Chapter 203: Mutual Calculation

Gu Gu Ershu was full of astonishment and stopped being an invisible person, asking: "What do you mean?"

Gu Xing'er was puffed up and didn't answer in a hurry.

"What's going on, you dead child! Say it quickly—" Old Mrs. Gu slapped her granddaughter on the arm, making a 'pop' sound.

Gu Xing'er winced in pain.

Her arm was still injured; it was fortunate that only the skin was hurt.

Gu Xing'er slightly restrained her expression, her brows and eyes full of pride. "I've started dating someone from the city."

Old Mrs. Gu was stunned.

What's the situation?!

Her brain was as messy as hemp, and she asked: "How old is he? Has he been married? Does he have children? Is he healthy? Does he have a job? How many people in his family...?"

Gu Xing'er's face didn't look good.

What's the meaning of this, looking down on her so much.

It was rare for her to have the patience to say: "He's two years older than me, a classmate of mine, has a job. I didn't ask how many people are in his family. We've agreed that after I finish my birthday, we'll get married."

Old Mrs. Gu: Huh? The conditions are unexpectedly not bad.

"How is that family?"

Gu Xing'er didn't care.

"What does it have to do with me? I just need to hold onto my man's heart, have him hand over his salary to me, I don't care how his family is."

Old Mrs. Gu knew her granddaughter had never suffered a loss since she was young, so she didn't express any more opinions.

But inside, she let out a long sigh of relief.

During this period, she had been caught between her daughter-in-law and Xing'er, and it hadn't been easy.

The daughter-in-law who was supporting her in her old age, the granddaughter she had pampered; favoring either one was wrong, sigh.

She was old, just wanting to enjoy her later years; she didn't want to manage these messy things, really didn't want to!

If Xing'er got married, the family would be stable.

Old Mrs. Gu felt that life had hope again!

"Xing'er, you chose the person yourself; this time you must get along well with him, don't be willful again. It's not easy to run into such a fool..." she exhorted her granddaughter.

Gu Xing'er held her chin high. "I know, I'm not a fool."

Her goal had always been clear: to marry into the city.

Zhang Xuejun liked her and listened to her; he was the best she could reach.

It wasn't that she didn't want to find someone better, but she couldn't find one. City people's eyes were on the top of their heads; Gu Xing'er knew in her heart that with her conditions, she couldn't marry into a good family; they wouldn't look at her at all.

Of course, Gu Xing'er didn't think it was her own problem, but felt that city people were snobbish, and it was their loss for not looking at her...

Knowing Gu Xing'er had a good destination, Old Mrs. Gu was incredibly smug.

She glanced at her daughter-in-law and said: "Second daughter-in-law, you are Xing'er's Second Aunt, an elder, don't be too calculating. Xing'er won't be staying at home for many more days, just endure it a bit longer."

"With Xing'er like that with the First Branch, if you kick her out, she has nowhere to go. You are her biological Second Aunt, if you don't care about her, who will?"

Second Aunt Gu couldn't help but say: "That's her own fault; she published in the newspaper herself, no one forced her."

Giving birth to such a disaster, she even felt sympathy for her Eldest Sister-in-law...

No, sympathy my foot.

She should sympathize with herself.

Severing ties was a relief for the Eldest Sister-in-law, but her own bitter days hadn't ended.

Gu Xing'er was dissatisfied and cried out, her face red and neck thick. "If I hadn't been wronged and received unfair treatment, could I have become like this?! It's all their fault, I'm not wrong!"

Second Aunt Gu was too lazy to spray.

The girls watching the fun had complicated eyes.

In their view, Gu Xing'er was the girl living the best in the whole village; she had school to attend, a separate room, clothes with few patches, didn't have to do farm work, and didn't even have to do housework at home, and no one beat or scolded her, and her family never thought of trading her for a bride price...

Only a landlord's daughter could live such a life.

And them?

Beaten and scolded, having to get up before dawn every day to work, feeding chickens, sweeping floors, washing clothes, doing farm work after finishing housework, and having to take care of younger brothers and sisters at home, and anyone at home who was angry could give them a stinking face... It seemed they were born just to work, work, work; many didn't even remember the taste of eggs before getting married...

