Chapter 1249: Whose Child?

"Yo—rare to see!"

Zhou Xiaoling laughed and teased when she saw Zhou Miaomiao: "Director Zhou is also riding a bicycle to work?"

"Are you mocking me—"

Zhou Miaomiao didn't care, rolled her eyes with a smile, and asked: "Waiting for me?"

"Don't be so self-feeling!"

Zhou Xiaoling pulled Xiaoxiao beside her and said: "We made an appointment with friends to have dinner tonight."

"Al—right—" Zhou Miaomiao pretended to be coy and shook her shoulders, saying: "It's me who was self-indulgent—"

"They all say good flowers don't bloom for long, good scenery doesn't last long. I didn't expect you to change your hearts so fast, not even recognizing me."

"Ew—" Zhou Xiaoling curled her lips and complained with disgust: "Who was it that dumped us and went to have fun alone!"

"That's right, some people fly into the sky, where do they still remember us poor sisters—" Hao Wenwen also deliberately rolled her eyes and said: "Afraid it's staying far away from us!"

"We ride bicycles," Xiaoxiao also followed suit and said: "Where can we catch up with those riding motorcycles!"

"Good for you—" Zhou Miaomiao laughed in anger, pointing her finger at them and humming: "Don't know how you edited me behind my back, now you've said the truth in your hearts!"

"Aiyoyo—" The most lively Zhou Xiaoling raised her eyebrows and laughed: "I just said I should call you Director Zhou!"

"Look at Director Zhou, she's so angry, she's started weaving charges, preparing to wear small shoes for us—"

"I'm pinching you—"

Zhou Miaomiao was so angry she couldn't help it. She couldn't beat them in words, so she could only use her hands.

"Hahahaha—"

A group of little sisters from the dance troupe met by chance, but they were like little ducks having a meeting, chattering at the big gate.

Hao Wenwen looked at Zhou Miaomiao's clothes with envy and asked with jealousy: "Just you alone?"

"Otherwise?" Zhou Miaomiao rolled her eyes at her and asked coquettishly: "And no friends invited me to dinner."

"Forget it, who are you fooling!"

Hao Wenwen curled her lips and said: "Not riding the little motorcycle, there must be a small car coming to pick you up."

"Started being sarcastic again."

Zhou Miaomiao had a good mentality, looked at her with a smile, and said: "Do you want me to introduce a 'small car' to you? With your appearance and figure, it will definitely work."

"I don't care—"

Hao Wenwen turned her head away proudly and said with a different meaning: "Can't enjoy that blessing."

"Still talking, what's wrong today?"

Zhou Xiaoling didn't want them to have a falling out, so she interjected: "Changed to riding a bicycle, recalling bitterness and thinking of sweetness?"

"What is it, can't I ride a bicycle?"

Zhou Miaomiao looked at Hao Wenwen, who was saying sour grapes because she couldn't eat them, and turned to explain to Zhou Xiaoling: "The road is slippery in winter, Zhou Tan is worried and won't let me ride."

"Yo, so warm—"

Zhou Xiaoling smiled with pursed lips and said: "Having a lover is different, stronger than us lonely people."

"Envious? Find one!"

Zhou Miaomiao teased: "Don't tell me no one is chasing you; I won't believe it even if you say it."

"There are people chasing me, but I haven't liked any of them," Zhou Xiaoling sighed and said: "Where did all the good men go?"

"You are too picky—"

Zhou Miaomiao looked at her and said: "The one the leader introduced to you back then, do you regret it now?"

"No regret, he's not suitable."

Zhou Xiaoling shook her head helplessly and said: "For love, I am willing to become an old girl—"

"Look at what you said, where is it old."

Zhou Miaomiao held her hand and asked: "Do you need me to introduce one? Zhou Tan's colleagues are all college students."

"I don't have your college student complex."

Zhou Xiaoling smiled and gestured to Xiaoxiao beside her: "Why not introduce it to Xiaoxiao? She likes intellectuals."

"Go away, why talk about me!"

Xiaoxiao bumped her shoulder lightly and asked Zhou Miaomiao: "Can you come out tonight? Introduce a friend for you to meet."

"Literature and Art Propaganda Team? I don't know?"

Zhou Miaomiao looked at her in surprise and asked curiously: "You are waiting for her here?"

"Security group, you shouldn't know."

