The three Lin sisters felt awkward.
Song Zhaodi didn’t care how uncomfortable they were. She patted the eldest sister of the Lin family on the arm and silently asked, How should I respond to this?
“It’s not that we can’t know how much the salary is,” the eldest sister of the Lin family said. “There are other matters involved here. You’ll understand when you grow up.”
Dawa wrinkled her nose. “What kind of things could a salary involve? I even know where my dad keeps his salary.” She couldn’t understand why this needed to be hidden. “Adults are so troublesome. Gengsheng, let’s go downstairs.”
“Let’s go too,” Song Zhaodi said, fearing that the Lin sisters would overthink the situation. As they walked, she explained, “A few days ago, when the bed was delivered, your mom wanted to come over and take a look. I thought assembling the bed would be a hassle, so I told her to wait a few days–”
“Teacher Song, you don’t need to explain,” the second sister of the Lin family interrupted. “I know my mom. If you don’t let her see it, she’ll think you’re stingy.”
The third sister of the Lin family looked at Song Zhaodi. “Teacher Song, even before you mentioned my dad’s salary, I could already tell that my mom’s expression wasn’t right. You did it on purpose, didn’t you?”
“When exactly?” Song Zhaodi feigned ignorance.
The third sister responded, “The candy.”
“You figured it out?” Song Zhaodi, not being a professional actress, never expected to fool so many pairs of eyes. “Your mom can be very unpleasant sometimes. She thinks I don’t have children because I have some illness and can’t give birth. She even mentioned it a few days ago.
“Seeing her lately has made me unhappy, yet she still insisted on coming to our house to see the bed. So, I deliberately brought up the candy she bought. Originally, I was going to tell your eldest sister, but since you were all here, I decided to tell all three of you.”
The eldest sister of the Lin family blushed instantly.
The second and third sisters exchanged glances.
The third sister asked, “Mom didn’t say something about Teacher Song’s health again, did she?”
“She did,” the eldest sister admitted. She had suspected that Song Zhaodi deliberately wanted to provoke their mom, but after hearing her reasoning, she felt that her mom deserved it. “As soon as I sat down, Mom saw the baby in my arms and immediately said that Teacher Song couldn’t have children. But she tells everyone that she just doesn’t want kids for now.”
Song Zhaodi laughed. “You’ve seen it yourselves, our house is full of beds. If I had another child, there’d be nowhere to raise them.” She paused. “Besides, I’m still young. Waiting three to five years to have a baby isn’t too late.”
“You’re right,” the second sister said, feeling embarrassed on behalf of her mother. “Teacher Song, when my mom bought the candy, did she tell you not to tell us?”
Song Zhaodi shook her head. “When we asked if she bought it for her grandchildren, she said it was for Lin Zhong. That’s when I realised she wouldn’t share it with you. That milk candy was indeed made from real milk and it’s good for children. I wasn’t lying about that.”
“We saw it,” the second sister responded. “If the candy wasn’t good, you wouldn’t have bought it for your kids either.”
Song Zhaodi laughed. “If your mom were as understanding as you, I wouldn’t have deliberately mentioned the candy.” As she finished speaking, they reached the porch.
The eldest sister of the Lin family noticed the long dining table under the porch and couldn’t help but say, “This kind of table is so convenient for meals. My mom should make one.”
“But if she makes a table, she’d also have to make chairs,” Song Zhaodi pointed to a few chairs. “Even using the cheapest wood, a whole set would cost at least seven or eight yuan. When you get home, don’t bring it up.”
“We know,” the third sister said. “Teacher Song, don’t see us off. Go cook.”
“Alright,” Song Zhaodi replied, then turned to the children. “What do you want for lunch?”
“Braised pork with vermicelli!” Dawa blurted out.
Gengsheng tugged at Song Zhaodi’s sleeve.
Song Zhaodi looked at him. “What is it, little clever one?”
“Mom, why did you explain to them that you did it on purpose?” Gengsheng was confused.
Song Zhaodi replied, “Lin Zhong’s mother would have told them that I couldn’t stand seeing her happy and deliberately tried to drive a wedge between them. They would naturally take their mother’s side and think I had bad intentions.
“But since I admitted it myself, they actually see me as open and honest. If their mother accuses me of being malicious again, they’ll realise that today’s situation was caused by their own mother.”
“Why?” Gengsheng asked.
Song Zhaodi explained, “Why would I try to drive a wedge between them? Because I was upset. Why was I upset? Because Lin Zhong’s mother said I was sick. Understand now, son?”
Gengsheng thought for a moment. “I think I get it… but also, I don’t.”
“Mom, since you admitted it was intentional, when they go back, won’t they argue with Aunt Lin?” Zili reminded her.
Song Zhaodi raised an eyebrow. “I didn’t intend for them to argue with Chen dasao.”
“Huh?” Gengsheng was shocked. “Wasn’t that the goal?”
Song Zhaodi smirked. “I just wanted to annoy Lin Zhong’s mother. As long as she got upset, my goal was achieved.”
“She was definitely upset,” Erwa commented. “She stomped off so hard she nearly broke our stairs.”
Gengsheng reminded, “Mom, the phrase is ‘not even leaving the chickens and dogs in the home undisturbed’.”
Song Zhaodi playfully smacked the back of his head. “You little rascal. Also, there’s one more thing you all forgot, her salary.”
“Oh, right! I almost forgot,” Dawa said. “Mom, why would Aunt Lin lie to her own daughters?”
“Because she wants to give all the money to Lin Zhong and doesn’t want to give any to his sisters,” Song Zhaodi explained.
