Chapter 156: “not Realizing The Severity Of The Problem”
The Meng family’s two rooms were completely occupied by the Yuan family.
Yuan Qin, the female owner of the house, was forced to move to the narrow living room, with a broken quilt brought by the Yuan family spread on the floor—that was her sleeping place.
At this moment, the unconscious Yuan Qin was thrown on the broken quilt, and no one cared.
Upon learning that Meng Jingmo and Meng Guangbai had left with someone and gone missing, the Yuan family was overjoyed.
“Good thing.” Old Mrs. Yuan had a face full of smiles, “Those two pups know what’s good for them, otherwise…”
Dealing with those two would still take some effort!
Missing is great, hahaha.
After three or five years, everyone would forget about the Meng family, and the Yuan family would get a house for free, plus the money in Yuan Qin’s hands—they could live well for several years!
Yuan Dimei’s felt regretful.
She didn’t feel sorry for the two Meng family kids; she wanted those two pups to be free nannies for the family.
What a pity.
However.
Yuan Dimei ‘s eyes flashed, and she said, “Mom, Elder Sister-in-law is unconscious. How will she go to work tomorrow? If she doesn’t go, her salary will be deducted for a day.”
Old Mrs. Yuan felt that at her age, she should enjoy life and had no intention of covering shifts for her unpromising daughter.
She squinted at her daughter-in-law and said bluntly, “Speak plainly, don’t beat around the bush.”
Yuan Dimei gave an awkward smile, but her skin was thick, and she said directly, “Well, I was thinking, with Elder Sister-in-law in this condition, she can’t go to work. I’ll replace her.”
Old Mrs. Yuan smiled meaningfully.
Truly greedy enough.
She didn’t think there was anything wrong with it. Wasn’t it said in the plays… if a person doesn’t look out for themselves, heaven thunders at them.
People are selfish.
Of course, take care of yourself first.
“What about your job?” she asked.
Yuan Dimei had a belly full of schemes and had already thought it through.
“My eldest brother’s wife doesn’t have a job. Let her replace me for a few days first.”
As long as Yuan Qin’s job was in her hands, if she wanted it back… heh.
Scheming laugh.jpg
And her original job could be sold to her maternal family for seven or eight hundred yuan.
Either way, she would earn.
Old Mrs. Yuan saw through her daughter-in-law’s little thoughts but said nothing.
“Okay.”
Before her daughter-in-law could smile, she added, “If it works out, you give me 450, otherwise forget it!”
Yuan Dimei’s face turned green.
Opening her mouth like a lion.
This just happened to step on her bottom line.
A cunning and money-grubbing old lady.
“Okay.” She endured the pain and agreed, planning to raise the quote to her maternal family by an extra
Total price 850, the old lady takes 450, she takes
Jobs are hard to come by; her eldest brother’s wife at her maternal home wouldn’t refuse.
She would still make a profit!
The mother-in-law and daughter-in-law looked at each other, both showing smiles on their faces.
The next day.
Yuan Qin woke up, long past work time. She hurriedly got up and was about to head to the factory.
Old Mrs. Yuan heard the noise and opened the door to come out.
“What are you doing, rushing around like that? There’s steamed buns we left for you on the table. Eat first. You didn’t eat last night. Don’t you know you’re hungry? What if you faint again?”
Yuan Qin was full of panic, and the more panicked she got, the harder it was to put on her shoes. “I’m going to work.”
“You’re already late.” Old Mrs. Yuan said, “Don’t rush. Your sister-in-law went in your place. It’s fine to miss one day. Going to work like this, you’re prone to accidents. Better rest at home for a few days. Jingmo and Guangbai… we still need to keep looking, right?”
Afraid of stimulating Yuan Qin, she didn’t call them pups today.
Hearing that her sister-in-law had gone to work for her, Yuan Qin didn’t think much of it and wasn’t anxious anymore. She sat back on the sofa, her eyes red and swollen, her spirit low.
Thinking of her sons whose whereabouts were unknown, the tears in her eyes couldn’t be stopped.
