And the one who came with her yesterday was decked out in designer wear, her backpack alone is worth over a hundred thousand, classmates like that, the more the merrier.
Lai Wei used to be so quiet before, but after changing schools, she really has become outstanding.
They sound so sour, as if they were left out of someone else’s fortune.
Lai Wei’s mother also knew about the gossipy nature of the alley environment, but she has always disliked joining in and idle chatter with others.
Coming to Li Juan’s place was like taking a breather, Li Juan said she’d listen with one ear, but when it came to her own daughter, Lai Wei’s mother still felt some anger.
"What business is it of theirs?"
Li Juan sighed, "Isn’t that just it? But it’s hard to avoid the consequences of mingling with such a complex crowd, after all these years, we’ve gotten used to it."
Lai Wei’s mother sighed wistfully, "If I were in better circumstances, from the start I wouldn’t have let Weiwei live in a place , where people can’t stand to see others do well and want everyone to be just like them, always down and out like Adou. It’s terrifying."
Isn’t that just the case?
The pettiness of the small-time citizen, obsessed with the trivial daily necessities, can really wear a person down.
No one is lucky enough to be unaffected.
"Yo, isn’t this Lai Wei’s mother? Lai Wei is bringing classmates home, and you, as her mother, are not even at home to entertain guests. Is it because your place is too small and they look down on you for it?"
At the front of the alley, a plump woman, carrying a bunch of cola bottles, was preparing to exchange them for cash. Seeing that Lai Wei’s mother looked unhappy, Li Juan quickly interrupted what the plump auntie was saying.
The plump auntie is selling bottles again today?
The plump auntie sheepishly said, "That damn husband of mine spoils our son too much, everyone around knows that. Look, he bought a whole pack of cola and finished it in just one day."
Li Juan knew full well the bragging woven into her words and, being in business, played along with a forced smile, "Wow, that really is indulging him. We can’t afford to do that at our house, a whole pack a day, who can afford that?"
The plump auntie’s face showed a hint of pride, "Isn’t it just that he loves his child?"
"Sure, sure, but with the way plastic bottle prices are, I can only give you one mao each."
"What does that matter? We all know each other here, I brought these to you because of that. Otherwise, I would have thrown them away by now."
Li Juan smiled, "That’s right, so kind of plump auntie to think of me."
The plump auntie brought over fourteen bottles, and Li Juan gave her one yuan and fifty cents. The plump auntie’s eyes fixated on the money in Li Juan’s hands and chuckled, "Aiyo, I don’t have any change to give you here either."
Li Juan waved it off, "Just keep the ten cents as a tip for your trouble, and remember me next time."
Chuckling contentedly, the plump auntie left, but not before looking at Lai Wei’s mother, "Lai Wei’s mother, I’m not trying to criticize, but Lai Wei brings friends over and here you are, sticking around Li Juan’s place, what does that look like? Aren’t you supposed to go buy groceries and entertain guests? Your place is too small, isn’t it, that’s why."
Lai Wei’s mother just smiled and didn’t reply.
The plump auntie huffed, "Now that your daughter has found rich friends, you’re acting all high and mighty. In the future, if she finds a wealthy husband, Lai Wei’s mother might not even recognize us neighbors anymore."
After a bunch of nonsensical complaints, the plump auntie left feeling relieved.
Lai Wei’s mother turned to Li Juan, "You know she’s taking advantage of you, why give her the extra ten cents?"
Li Juan smiled innocently, "Isn’t it to avoid some dispute?"
Lai Wei’s mother, "That’s true, arguing with people like that only ends up hurting oneself."
Li Juan smiled silently. In the alley, there were plenty such people, plump auntie was just one among many. Li Juan, slow to catch on, said, "Sister, plump auntie did say something right. You can’t stay out for long. It might make the kids worry, thinking you don’t like having people over. It’d make things difficult for Weiwei at your place."
That’s when Lai Wei’s mother stood up, "Then I’ll be taking my leave now."
"Eh, wait, take this for the kids." Li Juan went back inside, took out a bag of peanuts, "These are from back home, not worth much, don’t be polite with me."
Li Juan insisted, "Sister, I still remember the favor you did for me before. It’s just some peanuts, not worth much, take them."
"If you refuse me, you’re treating me like an outsider."
"Then I’ll take them."
What Lai Wei was most worried about was her mother feeling uncomfortable. After leaving for half an hour and not returning, Zhao Linlin and the others also became sensitive. Zhao Linlin asked softly, "Lai Wei, is it that your aunt doesn’t like having people over? Are we too noisy and that’s why she left?"
Mi Lu felt she was the loudest and was full of remorse.
"I’m so sorry, I talk too much."
Lai Wei smiled at the three, "What are you thinking? My mom is not like that. She’s probably feeling guilty, seeing that you all are doing so much better than me. Don’t think too much about it."