“She’s so biased,” Zhong Dawa muttered, glancing toward the neighbour’s house. “Just like my grandma.” After a moment, he added, “I’ve decided to continue disliking her.”
Song Zhaodi said, “The issue of her salary will become a thorn in Lin Zhong’s sisters’ hearts. The only way to remove it is for Chen dasao to start treating them fairly. But since she has always favoured Lin Zhong, changing her ways would be harder than asking her to give up her life.
“If she doesn’t change, that thorn will remain. Over time, it will fester and cause pain, making Lin Zhong’s sisters feel deeply hurt. Even if they visit their mother in the future, they won’t be able to hold back from arguing with her.”
“This is so complicated,” Dawa said, feeling dizzy.
Erwa and Sanwa had no idea what Song Zhaodi was talking about.
Gengsheng scratched his head. “So basically, even if they don’t argue today, they’ll end up having big fights over the salary issue in the future, right, Mom?”
Song Zhaodi nodded. “Today, even Chen dasao won’t be able to eat out of anger.”
“That’s good then.” Gengsheng lost interest. “Mom, let’s start cooking.”
Song Zhaodi said, “I’ll go get some pickled cabbage.”
“Mom, you said you’d make pickled cabbage with frozen tofu and pickled cabbage fish,” Zhong Dawa reminded her. “Don’t forget to buy fish tomorrow.”
“Tell your dad when he gets back,” Song Zhaodi replied.
Around noon, just as Song Zhaodi finished cooking, Zhong Jianguo returned home.
As soon as Zhong Jianguo walked in, Dawa told him about the fish.
The kids were growing and needed nutrition. Without hesitation, Zhong Jianguo agreed. Then, seeing Zili bringing out some mixed-grain steamed buns, he quickly went to pump water and wash his hands.
After taking a sip of hot porridge, feeling the warmth in his stomach, Zhong Jianguo said, “On my way back, I passed by the Lin family’s house and saw Chen dasao hopping mad while talking. Do you know what happened?”
“Pfft!” Gengsheng quickly covered his mouth.
Zhong Jianguo was startled. “Are you okay? Do you need some water?”
“No need,” Zili said. “He’s just too excited.”
Zhong Jianguo glanced at the kids, then at Song Zhaodi. “Is this related to you?”
“Zili, you explain,” Song Zhaodi instructed. “Dawa, you can add details.”
It was a simple matter, wages, pork, candy and a bed. Zili summed it up in a few words.
Zhong Jianguo immediately understood and didn’t need further explanation. “Teacher Xiao Song, that was a bit ruthless.”
“Self-serving and harming others,” Song Zhaodi said. “Besides, I didn’t deliberately make things difficult for her. I was just retaliating.” She paused. “You’ve always known, I’m not someone who lets others push me around.”
Zhong Jianguo sighed. “But today’s move was a bit too much.”
“Dad, it wasn’t,” Gengsheng said. “Mom said that fairness would solve everything. Lin Zhong’s mother refused, so they ended up arguing.”
Song Zhaodi added, “And from now on, she won’t dare to badmouth me behind my back or hide barbs in her words when speaking to me. Do you still think I was excessive?”
“If this settles everything once and for all, then I suppose it was worth it,” Zhong Jianguo admitted. “But after this, Lin Zhong’s three sisters will probably avoid you.”
Song Zhaodi scoffed. “They’re just the neighbour’s daughters. Do you expect them to visit us during holidays with gifts? If they want to keep their distance, let them. Who knows, in a few days, we might even have new neighbours.”
Clatter!
The food fell off Zhong Jianguo’s chopsticks and onto the table.
Song Zhaodi raised an eyebrow, feeling a sudden jolt in her heart. “No way… Such a coincidence?”
Zhong Jianguo put down his chopsticks. “You really didn’t know?”
“Know what?” Song Zhaodi instinctively asked. “Wait, you think I knew beforehand? Who would’ve told me? You never mentioned anything.”
“Didn’t Aunt Liu say anything?” Zhong Jianguo asked.
“You think Uncle Liu would tell Aunt Liu about military affairs?” Song Zhaodi retorted.
Zhong Jianguo shook his head.
“Dad, what are you talking about?” Sanwa frowned. “Can you speak slower? I don’t understand.”
Song Zhaodi said, “You don’t understand because you’re too young. Eat properly and grow up quickly, then you’ll get it.” Turning back to Zhong Jianguo, she asked, “Why?”
“Commander Lin is already fifty-one this year,” Zhong Jianguo explained. “With Uncle Liu above him, he can’t get promoted. But as a commander, he still has to go out to sea frequently. He’s getting older and has suffered several injuries in the past. So, they’ve decided to transfer him to the logistics department.”
Song Zhaodi was intrigued. “A few days ago, Chen dasao was still in the mood to provoke me, so she clearly didn’t know about this yet. Has the transfer order not been issued? How did you find out?”
“It was decided in a meeting,” Zhong Jianguo said. “Commander Lin also agreed.”
Song Zhaodi asked, “Who’s taking over his position?”
“There are a few candidates, but no decision yet,” Zhong Jianguo replied. “Once it’s settled, he’ll move out. Try not to provoke Chen dasao in the next few days.”
After thinking for a moment, Song Zhaodi said, “For the sake of her soon leaving, I’ll let her be. But if she keeps pushing her luck, don’t blame me for not holding back.”
“Mom, don’t hold back. I support you,” Dawa said.
Zhong Jianguo frowned. “Dawa, are you just enjoying the drama?”
“How about we vote on it?” Zhong Dawa suggested, looking at his father.
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