Cheng Yue was prepared for her mother to scold her, but instead heard Wu Shi say with difficulty, "I've thought about it, but if the whole family stays together all day long, I'm afraid there will be conflicts. It's better not to be too close."
Although she and Liu Shi got along like mother and daughter, being together all the time also caused problems. When she spent too much time with her own daughter, they would sometimes get angry with each other!
It's not just daughters-in-law; anyone living together will have their share of arguments.
If it were one's own children, they wouldn't say anything, even if their words were excessive, they wouldn't hold a grudge overnight. But it's not the same with a daughter-in-law; she tends to overthink things, and the relationship is harder to repair.
If a conflict really arises, it will only make things difficult for her son and daughter-in-law, so she should be more self-aware as a mother-in-law and avoid getting involved.
Cheng Yue understood what Wu said. The problem of mother-in-law and daughter-in-law is a problem that has existed for thousands of years. The reason why Wu and Liu can get along so well is because they both know how to keep their distance. If they were to be together all the time, it would be hard to say.
In modern times, they would have already been living their own lives alone, but that was unlikely in ancient times.
Especially since her parents only had her and her older brother as children, they could only live with her older brother.
However, Wu's words didn't reveal that she was as enthusiastic about selling pork as she imagined. Otherwise, she would have already lost her temper when she suggested closing the stall, instead of talking to her about this.
So I tentatively asked, "Mother, do you not like selling pork?"
They never seemed to ask Wu what she liked; they just habitually assumed she was a butcher.
Mrs. Wu said awkwardly, "What woman wants to be a butcher and sell pork? It's just that I have no other choice. The family needs money everywhere, and this is the only thing I know how to do since I was a child. If I don't do it, I won't earn any money..."
She was laughed at since she was a child for not being a girl, and people said that her family only knew how to slaughter pigs and chickens, but what could she do?
When they first got married, Cheng's father was able to earn money by copying books, but at the same time he needed to study, so the money was never enough. She had no choice but to continue selling pork.
Later, she had another child, and her parents-in-law passed away early due to illness. With no one to help her, she was overwhelmed with both running a stall and taking care of the child.
It was Cheng's father who felt sorry for her and came back to help regardless of the consequences, which resulted in the loss of even the helper who copied the books, and her studies were further delayed.
With no income at home, she dared not stop working in order to make a living.
Then it was Cheng Jun's turn to go to school, and as his grandmother, she had to take care of the child, so she started selling pork and has been doing so ever since.
Most of the time, Wu was arrogant and domineering, and it was rare for her to speak so quietly and calmly, let alone reveal her true feelings.
No one had ever asked her if she liked it, and when her daughter asked, she suddenly felt a little wronged for some reason...
After hearing her words, Cheng Yue and Chen An felt a lump in their throats. She was clearly the one who had the hardest time, but she never said anything.
Chen An couldn't help but think of Zhao Shi. His mother was pampered by her father and never had to worry about money. She had hardly ever worked in the fields.
Later, when he and Chen Ping grew up and earned wages, he never shortchanged her by a single penny. It can be said that he had never suffered such grievances before. He didn't cook, he didn't wash clothes, and he only knew how to order his daughter-in-law around.
She complains about everything, always asking who caused the trouble and saying how unfortunate she is. Despite being human and a mother, the difference between them is so great.
Mr. Cheng sighed, took Wu's hand and patted it gently, saying with guilt, "You've worked so hard all these years!"
Everyone said that Wu was a butcher and a tyrant, unworthy of him, a scholar. Only he knew how much Wu had sacrificed for the family.
It's not that she's not good enough for him, it's that he's not good enough for her!
He knew this in his heart, so over the years he never wanted to make Wu sad even once. He let her vent her anger or pinch him as long as she was happy.
Mrs. Wu felt a sweet warmth in her heart, but with her daughter and son-in-law watching, she felt incredibly embarrassed. This old man was truly reckless.
He quickly withdrew his hand, deliberately saying, "Go away, stop trying to fool me!"
Despite saying that, Wu knew in her heart that Cheng's father never flattered her; he always did things sincerely and never used empty words.
He gave up his studies to take care of his family, and she argued with him about it for a while, even feeling it was a pity.
But Cheng's father said that this was their shared home, and he couldn't just abandon everything to her and focus on his own career.
As long as they are well, even if they are farmers for the rest of their lives, studying is not as important as her.
Cheng Yue was feeling a pang of sadness and was just about to say something when her mother was so easily charmed by her father's words that she beamed with joy and her eyes sparkled with affection.
Instead of offering words of comfort, I was forced to witness their public displays of affection!
Cheng Yue could only bitterly admit that, when it came to love, she, as a daughter, was clearly of little use…
However, what needed to be said still had to be said, so Cheng Yue had to interrupt the two of them, "Mother, we didn't care enough about you before and ignored your feelings."
Now that we are capable, you and Dad can do whatever you want, and don't have to do what you don't want to do!
You two should just happily do what you love and enjoy your retirement. No matter what, your older brother and I will take care of you!
Upon hearing this, Mr. Cheng and Mrs. Wu's eyes reddened. Mrs. Wu wiped away her tears and said, "Good daughter, how could your father and mother blame you!"
Our family has nothing, and we still feel indebted to you. We never dreamed we would be so blessed to enjoy the happiness of having children like us!
They only gave the child a bite to eat, and many times the child didn't even have enough to eat. Their only thought was that the child could grow up well.
They never expected that God would be so kind to them, giving them such great blessings, with their children being so successful!
If it weren't for her daughter, where would she get to eat rice and noodles, wear new clothes, and taste so many foods she'd never seen before?
Cheng Yue shook her head, "Mother, there's no such thing as owing each other anything as family. You raised us when we were young, and I'll take care of you when you're old. It's all mutual."
Mr. Cheng was deeply moved, “Yes, as a family, we don’t talk about owing each other anything, we don’t talk about it!”
Chen An also chimed in, "Father, Mother, from now on, A-Yue and I will take care of you together!"
Mr. Cheng nodded and smiled at Mrs. Wu, saying, "Good, good, good son-in-law!"
The atmosphere immediately improved, and Cheng Yue tentatively asked again, "Mother, what do you like to do? You haven't told me yet!"
Mrs. Wu looked at Mr. Cheng and then at Cheng Yue. "I quite enjoy growing vegetables, but no matter how well they're grown, they're not worth much money..."
Watching the rapeseed slowly sprout and grow gives me a great sense of accomplishment, but people have to survive first, and selling vegetables is not as profitable as selling pork!
Cheng Yue said, "Who said that? Growing good vegetables can naturally make money!"
Growing vegetables is great! Her mother's hobby aligns perfectly with her future career path!
Knowing her daughter was full of ideas, Mrs. Wu wondered, "Everyone knows how to grow vegetables, and I can't make any difference. What can I do to make money?"
Cheng Yue smiled and said, "Wouldn't it be better if there was a difference? The vegetables I gave you last time were a good example of that!"
Besides this difference, there are other differences: everyone else harvests their vegetables in summer and autumn, but we grow them in winter—isn't that a difference?
This is the north, where the four seasons are distinct. Neither vegetables nor fruits can grow in winter. Even wealthy families have to buy vegetables from the south at high prices for storage, and the variety is extremely limited.
Growing vegetables in winter was difficult for people in ancient times, but for her, who had worked in a vegetable greenhouse, it was a piece of cake.
There's plenty of plastic sheeting in the space; the only problem is how to get it out, or if there's any alternative.
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