Zhou Xiaoling continued: "She moved to a new house, wants to warm the house, invited us to go and have fun together. Are you going?"

"Forget it, I don't know her."

Zhou Miaomiao declined with a smile and said: "I thought you were going for a blind date, then I would be willing to watch the fun."

"Blind date your big head—"

Xiaoxiao scolded: "How come you are like this after getting married!"

"It really called you right!"

Zhou Xiaoling held Xiaoxiao's arm and said: "We are preparing to find a partner for Xiaoxiao, tomorrow."

"No, don't listen to her nonsense."

Xiaoxiao waved her hand in resistance and said: "Don't mess around, she might really believe it—"

"People are here!"

Hao Wenwen couldn't talk to Zhou Miaomiao, so she looked around, but saw the person she was waiting for come.

"Wow, sorry, I'm late."

Wang Lu pushed her bicycle over and greeted with a smile: "Suddenly needed a document in the section, looked for a long time."

She greeted Zhou Xiaoling and others, but looked at Zhou Miaomiao and nodded: "You are Zhou Miaomiao, right."

"You are Wang Lu, we've met."

Zhou Miaomiao looked at Zhou Xiaoling in surprise and greeted Wang Lu with a nod.

Zhou Xiaoling rolled her eyes; of course, she understood the meaning of Zhou Miaomiao's surprise.

The male comrade she introduced to her back then is now Wang Lu's partner.

No wonder Peng Xiaoli said Wang Lu is the street-roamer of the Security Division, who can contact anyone and make friends with anyone.

"Met, in the Security Division."

Wang Lu reached out to shake hands with her and nodded: "You came to find Li Kezhang Li, it was the time I went to deliver materials."

"Your memory is really good—"

Zhou Miaomiao nodded with a smile and asked Zhou Xiaoling: "How did you get to know each other?"

"Ah, you think only you can know?"

Zhou Xiaoling joked: "Don't think we can't know? Met while eating!"

"Heehee—"

Wang Lu smiled and invited actively: "Zhou Miaomiao, do you have anything to do tonight? Do you want to go to my house and play together?"

"Wang Lu's partner is coming back," Zhou Xiaoling explained actively: "Her parents helped them arrange a house, just cleaned it up, preparing for marriage. We are going to help."

"So that's it—"

Zhou Miaomiao apologized: "Agreed with my lover to go to the in-laws' house for dinner, sorry."

"It's okay, play together when you have time."

Wang Lu didn't care about her refusal, waved her hand with a smile and said: "This time we are considered to know each other."

"Then okay, I'm leaving first."

Zhou Miaomiao also waved her hand with a smile, pushed the bicycle, and went out of the big gate.

Watching her leave, Hao Wenwen rolled her eyes and said: "Wearing a woolen coat and riding a bicycle, isn't that asking for trouble—"

"Are you really not going?"

Gu Cheng took advantage of the time before the leader came down before getting off work and asked Peng Xiaoli: "Rare opportunity—"

"Why aren't you going?"

Peng Xiaoli glanced at him and asked: "Don't tell me you really fell into it and can't extricate yourself."

"Acting on the scene, you're coming for real?"

"I don't want to either—" Gu Cheng had a bitter face and said: "I'm young and married, who wants that!"

He looked up at the direction of the Finance Division upstairs, turned back to Peng Xiaoli and said: "My life, it's ruined."

"Don't call me for networking in the future, and don't tell me, I'm afraid I'll be heartbroken and can't listen to wind, flowers, snow, and moon."

"Is it worth it—" Peng Xiaoli curled his lips and said: "Didn't I tell you the mission is over, get out early."

"I want to get out early too!"

Gu Cheng said with grief and indignation: "But who let her tell me that her dad is the Director of the Grain Bureau!"

"I—damn—"

Peng Xiaoli couldn't catch his breath, his face flushed red.

He walked over, then walked back, standing in front of his good brother and confirming again and again: "What you said is true?"

"Sigh—" Gu Cheng nodded and said depressedly: "My life is bitter, I really—"

"You really are a dog!"

Peng Xiaoli said gritting his teeth: "How come I didn't see she had a Grain Bureau Director dad?"

"Yeah, I didn't see it either."

Gu Cheng said full of resentment: "She's a liar, deceived my feelings!"

