The efficiency of the Su family’s fifth member was remarkable. Without delay, he and his wife quickly brought over his second aunt and mother-in-law. This was just in case Shuzhen and Lianshan found it unsuitable, allowing them to early on find someone more appropriate.
Shuzhen and Lianshan sincerely thanked him again and again for his thoughtful consideration.
Su Yanji blushed with the formalities, scratching his head: "We’re all family here, so why are you two being so courteous? You’re making it awkward for me, aren’t you? Well, this is the second aunt I mentioned, the biological aunt of my Saozi. She’s forty-nine, in good health, and quick with her hands. She’s not talkative or irritating, has experience with children, and knows a bit about cooking and sewing.
That’s the basic situation. The rest is up to you to discuss. If suitable, she can go back, pack her bags, and prepare to head north. If not, we’ll just consider today a casual visit, and we’ll still be good relatives when we meet again."
After a simple introduction, Su Yanji straightforwardly shared this.
Hearing this, Shuzhen nodded and seriously evaluated the second aunt, who appeared a good seven or eight years older than her actual age.
The woman wore a plain blue jacket, full of patches but washed impeccably clean, with not a speck of dirt under her nails. Her entirely silver hair was neatly tied up, with a weathered but gentle smile on her face, making her an endearing old lady at first glance.
"The girl is good, I’m capable of this work, and I don’t think I’m difficult to get along with, so why is it that I’m like oil and water with my two sons?" seeing Shuzhen’s hesitation, the old lady opened her mouth without the slightest avoidance.
"Second aunt, don’t take offense, it’s just that I..."
"I understand. After all, we’ll be living together for a couple of years. Some things need to be discussed upfront, to be clear. If there happens to be anything unsuitable, it would be troublesome later to mention it just because of Yanji and his wife’s sake. After all, you’re hiring help, not asking for a favor." the old lady waved her hand, empathetically explaining: "Honestly, my two incapable boys are easily influenced and shortsighted. If I really wanted to, I could manage.
But I’m already at this age; it was my duty as a mother to endure hardships for them early on. Who told me to give birth to them? Having given birth, I had to raise them, no matter how bitter or difficult, I had to grit my teeth and bear it!
Now, they are both married and have their own children. I’ve completed my task as a parent.
I am not willing to live a life where spending money to help with grandchildren means I’m a mother or grandmother, and if I don’t, then I’m just an old hag.
If the relationship between a mother-in-law and children requires spending money to have harmonious conversations, and buying things to be welcomed as a grandmother, it’s not a life worth having.
People live a lifetime, while grass only survives for a season. As life nears its end, I must at least think for myself."
As soon as she finished, the room fell silent. Close to the second aunt since childhood, Su Wu’s wife, who now deeply sympathized with her situation, wiped her tears, inwardly cursing her two good-for-nothing cousins countless times. Isn’t it just that they married two troublesome women, leaving the aunt insecure? If not for this, the old woman wouldn’t cling to her little savings, guarding against the future!
To make your own mother feel so uncertain—shouldn’t a son reflect on himself? Instead, they accused the old woman of having ulterior motives, not handing over her savings, making it difficult for anyone to take her in, further adding insult to injury.
I already had a favorable impression of this second aunt, but after hearing her, my agreement grew stronger.
When affection deteriorates to the point where it needs money to maintain, what worth is there in trying to retain or strive for it!
It’s better to let go freely, and enjoy a life of ease in the future.
After retreating to the west room for a brief discussion with Lianshan, they decided to let the second aunt stay at home to spend a few days with Little Lian’en.
If it worked out, they would issue a letter of recommendation and let her go with their family of three to Beijing. They would cover her food, board, and clothing, with a salary of ten yuan a month. Initially, Shuzhen offered fifteen, but the second aunt insisted on reducing it to ten yuan.
She mentioned that while traveling, living expenses are considerable, so why need such a high wage?
Besides, if someone else heard and was tempted, competing for the job with the old lady, that wouldn’t be good either!
Shuzhen tried to persuade her again, but was stopped by Su Wu’s wife. She mentioned that with meals and clothing taken care of, ten yuan a month was a considerable amount, as even a good worker in the production team might not earn that much in a year.
With things said like that, Shuzhen had nothing more to add. She just let Lianshan ride his bicycle to take the second aunt back to move her luggage, while she stayed home to tidy up the west room thoroughly.
Lianshan nodded, saw off the enthusiastic Su Fifth couple, and rode away with the second aunt.
Hearing that their mother, under the pressure of silent treatment by the brothers, found herself a job to follow the college couple to Beijing, the two sons of the second aunt, Qiangzi and Zhuangzi’s wives, were initially displeased, commenting that the old woman worked as hard as a man during busy farming periods, and earned a decent income. Meaning, they would allow her to help, provided the sons received a share of the benefits.
The shameless behavior of the sisters-in-law left Lianshan startled, wondering if today’s matter could be resolved peacefully.
However, he witnessed the old lady exerting her full might, wielding a large broom with great vigor, and turning the previously arrogant sisters-in-law into deflated eggplants. At that, the old lady pointed at their noses and scolded: "Benefits? My nephew and niece want to take me to enjoy years of happiness, and you unfilial ones not only fail to be grateful or happy, you dare to ask for benefits?
Hurry up and get out!
Otherwise, I’ll drag you to the brigade office to ask the leader if the new society is so ’new’ that it no longer respects humanity. Two daughters-in-law climbing on the mother-in-law’s head to cause a scene—is this my old woman’s house?"
With that, the sisters-in-law scattered like animals, fearing any delay might really lead to a confrontation at the brigade office. The old woman, usually quiet, was unyielding and shamefully ruthless when provoked.
After successfully chasing away the troublesome daughters-in-law, the second aunt smiled at the dumbfounded Lianshan: "Let’s go, big nephew, don’t stand there foolishly. After all, your second aunt lived through the war years, raised two sons alone, and married them off. Without some skills and temper, I would’ve been devoured long ago!
Previously, I cared about the mother-son relationship, but once I figured it out, those two noisy little daughters-in-law...
Hmph, they’re not even worth one round against me, the old woman!"