Ever since the food factory took the little fruits away, Tang Momo has become everyone’s benefactor. Whenever people mention her, they speak of her with admiration. 

They all praised her for doing good things for the Qingshui Brigade.   

Even when Tang Momo rejected the Gu family’s marriage proposal, people still praised her for putting her family first. 

Thinking of this, Xu Xiaoyun clenched her fists.  

Tang Momo completely ignored Xu Xiaoyun. Since she had already decided to take the college entrance exam, it seemed she had moved on from Gu Chengze. Tang Momo thought it was good that they could each go their separate ways and live their own lives.  

Seeing that Tang Momo ignored her again, Xu Xiaoyun stopped her. “Tang Momo, stop.”   

Tang Momo glanced back at her and said calmly, “Is something wrong?”   

“You must be feeling quite proud of yourself now, huh?”  

Xu Xiaoyun’s tone was a bit sharp. The last time they met, she thought that she would definitely be able to marry Gu Chengze.   

So, she couldn’t wait to show off in front of Tang Momo.  

But reality hit her hard. Gu Chengze didn’t care about what she said at all; he even threatened her, all because of Tang Momo.  

Tang Momo sighed; her tone was filled with confusion. “Xu Xiaoyun, aren’t you tired of this? Why do you always have to compete with others? Can’t you just focus on living your own life?” 

Having a second chance at life, she was already luckier than most; so why not cherish it? 

“You’re living a good life now, so it’s easy for you to say that. Do you know what I’ve hated the most since I was a child? It’s you.” 

What embarrassed her the most was that even though she hated Tang Momo, she still had to pretend to be friends with her. 

“Since you hate me the most, why do you still want to be friends with me? Is it possible that someone is forcing you?”   

Tang Momo’s tone was full of ridicule. This was the thing she resented most on behalf of the original Tang Momo. 

Xu Xiaoyun never regarded the original owner as a friend from the beginning to the end. She approached her and became friends with her for the purpose of seeking benefits.   

“What do you know?”   

Being confronted with her darkest truth, Xu Xiaoyun suddenly became angry.   

“Yes, I don’t understand you. You say I’m your best friend, but deep down, you hate me. Xu Xiaoyun, don’t you find yourself ridiculous?” 

Tang Momo couldn’t understand why; despite having a chance to live again, Xu Xiaoyun still couldn’t face her own issues. 

“Tang Momo, don’t be too proud.”   

Even if she can’t marry Gu Chengze, she will still be a college student in the future, while Tang Momo was destined to lose her job. 

“Well, I’m proud, so can I leave now?”   

Though she asked, Tang Momo turned and left without waiting for an answer. 

She hoped that for the next two years, Xu Xiaoyun would settle down and focus on preparing for the college entrance exam. 

Xu Xiaoyun held the sickle in her hand and stared closely at Tang Momo’s departing figure, her resolve to attend college was growing stronger. 

As long as she goes to college, she will completely distance herself from Tang Momo. Thinking of this, Xu Xiaoyun turned around and walked toward Bai Lu. In this life, no one can stop her from going to college. 

***

After returning from the Qingshui Brigade, Tang Momo also breathed a sigh of relief. In order to go to college, Xu Xiaoyun wouldn’t cause trouble for the next two years. By then, they would each go to college and live their own lives. Whatever Xu Xiaoyun did wouldn’t have anything to do with her. 

“Sister, why did you not take us with you when you went back?” 

The twins pouted and looked at Tang Momo with unhappy expressions.   

“I had something important to do today. How about I take you with me next time?” 

Tang Momo laughed. She didn’t expect the two little ones to care about this. 

“How is Aunt Zhao? Is she recovering well?”  

Zhang Xiaoli came out of the kitchen and asked. 

“She’s recovering pretty well, but she feels restless.” 

Thinking of Zhao Xiuli pulling her and talking non-stop, Tang Momo couldn’t help but smile. 

“It’s quite normal, she has to lie in bed every day. But as long as there is no major problem, that’s good.” 

Zhang Xiaoli was relieved to hear that Zhao Xiuli was fine. After all, Gu Chengze had helped them a lot before. 

These days, the most difficult thing to repay is the debt of gratitude. 

“We probably won’t go back this year; there shouldn’t be any major events.”  