"Don't worry, I will punish her for a lifetime!"

"You—you—" Peng Xiaoli gritted his teeth, pointed at Gu Cheng and said: "I damn bless you—"

"Hi—what's there to bless."

Gu Cheng said with a bit of melancholy: "I only envy that you can continue to be carefree, there are plenty of girls to choose from."

"Stop talking—" Peng Xiaoli waved his hand and said: "If you keep talking, I'm afraid I won't be able to control myself and beat you."

This is really afraid that the brother will suffer, and afraid that the brother will open a Land Rover.

"How could you find such a good—" Peng Xiaoli still couldn't believe it, staring at Gu Cheng's face while saying: "Such a good father-in-law!"

"Don't envy me, I'm also helpless."

Gu Cheng shook his hair and said helplessly: "Qian Youqiong said I am the most handsome, gentle, and talented person in the administrative organ."

"She was just captivated by my talent and appearance, deeply liked me, oh—can't—extricate myself!"

"Disgust me to death—"

Peng Xiaoli was envious, jealous, and hateful, his back teeth were about to be bitten off, and he waved his hand: "Can you die far away from me?"

"Look at you, your face is green."

Gu Cheng came to show off, but this beep was installed very smoothly, showing off all over his good brother's face.

"Go networking tomorrow, maybe there are good girls in the dance team, oh, right."

He paused here and sighed helplessly: "Sorry, I forgot, none of the girls in the dance team have a Grain Bureau Director dad."

"Goodbye, never see again—"

Peng Xiaoli really had enough, turned around and walked back, saying while walking: "I must find a father-in-law better than yours!"

"Better than mine won't work—"

Gu Cheng grabbed the loophole in his words, stood in place and teased: "My daughter won't marry someone like you!"

"Roll—roll far away—!"

"What's wrong?"

When coming out of the class, Li Xuewu found Peng Xiaoli was absent-minded.

After getting on the car, he asked: "Work is too busy to handle?"

"No, leader," Peng Xiaoli didn't expect the leader to find out, so he hurriedly explained: "It's not work..."

"Then it's life."

Li Xuewu smiled and said: "Why, I heard Wang Lu wants to introduce a partner to you? Why not go and see?"

"She even told you about this?"

Peng Xiaoli didn't expect it either. Wang Lu really didn't treat the leader as an outsider, but she didn't treat him as a person either.

Li Xuewu patted Han Jiankun's seat, signaling him to drive, and then said: "Chatted about it."

"I don't really want to go—"

Peng Xiaoli was helpless; he couldn't fool the leader.

He explained: "Everyone doesn't know each other, sitting together is so awkward."

"Then how do you want to know each other?"

Li Xuewu said amusedly: "Working in the administrative organ, so busy, no time to know new friends, and you're autistic?"

"Whether it's networking organized by the Labor Union or interaction between friends, it's a means of interpersonal expansion."

He looked out the window and said: "Even if it's not about dating, you can be friends. People are known like this."

Peng Xiaoli sat in the seat and didn't speak, obviously very resistant to this networking activity.

What he resisted was not the networking, but the one he didn't say out loud—the object of the networking was an actor from the dance team.

If it weren't for the stimulation from Gu Cheng, he wouldn't have cared so much, but now his mentality was completely unbalanced.

How could that kid have such good luck?

Also, that young girl in the Finance Department is really something; why didn't she say earlier that she had such a powerful dad?

He could also talk—

Saving thirty years of struggle is a huge temptation for anyone, let alone him.

The command car drove out of the big gate, and from the car window, he saw a group of girls chattering and pushing their bicycles out.

Li Xuewu discovered Wang Lu's figure, so he called Han Jiankun to stop the car.

"Second Brother!"

Wang Lu also discovered Li Xuewu's car, and after Zhou Xiaoling's reminder, she turned back and greeted with a smile.

Li Xuewu got off the car and nodded with a smile, asking: "Invited so many friends—"

"Happened to meet, so we are together."

Wang Lu really doesn't care about one or two meals, and said with a lot of Jianghu spirit: "Everyone is a friend."

"Good, making friends is good."

Li Xuewu nodded and asked with a smile: "I heard you also organized a networking activity?"

"Why didn't you call Li Kezhang Zhou?"

