The houses then were all made of adobe. Some were so old that during heavy rain, water would pour in from the roof, let alone during such a prolonged downpour.
Watching the rain curtain, Chen Lishu suddenly recalled that it was around this time in her previous life that the Chen family's house collapsed under the heavy rain.
At that time, she wasn't living well at the Lu family's. Even though she knew about it, she had no money to help her maternal family. Old Madam Chen and Chen Mancang were certainly not going to offer any assistance. Later, the village, unable to stand by and watch, helped by providing labor to rebuild it.
The rain continued all night without any sign of stopping. Around noon, as Chen Lishu was working in her room, she suddenly heard Chen Liyuan's voice from outside.
"Aunt, I'm looking for my eldest sister."
Chen Liyuan braving the rain, made her think something had happened at home. Chen Lishu hurried out to meet her, "Did something happen at home?"
"No." Chen Liyuan smiled, waving a letter in her hand. "Eldest sister, I've been accepted into the accounting program at the provincial city's vocational school!"
"Really? Let me see!" Gu Xingping, hearing her words, rushed over. She took Chen Liyuan's admission notice and examined it carefully before looking up and saying with a hint of envy, "Liyuan, you're really amazing."
They had spent a month together, and Chen Liyuan had studied diligently, consistently ranking among the top students. Gu Xingping, however, felt that if her own grades had been as good as Chen Liyuan's, she wouldn't have pursued high school. Two years of vocational school would have allowed her to start working and earning money.
Chen Lishu took Chen Liyuan's admission notice and glanced at it, unable to help but purse her lips and smile.
Regardless of whether it was vocational school or college, at least her destiny would usher in a different beginning from this point on.
"Mom and Dad want to celebrate my admission to vocational school and asked me to invite you and your husband over for dinner tonight."
"Alright, such happy news. I'll tell your brother-in-law, and we'll come over this afternoon."
After discussing the admission notice, Chen Liyuan remembered something and added, "Eldest sister, Eldest Uncle's house collapsed."
Chen Lishu was taken aback, "When did that happen?"
"Last night. The wind was too strong, and when the tree fell, it smashed half the house. They've caused so much trouble everywhere; this is karma! It's a pity that old hag is so lucky, she wasn't buried directly."
Chen Lishu frowned slightly at her words, unable to help but sternly admonish her, "She's still our grandmother, don't be so disrespectful. Watch what you say in the future."
Chen Liyuan was indignant, "Does she deserve to be our grandmother? Hasn't she caused enough misery for our family?"
Chen Lishu shook her head helplessly, "You need to change your temper. Keep some things to yourself. Look, am I smiling?"
Chen Liyuan was stunned. Gu Xingping, standing nearby, couldn't help but burst into a chuckle.
...
At Chen Mancang's house, Old Madam Chen, looking at the open-air house and the rain incessantly pouring in, cursed angrily for over half an hour.
Chen Mancang, already tired of listening, said, "Mom, please say less!"
The heavy rain not only caused the house to collapse but also soaked the large wardrobe Chen Baozhu had bought for his wedding. The item, costing over two hundred yuan, had already caused the family immense heartache.
Previously, they had focused solely on building a large brick house and hadn't reinforced the adobe structure. Later, they couldn't secure loans, so the matter was delayed. Now that this had happened, building a house would take at least one to two months.
"Did you all hear? Chen Mancang's house was hit and collapsed by a large tree."
"Some people say you shouldn't be too ruthless. With so many fallen trees, why did it only hit their house? Old Madam Chen forced her daughter-in-law to drink pesticide; this is karma arriving."
Chen Lishu was unaware of the village gossip. As Gu Xingdong's vacation neared its end, she began to pack her luggage.
This time, besides the two of them, Chen Liyuan was also included. She was going to study in the provincial city. It was already August, and with school starting in less than a month, they could go and stay with her for a while.
"These are the shoes I made during this time. Shoes bought in the city aren't as comfortable as homemade ones. When Xingdong comes back from training, wearing them will help his feet relax." Li Xiulan took out three pairs of simple lazy shoes she had made from the kang cabinet.
"Mom knows you're good at everything you do, so I'm relieved you're taking care of Xingdong."
She somehow felt that her son had only returned yesterday, and in a flash, he was about to leave again.
Chen Lishu knew she was reluctant. After taking the shoes, she smiled and said, "Mom, after this autumn harvest, you and Dad can come to the city to live for a while. The department store there has four or five floors, and there's a park where many elderly people go for walks every day."
Li Xiulan was happy that her child sincerely invited her, but she still smiled and refused, "You still have to attend school, and Xingdong's work is busy. I won't come to bother you."
Liu Yuemin, hearing Li Xiulan say she wouldn't go, became anxious, "Third sister-in-law, don't worry. After the autumn harvest, I'll bring Mom with me. With me accompanying her, it will definitely be fine."
Li Xiulan couldn't help but give her a pointed look, "By autumn, your belly will be so big. You're still going to bring me? I can't be bothered with you. You'd better stay home peacefully. You have too many ideas."
"Mom, look at what you're saying. I was only six or seven months pregnant then, and some people even give birth in the fields. What's my condition now? Besides, I've never been to the provincial city in my life."
Li Xiulan, unable to argue with her, finally said, "We'll see then."
...
At the Chen family's home, Wu Chunmei was also packing luggage for Chen Liyuan.
"Mom, eldest sister said she'll make me a quilt when I get there. It's inconvenient to carry so many things on the train now."
"Everything is expensive in the provincial city. Even a jin of cotton is several fen more expensive than here. Besides, if we have it at home, let's take it to save unnecessary expenses."
As Wu Chunmei spoke, she packed a thermos and a washbasin into a mesh bag for her.
Looking at the pile of items on the ground, Wu Chunmei couldn't help but sigh.
Chen Liyuan had gotten into college, and everyone envied that the family had produced two university students. However, they didn't know the enormous expenses involved. They said the school provided subsidies, but money was needed everywhere.
Wu Chunmei's gaze fell on the other younger children, and she sighed again.
...
The next morning, Chen Lishu and Gu Xingdong went to the Chen family's to pick up Chen Liyuan.
"There's too much luggage. Shall I send it for you?" Chen Mantun said, looking at the two large bags.
"It's fine, Dad. Lishu and I haven't brought much. Second sister's luggage is nothing," Gu Xingdong said, picking up the two luggage bags with ease, one in each hand.
Seeing this, Chen Mantun instructed, "Be careful on the road. Don't forget to send a letter home when you reach the provincial city."
As her children were about to leave, Wu Chunmei stood by the side, her eyes reddening. The younger children also looked expectantly at their two elder sisters, their eyes full of reluctance.
Waving goodbye to their family, the three of them went to the town and bought train tickets for that afternoon.