Chapter 42 Chapter 42 Is it acceptable to be a little poorer?

Maomao stared at Fu Mingze for a long time with his mouth puffed out. Fu Mingze's expression did not change at all. Maomao sighed like a little adult and said "forget it". He broke the orange in his hand into two halves and gave half to Zhou Zhaodi.

Zhou Zhaodi would not be like Maomao, who would express dissatisfaction for getting worse and smaller oranges. In her impression, children can only get worse, or nothing at all.

So she took the orange with sparkling eyes, carefully peeled a slice and put it in her mouth, then smiled and squinted her eyes, probably because she felt it was sour and delicious.

Shen Moer glanced at Fu Mingze, a smile appeared on her lips, and she broke the orange in half like Maomao, then handed half to Fu Mingze.

Fu Mingze looked at the half red orange pinched by her slender fingers, but didn't take it. He said, "Didn't I tell you to eat it yourself and not share it with others?"

Shen Moer directly stuffed half of the orange into his hand. The touch of another person's skin left him immediately. Fu Mingze heard her say lightly, "I didn't give it to others, but it's for you, isn't it?" Fu

Mingze's heart suddenly jumped. Shen Moer had already patted the heads of the two little ones and said, "It's time to go to school and work." Fu Mingze

looked at Maomao, who was looking at them with his big black eyes and was very smart. He endured it and said, "I'll find you later." After that, he turned around and left with half of the orange.

Shen Moer raised her eyebrows. What do you mean by finding her later? Is there something that can't be said now?

She smiled and hurried the two kids to school.

During the autumn harvest, almost everyone became darker, including Shen Moer and Cheng Tao. Only Shen Lingling remained the same. Every time they met in the office these days, Shen Lingling would hold a palm-sized mirror fragment and yell that she had become darker.

Shen Moer felt that this office was missing a Zhang Zhiqiang, otherwise Shen Lingling would not have to perform a one-man show all the time, and she and Cheng Tao could also watch a play in their spare time to spice up their lives.

But today Shen Lingling changed her words: "Yang Da Niu is not someone who can be easily dealt with. Just because she married to Yangliu Brigade for the second time with her son, and the Zhou family still spoiled her previous son like a little ancestor, we know that this woman is not an easy person to deal with."

Shen Moer stared at her, thinking that Zhou Xiaoshuan's house was not far from the old Shen family's green brick and tile house, she estimated that Shen Lingling heard the noise in their house.

"The Zhou family spoiled her previous son like a little ancestor, what does it have to do with her being powerful or not? Doesn't this only show that the Zhou family has a problem with their brains?"

Shen Lingling's mouth twitched, and she couldn't continue for a while.

Cheng Tao couldn't help laughing out loud.

After school in the afternoon, Shen Moer lit the stove for Maomao and Zhou Zhaodi in the office for a while. When she saw that it was almost time, she locked the door and took them out.

As a result, halfway through the journey, she ran into Yang Da Nv who was walking with her back bent. Yang Da Nv put her hands on her hips and shouted, "Zhou Zhaodi, you are too timid, right? I told you to go home right after school, why are you hiding in the school?!"

Zhou Zhaodi glanced at Shen Moer, whispered "Goodbye, Teacher Shen", and ran over quickly. Yang Da Nv reached out and slapped her twice, "You lazy and money-losing thing, you haven't been to school for three days, and you are so stupid!" You're beating her up, aren't you?!" Seeing that she was hitting him without restraint and had no intention of stopping, Shen Moer took a few steps over and grabbed her hand almost reflexively: "Just talk, don't hit me, you're abusing children!"

Fortunately, Comrade Fu Mingze explained it to her, otherwise she wouldn't know how to justify her behavior with a righteous and confident voice.

She had to stop it, and half of Zhou Zhaodi's face was red from the beating.

Yang Da Nv, whose hand was grabbed by her, started to cry without stopping: "You hit me, you bullied me, you hit a pregnant woman, you bullied a pregnant woman——" She

even grabbed Shen Moer with her backhand: "Don't try to run, my stomach hurts, oh oh, my stomach hurts!"

