The Leng Family’s home.
After dinner, Leng Yuan and Gu Jiaojiao called Sweet Girl and Xiao Yang into their room.
Gu Jiaojiao told the two children that she would be starting a job at the commune.
Sweet Girl and Xiao Yang both looked at her with admiration.
"You’re amazing, Big Sister."
Xiao Yang nodded along, his dark, round eyes sparkling brightly.
Then, the group began to discuss their next steps.
"Sweet Girl, Xiao Yang, your brother and I plan to send you to school. Sweet Girl, since you’ve never attended school before, you’ll probably start in the second or third grade. You might be the oldest one in your class, but I hope you’ll maintain a positive attitude. Your goal is to learn, so what other people say doesn’t matter, all right?"
"And Xiao Yang, you might be in the same class as your sister. Other kids might make fun of you too, but don’t take it to heart. Your purpose is to learn."
"You’ve both suffered in the past, which has made you more resilient than other children. That’s your strength. But because you’ve endured those hardships and experienced so many bad things, you’re also more sensitive. That’s completely normal, so don’t be afraid."
"If you’re really getting bullied at school, you can tell me and your brother. We’re a family, so there’s no need to hide anything."
"But some things you have to learn to handle on your own. For example, when people gossip about you behind your back or laugh at you, you’ll have to learn to let it go."
Gu Jiaojiao said all this because, for one, Sweet Girl was older and would definitely be mocked by mischievous children.
And Xiao Yang, being non-verbal, was also an easy target for ridicule.
These were, in essence, vulnerabilities, and there was no arguing that.
She hoped the two children wouldn’t give up on themselves just because others attacked their weaknesses.
Sweet Girl and Xiao Yang both nodded with great solemnity.
"If you understand, then go get some rest. For the next couple of days, practice writing the characters I taught you before."
The two children nodded and returned to their room.
"Leng Yuan makes over twenty a month, and Gu Jiaojiao must make at least ten-something. Added together, that’s got to be forty yuan!"
My god!
That’s incredible.
Nowadays, the bride price for a wife is only fifteen yuan.
With one month’s salary, those two could afford the bride price for three wives!
"Damn, that couple is really something else."
Before, many people thought Leng Yuan had taken on a burden by marrying Gu Jiaojiao. Looking at her fair and delicate hands, they figured she wasn’t cut out for farm work and were just waiting for the spring planting to watch her make a fool of herself.
But as it turned out, she became a teacher, earning a salary and grain rations. Her life was wonderful.
Those who had been jealous of Gu Jiaojiao were finally forced to shut their mouths.

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