Chapter 686: Chapter 591: 3

’That was a major pharmaceutical factory, even more legitimate than a state-owned enterprise. New hires had to go through a year of training before even starting, with all expenses paid by the factory. Once they started working, they earned over a hundred yuan a month, got free work uniforms, and lived in single-person dorms. The benefits and subsidies were endless—so much better than being a government official!’

’Her own two sons and one daughter had all gotten into the factory. One son was even highly valued and became a team leader, earning more in subsidies and wages than others. The money he took home each month was more than double what his second uncle and aunt, who had worked their whole lives in the neighboring county seat, earned!’

’In previous years, that city-dwelling second aunt was always reluctant to come back to the countryside. When she did grace them with her presence, she’d complain about this and that. But this time, seeing that Gongdao Village had built new roads and bridges, and that her relatives in the old hometown were earning good money from farming, she didn’t dare put on airs anymore. Every time she came back now, she’d be all smiles from a distance, calling out affectionately to her and her old man, and to her elder brother and sister-in-law. Her words were as sweet as honey!’

’Heh! Who would have thought? A country bumpkin like me could finally have the upper hand over her!’

Fifth Auntie was listening to the women bicker, but her mind was wandering. As her thoughts drifted to a happy place, a smile unconsciously spread across her face. When Granny Mo’s two daughters-in-law saw this, they couldn’t help but stare in bewilderment. ’What’s wrong with Fifth Auntie? It’s one thing not to break up the fight, but to look so happy watching the drama unfold!’

While an argument was breaking out in the backyard vegetable garden, things were getting lively in the kitchen as well. Dapeng was showing his ruined winter break workbook to Yu Wumei and Xinghua, while Xiao Man and Qiuyan told Grandma what Liang Xiaoju had done. Gu Shaoqin stood nearby, chiming in with a word or two to corroborate their story.

Yu Wumei, wanting to be respectful to her relatives and guests, initially chided Dapeng, "What’s the big deal? Why are you making such a fuss? What if people hear you? It’ll just create bad blood."

Instead of getting comfort and support, Dapeng was scolded. He was instantly heartbroken and furious. With a flick of his wrist, he threw both of his winter break workbooks into the stove’s firebox and roared, "I can’t turn in my homework now! I can’t face my teacher! I’m not going back to school!"

Xinghua couldn’t rescue the books in time. She turned to see tears streaming down her little brother’s face. Her heart aching, she moved to hug Dapeng, but he struggled free.

Yu Wumei was startled by Dapeng’s outburst. She froze, her hands outstretched, looking at her youngest son with a mix of regret and heartache.

Grandma pulled Dapeng into her arms, patting him gently. She shot a glare at Yu Wumei. "There’s nothing wrong with being strict with your children, but you have to consider the situation. Our Dapeng did nothing wrong, so what right do you have to scold him? You’re not even distinguishing right from wrong! You listen to me: no matter what, a mother’s first job is to protect her own child. Everything else comes second!"

Yu Wumei said sheepishly, "That wasn’t... I was just thinking that our relatives are guests. It was just some scribbling in a workbook, a small thing. If we make a big deal out of it, won’t it be awkward for everyone to see each other in the future?"

Grandma snorted. "Is that what I taught you? They aren’t worried, so why are you so afraid of things being awkward?"

Jiang Junlin came in carrying a basin to get hot water. He had overheard the conversation from the doorway and said gently to Yu Wumei, "Ma, this isn’t a small thing. Dapeng’s winter break workbook is ruined. When I have a moment, I’ll try to find him another set. I should be able to get one—that’s one of the little perks of being a teacher. But what if it were another family, one without those connections? They’d have to wait for school to start and face whatever the teacher decides. A less sensitive kid might not care, but a boy like Dapeng, who’s more sensitive, will definitely be affected. ’How will the teacher punish me? Will my classmates laugh at me?’ He could spend the entire winter break tossing and turning, worried sick. Ma, you don’t want to see him like that, do you?"

Yu Wumei quickly shook her head. She turned to Xinghua and sighed. "I should have listened to you and locked Dapeng and Qiuyan’s room. The girls went upstairs saying they were tired from walking and wanted to lie down for a bit. I thought since Dapeng and Qiuyan are still young, it wouldn’t be a big deal to let our guests use their room. Who knew? Ugh!"

She walked over and stroked Dapeng’s head. "It was my fault. I won’t do it again. I’m sorry, okay? Please don’t be mad anymore, son."

But this only made Dapeng cling to Grandma tighter and start wailing.

Xiao Man found this amusing and patted him. "Alright, that’s enough," she teased. "Real men don’t cry, and you look so ugly when you do!"

Dapeng looked up indignantly and shouted, "Who says? Brother-in-law Jiang cries! When he first found our family, he cried even uglier than me!"

Jiang Junlin, who had just reached the doorway with the basin of hot water, stumbled and nearly spilled it all. He gritted his teeth in frustration. ’You little brat! I was just helping you, and you shoot me in the back? This is the thanks I get!’

Just then, however, Qiuyan tugged on Xiao Man’s sleeve and pointed toward the kitchen door that led to the main house. A sliver of floral-patterned clothing was visible in the crack between the two wooden doors.

Xiao Man smiled faintly. She didn’t even need to look to know it was Liang Xiaoju and her sister eavesdropping. Liang Xiaoju had been about to push the door open, but for some reason, Liang Yanmei was holding her back for dear life.

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