Daily Life in the 70s-Chapter 281: Not Leaving

After the neighbors from inside the house had left, Yang Peimin tidied up the place. Shen Yiguang also returned, looking invigorated, and upon entering saw her wiping the table. "Did we have visitors just now?"

Yang Peimin nodded, finishing her last swipe, "A few neighbors stopped by for a visit."

Shen Yiguang poured himself a glass of water and casually asked, "Which families? I remember the Lu and Zhao families, and the Sun family usually come visit you. Was it them today?"

"No, not them. They were just here for the excitement, having heard that Yixiang was coming over and wanted to see what my little sister-in-law looks like," Yang Peimin felt somewhat speechless discussing this; it’s as if people had never seen strangers before. This is just a military base, not some secluded forest where one might have remained isolated for a decade without seeing the outside world.

Seeing her expression, Shen Yiguang shook his head and chuckled, "Most of the Military Wives in the compound don’t work, so they have a bit of extra time on their hands. It’s always like this, gossiping about this and that. Everyone rushes over to see whatever small event happens, just like back in our hometown. Even if someone is too busy working and taking care of children, they’d still find time for a meal to drop by a neighbor’s home."

Yang Peimin didn’t know quite what to say. "Then, in the military region, isn’t there something the Military Wives could do? Like working in the cafeteria, kindergarten, or logistics department, so that some people don’t end up with nothing to do."

"There are a few positions available, but only for a select few."

"Are you guys discussing kindergarten stuff? You’re starting to think about it already?" Shen Yixiang popped her head out from the kitchen.

Yang Peimin remained silent. Her sister-in-law right now was like those pregnant women who suddenly notice more pregnant women on the streets, and once they have a child, they feel like there are more kids around. When the focus of attention shifts, indeed the thoughts change accordingly. Now no matter the subject, Shen Yixiang finds a way to relate it to her own belly.

Shen Yiguang was somewhat amused and glanced at Yang Peimin, "Right, just thinking ahead."

At this moment, Shen Yixiang walked out. "Well, that’s settled then. Are there many schools around here? Why not, I’ll just stay, find a job as a teacher around here. I can work at the kindergarten too, perfect for looking after my nephew in the future."

Yang Peimin looked at her in disbelief. "Yixiang, you’re joking, right?"

Shen Yiguang’s smile faded. "Don’t be ridiculous. You’re grown up, and every whim of yours isn’t a plan. Where do you think you fit in here? Is this a place for you to live? Now it’s the Military Wives who move with the troops, and you’re not one. Besides, if you leave, who’s going to look after our parents? I think you should just enjoy a few days here and then go back."

Shen Yixiang puffed up her cheeks, "You can’t send me away so quickly. I’ve come on Mom’s orders. I have to stay here at least until the New Year. Plus, my sister-in-law is finding the school dormitory extremely inconvenient. Mom sent me with some money to rent a place out here. I can stay with her and help out. I can also work somewhere easy, pick up groceries and cook after work. Don’t get too excited. For Mom’s sake, my sacrifice is significant this time. Don’t give me that look." What she didn’t say in front of Yang Peimin, as instructed by Chen Guizhi, was that her sister-in-law wasn’t very robust, and Chen wondered whether she could carry the pregnancy safely. Hence, the first three months were particularly crucial, and she needed to take care of her personally.

With that, she pulled a stack of bills from her pocket. "Here’s one hundred yuan from Mom. The living expenses you’ve been sending home these past few years, she’s saved them all up. We don’t have much else to spend on at home. She said not to skimp and to rent a place, to buy some nutritious and fresh food."

Yang Peimin gave a wry smile; the situation was escalating. "Yixiang, I can manage here on my own. I mostly just teach classes, and sitting all day doesn’t really tire me out. But our mother still hasn’t fully recovered, she can’t be left alone. I know Sister Four is with our family, but she has three young children, with San Ni’er being only a few months old. It must be tough for her to manage everyone alone. If you were there, it would be different, at least our mother would get better care, and her illness might improve more quickly. Sister Four might get a little rest. We already feel unfilial for not being able to be there for our mother when she fell ill, and if we had you come over here and leave no one to take care of her at home, we would be even more ashamed."

Shen Yiguang added, "Your sister-in-law is right. I’ll try to take a few days off to spend with you here, and then you should go back. We can’t keep our parents worried."

"Don’t think you can trick me. Sleeping on my own last night because of whatever it was, I’ve already been duped by you. I’m not budging this time. If I said I’d go, wouldn’t Mom nag me to death?" Shen Yixiang seemed resolutely determined not to leave.

Yang Peimin looked at Shen Yiguang with a gaze that said, "I’m not dealing with this; you figure it out."

Shen Yiguang raised his eyebrows.

Seeing the nonverbal exchange between the couple, Shen Yixiang quickly retreated back to the kitchen, avoiding another round of persuasion, "I won’t talk with you any longer, the food is about to burn."

In short, she left no opportunity for them to persuade her, and it was the same at the dinner table. As soon as Shen Yiguang began to speak, she would quickly grab a couple of bites and head out, saying, "I’m going to visit the neighbors."

Shen Yiguang glanced at Yang Peimin. "When did this girl get so clever?"

Yang Peimin shrugged, thinking to herself that these were typical Shen family traits - being crafty with one scheme after another. As a person of straightforward sincerity, how could she match their wits?

Shen Yiguang didn’t have much time for a break. Not long after eating, he had to return to the military region. Shen Yixiang waited for him to leave before coming back with empty bowls. "Sister-in-law, do you still have some rice in the pot?"

Yang Peimin sighed deeply. "What’s the need for all this?" They weren’t particularly close sisters-in-law; living together would only create discomfort. fɾeeweɓnѳveɭ.com

Shen Yixiang glanced at her. "Don’t try to persuade me again. This is Mom’s decree. If you have anything to say, speak with her." Her mom wasn’t flexible about anything, especially when it came to the grandchild. She wouldn’t negotiate on that point. To get her to come here, her mom had kept it from Dad and Sister Four, even giving her fifty yuan. It was also an opportunity for her to enjoy herself at the base. Sigh, it was just because she hadn’t managed to get into the military academy that now she was merely indulging her curiosity.

"Fine, don’t bother with the dishes. Go inside and take a nap. I’ll wake you later to pack your things. You’re going back to the school tonight, right? I’ll go with you, and we can stay at the guest house. Tomorrow, I’ll look for a place to rent."

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