She prepared for this self-study exam for a whole year, working during the day and reading at night. Even during holidays, she rarely went out, but concentrated on studying in the dormitory.

You, Ma Chao, can have dreams, but doesn't she deserve it? Seeing her unhappiness, Ma Chao subconsciously explained: "Hongmei, I understand your desire to improve yourself, but self-study exams are really not as easy as you think. Even a high school diploma like me has a hard time passing the exam. You only have a junior high school diploma, so your hope is even slimmer. You are not young anymore, so there is really no need to waste your time and energy on this."

If it weren't for their childhood sweetheart relationship, Shen Hongmei would have turned hostile on the spot.

"I don't think I'm wasting my time. The knowledge I've learned has finally entered my brain. Even without a diploma, I can still be a cultured person."

Seeing that she was angry, Ma Chao said again: "I don't mean to look down on you. I, I heard that you haven't married yet. Is it because of me?"

"no."

Shen Hongmei's answer was clear and concise, but to Ma Chao, it sounded like she was trying to cover up something.

The two have been childhood sweethearts, and he knows that Shen Hongmei is a woman who values ​​relationships.

What's more, they once had a child...

Thinking of this, Ma Chao hardened his heart and said, "I was sorry for you in the past, but we have no chance now. You should also look forward and find a place to belong to as soon as possible. You are not young anymore."

Shen Hongmei was a little angry.

Outsiders talk about her behind her back, but why do you, an ungrateful scumbag, have the right to do that? The person who has wronged her the most in the world is you! "Ma Chao, you think too much. I don't want to marry not because I miss you, but because I don't need to rely on a man to live."

"I work and earn a little over 100 yuan a month. Besides giving it to my family, I can save a lot for myself. I can eat whatever I want and buy whatever I want. I live a comfortable and happy life. What's wrong with that?"

Ma Chao was both shocked and envious.

I was shocked by Shen Hongmei's avant-garde ideas, but at the same time I envied her high income.

After failing the college entrance examination, he worked as a substitute math teacher in a city primary school. It sounded glamorous and respectable, but his actual monthly income was less than 30 yuan.

His wife works at the Civil Affairs Bureau and her salary is not high. The combined income of the two of them is barely enough to make ends meet in a month.

Shen Hongmei, a rural girl who only graduated from junior high school, actually earns more in a month than the two of them who only have high school education.

Ma Chao couldn't tell what he felt in his heart, "Hongmei, you can't just pursue immediate benefits. You have to make long-term plans and think about your future. Do you want to live your whole life with money?"

"It's not a bad idea. Anyway, I think a life with money is good. Although I'm an old maid, it's not that I can't get married, but that I don't want to get married. The matchmakers in my family are almost stepping on my doorstep. If I want to get married, there are many young and handsome guys for me to choose from."

Ma Chao was speechless, "You have changed a lot, you are no longer the same as before."

"I was stupid before, I believed everything others said, now I only believe in myself."

Ma Chao was speechless.

…

In the car.

Shen Mingzhu looked at the angry Shen Hongmei and became curious. "She is so angry. It seems that my worry is unnecessary."

Shen Hongmei said: "Although he has done me wrong, he still has a good temper and won't do anything to me."

"That's not what I'm worried about."

Shen Hongmei was stunned for two seconds before she reacted, "That's impossible. Before we met, I would occasionally miss the old times, but after seeing him today, I have completely let it go and think that he is just like that."

"I'm relieved to see that you can stay sober. Otherwise, even if your old love rekindles, I will have to put an end to it for you."

Shen Hongmei burst out laughing, and the depression in her heart also dissipated.

Let the people and things of the past go with the wind.

She just wants to make money now, lots of money.

…

As the year draws to a close, Pei Yang celebrates his 30th birthday.

Shen Mingzhu generously booked the entire Ginkgo Building to celebrate her man's birthday.

