Chapter 98

Chapter 98

To the kitchen?

Tian Xiaolan found it a bit strange, but everyone was eating, and there was no need for her to do anything, so she agreed.

Wang Qingqi had been glancing at his wife with the corner of his eye. Seeing her follow her mother into the kitchen, Wang Qingqi felt relieved. As long as his wife spoke up, this matter would definitely work out.

He wasn’t borrowing a lot of money; surely the Zhou family wouldn’t be short of one hundred yuan?

Entering the kitchen, Tian Xiaolan noticed her daughter’s reluctance to speak and had an uneasy suspicion. "Jiaojiao, did you run into some trouble?"

Zhou Jiaojiao nodded awkwardly and told her about buying the job.

"Such a good opportunity? Can Old Wang’s family arrange something similar for your Third Brother and Fourth Brother? Your Third Brother and Fourth Brother are still farming at home. You, with such a good opportunity, why didn’t you think of the family first?" Tian Xiaolan immediately became agitated. Book Bag Pavilion

This is a job, something even city people can’t always get.

It’s only because their county and commune have some surplus that there’s a chance.

Her daughter really is stubborn. How could Old Wang’s family be on her side?

It should be her own family.

Seeing her mother’s reaction, Zhou Jiaojiao’s heart sank.

"Mom, I don’t have enough money to buy the job; I’m still short by one hundred and fifty yuan. Could you lend me the money? When my husband and I have the money, we’ll pay you back. Don’t worry, it won’t be a free loan; I’ll buy you a nice set of clothes."

Zhou Jiaojiao quickly explained the main issue.

Borrow money?

Tian Xiaolan’s face immediately fell. "What? You have a good opportunity and didn’t think of your brothers, yet you want to borrow money from the family? Where do we have any money? Look at your nephews; they eat so much. The family is almost starving."

Hearing this, Zhou Jiaojiao couldn’t help but feel angry. "How could that be? No matter what, our family isn’t that poor. Back when I went to the mountains..."

"Your sisters-in-law also suffered a lot. Forget them; even my leg still hurts whenever it rains." Tian Xiaolan changed her tone as soon as money was mentioned.

Zhou Jiaojiao felt like crying in frustration. "Fine, Mom. If you don’t help me today, don’t expect any benefits when my husband and I are better off. You’re trying to push me to the brink; consider me dead from now on."

Zhou Jiaojiao turned to leave.

Tian Xiaolan thought about it and realized she couldn’t let her go. She still hoped this girl could bring her some benefits, and there was the matter of the job. What if she could get more jobs later?

"Jiaojiao, why are you in such a hurry? Can’t I say a few words when you make a mistake?" Tian Xiaolan pulled her daughter back.

Zhou Jiaojiao’s eyes were red with tears, feeling deeply wronged.

"This amount of money isn’t small. In our village, families who live well would be grateful to save this much in a year. I can’t just lend it to you. I remember the clothes, but you also have to help your Third Brother get a job.

Rest assured, we'll pay for it ourselves, but you have to help us find a job."

Tian Xiaolan was intrigued by the Wang family's ability to secure jobs. Over the years, the Old Wang family had kept a low profile, yet they still had such connections.

It's truly unfair. If only her family had this capability, things would be so much better.

When Zhou Jiaojiao heard that she could buy a job for her third brother, she felt resentful about the conditions and demands placed on her.

Indeed, after marriage, she was no longer considered a daughter of the Old Zhou family.

She had previously thought about involving her family in the black market trade, but now it seemed unnecessary.

"Alright, I'll do as you say. You lend me the money first, and once my husband gets his job, I'll ask my mother-in-law to plead with my husband's maternal uncle." Zhou Jiaojiao agreed readily, figuring she'd worry about success later—getting the money first was the priority!

"Good, I'll discuss it with your father, and I'll give you the money before you leave."

Tian Xiaolan happily went to the kitchen and fried two more eggs.

When it was time to leave, Zhou Jiaojiao received 150 yuan.

Wang Qingqi, upon seeing the money, immediately began fantasizing about his future as a worker.

Zhou Jiaojiao, with a grim face, recounted what had happened.

Upon hearing this, Wang Qingqi also became angry: "They're really ruthless, especially since you're their daughter. But don't worry, dear; from now on, you can rely on me. I'll treat you well."

Zhou Jiaojiao felt a bit better.

When Zhou Jiaojiao and Wang Qingqi returned, the family had already finished dinner.

Bai Xiuxiu was already lying on the kang, sipping a cup of brown sugar water, watching her husband put their two children to sleep. She felt content with life.

"Tomorrow, I'll go to the city to deliver mountain goods to my eldest sister and our mother. I've already discussed it with Uncle Wu Si; he'll smoke the game for me, and I'll meet him in the mountains to collect it. Besides what I hunted, I bought a few rabbits from him.

I'll send everything out tomorrow."

After tucking the children in and pulling the curtain aside, Wang Qinghe came over to his wife and told her about this plan.

Hearing this, Bai Xiuxiu was delighted and kissed him several times: "You always think so carefully. By the way, remember to follow up on the job and housing. Don't do manual labor; it's bad for your health.

It's a pity you didn't go to middle school, but it doesn't matter; I'll teach you.

Who knows... maybe one day you could even go to college."

Thinking about the glimpses of the future she had seen while floating behind him, Bai Xiuxiu believed it wasn't impossible.

Wang Qinghe was so smart; there was nothing he couldn't do.

Wang Qinghe hadn't expected his wife to not look down on him for his lack of education.

Touched deeply, but unable to utter a word.

"It's time to rest." Bai Xiuxiu was feeling a bit sleepy and tugged at him.

Wang Qingqi, even more eager, soon had his arms around her.

Early morning.

Bai Xiuxiu and Wang Qinghe, under the watchful eyes of the family, unburdened, shared two eggs steamed into an egg custard with their two children.

Watching this made Zhou Jiaojiao feel uneasy, but then she thought about how her husband would become a worker today, and she cheered up. Proudly, she discussed with her mother-in-law, Zhao Guifen, "Mom, since my man is going to handle work matters today, should I go along too?"

"What would you go for? You need to go up the mountain. Which family in our village isn't going up the mountain these days?" Zhao Guifen refused outright.

What nonsense?

The family is short on money!

Zhou Jiaojiao felt a pang of anger, but then realized she indeed should go up the mountain, so she calmed down.

Zhao Cuihua, upon hearing about the job, knew that the job matter had been settled.

However, she wasn't sure if it was due to the money given by their parents.

"Mom, about the job..." Chen Fang frowned, having known about their new jobs yesterday, but where did they get the money from?

"What? Do you want one too? Well, you'd have to be capable and have the money. This money was provided by Second Brother and Old Fifth themselves; they borrowed it from their maternal home. If you want a job, your men need to be capable first, and then you need to have the money to buy them a job. Otherwise, forget it."

Zhao Guifen infuriated Chen Fang.

Bai Xiuxiu didn't bother listening to their squabbles; the household was already chaotic enough without her stirring things up.

"Eldest daughter-in-law, wait a moment, I have something to tell you." Seeing her about to leave, Zhao Guifen, remembering her plan to provoke her eldest daughter-in-law, quickly called her back.