Chapter 67 Left Behind

  Song Jie found that every time she saw her big aunt, she was always unhappy, with a face longer than a donkey's.

  Anyway, she brought Zhao Xiaobao over, and the family finally showed a smile. Song Jie didn't know what to make of her aunt either.

  After all, Li Li's family is just a working-class family, and it doesn't seem to be much better. Why does she always have an arrogant attitude, looking down on this person and that person?

  At least showing some respect and fear towards elders, which means not having a bad attitude and not daring to be too excessive in words.

  This time Li Li came just to do some small business for her family, she dragged Zhao Yu along when she went out, Zhao Yu refused to move, and she had to lead her son over with a huff. Who can't see that her face looks terrible? It's probably going to hurt the old man's feelings again.

  At first, Li Lili didn't say what she came for either, and just made an excuse that she was visiting relatives.

  Song Jie pulled out the old toys that had been placed in the box for a long time and gave them to Little Treasure to play with. Little Treasure was really too cute, with chubby cheeks and a lovable face, which made Aunt Song Jie frequently stretch out her "magic claws".

  Zhao Xiaobao didn't cry either, and with a smile, he pinched back, the two of them tangled together in a mess, filling the house with the sound of their playful laughter. Li Li was already in a bad mood to begin with, and being teased by the kids made her headache even worse, so she loudly scolded: "Stop messing around, what's all the commotion about?"

  The room suddenly fell silent...

  Zhao's mother couldn't bear it anymore: "You're the one who always says that children are doing something, but they're just playing happily. Is this how you behave as a mother?" After saying that, she put down the dishes in her hand and went to coax Little Treasure, who was still crying.

  Xiao Bao's eyes were welling up with tears, as if he was about to cry but couldn't. He had been scared by his own mother's fierce behavior. Li Li also felt a little regretful - after all, Xiao Bao was her precious child! She quickly went over to comfort him. It took a long time of coaxing before Xiao Bao finally cracked a smile through his tears.

  Song Jie rolled her eyes, what's the hurry, that cute little bun can scold out loud, it's really too much. The atmosphere in the room became tense again.

  "Ni Ni, take your brother inside to play, later there will be braised pork that you love to eat, go quickly."

  Song Jie knew that Old Master Li was probably going to try to persuade and educate Li Li again, but Li Li, a junior high school graduate, couldn't compete with a professor. Yet she always came knocking on their door looking for trouble. Did she really think everyone in the family was a pushover?

  "Tell me, what brings you back today?" Zhao's father knocked on his pipe and glanced at Li Li.

  Li Li suddenly became a little flustered: "No reason. Coming back to see the old man isn't what one should do?"

  "Do you believe what you're saying? You don't even believe it yourself, come on, what are you here for?" The old man knew her intention all too well and just didn't want to spell it out.

  Others gave her face, but Li Lian couldn't see it. She instead came up with a reason: "Then I won't hide it from you either, this time I'm back for family business matters, outside rumors are circulating. Originally, I didn't want to come, but we also need to save face. If people say that's the daughter of that small merchant when I go out, I'll be too ashamed to leave the house."

  "What's it to you? You've all moved out and are living elsewhere. What's the harm in saying a couple of words, can't even spare a piece of flesh?" Zhao's father said angrily.

  "Meat can't be dropped. You said you're at home, just enjoy yourself, what's the point of doing this? You're also a knowledgeable person, how can you be so self-abased? At home, there's no shortage of food or clothes to wear. There are many people who think Zhao Yu mistreats the elderly." Li Li felt wronged.

  "It's better to stay far away. Just pretend you didn't hear it and go on with your life as usual. If you pay attention to all these rumors every day, how can you live a normal life? One needs to have a broad mind."

  Li Li was unhappy: "Dad, the reputation of doing business is really bad. Originally our family couldn't give us much help, but don't drag us down either."

  Father Zhao was relieved: "Alright, if we don't do business, it's also okay. It's just that from now on, your living expenses will have to be doubled every month. The money at home is not enough for spending. You also know how severe the current price increase is."

  "What?" Li Li's voice became shrill. "How can you say that? I...I..." Li Li was choked and couldn't speak out.

  The old man is mighty, not only does he want to hit the stick, but also give sweet dates, otherwise how can the daughter-in-law possibly give up. The old man has a keen eye for this daughter-in-law's seven inches, pinching them accurately.

  "You see, you've moved out and are living on your own now. There are still two kids at home, relying solely on the meager salaries of you two to get by. Who knows if you'll have more children in the future? How will you manage then? As for us old folks, we can still move around a bit and earn some money, albeit very little. In the future, when we're gone, won't this money all belong to your family and Zhao Tong's anyway? I just don't understand what you're thinking, are you afraid that having too much money will burn your hands?"

  Li Li was moved, not to mention that she wouldn't have to put in any effort herself, and in the future, she could even get a share of the money. This was truly a good thing, after all, it was better than spending her own money when her parents-in-law got old. With a turn of her eyes, Li Li had figured out the pros and cons.