At this moment, a figure rushed over quickly: "What are you doing, let her go, she is pregnant, let her go quickly!"

The person rushed straight towards Shen Moer. If Shen Moer hadn't reacted very quickly and dodged, she and Yang Da Nv would have been knocked to the ground.

In order to prevent being hit, Shen Moer dodged and kicked the man to the ground.

Afterwards, she raised her hand that was tightly grasped by Yang Da Nv, and said, "Look carefully, who is not letting go of whom?"

Zhou Xiaoshuan's face turned pale. Seeing Shen Moer's hand being tightly grasped by Yang Da Nv, he was stunned for a moment, and then he roared angrily, "She is pregnant with a child!"

"If I hadn't considered that she is pregnant with a child, I would have kicked her away." Shen Moer looked at Zhou Xiaoshuan indifferently, "Uncle Xiaoshuan, you should know that I think it's easy to kick her away."

Zhou Xiaoshuan's face was not very good, but Shen Moer did kick him to the ground with one kick just now. It must be easy to kick Yang Da Nv.

"Kick her if you dare. You teachers not only locked up children in school, but also bullied pregnant women. Do you think you are right?" Yang Da Nv screamed, "My stomach hurts. Don't even think about leaving. You have to pay!"

Zhou Xiaoshuan cared more about Yang Da Nv's stomach. He got up and tried to pull her away. But Yang Da Nv refused to let go and kept yelling at Shen Moer to pay. Zhou Zhaodi was crying on the side. Maomao was so anxious that he shouted, "You grabbed Teacher Shen yourself. Teacher Shen didn't hit you at all. You are wrongly accusing her!" Unfortunately, no one paid attention to the child.

The members living nearby ran out to see, and soon a circle of people surrounded them.

Shen Moer was about to speak when someone suddenly stepped out of the crowd and stood in front of her: "Sister-in-law Zhou, you can't just accuse me like this. I saw it all just now. You were the first to hit Zhou Zhaodi. Comrade Shen Moer just gently stopped you, and you turned the tables and blamed her. It's really not good to do this. Since I saw it, I still have to stand up and explain the matter in a realistic way."

He said it righteously.

Shen Moer looked at it and saw that it was the educated youth Shi Wei.

She was sure that this person was not there when Yang Danniu rushed over just now.

But it was obvious that Yang Danniu was not as sure as her. Her sharp voice was choked for a moment, and she retorted after a long while: "You said you saw it, so you saw it? You are talking nonsense, are you helping that little bitch?!"

This time, before Shen Moer could get angry, Zhou Mancang, who had hurried over, shouted: "Who are you scolding, Zhou Xiaoshuan, if you can't control your wife, take her and get out of the Yangliu Brigade!"

Zhou Mancang looked so angry that his hair was about to explode: "Several children took tutoring classes to participate in the competition. Did I record their work points according to the number of rice ears they picked? Haven't you been taking advantage of her for such a long time? Didn't I tell you that Teacher Shen sacrificed her own time to tutor the children for free so that you would remember her kindness and be polite to her?! And in the end, you are so polite to your teacher?!"

"Would she work so hard if there was no benefit? Who knows what benefits the higher-ups will give her!" Yang Da Nv said righteously, "The work points for picking up rice ears were before we went to the city for the competition. Now we have to go to the provincial competition. We must get full work points every day, right? I have so many things to do at home and outside, and I am counting on you to help me. We won't do it without full work points!"

She glanced at Shi Wei. She originally wanted to ask Shen Moer to compensate her for bullying her, but now there was obviously a witness, and the little bastard from Chen Zhuangzhuang's family kept yelling beside them, so no one would believe her anymore.

It's really like a dog meddling in

other people's business. Shen Moer finally understood how the captain had convinced their families before.

During the autumn harvest, children who followed the work of picking up rice ears and delivering rice grains in the fields also received work points. The amount was not much, only three to five work points a day, but for children who were not considered laborers, it was already a lot, especially if they could record it for more than a month. It was a small windfall for each family.