"Li Kezhang Zhou of the Security Division?" Wang Lu was stunned for a moment and said embarrassedly: "I don't dare—"

"Look, neglect—"

Li Xuewu pointed at Peng Xiaoli who got off the car and said: "You also invited Xiaoli?"

"He is reserved, won't come."

Wang Lu glanced at the depressed Peng Xiaoli and complained to Li Xuewu: "I invited him, but he said he wouldn't come."

"Young people, contact more." Li Xuewu said to Peng Xiaoli after turning back, and then said to the group: "Tomorrow, let Peng Xiaoli find you, and also invite Li Kezhang Zhou. If you can solve personal problems, the organization will award you a big red flag!"

"Randomly pointing mandarin ducks—"

When Li Xuewu entered the room, he was still talking about this with Han Jiankun, and Qin Jingru shook her head.

Han Jiankun just listened to the leader talking and having fun, but didn't offend anyone.

After entering the room, he didn't even need Qin Jingru to order him, and went to load luggage on the car.

Zhao Yafang and the old lady who had been living here for a week were going home, and Li Xuewu had to send them off.

"You are only so young, why do you like to be a matchmaker for others?"

The old lady patted him with a smile and said: "Stop tossing around. If one is not satisfied, they will really complain about you."

"I'm doing this out of good intentions!"

Li Xuewu complained: "I still maintain a 100% success rate, right Jiankun?"

He held Li Ning, turned back and asked Han Jiankun who came in: "Are you satisfied with the partner I introduced to you?"

"Ah?"

Han Jiankun was stunned for a moment, then carried the big bag and walked out, not daring to say a word, very afraid of saying the wrong thing.

Where is this a question? This is going to kill me!

"Not satisfied—"

Qin Jingru was unwilling, chased a few steps and scolded: "If you are not satisfied, you can say it directly, so I can find you, the matchmaker, to reason!"

"Hahaha—"

Zhao Yafang and the old lady laughed until they had no strength. Li Shu stood in the living room not knowing what happened, and followed with a silly laugh.

Qin Jingru wasn't really going to argue with Han Jiankun; it was purely that the couple had a good relationship and was relaxed in the Li family.

She helped Zhao Yafang pack the child's clothes and reached out to help wrap the quilt. Everyone got along very well this week.

Li Tang and Li Ning, the brothers, played well, and had the big devil leading them to play, laughing and making noise all day.

Even if Gu Ning had to take Li Shu to study ancient poems every night, it couldn't hide the laughter of the brothers and sisters.

Today they were going to separate. Although it was only for a short night, it still made the big devil very sad.

She was generous, picked a lot of toys from the small basket, and gave them to her brother to take home to play.

It's just that those toys all had a bit of disability. Those who didn't know would think Li Shu was so bad, specifically picking broken toys for her brother.

Actually, she was picking the good ones; the broken ones were really broken.

Just think, those that could be preserved in Li Shu's hands until now were either combat-hardened or smashed to pieces.

The combat-hardened ones continued to be smashed, and the smashed ones stood aside.

Li Tang hadn't reached the point of distinguishing good toys from bad ones, chewing whatever was given, with a curious little look.

The two little ones perhaps felt the time to separate, sitting there looking at each other, full of confusion.

When Zhao Yafang was dressing Li Tang, Li Ning also went to find his mother, wanting to be dressed. He thought it was like usual, going out with his little brother to bask in the sun and play.

"Brother is going home, let's send him off."

Gu Ning held him, bounced him, and pointed to him: "You say goodbye, welcome to play next time."

Li Ning was stunned, watching the big aunt pick up Li Tang and walk out, suddenly anxious, pointing his little hand at the door: "Ah!"

"Wuwu—"

He was stunned there, Li Shu very uselessly hid behind the sofa and cried, no matter how the old lady coaxed, it didn't work.

The world of children is so narrow. Guests come to stay for a long time, and when they leave, there is always endless reluctance, which often ends in hot tears.

"Don't cry, don't cry, don't come to Grandma's house tomorrow."

The old lady coaxed the big devil: "Come to Grandma's house tomorrow, continue to play with the little brother."

"Old lady, I'll coax her."

Qin Jingru laughed and helplessly tapped Li Shu's nose, holding her up.

"Look at you, the big aunt is going to laugh at you—"

Zhao Yafang was afraid the child would freeze, so she hurried to the car and only then took care of the movement behind her.

