Chapter Thirteen

Just as Bi Chunliu was thinking, Wang Di returned. She greeted everyone briefly, then quietly sat down to eat. Bi Chunliu noticed Bi Qiuguo winking at Wang Di, and Wang Di narrowed her eyes in a grin.

“Grandma, you should eat too!” Bi Weiguo picked up a piece of meat and placed it into Old Madam Guo’s bowl.

Old Madam Guo was so moved she nearly shed tears.
“Good! My eldest grandson really is filial, he truly cares for his grandma!”

Then Bi Weiguo picked up more pieces of meat and placed one each into the bowls of Bi Chunliu, Bi Xiahe, and Bi Qiuguo.

Third Aunt Bi curled her lips in disdain. Old Madam Guo immediately reached out, trying to snatch the meat back from their bowls, but the sisters quickly shoved the meat into their mouths. Getting even a single bite of meat in Grandma’s house was no easy feat…

“Eat, eat, eat! That’s all you know how to do. Weiguo gave you meat, so when you marry off later, you’d better remember your brothers’ kindness. When you visit your mother’s family, make sure you bring Weiguo plenty of things.” Old Madam Guo scolded bitterly, then gave a reminder.

“……”

When no one responded to her, Old Madam Guo raised her brows, ready to start lecturing again.

Third Uncle Bi quickly interjected:
“Ahem, Mother, let’s just eat for now. The children rarely come back, after all.”
There were still important matters to discuss later, but if his mother kept rambling on like this, when would be the right time to teach the kids?

“Fine, fine, eat quickly then!”

After dinner, Third Uncle signaled to Old Madam Guo, reminding her to hurry and bring up the serious matter. But Old Madam Guo was busy smothering her eldest grandson with affection, paying no attention at all.

Third Uncle ground his teeth. This is exactly why women only cause delays! Originally, he had thought that whether or not Chunliu gave up the job, at least they might leave behind some money. But after his wife clashed with the captain’s family today, he really wanted to transfer to the city. Hmph, Wang Dayou was such a petty man—who knew what trouble he might cause for him in the future? It would be far safer to get out from under his control as soon as possible.

“Mother, didn’t you say you had something to tell the eldest girl once they got here? We’ve already finished eating—say it now.”

Old Madam Guo blinked. “What thing?” Then, seeing her son mouthing words, she remembered. “Oh, right, there is something. Chunliu, you’re twenty now, no longer young, and it’s time you were betrothed. A girl can’t arrange her own marriage, and I can’t bear to watch you stay an old maid. Here’s what we’ll do: you let your Third Uncle take over the job first. Once he’s settled, he can help find you a match in the city.”

The shoe finally dropped.

Bi Chunliu didn’t bother with pleasantries or excuses. She refused outright:
“No! I won’t give the job to Third Uncle.”

“Hey, you ungrateful girl, don’t you know what’s good for you? Giving your job to your Third Uncle is for your own good! Do you plan to stay unmarried all your life? When an elder makes arrangements for you, what right do you have to object? Weiguo, what do you say? Once your Third Uncle takes over, you can return home with your sisters. Grandma will have your Third Aunt cook delicious food for you every day. How about that?”

Bi Weiguo stole a glance at his eldest sister and third sister. “Grandma, I still want to study in the city. Last time, my teacher even said I’d made progress. I don’t want to go back to the village.”

“You can study at home too. The commune’s middle school is just fine. You don’t want to stay with Grandma?” Old Madam Guo hadn’t expected her eldest grandson to say this.

Bi Weiguo carefully repeated the lines his third sister had coached him in back home:
“Grandma, please let my eldest sister keep the job. It belonged to my father, and my mother said it was meant for me in the future. If you let my Third Uncle take it and pass it on to Guangyao, what will happen to me? I’m a registered city resident—if I lose this, I’ll be sent down to the countryside. Would you really be willing to send me away?”