The brigade cadres must have discussed this matter, especially since the children received awards. Zhou Mancang was naturally not afraid of being mentioned in public. Those families did take advantage, but not everyone could take advantage of this. Others were at most envious of their good fortune.

Who would have thought that even so, Yang Da Niu was still not satisfied. On the surface, she deliberately made trouble today because she was dissatisfied with Zhou Zhaodi's less time to work at home, but in fact, she was aiming for full work points every day.

It would be a miracle if Zhou Mancang would agree.

Zhou Mancang frowned and ignored Yang Da Nv. Instead, he said to Zhou Xiaoshuan directly: "If you have anything to say, let your father come and tell me. You are not qualified. The competition is the honor of the brigade. If you beat the children again and prevent them from studying, you will damage the collective interests. The brigade will deal with it according to the specific situation."

When Zhou Xiaoshuan heard about damaging the collective interests, his face turned pale. This is a serious crime these days. Being arrested and sent to labor reform is a light punishment.

He quickly pulled Yang Da Nv over and said: "No, we will definitely not beat the children. We will definitely let the children study hard and will definitely not cause trouble for the brigade."

Yang Da Nv wanted to say something, but he covered her mouth with his hand.

Having a son is important, but the family must have food to raise the child. If the brigade really accuses them of undermining the collective interests and assigns them the most difficult work with the least work points, their family will just have to wait for starvation!

At this time, it seemed that there was no need to worry about Yang Da Niu being a pregnant woman. Zhou Xiaoshuan simply covered her mouth and dragged her away. Zhou Zhaodi looked at Shen Moli carefully, then wiped her tears and followed her father.

Zhou Mancang sighed for a long time. It was obviously a good thing to bring honor to the family, but it turned out like this.

She has already received so many benefits, and she still wants to bite off another piece of meat from the brigade. If she succeeds, the brigade will not have to work in the future.

Zhou Mancang stood at the brigade headquarters and comforted Shen Moer, emphasizing the importance and support of the brigade and the commune for this matter. He told Shen Moer to tell him directly if she had any problems or difficulties in the future, and to tell him directly if there were any blind people in the village, and he would naturally deal with them.

In fact, he said this to the members who were watching. Zhou Mancang was really afraid that there were still those who were confused and thought that Shen Laoqi and his daughter were still as bullied as before, and they were blind and caused trouble.

No one noticed that when Zhou Mancang said these words, Shi Wei's eyes flashed and he looked at Shen Moer meaningfully.

Aunt Chen and her daughter-in-law Li Xinmei came hurriedly when the crowd dispersed. They were both good at talking. They sent Shen Moer home and scolded Yang Da Niu and Zhou Xiaoshuan all the way.

You know, their family was so happy and grateful to Shen Moer that Maomao won the award and could go to the provincial competition. But Yang Da Niu made such a fuss that made them look like ungrateful people.

The mother-in-law and daughter-in-law said so many good things along the way. They just swore to the sky that they absolutely did not have the dirty idea of ​​Yang Da Niu.

Shen Moer could only repeatedly express that she did not care and absolutely believed in their character.

She really didn't care, because even if the captain didn't show up today, she wouldn't suffer any loss. In fact, she was better at making trouble than Yang Da Nv, and she would never make the same blunt and untrustworthy mistake as Yang Da Nv.

It was just a very fresh feeling, a feeling of gradually integrating into this village and this world.

Although this little episode was ostensibly aimed at Shen Moer, Zhou's family actually went to the brigade headquarters, and they wanted to take advantage of the opportunity to make a fortune. Shen Moer just regarded it as a farce, and forgot about it when she returned home.

Shen Moer scooped rice and started to cook.

After being frightened for a bit, she rewarded herself by scooping a whole bowl of rice without adding any coarse grains or other miscellaneous grains.

While she was still washing the rice, there was a knock on the courtyard door. Shen Moer put down the enamel pot for washing

rice and went to open the door. Fu Mingze stood outside, sweating profusely. He was wearing a white shirt and black pants. He looked clean and upright, but his patched white shirt was soaked with sweat. He was holding a rooster in his hand, which was squeaking and struggling. He looked inexplicably cute and incongruous.

