vrcanaries Chapter 157 Lively
Chapter 157 Lively
Grandma Zhang was crying and making a fuss outside, while the people inside were eating with great enthusiasm.
Carpenter Zhang looked out the door from time to time, his eyes full of pity.
Zhang Dazhu said calmly, "Dad, the door is not locked. If you want to go out and live with her, we won't stop you. But we agreed that after you leave this house, don't come back."
"What nonsense? I'm just worried that she's too old and can't stand the stimulation." Carpenter Zhang said embarrassedly.
"Don't worry. My uncle has done so many infuriating things, but she doesn't seem to be upset at all. I think she is full of energy and can live another ten years without any problem." Zhang Erzhu said sarcastically.
Pang Shi picked up some food for her sister-in-law and comforted her: "You have suffered a lot over the years."
"Sister-in-law..." Zhou's eyes were red.
Zhang Dazhu invited everyone to eat, and then talked about the arrangements for Pang's mother and son: "The current living quarters are a bit simple. Three rooms plus a woodshed can accommodate people. Here's how I arranged it. Let's listen to whether you have any objections. If you do, we can discuss it. Erzhu is getting married, so he must have a big room. The largest room will be reserved for him. The remaining two rooms will require you to squeeze in. One room for Mom and Dad, one room for Aunt, and my cousin will stay with me in the woodshed for the time being. Is this okay with you?"
Qin Huiyin and the others certainly would not comment on the Zhang family's affairs. They just ate and drank well, and then threw the bones to the "Momo" circling around them.
"Let me say a few words first," Pang said. "Dazhu said that now that the family has been divided, they can make their own decisions. They've recently received a large order and are too busy to handle it. They need someone who can read to help with their account books, so I shamelessly brought Mingrong here. Although my sister-in-law and brother-in-law are generous and kind, we, an orphan and a widow, can't always take advantage of them. Here's what I thought. I have some extra money now, so I'll use it to buy an abandoned house in the village and live there. Once we get used to it, we can renovate it. My mother and I won't occupy your house anymore."
"Sister-in-law, you are not in good health. I thought I could live close by so I can take care of you." Zhou said.
"Living in this village isn't much closer than it used to be. I'm already very grateful that you're so thoughtful. But sister-in-law, we are two families after all, so we should still live our own lives."
Li Taohua admired this Pang family more and more. No wonder she could raise a child like Zhou Mingrong. Like mother, like son. If the mother is wise, the son will not be bad either. It's a pity that the man in the family passed away early, leaving no money for Zhou Mingrong's education. Otherwise, this man would surely have more than just this.
"I have a suggestion..." Qin Huiyin pointed in the other direction, "No one lives in the house over there. It's convenient for us to look after each other if we're close together."
"Thank you, Huiyin girl." Pang Shi smiled.
Perhaps because of years of misery, there is always a look of sadness on her face. Although she is smiling, you can't feel her happiness.
"Okay, I'll listen to my aunt," Zhang Dazhu said. "I'll go find the village chief and buy the abandoned yard next door. When we make money, we'll build big houses all over this area."
"Then you have to buy this land as soon as possible. If someone else buys it first, it will be difficult for you to snatch it away." Qin Huiyin reminded with a smile.
After returning from Zhang's house, Li Taohua kept praising the Zhang family for having Zhang Dazhu as the backbone, and finally becoming more confident.
"I'll tell your brother Dazhu tomorrow that they must keep the money they earn and make sure it doesn't fall into the hands of your Uncle Zhang. He's easily influenced, so be careful he doesn't use it to support the old lady."
"Let's not get involved in their family affairs!" Qin Huiyin said.
"I don't want to get involved either. This is about your dividend! You built the Zhang family's business, and half of the money is yours. My daughter can't let this happen."
Qin Huiyin smiled and changed the subject: "Go wash your face quickly, I'll put a mask on you."
"Yes, that mask you made is better than the expensive creams I used before. My skin has been as smooth and hydrated as a little girl's these past few days."
Li Taohua called Tang Luwu over.
Tang Luwu was worried about her homework and said, "Mom, why don't I not use the mask today? I want to practice my calligraphy."
"Don't waste this little time. You can close your eyes and rest while applying the mask. You'll feel more energetic later. A girl can't be ugly. Your face is your dignity."
Tang Luwu came over obediently.
Tang Yixiao also wanted to come over, but Li Taohua sent him away to do his homework.
"One of you just memorizes things all day, and the other is lazy and has no manners." Li Taohua said disdainfully, "You are useless like this. You might not be able to find a wife."
"I don't want to get married." Tang Yi said with a red face, "I want to live with my second sister."
"Pfft, pfft, pfft! Don't say such nonsense again!" Li Taohua was furious. "Your second sister is not related to you by blood. If you say such nonsense again, others will throw mud at your second sister. Remember this: boys and girls don't sit together until they are seven years old. You are grown up now, so you must be careful with me when you are out. No, you must be careful at home too."
"Mom, how are our goods prepared? Have they been counted? Miss Xia should send someone to take away some of them tomorrow." Qin Huiyin pulled the sensitive Li Taohua away.
Tang Yixiao was just a simple child, with no other thoughts at all. Even after Li Taohua criticized him, he was still confused, not understanding what he had said wrongly.
Tang Yi smiled and went back to his room to do his homework.
When Tang Yichen was not around, he lived in a room all by himself, and the desk was also his.
He sat by the window, watching Li Taohua and her two sisters lying in the yard, applying facial masks. The recliners they were using were newly made and sent by the Zhang family.
The three of them applied face masks while basking in the moonlight, their mouths busy either munching on sunflower seeds or chatting about village or city gossip. The whole yard was filled with joyful laughter.
Tang Yixiao suddenly regretted that he couldn't draw. If he could draw, he would definitely capture this scene. Such a happy life was something he couldn't even dream of six months ago.
"Mom, if Madam Xia does this, won't Li Erniu have an extra concubine to serve her?" Qin Huiyin said curiously.
"Tang Jizu is going to be in big trouble," Li Taohua said, cracking some melon seeds. "A farmhand who touches his master's woman, even if he's forced to do so by the mistress, will still die."
Qin Huiyin looked at the moon in the sky: "Where are Liu and the child?"
"Liu is already Tang Jizu's concubine, and that child is the son of a farmhand's concubine. Such a person will never be able to compete with Madam Xia's child for the family property. This truly eliminates future troubles. Madam Xia is a remarkable woman and a ruthless character. Making an enemy of such a person is very dangerous. My daughter, when you deal with the Xia family, be careful not to mess with this person!"
Otherwise, her shady methods would have to come back into play, and she didn't want to scare her daughter. She hoped she could be just a Li Taohua in the countryside, able to be aggressive but not stained with blood.