"Child, how did you get in here?" The couple had already undressed and lay down, preparing to sleep. Chen Mantun's arm was still around Wu Chunmei's shoulder. Seeing her come in, he hastily withdrew his arm and sat up.
"Why should I give my grandmother money? She is indecent in her old age. It's one thing that she always favors my uncle's family, but doesn't she often cause trouble at home? Stirring up a hornet's nest. Giving her money, even an extra grain of rice, I feel is a waste."
The couple was surprised that their usually quiet and almost invisible daughter could say such things. They were stunned.
Chen Mantun frowned, "Child, that's your grandmother. How can you speak to her like that?"
"So what if she's my grandmother? She never raised me for a single day. Instead, our family has suffered a lot because of her. Besides giving her grain, she won't get a single cent from our family, and only then will she be quiet for a few days?"
Chen Lifei looked at Chen Mantun and his wife with a calm expression and said, "If you really give her money, I will definitely take it back. My younger sisters haven't even gotten new clothes, so why should she enjoy our blessings?"
It was because she was young before. Now her eldest sister was living happily, and her second sister had also started working. This family would be protected by her from now on!
After Chen Lifei finished speaking, regardless of whether they agreed or not, she turned and left, not forgetting to close the door.
Her eldest and second sisters were too kind to that old woman. What about filial piety and reputation? Those things couldn't be eaten or drunk. Anyway, if she herself didn't have a good life, no one else would.
Looking at the child's retreating back, the couple opened their mouths but said nothing in the end.
The children in the family had poor attitudes towards Old Mrs. Chen and Chen Mancang's family. Thinking about the past, perhaps they were really wrong. As they got older, they also wanted a few days of peace. Giving money should be forgotten.
The next morning after breakfast, Chen Lishu and Gu Xingdong, carrying gifts for the family, returned to the Chen family with Ruirui.
"Xingdong is back?" Chen Mantun smiled and got up when he saw the three of them enter.
"It's cold outside, come in and sit," Wu Chunmei took the items from their hands and quickly invited them in.
Chen Lishu saw their pale faces and asked with concern, "Dad, Mom, did something happen at home?"
"No, no," Chen Mantun waved his hands repeatedly. He was too embarrassed to say that they had been lectured by their third child last night, and the couple hadn't slept well because of it until late.
Moreover, given Chen Lishu's personality, if they really told her they wanted to give money to Old Mrs. Chen, her attitude would probably not be better than San Ya's. Since they had already decided not to give it, the couple very wisely didn't reveal anything.
Since Chen Lishu and Gu Xingdong rarely returned, they were naturally going to stay for a meal. After chatting for a while, Chen Mantun and Wu Chunmei got up to prepare to buy groceries and cook.
Chen Lishu asked about the studies of her few younger sisters. Seeing Chen Lifei hesitating to speak several times, she smiled and asked, "Third Sister, what's wrong?"
Chen Lifei hesitated before saying, "Eldest Sister, I don't want to go to school anymore. I want to come home and farm."
Chen Lishu was taken aback, "Why? Is it Dad and Mom..."
Chen Lifei quickly shook her head, "No, Mom and Dad are very supportive of us going to school now."
Ever since Chen Lishu and Chen Liyuan went to university, everyone had praised Chen Mantun and his wife. When anything major or minor happened in the village, people liked to ask for their help, precisely because they had sent two university students to school. This was rare not only in their village but also in the entire commune, even the entire town.
Therefore, the couple was no longer as distressed as before. They smiled more, and even found that no one's daughters were as accomplished as theirs. Families with sons envied them.
So now the couple was trying their best to send another university student to school and usually tried not to let Chen Lifei do too much work.
"My head is so dull, I'm not cut out for studying at all. You and Second Sister are different. I get sleepy just seeing books. Even if I go to school, it's a waste of money." Chen Lifei said these words with great trepidation.
She wasn't afraid of Chen Mantun and his wife, but Chen Lishu had taken good care of their sisters since she was young. She was most afraid of displeasing Chen Lishu.
Chen Lishu frowned, "You're only sixteen after the New Year. What will you do if you don't go to school now?"
She knew that studying couldn't be forced, otherwise, everyone could get into university. So when Chen Lifei asked, she didn't directly say they must study, but wanted to see her thoughts.
Seeing that she wasn't angry, Chen Lifei's shoulders relaxed slightly, and she secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
"Mom and Dad are getting older, and Mom's health is not good. The family always needs someone to take care of. Eldest Sister, I know what you're going to say. I know there's Mom and Dad, and you and Second Sister, so I don't need to worry about these things. But you can't always take care of the family, and my younger sisters are still young. I want to stay at home. Haven't you taken over the mountains? You need people to look after them. Family members are always more dedicated. In a couple of years, I'll find a live-in son-in-law. With me here, you won't have to worry about family matters anymore."
Chen Lishu looked at her still tender face and didn't know that she had so many things in her mind at such a young age.
Chen Lifei giggled, "This isn't a sacrifice for me. Anyway, I can't study. Later, when you all leave, the land in the family will all be mine."
"Since you've made up your mind, I won't object, but you must persist in finishing the remaining six months. You've studied for so many years, so you should see it through to the end."
Chen Lishu thought more than her. Regardless, having a junior high school diploma meant she could continue studying later if she regretted it.
"Okay." Chen Lifei didn't want to go anymore, but since Chen Lishu had said so, she would have to finish her studies even if she had to force herself.
Chen Mantun and his wife looked slightly disappointed when they heard Chen Lifei didn't want to study. However, since Chen Lishu had agreed, they didn't insist anymore.
Instead, they urged Chen Liru and the others to learn from their elder sisters and second sister, study hard, and strive to get into a good university.
Chen Lishu was very happy seeing the changes in the family. She even ate half a bowl more rice at dinner.
Meanwhile, Li Xiulan looked at the two people at the door in ragged clothes and was stunned, "Do they want some grain?"
There were occasional beggars in the village, so Li Xiulan subconsciously thought they were also begging for food.
"Cousin, I'm Xifen. Don't you recognize me?" The older woman grinned at her.
"Xifen? Are you Xifen from Cousin Uncle's family?" Li Xiulan saw her nod and quickly invited them in.
"I heard you married south. Is this your daughter?"