Shen Moer was stunned for a moment, and couldn't help wanting to laugh: "Did you run here?"

Then she stepped aside and motioned for the person to come in, then kicked the stone beside the door out of habit, blocking the gate.

Fu Mingze looked down at the stone with an ambiguous look in his eyes. Shen Moer followed his line of sight and also looked at the stone. She thought of something and couldn't help but curl her lips.

The two of them tacitly didn't start the topic of the stone. Fu Mingze walked into the yard as if nothing had happened and stuffed the chicken in his hand into the chicken coop in the corner.

When they built the new house before, they built a chicken coop in the yard, but on the one hand, they have been very busy since the new house was built, and on the other hand, they really lack experience in raising chickens, so they put the matter on hold for the time being.

However, Fu Mingze didn't mean to raise this chicken for her. After all, according to regulations, each household can only raise three chickens. Generally, people prefer to raise hens, and occasionally raise a rooster. When it grows up, it will be slaughtered and eaten during the New Year.

Without waiting for Shen Moer to ask, Fu Mingze explained himself: "This is exchanged with someone privately. The autumn harvest is too tiring, and I want to make up for it. It's not convenient to do it at the educated youth point, so I thought I would trouble you and Uncle Qi to help." The educated

youth point is indeed not very convenient, especially... Thinking of Zhang Zhiqiang, Yang Qingqing, Shi Wei and others, Shen Moer frowned. It's not inconvenient, but it feels quite dangerous.

"When will this chicken be roasted?" Shen Moer asked directly.

"It depends on your convenience. I will ask Zheng Jiamin to come with me. He has also paid for it." Fu Mingze said.

Shen Moer nodded. This was the right thing to do: "Then tomorrow, it's too late today. I will stew it for breakfast tomorrow. You can come directly after work. I will prepare rice and vegetables."

Fu Mingze nodded, looked at her carefully, and changed the subject: "I heard that Zhou Zhaodi's stepmother is looking for trouble with you. Did you suffer any loss?"

Shen Moer suddenly reacted and laughed: "You came here because you were afraid that I would suffer any loss?"

Fu Mingze was stunned for a moment, but did not deny it: "Well, I heard that the man was quite fierce, but when I ran over, they had all dispersed."

He was not very familiar with the people in the village, and it was not good to rashly run to ask others about their situation.

Reason knows that she shouldn't suffer any loss. After the food robbery incident, she seems to have never suffered any loss again. But reason aside, I am always afraid that she will be the same as before, not daring to resist even when food is stolen, or because she is too thin-skinned to fight against those women in the village.

Shen Moer raised her eyebrows: "Don't worry, I won't suffer any loss."

She thought for a while and said: "You know I am actually very strong and have good aim. I didn't resist before because I didn't think it through. Now it's different. Now I will resist and I won't be bullied anymore. Besides, this matter is not actually my own business. If I don't say anything, the captain and other people in the village will help me."

Fu Mingze nodded: "Yes, I know."

Knowing is one thing, worrying is another.

The two were silent for a while, Shen Moer asked: "Stay for dinner, I'm preparing dinner."

Fu Mingze shook his head: "No, I'm going back to eat at the educated youth's place."

After saying that, he did not turn around and leave. He stood there for a while. Shen Moer looked at him and saw beads of sweat on his chin. Suddenly, she thought: "I'll pour you a bowl of water. Drink some water before you go back."

Fu Mingze was stunned, then said: "Okay, I do have a little appetite. Thirst."

He followed Shen Moer into the stove room and watched her take a bowl from the enamel basin on the side of the stove, first pour a little cold water from the covered enamel pot, then pick up the thermos and mix hot water into it, and use her slender fingertips to test the temperature, then put the lid of the thermos back on the ground, holding the bowl and turning around, smiling and handing it to him: "The temperature should be just right."

Fu Mingze narrowed his eyes slightly, took the white porcelain bowl and drank slowly.

