NOVPUB
Chapter 136: Chapter 136: The Calculations of Mother and Daughter1
"How is this my fault?" Zhang Lijuan complained resentfully. "After Xiaohui left, they refused to teach me anything. They made me take care of the children and wash their clothes all day. I’ve become a free nanny for their family. If I eat a bit more, they scold me. Even if I spend ten or more years in their home, I won’t learn much."
What she didn’t expect was to return to the village and hear that Si Xiaohui had gone to the city for work. Zhang Lijuan had been feeling agitated for these past days, just like a cat on hot bricks. She also wanted to work in the city, but she unfortunately had no connections.
In the blink of an eye, Si Boyi appeared to be planning to move to the city too. Were Si Chen and his family planning to all relocate to the city now?
"What’s the point in complaining now? In my opinion, you simply lack ability. If you could have gotten close with Si Chen back then, you would have been a boss’s wife in the city by now!" Chen Jinlan glared at her daughter with frustration. She intended to matchmake the two when Si Chen was accepted to university. Who would have thought her daughter would be useless--despite living next door, she couldn’t win Si Chen’s heart.
The saying goes that ’a man’s pursuit of a woman is as separated by a layer of yarn’, but in her house it’s as if there are several large mountains.
If Si Chen doesn’t appreciate her, how can they still blame her? Zhang Lijuan felt wronged and retorted defensively, "You only know how to blame me. Wouldn’t Si Chen like me if I was as beautiful as Tong Yao?"
With a glare, Chen Jinlan retorted, "So you’re blaming your lack of talent on your looks. Where are you ugly? With thick eyebrows and big eyes, how are you not prettier than that fox spirit?"
Zhang Lijuan used to think she was pretty, but going to the city once changed her standards. City people didn’t like her looks. In their eyes, she was countrified. If she could choose, she’d also want to look like a beautiful vixen.
Aware she couldn’t reason with Chen Jinlan, Zhang Lijuan gestured indignantly, "They’re already married and doing well in the city. It’s too late to try anything now." 𝚗ovp𝚞b.𝚌om
Let alone stealing a boyfriend, it was difficult just to see Si Chen.
Chen Jinlan gave a disgruntled huff. If it wasn’t too late to do anything, she wouldn’t be sitting here stewing in frustration. Then a light suddenly came into her eyes.
"Juanjuan, even though you missed out on Si Chen who’s married, there’s still one unmarried man in the Si family, right?"
"Mom, what are you trying to say?" Zhang Lijuan looked disgusted.
Compared to Si Chen, Si Boyi was like day and night. Ignoring appearances, the difference in their levels of education were huge. Si Chen was a doctor and business owner in the city, while Si Boyi could only farm at home. And even if he worked in the city, he’d be a poor worker. How can he compare to Si Chen?
Being Si Chen’s mistress would be better than marrying Si Boyi.
As the saying goes: ’one knows whether the dog they raise will bite or not.’ Just by looking at her daughter’s expression, Chen Jinlan knew what she was thinking. "You stubborn fool refusing to change your mind. Boyi might seem incompetent now, but once Si Chen earns money, would he neglect his younger brother? The scraps from Si Chen’s table would be enough for you two. Not to mention, since Si Chen’s settled in the city, won’t all the Si family’s lands and properties in the village be Boyi’s? If you marry him, it’ll be as if you’re marrying an only child. You’ll have help in the city and won’t need to pay anything for hospital visits if anyone gets sick."
Zhang Lijuan rolled her eyes, "Who said we won’t need to pay? Tong Yao had to pay for registration and treatment fees when she went to the hospital last time."
Si Boyi, as dark as a clay figurine, was clearly a country bumpkin, uneducated and lacking refinement. Can he be compared to Si Chen? Marrying Si Boyi would mean living under the shadow of Tong Yao without the luxuries she has, and depending on the faces of her brother-in-law and sister-in-law. What good is that?
"What do you know, that was a payment for outsiders to see." Chen Jinlan walked over to Zhang Lijuan, pulling a stool over to sit and began to explain patiently, "Listen to me, marrying Boyi would be better than being with Si Chen. Boyi is honest and once you marry him, it would be easy for you to control the household. If there are problems, our family can back you up. You’re near your maternal house. If you’re clever and capable, you can save some money later on; you could even open a shop in the city, wouldn’t life be prosperous?"
Chen Jinlan hadn’t thought of this before, but now her mind raced with excitement similar to when she drank two jars of liquor, she wished to find a matchmaker to propose marriage immediately.
"I will consider it." Zhang Lijuan, swayed by Chen Jinlan’s words, began to consider Si Boyi, who she had never paid attention to before. On further thought, Si Boyi seemed rather decent, more handsome than most of the men in the village.
Although his educational level was a bit lower, she didn’t have much education either. Si Chen, being the educated one, didn’t appreciate her. It might be better to find someone practical like Si Boyi, and she could be the one in charge later.
Chen Jinlan gave her daughter a nudge, "You better not hesitate. Take advantage of Boyi’s instability in the city for now, and form a closer relationship with him. Otherwise, once he has his footing, you’ll have nothing."
"What should I do now?" Zhang Lijuan was at a loss thanks to what she had been told. She was afraid of missing out on a good man again, but she didn’t know where to start. Si Boyi was heading to the city, and she probably wouldn’t have the chance to connect with him!
Chen Jinlan thought for a moment, suggesting, "Wasn’t there some scorched rice cake left from last time? You could take it to Boyi for his trip."
Si Chen, educated and having experienced city life, was difficult to sway. But Si Boyi wouldn’t have his high standards. As long as her daughter put her heart into it, this could work.
...
"Mom, you don’t have to see me off. I’ll come back to see you when I have time. Brother-in-law and Xiaohui are both in the city, and we’ll look out for each other. But you’re alone at home, so you have to take care of your health. If something comes up, give us a call." Si Boyi was at the edge of the village with his clothes in tow, seeing Lin Fengying continuing to follow him, he couldn’t help but feel a little emotional.
He was going to be away from home for a long time, a first for him, and he felt a bit unsettled. He also couldn’t help but worry about Lin Fengying; with no one at home and given Lin Fengying’s nature, she would surely be bullied.
For a moment, he even considered giving up the idea of going to the city. But he instantly dismissed the thought. It was hard enough to find the opportunity to work in the city, and he couldn’t surrender to his emotions now. Farming a few acres of land won’t bring prosperity. He needed to earn money in the city, renovate the house, and let his mom live a good life.
"Fine, I won’t see you off; hurry along!" Lin Fengying couldn’t control her red eyes. Not wanting her son to notice, she quickly turned away.
To get to the city, he would have to reach the town first. She shouldn’t delay her son’s journey any longer.
"Mom, I’ll be going now." Fearing that lingering any longer would render him unable to leave, Si Boyi swiftly turned around and strode away, his bag in tow.
Watching her son’s retreating figure, Lin Fengying could no longer hold back her tears. Since her husband’s death, she raised her three children alone. This was the first time all three of them had left her side, and her formerly lively home suddenly turned cold and empty.
People always say that children can’t leave their parents. But it wasn’t until this moment that Lin Fengying realized it was she who couldn’t leave her children.
