Several women were making grass ropes in the old house. When they saw Lin Xiaojing suddenly return, they were indeed a bit surprised.

“Little sister didn’t even bring her bedding, so she must not be on break yet,” Qian Aifen said, “Did something happen that made you come back?”

Lin Xiaojing nodded. “Yes, big sister-in-law is right…” She then turned to Lin’s mother and asked, “Mom, can I talk to you about something in the room?”

“Sure.” Lin’s mother put down the straw in her hands and went to the room with her.

“So mysterious,” Zhang Qinfang muttered.

Qian Aifen glanced at her but didn’t say anything.

After Lin Xiaojing and Lin’s mother entered the room, she couldn’t contain her excitement.

The corners of her mouth couldn’t be suppressed. “Mom, Third Sister came to the school to find me this morning. She said the job is confirmed and can be transferred to me.”

“What?” Lin’s mother widened her eyes. “Are you… are you serious?”

They had been waiting for a month, and she thought it was over.

She had long stopped thinking about the job, but she didn’t expect it to happen suddenly.

It was too sudden for her to believe.

“Yes, Third Sister-in-law asked me to discuss it with you. She said she would sell the job to me for 650 yuan…” Lin Xiaojing repeated what Ning Shu had said at the time, “Mom, the formal job at the clothing factory is worth 650 yuan. You don’t know, now, not to mention a formal job, even a temporary job can’t be sold. Third Sister also did it for the sake of Third Brother’s face, that’s why she agreed to sell it to me for this price. If she sold it to someone else, it would definitely not be this price.”

Lin’s mother agreed with this: “That’s for sure.”

Since hearing Ning Shu’s words about educating children, Lin’s mother had a filter on this daughter-in-law.

She thought she was extremely good. “Since I have to go through the formalities in the afternoon, I’ll go find your dad and discuss it with him.”

Previously, because Ning Shu did not give a 100% confirmation, Lin’s mother had only discussed it with Lin’s father.

Now that Ning Shu has confirmed it, Lin’s mother naturally wants to discuss it with Lin’s father.

Lin’s father was in the fields with his two sons.

It was early January now, and the weather was finally good.

Potatoes could be planted. In fact, most families didn’t plant potatoes this early, but Lin’s father liked to plant them early.

They had a large family and three acres of land, so they had to plant early.

“Why are you here?” Lin’s father put down his hoe and went over when he saw Lin’s mother. “Did something good happen?”

Seeing her smiling, after several decades of marriage, he knew there must be good news.

Lin’s mother didn’t hide anything: “Something good has indeed happened. Let me tell you, the job for Third Son’s wife is confirmed. She said she’ll sell it to Xiaojing for 650 yuan…” She explained the situation to Lin’s father.

“We’ll definitely buy that job. It’s 650 yuan now. We don’t have that much money at home. Third Son gave me a total of 200 yuan. I originally thought that with the way San’s wife was, this money would definitely be saved for the three children. Now…” Lin’s mother felt a bit embarrassed, “Now that Third son’s wife is doing better, let’s use this money first. When Xiaojing saves up money in the future, we’ll pay it back to San’s wife.”

Lin’s father nodded, “That makes sense. Third son’s wife takes good care of the three children, and we’re not old enough to be supported by them. We really can’t take this 200 yuan. But it’s okay to let Xiaojing use this money first. Like you said, let Xiaojing earn her own salary to repay it. It won’t be a loss for our eldest and second.”

“That’s the idea. After deducting the 200 yuan, we’re still short of 450 yuan. The money earned from working over the years isn’t much, and with eight children to raise, it’s all supported by the money from raising pigs. But even adding them up, it’s only a little over 350. It’s probably still a hundred or so short of 650. What do you think about asking Third son’s family to borrow 100 yuan? When the pigs are sold at the end of the year, we can pay back half.”

Lin’s father said, “Third son will definitely lend it.” He understood his son well. “But you should ask Third son’s wife about this money. Otherwise, it would be bad if it caused an argument between them. If San’s wife is willing to lend it, we can’t borrow it for free. Give her the interest she mentioned last time. If she doesn’t want to lend it, I’ll ask my eldest brother’s family and the village head’s family. They can lend 100 yuan together without any problem. It’s just that with Third son around, asking both families for a loan, when this gets out, it might damage San’s reputation.”

Lin’s mother understood Lin’s father’s meaning, which indeed made sense.

Guodong was the most promising in the whole village.

If he couldn’t even borrow 100 yuan, it would indeed damage his reputation. “Let’s talk to the eldest and second son about this first, then talk to third son’s wife.”

