I pay you for your help. I estimate that a large piece of cloth is enough to make a set of clothes for each of them, so I can only give you scraps of cloth. As long as you don't mind."
She wasn't afraid of their disdain. There were plenty of naked children running around in the family compound in Liujiatun, so she could tell what was going on at a glance.
Upon hearing this, everyone couldn't help but laugh, and they began to think about what they could do.
Upon arriving at the family compound, they quickly gathered some fabric and cotton, asking Tang Sumei to inspect them. They took out some to make clothes for a few people, and also found a bundle of scraps of cloth.
"Second Aunt, do you think this will work? I feel like my brain isn't working properly since I got pregnant,"
Tang Sumei pointed at her vaguely.
"You, you just take things out like that, and say they're for your in-laws? Aren't you afraid I'll find fault with you?"
Simply move closer.
"Hehe, that can't be. How can the bride's family and the groom's family be the same?"
"Oh? How is it different?"
"Of course it's different. My second aunt and I are not polite at all. Here, that bag is yours. I didn't make it. I was planning to let you make it yourself."
"you,"
Tang Sumei didn't know whether to laugh or not.
"You! You!"
The cabinets were all opened, and they simply took everything out from the bottom.
"This is yours, and this is my second uncle's. I wonder if you can switch back when the seasons change. I was also planning to have someone make one for my second uncle as well."
This stack is for Xiao Rui and Xiao An. Back in the village, we asked Grandma Liu to make quite a few, from when they were little to now. I just don't know if they'll still fit. We'll have them try them out later.
"you,"
Tang Sumei choked up.
"You've thought so far ahead, you've already done it for them too?"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
