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The eldest brother asked about Li Xingguo’s job and the situations of the other children at work.
“Second can’t keep taking temporary jobs forever. Why not spend some money to buy him a job?” the eldest brother suggested.
Wu Zhiqiu knew that this wouldn’t lead to a good future. Even if he found a job, he would eventually be laid off in a few years; finding a job was meaningless.
It would be better to do some small business instead.
However, she couldn’t say this to her brother; he would think she was being biased and neglecting her duties.
“I understand. If I find something suitable, I’ll buy one for the second son!” Wu Zhiqiu replied perfunctorily.
“I’ll keep an eye out at the factory too!”
After the family had dinner, Wu Zhiqiu didn’t stay long, as it would be difficult to get back after dark.
The eldest brother and sister-in-law saw Wu Zhiqiu off as she left.
“Youngest sister seems to be doing well! That bicycle looks nice!” The sister-in-law noticed as soon as Wu Zhiqiu entered.
“Youngest sister has suffered for half her life; she deserves to enjoy some blessings,” Wu Huai’an said, still very much the eldest brother, caring for his younger siblings.
Sister-in-law nodded. “If Xingguo thought about home a bit more, youngest sister’s life would surely be better.”
Wu Huai’an sighed; every family has its own difficulties!
When Wu Zhiqiu returned home, Li Mancang was back too. He hadn’t eaten in the village and returned right after repaying the money!
He pushed the new bicycle into the house.
The children were waiting for them to eat, and upon seeing the new bicycles, they immediately surrounded them.
“Mom and Dad! Why are there two new bicycles? Are they for me?” The third son jumped over, eyes shining at the bicycles.
Li Fengchun’s eyes lit up as well; that lady’s bicycle must be for her to ride to school!
“Get lost, you little brat! Who do you think you are? Why would we get you a bicycle? You’re so full of yourself! This is for your dad and me; go away!” Wu Zhiqiu snapped, realizing only now how annoying her youngest son could be.
He acted like a spoiled child, always chiming in, talking back, and making a fuss!
“You two bought them? Aren’t you commuting to work? What do you need bicycles for?” The third son stared with wide eyes, fixated on the bicycles. If they were for Meina, wouldn’t she be thrilled?
“Shut up! I want to ride to work! I spend over an hour commuting every day! I didn’t have a bicycle before, and you live closer to work than I do; why don’t you walk?” Wu Zhiqiu was so angry she started cursing at herself.
The third son remained unconvinced. “But Dad has a bicycle; why buy another?”
“Whether I buy one or not is none of your business! You didn’t spend a single copper coin!” Li Mancang shot a displeased glare at his youngest son. That old bicycle didn’t even count; he spent more time fixing it than riding it!
“Grandpa, the new bicycle looks so nice!” The eldest grandson of the second son admired the bicycle, reaching out to touch it.
“It’s nice, isn’t it? I think so too! Tomorrow, Grandpa will take you out for a ride!”
“Great! Thank you, Grandpa!” The three little ones cheered in excitement.
The second son looked enviously at the two bicycles.
Li Fengchun lowered her head, her eyes filled with longing. Her parents were so generous, still buying new bicycles at their age!
The third son was scolded until he was red in the face, but looking at the bicycles, he realized that if he didn’t stake his claim, they would truly belong to his parents.
“Mom, Meina still doesn’t have a bicycle!”
“None of my business!”
“Mom, why do you say that? Meina is my girlfriend! Your future daughter-in-law!”
Wu Zhiqiu looked at her youngest son with a forced smile.
“I’m still your mother! I provided for you, raised you, and I’ve walked to work for decades without you ever showing any concern for me! My daughter-in-law? At this point, I don’t even want you as my son, let alone a daughter-in-law! You can go where it’s cooler!”
The second son’s wife pouted and muttered under her breath.
“Always so flirty, yet unwilling to marry!”
He Meina looked pretty, but she didn’t have a formal job. The neighbors had spread many rumors about her. Today, she was seen being escorted home by one man, and every day that same man waited for her at the street corner; it was obvious he was not a decent person. Who knew what had bewitched the younger brother to value someone like that?!
“Mom, what about our filial piety towards you?” The third son noticed the discontent in his parents’ eyes. Lately, his mother had looked at him as if he were trash, no longer the loving son she used to dote on.
“Hmph! When you’re young and strong, you don’t even look at us. When you’re old and can’t see, can we still count on you?” Wu Zhiqiu sneered.
“Mom, don’t worry. When you’re old, Meina and I will definitely take good care of you!” The third son said, trying to appease her, his eyes glancing at the bicycles.
“Relying on you is like relying on a dog!” Wu Zhiqiu knew her youngest son’s character well. People often said that once a man had a wife, he would forget his mother. He had nothing at all and was always scheming against them! He couldn’t stand to see them with even a little bit of happiness!
“Mom! Saying that really hurts my feelings!”
“You’re always scheming against us, and we’re the ones hurt! Since you’re so upset, why don’t you just move in with your wife?”
The third son stared in disbelief, his eyes wide.
“Mom, you want me to move in with my wife?”
“Yep, that way you won’t have to worry about my job or my bicycle; just move out and don’t think about anything at home!”
“Dad, Mom is telling me to move in with my wife!”
“Then just move in! Stop coming back to scheme against us!” Li Mancang said indifferently, realizing that the third son was unreliable. Fortunately, there was still the second son and his wife; they were both dependable, and they could live well with the second son!
Both the eldest and the third sons were like sieve, spending every day scheming against them.
The third son clutched his chest, his face filled with disbelief. Was he really being abandoned by his parents like this?
After moving in with his wife, how could he show his face to others?
“I’m not moving in!” The third son threw down the words angrily and stormed out!
The second son’s wife rolled her eyes, thinking he was all talk. Who would want to marry someone like him?
Didn’t he have a mirror? Why not take a good look at himself?
After finishing dinner at her parents’ home, Wu Zhiqiu didn’t eat anything more, helping the second son’s wife look after the children as they ate.
Li Fengchun didn’t say a word throughout, quickly finishing her meal and casting a glance at the bicycles before heading back inside.
Wu Zhiqiu ignored her, knowing there would come a day when she would need something from her! She wanted to see how she would handle her situation! Always looking down on this and that, acting like a big shot!
After dinner, Wu Zhiqiu took out one hundred copper coins and handed them to the second son’s wife.
“When you got married, our family didn’t give you anything. You’ve worked hard taking care of the family these years. We don’t have much now, but this one hundred copper coins is for you to buy two pieces of clothing you like!”
The second son’s wife looked at Wu Zhiqiu, tears streaming down her face. She had been in this family for seven years, and this was the first time someone recognized her contributions.
In the past, everyone in this family, except for her father-in-law, looked down on her, scolding her for being from the countryside.
Even after she bore three sons, her mother-in-law never treated her any differently!
Today, her mother-in-law actually said she had worked hard!
Wuw… The second son’s wife covered her mouth and started to cry.
The second son’s eyes turned red; he thought his mother would never accept his wife! Since he had insisted on marrying Chun Ni, his mother had never acknowledged her!
Seeing their mother cry, the children rushed to hug her.
“Mom, what’s wrong?”