Chapter 16

“Mom, when I grow up, I will definitely earn money so you can live well. I’ll take care of you—I won’t support Dad, and I definitely won’t support Grandma.” Qiao Yunbai’s eyes were slightly red. He had always known that Mom worked very hard, but he hadn’t realized she carried so much grievance inside.

“Mom, once I get to university, the school will give subsidies. I’ll save money and send it to you, so it can help ease your burden a bit. Then you won’t have to work so hard and do overtime.” Qiao Baihe wiped her tears as she spoke, “Just a few more years, after I graduate from university and start working, I’ll support the family.”

Qiao Xinyi looked left and right; the two siblings had truly grown up together—they were both such crybabies.

“Big sister, when I grow up, I’ll support you too.” Qiao Yunbai wiped his tears with the back of his hand. “Grandma says you never went to school, so you won’t find a job or marry a good man—you’re useless, a burden. But don’t be afraid, I won’t skip school anymore. I’ll study hard.”

“If you can’t marry a good man, then don’t marry anyone. If you can’t find a job, then don’t work—I’ll support you.” Qiao Yunbai sniffled, “When I go to university, I’ll have a guaranteed job, a respectable job, and a good salary. I’ll definitely study hard and get into university just like big sister.”

In the last sentence, “big sister” was clearly referring to Qiao Baihe. But Qiao Xinyi didn’t mind the confusion over how this kid called her and Baihe. Whether this younger brother could support her or not in the future didn’t matter. At least in this moment, this younger brother was sincere.

Just like Chen Yubing had said, her kids were all good kids. Qiao Baihe was good, and Qiao Yunbai was good too. Chen Yubing looked at her children with great happiness. None of them were selfish like the Qiao family.

“Xinyi, from now on, Yunbai and I will support you together.” Qiao Baihe apologized, “I’m sorry, if I hadn’t taken your identity, you could have gone to school too and wouldn’t have to suffer in the countryside.”

Qiao Xinyi waved her hand, “Don’t talk big. Supporting me costs a lot. I can support myself—I don’t need you guys to.”

These days, the portions at the state-run restaurant were very large. Watching Chen Yubing and the others bring plate after plate of food, Qiao Xinyi couldn’t help but praise the chef’s honesty.

“Big sister, have you really never eaten eggs or had meat broth before?” After sitting down, Qiao Yunbai asked curiously.

“This is minced meat steamed with egg, I specially asked the chef to make it—it’s good for the stomach.” Chen Yubing served Qiao Xinyi a spoonful.

Qiao Xinyi thought carefully and nodded.

Qiao Yunbai had already reached for the braised pork with his chopsticks, but quickly pulled back and said, “Braised pork is too greasy, I can’t eat much now. Just two pieces to satisfy the craving. If you can eat more, you better finish it all—don’t bring any home for certain people.”

Everyone understood who “certain people” referred to.

Chen Yubing’s mood lightened considerably and she quietly smiled after hearing Qiao Xinyi’s words.

“Don’t you want to go look at Officer Li’s place? After we finish eating, I’ll ride the bike and take you there.” Chen Yubing wanted her daughter to stay nearby so she could watch her every day.

After spending some time together, Chen Yubing also realized that Qiao Xinyi had an independent personality and wasn’t the type to just endure quietly. Qiao Xinyi’s health was poor, so she needed plenty of rest and nutritious food. The family conditions really couldn’t provide a comfortable place for Qiao Xinyi to sleep, and with Chen Ju around, there was no hope of any good things making it to Qiao Xinyi’s plate.

“It’s good that you can rent at Officer Li’s place; at least I don’t have to worry about your safety,” Chen Yubing said.

“I’ll pay the rent. When I have time, I’ll come over and cook a meal for you, help you clean the house,” she added.

Chen Yubing now had a whole heart full of love to give to this daughter. She always felt she owed Xinyi too much—a debt that no amount of money or effort could ever repay or reverse.

Qiao Xinyi had still underestimated how much people eat these days. The four of them finished five dishes and a soup completely, especially Qiao Yunbai, the growing boy, who was truly the main eater.

After leaving the state-run restaurant, the four of them went straight to the address Li Jun had given. It wasn’t far from the textile factory’s family housing—about a twenty-minute walk, faster by bike.

Though Li Jun wasn’t home, he had taken time at noon to send word back. When Qiao Xinyi and the others arrived, Li Jun’s mother, Liu Guilan, warmly welcomed them.

“Although my relatives moved out months ago, I’ve been keeping the house clean. If you rent it, you can just bring your things and move right in,” Liu Guilan explained while curiously glancing at Qiao Xinyi standing nearby.

“All the necessary furniture is there. If you want, you can buy a coal stove in the corner of the yard. The iron rack next to it was used by my relatives before—they didn’t need it when they moved out, so it’s left here. You can put pots and water ladles on it.”

The Li family’s yard was indeed nice and had running water; washing clothes and cooking could be done right in the yard. The only downside was that the toilet was outside in a public facility. But lacking a toilet inside the house was a common problem in ordinary housing these days.

After looking around, Qiao Xinyi was very satisfied, and Chen Yubing was too. She held Liu Guilan’s hand and expressed heartfelt thanks.

Once the house was settled, Chen Yubing took the three kids by bike to the supply and marketing cooperative and the department store. Knowing they were picking up the children today and that Qiao Xinyi had only brought a change of clothes, Chen Yubing had borrowed money and ration tickets from colleagues the day before.

After a busy trip, the two bikes returned fully loaded. Looking at the once-empty room now somewhat furnished, Chen Yubing wiped sweat from her forehead and smiled.

“Too bad the money and tickets aren’t quite enough. Otherwise, with this hot weather, I’d have bought you a fan,” Chen Yubing said. “Probably won’t get one this year; I’ll buy one for you tomorrow.”

As for the Qiao family, Chen Yubing gritted her teeth but could afford a fan if she wanted. However, buying a fan wouldn’t really cool her or the kids down, so she preferred to save the money.

The one good thing about Qiao Xinyi renting on her own was that in the future, if she wanted to buy something nice, she wouldn’t have to worry about it going to that mother-and-son pair cheaply.

“Mom, starting tonight, at home you all can just have thin porridge with a bowl of pickled vegetables or cabbage every day. Eat whatever cheap vegetables are available,” Qiao Xinyi said with a sly smile.

“If you ever have time or crave something, just come over and have a good nourishing meal with me,” she added.

“Wouldn’t Grandma get mad if you really did that?” Qiao Yunbai asked worriedly.

“If that mother and son have any complaints, they can spend their own money buying vegetables. A spoiled dog can’t pick what its owner feeds it,” Qiao Xinyi snorted contemptuously. “They get to eat for free, and it’s already good enough they’re not starving.”

If Chen Yubing weren’t afraid of going too far and being criticized or even talked to by her workplace leaders, Qiao Xinyi would want her to stop bringing even a single grain of rice to that household.