Gu Xing'er was truly blessed but didn't know it.

If it were them...

Just thinking about it made them feel it was truly beautiful.

Unfortunately, they didn't have the fortune.

Old Mrs. Gu felt Gu Xing'er had gone too far; she had reprimanded Xing'er when she first found out. She had done the newspaper thing on impulse, but actually knew she was wrong in her heart, waiting to find a suitable opportunity to ease the relationship; she couldn't let Xing'er have no maternal family.

"Xing'er!" Old Mrs. Gu feigned scolding. "Your parents raised you with hardship after all; they were wrong about splitting the family, but you can't resent them either. Don't say these things again in the future!"

Gu Xing'er restrained the dissatisfaction on her face and said obediently: "I know."

Old Mrs. Gu's expression was satisfied.

Who said her Xing'er had a bad personality; isn't she quite obedient.

She looked at Second Aunt Gu. "Xing'er marrying into the city, maybe she can be a worker in the future; having a worker niece, you'll have face too."

Second Aunt Gu didn't want face, just wanted Gu Xing'er to leave her sight.

Just as she was about to say something, her arm was pulled.

Gu Gu Ershu glanced at his own wife, his shrewd eyes flashing, and said: "That's for sure. We hope for Xing'er's good."

Second Aunt Gu curled her lips, not losing face for the head of the house, only saying: "It's fine for Gu Xing'er to stay, but she can't do nothing again; the family doesn't raise lazy ghosts."

Earlier, when the mother-in-law said to let Gu Xing'er do work, she hadn't done any after moving back; it was still her daughters-in-law doing it. During this period, the resentment in the family was heavy, and the people staying were depressed.

Old Mrs. Gu was a bit dissatisfied, but also understood that not only were the granddaughters-in-law having opinions, but several grandsons were also unhappy with her favoring Xing'er.

She didn't protect Gu Xing'er blatantly anymore.

"Alright. Arrange some simple work; she hasn't done it before, give Xing'er an adaptation time."

Second Aunt Gu was truly disgusted beyond words.

Taking a deep breath, she went back to her room, out of sight, out of mind.

Later, she told several daughters-in-law not to pay attention to her. The daughters-in-law of the Second Branch hesitated, didn't pay attention, and actually scrambled to help Gu Xing'er with work.

They all had children and thought that after Gu Xing'er married into the city, maybe she could help their children; doing a little work was nothing, just a matter of convenience.

Knowing the daughters-in-law were licking Gu Xing'er, Second Aunt Gu was so angry she couldn't recover for two days.

Relying on Gu Xing'er was worse than dreaming.

She would rather believe there were pies in the sky.

She didn't think the daughters-in-law were shameful either; country people had few ways out, and for their children to have a good future, kneeling on the ground was nothing.

These were later stories.

Right now.

The gossip-eating crowd waited for the Gu family to finish speaking before reacting.

"Xing'er, are you really going to marry into the city? Then in the future... you'll be a city person, eating supply grain?" asked a girl who could speak a few words with Gu Xing'er.

Gu Xing'er's expression was triumphant. "That's right."

Zhao Liuniang saw this and only felt heaven was unfair.

Not wanting to see the villagers flattering the sister-in-law she hated, she left angrily, found Lin Zhao, and told her the gossip she had just eaten.

In the end, the light in her eyes dimmed.

"Third Sister-in-law, you say, why is Gu Xing'er's luck so good? With that kind of personality, she can actually marry into the city and eat supply grain..."

Lin Zhao smiled a bit strangely.

Zhao Liuniang sensed something wrong, stopped her envious muttering, and leaned toward Lin Zhao.

"Third Sister-in-law, why are you strange? What's the situation? Is there a saying in this?"

Lin Zhao was surprised at the Second Sister-in-law's sharpness.

She said: "Marrying into the city, without a job, you can't eat supply grain."

Zhao Liuniang's tone was urgent. "You mean, for Gu Xing'er to eat supply grain, she must have a job?"

"That's right." Lin Zhao nodded. "Otherwise, why say it's hard to transfer from agricultural to non-agricultural."

