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Wang Qian listened carefully to the reading on the stage and only then realized that the man had killed someone who had violated his sister, an act deserving of the death penalty. The man’s eyes showed no remorse or regret, appearing clear and bright, as if the events on the stage had nothing to do with him.
Wang Qian couldn’t help but sigh. This man seemed to be a good person who had acted out of anger. In modern times, such a situation might be open to debate, but this was not the present era, and she couldn’t change that. All she could do was silently wish for a better future for this man.
Although she hadn’t believed in such things before, since coming here, she couldn’t help but believe that some things might be predestined.
After the announcements on the stage, the crowd below began chanting slogans. Some people even angrily rushed onto the stage and resorted to violence. However, the murderer was treated quite kindly, while the petty thieves were not as fortunate, receiving a beating from the angry crowd.
Feeling uninterested after witnessing the events, Wang Qian took her siblings out of the village courtyard. “Brother, I have a headache. Can you walk with me for a bit?”
Clearly worried, he touched her sister’s head to check for a fever, but it seemed that she was just frightened by the people inside. “Alright, let’s walk home slowly.” After walking a short distance, they saw a woman in military uniform getting off a bus in the direction of the station.
Mingyuan immediately recognized the person. “Sister, why has Eldest Aunt returned again? She never brings good news when she comes back. I need to go and tell our mother.”
He quickly ran back to the village courtyard. Wang Juan and Zhang Lan followed. “Mingyuan, are you sure you’re not mistaken?”
“I’m sure, it’s Eldest Aunt.”
Wang Juan was worried about her sister-in-law’s safety and had brought the children out. Last time, it was because of this Eldest Aunt that the children of the third sister’s family had gotten into trouble. This time, the third brother had gone out to work, so she had to protect her sisters-in-law and the children.
In the distance, a woman in military green, with a distinctive swaying gait, was none other than Wang Mei.
Wang Juan was genuinely concerned for her sister-in-law. “Sister, be careful these days. This unlucky woman never brings anything good when she returns. Try to stay at home as much as possible. If there’s a problem, let the two old men at home handle it. If that doesn’t work, have the children call us.”
Wang Juan knew that the third sister’s family had brought two elderly people to live with them. She had seen them in the village, and she assumed that the couple had brought the elderly to bolster their courage. They hadn’t disclosed the details to outsiders, and everyone assumed that they were simply taking pity on the elderly.
The two sisters-in-law watched as Wang Mei’s figure gradually disappeared into the distance. “Sister, why is Wang Mei wearing a military uniform? Could it be that she’s showing off after mixing with people in the city?”
In the 1970s, wearing a military uniform was something that many people envied. At that time, military attire carried more prestige and face than even wearing fur coats. This was why Wang Juan had such a speculation.
“Forget it, sister-in-law. Even if she soared to the sky, it wouldn’t have much to do with us. Has she ever bought anything for our children in all these years? So even if she becomes successful, we won’t benefit from it. Our families are incompatible, and we might not even get a share of her success.”
Wang Juan didn’t have a good impression of this person. Since her marriage, she hadn’t seen her sister-in-law give her anything.
“Given her scheming ways, we shouldn’t dream about it. It’s already good if she doesn’t take anything from me. By the way, she even borrowed grain from us last time. I’ll have to give her a piece of my mind tonight.”
Not long after they returned home, the elderly men also came back one after another. Zhang Lan decided that they would have dinner here before going back. Zhao Xia came over in the evening and returned the ten kilograms of grain she had borrowed earlier.
“Third Aunt, I just came from the west street and saw your Eldest Aunt returning. Tsk tsk, she was strutting around as if she were a high-ranking official. You don’t know, your mother-in-law always praises her Eldest Daughter for being successful, as if she had just joined some rebel faction to criticize the former officials.”
Zhao Xia’s words were not spoken behind anyone’s back, so Wang Qian listened attentively from the kang. It turned out that Wang Mei had dressed in military attire. Why would a rural woman like her meddle in such matters? Huang Youcai seemed quite shrewd. How could he let his wife behave so recklessly? Perhaps there were things between them that they didn’t know about.
“Oh, Zhao Xia, I need to go to the supply and marketing cooperative to buy some cotton to make quilts. We don’t have enough at home. Will you come with me?”
Zhang Lan wanted to buy two more quilts before winter arrived, to accommodate the growing children. Although Zhang Weiguo had brought a new quilt this time, it still wasn’t enough. The children were growing up so fast, and she needed to prepare quickly.
Upon hearing about going to the supply and marketing cooperative, Zhao Xia quickly got up. “Yes, why not? I’ll go home and get the money.”
