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Wang Xuan smirked, impressed by her younger brother’s thoughtfulness in saving some items. “Alright, I’ll leave two slice outside, and we’ll take the rest home to enjoy.”
In the afternoon, Old Chen went to sell goods with Wang Zhenhe. His grandson going in for the exam made him quite nervous. Unable to stay home, he accompanied Wang Zhenhe, using the opportunity to discuss the children’s exams.
The exams finally concluded amidst tension and anxiety. The individuals returning home were eager for a good night’s sleep after enduring the past few days of stress. Some were sleep-deprived, except for Mingcheng and Chen Xu, who appeared the most relaxed.
The elderly Chen could finally breathe a sigh of relief. “Zhenhe, I’ll take these people back first. Let’s wait to discuss things when we return. Don’t worry about home; Chen Xu and I will handle it. You can head back later.”
This time, Mingyuan and Mingcheng also returned with them, as their presence wasn’t necessary there. While Wang Xuan helped with cooking, Wang Qian and Wang Zhenhe continued their business, earning a good amount of money at the year-end.
Upon their return for New Year’s, the Wang family began the tradition of slaughtering a pig. It was the last time old Chen would enjoy this meal at their home, making the occasion extra special. As the elderly gentleman prepared to depart, the couple felt a deep sense of reluctance, having been accompanied by the elderly man for several years.
Before the New Year, Zhang Weiguo’s letter arrived, stating he felt confident about his exams, bringing joy to old Chen.
Before the New Year, acceptance letters started arriving at various locations. Mingcheng and Chen Xu were among the first to receive theirs. Mingcheng followed the advice of Zuo Zhanshan and Wu Changyong to apply for a military academy, while Chen Xu got into his grandfather’s school. They were set to enroll after the New Year.
Others had been accepted into colleges or vocational schools. In total, including those who came with Chen Xu, everyone received acceptance letters, preparing to leave the settlement.
Zhang Lan quickly helped the two prepare their belongings, causing a buzz throughout the settlement. The eldest son of the Wang family had been accepted into college, spreading the news like wildfire, even reaching the Red Flag Commune.
Upon hearing the news, Wang Deshan immediately went to his third son’s house to see his grandson. When Zhu Qiyu took her grandson out for a stroll, they encountered residents from the settlement who congratulated her. The elderly lady merely shrugged; her grandson’s college acceptance wasn’t her concern.
While Zhu Qiyu might not have been bothered, Ma Fenqing was concerned. Seeing how all of her third brother’s children were either in high school or heading to college, she couldn’t ignore her own son’s situation. She felt conflicted about the influence her mother-in-law’s upbringing had on her child’s behavior. Observing her two sisters-in-law, she couldn’t shake the feeling that her son might end up like them if she continued with her mother-in-law’s teaching methods.
Determined to change her child’s upbringing, Ma Fenqing decided to entrust his care to her mother. She believed that Zhu Qiyu wasn’t capable of raising a well-behaved child.
Ma Fenqing wasn’t naive. Over the years, she had learned about the family’s affairs to a considerable extent. Regrettably, hindsight is always clearer, and now she could only hope for the best for her son.
During the New Year, Wang Zhenhe and Zhang Lan went to bring Geng Lianhua and her husband over. However, upon their return, they were visibly upset. Wang Qian noticed the change in their expressions and wondered if they had encountered some unlucky event.
“Mom, what’s wrong? You don’t look well,” Wang Qian inquired.
Zhang Lan sat on the kang, his face filled with frustration. “Your eldest uncle’s wife is really troublesome. Making a scene even during the New Year, constantly hurling insults. Her heart is as rotten as can be, she even poured water in front of our family’s door. The ground froze over, creating a thick layer of ice. Thankfully, your grandfather and others were careful; otherwise, someone could have slipped and gotten hurt. There’s just no reasoning with her.”
It was the first time Wang Qian had seen Zhang Lan so angry about someone, indicating that Zhou Ping had truly managed to provoke her.
Geng Lianhua, seated on the kang, tried to calm her daughter. “Lan’er, don’t let that kind of person get to you. It’s not worth getting upset; it’s bad for your health. Your sister has fought with her and scolded her, but her character remains unchanged. It’s a difficult situation. The team leader has tried to intervene several times, speaking cordially in person, but she always changes her attitude later. The team leader and security officer are at a loss. Nowadays, public criticism is out of fashion, and the police won’t interfere in family disputes. Unfortunately, we’re stuck dealing with such a person.” After pondering her mother’s words, Wang Qian realized that handling someone like Zhou Ping, who was unyielding, would be a challenge.
“Grandma, why don’t you come with me to stay in the city? Your health is crucial; we must prevent any relapse,” Wang Qian expressed genuine concern about her grandmother’s health, aware of the severe consequences of a recurring illness. Although she had been treated successfully this time, there were no guarantees for the future. Some things seemed destined to happen; even the successful treatment this time remained somewhat mysterious to her. Prevention was key.
Sharing the same worry, Zhang Lan chimed in, “Yes, Mom, why don’t you stay in the city with Qian Qian and the others for a while? I can visit on weekends and return the next morning without disrupting my work with the team. What do you think?”