“Okay.” Lin’s father looked at Lin Guofeng and Lin Guoliang. “Eldest and second son, come home. We have something to discuss.”

Lin Guofeng and Lin Guoliang were curious when they heard Lin’s father’s words.

Lin Guofeng asked, “Dad, what do we need to discuss at home?” From the looks of it, it wasn’t a small matter.

Otherwise, Dad wouldn’t leave the work in the fields and come home to discuss it.

Lin’s father said, “Wait until we get home, then we’ll discuss it in front of the whole family.”

In the old house, Zhang Qinfang and Qian Aifen saw Lin’s mother go out and bring Lin’s father, Lin Guofeng, and Lin Guoliang with her.

They were all very puzzled, but they also guessed it might be related to the return of their younger sister-in-law.

Zhang Qinfang asked first, “Mom, what’s going on?”

Qian Aifen was also nervous, “Mom, is Xiaojing okay?”

Lin’s mother smiled and said, “Don’t worry, it’s good news. Now, put aside what you’re doing and let’s sit in the kitchen to talk.”

With Lin’s mother’s words, all the adults in the family went to the kitchen.

After everyone sat down in their usual seats for meals, they all looked at Lin’s mother.

QLin’s mother cleared her throat, “Here’s the thing. Third son’s wife helped the clothing factory solve a problem, and the factory rewarded her with a job. But third son’s wife will be following him with the military next, so she plans to sell this job to Xiaojing…”

“What? Why sell it to Xiaojing? Even if she sells it, shouldn’t she choose between the eldest brother and our family head?” Zhang Qinfang interjected.

Qian Aifen didn’t speak up, but it was clear that she agreed with Zhang Qinfang.

How could they buy a job for their daughter when their sons were still at home farming?

Lin’s mother said, “Who Third Daughter-in-law’s sells the job to is her decision, not ours. If it were up to us…” Lin’s mother paused, “…we would definitely prioritize the eldest and second son.”

This wasn’t favoritism.

She believed she treated her sons and daughters equally.

But when it came to a job, she would naturally prioritize her sons.

After all, her daughters would marry out in the future, and this job would be taken to their husbands’ homes.

The job left for her sons would be passed down to future generations.

“Then go talk to Third Sister. Since she wants to sell the job, it’s the same whether she sells it to the eldest brother or the family head.” Zhang Qinfang, who usually didn’t hold back, also spoke up.

She then asked Qian Aifen, “Big sister-in-law, what do you think?”

Normally, Zhang Qinfang was independent and outspoken.

But today’s matter is not just about Lin Guoliang, it also concerns Lin Guofeng, so she has also involved Qian Aifen.

Qian Aifen did not remain silent either. When it comes to her own interests, no one can remain silent. “Mother, I think Second Sister’s words make sense. Since Third Sister’s job is to sell, then selling it to anyone is selling, right? Why not sell it to us? And I’ve never heard of a job being sold to a daughter, not to a son’s of a family.”

Hearing them say this, Lin Xiaojing felt very uncomfortable.

This job was not something she snatched from her older brothers; it was something her sister-in-law was willing to sell to her.

Her eyes involuntarily turned red, and her voice was choked with sobs. “It was Sister-in-law who said she would sell it to me. If you’re not convinced, you can talk to Sister-in-law.”

Lin Xiaojing was not a weakling at heart.

She was the only daughter in the family and naturally was spoiled.

Otherwise, she wouldn’t have had the courage to do what she did five years ago.

However, living in guilt towards her third brother for the past five years, she had restrained her temper and become more gentle.

But that didn’t mean she could be targeted like this. “If Sister-in-law says she will sell the job to you, then I have nothing to say.”

In the end, Lin’s father sighed.

Actually, he anticipated that things would turn out like this, so he suggested discussing it at home.

“Since you all have opinions, then go to Third Son’s house.”

With that, he got up. His usually tall figure seemed to age all at once.

Why did something that was clearly a good thing, something worth celebrating, turn into this?

Lin Family

Ning Shu was cooking lunch. The rice was already in the pot, and various side dishes were ready.

At the moment, she was making sweet and sour pork ribs.

“Mother…” Yibao ran in. “Mother, Grandpa, Grandma, Uncle, Aunt, Second Uncle, Second Aunt, and Auntie are here.”

What?

She had been so focused on making sweet and sour pork ribs that she hadn’t noticed the commotion outside.

“Daughter-in-law, you’re making lunch?” Lin’s mother and the others also arrived at the kitchen door and caught her making lunch, which was quite embarrassing.

