Chapter 1782 - 1328: I Have No Chance (2)
Chapter 1782: Chapter 1328: I Have No Chance (2)
Speaking of this, Cai Xiufen waved her hand: "Let’s not talk about those old times. Right now everyone’s days are much better, every household has their own land, and how you work it is up to yourself. If you don’t want to tire yourself out, just plant a little, and go to the city to find some job to make money. As long as you can feed your family, I think that’s pretty good."
Kang Li stuck out her thumb in approval: "Mom, your thinking moves with the times. No wonder you used to be a women’s cadre—so impressive!"
"Don’t put a feather in my cap."
Cai Xiufen glared at Kang Li, knowing her darling daughter was up to mischief and just trying to coax her into a good mood. Still, being praised by her daughter made her happy inside, though her expression didn’t show much change. She said, "It’s because the national policies are good. I get plenty of news from your place, listening to broadcasts, watching TV news. If I were still insisting on old ways of thinking, wouldn’t I just be dragging the country back?!"
After the reforms started, in the countryside, the clever and capable people have every chance to get rich doing other things within policy limits.
There’s really nothing anyone can pick on about that.
Cai Xiufen knows this very well, so when Big Brother Kang and Third Brother Kang contracted out part of the family land and chose to stick with starting businesses outside, she never said a single word against it.
After all, the country never said rural people have to farm for their whole lives.
Plus, as the country develops, more and more farm work will be done by machines, without needing people to labor so much—just like when tractors came out a few years ago.
They can both haul crops from the fields and haul manure back to the fields, saving folks a ton of effort.
"Mom, I call you awesome but you’re so humble you won’t admit it! Be honest now, in our village, how many women can compare with you when it comes to keeping up with the news and listening to broadcasts?"
Kang Li’s eyes gleamed, her expression dead serious: "This is called vision, called perspective. Mom, you’re truly one extraordinary lady!"
Thumb up, again.
But Cai Xiufen let Kang Li’s rainbow-flavored flattery bounce right off her, glaring: "Am I really that old?"
Kang Li sensed the vibe shifting, quickly sucked up: "Not old at all, Mom! You’re still so young. When we walk out together, people think we’re sisters, not mother and daughter!"
"So who are you calling a lady of a certain age?"
Cai Xiufen arched her brows.
"Mom, you must’ve heard wrong. How could I ever call you old?"
Blinking in fake innocence, Kang Li pouted: "To me—to my eyes, in my heart—my mom’s a total beauty. So gorgeous my dad can’t even look away!"
"Get outta here!"
Kang Li was sitting right next to Cai Xiufen, which made it easy for Cai Xiufen to smack her.
"Ouch, ow, that hurts!"
Having taken a slap to her arm, Kang Li instantly slipped into Drama King mode: "Mom, do you not love me anymore?"
Looking wounded, she said: "So pitiful! My mom doesn’t like me now—what do I do, who’ll comfort me?"
Cai Xiufen was half laughing, half annoyed, so she reached over again and smacked Kang Li’s arm: "Serves you right for clowning around! Serves you right! You don’t realize how you’ve already corrupted Hanhan, and now even Tangyuan’s starting to copy you. Tell me, do you act like a mom at all?"
Hearing that, Kang Li switched gears, clearing her throat: "I am absolutely the most perfect mom in the world!"
Cai Xiufen: "Sounds like you’re just buttering yourself up!"
Kang Li purposely twisted her mom’s words: "That would be ridiculous! Mom, look at your daughter—me—with this beautiful face. If I put on gold powder, I’d turn into a freak!"
Her expression couldn’t have been more innocent.
"Trying to play games with your own mom?"
Cai Xiufen’s smile was sly.
"I wouldn’t dare!"
Kang Li grinned for favor: "Mom, you know exactly the kind of person I am. How could I ever try to play games with you? Honestly, I just get a little cheeky around you. The kids only catch me now and then but I make sure I never mess around in front of them—not on purpose, anyway. Think about it carefully, you’ll see I’m not lying."
In front of all the kids at home, she’s always been a reliable mom.
"Alright, you—your mouth, even when you’ve got nothing, you could still make it sound like you’ve got something!"
Cai Xiufen tapped Kang Li’s forehead, then switched the topic to Wang Pan: "Your older brother’s couple just got back today and started arguing already. Your dad and I said a couple things to your brother, and he went as far as mentioning divorce in front of us. I don’t think he said it just in a moment of anger."
Later, after your brother left, I chatted with your dad about your fifth sister-in-law, brought up Lin Dan and Yan Rou too, and it turned out your fifth sister-in-law was standing outside our bedroom door. If Linlin and your fifth sister-in-law hadn’t said hello, I wouldn’t even know how long she’d been standing there eavesdropping!"
Kang Li: "It probably wasn’t on purpose."
Cai Xiufen: "That’s what I think, too, but I still felt a little uncomfortable."
Kang Li: "Why were you and Dad talking about Lin Dan and Yan Rou?"
Cai Xiufen: "Isn’t it just that your fifth sister-in-law puts on airs because she’s from the city and always faces our family with that attitude? And she always picks fights with your brother! I really can’t stand how rowdy she is."
"So, you and Dad brought up the two granddaughters-in-law, saying they grew up in the city too, but each one is more sensible than the next, right?"
Hearing Kang Li say that, Cai Xiufen was momentarily stunned, then said: "That’s my girl! You really read me like a book."
"Mom, you can’t compare people like that. Everyone grows up in their own environment, so of course their personalities are different. As for fifth sister-in-law, she’s just throwing little temper tantrums at my brother. Don’t take it to heart. Later, you should tell Dad the same—let them sort their own issues out."