Although the tuition fees for government-sponsored students were reimbursed by the state, the living expenses provided were not very high. It was barely enough to cover the minimum expenses, which was one of the reasons he hadn't considered Yang Lili before.
Fearing that Chen Yinchu might go back on his word, Yang Lili immediately assured him, "No problem, my family is also very supportive of this decision."
...
In the military dependents' courtyard, Lin Xiaoyue and her mother-in-law were looking after three children. Two of them were only a few months old, unable to speak or express themselves. A slight discomfort would make them cry, and if one cried, the other would follow. Wu Yan was also at a mischievous age. The two of them were constantly overwhelmed.
Even though Wu Mu had a good temper, she couldn't help but ask, "Xiaoyue, has there been any news from Xiao Hui's in-laws? It's not good for a couple to hold a grudge like this; it really affects their marital relationship."
Lin Xiaoyue was also very troubled. Ever since Lin Xiaohui argued with Lu Chengming, she had stormed over to her place. It had been over a month, and while she was living it up, she had left her children with her to take care of. She didn't even buy formula, and with Wu Yang to feed, her own milk was not enough.
However, Lin Xiaohui had left after a quarrel, and as her elder sister, it was difficult for her to ask for money. She could only subsidize it herself. These were minor issues, but the key problem was that Lu Yang had fallen ill these past few days and had a fever.
"Mom, I know. I'll ask Xiao Hui when she gets back."
In the evening, Lin Xiaohui returned home. Lin Xiaoyue found an opportunity to talk to her, "Xiao Hui, is there any news from your brother-in-law?"
"Sister, you don't want to kick me out, do you?"
Lin Xiaoyue's face stiffened. She forced a smile and said, "It's common for couples to argue. You can't just not be together anymore, right? Besides, you have Yangyang. He's had a fever these past few days. I got medicine, but it doesn't seem to be working. The child is too young, we can't just let it drag on like this."
She thought about how Lu Chengming had only come to find her once during this long period. He had beaten her so badly then, and not a single soft word was spoken. Why would she go back?
"If it's not working, get some other medicine. Anyway, this child's surname is Lu, not Lin. I refuse to believe that Lu Chengming only has one son and won't come to beg me. I'll die before I go back."
Her sister's home was so good! There was someone to coax the children, and she could eat hot, delicious meals every day. Except for the inconvenience of going to work, she didn't have to worry about anything else.
Lin Xiaoyue opened her mouth twice, but in the end, she said nothing. Just then, the child started crying, and she turned to comfort the child.
...
After the spring arrived and everything began to revive, around May Day, the village started busy with spring plowing.
This year, being the first year of the household responsibility system, the villagers attached great importance to it, wanting to put in twelve points of effort. They worked from dawn till dusk, dedicating all their thoughts to their own small plots of land.
On Chen Lishu's contracted mountain land, only three of the ten brick houses had been built. The land, however, was almost all turned. Hu Si'er and Lin Dazhong hired two more helpers from the village. It took over a month to finally plant Chen Lishu's purchased sugar beet, dandelion, evening primrose, and raw potato seeds carefully into the fields.
As for the fruit tree saplings, they could only be planted in the fields bit by bit during their spare time.
Since the land was newly reclaimed, the weeds grew almost as soon as they were cut. They grew again and again. Fortunately, Chen Mantun and the Gu family father and son helped out, otherwise, it would have been difficult to distinguish between the seedlings and the weeds.
...
With work proceeding in an orderly manner everywhere, Chen Lishu was solely focused on preparing for the overseas examination.
Jiang Yuwei and Yang Lili were also working hard, but some people's efforts were directed differently.
Li Zhiwei found himself unsure of where to put his hands and feet as Jiang Yuwei kept staring at him. He felt that every part of his body was not quite right.
"You, what is it you called me out for?" It was rare for someone who was usually thick-skinned to feel shy and uncomfortable.
"Li Zhiwei, you've always liked me, haven't you?"
Li Zhiwei's face instantly turned red. Although he wasn't pale, it wasn't very noticeable. His eyes, however, were a bit unfocused, and he didn't dare to meet Jiang Yuwei's gaze, nor did he settle on anything concrete.
Jiang Yuwei looked at him for a moment, then suddenly said, "Actually, it's not impossible for us."
Li Zhiwei thought he had misheard. He even looked up at the sun hanging high in the sky, unsure.
Finally, having determined her direction, Li Zhiwei said suspiciously, "If you have something to say, just say it directly."
Jiang Yuwei chuckled, "I want you to help me with something. This matter is very easy for you, it might only take a sentence."
Li Zhiwei remained silent.
Jiang Yuwei hesitated for a moment and then said, "The students going abroad need to take an exam. I..."
As soon as she spoke, Li Zhiwei's face instantly darkened. Before she could finish, Li Zhiwei interrupted her coldly, "It's impossible."
"I haven't finished speaking yet. You don't even know what it is, so why are you refusing?"
Li Zhiwei looked at her and sneered, "No matter what you say, it's impossible with me."
Jiang Yuwei's expression also turned unpleasant. "Li Zhiwei, even if you pursued me before..."
"That was in the past. Who hasn't been young and reckless? To tell you the truth, just moments ago, before you spoke, I actually quite liked you. But now, heh."
Li Zhiwei didn't say the rest, but Jiang Yuwei's expression had already become quite ugly.
Li Zhiwei said nothing more. He walked around her and went straight back to the classroom.
...
Although going out might mean facing Wang Er Biao again, Sun Ling decided to go to school to clarify things about the job with Jiang Yuwei.
Fortunately, everything went smoothly when she went out today. She didn't encounter the previous situation. She arrived at the school. Most people were in class at this time, so Sun Ling went directly towards the teaching building.
Jiang Yuwei had been in a bad mood for the past two days. With the exam just a few days away, and seeing Chen Lishu's determined demeanor, she felt anxious. She was also somewhat provoked by Li Zhiwei's gaze that day.
If she didn't have some feelings for Li Zhiwei, why would she use this as a bargaining chip? She was just afraid of being looked down upon if she spoke first.
"Jiang Yuwei, Sun Ling is looking for you." A classmate came in from outside and said to Jiang Yuwei, immediately drawing many curious glances.
Jiang Yuwei frowned almost imperceptibly. She was already swamped with her own problems; what was Sun Ling here for?
Annoyed, she got up and left the classroom. She saw Sun Ling standing at the staircase waving at her. After a moment of hesitation, she walked over.
"Why did you come here?"
Sun Ling smiled and tried to put her arm around Jiang Yuwei as she used to, but Jiang Yuwei subtly dodged it. "Let's go to the flower bed over there. No one will disturb us there."
Sun Ling didn't notice anything unusual and nodded with a smile, "Okay, I'll do whatever you say."