Chapter 38: Knowledge, is what others cannot steal _1
“Mother, that won’t do. Normally, I’m only at school. Finally, I have an opportunity to work in the fields. Let me go,” She stated, not wanting to hear her sisters-in-law gossip about her being lazy and taking advantage of the situation during the busy farming season when meals were supposed to be served in the cafeteria.
Seeing her determination, Yunhan’s mother relented. “Alright, we’ll all go work.” The farm work during this season was exhausting, but having her eldest and second son help out in the cafeteria could make things easier.
When Yunhan’s father returned home, his wife shared their plans with him.
Actually, he had been observing as well. After their youngest son left, his dutiful daughter-in-law not only attended school but also gathered pig grass daily and maintained the household.
“They don’t know the whole picture. Every time I step foot outside, the old women start criticizing our daughter-in-law for being pampered. It infuriates me,” his wife complained.
Yunhan’s father gently patted her back, “There’s no point in damaging your own health over what those old women say.”
His empathetic response diffused her anger slightly. “Of course, their gossip isn’t worth my energy. But I get furious when I think about how our hardworking daughter-in-law is criticized for being delicate.”
“Don’t take it to heart. They are just envious that Hanhan is a teacher and enjoys a comfortable life.”
Yunhan’s mother was well aware that their jealousy mainly stemmed from Hanhan having a respectable job as a teacher.
“I’ve heard that Hanhan is an excellent teacher. Even the naughtiest children behave well under her supervision,” she said, appreciating the importance of education despite living in Qingzhao Village for several decades.
Hence, she encouraged literacy in both their sons and daughters. Knowledge was a possession that no one could steal away from them.
If her sons hadn’t been educated, one of them wouldn’t have become an accountant, while the other wouldn’t have been able to work as a clerk.
“Hanhan has grown up a lot since she got married,” Yunhan’s mother sighed. She had always known that their youngest son didn’t share the same affection for their red guard daughter-in-law. Initially, she had intended to suppress her daughter-in-law’s pride. But seeing the loving relationship between them dispelled such thoughts. Now, after spending over a month with her, she was increasingly satisfied.
Although her youngest daughter-in-law had spent the least amount of time with her, she got along best with her.
“She’s married now, of course she ought to have grown up,” Yunhan’s father replied. He knew that his wife had a soft spot for those who were educated, but their daughter-in-law truly had a filial piety.
She could do all the household chores and was quite efficient at it.
“If she gives me a grandson, I’ll be more pleased,” Yunhan’s mother admitted. She knew that her daughter-in-law was dutiful but was worried about her youngest son nearing thirty without a child of his own.
“There’s no need to rush. They are living separately right now, and a baby simply can’t be rushed,” he advised.
Yunhan’s mother knew he was right but the desire for a grandchild was too strong. After talking for a while longer, they went to sleep.
Meanwhile, Meng Yunhan had been studying and working in her realm for a long time, collapsing in bed only after exhaustion hit.
Meng Yunhan had been assigned to cook in the cafeteria. Thanks to her mother-in-law’s insistence on her good cooking, Meng Yunhan was put straight to work at lunchtime. ʀᴇᴀᴅ ʟᴀᴛᴇsᴛ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀᴛ 𝕟𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕝•𝖿𝗂𝗋𝖾•𝘯𝘦𝘵
Meng Yunhan tended to the meal preparations with skill and composure, not leaving any scope for criticism.
Her mother-in-law wore a smile, saying how everyone had put on weight since Meng Yunhan started cooking for them.
Zhang Cuihua felt slightly displeased but didn’t show it on her face.