Ning Shu: “Yes. Mother, Father, why are you here? Is it because of Xiaojing’s job?” Her gaze swept over everyone, who were all standing outside, quite a crowd.

Lin’s mother said somewhat awkwardly, “Yes, it’s because of the job matter. You see… can we talk about it?”

Ning Shu replied, “Of course.”

The sweet and sour pork ribs weren’t ready yet. “Go ahead, I’m listening.”

The group of people stood there without sitting down.

Lin’s mother continued, “Well, about that job you sold to Xiaojing for 650 yuan. But the wives of the eldest and second sons also want to buy it. What do you think about this?”

Ning Shu raised an eyebrow.

She had thought about encountering this issue when she sold the job to Lin Xiaojing.

After all, she was well aware of what a job meant in this day and age.

So she had already thought of a way to deal with it. “I sold this job to Xiaojing on purpose, for 650 yuan. Only if Xiaojing doesn’t want to buy it, will I consider selling it to someone else, for 750 yuan. Xiaojing, do you want to buy it?”

“Why is it 650 for Xiaojing and 750 for others?” Before Lin Xiaojing could answer, Zhang Qinfang was the first to ask.

Her character was impulsive, otherwise, why would they ask her to speak up about this matter?

Ning Shu glanced at her. “This job is worth this price outside. I’m giving Xiaojing a discount of 100 yuan. One reason is that Xiaojing used to take care of the three children a lot. They said Aunt often gave them things to eat, all of which were saved by Xiaojing. And when the three childrens were still young, she also helped raise them. Have you all saved food for the three children like Xiaojing did, or helped raise them?”

“How much food could Xiaojing have saved? They used to eat the food from the old house, which everyone earned through labor points. And Xiaojing’s food was also from the old house. Even if Xiaojing helped raise them, it was because she didn’t do the work in the old house and had the time to raise them.”

“The food they used to eat wasn’t free.” Suddenly, a low voice came from the door.

Everyone turned back and saw that Lin Guodong had returned.

Lin Guodong was wearing an old military coat, with bamboo shoots still in the pockets of his clothes.

His expression was calm, but his gaze swept coldly over everyone, and finally, he softened his tone towards Ning Shu. “You cook, I’ll handle this.”

Obviously, he had heard their conversation just now.

“Okay.” Ning Shu nodded.

Since they were all in the kitchen, she could hear everything anyway.

But since Lin Guodong wanted to handle it and didn’t care about offending people, she wouldn’t interfere.

Lin Guodong brought over two chairs. “Dad, Mom, please have a seat.” Since their family was small and there were few chairs, not everyone could sit, so they could only offer seats to the elders.

“No need, no need.” Lin’s mother didn’t feel like sitting at all.

Lin’s father also waved his hand, indicating the same.

In that case, Lin Guodong didn’t force it.

He looked first at Zhang Qinfang and Qian Aifen, then at Lin Guofeng and Lin Guoliang, and finally said, “Big brother, second brother, it’s been ten years since I went to university and then joined the army. During these ten years, I haven’t been by my parents’ side, and I’m very grateful to you all for taking care of them. When I just got married, Ning Shu was young and didn’t understand things, which caused a lot of trouble for my parents, and this is my fault too. If I had been by her side, even if she didn’t understand things, I would have been there to support her. For this, it’s my unfilialness as a son that has caused trouble for my parents.”

Ning Shu’s heart stirred.

At that time, she was controlled by the plot, and what she did was not just a matter of not understanding things; it was truly outrageous.

But Lin Guodong summed it up as her not understanding things and took the blame on himself.

Regarding this, Ning Shu was moved.

Even before she recovered her memory, when she saw his letter, she knew he was a responsible man.

“This isn’t your unfilialness. You’ve been protecting our country outside, and we’re proud of you. How can we blame you?” Lin’s mother hurriedly said.

How could she let her son bear the reputation of being unfilial? Besides, this wasn’t Third Son’s fault to begin with.

“But for these ten years, I haven’t been able to take care of my parents properly. So, when my parents reach old age, I will bear the responsibility of taking care of them alone, as a way to make up for my unfilialness during those ten years.” Lin Guodong said, then looked at Ning Shu. “What do you think?”

“It’s fine, of course there’s no problem.” Ning Shu naturally agreed.

Not only because they supported Lin Guodong through university, but also because they had raised their first and second children for five years.

This kindness was worth her gratitude for a lifetime, and she was willing to let them take care of the elders alone.

Moreover, parents raise their children to adulthood, educate them to become successful, and children support their parents in old age; this is natural and right. This was Lin Guodong’s obligation.