When Li Xuewu got on the car, she asked with a smile: "Li Shu cried? Why not take her back together?"

"She just can't bear to see you go."

Li Xuewu drove and explained with a smile: "If she goes to the big courtyard, she will miss home again, so don't toss her back and forth."

"Look, the little sister is so enthusiastic."

Zhao Yafang teased Li Tang wrapped in the quilt and said: "Can't bear to see us go, have feelings."

"But played crazy—"

The old lady said helplessly: "Tossing every day, this child is piled together, without a good physique, really can't watch."

"Then you have to maintain your health."

Li Xuewu reminded his grandmother: "When Li Ning is a little older, we will send Li Shu to the big courtyard during the day for you to watch."

"Mm, I will maintain my health—"

The old lady said with a smile: "You have a few more, I will help watch, I don't think it's too many."

"You really dare to take on work—"

Zhao Yafang joked: "These three are not enough for you to be annoyed, and you want to have more, I think it's noisy."

"One sheep is grazing, a group of sheep is also grazing."

The old lady joked with her: "Xuewen, Xuewu, they were like this when they were young."

"At that time, I was the only one taking care of them."

"That can't be the same—" Li Xuewu said in front: "I was so obedient and sensible when I was young!"

"Mm—" The old lady pursed her lips and smiled: "What kind of father has what kind of daughter, what kind of daughter knows what kind of father!"

"Hahahaha—"

"Hi hi hi, you are really good at calculating!"

When Li Xuewu and the others came in from the Bai Bai Xiyuan, Seeing Sha Zhu greeted him from the window: "Good food, you're here."

"Isn't this just in time?"

Li Xuewu held Li Tang, flicked his forehead, and said: "This is called arriving early is not as good as arriving coincidentally!"

"Giggle—"

Perhaps it was seeing Li Xuewu playing with Seeing Sha Zhu, Li Tang's little face revealed in the quilt giggled.

Seeing Sha Zhu made a ghost face at him, and he giggled again. They had long been familiar and weren't afraid of strangers.

The reason Li Xuewu sent Li Shu here during the day, besides having the meaning of asking his mother to help watch the child, also had the willingness to let Li Shu contact more strangers.

Although it wasn't a building at home, no one on that street came to visit, each living their own life.

Until now, Li Xuewu only knew the neighbor was from the power company, and the opposite was from the Beijing Municipal Government, but didn't know which department.

If really raised at home, perhaps he would have to wait until kindergarten to contact children and strangers.

Moreover, in the big courtyard, neighbors were long familiar with Li Shu and wouldn't look at her with strange eyes.

Li Xuewu tried his best to give his daughter and son a happy, complete, and safe childhood.

There must be children of the same age, older big brothers and big sisters, and bad uncles like Seeing Sha Zhu.

Precisely because Seeing Sha Zhu teased her, Li Shu had aggressiveness on the basis of being extroverted, and she really dared to go up if she was bullied.

"Go, go home—"

Li Xuewu heard his sister-in-law call Li Tang home, so he held him and greeted Seeing Sha Zhu, walking into the big courtyard.

It was dark now, very afraid of the child having a slip, so when going home, he would call out, afraid of losing his soul.

Before entering the courtyard, as soon as he passed the hanging flower gate, his grandmother greeted him, one "big grandson" after another, and the second son couldn't be taken care of.

"Cold or not?"

Knowing Li Tang couldn't speak yet, Liu Yin still teased him, took him over, and held him into the house.

Li Xue and Ji Yuxiu had to stand aside. Grandma's longing for the big grandson, no one could compare.

"I'll go get the luggage—"

Li Xuewu was clever, didn't even wait for the big sister-in-law and second brother to open their mouths, and pulled Ji Yuxiu's arm to go out.

Ji Yuxiu didn't forget the little sister-in-law, pulled Li Xue's arm, one after another. Being young meant no right to speak.

"Aiyou, why did you get fat—"

Liu Yin unwrapped the package for her grandson and teased him with a smile, "Did your second uncle and second aunt feed you something good?"

"Really improved the quality of life—"

Zhao Yafang naturally understood what her mother-in-law meant, but she didn't take it to heart.

It was nothing more than a fear that she would overthink things, fearing that conflicts might be hidden in their hearts after living together as sisters-in-law for a long time.

