Erni’s floral dresses looked amazing during the summer, and she had always wanted one, but they cost about ten yuan each, which she dared not mention to her aunt.
Though her aunt was fond of her, their family didn’t own a mine; it was only Uncle who brought money in, and they couldn’t afford to be spendthrifts.
"This..." Shen Jianhua’s mind raced as he turned to look at Shen Mianmian.
If Zhou Siyu could go as well, it would be perfect; the two kids could keep each other company, and he wouldn’t have to worry. Follow current novels on 𝕟𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕝✦𝘧𝙞𝙧𝙚✦𝕟𝕖𝕥
Shen Mianmian blinked, "Dad, did you forget? They said they only want me."
"Yes, yes..." Shen Jianhua realized and nodded eagerly, "It’s just that others are busy during the New Year period and that’s why they need extra hands."
"I see!" Zhou Siyu felt somewhat disappointed.
Zhou Lanfang quickly consoled her, "Siyu, what would you do there? Weaving bamboo baskets is men’s work. It’s exhausting and will cover you in bamboo splinters. Your hands are meant for holding a pen, don’t demean yourself."
Her Siyu was meant to go to the city to work in the future; how could she do this sort of work?
"What kind of talk is that?" Shen Jianhua’s face darkened as he worriedly glanced at Shen Mianmian.
"I’m finished eating, I’m going back to my room," Shen Mianmian pretended to be unhappy, placed her bowl and chopsticks down, and went straight to her room.
Great, she didn’t have to wash the bowls and chopsticks now.
As if she didn’t know, if she didn’t go to her room, soon Zhou Lanfang and Zhou Siyu would start to complain about tiredness, aches, and pains, and the task of washing up would fall on her again.
"Look at how you’ve spoiled her, just turning her face away whenever she pleases," Zhou Lanfang was so annoyed, yet she couldn’t do anything about it.
Zhou Siyu didn’t want to do any work either, but she wanted to appear industrious in front of Uncle. She got up to tidy up the bowls and chopsticks, thinking that Zhou Lanfang would stop her, but unexpectedly today Zhou Lanfang was truly tired and called Shen Jianhua into the room to give her a back massage.
Gazing at the bowls and chopsticks on the table, Zhou Siyu was so frustrated but helpless; she had no choice but to go and wash them.
The water was ice cold in the winter. After finishing the washing, her hands were numb from the cold. Returning to her room and seeing Shen Mianmian comfortably reading a book in bed, she felt particularly aggrieved.
"Sister, you’re getting lazier by the day."
"As long as you’re diligent, that’s good," Shen Mianmian replied nonchalantly.
Zhou Siyu choked on her words, and seeing how earnestly her sister was reading, she felt somewhat uneasy, "Have you forgotten the thing we talked about before?"
Shen Mianmian flipped a page of her English book, not even lifting her eyelids, "We say so many things daily, how would I know which one you’re referring to?"
"About you giving up on school, and I’ll find you a husband from the city in the future."
"Oh! That thing!" Shen Mianmian feigned realization.
"Yes," Zhou Siyu said, her face full of expectation.
Shen Mianmian closed the book with a smile and looked at her amusingly, "Did I promise you anything?"
Realizing something, her expression changed, "You tricked me for a chicken egg."
"You wanted to give it to me; I never asked for it," Shen Mianmian replied.
She put the book back into her backpack and lay down to sleep. There was no energy left to squabble with Zhou Siyu, as she had to go sell goods in the city tomorrow.
Zhou Siyu was so angry she felt her eyes well up.
She was furious; she had been played by Shen Mianmian again.
Reflecting on recent events, she finally came to a realization: Shen Mianmian had indeed become smarter.
She had underestimated Shen Mianmian.
If she wasn’t wrong, Shen Mianmian’s ultimate goal wasn’t really to finish junior high, but to take her place and aspire to go to university.
In the past, she would have laughed at Shen Mianmian’s wild dreams.
But with everything that had happened recently, she didn’t dare to underestimate her anymore.