Seeing Xu Sisi prostrate herself over her homework, Xu Niannian suddenly asked, "Sisi, is your school about to start?"
"Yeah." Xu Sisi said with a smile. Her dad had said that only by studying more could she achieve something in life and not have to do the exhausting and tedious farm work.
Plus, when she was studying, her grandma wouldn’t let her do household chores, which was why Xu Sisi particularly enjoyed going to school.
Xu Sisi was only a few months younger than Xu Zhiqiang, also 15, soon to turn 16, and she was about to enter the first year of senior high school this year.
Xu Niannian was considered the best student in their family; she skipped two grades in primary school and had finished high school before she was even 17.
The old lady saw Xu Sisi smiling so hard her teeth were showing but her eyes weren’t, and said irritably, "You, Black Coal Ball, are just eager for school to start so you don’t have to work, aren’t you?"
"Only you know me, Grandma," Xu Sisi quipped in classical Chinese, her face beaming with a naive smile,
The old lady glared at her, "With your poor level of culture, don’t show off in front of me. Compared to your grandpa, you’re nothing but a lump of dog poo, particularly uncultured."
Xu Sisi was immediately taken aback: "..."
Dear grandma? Yep, dear grandma!
Xu Niannian couldn’t help laughing; she realized her grandma still truly loved her grandpa, mentioning him in one out of every ten sentences.
It was a mystery just who her grandpa was; it was a pity he had already passed away.
But it was good she came today, or else she might have nearly forgotten that it was the season for the new semester to begin.
She wanted to encourage the two younger brothers in the family to go to school.
Xu Duoyu and Xu Zhicheng were still young; they couldn’t just waste their years away.
As for Xu Zhiqiang, he was a bit older, had never attended preschool, and wasn’t suitable for school. They would have to slowly figure out another way for him in the future. Read complete version only at NoveI(F)ire.net
After the family chatted for a while, Liu Guimei came out.
Xu Niannian called out warmly, "Second Aunt."
Liu Guimei’s lips curled into a smile, though not as enthusiastic, and she said somewhat coldly, "Niannian is here."
She said just that, nothing more.
Xu Niannian, an orphan in her previous life, grew up in an orphanage and was very good at reading people’s reactions; she was particularly sensitive to the slightest change in people’s attitudes towards her.
Seeing this, the old lady’s face turned cold instantly, but she said nothing. Only Xu Erhong, as clueless as ever, hadn’t noticed anything amiss and kept praising Xu Niannian incessantly.
Seeing Liu Guimei bringing out dishes, he quickly said, "Second Aunt, Niannian is staying for dinner at our place tonight. Hurry and make a couple of sweetened chicken eggs for her."
Liu Guimei’s face stiffened for a moment. Xu Niannian didn’t often visit and normally Liu Guimei might not have minded, but today she just felt discomforted.
She couldn’t help but say, "There’s only one egg left, and Mom isn’t feeling well. Maybe we should save it to enrich her body."
Hearing this, Xu Niannian still had a smile on her face, pretending not to notice Liu Guimei’s reluctance. Holding the old lady’s hand, she said crisply, "That should be kept for Grandma to eat. Uncle, I have to go home and cook dinner later, so I won’t stay here to eat."
It seemed that her Second Aunt was discontented with her.
But Liu Guimei was clever; at this time, she knew to bring the old lady into the picture.
That way, Xu Erhong wouldn’t criticize her for being petty, and the old lady wouldn’t have any bad thoughts about her.
After hearing what Xu Niannian said, Liu Guimei quickly replied, "Niannian is so sensible."
She accepted the excuse eagerly, as if afraid Xu Niannian would change her mind.
At that time, eggs were a rare commodity. Every household was reluctant to eat them, usually trading them for grain instead.
Xu Erhong’s family was just slightly better off than Xu Niannian’s previous family, but they were also living on a tight budget.