Old people always have excessive concern; it's fine as long as one understands.

"The pork ribs Second Uncle bought; he really ate well."

She introduced to her mother-in-law, "Boiled, minced, and made into thin pancakes; Li Ning and he can eat four or five each per meal."

"Doesn't that make him a little tiger—"

Liu Yin held her grandson and bounced him, then turned back to Zhao Yafang and said, "Oh my, it really is; he must have gained half a jin!"

"My big grandson ate well, Grandma will make some too."

She kissed Li Tang and said with a smile, "Grandma will go buy pork ribs too, and Grandma will make thin pancakes for Li Tang to eat."

Saying it is one thing, but Zhao Yafang just listened.

Who can afford to eat pork rib meat? After removing the bones, what's left? Only the second brother-in-law's family has that condition.

Not to mention the last two years; now she and Li Xuewen have both returned to work and started receiving salaries.

But even now, living with her father-in-law and mother-in-law, the salaries the two of them earn can't compare to the second brother-in-law's family.

She didn't know before because she hadn't stayed there often, but after staying for a week this time, she finally felt the gap between the Western-style house and the earthen house.

Even the dormitory building they were assigned at school couldn't compare to the environment of the Western-style house; they simply weren't on the same level.

However, no matter how envious she was inside, she wouldn't show it. This wasn't a gap in background, nor a gap between parents or in-laws; it was entirely a person's fate, destined by heaven.

If you really want to talk about it, although the second brother-in-law Li Xuewu didn't leave the family with absolutely nothing when they split up, it was close.

She didn't know how much the father-in-law gave back then, but Li Xuewu's subsidies to the family were definitely more than that.

It was all through personal effort and hard work that he had his current life; what did she have to be envious of?

Whether it was Li Xuewu or Gu Ning, who wasn't sincere toward the family and toward them?

The old lady and mother-in-law often talked about how harmony in the family leads to prosperity in all things. She didn't feel it deeply before, but now she understood it thoroughly.

The fact that Li Xuewen and her life could be so comfortable is because Li Xuewu is supporting this family.

People, no matter when, must cherish their blessings.

"Mom, eat your food, I'll feed her."

Ge Shuqin took the child from her mother-in-law, held her on her lap, and fed her rice porridge with a spoon.

"Blow on it, don't let it burn you—"

Hou Qinghua hadn't even needed a week to adapt to her current role.

She straightened the bib on her little granddaughter's chest before picking up her rice bowl to eat.

"Eating so deliciously—"

Yan Jie Di looked at her little niece and asked with a smile, "When will she be able to get on the ground and walk around by herself?"

"It's fast when it's fast, in the blink of an eye."

Hou Qinghua looked back at her granddaughter and nodded, "She's almost sixteen months old; her arms and legs have strength now."

"Mom—"

Little Yan Fang pointed her little finger at her mother, and the word she called out was very clear.

Ge Shuqin smiled and responded, then fed her daughter another mouthful.

Her daughter could call her Mom, and she could call her Dad too.

She had taught her daughter to call Yan Jiefang "Dad." Yan Jiefang listened with satisfaction, but her mother-in-law frowned every time.

She used to say a few gossipy words, but now there was only a sigh left.

Regarding the matter of calling Yan Jiefang "Dad," Ge Shuqin hadn't discussed it with anyone.

She had lost the desire to converse with the God who took pleasure in fooling and mocking miserable people.

If there is a cycle of heaven and retribution is swift, then it should be her, a person full of evil, who should die; why take Yan Jiecheng and her father-in-law away?

So to this day, every extra day she lives, she feels it's something she earned by defying the heavens.

She wants to live well, live hard, and live to show that blind God how capable she is of living.

"The weather is getting warmer, carry her out during the day to get more sun," she instructed her mother-in-law, "Don't just make do for lunch; after coaxing her to sleep, you eat normally too."

"It's not too late to cook the evening meal after I get off work; it's just eating a little later."

"It doesn't matter, let me cook it."

Hou Qinghua had married off her eldest daughter-in-law for almost two years, and this was the first time they had lived together.

Living in the east and west rooms, living together every day, it was as if she were getting to know Ge Shuqin all over again.

It was just that Ge Shuqin's maturity and steadiness made her a bit unable to handle it, leaving her at a loss.

There was no bossing around or shouting; for a week, it was always "Mom this, Mom that," and she would rush to do all the work.