Shen Moer washed the rice again, poured it into the pot and covered it with water, and then went to light the fire behind the stove.

Soon, the orange-red firelight lit up in the stove hole, reflecting on her beautiful face, which was clearly extinguished, and had a kind of stunning beauty.

Sometimes, Fu Mingze actually wondered why such a pretty girl had such a low presence in the village before.

But she was also somewhat thankful that she had not attracted much attention before, otherwise, with her previous personality, she would have been in more trouble and danger.

She didn't know if the father and daughter had been so patient because of this consideration.

After all, Fu Mingze thought about it and always felt that her father was actually a wise fool.

Fu Mingze was thinking wildly, and even though he drank slowly, he finished the water in the bowl bit by bit. He stared at a small area on the ground illuminated by the firelight in a trance, until Shen Moer looked up and asked him, "You've finished the water, right? Add some more?"

"No need."

Fu Mingze stood up from the small stool, scooped a spoonful of water from the water tank to wash the bowl, and put the bowl back in the enamel basin.

"You want to make a cabinet?" Fu Mingze asked.

Shen Moer used a tinder to casually place the firewood in the stove hole, and then ignored it. She took the cowpeas from the bamboo basket and cut them into half-finger-long strips: "I have to do it. I am still a little short of money."

Speaking of this, she raised her head and asked Fu Mingze: "Have you been to the commune recently? The bicycle money has not been given to Bao Ge yet. When will you bring it to him?"

Logically, the rooster could not have been exchanged in the village, most likely it was obtained in the commune.

Fu Mingze had not mentioned the bicycle money for such a long time, but Shen Moer had been thinking about it all the time, and she did not dare to touch the 80 yuan.

Fu Mingze was slightly startled. He had actually forgotten about this matter. After all, he had already paid for the bicycle when he picked it up, and he had not subconsciously thought about getting the money back... However, with his image as a poor educated youth, there was really no reason not to accept the money.

But her family was in financial difficulty, and the money for the bicycle might have been used to buy wood for someone to build a cabinet. As a result, because of the purchase of the bicycle, the plan to build a cabinet had to be postponed, and the bowl could only be placed in the enamel basin.

"Brother Bao is out collecting things, so let's talk later."

Fu Mingze found an excuse, hesitated for a moment, and said, "I should go back."

"Then come back tomorrow."

Shen Moer stood up and sent him to the gate of the courtyard. After watching him walk away, she turned back to the stove to continue washing and cutting vegetables. Stir-

fried bacon with cowpeas, stir-fried spinach with eggs, mushroom soup, two dishes and a soup with white rice. Tonight's meal must be one of the best in Yangliu Brigade.

Just after soaking the wild mushrooms in hot water, Shen Moer heard a burst of hurried footsteps coming from outside the door. She turned back in surprise, remembering that she forgot to close the gate when she sent Fu Mingze out, and the footsteps were not her father's -

as a result, she saw Fu Mingze, who had obviously left, appear at the door of the kitchen again. There were beads of sweat on his handsome face, and his breathing was a little rapid, with a slight wheeze, as if he had run all the way back.

"Is there anything else?" Shen Moer looked at him in surprise.

Fu Mingze stood at the door and looked at her silently for a while, with a strong emotion that was difficult to understand in his deep eyes.

Then, before Shen Moer spoke again, he suddenly asked: "Comrade Shen Moer, besides recruiting a son-in-law, do you have any other requirements for your partner?"

Shen Moer blinked in surprise.

Fu Mingze narrowed his eyes slightly and asked again: "A little poor, is that acceptable?"

Shen Moer reacted, and the corners of her mouth could not help but slightly raise.

Fu Mingze raised his eyes and looked at her straight, his voice was a little low, but it sounded very clear in Shen Moer's ears: "Are you willing to consider someone like me?"

The surroundings seemed to be very quiet, Shen Moer felt as if she could hear her heartbeat getting faster and faster, mixed with the beeping sound of the burning wood in the stove, and perhaps some other sounds.

But in the end, she only heard Fu Mingze's clear voice, which sounded solemnly again: "Is it okay?"