Chapter 779: 202: Direct confrontation, what is her name? _2 Chapter 779: 202: Direct confrontation, what is her name? _2 Upon hearing that the orange was for Wu Dalong, Wu Erlong immediately retracted his hand, âThen, Iâll eat it myself.â
Wu Dalong wasnât happy, âErlong, didnât you say you didnât like it?â
âThat was just now, now I do.â Wu Erlong quickly stuffed the orange into his mouth.
Wu Yanyun watched the exchange between his two younger brothers with amusement before walking towards their grandmotherâs room.
Their grandmother was a product of the feudal society and still had bound feet. As such, she was incapable of heavy labor and mostly stayed at home.
âGrandma, here is an orange.â Wu Yanyun offered the orange to his grandmother.
âGive it to Dalong and Erlong, I donât really like it.â replied his grandmother after a glance.
âPlease, try it. Both Dalong and Erlong have already had theirs.â Wu Yanyun said.
âNo, take it to your parents. I donât want it.â His grandmother shook her head.
Elders often tend to keep the best for the younger ones, disregarding their own needs.
âMom and Dad also have their share, Iâll leave it here for you,â said Wu Yanyun placing the orange on the table.
âIf I say take it away, take it away!â Grandma Wu suddenly raised her voice, âYou stubborn girl, why do you always argue with me?!â
Having no other choice, Wu Yanyun took back the orange.
âYour parents work so hard during the day; let them have a bit more.â Grandma Wu advised.
âAlright.â Wu Yanyun nodded in agreement.
Returning to her room, Wu Yanyun found her youngest brother, Wu Xiaolong awake.
Wu Xiaolong was just three months old. At his fussiest time now, he demanded to be carried the moment he awoke.
Yan Erjuâs breastmilk didnât flow well; her children were not plump and fair as one might expect but rather lean and slightly dark-skinned.
While Wu Yanyun was holding her brother in the yard, a plump middle-aged woman entered, âYanyun is at home!â
âYes, I am.â Wu Yanyun stood up, âLandlady auntie is here.â
The landladyâs surname was also Wu, Wu Lan. She was the complete opposite of the Wu familyâthey were all dark and slender, while she was fair and tubby, looking as if she carried several swim rings around her waist.
âItâs mid-month, did you prepare the rent?â Wu Lan inquired.
Wu Yanyun nodded, âIâll fetch it right away.â
The rent was 10 yuan a month. Despite being in financial straits, the Wu family never defaulted on their rent. Wu Lan was a kind person; knowing the Wu familyâs condition, she only charged them 10 yuan a month for rent originally worth 12 yuan.
Wu Yanyun fetched a 10-yuan note that her mother had prearranged and handed it to Wu Lan, âLandlady auntie, please take this.â
After accepting the money, Wu Lan glanced into the room, âYanyun, are your parents not at home?â
âMm-hmm.â Wu Yanyun nodded.
Wu Lan sighed, âItâs tough on you, bearing such burden at such a young age!â Which family in Beijing would have a girl this young drop out of school to take care of her siblings?
But then again, there was no other choice. Grandma Wu couldnât do manual labor due to her bound feet, and her three brothers were still youngâŠ
Wu Yanyun shook her head, âIâm not suffering, Landlady auntie.â
Wu Lan smiled, âAuntie knows youâre capable.â Not only was she capable, but she was also pretty. With those big eyes and prominent nose, which other girl in the neighbourhood could compete? If she got an education, went to university, she could become a âGolden Phoenixâ.
What a pity though, wrong family!
Just then, Grandma Wu came out of the room, leaning on her walking stick, âEh?â
âAuntie, itâs me!â Wu Lan greeted enthusiastically.
Grandma Wu approached slowly, âOh, itâs Lanzi.â
âAuntie, I was just praising Yanyun. Not only is she pretty, but sheâs also so sensible. Youâll be blessed in the future.â
A smile didnât cross Grandma Wuâs face, âWeâre so impoverished, what use is beauty? It canât be eaten like rice or spent like cash!â
The rich derive pleasure from beauty.
But what use does a poor person have for beauty?
Beauty canât save you from hunger!
Wu Lan forced a smile, âWell, auntie, Iâve got other things to do. I wonât bother you more. I have to leave now.â
âGo on with your work. Donât let an old ruin like me hold you up,â nodded Grandma Wu.
After Wu Lan left, Grandma Wu returned to her small room with the help of her walking stick.
The thing Grandma Wu did most every day was spacing out in front of the window.
Her son and daughter-in-law were struggling so much. She wished she could help, but regretfully there wasnât much she could do about it.
âŠ
After calming down her little brother, it was time for Wu Yanyun to prepare dinner.
The rice jar was almost empty. Watered down rice porridge was the only option. The leftovers from the restaurant a few days ago had long been eaten. Fortunately, there were still pancakes given by Han Xiaoyu, enough to scrape together a meal for the night.
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