How could it be that simple.

If it were really like Gu Xing'er calculated, the city would have been overcrowded long ago.

"After the document for educated youth to go to the countryside came down, every street was watching those without jobs. Originally, jobs in the city were hard to find, and after this policy came down, there were even fewer job positions; it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say they were priceless."

"For Gu Xing'er to want a job, it's hard."

Hearing this, Zhao Liuniang became happy.

"Then, our former sister-in-law whose heart is higher than the sky... is going to be disappointed?"

She couldn't hide her gloating.

Lin Zhao felt they were quite like villainous antagonists, but inside it felt quite refreshing.

"Right."

Zhao Liuniang wasn't stifled anymore, coming dejectedly and returning happily.

When she got home, she saw Bangbang and Laimei, the two boys, had ruined the fried hairtail fish.

"Oh you two gluttons, you've started eating already, your dad hasn't even come back yet."

Seeing there was still some left in the bowl, she didn't take the broom from behind the door to beat the children.

Bangbang felt guilty; he had stopped his younger brother, but hadn't succeeded, and in the end, he had colluded with his brother...

Laimei couldn't bear to wipe the oil from the corner of his mouth, his eyes moving with difficulty from the remaining fried fish.

"Brother and I shared one piece, didn't eat much." Fearing Zhao Liuniang would be angry, he explained hurriedly.

Bangbang also changed the subject. "Mom, was this fried fish sent by Third Aunt?"

"Isn't it your Third Aunt." Zhao Liuniang locked up the fried fish, afraid it would be stolen and eaten by the gluttonous cats at home. She knew how good the Third Sister-in-law's cooking was, so she didn't blame the children for not being able to resist; even adults felt it was hard.

"Third Aunt is really good." Laimei said.

Bangbang nodded.

Zhao Liuniang said: "Having eaten such good fried fish, you two can't be lazy; go help the Third Branch pick up firewood, pick up more. Winter is coming soon, it won't do if there's not enough firewood."

"Does that need you to tell us, Mom." Laimei patted his chest. "Don't worry, the firewood for Third Aunt's house is covered by Brother and me; I guarantee her house won't be short of firewood to burn."

After finishing, he pulled Bangbang out the door.

"Eating soon, pick up a little and come home." Zhao Liuniang called out.

The two little teenagers didn't make a sound, and it was unknown if they had heard.

As a mother, she didn't worry; the cubs in the family were all said to be grown on the chimney, and wouldn't miss any meal.

Main room.

The old couple of the Gu family were talking about Gu Xing'er's business.

Gu Fu sized up his old wife's complexion.

"The dowry saved..."

Before he finished speaking, he was interrupted by a voice full of anger. "Don't give it to her!"

Gu Mu's heart had gone cold toward Gu Xing'er; she didn't want to manage anything, anyway, there was her grandma and the Second Branch.

"If you want to sever, sever it completely."

Her complexion was ugly. "Rushing to give it to her, she doesn't appreciate it, only thinking the two of us old things want to take advantage of her; why bother?"

Gu Fu saw the old woman was very angry and said: "Don't be angry, I was just asking, if you say don't give, then don't give."

"Our family listens to you, no one can give you anger."

Gu Mu felt more comfortable inside.

"When she gets married, are you going?" Gu Fu asked a big problem.

"Going." Gu Mu said. "It's not appropriate for the two of us not to go. The others in the family won't go."

If they didn't go, it would inevitably lead to unpleasant talk.

The two old people didn't care, but there were juniors in the family.

Gu Fu saw his wife had a plan and nodded.

"Alright."

He looked at Gu Mu's complexion and asked again: "... Should we inquire about that young man?"

Gu Mu looked at the old man. "If that young man is not good, will you let your little daughter separate from that young man?"

"Aren't you afraid of being resented?"

"Will she listen to you?"

After the three consecutive questions, Gu Fu laughed sheepishly.

"Look at you, I was asking for your opinion, why are you using me as a class enemy."

The old man felt bitter inside.

Gu Mu glared at him, warning: "Don't manage so much."

"Your little daughter won't recognize your feelings, nor will she think you have a kind father's heart, she will only resent you for having no ability; don't believe it, try it."