She covered her face and cried, “Mom, we’ve searched everywhere we could. Where can I find Jingmo and Guangbai? Were they taken by human traffickers?”
“Good kids just disappeared like that. What kind of mom am I? How can I face Jiusi in the future?”
Her mind flashed to her husband dotingly treating their sons, and Yuan Qin felt very guilty, her face burning.
Old Mrs. Yuan sneered slightly.
Heh.
Her daughter was just stupid, not like she had given birth to her at all.
But being stupid was good; the clever ones were hard to fool.
“Don’t talk nonsense! Jingmo and Guangbai are smart kids with good fortune. They couldn’t possibly run into human traffickers.” Old Mrs. Yuan hypocritically comforted her.
In fact, that’s what she thought too. Those two pups were indeed smart and had good fortune. If they didn’t, they wouldn’t have been born as Meng Jiusi’s sons.
Her former son-in-law was unlucky, but it couldn’t be denied that he was capable, excellent beyond words, a good person, filial to her as his mother-in-law, and good to his wife.
Too bad his fortune was bad.
An orphan with no father or mother, he finally had his own family, only to be implicated by Old Master Meng, everyone calling for his head. Whether he could come back alive was unknown.
These thoughts flashed through Old Mrs. Yuan’s mind.
Not even a ripple.
An expired former son-in-law wasn’t worth the effort.
Yuan Qin didn’t know Old Mrs. Yuan’s thoughts. Hearing her mom not calling her two sons pups, she was happy for her sons.
She simply wiped her hands and face and began eating breakfast.
The so-called left steamed buns were actually coarse grain wowo.
Yuan Qin often ate them as a child. After marrying Meng Jiusi, the man was capable and earned a lot, so the family’s food was good.
Meng Jiusi was also one who doted on his wife and kids, occasionally bringing braised pork or pork rib soup, and even more, taking them to the state-run restaurant every few days to try new things. They’d eaten lamb and beef.
From luxury to frugality is hard.
Eating this coarse grain wowo again, she was very unaccustomed to it.
But she didn’t say anything and obediently ate it bite by bite.
“Mom, have you eaten?”
Old Mrs. Yuan wouldn’t say they ate meat buns.
“I’m not going to work. Why eat? Wait for lunch.” She said, “Money is hard to earn. Later we still need to buy a job for Jin Bao, and marrying a wife costs money too. If we don’t save now, what will Jin Bao do when he grows up?”
Yuan Qin suddenly lost her appetite.
“Mom, our family has three workers. We can definitely afford Jin Bao no matter what. Don’t be too frugal. Your health is important.”
That’s exactly what Old Mrs. Yuan thought. At her age, wasn’t health the most important?
Her old face showed a pleased smile. “Mom knows. Mom listens to you. Daughters are still the filial ones.”
Yuan Qin relaxed.
After finishing one wowo, she couldn’t eat the other. She went out to look for her two sons.
Jingmo and Guangbai might be sulking with her, or perhaps back at the place they stayed before.
If she found them, she must tell them that Grandma’s family had accepted them, to stop throwing tantrums and get along well with Jin Bao.
A little grievance was nothing.
These days, just staying alive is good.
Meng Jingmo & Meng Guangbai: Pfft! We can skip meals, but we absolutely won’t tolerate grievances!
The Meng family’s door was closed.
A sarcastic look appeared on Old Mrs. Yuan’s mean face.
Several days passed. As if they could be found.
Outside.
The other residents in the staff dormitory saw Yuan Qin and pretended not to see her.
Ignoring her completely.
Even if Yuan Qin greeted them proactively, no one bothered with her. Some aunt saw her as bad luck, sneered coldly, and slammed the door shut.
Yuan Qin’s face burned.
Since marrying over, she got along well with everyone. Upstairs and downstairs were all harmonious. How come now… everyone despised her.
Grievance and confusion appeared on Yuan Qin’s delicate face.
She didn’t linger and hurriedly ran toward the old factory building.
Of course, she didn’t find them.
Yuan Qin didn’t give up and searched everywhere for several consecutive days. She even reported to public security and asked Comrade Hat every day… if there was any news of the children.
The answers were all shakes of the head.
