"Mom, what do you mean by that?"
"This is a job I've worked hard for. Why should I give it to big brother and come back to do farm work?"
Yu Jianhai tried hard to hold back his anger.
Although he had always known that his parents favored his elder brother, they had raised him after all. They were his own parents. How could he ignore them?
Seeing that he was disobedient, Granny Fang glared at him fiercely, then sighed, looking worried. "Your elder brother's factory doesn't need so many people now. They said they're going to lay off some workers, and your elder brother might be one of them. He's honest and obedient, but he's not in the leadership's favor. There's no money at home to buy gifts for the leaders. Your brother is well - educated and smart. If you give your position to him, he'll surely do better than you. Otherwise, you might get laid off one day too."
Yu Jianhai couldn't understand his mother's train of thought.
"Since big brother is well - educated and smart, why doesn't he find a way to keep his job at the brick factory?"
"I got this job at Dongxing Factory through an assessment. It's not something that can be exchanged casually. Our factory has strict regulations. Everyone who works here has to be assessed every month. Can big brother pass the assessment? If he wants to work, why should I give up my position for him? Why doesn't he come and try it himself?"
"He's an adult, a father of two kids, and still has mom and dad worrying about him. Isn't he ashamed?"
The more Yu Jianhai talked, the angrier he got. "I'm also your son. I finally got a job. Instead of being happy for me, you're forcing me to give it to big brother. What, is big brother your real son and I'm not?"
"You... you're crazy!"
Granny Fang felt dizzy.
She never expected that this usually honest and obedient son would dare to talk back to her like this and slander his elder brother!
Granny Fang directly picked up her walking stick and hit him hard.
Yu Jianhai was caught off guard and got hit on the head.
His head felt dizzy. He didn't know if it was from anger or pain.
Anyway, it felt as if something in his heart had been broken.
It made him feel so uncomfortable that he could hardly breathe.
He covered his head, looked at his mother, and finally said nothing. He left the main hall.
Granny Fang felt regretful only after it was over.
But she didn't think she had done anything wrong. Shouldn't a disobedient child be beaten after being raised for so long?
Moreover, her suggestion was good for everyone.
After all, her eldest son was well - educated and had worked in the factory for more than a decade. He had experience and could do better.
Her second son had always been doing farm work. It showed that he was just born for this kind of life.
Why should people go against fate?
When Wan Yindi saw her husband come back, the first thing she noticed was that his hands were empty. She complained, "The kids will be back soon. Why didn't you buy anything?"
Yu Jianhai looked up. The eight - foot - tall man was looking at his wife with red eyes.
Wan Yindi was startled by his appearance.
"Ahai, what's wrong with you?
"Don't scare me. Why are you crying for no reason? We'll face everything together. Don't cry."
This was the first time Wan Yindi had seen her husband cry since she married into the Yu family.
In her and her children's hearts, he was like a big tree that sheltered them from wind and rain.
But now this big tree was showing such a vulnerable side. How could it not make people worried?
After crying, Yu Jianhai felt a bit embarrassed, but he was more touched by his wife's words.
He figured it out. Even without his parents' favor, he had the love of his wife and children.
Yu Jianhai wiped away his tears, regained his usual calmness, and told his wife everything that had happened during his conversation with Granny Fang.
Wan Yindi was so angry that her face changed.
"How could mom be so unreasonable?!"
"Aren't we part of this family? You finally got a job in the factory. You don't have to work so hard in the future. Why does she still want you to give up this job?"
As she spoke, Wan Yindi wanted to cry too. She held back her tears and pleaded with her husband.
"Ahai, I don't ask for much. I beg you to hold on. Don't give your job to your elder brother. God finally gave us a chance to turn things around. Why should we give this luck to others? You still have children to raise. Lin Yun did well in this exam. The teacher said that as long as she keeps it up, she might get into college."
"Don't be foolish and give up this job."
Looking at his wife's terrified face, Yu Jianhai suddenly realized how much his previous concessions had hurt her and the children.
He hugged her tightly and promised word by word.
"Don't worry. I won't be like that anymore."
When the twins got home and opened the door, they saw this scene and quickly backed out.
Yu Linyun shouted from outside.
"Mom and Dad, are you done yet?!"
...
Hua Qingqing didn't know that there was another incident in the Yu family.
She was concentrating on preparing for her grade - skipping exam.
On the third day of the Lunar New Year, she took the new products from the factory and her schoolbag to pay a New - Year visit to the Chen family. She received unanimous praise from Mrs. Chen and her daughter.
Finally, she took the learning materials collected by Chen Donglai and went home.
Since Chen Donglai worked in the education department, the materials he collected were very reliable.
Hua Qingqing did several sets of test papers and decided that once the men's handbags were produced, she must give one to Chen Donglai.
When the school leaders learned that she was going to take another grade - skipping exam, their expressions changed greatly. Although they had some experience, they were still very hesitant and nervous when they heard this suddenly.
It was already outrageous to skip one grade, and now she wanted to skip another one.
This time, they wouldn't allow it no matter what!
Hua Qingqing didn't say much. She used the same old trick.
"If that's the case, I'll go to No. 2 Middle School. My cousins are there. I'll have someone to look after me."
Principal Liao couldn't understand. "Why are you in such a hurry? Are you going to take the college entrance examination this year?"
Hua Qingqing replied, "Yes."
Principal Liao sighed. Maybe geniuses were always a bit different.
There was no other way but to agree.
Hua Qingqing successfully passed the grade - skipping exam.
Principal Liao directed two male teachers who had no classes to help move her desk to the senior - three classroom.
It only took two semesters for Hua Qingqing to go from senior one to senior three.
Hua Qingqing not only became famous in No. 1 Middle School, but also in other high schools.
Even a newspaper agency proposed to interview her.
Hua Qingqing readily agreed.
The newspaper staff asked very formally and ordinarily.
Hua Qingqing answered very formally and ordinarily.
Then came the last two questions.
The newspaper staff asked, "May I ask, Miss Hua, how did your parents educate you on a daily basis to raise such an excellent child as you?"
Hua Qingqing lowered her head slightly. "My parents divorced when I was five years old."
The newspaper staff obviously realized that there was something else behind this. She sat up straight and decided to change the next question.
Stories full of emotions were always particularly popular.
She asked softly, "Then how did you live after your parents divorced?"
"I grew up in my grandma's house. When I was five, I started doing farm work. I cut pigweed on the slopes, washed clothes in the river, and picked firewood on the mountains. I did these things day after day for thirteen years..."
Suddenly, the girl who had been in a low mood suddenly raised her voice.
"Just last year, I took the test paper I made and went to the commune middle school. Grandpa Li, the guard, gave the test paper to Principal Song for me. Finally, I got a chance to study!"