This left Hou Qinghua, who had long been prepared to suffer from her daughter-in-law and be bullied by the other party, stunned.

She had done so much psychological preparation, and it was useless!

It was like hitting a cotton ball with a fist, leaving her a bit confused, not knowing if she was being tricked.

But she had taken out the money, and the house had been cleared out; what could there be for a dead old woman to be tricked or worried about?

If you really want to compare, Ge Shuqin's attitude toward her was much better than her own son Yan Jiefang's.

Yan Jiefang still kept a straight face toward her, holding a grudge about his father's death, blaming her for not treating him in time.

What could she say? Could she still argue and explain to her own son?

"Second brother, I went late to the area you pointed out to me," Yan Jiekuang said while holding his rice bowl, "Someone had already wandered through it."

"It's precisely because others had wandered through it that I let you go," Yan Jiefang glanced at him and said, "The areas in the city have all been divided by Shen Guodong. If you want to grab ahead of others, you'll have to argue."

"Then why did you let me go—"

Yan Jiekuang asked uncomprehendingly, "Wouldn't it be fine if I just followed you to collect? Why go through all this trouble!"

"Follow me? You can practice a fart—what?"

Yan Jiefang habitually used foul language, but as soon as he said it, he was kicked under the table by Ge Shuqin and changed his wording.

He explained impatiently, "You still can't let go of your face, you can't build up your courage, and you can't open your mouth."

"I've told you everything I should; now you have to go out and practice your courage and your mouth yourself. You'll never learn by following me."

"Aren't we going to buy a vehicle?"

Hou Qinghua interjected, "Why are you busy collecting scrap again?"

"Shen Guodong is handling the paperwork."

Yan Jiefang explained indifferently, "It'll probably take a while; we can't just be idle at home."

He looked at his younger brother and sister and said, "Even if you're running transport, you have to know the doors and the roads. Now, just treat it as exercise."

"I don't really care—"

Yan Jie Di picked at the food in her bowl and said lightly, "The sewing cooperative is neither cold nor hot, paid by the piece."

Ever since her sister-in-law took charge of the house, the most obvious change was that there was oil in the vegetables and flavor in the rice.

Meat wasn't something they could afford to eat often, but with more oil, the cabbage had a fragrance, especially for their family.

At first, her mother was reluctant to add oil, but her sister-in-law forced her to add more. She just felt this change was quite good.

"Mom has recorded the food expenses in a notebook," Ge Shuqin said to her sister-in-law and brother-in-law, "We don't need you to share the cost now; we'll deduct it from the money earned from transport later."

"I care even less—"

Yan Jiekuang curled his lips and said, "Sister-in-law, you don't need to nag me about this; I'll take whatever is divided to me."

"Just you can eat—"

Yan Jie Di glared at her younger brother and curled her lips, "If you don't earn money, just wait to eat the northwest wind at home."

"Does it show on you?" Yan Jiekuang rolled his eyes at his sister and retorted, "Second brother didn't earn money at the beginning either. It's not easy to earn money now. Have you earned a yuan at the sewing cooperative?"

"I'll have the day I earn a yuan!"

Yan Jie Di glared at him, then turned back to tease her little niece with a smile, "When Auntie gets her wages, I'll buy you meat to eat, wow—"

Although there were a few more arguments in a meal compared to before, there was also life and liveliness.

Yan Jiefang went to tidy up the tricycle after eating; he also helped tidy up the scrap pile in the west courtyard. Shen Guodong calculated extra wages for him.

Yan Jiekuang didn't need his second brother to call him; he also tidied up the seventh-hand bicycle his father left behind. This was his tool vehicle.

Yan Jie Di coaxed her little niece, and the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law rushed to tidy the table, wash the bowls and pots, and fetch water to wash clothes.

It was bright during the day, so they couldn't bear to wash clothes; they had to use the time to paste matchboxes. Hou Qinghua knew how to live her life now.

In the evening, after the mother and children finished tidying up, they pasted some more while coaxing the child.

Just waiting until after nine o'clock, they all washed their bodies and feet and went to rest separately.

The head of the family left, and it seemed the sky hadn't collapsed.

Not only did the sky not collapse, but their hearts felt at ease?

Did the head of the family leave late?

"Did she cry for a while?"