At this point, she was completely awake.
She really had lost the children.
After crying bitterly, Yuan Qin remembered work.
But it was too late.
Her job had already become Yuan Dimei’s.
“…What do you mean?” Yuan Qin’s face trembled, her voice desperate.
Yuan Dimei had a look of “I’m doing this for your own good.” “Anyway, Eldest Sister has no mind for work. The factory is very dissatisfied with you. I simply took it over.”
Yuan Qin opened her mouth, collapsing. “I didn’t say I wouldn’t work. I just asked you to cover temporarily. How did my job become yours?”
She knew too well the importance of the job.
This was her rice bowl.
“No, I’m going to the factory office!”
Yuan Dimei wasn’t panicked at all and smiled smugly. “Even if you go to the factory director, it’s useless. You gave the job to me. I’ve completed all the onboarding procedures. It’s useless no matter who you go to!”
“When did I give it to you…” Yuan Qin was saying when she remembered signing something for her sister-in-law a few days ago. Her expression stiffened, her face pale. “Wasn’t that the police report form?”
Yuan Dimei showed a victor’s smile.
She hadn’t expected it to go so smoothly.
She gained a new understanding of how stupid her elder sister-in-law was.
At the same time, she thought her mother-in-law was truly formidable, raising such a brain-dead and stupid daughter. It was… too useful.
Yuan Qin felt as if she had suffered a heavy blow.
She suddenly grabbed Old Mrs. Yuan’s hand and shrieked, “Mom, that’s my job. You can’t… do this. I can’t be without a job.”
Old Mrs. Yuan brushed off her hand, her face full of disgust.
“Don’t grab me.”
“Your sister-in-law is right. You have no heart for work, so better give it up.” Meeting Yuan Qin’s hurt eyes, she said impatiently, “I’m old and need someone at home to cook and wash clothes. No job is fine; the family won’t starve you. Your brother and they don’t mind you eating for free. Others would kill for this comfortable life, but don’t have the fortune.”
In her heart, she thought:
Her body was good, ate anything with relish, could run and jump. She didn’t need anyone to care for her.
Can’t push people too hard. After a while, find a matchmaker to marry Yuan Qin off.
Once Yuan Qin was married off, after a few years, the upstairs and downstairs neighbors would forget this was originally the Meng family house. By then, whether there was a property deed or not… what would it matter.
Yuan Qin was convinced again and surprisingly didn’t make a fuss.
News of these Yuan family matters reached Yun Jian’s ears. The lazy young man sneered and evaluated with two words: “Idiots!”
As soon as the words fell, the back of his head was smacked with an iron palm.
“Who is it.” He turned back impatiently.
He met his old father’s stern face squarely.
“Full of foul language.” The over-fifty but sturdy middle-aged man said. Seeing his youngest son slouching, his brows furrowed.
Knowing it was useless to say more, he simply pretended not to see.
He sat down, picked up the newspaper beside him, and flipped through it.
Yun Jian pursed his lips and got up to go out.
“What are you doing?” The stern man on the sofa asked in a deep voice.
Yun Jian looked helpless. “Going out to send a telegram to Chenghuai. Want to come?”
“Chenghuai?” The middle-aged man was also a soldier, in a high position, and had a deep impression of Gu Chenghuai. On one hand, he was formerly his youngest son’s comrade in the dormitory; on the other, he was a resolute, decisive, and excellent soldier.
“Didn’t expect you still keep in touch.”
Looking at his youngest son, his expression was as disdainful as it could be.
“?”
Yun Jian saw it and a string of question marks popped up on his forehead.
“What’s wrong with me? Chenghuai and I have a good relationship!” He said discontentedly. “Old man, what’s with that disdainful look on your face? Speak, answer me, or I’ll tell Comrade Jiang you bullied me!”
Comrade Yun Dad’s expression was absurd.
His brows furrowed enough to crush a fly.
“How old are you?”
“You mind how old I am? You despise me, and I’ll complain to Mom.” Yun Jian was the youngest in the Yun family, the most favored by Ms. Jiang, even Old Yun couldn’t compare.
