Chapter 228. Chat between Sisters-in-law
Zhou Liu Ni raised the matter of not having New Year Eve's dinner together at home.
"Didn't we eat it together last year? Why aren't we doing it this year?" Said Zhou Liu Ni.
"Don't talk about it. After your display of manner last year, everyone became afraid. Who would be willing to eat with you." Zhou San Ni won't tell her off. It was Zhou Xia who spoke.
Zhou Liu Ni became annoyed: "What do you mean by that? Didn't you eat a lot last year? Also New Year's Eve dinner, isn't it just a meal?"
Zhou Xia didn't want to talk nonsense with her. He ran out to search for Er Wa after eating.
Lin Qing He came over after a while. She brought a bag of candy with her and divided it among her nephews and nieces. More or less, it was considered a courtesy.
"Fourth Aunt, why didn't you come and eat at old Zhou's house this year?" Zhou Liu Ni took the candy and asked.
"There are so many people. It's better for everyone to eat their own." Lin Qing He glanced over and replied.
Really, this Liu Ni...
Forget it. It wasn't her daughter. She won't be a nosy dog who disciplines the mice.
Zhou Liu Ni said: "My family has prepared a lot of delicious food this year. If we eat together, we can share it with everyone."
Lin Qing He mentally said, I almost believed your words.
"Fourth Aunt, I want to study next year, but my mother won't let me." Said Ni said.
"Your mother won't let you study, then go find your father." Lin Qing He responded.
"My father doesn't have a say. Fourth Aunt, why don't you help me pay for the tuition? When I grow up, I will be filial to you." Zhou Liu Ni suggested.
"Ask your mother about this." Lin Qing He just smiled and looked at Second Sister-in-law.
Second Sister-in-law just came out and stood at the door. She scanned the surrounding. It was obvious she was looking for bamboo sticks. Zhou Liu Ni immediately ran away.
Lin Qing He dissuaded on the surface that the child was still young. Then she came to find Eldest Sister-in-law and Third Sister-in-law for a chat.
Eldest Sister-in-law had just heard Zhou Liu Ni's bold words. She lowered her voice and said, "Ignore that Liu Ni girl. Don’t know where she learned these crooked ways. She always pushes everything to her sister and won't be obedient even after her Mother's beatings. What will she be like in the future?"
"I saw her accepting that boy, Chen Fang's candy yesterday," Third Sister-in-law mentioned with a frown.
"This happened?" Eldest Sister-in-law was surprised. Lin Qing He too.
"I saw it. She returned the sugar, so I didn't tell Second Sister-in-law." Third Sister.-in-law said.
Eldest Sister-in-law shook her head, "This girl is too wicked and unrighteous. She's like this now, how can she be taught once she grows up?"
Lin Qinghe didn't have any impression of Zhou Liu Ni, so she changed the subject. She brought up the harvest in various places this year. She heard it from Zhou Qing Bai when he came back.
Zhou Qing Bai had gone to the county meeting with the team leader to give a report. Although he wasn't paid, everyone would give him more respect.
Naturally, she heard that some other production team didn't pay the public ration and had to apply for a relief supply.
"It's not self-praising. Our production team is really one of the few that can work together as one," remarked Third Sister-in-law after listening.
"Before the heart wasn't one. That time, everyone was starving mad and didn't dare to be lazy." Eldest Sister-in-law said. She had married into old Zhou family early.
"You guys are chatting here and didn't call me to join in." Second Sister-in-law came in with a basket. There was wool in it. She wanted to knit a sweater.
Lin Qing He grabbed a handful of melon seeds for her: "As soon as I saw you were wearing an apron, I knew you were busy. I knew once you were done, you would come here. It's not the time for knit knitting sweater. Crack the melon seeds first. Five-spice flavored.
Second Sister-in-law accepted it with a smile, and said: "Where were you at?"
"Talking about how good the production team's harvest was," Lin Qing He said.
"That's right. My maternal home's harvest result isn't as good as ours." Second Sister-in-law nodded.
