Yang Chunhua isn't blind; how could she not have seen the disdain in her eyes just now? Bah! Live your own life, instead of being a gossipy old woman pointing fingers all day long.
So what if their family likes to eat this dish?
In the dead of winter, it's already quite an achievement for her to go grocery shopping every day. Her son and grandson didn't even pick and choose, yet outsiders are making all the fuss.
"If you don't want to go, then don't go. Anyway, we only have one grandson, and Awei's job will definitely fall to him in the future. If you ask me, don't worry about this. You should worry about your Awen and Ahu instead."
You'll graduate in two years, right? If you don't get a job, you'll have to go to the countryside. Are you willing to let your child go to the countryside?
"Oh dear, look at my head! Even if I'm reluctant, there's nothing I can do; you only have one person working in your family."
The schadenfreude in his tone was impossible to hide. He should worry about his own family first. His eldest grandson had already taken over his daughter-in-law's job, but what about his two other grandsons?
My son is only in his early forties, not yet fifty. What should he do after retiring at this age?
The neighbor lady's face twisted several times before she finally clenched her fists and went back inside. She had two grandsons whose future jobs were still uncertain, and now the whole family was tightening their belts to find a way to buy another one.
Even if you have two jobs, one of your children still has to go to the countryside. Neither child wants to go, and you don't know which one to choose.
Yang Chunhua snorted as she watched her go inside. Her family wasn't poor, so what was the use of her studying so much? She would still have to take over her father's job.
Many people wanted to talk to Yang Chunhua about Xiaosheng not going to school, but Yang Chunhua had offended almost everyone in the building during this period, so no one wanted to bring it up anymore.
As for Chen Wei, he's been nowhere to be seen these past few days for some reason. However, he's become much more generous, even giving his mother an extra 5 yuan for groceries.
Since neither of the two adults in the family cared, the neighbors could only try to persuade the young man.
“Young man, you still need to go to school. Those kids are all wild children who have no one to take care of them. Be careful not to go astray if you follow them.”
"Exactly. I remember last time there was a tall, skinny guy who stole something from the machine factory. If his mother hadn't stopped him, the machine factory would have had the police arrest him long ago. You must never follow their example."
It was already past March, and Chen Junsheng was only wearing a thin jacket. He was sweating profusely and covered in dirt from running outside. He was about to run into the house to get a drink of water when he was stopped before he even entered.
He tugged at his clothes but couldn't budge them. The aunties who were close to Guan Lian were still trying to persuade him, but he frowned and said impatiently:
"It's none of your business!"
The kind-hearted aunties were all stunned. He took the opportunity to pull out his clothes and ran into the house in one breath, poured himself a glass of water and gulped it down.
“…this child.”
It's been less than five months since his father brought him back from Northeast China, and the child has become increasingly mischievous. Before, he would greet the neighbors, and everyone said that Guan Lian raised her children well; both of her sons were well-behaved and obedient, and she didn't have to worry about anything.
Now, not only does he work sporadically, but he's also becoming more and more like Yang Chunhua, speaking harshly and rudely.
"Forget it, if they don't care, why should we, as neighbors, care?"
Soon the neighbors dispersed and went home. Later, when they saw him skipping school to play with others, they didn't say anything, just watched him coldly.
Guan Lian's parents were afraid that Chen Wei and his mother would treat Xiao Sheng badly, so they would wait for him downstairs from time to time. At first, Chen Junsheng would run over and say a few words to them, but later Yang Chunhua would tell him from time to time not to have any more contact with his maternal grandparents' house, and he gradually listened to her.
When he saw his grandparents waiting for him downstairs, he glared at them impatiently and then ran quickly into the building.
"...Are you blaming us?"
Guan Lian's mother felt as bitter as gall after being glared at by her grandson several times. Where had her well-behaved grandson gone? It was all Yang Chunhua's fault; she must have said those nonsense things in front of the child.
"If they think we're annoying, then they shouldn't come again. No matter how many times they come, it's always the same old story. Let them be."
Guan Lian's father sighed deeply and slowly walked home with his hands behind his back.
Chen Junsheng felt that his life was wonderful. No one cared about him. He could go to school whenever he wanted, and if he didn't want to go, he could run out and play with his friends. He would throw cardboard, marbles, slingshots, and all sorts of things. He was the most active among the group of children.
When his mother was still alive, he had to go to school every day, and after returning home, he had to finish his homework according to the rules before he could play, not to mention other disciplines.
Once this period of unparalleled freedom was over, he no longer missed the days he spent with his mother.
Yang Chunhua was also happy because her son had been skipping lunch more and more lately, so she could give him a little money every day and not have to worry about him anymore.
"Son, you haven't paid for groceries this month."
Logically, the money should have been given the day before, but Yang Chunhua was too embarrassed to mention it to her son since she hadn't received it, so she wanted to wait for him to give it to her on his own initiative.
I thought I was too busy with work and forgot, but I didn't expect that I still hadn't mentioned it by the time I finished dinner the next day and was almost going to bed.
Chen Junsheng played with his newly bought toys on the table, while also listening intently. Whenever his father was about to give his grandmother money, he would also give her some small bills on the way. The supply and marketing station had just received a new batch of bamboo dragonflies, but he didn't have any yet.
"Oh, so it hasn't been given yet."
After Chen Wei finished speaking, he took out money from the inner pocket of his work clothes, counted it, and handed it to his mother. After thinking for a moment, he also handed a few bills to his son.
After giving the money, he went to bed. Yang Chunhua happily took the money and started counting it, but her face immediately changed after she finished counting. Wait, wasn't it supposed to be 15 yuan? Why did it only give 12?
Chen Junsheng was somewhat dissatisfied, clutching the small bill that contained only a few cents. His father had always given him much more money before.
However, by this time, snoring had already started in the room. Yang Chunhua held back, thinking that her son might have miscounted and she would tell him when he got up tomorrow.
The next day, she even got up early to make breakfast, but after Chen Wei got dressed, he glanced at it and immediately waved his hand, "Mom, I'm not eating, I'll eat at the factory."
Almost as soon as he finished speaking, he had already walked out, and Yang Chunhua quickly chased after him.
"Eating at the factory canteen costs money... Besides, you're still three yuan short."
Chen Wei was destined not to hear, and he didn't go to the factory canteen for breakfast. He walked very fast, and when he was almost at the factory gate, he quickly stopped, pulled his clothes, and ran his hand through his hair.
He looked himself up and down before slowing down and walking in.
A young woman in her thirties, wearing a pale yellow shirt, stood under a tree at the factory gate. As soon as she saw him approaching, she lowered her head shyly and smiled.
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