"Is money that easy to earn? Besides selling grain, where else would it come from?"
But if they sold the grain, what would they eat?
Peasant families were so frightened by the hard times of the previous few years that they felt uneasy if their granaries didn't hold enough food for a year.
Unlike Xie Sui, who was universally disliked, his cousin Xie Chen was the pride of the family, the first college student in the village. The whole village pooled their money to send him to school.
He had been away for over half a year, and except for occasional letters, which only reported good news and hid bad, the family had no idea how he was really doing.
Finally, Wang Xiuju said, "Sell half of it. We'll endure hardship and toil, but we can't let the children go hungry.
Why don't you borrow some money from Xie Sui? Didn't he say he made money from making preserves? It's only right that he should help out his cousin."
Wang Xiuju set her sights on Xie Sui. That brat was reckless but could make money; through scams or tricks, he always managed to get some cash.
"What good things are you dreaming about? He's reluctant to spend on his wife and children, so why would he lend it to you?"
Xie Dajiang spat. He was grateful enough that the man didn't swindle their family's money, and now he was expected to offer some?
"Are you badmouthing my grandson again? My ears aren't deaf!"
Xie Sui's grandmother, Li Yumei, emerged from the house, her eyes filled with anger at her eldest daughter-in-law. "They say university students are provided for by the government, with food coupons, so they won't starve.
He's a grown man; wouldn't he ask his family if he truly needed anything? Why are you worrying about him?
It's my grandson who supports a whole family. When they divided the property, you took the larger portion of those two mu of land, and you're still not satisfied?
If you're thinking of getting your hands on my grandson's money, you'd better ask this old woman first if she agrees!"
Li Yumei jabbed the ground with her cane. Her small, bound feet trembled, but it didn't hinder her from scolding.
He was her youngest son, her eldest grandson, the apple of her eye. For her, it was the reverse: her eldest son and youngest grandson were her darlings.
Xie Sui's current laziness and selfishness were all due to the old woman's spoiling. Sudancn.com
Even though his cousin Xie Chen was the best educated and praised by everyone in the village, the old woman disliked him. Instead, she doted on her mischievous grandson, Xie Sui, ensuring he got the best of everything.
Even the matter between Xie Sui and Lin Wanwan back then was instigated by the old woman, forcing Lin Wanwan to swallow her grievances. Coupled with her pregnancy, she had no choice but to marry Xie Sui.
Sometimes, Xie Sui couldn't help but wonder if his grandmother, worried he wouldn't be able to find a wife, had deliberately schemed against Lin Wanwan. Otherwise, how could it have been such a coincidence that Lin Wanwan, drunk, ran into him, and the two ended up together in a muddled state?
It was a messy affair that Xie Sui, in both his lives, never fully understood.
"Mother, if you care so much about your grandson, why don't you live with him? Since your grandson is making big money, he'll give you meat and white steamed buns every meal."
Wang Xiuju was resentful. With such a biased mother-in-law, how much suffering had she endured her entire life?
She had initially thought that when her son went to college, the old woman might restrain herself, but instead, she became even more attentive to that useless brat. She claimed that since her eldest son was successful, she had to treat her grandson better to prevent him from feeling inferior.
Listen to that! What kind of twisted logic was that?
You wouldn't find such a peculiar old woman in the entire village!
"Heh, the eldest son provides for his parents; it's the rule. If you want to drive me away, aren't you afraid of being struck by lightning? Eldest son, control your wife. If you anger me, I'll have the village chief scold you for being unfilial, and you won't be afraid of being pointed at behind your back, affecting your son's future work. Then you can drive this old woman away!"
Wang Qiuju fell silent. If she could have driven her away, she wouldn't have stayed until now. The old immortal, who looked frail every year, had somehow lived on, year after year, making her feel like she was growing old waiting to become a mother-in-law.
"I'll go see Little Sui. Save some food for me; I want noodles."
The old woman, clutching a small cloth bag containing about a dozen eggs and leaning on her cane, set off with her small feet towards Xie Sui's home.
After Xie Sui and Lin Wanwan got married, his sisters had all gotten married. His parents used their life savings to build the current house, and the old couple moved into the old house at the village entrance, essentially separating their households.
One reason was to let Xie Sui take on family responsibilities, and the other was to keep their distance from him, saving some food so he wouldn't squander it all.
Xie Sui had three older sisters and was the only son in the family. He had grown up spoiled and was already beyond help.
In his previous life, without Lin Wanwan's resolute act of dying with him, he wouldn't have had a sudden awakening, wouldn't have wanted to muddle through life, and wouldn't have ventured out, enduring much hardship to achieve his later success.
"Little Sui, Grandma's here."
Xie Sui had just finished making steamed buns and congee, stir-fried some wild vegetables, and boiled three eggs. He hadn't had time to buy meat today, so he made do.
Hearing his grandmother's familiar voice, Xie Sui's eyes welled up. In his past life, he hadn't even seen his grandmother's last moments. He heard that the old woman had died with her eyes open, always waiting for him. Every time he thought about it, his heart ached unbearably.
He had returned from his rebirth and hadn't had a chance to see his grandmother yet, and she had come to see him.
Lin Wanwan stood up before him, helping her grandmother in. "Grandma, have you eaten? Let me serve you some food."
"No, let my great-grandson eat. I asked the eldest daughter-in-law to save some food for me. Grandma saved some eggs for you, put them away quickly.
Doudou, Dingding, did you miss your great-grandma?"
"We did, we missed you so much! Great-grandma, Doudou saved some candy for you. Try it, it's very sweet."
"Great-grandma, Daddy makes preserves, they're delicious. I'll get some for you to try."
The two children adored Li Yumei. One went to get candy, the other went to get preserves, placing them all in front of her for her to eat.
Great-grandma herself was reluctant to eat; she always gave the best food to the children. However, Lin Wanwan knew that the elder uncle's family had many objections and restrained the children from disturbing the elders.
She also feared the children might be impolite. Times were tough, and people could barely afford to eat. If the children stayed at someone else's house, they might be seen as freeloaders. Her pride prevented her from doing such shameless things, so the children rarely visited Xie Dajiang's house when they went out to play.
The old woman liked Lin Wanwan's sensible nature even more. This granddaughter-in-law was a good match.
"You all eat. Great-grandma has no teeth and can't bite."
Xie Sui wiped his eyes, squatted in front of her, and held her warm hand, finally feeling the reality. "Grandma, your grandson can make money. Eat, I'll stew meat for you every day from now on. If you lose your teeth, we'll get you dentures in the city, and you'll be able to bite through ribs."
"Spend your earnings on Wanwan and the children. Look how thin my great-grandson is, Grandma feels sorry for you. It's a pity Grandma is old and can't help you anymore."
Xie Sui said, "Your long life is all the help I need.
You must eat here. From now on, live with me, and I'll be filial to you."
"That won't do. Grandma has a son, and her son must provide for her. There's no reason for a grandson to do so. I won't eat; Grandma is going back."
"Don't! If Grandma doesn't eat, I won't let you go."
Xie Sui acted spoiled and even stomped his foot. Doudou and Dingding stared with wide eyes, wondering if this was even possible.