"You must have saved a lot, right?" Lin Qing He smiled.
"How much money can I save here?" Third Sister-in-law laughed it off.
"Still better than before separating." Eldest Sister-in-law said.
Don’t assume that in this era, many would split their family like old Zhou’s family did. On the contrary, many families remained an extended family. Splitting family wasn't popular in this society.
Like old Zhou family, where Father Zhou and Mother Zhou separated their families when they were still young, was really rare.
Still, the relationship between the brothers and the sisters-in-law in old Zhou family was also harmonious. Even if there were some squabbles, it was generally passable.
"No matter how much we save, it won't be as much as Da Wa's mother." Although Second Sister-in-law was satisfied with the separation, she still remarked.
Lin Qing He waved her hand: "We been sisters-in-law for so many years, don't you know what I am like? No matter how much money I have, it can't be saved. Whenever I have money, I spend it. The little that Qing Bai earns all year round got no leftover."
These three sisters-in-law got a sweat drop.
They were clear. This fourth sister-in-law earned the most among them. After all, she was a teacher. She got a salary and work points. Was this not an earning?
Though she can make money, she can spend it.
Ordering milk in summer and powdered milk in winter. The children were that big, what need was there to drink this?
Still, she bought it. There were still three meals a day. They didn't need to enquire about it. Just looking at the spirit of their in-laws since they ate there, they knew.
They must have had a lot of good stuff.
So when Lin Qing He said that she could spend one yuan and two dimes with the one yuan she had, it can't be fake.
Eldest Sister-in-law said: "Da Wa is going to college soon. It'll cost money?"
"There is no need to spend money. If he can pass the test, it'll be free. There's some food subsidy. This is enough for him to be self-sufficient. When he graduates in the future, he'll be assigned a job. He'll go to work and save money for a wife." Lin Qing He replied.
"What about Er Wa and San Wa?" asked my sister-in-law on Tuesday.
"The two of them can learn from their eldest brother. When their father married me, he earned it himself. Naturally, they had to work for it themselves when they married a wife." Lin Qing He irresponsibly responded.
Eldest Sister-in-law, Second Sister-in-law, and Third Sister-in-law had a 囧 expression.
But this was the truth. When they enter the family door, their wedding present was given by their in-laws. While for Lin Qing He, it was all paid by their youngest brother-in-law.
It used to be a difficult time, but because of having this brother-in-law, the family had it a lot easier.
"Of course, I'm over-drafting the money on them in advance. I'm just responsible for making them grow taller. As for the rest, they have to save money by themselves. When they grow up, Qing Bai and I will start saving our pension money." Lin Qing He smilingly stated.
All the sisters-in-law didn’t believe this. They raise children to guard against old age. How can anyone save their own pension money? Let their sons support them when they are old.
So, this was the difference in the concept of the times.
If one has money, who would give you any attitude? She was a daughter-in-law for others, so she knew her own thoughts. It'll also be the thoughts of her future daughters-in-law.
So, having money was more important. Children can't be relied on. Spending money to get a nanny was easy and simple!
Zhou Liu Ni raised the matter of not having New Year Eve's dinner together at home.
"Didn't we eat it together last year? Why aren't we doing it this year?" Said Zhou Liu Ni.
"Don't talk about it. After your display of manner last year, everyone became afraid. Who would be willing to eat with you." Zhou San Ni won't tell her off. It was Zhou Xia who spoke.
Zhou Liu Ni became annoyed: "What do you mean by that? Didn't you eat a lot last year? Also New Year's Eve dinner, isn't it just a meal?"
Zhou Xia didn't want to talk nonsense with her. He ran out to search for Er Wa after eating.
Lin Qing He came over after a while. She brought a bag of candy with her and divided it among her nephews and nieces. More or less, it was considered a courtesy.
"Fourth Aunt, why didn't you come and eat at old Zhou's house this year?" Zhou Liu Ni took the candy and asked.
"There are so many people. It's better for everyone to eat their own." Lin Qing He glanced over and replied.