After the Mid-Autumn Festival, the New Year is getting closer and closer. 

“This year is a special year. When the time comes, we should go back early to pay our respects to your father’s grave.” 

Maybe it’s because every day has been so fulfilling lately, Zhang Xiaoli thought of Tang Dajun less often now. 

Tang Momo also found that Zhang Xiaoli was becoming more and more relaxed when talking about Tang Dajun, and her tone was more cheerful. Tang Momo thought she must be moving on. 

“That reminds me, I’ve put the things from that jar into a box; it won’t be used for a few years, and I’ll save it for you and Yangyang as a dowry.” 

Zhang Xiaoli suddenly lowered her voice. 

“Since we don’t need it; let’s just leave it for now.” 

Mentioning those things made the smile in Tang Momo’s eyes grow wider—after all, that was all money. 

“You bought so many things today; it must have cost quite a bit.” 

As Zhang Xiaoli spoke, she was about to hand Tang Momo some money.  

Tang Momo waved her hand and refused. “No need, it didn’t cost much. Yanzi’s sister in the dormitory is in the supply and marketing cooperative. Most of the things I bought today are defective. Look, the bottle of snow cream are all broken.” 

“You shouldn’t always take advantage of others; these things have their worth. That reminds me, the factory has some misprinted shoes; they have minor issues. You can ask them if they need them.” 

The most important thing in relationships is courtesy. 

Last month, the five of them in the family had all gotten new shoes, so they really didn’t need any this month. Tang Momo nodded and said she would ask about them when she got back to the dormitory. 

“The last time I used snow cream was when your father was still around.” 

Zhang Xiaoli lowered her head and glanced at the bottle of cream, with nostalgia flashing in her eyes. 

“From now on, I’ll take care of your snow cream.” Tang Momo said with confidence. 

“What about me? What about me?” 

Tang Yangyang came over at some point. 

“You have some too. Here, this bottle is for all of us.” 

Because she was not sure whether they would be allergic, Tang Momo only prepared one bottle for them for the time being. 

“That’s only for girls; I don’t use this.” 

Tang Jianan refused directly without thinking. 

“Neither do I.” 

Tang Jianping quickly followed and refused. 

“When your skin starts peeling later, don’t blame me for not reminding you. And who says this can only be used by girls? Look, does it say that on the bottle?” 

Tang Momo slammed the bottle right under Tang Jianan’s nose. 

“Your sister is right. When you were little, I applied it on your face every morning, and you still came over to secretly apply more.”  

Zhang Xiaoli looked at Tang Jianan with a smile. 

Tang Jianan clearly didn’t believe Zhang Xiaoli and felt she was deceiving him. 

Zhang Xiaoli glared at him, “What’s there to lie about? You didn’t even make it to winter when you were little, and your face would get dry and start peeling. If you don’t apply it, it will crack in the winter.” 

It’s just that life has been a bit rough in the last couple of years.  

Tang Jianping touched his little face when he heard this, hesitated for a moment, and then said, “Then I’ll use it together with my sister.” 

Everyone was amused by him. After he finished speaking, Zhang Xiaoli and Tang Momo discussed of raising a dog. 

“We are not at home during the day, and there is no one in the yard, even at night. This yard is located in a remote area, so I think it would be better to have a dog, preferably a fierce one.” 

Zhang Xiaoli still had some concerns since every adult in the family was a worker. 

“That’s a good idea. Are puppies hard to find?”  

Tang Momo wasn’t sure how common it was to keep dogs in this era, especially since some people didn’t have enough to eat.  

“I’ll go to the factory tomorrow to ask around. Someone should be raising them.” 

What Zhang Xiaoli didn’t tell Tang Momo was that she had noticed unfamiliar people walking around the area recently, which is why she had this idea. 

It was only then that Tang Momo realized that they were indeed considered a vulnerable group. Although they were a family of five, they didn’t have a single strong worker. Wouldn’t it be dangerous if they were targeted? 

“Mother, why don’t you invite all of Father’s former friends over for a meal during your break sometime?” 

It would be even better if someone lived nearby. 

Zhang Xiaoli eyes lit up when she heard this: “That’s a good idea, it’s also a way to thank them for taking care of me during this time.” 