Zhang Lan smiled as she saw Zhao Xia off, then turned to her daughter and said, “Your sister-in-law is good in every way, except for not being able to save money. No wonder people in the village say that as long as she has money, she’ll definitely run to the supply and marketing cooperative.”
Wang Qian chuckled and said, “Mom, sister-in-law has a carefree attitude. She lives the most practical life, never at a loss. What’s the point of living if not for food and clothing? That’s what real quality of life is about.”
Although Zhang Lan didn’t quite understand the concept of “quality of life,” she seemed to agree with her daughter’s perspective on Zhao Xia’s way of life.
“Silly girl, we need to have a plan for our lives. If we spend all our money, what will we do when we need it? Life may seem simple, but there’s a lot to learn. You should focus on learning from now on.”
Wang Qian also knew that spending all the money at once was not a solution. Zhao Xia’s carefree attitude was suitable for families with good financial conditions, where there was enough money to spend. However, the current situation was not suitable for her carefree attitude, and some of her behaviors would be criticized.
“Mom, I want to earn a lot of money to spend on you, so you won’t have to worry about money when you want to buy something.” Her words were resolute, and Zhang Lan looked at her child with a determined look, her face breaking into a smile. “Good, Mom will wait for our Qian Qian to earn money to spend. Then I’ll buy you beautiful clothes and delicious food.”
Upon hearing Zhang Lan’s words, Wang Qian felt a bit disheartened. She pursued success for the sake of her children.
“Mom, when we have money, you should also think about buying things for yourself, not just for us. We will have plenty of opportunities to live well in the future, but it’s different for you. As we grow older, you and Dad are starting to age. I don’t want to see you age. I want to see you living carefree, dressed beautifully and living without worries.”
At this moment, Wang Qian made a decision to strive for this goal in her life, for the sake of this kind woman and for the sake of the unjustly deceased Wang Qian. She felt a responsibility and obligation.
Zhang Lan hugged her daughter, her face against the child’s tender cheek. “Good child, Mom is already content with you. I don’t dare to hope for anything more. But with a good daughter like you, Mom will definitely enjoy life.”
Zhang Lan whispered in her child’s ear, while Zhao Xia came over with the money. “Qian Qian, you stay with your little uncle. It’s rare for him to stay at our house. Mom will leave first.”
Today, Zhang Weiguo didn’t go back. He planned to help his sister-in-law make pickled vegetables tomorrow. Since his brother-in-law wasn’t at home, it was a physically demanding task, and he wanted to help finish it to save his sister-in-law from exerting herself.
Zhang Lan and Zhao Xia went out, and Wang Qian went to another room to find her little uncle and the others. Zhang Weiguo and the children were chatting with the elderly couple. Although it was his first time meeting these people, he felt that these elderly individuals were extraordinary. From their demeanor to their conversation, they were completely different from the rural folks. He was happy to chat with the elderly couple and gain some knowledge.
The elderly men also enjoyed conversing with Zhang Weiguo about past events. Aside from the Wang family relationship, they found the young man intelligent, reliable, and hardworking, and they were willing to have more exchanges with him.
As soon as Wang Qian entered the room, she heard lively chatter inside. She obediently climbed onto the kang and nestled beside her sister, listening to the stories being told.
Old Chen’s tone changed as he said, “Weiguo, I advise you to read more. Even though you may not need it now, it will definitely be useful in the future. How could the country’s development not need educated individuals? You should put more effort into this. I guarantee that you will see results within ten years,” Chen Minghai assured.
Cui Zhengyang also nodded in agreement, “Yes, the country will eventually resume development. The current situation is only temporary. Weiguo, you should seize the opportunity. Opportunities won’t always be available. Regretting a missed opportunity is a lifetime’s worth of regret. I think your mind is very good. Picking up books again should be no problem. Besides, if there are any issues, we old folks are here. We can help you with your studies.”
Zhang Weiguo wasn’t foolish. The old men had extended an olive branch, and he naturally didn’t hesitate to accept it. Where else could he find such a good opportunity in the future?
“Alright, I’ll listen to you, uncles. When I go back this time, I’ll find some books to read. If I encounter something I don’t understand, I’ll make a note of it. I’ll visit my sister’s place more often in the future, and I can also prepare some delicious food for you all.”
The old men nodded in relief. This young man was good, His mind was quite quick to process and remember.
At this moment, Wang Qian remembered something. The college entrance examination would resume in a few years. If her little uncle could study well, perhaps a university student would emerge from their family. Even if Zhang Weiguo joined the military, he could still attend a military academy.
“Little uncle, don’t forget, you must study well. If there’s nothing going on at home, you can stay with us. Perhaps you might even go to university in the future. I really want to see what it would be like when you go to university,”