Chapter 425 - 421: Sowing Good Karma (Part 1)

Chapter 425: Chapter 421: Sowing Good Karma (Part 1)

"Mom, how many times have I told you? It’s called the self-study exam." Xu Shishun didn’t know whether to laugh or cry as he listened to Aunt Li’s rambling, quickly correcting her. "How can a self-study diploma compare to a real university degree? But it’s still better than a high school diploma, so Yue figured that after she passes, she’ll have a better chance of getting a job as a substitute teacher."

"If you ask me, what’s all this fuss about? The bookstore she’s at now is state-owned, at least, and she’s an official employee. But no, she doesn’t want a perfectly good official job; she’d rather be a substitute teacher. I’ve already asked around. Substitute teachers aren’t official employees. They’re basically just temporary workers." Aunt Li didn’t dare say this in front of her daughter-in-law, but complaining a little to her son was fine.

Unexpectedly, Xu Shishun didn’t like hearing this and grew a little unhappy. "Mom, just let Yue do what she wants. Don’t nag her about it. You know it’s her dream to be a teacher. So what if a substitute teacher’s salary is a little lower? I’m the man. I’m strong, and I can work to support her and the kids."

"It’s not like I said this to her face, did I? I’m just venting to you." Aunt Li shot her son a dissatisfied glare, her eyes full of accusation. ’You’re one of those sons who forgets his mother the moment he gets married.’ She glared at Xu Shishun in annoyance. "When a son grows up, he’s no longer under his mother’s control. If you want to be the big hero, go right ahead."

Xu Shishun sidled up with a grin. "Mom, I’m actually doing this for your own good. Think about it. I’m your son; you can hit me or yell at me, and I’ll never blame you. But Yue is different. She didn’t come from your belly, after all, so there’s a barrier between you two. She can’t be as open with you as I can, saying whatever comes to mind. She’s sensitive and can’t bring herself to argue or get angry with you, so she just bottles it up and suffers. And when she’s upset, who do you think she takes it out on? Me! In the end, I’m the one who suffers the most, used as a punching bag. So tell me, should I let you know or not? If you know, you’ll definitely get upset and have opinions, and then you two will be at odds again, creating a big scene for the neighbors. If I don’t let you know, I have to keep it all to myself. After all, it’s like choosing between the palm and the back of my hand—I can’t bear to blame either of you, right?"

"..." Aunt Li stared at him for a long moment. "Don’t make your wife sound so petty."

"If a woman isn’t petty, is she even a woman?" Xu Shishun muttered dismissively. "Mom, I only dare say this to your face because you’re my own mother. I wouldn’t dare say it in front of Yue."

"Don’t gross me out with that pitiful, henpecked act of yours," Aunt Li chided with a laugh. "And right in front of Hongyi, too. Aren’t you afraid he’ll laugh at you?"

"Mom, why are you deliberately twisting my words? What I obviously meant was that in my heart, my own mother is of course more important than my wife. I swear..." Xu Shishun grew anxious and immediately raised his hand to swear an oath to the heavens.

SMACK.

Aunt Li smacked his hand down, her tone a little sour. "Alright, alright, stop pretending. You really think I don’t know what you’re like? In front of me, you say I’m more important than your wife, but in front of your wife, it’s a different story. Hmph. And don’t bother making any solemn vows. I don’t believe in that stuff. I don’t have the time to bad-mouth my daughter-in-law all day either. You two can do whatever you want. Even if you lose your minds one day and decide to come back here to farm, I’ll let you be. I’ve raised you this long and worried enough. From now on, let your wife do the worrying for you."

"Mom, look at you. You don’t even know how to say harsh words. No wonder Yue is always telling me how she really married into the right family, how lucky she is. Having a good husband is one thing, she says, but the rarest thing is to have such reasonable parents-in-law." Xu Shishun laid on the flattery without batting an eye, looking perfectly adaptable. Aunt Li was secretly pleased, her face beaming, but she just spat a "Pah!" at him.

Luo Hongyi watched from the side, full of envy. He couldn’t help but say to Shunzi, "You really hit the nail on the head. Aunt Li is nothing if not reasonable. Just now, she was endlessly praising your wife to me. You two better treat her well in the future."

"Of course. My mom is good to us, so how could we not be good to her in return?" Xu Shishun nodded repeatedly.

Luo Hongyi nodded, then suddenly asked, "What’s your wife’s full name?"

"Shen Lanyue," Xu Shishun answered directly, not suspecting a thing.

"Hongyi, is it... do you have a way to help?" Aunt Li grew excited and asked cautiously.

"I remember a colleague’s spouse works at the city’s Education Bureau. I’ll ask around later and see if we can get Shunzi’s wife transferred directly from the bookstore to a school. If it works out, you won’t have to worry about her going from an official employee to a temporary one." Luo Hongyi nodded, but then added, "But I can’t say for sure if it’ll work out. Even if it does, she’ll probably still have to pass a special exam based on her own abilities."

Luo Hongyi didn’t mind lending a hand to someone with good character, real knowledge, and a genuine love for that sacred profession. He was 99% sure he could pull it off, which is why he dared to mention it, but it wasn’t his style to make absolute promises.

Aunt Li was overjoyed, looking at Luo Hongyi as if he were some priceless treasure. It felt as unreal as a meat pie falling from the sky. How could she not be happy at the thought of her daughter-in-law becoming an official teacher?

"Hongyi..." Xu Shishun was also incredibly excited, his voice trembling. "Whether it works out or not, Yue and I will be grateful to you for the rest of our lives. From now on, if there’s anything you need, just say the word. I’d go through hell and high water for you."

"What would I need you to go through hell and high water for? But if it really does work out, it’ll mostly be thanks to your wife’s own abilities, so there’s no need for you to say anything in front of my family or the other villagers." Luo Hongyi glanced at his own yard and specifically instructed Aunt Li, "Auntie, in the future, don’t feel like you have to give in to my mother just because of this if she gives you a hard time."

"We understand, we understand. We won’t tell a single soul besides the four of us in our family." Aunt Li froze for a moment, then quickly caught on and nodded eagerly. Xu Shishun was just following her lead; without even thinking, he started nodding like a chicken pecking at grain, his face flushed with excitement. "I won’t say a word. I definitely won’t tell anyone."

"Shunzi, have you thought about yourself?"

Luo Hongyi asked Xu Shishun seriously. ’In for a penny, in for a pound,’ he thought. ’Helping one is helping; helping two isn’t much more trouble. Might as well see it through to the end. They’re my next-door neighbors. Building some goodwill now means I’ll have more support when I come back with Nuannuan to face our battles. It’ll prevent a situation where the moment we leave, village gossip runs rampant and there’s not a single person to speak up for me and Nuannuan.’