Agreeing with her daughter and granddaughter’s suggestion, Zhang Wanyou felt it was a reasonable idea. He didn’t mind being alone at home.
“In fact, Grandfather should go too. Why endure that stress at home? We can lock the door and let her tire herself out. Let’s see if she learns her lesson,” Wang Qian proposed having Zhang Wanyou accompany them. However, the elderly gentleman disagreed. He believed he would be useless in the city, preferring to stay back where he could contribute by fishing and tending to chores. He felt it was better to earn his keep than to rely solely on his daughter and son-in-law, especially considering the trouble caused by his own son.
“I won’t go. I’ll treat their words as nonsense. You go, and I’ll feel at ease. I can go fishing without constantly worrying about home,” the elderly Chen decided not to join them. He felt more at peace staying back, knowing his wife would be looked after.
After spending their final year in the settlement with Old Chen, Chen Minghai left with Chen Xu and Mingcheng. Wang Zhenhe was also heading into the city, so the family saw them off together.
Watching the train depart, Zhang Lan wiped away a tear discreetly. While it was a joyous occasion for her son to enter college, Mingcheng was younger than the others in his cohort, making his absence seem longer and more challenging. Unlike during high school when he could visit home weekly, this time she wouldn’t see or touch him for a while.
“Don’t cry, silly child. This is a journey towards a brighter future. We shouldn’t cry. Let’s wait eagerly for Mingcheng to come back,” Geng Lianhua comforted her daughter, feeling a mix of emotions about her grandson’s departure. Just like her youngest son, the child had grown up and needed to venture out on his own.
Geng Lianhua also felt reluctant to see her eldest grandson leave, but she understood that it was a natural progression. Like a young bird growing up and needing to fly independently.
After shedding tears, Zhang Lan felt much better. The family returned to their courtyard, where their grandson had spent three years. The elderly lady felt especially proud, envisioning more university graduates coming from this small courtyard. She held high hopes for the remaining three children, recognizing her daughter’s gentle nature but also acknowledging her success in raising well-educated children.
After lunch, the elderly lady couldn’t sit still and joined her daughter and son-in-law in selling fruits and vegetables. Wang Zhenhe was surprised by his mother-in-law’s business acumen; her charming demeanor left the customers smiling as they departed.
Impressed by her mother’s skills, Zhang Lan and Wang Zhenhe praised her, “Mom, you are truly amazing. You should continue helping out here. I’ll pay you a salary. I’ll also bring some seafood from Dad to sell. Soon, you and Dad will be able to build a new house for Weiguo.”
Regarding her son, the elderly lady shook her head, “Weiguo has entered the military academy this time. Whether he will return in the future is uncertain. Let’s focus on earning money first. Once I have the funds, we’ll build a big house. You all can stay permanently with us.”
In the afternoon, Zhang Lan accompanied Mingyuan back home, leaving her eldest daughter to help out. Her younger son would keep her company, and with poultry at home, they couldn’t afford to leave the place unattended.
With his mother-in-law helping out at home, Wang Zhenhe began visiting his father-in-law’s house more frequently. Zhang Wanyou knew they were off to sell, so he also went fishing when he had free time. He informed their friendly neighbor that his son-in-law was assisting someone in purchasing wedding items and asked her to act as the intermediary. Wang Zhenhe would pay her directly, but it was crucial not to mention any connection to their family to avoid upsetting Zhou Ping.
The neighbor had a good relationship with Geng Lianhua, understanding the couple’s character. She agreed without hesitation, knowing they wouldn’t renege on such a small amount and aware of Zhou Ping’s temperament.
When Wang Zhenhe returned, the elderly gentleman had already prepared the items, requiring only a small payment to the neighbor on their behalf.
…….
Once Mingcheng and the others boarded the train, they found their seats with the elderly gentleman, took out the fruits they had prepared for them, and began eating. However, they noticed an elderly lady in the adjacent seat who caught Mingcheng’s attention.
The elderly lady turned out to be the same person who had bought ginseng from their family years ago. Despite the passing years, she hadn’t changed much, except for a few more wrinkles.
“Grandma Li?” Mingcheng tentatively called out.
The elderly lady looked up, confirming Mingcheng’s recognition. She seemed puzzled, feeling like she didn’t recognize him, yet he managed to address her by her surname. “Who are you?”
Mingcheng flashed a bright smile at the elderly lady. “Grandma Li, do you remember when you bought ginseng from us back in the day?”
Upon being asked, Li Yawen carefully observed Mingcheng. The impression of that family was deeply ingrained in her memory, not just because they sold her life-saving ginseng but also because of their honesty and kindness. Hence, the elderly lady had a lasting impression of them.
“You’re the eldest boy, right? Oh, you’ve grown so much. If I saw you on the street, I might not recognize you. I remember your name is Mingcheng, right?” Li Yawen recalled, impressed that she remembered his name.
Surprised that the elderly lady remembered his name, Mingcheng couldn’t help but marvel at her excellent memory. “Yes, Grandma Li. Where are you headed?”