Really, this Liu Ni...
Forget it. It wasn't her daughter. She won't be a nosy dog who disciplines the mice.
Zhou Liu Ni said: "My family has prepared a lot of delicious food this year. If we eat together, we can share it with everyone."
Lin Qing He mentally said, I almost believed your words.
"Fourth Aunt, I want to study next year, but my mother won't let me." Said Ni said.
"Your mother won't let you study, then go find your father." Lin Qing He responded.
"My father doesn't have a say. Fourth Aunt, why don't you help me pay for the tuition? When I grow up, I will be filial to you." Zhou Liu Ni suggested.
"Ask your mother about this." Lin Qing He just smiled and looked at Second Sister-in-law.
Second Sister-in-law just came out and stood at the door. She scanned the surrounding. It was obvious she was looking for bamboo sticks. Zhou Liu Ni immediately ran away.
Lin Qing He dissuaded on the surface that the child was still young. Then she came to find Eldest Sister-in-law and Third Sister-in-law for a chat.
Eldest Sister-in-law had just heard Zhou Liu Ni's bold words. She lowered her voice and said, "Ignore that Liu Ni girl. Don’t know where she learned these crooked ways. She always pushes everything to her sister and won't be obedient even after her Mother's beatings. What will she be like in the future?"
"I saw her accepting that boy, Chen Fang's candy yesterday," Third Sister-in-law mentioned with a frown.
"This happened?" Eldest Sister-in-law was surprised. Lin Qing He too.
"I saw it. She returned the sugar, so I didn't tell Second Sister-in-law." Third Sister.-in-law said.
Eldest Sister-in-law shook her head, "This girl is too wicked and unrighteous. She's like this now, how can she be taught once she grows up?"
Lin Qinghe didn't have any impression of Zhou Liu Ni, so she changed the subject. She brought up the harvest in various places this year. She heard it from Zhou Qing Bai when he came back.
Zhou Qing Bai had gone to the county meeting with the team leader to give a report. Although he wasn't paid, everyone would give him more respect.
Naturally, she heard that some other production team didn't pay the public ration and had to apply for a relief supply.
"It's not self-praising. Our production team is really one of the few that can work together as one," remarked Third Sister-in-law after listening.
"Before the heart wasn't one. That time, everyone was starving mad and didn't dare to be lazy." Eldest Sister-in-law said. She had married into old Zhou family early.
"You guys are chatting here and didn't call me to join in." Second Sister-in-law came in with a basket. There was wool in it. She wanted to knit a sweater.
Lin Qing He grabbed a handful of melon seeds for her: "As soon as I saw you were wearing an apron, I knew you were busy. I knew once you were done, you would come here. It's not the time for knit knitting sweater. Crack the melon seeds first. Five-spice flavored.
Second Sister-in-law accepted it with a smile, and said: "Where were you at?"
"Talking about how good the production team's harvest was," Lin Qing He said.
"That's right. My maternal home's harvest result isn't as good as ours." Second Sister-in-law nodded.
"You must have saved a lot, right?" Lin Qing He smiled.
"How much money can I save here?" Third Sister-in-law laughed it off.
"Still better than before separating." Eldest Sister-in-law said.
Don’t assume that in this era, many would split their family like old Zhou’s family did. On the contrary, many families remained an extended family. Splitting family wasn't popular in this society.
Like old Zhou family, where Father Zhou and Mother Zhou separated their families when they were still young, was really rare.
Still, the relationship between the brothers and the sisters-in-law in old Zhou family was also harmonious. Even if there were some squabbles, it was generally passable.
"No matter how much we save, it won't be as much as Da Wa's mother." Although Second Sister-in-law was satisfied with the separation, she still remarked.
Lin Qing He waved her hand: "We been sisters-in-law for so many years, don't you know what I am like? No matter how much money I have, it can't be saved. Whenever I have money, I spend it. The little that Qing Bai earns all year round got no leftover."
These three sisters-in-law got a sweat drop.