“Then you take care of the arrangements. Just let me know when the time is set. I’ve been quite busy recently.” 

Tang Momo originally thought it was just a simple discussion, but in the end, the leaders of the machinery factory and the shoe factory got the news from somewhere and said they would also send someone to participate. 

If they agree, then they might invite Tang Momo to their factory for explanations. After all, many accidents happen every year in each factory, and everyone’s safety awareness seemed quite low. 

“I heard the workshop director say he would also attend that day; maybe he’ll even invite you to the factory to give an explanation.”  

Zhang Xiaoli’s tone was filled with pride. 

Seeing the proud expression on Zhang Xiaoli’s face, Tang Momo felt a bit embarrassed; this knowledge would become common sense in the future. 

“Everyone says you’re doing well now; they’re so envious of me. Many people even want to be my in-laws. But I know what you want to do, so I’ve rejected them all.” 

After Zhang Xiaoli finished speaking, she looked at Tang Momo with a look on her face as if she was asking for praise. 

A smile flashed in Tang Momo’s eyes. Sure enough, it was right to let Zhang Xiaoli go to work. She has met more people and is now more outgoing. 

“Mother, you’re the best.” 

Tang Momo felt truly fortunate to have such an understanding mother. 

“I have no other expectations in life; I just hope you all will be well.” 

After experiencing life and death, other things are not important to Zhang Xiaoli.   

As long as her children are happy, the rest doesn’t matter.   

“Mother, don’t worry, we will be fine, so don’t wrong yourself and just do whatever you want.”   

 Tang Momo stretched out her hand to cover the back of Zhang Xiaoli’s hand with a serious look on her face.   

Tang Momo returned to the factory early the next morning and asked Wang Qian if they needed shoes. At this time, most people’s shoes were self-made cloth shoes, and leather shoes were considered luxury goods.   

When they heard that there were cheap leather shoes to buy, several people’s eyes couldn’t help but light up, and they nodded quickly to express their desire. How could they refuse such a good opportunity?   

“Alright, tell me your sizes, and I’ll bring them back to my mother when I go home,” Tang Momo said with a smile.  

“That reminds me, Momo, have you chosen what to wear that day?”   

Hu Jie glanced at Tang Momo and asked gently.   

“The weather has turned cold, so we can’t wear skirts; otherwise, we would look so good in skirts.”   

Wang Qian’s tone was full of regret.   

“Why can’t we wear woolen skirts?” Yanzi replied in a low voice. 

Yanzi’s words suddenly gave Tang Momo a new idea. She looked at everyone and asked, “Do you know any good tailors who make clothes well?” 

Tang Momo herself was not skilled at sewing, but she could draw a design and find a master to make it. Last time the supply and marketing cooperative have ready-made clothes, but she didn’t like them.   

“Momo, don’t you know how to make clothes?” Wang Qian asked curiously. 

“Just average. I want to find someone to help me.”   

“If you trust me, I can help you, but you’ll have to wait until the holidays. I only have a sewing machine at home,” Hu Jie said warmly. 

“Then it might be too late. I plan to finish them in time to wear at the end of the month. After all, I’ll be representing our factory. I’m just hoping that Director Wu can reimburse me since I prepared it specifically for the discussion.” At the end, Tang Momo laughed first. 

“Why don’t you go ask around near the textile factory? There might be someone there. If you meet someone whose family works in a textile factory, you might find cheap fabric without needing cloth ticket,” Wang Qian suggested. 

“Then I’ll take a look after work,” Tang Momo replied. 

Time was tight; she had initially thought the event would only be for two factories and that she could just wear something casual. She didn’t expect that other factories would join this event. 

Tang Momo went directly to the textile factory after getting off work and found out who made the clothes. Because of the policy, everyone was very cautious.   

After everything was discussed, Tang Momo said that she would bring the drawings over tomorrow and hoped to get the clothes in three days.   

Seeing Tang Momo’s straightforward attitude, the woman who made clothes readily agreed to get started on her work right away. 

When she returned to the factory, Tang Momo was stopped by the guard. This time, in addition to her letter, there was also a package. Looking at the familiar handwriting on it, she didn’t expect that Gu Chengze would send a package to her, and she didn’t know what he sent.   

***

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