In addition to the relatives and friends of the Pei and Shen families, there were also many new and old customers of the food factory who came to the banquet. Shen Mingzhu, along with Shen Hongmei, Pei Qiuxia, Pei Wenping and others, were responsible for the reception of the female guests, while Pei Yang had Chen Yi, Chen Liang, Chen Cheng and others to help.

After Chen Yi went to Shanghai to develop his career, he would return home to celebrate the Spring Festival around the 27th or 28th day of the twelfth lunar month every year, and then return to Shanghai after the Spring Festival.

This year, because of Pei Yang’s birthday party, I came back half a month earlier.

To put it simply, it is more attractive.

He was wearing a well-tailored gray-brown suit and his hair was neatly combed. He looked less elegant and bookish, and more mature, stable and reserved.

Even Shen Mingzhu couldn't help but take a few more glances.

After all, who doesn't like handsome uncles~ "Sister Wenping, Brother Chen is getting more and more handsome now. Are you relieved that he stays alone in Shanghai?"

Shen Hongmei, who was unaware of the inside story, joked with Pei Wenping with a smile.

"Nothing to worry about."

Shen Hongmei wanted to say something, but Shen Mingzhu sent her away to make tea.

While Pei Qiuxia was in the bathroom, Shen Mingzhu whispered to Pei Wenping, "Are you and your brother-in-law still the same as before?"

Pei Wenping glanced at her and asked, "What else?"

Shen Mingzhu thought about it and swallowed back the words she wanted to say to plead for Chen Yi.

This work is organized and uploaded by Liujiu Book Bar~~

It is true that Chen Yi has the sincerity to mend the relationship, but some hurts cannot be resolved by a few words from an outsider like her.

Put yourself in her shoes. If Pei Yang cheated on her one day, she would definitely not forgive him.

…

"Look, Pei Yang's family is really capable. She has only been married to the city for a few years, but she has already earned such a large fortune and celebrated her birthday with such a grand ceremony."

"I heard that today's banquet costs 188, not including drinks. It would probably cost around 4,000 or 5,000, right?"

"We work so hard and earn less than a thousand dollars a year, but others spend thousands of dollars on a meal. It's so frustrating to compare ourselves with others."

"Four or five thousand is nothing. It only takes a month for them to earn it back."

"No way? You can earn four or five thousand a month?"

"More than that! Last year, during the three months of the Mid-Autumn Festival alone, he made tens of thousands of dollars."

"hiss!"

"Pei Yang is so lucky to have found such a beautiful and capable wife. The old couple of the Pei family would probably wake up laughing in their graves."

Shen Baolan held her son in her arms, listening to everyone's discussions, feeling a sour feeling in her heart.

"If the old couple were still alive, they would be too embarrassed to live with their son's gigolo life."

Someone retorted to her, "Shu Huan's family, what you said is so sour, you are just jealous that Pei Yang's family is more capable than you."

"Just accept your fate. You just can't compare to others. Even if people become rich, they still remember their roots. They donate this and that to their families and help poor students to study. These are all great and kind deeds."

Shen Baolan said stubbornly, "She does all this just to gain a good reputation."

"Then you can also gain a good reputation. As long as you spend real money to do good deeds, everyone will remember your kindness."

Shen Baolan couldn't argue with him, so she picked up her son and went somewhere else.

Everyone laughed at her back.

…

In a corner of the lobby on the first floor, Yu Jin'e was surrounded by several people from Shenjiagou and chatting.

"Jin'e, your Hongmei is successful now. She is now the manager of a food factory and earns a lot of money every month. You and Jiagen can enjoy a good life for the rest of your life."

"Hongmei is capable, but she is not young anymore. If she doesn't get married, she will become an old maid."

"Why should I be afraid of that? Mingzhu is a big boss now. How difficult can it be for her to find a city son-in-law for Hongmei?"

"That's right. Many of the people who came to the banquet today drove cars. Who knows, there might be a rich man among them."

The speaker may not mean it, but the listener may take it seriously.

Yu Jin'e looked at the long row of cars of all kinds parked outside the hotel, her eyes sparkling. (End of this chapter)