Li Xuewu ate at the compound; when he returned, Han Jiankun and his wife hadn't left yet.

He glanced into the room and didn't see Li Shu and Li Ning, so he knew they had followed Gu Ning upstairs to rest.

Qin Jingru wasn't idle for a moment at home, and even Han Jiankun couldn't be idle.

The couple, one wiping furniture and the other filling the fireplace, still had to help wash rags and move stools.

"Oh my, she was so sad—" Qin Jingru joked, "She held her Uncle Han's hand and insisted on chasing after him."

"Hehe, children can't be separated once they get together."

Li Xuewu said with a smile, "Li Tang was also listless when he got home, looking for his sister and brother. He even cried once when I came out."

"Isn't Sister Zhao not working?"

Qin Jingru got down from the chair, tidied the rags, and asked, "Why not stay a few more days?"

"Afraid my mom misses her big grandson."

Li Xuewu hung up his coat, changed into slippers, walked into the living room, and said, "You didn't see it; she treasures him so much."

"I know even without thinking—"

Qin Jingru smiled and called Han Jiankun to wash his hands; the two were getting ready to leave.

She said to Li Xuewu, "Our old lady is the same; every time we go home, she misses us, but when we go, she's afraid of annoying others."

"They all say children aren't easy, and being old isn't easy either."

"Your family is easy to solve," Li Xuewu smiled and gestured to Han Jiankun, saying, "Wouldn't it be fine if you two had one sooner!"

"Save the old lady from missing this one and chasing after that one."

"You think it's like lighting a fire, it catches as soon as you light it—"

Qin Jingru curled her lips and said, "We've agreed, okay? You still have to use me after I give birth!"

"Hehe, you think so much!"

Li Xuewu couldn't help but laugh, "Fine, fine, fine, I'll use you; you can help me here for a lifetime!"

"A lifetime is impossible—"

Qin Jingru put on her cotton-padded jacket and said with a smile, "You won't need me once Li Shu and Li Ning go to school."

"You think further than I do!"

Li Xuewu stood up and saw them off, saying, "No jokes, you should have children sooner."

He patted Han Jiankun's arm and urged, "Take advantage of the old people's good health to help you out, and let the old people enjoy the joy of having children around their knees sooner."

"Alright, we'll work hard—"

Qin Jingru agreed with a giggle; before she even left the door, she was already being whispered to by Han Jiankun.

Li Xuewu stood in the foyer and could still hear her loud voice, as if unconvinced, asking him what was wrong with working hard.

Back upstairs, Gu Ning was already lying down, but she was still holding a book, as if waiting for him.

After washing up, under Gu Ning's gaze, he helplessly applied hand oil and face oil.

Don't misunderstand, these two are the same thing, both called clam oil. Whatever Li Xuewu applies it to, it's called that oil; it prevents spring chapping.

"Tong Yan came to find me today."

"Who? Tong Yan?"

As soon as Li Xuewu got into bed, he heard Gu Ning say a name that surprised him, "Why did she come to find you?"

After the conflict with Wei Min, Tong Yan was transferred from the hospital, and the two had no further contact.

"She—is pregnant," Gu Ning said with a heavy face, "She came to ask me to help her get an abortion."

"It's already been over six months," she explained, "It's too dangerous to have an abortion now; I'm urging her to be cautious."

"Give birth? Whose child?"

Li Xuewu frowned and said, "Her private life is very messy; Wei Guo's case last time even implicated her."

"I don't know, she didn't say—"

Gu Ning sighed and said, "She told me, 'What you gave birth to is a child; what I'm giving birth to is...'"

Thinking of Li Shu and Li Ning, she couldn't say the word in her mouth and could only mumble it.

"I didn't dare help her; she didn't say anything and just left like that. I chased her, but she wouldn't listen to me."

"Hmm—everyone has their own fate."

Li Xuewu also sighed. He had long since stopped hating this woman, and she wasn't worth him remembering for so long.

The last time he heard her name was from Zhao Lao Si's mouth, when he mentioned that Zhang Jianguo had a new fashion.

That's right, for Zhang Jianguo, Tong Yan was a new fashion he could show off to everyone.

In this era, there are not a few girls like Tong Yan who willingly degenerate; what they pursue is excitement and freedom.

Excitement and freedom that ordinary people cannot understand.

(End of chapter)