Old Yun had a headache.
He shouldn’t have come out.
“What do you want?”
Yun Jian held his hand palm up, reaching out to his dad. “I want money, one hundred yuan.”
Comrade Old Yun was speechless to death. “What about your salary?”
“Spent it.” Yun Jian said righteously.
Comrade Old Yun glared, not yet speaking when he heard his spendthrift youngest son say, “I bought gifts for the four kids in Chenghuai’s family. Only a few coins left in my pocket.”
Upon hearing this.
Comrade Old Yun’s attention shifted.
“Four kids?” Ripples appeared on the usually unsmiling Yun division commander’s face. “Biological?”
“What else.” Yun Jian said.
He knew Chenghuai well. He wasn’t a soft-hearted pushover and wouldn’t adopt kids casually.
This didn’t mean he lacked compassion. As a soldier defending home and country, he had great love in his heart, but he was rational and clear-headed, knowing adopting children wasn’t trivial—it added burden to his wife. He’d rather provide financial support.
Back in the troops, some with three or four kids already, to show off and gain fame, brought back more kids, making family life a mess.
At the time, Chenghuai said nothing, but Yun Jian could tell… he strongly disapproved.
He thought the same.
Raising others’ kids was problematic whether strict or lenient.
It was a troublesome matter.
Comrade Old Yun lost interest in the newspaper and looked at Yun Jian. “You’re over twenty too, right?”
Yun Jian still hadn’t realized the severity. “Yeah, so what?”
“People younger than you… already have four kids, and you?” Yun Dad glared, as if possessed by seven great aunts and eight great uncles, activating marriage pressure mode. “Where’s your partner? Hurry up…”
Yun Jian covered his ears, didn’t even want the money anymore, and bolted.
Not listening, not listening, the turtle recites scriptures.
Bye bye!
He ran out of the house, borrowed a few yuan from his childhood friend, went to the post office, and sent a telegram to Gu Chenghuai, telling him all about the Yuan family situation.
This trip cost several yuan.
The girl at the post office had never seen such a person, sending a telegram like writing a letter.
Her gaze at Yun Jian was odd.
What a spendthrift!-
Fengshou Brigade.
The twins who had been to the provincial capital became the most dazzling kids in the whole village again.
Under the banyan tree.
A group of big friends and little friends surrounded Yu Bao and Heng Bao, chasing them with questions about the provincial capital.
“Yu Bao, Heng Bao, what are you holding? Looks so fun. Can I touch its tail?” Yuan Bao looked at the little golden monkey, his little face excited.
Yu Bao was a generous little friend. After hesitating a moment, he nodded. “Gently, okay.”
Little friend Yuan Bao’s happy face flushed red, and he said loudly, “I know!”
He reached out his little hand, touching it as carefully as a priceless treasure, and his surprised voice rang out. “So soft!”
The other little friends wanted to touch too and pestered the twins. “Yu Bao, Heng Bao, I want to touch too. I’ll be gentle.”
In the end, everyone got a touch.
All very light.
Seeing the little golden monkey obediently staying on Yu Bao’s shoulder, the little friends’ envious eyes turned red.
“Yu Bao, does this little monkey have a name?” Mao Dan’er asked.
Yu Bao said, “Yes, called Xiao Jin.”
“Xiao Jin, Xiao Jin…” The little friends chattered and called out.
Tie Niu’s eyes shone staring at Xiao Jin and asked, “Yu Bao, Heng Bao, did your parents buy this monkey? Are there monkeys for sale in the provincial capital?”
If not expensive, he wanted his parents to buy one for him too.
Tie Niu’s parents: “…”
Yu Bao told his little friends the whole process of getting Xiao Jin.
“No money?!?”
This excited the little friends even more.
“The provincial capital is really great.”
At this moment, all the little ones yearned for the provincial capital.
While the twins further solidified their status as kid kings, Lin Zhao and Gu Chenghuai arrived at the newly built yard.
Before going to the provincial capital, the house had already been whitewashed.
Lin Zhao went around each room, smelled no odor left, and curved her pretty black eyes. “Seems like no smell anymore. Can we move back?