They were clear. This fourth sister-in-law earned the most among them. After all, she was a teacher. She got a salary and work points. Was this not an earning?
Though she can make money, she can spend it.
Ordering milk in summer and powdered milk in winter. The children were that big, what need was there to drink this?
Still, she bought it. There were still three meals a day. They didn't need to enquire about it. Just looking at the spirit of their in-laws since they ate there, they knew.
They must have had a lot of good stuff.
So when Lin Qing He said that she could spend one yuan and two dimes with the one yuan she had, it can't be fake.
Eldest Sister-in-law said: "Da Wa is going to college soon. It'll cost money?"
"There is no need to spend money. If he can pass the test, it'll be free. There's some food subsidy. This is enough for him to be self-sufficient. When he graduates in the future, he'll be assigned a job. He'll go to work and save money for a wife." Lin Qing He replied.
"What about Er Wa and San Wa?" asked my sister-in-law on Tuesday.
"The two of them can learn from their eldest brother. When their father married me, he earned it himself. Naturally, they had to work for it themselves when they married a wife." Lin Qing He irresponsibly responded.
Eldest Sister-in-law, Second Sister-in-law, and Third Sister-in-law had a 囧 expression.
But this was the truth. When they enter the family door, their wedding present was given by their in-laws. While for Lin Qing He, it was all paid by their youngest brother-in-law.
It used to be a difficult time, but because of having this brother-in-law, the family had it a lot easier.
"Of course, I'm over-drafting the money on them in advance. I'm just responsible for making them grow taller. As for the rest, they have to save money by themselves. When they grow up, Qing Bai and I will start saving our pension money." Lin Qing He smilingly stated.
All the sisters-in-law didn’t believe this. They raise children to guard against old age. How can anyone save their own pension money? Let their sons support them when they are old.
So, this was the difference in the concept of the times.
If one has money, who would give you any attitude? She was a daughter-in-law for others, so she knew her own thoughts. It'll also be the thoughts of her future daughters-in-law.
So, having money was more important. Children can't be relied on. Spending money to get a nanny was easy and simple!
Thank you for the chapter. Just a small doubt, the first sentence, does it mean Zhou Liu Ni did not want the dinner to happen or did she?
ReplyDeleteShe was asking why the family dinner didn't happen this year. she wanted to have a family dinner but the way she acted last year was too embarrassing for everyone
DeleteThank you for the chapter <3 , uwooo money always right hahahhaa
ReplyDeleteHappy holidays!🙂
ReplyDelete---- Thanks for the chapter!!
ReplyDeleteI have relative like Zhou Liu no last Christmas they came for the family meal everyone but her put in for turkey saying she didn't like turkey as it's to dry, then during the meal she ate nothing but turkey, after while everyone was busy cleaning up she ran off with all the leftovers, we all found it hilarious :-)
ReplyDeleteThank you for the chapter!!!
ReplyDeleteI wonder if the sister in-laws would still think it's ridiculous or get persuaded by Lin Qing He's words XD
Thanks for the update!
ReplyDeleteI have my fix for today, thanks.
ReplyDeleteLoL
Thank you for the chapter !
ReplyDeleteSo this is why they call it eating melon seeds
ReplyDeleteI just dont get this part:
ReplyDelete"I saw her accepting that boy, Chen Fang's candy yesterday," Third Sister-in-law mentioned with a frown.
Is it considered ostentatious or improper?
i think it is improper since a relationship between an unmarried man and woman is considered inappropriate. well based on my understanding so far, not sure tho
DeleteDon't look on MC buying candy everytime, sweet things is very rare and expensive at that time. Liu Ni received it for no reason is quite ambiguous especially when they have no relationship whatsoever
DeleteЧжоу Лю Ни. Да, она не самый приятный человек. Но, насчёт обучения она полностью права. Девочка хочет найти работу в городе и повторить судьбу Сяо Мэй или даже Цин Хэ. Для этого нужно образование, но жадная мать отказывается платить за него.
ReplyDelete