When they saw Li Huan, they spoke at the same time: "Huan, wait a minute, we have something to tell you."
"What is it?"
"The doctor said that the child's legs are not good and he will definitely become lame in the future. We can't afford to raise a disabled person."
"What do you mean?"
"Whoever is willing can take care of it. Besides, we spent more than ten dollars on medical expenses, so we have to get that money back."
"Who should I ask for it from? Are you asking me for money?"
Li Huan narrowed his eyes. Chen Tiezhu was startled. What a joke! Did he still want the kitchen at home? He quickly shook his head.
"If you don't want to raise this child anymore, I will ask who in the village is willing to raise him. After all, this kid's father left him a house."
"Huanzi, what do you mean? If we don't raise the child, we won't get the house. Then who will get the ten dollars we gave?"
"You were so happy to accept this child. It's too late to regret now. I'll give you two days. If you want the house, you can raise the child. Otherwise, return the deed to me."
Li Huan rode away on his bicycle. Who would want to talk to a black-hearted couple in such a cold day? They want the house and the land but not the child. What are they thinking
"go home."
Chen Tiezhu looked at the child in his wife's arms with disgust and walked back home. Now Chen Dazhu's house had been renovated by them and his wife and son had already moved in.
And he still lives in the old house. He will not leave unless his father is willing to give him money. Otherwise, the house will be lost once he leaves.
But what to do with this child? Does he really have to raise him? Looking at how he looks like a little Xu Laidi, Chen Tiezhu feels extremely disgusted.
Seeing her husband walking towards the old house without looking back, Juhua had no choice but to resign herself to her fate and go back with the child. She threw the child in the living room and went to the kitchen to cook.
His son Chen Niqiu ran in skipping and jumping, and at first glance he saw a child lying in a bamboo basket in the corner of the living room.
"Brother, are you okay? I am your brother Loach."
The child looked at a strange face. He stayed in the hospital for two months. His life was saved, but his leg was broken and could not be recovered.
The adults all knew that the child was disabled and would at best be a cripple in the future, but the child didn't understand any of this. When he saw an older child playing with him, he started to laugh happily.
"Mom, mom, my brother said he is hungry. Do you want to give him something to eat?"
When Juhua heard the word "brother", she thought of the baby in her belly. She reached out and hit Niuqiu, scolding him fiercely, "You bastard, who said he was your brother? He is a cripple and a bad seed."
Loach touched his head which was hurt by his mother's beating and felt a little confused. Everyone in the village said that he had a little brother, but why didn't his mother admit it
Loach is not a child anymore. The seven or eight-year-old boy can already cut grass for pigs and collect firewood. He wrapped himself in a thick cotton coat and went out to play. However, the children in the village would not stay at home obediently during the winter.
But when he arrived at Goudan's house and saw that the door was locked, he remembered that Goudan and his grandmother had gone to Uncle Huanzai's house.
He also wanted to go to Uncle Huanzai's house. Gousheng had heard that Aunt Chengqiao was very generous and always gave him and Goudan candies. The candies were beautiful and colorful, and he also wanted to eat some.
Thinking of this, he knocked on the door of Gousheng's house first. When Gousheng's mother saw that it was Loach, a trace of reluctance flashed in her eyes, but Gousheng had already jumped out.
"Loach, where are you taking Gousheng to play?"
Gousheng's mother grabbed Gousheng and asked Niuqiu. Niuqiu didn't notice Gousheng's mother's droopy face at all and said with a smile that she wanted to go to Goudan's house to play.
When she heard that they were going to Goudan's house, which was Cheng Qiao's home, Gousheng's mother finally let go of her hand and told Gousheng to go home early and not to act naughty when he was at someone else's house.
The two of them ran happily to Li Huan's house. It happened that Goudan was sitting in the living room, reading with Ye Jun.
"Goudan, Goudan..."
Loach was shouting quietly from his hiding place by the door. Ye Jun glanced at the door, closed the book with a smile, and told Goudan to go play, but not to go too far.
When Goudan saw Niqiu and Gousheng, he also happily came out. The three of them went out to play hand in hand. However, when Goudan came back, he didn't look very good.
"Goudan, what's wrong with you?"
"Mother Cheng, Niu Qiu just told me that he saw Xu Lai Di sneaking towards our house and wanted to follow him, but he was called away by Aunt Zhao Di."
Cheng Qiao's heart moved. Niqiu was still a child, so he would of course be curious when he saw Xu Laidie sneaking around. But why did Zhaodi call Niqiu away? Was it intentional or a coincidence
Unfortunately, it is the winter season now, and Zhaodi doesn't go out easily. Even if she goes out, it's not so easy to meet her. Cheng Qiao kept this matter to heart.
Moreover, most people in the village are now working to repair the river. After the grain is distributed every year, families with strong labor will sign up to repair the river. This is the last income before the New Year, and no one is willing to give up.
Cuihua brought Chen Damao here, both of them carrying lots of bags, which made Cheng Qiao's eyelids twitch. They must be moving their home here.
"Cheng Qiao, these are the clothes that Da Mao and Er Mao wore when they were young. I picked out some good ones and washed them. They can be worn by little Cheng Li in the future. These are the clothes that the little girl wore when she was young. If you have another daughter, you can use them."
Seeing the clothes that were washed bleached and patched but clean, Cheng Qiao happily accepted them. Li Le was smart enough to go to the kitchen and make two cups of brown sugar water for Cuihua and Damao.
"Hey Lele, you little girl, just boiled water will do, why do you have to make brown sugar water, it's a waste."
He cursed Li Le in his heart, but also took a quick sip. It was so sweet, so sweet that it went straight to his heart.
"Cheng Qiao, I've told you a long time ago that although Huanzi looks like a second-rate scoundrel, he is actually a good person. Auntie was right, wasn't she?"
"Yes, Auntie is right. When will Da Mao report?"
"We have to leave after the eighth day of the Lunar New Year. I came here today to ask what I should bring to school."
"You must bring a quilt and a mattress, as well as a thermos, teacup, lunch box, and a change of clothes. Pens and notebooks are the most expensive, so you should prepare more. Also, bring shoes, socks, hats, gloves, scarves, and so on."
"What about the money? How much should I bring?"
"The Workers, Peasants and Soldiers University does not charge tuition, and gives a living allowance of 10 yuan per month, so there is no need to bring extra money and tickets. It would be so sad if you lose them."
"Is that so? Then I know what's going on. Damao, why don't you thank your sister Cheng Qiao?"
Damao lowered his head in embarrassment. Although he was one year younger than Li Huan, he was one year older than Cheng Qiao. How could he call her sister? It would be better to call her sister-in-law.
"Sister-in-law, you have to be careful of my uncle and aunt. They hate you to the core."