Initially, because Zhihao was supposed to join the supply and marketing cooperative as an accountant, she and her mother-in-law, Liu Sanmei, decided to split Xu Qinghe’s family from theirs, ensuring that they wouldn’t benefit from Zhihao’s eventual gains!
Zhihao’s father-in-law had intended for him to be an accountant, but somehow, things went awry, and Zhihao failed to secure the position, dashing all hopes they had pinned on it.
Just today, Zhihao came back. Although he didn’t become an accountant, he still got a job at the supply and marketing cooperative. His salary, though temporarily only thirty yuan, suggested more expenses in the future. So, Liu Sanmei felt it might be better for Xu Qinghe’s family to come back.
"Wasn’t it you who wanted to split the family in the first place?" Liu Sanmei said irritably. These days, either she or Zhao Juxiang was stuck working in the vegetable garden and the house, no longer able to casually snack on sunflower seeds like before!
"Mom, I did want to split the family, but that was for your sake. Your eldest grandson is so accomplished, and your second grandson is about to be a college student. Wouldn’t everyone say how blessed you are?" Zhao Juxiang knew exactly what Liu Sanmei liked to hear.
Sure enough, Liu Sanmei humphed softly, adding, "Alright, my grandsons are naturally talented. Even if he hasn’t become an accountant now, with my eldest grandson’s abilities, he will surely make big money in the future."
"If the eldest doesn’t want to come back, let him be." Liu Sanmei wasn’t exactly keen on having Xu Qinghe’s family return; it was only because recently, Xu Zhong had been somewhat downhearted, and Liu Sanmei, considering Zhihao’s failed ventures, started thinking about bringing Xu Qinghe’s family back.
It would be better if Xu Qinghe didn’t return; otherwise, there wouldn’t be enough room in the house.
"What do you think, why do they suddenly want us back?" Xu Nian’an quietly whispered to Xu Nianhua, "Grandma doesn’t like us, does she?"
"Could it be that there’s no one else to do the household work?"
Xu Nian’an muttered under his breath, their voices low and far enough from Liu Sanmei that they didn’t need to worry about being overheard.
"Definitely. Think about it, without mom here, who else would do all this work if not Auntie and Grandma?" Xu Nianhua guessed, figuring the real reason was Zhihao’s job opportunity falling through, prompting them to consider bringing their dad back.
"No way, our family isn’t going back!" Xu Nian’an was content with their current life, away from their grandparents’ critical eyes and Xu Zhiyuan’s condescending demeanor.
On this matter, Xu Nianhua and Xu Nian’an were in complete agreement.
As they walked, the siblings discussed getting their dad to visit their grandparents tomorrow. By doing so, even if they had split from the family, they could still show filial respect, and the matter of returning to the Xu family could be forgotten.
Xu Nianhua and his sister made some mung bean jelly, which they handed to Xu Qinghe, saying, "Dad, please take these two bowls of mung bean jelly to Grandpa and Grandma to try."
"You kids are so thoughtful." Xu Qinghe clearly understood the siblings’ intentions and, without hesitation, took the bowls of mung bean jelly to Xu Zhong.
"Dad, please don’t mention that we’re selling mung bean jelly," Xu Nianhua suddenly caught Xu Qinghe as he was about to leave, reminding him.
Xu Qinghe was startled momentarily, then said, "Wouldn’t the people in the village find out sooner or later?"
"Dad, just say these were made for eating." Xu Nianhua smiled faintly, knowing that the villagers would eventually learn about it, but such things could be postponed till later.