  She came here because of her own sister-in-law's instigation, if she hadn't mentioned it herself, I wouldn't have known. It seems that she has been harboring ill intentions all along. Originally, before marriage, the relationship between them was not good, recently they got a bit closer, and I thought she had changed for the better, but it turns out she's still scheming against me.

  Li Li was not very intelligent to begin with, otherwise she wouldn't have been led by the nose. The old man said a few words and she changed her tune again, but although she wasn't very thoughtful, she didn't have any ill intentions either, which is why the family tolerated her time and time again.

  After understanding, although Li Li still felt a bit awkward, she still smiled: "Dad, sorry, it's all my fault for not making things clear before speaking, I apologize and will change in the future." She was just short of swearing to heaven.

  The old man also knew that she was a type who couldn't be taught, no matter how beautifully he spoke, when it was time to make mistakes, she still made mistakes. Mr. Zhao also felt that since she was not in front of him anyway, let her do whatever she wanted, after all, he couldn't go and manage the door for his eldest son. Out of sight, out of mind, just let it be.

  "Dinner's ready, Nini, Xiaobao, come and eat." Zhao Mu has finished cooking.

  Song Jie pulled Xiao Bao's hand and walked out, not to mention that his small hands were soft like bread, she didn't even want to let go. The two washed their hands and arrived at the dinner table.

  Song Jie looked up and saw Li Li's face smiling like a flower, busy serving dishes, very diligent. Song Jie secretly gave a thumbs up in her heart, Grandma is really powerful!

  On the dinner table, there was indeed her favorite braised pork with potatoes. Song Jie's mouth watered at the sight, and the aroma was even more irresistible.

  Zhao's mother saw that the two greedy cats were drooling, so she quickly took out two bowls and scooped some food into each one. Even Li Li picked up two chopsticks of vegetables for each child, which surprised Song Jie so much that her chopsticks almost fell.

  While having dinner, Mr. Zhao asked about Xiaobao's study situation. Upon asking, he found out that Xiaobao was only learning to count and didn't recognize a single Chinese character.

  Nowadays, kindergartens have just started to emerge, and the teachers in schools generally do not have high academic qualifications. Even elementary and middle school teachers are scarce, let alone teachers for a few-year-old kids.

  Mr. Zhao was a bit unhappy, and casually asked Song Jie a few questions in front of Li Li, all of which Song Jie answered very fluently, which might be even better than an average primary school student.

  Li Li felt a pang in her heart, thinking that she had delayed her child's development. She hadn't expected the kindergarten to be so unreliable. Looking at Song Jie and then at Xiaobao, who still seemed clueless.

  "You're also not too old to listen, don't be annoyed by my words. Xiao Bao is very smart, you know that, and you and Lao Da are on the same level, you know that yourselves. Is this how to teach children well? Such a good child, you've ruined him completely. Nini and Xiao Bao are only one year apart, and Xiao Bao can only count a few numbers. Can you blame the child? It's all your fault for ruining the child. From now on, let's just keep Xiao Bao at home, I'll teach him." said Zhao Fu.

  Li Li was somewhat disheartened, she didn't want her child to suffer at her grandmother's house. But her own little treasure is the smartest, now even a girl can't catch up with him, it feels like a piece of her heart has been cut off. Which parent doesn't hope their child will make a good life for themselves? Every parent thinks their own child is the best.

  "You'd better think carefully, old chap. Now is the best time for enlightenment. If you miss it, it'll be tough when you start primary school. It's not like we won't let you see each other; just go back every few days and that's fine." Zhao's father added fuel to the fire.

  Li Li also knew that her father-in-law was good for the children, if it were his own family, he would not bother to pay attention. The old man's knowledge is not covered, and even if his son learns a little bit, it will be useful without end.

  "Alright, listen to your father, Xiaobao will stay here with Nini to study, I also can't delay the child's education. I'll go talk to Zhao Wu about it." Li Lian finally showed some intelligence, proving that a mother's love is strong.

  Song Jie was gnawing on the braised pork, her ears perked up high, hearing that Xiao Bao was going to stay behind, she was so happy. Finally, there's someone to bully every day, hehe.

  Xiao Bao felt a chill behind him, and the meat clamped between his chopsticks "clattered" into the bowl. He looked around left and right, nothing's wrong, and lowered his head to gnaw on the meat again, completely unaware that he was about to fall into the clutches of the wicked sister.

  This meal, except for Li Li, was exceptionally enjoyable. Song Jie was even more delighted, with oil dripping from her mouth, as Grandma's braised pork was truly exceptional, leaving a lasting aftertaste that lingered on her teeth and tongue.

  She patted the bulging belly of the watermelon, and with great difficulty, Song Jie got up and walked around the yard twice. Behind her, Zhao Xiaobao followed closely, his eyes fixed on her.

  Li Li didn't take Xiaobao away when she left, Xiaobao was still in a daze and didn't know he would be leaving his mom for several days, and was still happily playing there.

  Song Jie looked and thought that her own brother was really stupid, being sold and still helping others count the money. She had an obligation to help him change, hmm.