Chapter 1311: Chapter 1283: Face-Slapping the Reborn Stallion Man 46
The food and drinks were set on the table, and Anning and Li Cuixia entered the room.
Yang Lao Mao lifted his eyelids, glanced at them, and then pointed to Wang Shushu: "You women can take some dishes to eat on the side; this table is for the men."
Ha.
Anning gave a cold laugh and took the chicken, fish, and a few better dishes over to another table, leaving only some vegetables for the men.
"Aunt, sister-in-law, mom, grandma, letâs eat over here."
Anning pulled the women to the other table: "Everyone eat more, if thereâs not enough, Iâll make more. Oh, does anyone want a drink? Iâll go get some."
Yang Lao Mao was so angry that he glared, but he couldnât do anything about Anning.
Yang Erchou chuckled twice: "Let them eat. The women at home work hard all year round, itâs not easy; itâs New Yearâs, they ought to eat something good."
Yang Dachouâs mouth twitched, he wanted to say something, but when he saw his mom, his wife, and his daughter-in-law at the table, he couldnât say a word.
It was Fugui who shouted, "Whatâs going on here, can people eat or not?"
Anning turned and smiled: "Arenât there dishes on the table? Second brother, just eat. If you want to eat meat, come over to our table."
Yang Fugui looked at the bland vegetable dishes on their table and then at the chicken, duck, and fish on the womenâs table, and finally decided to cast aside his dignity to squeeze onto the womenâs table.
Anning ate some dishes, went inside, and came out with a down jacket for Yang Lao Mao: "Grandpa, this is what I bought for you from the Capital, planning to give it to you for New Yearâs as a surprise. But since youâre here today, you can take it back and I wonât have to deliver it tomorrow."
Yang Lao Mao was delighted: "You bought me clothes?"
He took the down jacket: "Itâs really light."
"Yes, itâs light, and warm, very comfortable to wear."
Yang Erchou laughed and said, "Dad, give it a try."
Yang Lao Mao didnât care about eating anymore, he stood up and put the down jacket on: "This is really nice, soft and comfortable. Oh, Iâm already warm after wearing it for just a moment."
He spoke while taking it off: "This isnât cheap, is it?"
Anning laughed and nodded: "Itâs from the same shop as grandmaâs; each is worth several hundred yuans."
Upon hearing that the jacket cost several hundred yuans, Yang Lao Mao clung to it tightly.
Yang Fugui looked at the jacket in Yang Lao Maoâs hands and his eyes spun.
He was pondering how to persuade him to let him have the jacket, wondering what kind of feeling such an expensive item would bring.
Eager to go home and wear his new clothes, Yang Dachou and the others werenât fond of the vegetable dishes either. They ate a few bites, sat at Anningâs house for a while, and left as a family around eight or nine in the evening.
Once they left, Anning sat on the sofa: "Mom, Iâm still hungry, can you make me some dumplings?"
Li Cuixia gave Anning a light slap: "You child, you were so capable just now, taking the dishes without looking at how angry your grandpa was."
Anning snuggled against Old Madam, resting her head on her: "Who asked grandpa not to let us eat at the table? Why, the dishes are ours but we canât eat them! The more he forbids, the more I want to eat."
"Ah you."
The Old Madam laughed and tapped Anningâs forehead: "Today itâs just family, itâs all fine. But if there are outsiders, donât behave that way. Pretend to be filial and sensible."
"Got it."
Anning stuck out her tongue: "I really didnât eat enough."
The Old Madam instructed Li Cuixia: "Cuixia, make some dumplings, Iâm a bit hungry too."
Yang Erchou got up: "Iâll do it."
After eating dumplings, the family sat together watching the Spring Festival Gala while staying up all night.
At midnight, Anning went back to her room to sleep.
On New Yearâs Day, Anning didnât go out to pay respects; she slept half the day, read a book, and spent most of it.
On the second day, Yang Junni and others came to pay respects, and Anning, along with Li Cuixia, got up early to prepare meals.
Anningâs aunts had good personalities and didnât just sit and wait to be served; Yang Junni brought along Anningâs cousin Zhang Xiangxiang to help with cooking.
While cooking, she asked Anning: "Ningning, do you think itâs better for your cousin to go to vocational school or high school?"
This year Zhang Xiangxiang was in her third year of middle school and had to take exams the next year. Yang Junni was unsure of what school she should attend.
In those days vocational and teacher training schools were hard to get into, but once graduated, job placement was guaranteed. Comparatively, high school required lower scores, but then there was the university entrance exam and a few more years of college. Rural folks thought it was a waste of time.
Vocational school grads were placed, and so were university grads, so why spend those extra years?
Anning thought for a moment; she knew in a few years vocational school wouldnât guarantee placements anymore. Sure, Zhang Xiangxiang would make it in time for graduation, but what then?
Even if placed, so what? Nowadays, the waves of layoffs kept hitting; a vocational diploma really wasnât sufficient.
"Aunt, I think itâs still better for Xiangxiang to attend high school. After all, a college diploma has more weight than a vocational one, and once in college, there are further opportunities. Right now, going to vocational seems convenient, but youâve got to think long-term. In the future, with the emphasis on education, college graduates will be everywhere, and Xiangxiang with a vocational certificate truly wonât find it easy to get a job if layoffs happen."
"Mom, I think my cousin is right; I want to go to high school."
Zhang Xiangxiang said while making dumplings.
"But youâd be so old once you graduate college; finding a husband would be hard."
Yang Junni worried about this aspect.
Anning put down the dumplings and earnestly told Yang Junni: "Aunt, donât always focus on finding Xiangxiang a husband. Sheâs so young! Yes, rural areas see early marriages, but do you know at what age city folks get married? Twenty-five or six isnât considered old at all, some even marry in their thirties. Xiangxiang might stay in the city after college, then age wouldnât be a concern. Besides, constantly talking about marriage, whatâs the use of finding a good match? If she doesnât have skills, canât earn money, will she keep asking for money every day? Aunt, relying on others for money isnât pleasant. In my opinion, having parents isnât as good as having oneâs own capabilities. Standing on your own, earning and spending your own money, thatâs the most satisfying."
Yang Junni remained silent.
Li Cuixia quietly spoke to her: "I think Ningning is right. Just look at Ningning; she attended a good university, earns money now, and no matter whom she marries in the future, sheâll have no fear. If her in-laws treat her poorly, she can leave without feeling aggrieved. With her own house and money, what is there to fear?"
Yang Junni still remained silent.
Anning asked her: "Aunt, what are you thinking?"
Yang Junniâs voice was a bit hoarse: "Your uncle is somewhat reluctant for Xiangxiang to go so far, saying itâs too costly. You know how tight things are for us; he wants Xiangxiang to go to vocational school, graduate sooner, and help the family financially."