Gu Fu shook his head hurriedly.

He wouldn't try it.

"I was just saying..."

Muttering, he left, unable to withstand it; he wouldn't mention that again.

He asked because he was afraid his wife would regret it; now looking at it, the old wife had truly thrown up her hands and stopped managing.

City.

Tube building.

Zhang family.

A family of eight, squeezed into a house of forty-some square meters; the small space was partitioned into two rooms, the two heads of the family lived in one, the Zhang family's eldest son and his wife and two children lived in the other, and the two brothers Zhang Xuejun and Zhang Aijun slept in the living room, in bunk beds, with oilcloth curtains forming a space that could be considered independent.

After eating.

Zhang Xuejun stopped his family. "Dad, Mom, I have something to say."

The Zhang parents were puzzled and sat down again.

"What is it?" Father Zhang asked.

Zhang Xuejun: "I've started dating someone."

This matter was too sudden, dropping a bomb in the Zhang family, making people dizzy.

Mother Zhang reacted first.

"Whose family? Does she have a job?"

There was no joy on her face, only concern for these two questions.

The Zhang family had three sons; the eldest son was for supporting them in old age, very important, the lifeblood of the Zhang couple, and the youngest son was the youngest and had a sweet mouth, also the heart and liver; Zhang Xuejun, sandwiched in the middle, wasn't as pampered, and had to calculate every benefit himself, having a personality that wouldn't suffer a loss.

"My junior high classmate, no job." Zhang Xuejun said.

Mother Zhang was dissatisfied.

"What are you dating for without a job?"

Zhang Xuejun: "My salary can afford to support a wife."

He glanced at the crowded house. "Those with jobs don't look at me either."

Without even a proper room, and he was a temporary worker, with no connections in the family, and becoming a regular worker was indefinitely far away; if he didn't lower his standards, it would be hard to marry a wife.

Gu Xing'er was the best-looking in the class, her family conditions were not bad, and she had a biological brother who was a military officer, and she had delivered herself to the door, so he went with the flow.

Knowing their own affairs, the Zhang parents understood the second son's meaning.

"You look at it yourself." Father Zhang was too lazy to manage much.

A flash of obscurity passed through Zhang Xuejun's eyes.

When the eldest brother was dating, his dad cared about everything; when it was his turn, it was like this. He felt unhappy inside, but was used to enduring, so he didn't express dissatisfaction.

"Eldest brother, when can you be assigned a room?" Zhang Xuejun looked at his eldest brother. "The house is too crowded, I'm almost married, it's not good to let the new wife also live in the living room."

Zhang Dasao was looking forward to the division of the house; she also wanted to live in a big house, but they were currently living in the house allocated to the parents-in-law, which was the property of the eldest branch. With the second brother eyeing it, could she feel at ease?

In front of everyone, she pulled down her face.

Eldest Brother Zhang was also shrewd, thinking the same as his wife.

But it didn't show on his face.

"I want to! But it's not my turn yet; room assignment is based on seniority, I... it's still early."

Zhang Xuejun looked at his parents. "Then what should I do? I can't keep dragging it on."

Mother Zhang rolled her eyes. "What's the rush, you just started dating, there's no news on when you'll marry yet."

Thinking about having to spend money again, her mood became irritable.

Zhang Xuejun didn't care about his mother's terrible attitude and said: "I've agreed with my partner, we'll get married after she finishes her birthday."

"So urgent?" Mother Zhang frowned.

The Zhang family's rule was that those who formed a family only needed to hand in living expenses every month, and didn't need to hand in their full salary.

Thinking about losing ten-some yuan every month, Mother Zhang's impression of the second daughter-in-law who hadn't entered the door yet fell to the bottom.

"All bloodsuckers."

Zhang Xuejun pretended not to hear and went to work.

He was a loader, the work was very hard, and he didn't earn much, twenty-some yuan a month, barely enough for food; wanting more... that was certainly impossible.

Gu Xing'er didn't know any of this.

She had a thick filter for city people; the life Song Uncle's family lived was the life she wanted to live. ===== CHAPTER 204 =====