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“My Guangyao is still young, no rush for him to work. And you, little girl, adults are talking—don’t interrupt!”
Right now, Bi Guangyao was only ten, just in second grade. Even if he only went as far as middle school, that was still at least seven years away. And in seven years, the college entrance exams would probably be restored. Thinking of this, Bi Chunliu agreed:
“Alright, I’ll promise. But at the very least, it has to wait until Guangyao finishes middle school. Otherwise, even if there’s a job, he won’t be able to handle it. After all, he can’t do heavy labor.”
Third Aunt Bi nodded eagerly.
“Of course, of course. Best would be some office work—no wind, no rain, not too tiring…”
Bi Chunliu: “…” How is she already being picky?
Seeing her go further and further, she cut her off:
“Third Aunt, since you’ve agreed, then you should take Guangyao and Wang Di outside now. Whatever happens later has nothing to do with the three of you. When you have time, remind Guangyao to study hard. And best to send Wang Di to school too. That way, in the future she’ll have a chance to marry into a good family and can also be a help to Guangyao.”
Third Aunt glanced at Wang Di. This girl…
“We’ll see when the time comes. Should we head out now?”
“Yes!”
Meanwhile.
Third Uncle Bi was pouring out all his persuasion to his mother:
“Mother! You know what kind of person Wang Dayou is. His mind is as narrow as a needle’s eye. Now that Guangyao’s mother fought with his wife, do you think I’ll have any peace from now on? Stop looking only at your grandson and not your son. If your son can’t survive, what then?!”
“Old Third, it’s not like he’s the only cadre in the brigade. No matter what, he won’t dare openly target you. Besides, your wife’s already standing out front—so we’re not really going head-to-head with him. Here’s what you should do: tonight, take those two bags of pastries and give them to the brigade leader. You think he won’t accept them? And about the city—you want to go, but have you thought about it? It might not even be as comfortable as the countryside. Those compounds are cramped, with too many people and too many schemes. Listen to your mother. I’ve lived longer, not for nothing. In that courtyard they live in, the politics inside are endless.”
Old Madam Guo patiently coaxed her son. In her heart, her grandson was more important than her son. Especially when compared to frail Guangyao, healthy and sturdy Weiguo seemed all the more precious.
“Mother, you can’t be this biased! If I get to the city, then I’ll be a city man. Right now even eating meat is hard, but in the city they issue meat coupons! And besides, I’d be going there to work, not to stir up trouble. What do other people’s affairs have to do with me? Mother, pity your son. You haven’t seen it—the way the brigade leader looked at me just now, it wasn’t right at all.”
Third Uncle was determined to take advantage, never considering whether he was capable of the job.
Inside the house, Bi Weiguo called out:
“Grandma, are you done talking to Third Uncle? We’re leaving soon.”
“All done, all done. Grandma’s coming.” Old Madam Guo replied, preparing to go back inside.
“Mother, let me take this job! Won’t it eventually go to your eldest grandson anyway? If you really leave it with Eldest Girl, who knows what she’ll do later? Look, today she already dared to talk back to me. Do you think she’ll willingly hand it over to Weiguo in the future? There are still years before he finishes high school—who can guarantee what’ll happen in the meantime?”
Inside, Bi Weiguo shouted again. Thinking of her grandson, Old Madam Guo nodded.
“Got it.”
Seeing her agree, Third Uncle broke into a grin.
“Mother, don’t worry. How could you not trust your own son? My Guangyao’s body isn’t strong—I’ll be counting on Weiguo to help him out. This job definitely won’t go to Guangyao.”
Old Madam Guo gave him a sharp look.
“See that you, as his third uncle, keep your word.”
Third Uncle supported his mother back into the house.
By now, only the four sisters were left inside.
Third Uncle frowned.
“Where’s your Third Aunt and the others?” That useless woman, not even paying attention to her man becoming a worker—always messing around with other nonsense instead.
“Guangyao wasn’t feeling well. Third Aunt and Wang Di took him out to get checked on.”
Old Madam Guo said:
“Eldest girl, this job really can’t stay with you. If you don’t marry soon, no family will want you. Here’s what we’ll do—let your Third Uncle work for now, and I’ll hurry to find you a husband. Then you won’t need to work.”
Bi Weiguo:
“No! Grandma, that’s my job!”
Old Madam Guo:
“Grandma’s thought it through. Here’s what you do—write an agreement with your Third Uncle. When you turn eighteen, he’ll hand the job over to you. Weiguo, your Third Uncle’s struggling. Just listen to Grandma, Grandma would never harm you.”
Bi Weiguo:
“No way—”
Bi Chunliu cut him off.
“Weiguo, didn’t you just say you ate too much and felt a bit full? Why don’t you let Grandma take you for a walk around the village? I’ll talk this through with Third Uncle.”
“Huh?” Weiguo scratched his head. My part’s already done this fast?
“Alright then. Grandma, will you walk with me?”
Old Madam Guo glanced at her son, then at her precious eldest grandson, and nodded.
“Okay.”
When Old Madam Guo and Weiguo had gone out, Third Uncle sat down on a tall stool, looking down at Bi Chunliu who was sitting on a small one.
“So, eldest niece, you want to talk to me alone?”
Bi Chunliu didn’t answer. Instead, she stood up, reached behind her waist, and pulled out a rope she had just found.
Third Uncle’s heart gave a jolt, but he kept his mocking expression.
“What now? You wouldn’t dare tie up your elder, would you?”