Zhang Xiaomei’s expression changed immediately when she saw meat. “Third brother, where did you get meat?”
“Of course, your third brother bought it. Little sister, don’t worry about the future, just follow your third brother home.”
“No, I can’t drag you down. I can help you with farm work.”
“No need for farm work, you can help your brother peel shrimp shells. Third brother will pay you.”
“What are you saying, third brother? It’s my duty to help you. How can I take your money?”
“Even close brothers keep accounts clear, let alone when your third brother can earn money now. If anyone loses, it won’t be my sister.”
“Third brother…”
“Silly sister, from now on, your third brother will be your backing, your backbone. Don’t be afraid.”
“Mm.”
Half an hour later.
“Little sister is here, come in and sit down. Dinner is ready.”
Jiang Qingqing saw her husband bringing his sister back from afar and stepped forward to welcome her.
Zhang Liunian saw his wife, with her pregnant belly, walking out and quickly went to support her. “Slow down, be careful of yourself.”
Jiang Qingqing’s delicate face flushed slightly.
Zhang Xiaomei was stunned for a moment when she saw her third brother’s actions, then suddenly realized her third brother had changed.
Before, he wouldn’t have paid so much attention to his third sister-in-law, wouldn’t have stood up for her, and wouldn’t have tried to earn money.
But now he had changed, becoming better and better.
“Third sister-in-law, I’m disturbing you.” Zhang Xiaomei was a bit flustered, afraid of burdening her third brother’s family.
Jiang Qingqing smiled and took her hand. “You’re not disturbing us. Instead, we might need to trouble little sister.”
“It’s my duty. Third sister-in-law, you can tell me anything you need, no need for compensation, because we are family.”
“That won’t do. We would pay others, so we’ll pay you too.”
This was an agreement Zhang Liunian and Jiang Qingqing had made: they would pay anyone who helped them.
“But…”
“No buts, it’s settled.”
Zhang Xiaomei was not good with words, and naturally couldn’t win an argument against her third sister-in-law. She was quickly arranged, provided with room and board, and paid three yuan a day.
After dinner, Zhang Liunian went to find the mute man again and talked with him for half the night before convincing him.
“It’s late, why aren’t you sleeping?” Zhang Liunian returned and saw his wife sewing clothes by the lamp, reminding her.
Seeing Zhang Liunian back, Jiang Qingqing said, “Little sister has such a bitter fate, married to a man she doesn’t like.”
Zhang Liunian took off his shoes, got into bed, and put his arm around his wife. “She’s not as lucky as us.”
At least they could marry the person they loved.
“Yes, not as happy as me.”
“Us.”
Zhang Liunian emphasized the word “us.”
Jiang Qingqing smiled radiantly and then took out all the money Zhang Liunian had given her that day, placing it on the small table.
“We earned seventy-three yuan today. After spending twelve yuan, we have fifty-one yuan left. Adding yesterday’s ten yuan, we now have sixty yuan saved.”
Jiang Qingqing looked at the money on the table with great joy. “Three days ago, I was penniless, but in just two days, I have a savings of sixty yuan. Liunian, I’m truly happy.
Especially since all of this is brought by you. It’s your change that has put us on the path to having savings.”
Zhang Liunian looked at his wife in his arms, her face filled with pride as she looked at him, and felt a stir in his heart. “How about you give me a kiss, and I’ll earn more money for you tomorrow.”
Jiang Qingqing blushed at his words and lightly hit his chest with her little fist. “You’ve become naughty recently.”
He was always hugging and embracing her, taking liberties.
He used to be so honest, and even in marital intimacy, he wouldn't be so bold.
How could he become so proactive and passionate after just one night’s sleep, leaving her unable to cope?
Zhang Liunian smiled, thinking that he had been famished for a lifetime, and now with his beloved woman in his arms, if he didn’t act, he wouldn’t be a man.
“It’s because my wife is too beautiful, and I can’t control myself,” Zhang Liunian said, lifting her chin and leaning in.
Jiang Qingqing watched his handsome face growing larger, shyly closing her eyes.
But just then, Hua Bao suddenly woke up, her innocent, ignorant eyes looking at Zhang Liunian and his wife. “Daddy, are you going to kiss Mommy? I want a kiss too.”
Zhang Liunian and Jiang Qingqing immediately separated, turning their heads away, their hearts pounding wildly, utterly embarrassed.
“Daddy, Mommy, why aren’t you paying attention to me anymore?”
Hearing his daughter’s voice tinged with grievance, Zhang Liunian quickly picked her up. “Kiss Hua Bao goodnight.”
“Hua Bao be good, sleep now, want Daddy’s kiss.” Hua Bao held out her little hands and patted her chest, showing she was very good.
Zhang Liunian was charmed by his daughter’s little expression, lowered his head, and kissed her cheek. Then he turned off the light and slept with his wife and daughter in his arms.
The next day, as soon as Zhang Liunian got up, he saw his little sister busy. “From now on, I’ll do the cooking at home, third brother. Don’t compete with me. If you don’t let me do anything, I can’t sit still.”
Hearing her words, Zhang Liunian sighed, only instructing her to cook nutritious meals, and then went to practice boxing.
His actions attracted the attention of many neighbors, who were all curious as to why Zhang Liunian was practicing boxing.
Zhang Liunian paid them no mind. When he arrived at Daming Lake, a figure was already waiting on the shore. “Big brother?”
That’s right, the man standing on the shore was none other than Zhang Liunian’s eldest brother, Zhang Liushui.
“Third brother, this is the money you returned to me yesterday. Take it back quickly, I’m not in a hurry to use it.” Zhang Liushui handed Zhang Liunian a large bill.
Zhang Liunian pushed his hand back. “Big brother, I don’t need it now.”
His elder brother and little sister had treated him well, and Zhang Liunian remembered their sibling affection.
“How can you not need it? You have no income, and there’s nothing to eat from the fields. How will you live?
Listen to big brother and take it. It’s all I have right now.” Zhang Liushui knew his third brother’s life was not easy, so he wouldn’t want his third brother to return the money.
When he lent it out, he never thought of getting it back.
Third brother wasn’t like second brother or their own family. He would help where he could.
“Big brother, I’ve been working as a self-employed individual for the past two days and earned some money. The ten yuan I returned to you was earned by me.
I appreciate your kindness, but I don’t need it. I want to be a support for my wife and daughter,” not a burden to others, Zhang Liunian said calmly.
Zhang Liushui was stunned. His third brother had not only gone into self-employment, which people looked down upon, but he also said he wanted to be a support for his wife and daughter.
Was this still the third brother who had once been full of ambition, wanting to go to university and follow the path of his second brother?
Well, four years had passed, and it was time to mature and be sensible.
“Aren’t you going to university anymore?” Zhang Liushui didn’t know if he felt happy or sad.
Zhang Liunian shook his head. “No, I just want to earn money to give my wife and daughter a good life.”
Zhang Liushui nodded, reached out, and lightly patted Zhang Liunian’s shoulder. “Your idea is right. Qingqing is a good daughter-in-law, you must treat her well.”