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Chapter 84: Chapter 84 Boyi, do you have something to say to me?
Si Chen, "Ask her later what she thinks." He outright ignored Si Xiaohui’s comment about house chores, knowing that people had to adapt before entering society. 𝓷ℴ𝓿𝓅𝓊𝒷.𝓬𝓸𝓂
Tong Yao’s cheeks puffed up, "I’m telling you now, if she disobeys, I’ll kick her out immediately, regardless of who it offends. I’m hiring a worker, not a spoiled princess. Even if she’s your sister, there’s no special treatment on the job, the best she can do is to help herself to the milk tea." This was the best she could offer.
If Si Chen thought that Si Xiaohui was wronged, he could arrange any job for her, but as long as she worked here, she must follow the instructions.
On the contrary, if Si Xiaohui was diligent in her work, she wouldn’t treat Si Xiaohui unfairly. In future when Si Xiaohui gets married, being her sister-in-law, she would certainly give additional dowry.
Si Chen suddenly smiled lightly, "Hmm, no spoiled princess."
From beginning to end, Si Chen never discussed helping Si Boyi. After marrying Tong Yao, they had bought many things, leaving Tong Yao with little money. Although Tong Yao made some money from her business, that was the fruit of her hard work, and she had no obligation to subsidize her in-laws.
If Si Boyi were to get married, as his brother, he would find ways to provide some financial aid, but building a new house was a different matter.
Building a new house required a lot of money, which they did not have at the moment. There was no need to cause unnecessary trouble for Tong Yao.
Seeing Si Chen’s starry eyes, Tong Yao was dazzled. This man was just too handsome, a pure troublemaker.
"The dumplings are ready, Yaoyao, Xiaochen, wash your hands and eat."
Lin Fengying stood at the kitchen door and shouted into the hall. Tong Yao responded and went out with Si Chen to wash their hands.
Si Boyi brought the dumplings to the table in the hall in a basin, while Lin Fengying ladled dumplings with a large spoon. A fragrance wafted out, making Si Xiaohui’s mouth water.
This was the first time meat was served at home after Tong Yao went to the city. Seeing the hot dumplings on the table, she was no longer in the mood to be angry and was eagerly waiting to feast on them with sparkly eyes.
When Lin Fengying served a large bowl of dumplings, Si Xiaohui stretched out her hand to take it, but Lin Fengying said, "Wait a moment, this is for your sister-in-law."
"Why does the first bowl always have to go to her?" Si Xiaohui’s good mood immediately dropped by half. In the past, the first bowl was always served to her during meals, and her brothers never fought her for it.
"Mom, give it to Xiaohui first!" Tong Yao didn’t care who got the first bowl. She wasn’t very hungry. She ate well in the city and didn’t crave for food too much. The matter of Ma Xiulan was on her mind, eating was the last thing she cared about now.
Hearing this, Lin Fengying put the bowl of dumplings in front of Si Xiaohui. She couldn’t help but ramble as she did so, "Look at you, you’re about the same age as Yaoyao, but you’re not as sensible as her at all."
Her words hit Si Xiaohui where it hurt. Suddenly, the dumplings in the bowl didn’t taste as good. Angered, she tried to push the bowl away but accidentally knocked it over, spilling the soup and dumplings all over the table. Surprised at the outcome, Si Xiaohui froze in shock.
"Xiaohui." Si Chen scolded in a frown.
"Xiaohui, why are you throwing a tantrum?" Si Boyi’s face turned stern as well. "You’re acting more and more childish."
"That’s right, I’m childish. She’s the understanding one. You all just revolve around her! I’m not eating."
As the dumplings spilled, Si Xiaohui felt somewhat guilty. Being scolded by her brothers, she felt wronged and illogical altogether. Blushing, she got up and ran out.
"This child." Lin Fengying looked at the dumplings on the table and felt heartache. She quickly picked them up off the table and put them back into the bowl, looking embarrassedly at Tong Yao, "I’ll eat these, you can have the one’s in the basin. Xiaohui has been in a bad mood lately, Yaoyao, don’t be mad."
She had thought that having grown-up children would make her life easier, but she found herself still worrying as much as when they were little.
Sigh!
When will Xiaohui learn to be sensible?
Si Boyi couldn’t help but say, "Mom, you’ve spoiled Xiaohui too much. She’s becoming increasingly disrespectful." She even dared to throw her bowl and chopsticks. What would people say if this happened in her future in-law’s home? They’d think the siblings lacked manners.
Lin Fengying’s lips tightened, but she remained silent. Si Xiaohui had been clamoring for meat dumplings for a while, but she had hesitated to spend money on meat. Now that they had finally made a pot of dumplings, Si Xiaohui stormed off in a fit of temper.
The blame did lie partially with her, for while focusing on saving money for her youngest son’s marriage, she neglected her daughter’s needs.
Tong Yao saw right through Lin Fengying’s thoughts: she was feeling sorry for her daughter.
Parents’ love is indeed universal. After all, the original host was also spoiled by her parents, so Tong Yao could somewhat understand.
Her big, round eyes spun around, and in a crisp voice, she said,
"Mom, Xiaohui wants to work in the city, right? Once I find a place to live in the city, let Xiaohui come and help me out! I have a small business in the city which seems to be going quite well."
She had originally planned to discuss this after dinner, but given the current situation, if she didn’t say it now, the meal would become impossible to swallow.
Lin Fengying was overjoyed and nodded repeatedly in agreement, "Good, good. It’s more comforting knowing you two sisters will be together. Yaoyao, if Xiaohui does anything wrong, feel free to scold her. She’s only headstrong at home, but once outside, she tones down."
As for her daughter, Lin Fengying understood her well. Si Xiaohui had always wanted to work in the city, but since they had no relatives there and she had no skills, there were no positions available for her. Now, being able to work for Tong Yao not only fulfilled Si Xiaohui’s wish and solved her employment problem, but also relieved her worries about Si Xiaohui being alone in the city.
Although she didn’t know what kind of small business Tong Yao had, as long as Si Chen was in the city to keep an eye on them, nothing could go wrong.
If Xiaohui knew she had a stable job in the city, she definitely wouldn’t make any fuss.
Si Boyi was happy for Si Xiaohui and at the same time, a little envious. He glanced at Tong Yao several times, hesitating to speak.
"We’re all family, just say what you want." Si Chen, noticing this, softly broke the silence.
Even though they were brothers, they didn’t talk much. Si Boyi was a man of few words and wasn’t good with social interactions. Coupled with Si Chen’s infrequent visits home, the brothers had hardly spent time chatting with each other.
"Boyi, do you have something to say to me?"
Tong Yao tilted her head curiously to look at Si Boyi. With their height difference, from Si Boyi’s perspective, Tong Yao looked especially endearing.
Si Boyi quickly shifted his gaze, his cheeks burning cherry red as if he had swallowed a hot poker. Finally he stuttered, "I...I...I also want to work in the city. Brother, sister-in-law, could you help me find a suitable job in the city? I’m not afraid of dirty work, anything is fine."
With the family’s situation as it was, if he didn’t work hard to earn money, even if he managed to marry, there would be quarrels over basic necessities.
In the past few years, the economy had developed rapidly, and a large number of families had become wealthy. Some people in the town had even built red brick houses, and weddings were being conducted on a grand scale. Si Boyi had always kept quiet about these things, but he was fully aware of the situation.
If he wanted a better life, simply relying on their few hectares of farmland wouldn’t do.
