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Although the old man had many thoughts in his heart, he didn’t say much to his grandson besides showing a displeased expression. After the old woman closed the door and entered the room, she started to grumble to her husband.
These past few days, she hadn’t liked this granddaughter-in-law at all, but since she was from a different generation, she had kept her thoughts to herself. But now it was different; how dare she scold her mother-in-law and give all his husband’s salary to her parents after getting married? Is this how one should live?
The old woman was furious! The Li family had never had a daughter-in-law who turned against them like this. Isn’t it the norm for families to live their own lives after marriage? Previously, she hadn’t thought much of her eldest daughter-in-law, always feeling she spoiled her children too much.
However, giving the bride price to the eldest daughter-in-law was something the old woman had to appreciate; at least she had some backbone! As the old woman grumbled, the old man didn’t respond, and soon he fell asleep, which only angered her more!
Li Xingguo had sat in the living room all night, thinking about what would happen if his grandparents didn’t help them. He couldn’t go out, and how could he bear that.
After Li Mancang returned home, he told Wu Zhiqiu about what had happened at the eldest son’s house. “The old man and woman shouldn’t be able to force us to give them money anymore!” Li Mancang said, his face full of pride.
Wu Zhiqiu gave him a thumbs up. She noticed that Li Mancang’s expression was quite rich now, unlike in the past when he always wore a bitter face! He must feel hopeful about their future. She felt the same; even if the children turned out poorly, as long as she and Li Mancang could support each other through life, that would be enough!
Li Mancang truly felt like a wealthy man now, full of confidence that he even woke up laughing! The next morning, the couple didn’t make breakfast. Instead, they went out to buy soup dumplings and soy milk to eat at work.
As for the two people left at home, they chose to forget about them. The third son, Li Xing’an and Li Feng Chun got up to find the kitchen cold and their mother was nowhere to be seen. They felt terrible. What had happened recently? It was as if they didn’t exist in the family at all; no one cared about their well-being!
Li Xing’an dragged his head out the door to go to work. Li Feng Chun also went to school on an empty stomach! Wu Zhiqiu, enjoying her warm soup dumplings, felt no guilt at all! They were adults; could they really starve to death?
At the eldest son’s home, the old man got up and told Li Xingguo to buy them some soup dumplings, fried dough sticks, and soy milk. Yesterday, when he and the old woman went out for a stroll, they saw some for sale at the entrance of the family compound.
The fried dough sticks were golden and looked delicious! Li Xingguo thought about trying to win his grandfather over, so he patiently went out to buy breakfast for the old man.
After buying breakfast, Li Xingguo wanted to eat with his grandfather. “Don’t be late for work! You don’t need to eat with us!” Li Xingguo awkwardly shrank back, his hand halfway reaching for a bun, and shyly headed off to work.
The old woman saw her grandson go downstairs and smiled at the old man, “You’re up to no good again.” The old man grunted and took a big bite of the fried dough stick, savoring the fragrance!
Li Xingguo bought breakfast for three people, but the old man and old woman finished everything! At noon, they waited at the entrance of Li Xingguo’s workplace, where he brought lunch for the old couple from the cafeteria.
Today, the cafeteria served pickled vegetables with pork and fatty ribs. The old couple ate happily, appreciating how good the eldest son’s workplace was, with great food and easy work.
In the evening, it had been several days since Wang Yue had been seen at home. She came over to check on the progress of the situation, wondering when the two old folks would settle down! She had been living at the dormitory, and rumors were already circulating at work!
As Wang Yue entered the house, the old woman didn’t give her a pleasant look. Wang Yue thought it was because she hadn’t been home for a few days, and the old woman was upset. However, she didn’t want to beat around the bush today.
“Grandpa, do you support Xingguo going abroad?” she asked directly. “Of course! Going abroad is good! You can make a lot of money, how could I not support it?” Her grandfather immediately replied. Wang Yue was delighted upon hearing this, thinking that Li Xingguo had done well at work these past few days and convinced the old man and woman!
“Grandpa and Grandma, what do you want to eat tonight? I’ll buy the groceries!” Wang Yue happily said to them. “Beef dumplings, just add some green onions! And get me some pig’s head meat and peanuts for drinking!” The old man was quite unreserved.
Wang Yue felt good, being able to get the money for going abroad. What was this little bit of food money? In high spirits, Wang Yue went off to buy groceries. The old woman curled her lips; say a few sweet words, and she would instantly be as happy as a peacock in full bloom!
Does that little sparrow still want to compete with the old family? When Li Xingguo returned, he saw his wife happily chatting with his grandparents. He was puzzled but pleased to see his wife back after several days; he had missed her!
The young couple whispered in the kitchen. “Xingguo, when can Mom and Dad send the money?” Wang Yue directly asked. “What money?” Wang Yue thought Li Aiguo was trying to surprise her and not admitting it. “What money are you talking about? Do you still want to surprise me? I already asked Grandpa; he said he fully supports you going abroad!” Wang Yue’s tone was upbeat, as if going abroad was already a done deal.
Li Xingguo felt awkward; he hadn’t had time to ask his grandfather whether he supported him, let alone the money matter. He could only embellish with some verbal art.
“He has been busy these days and hasn’t been over; I haven’t mentioned the money to him!” That wasn’t entirely a lie; he hadn’t mentioned the money to Li Mancang, who also hadn’t directly refused.
“Grandpa agreed! This thing is definitely going to happen; how could your dad not listen to Grandpa?” Wang Yue was beaming, feeling that her recent hardships weren’t in vain. Li Xingguo awkwardly smiled; he wasn’t as optimistic as his wife.
Soon the dumplings and dishes were served on the table. The old man ate dumplings filled with meat and green onions, washing them down with a mouthful of wine, enjoying every bite.
“Granddaughter-in-law, your cooking skills are really impressive! These dumplings are delicious! They’re much better than your grandmother’s and mother-in-law’s! When the New Year comes, I’ll leave the cooking to you!” Wang Yue’s smile froze on her face. She didn’t want to spend the New Year in the kitchen cooking for these mud-legged people!
But given the circumstances, she couldn’t refuse. She could only force a smile, looking like a zombie, and said, “Alright, Grandpa, you eat more!” During the meal, Wang Yue secretly glanced at the old man a few times.
Feigning casualness, she asked, “Grandpa, when will Mom and Dad come to see you two?” “They’re busy with work; they’ll come when they’re not. Besides, your grandmother and I are planning to stay here a bit longer; the city is really nice! The food is good, the living conditions are good; I’m almost reluctant to leave!” Wang Yue nearly choked on a dumpling.
What was this talk? Eating well and living well and not planning to leave? That was unacceptable! With a son and a daughter, how could they stay permanently at their grandson’s house!
“Grandpa, you’re joking! People say a golden nest or silver nest isn’t as good as your own doghouse; no matter how good it is outside, it’s more comfortable at home!” Wang Yue stiffly served the old man some dishes. “That’s an old saying. Times are different now; My son’s nest is also back home. You should ask him whether he wants to go back or stay in the city! People aspire to rise, just like water flows downward; you young people understand better than us muddy-legged folks!” The old man chewed on some sauced beef, enjoying it thoroughly!
Wang Yue gritted her teeth, taking the opportunity when the old man wasn’t looking to glare at him a few times. He was getting used to living in the city; once the money came through, she would immediately send them away.
“I heard the roast chicken from that deli is really good; Xingguo should buy one for me when he gets off work. At our age, every meal counts; who knows, maybe one day I’ll close my eyes and won’t open them again!” The old man said as he ate, not caring about the frost on the faces of the young couple.