When Tang Ruanruan and Su Xiuer were playfully fighting, Mother Tang returned. Hearing the laughter in the house brightened her mood considerably, and the upsetting news she had just heard became less important.
By the time Father Tang returned, the meal was ready. Su Xiuer often ate at the Tang Family home and made no ceremony of it; since there were only four of them, she wasn't worried about there not being enough food.
During the meal, Mother Tang also learned that Su Xiuer had received her enlistment notification letter.
"You, this child, your mother mentioned you today. If you go join the army like this, she must be very upset."
Su Xiuer stuck out her tongue, knowing Mother Tang meant well for her.
"Auntie, it's fine. Besides me, my mother has my older sister and others. I really don't like being so formal when I talk."
Mother Tang couldn't say much more to Su Xiuer. Fortunately, her own daughter was well-behaved and didn't require her constant worry.
After dinner, Su Xiuer ran off, saying she needed to prepare her protective gear, fearing her own mother would kill her if she brought out the enlistment notification letter that night.
Mother Tang then inquired about Tang Ruanruan's assessment.
"Are you really planning to be with that child from the Luo Family?"
Tang Ruanruan obediently nodded, not daring to voice the uncertainty she felt in front of her mother.
Seeing that Tang Ruanruan had made up her mind, Father Tang mentioned something. "I'm going to be arranged to go to the Northwest for half a year. If anyone comes from the old home, please take good care of them."
Mother Tang's expression shifted slightly.
If there was anything that could cause her mood to fluctuate significantly, it was likely matters concerning her husband's family.
She had grown up cherished in her maternal home. Before marrying Father Tang, she was as carefree as Tang Ruanruan. She married Father Tang because she valued his character, never expecting that while he was indeed a good man, he had a difficult stepmother.
Tang Ruanruan knew that Stepmother Grandmother disliked her, always believing that since she was just a girl, she would eventually marry out, and therefore too much effort shouldn't be spent on her.
Fortunately, her own Grandma treated her very well, so she didn't interact much with this Stepmother Grandmother. However, judging by Father Tang's tone, this Stepmother Grandmother was likely planning some trouble this time.
Father Tang's sudden work arrangement made Tang Ruanruan clearly realize that this life was different from her previous life, and she couldn't rely on the foreknowledge from before as a mere backdrop.
Father Tang left as soon as he said it, giving Tang Ruanruan little time to prepare. Luckily, Mother Tang was well-prepared, packing him plenty of medicine and clothing to ensure his life would be safe during the coming period.
Suddenly, only Mother Tang and Tang Ruanruan were left at home. Since there was still no news from her several older brothers, Tang Ruanruan felt a bit worried.
As Mother Tang was cooking in the kitchen, Tang Ruanruan heard a violent knocking at the door.
Tang Ruanruan was very puzzled; who would be visiting now?
When she opened the door, she was met with a wrinkled face full of smiles.
"Oh my, it's Ruanruan. Where are your parents?"
The Old Madam pulled Tang Ruanruan aside and pushed the door open, walking in.
Tang Ruanruan was in a bad mood. Her father had to leave for a mission, and it was just her and her mother at home, only for the person she least wanted to see to arrive.
"Stepmother Grandmother, why have you come?"
Liu Cuilan's smiling face immediately fell.
"What? Can I not come over or something?"
She hated it most when Tang Ruanruan called her Stepmother Grandmother. She was married in by the Old Man, so why was she a Stepmother Grandmother?
Didn't that clearly remind everyone that she wasn't properly married into the family?
"Ruanruan Meimei, Grandma has a short temper, don't mind her, Elder. It's just that we traveled all day, and we really have something to discuss with Uncle."
Tang Erni tugged at Tang Ruanruan's arm, speaking very generously.
But no matter how she listened, it felt off.
Liu Cuilan sat on the living room sofa, looking displeased. "I've been here for half a day, and no one is even pouring water? Is this how your parents educate you?"
Mother Tang heard the commotion and came out of the kitchen, wiping her fingers on her apron, instructing Tang Ruanruan to pour water while she greeted this mother-in-law.
"Aunt Liu, why are you here?"
Liu Cuilan disliked Mother Tang, always feeling that this cheap daughter-in-law looked down on her. Previously, she always felt inferior in front of this daughter-in-law, but now she wasn't afraid.
She beckoned her granddaughter, Tang Erni, to sit next to her before speaking. "Can't I visit if there's nothing going on?"
Mother Tang was not in a good mood, but she didn't show it.
"What's wrong? Has something happened at home?"
At this moment, she desperately wanted to send the visitor away; she didn't want this person in her house, making her feel uncomfortable.
Liu Cuilan snorted coldly. "Don't put on airs like a capitalist with me. I heard that this attitude doesn't work in the city anymore. If you dare to treat me, your mother-in-law, poorly, I dare to report you, and you'll end up eating prison food."
Tang Erni beside her tugged at Liu Cuilan's sleeve, signaling her to stop talking.
After all, they had come to ask for a favor.
Liu Cuilan then coughed lightly and surveyed the room. Indeed, the city was better; everything exuded refinement.
"Well, my niece just graduated from high school, and I was thinking her uncle could arrange a job for her. I heard his unit can provide rations from the state treasury. I've brought the person; you arrange it."
She finished speaking and nudged Tang Erni.
Tang Erni quickly called out, "Aunt!"
Mother Tang forced a smile.
She couldn't even arrange things properly for her own daughter, yet she was expected to arrange something for a niece who was barely related? How could she be so delusional?
This Tang Erni was not Tang Ruanruan's older female cousin, but Liu Cuilan's granddaughter—the daughter of her former husband's son, who had lived with her for years.
Although she looked down on girls, she took good care of this granddaughter. To put it plainly, she had used her as a maid for many years and developed feelings for her.
Fearing Mother Tang would refuse, Tang Erni quickly took out her graduation certificate and opened it for her to see.
"Aunt, I really graduated from high school. Look, this is from our town's high school, and it has an official seal, so it's not fake."
Tang Ruanruan was curious and leaned over to take a look. It really was genuine.
She hadn't expected this cheap cousin to be quite ambitious, managing to attend high school despite Stepmother Grandmother's prejudice.
Mother Tang smiled bitterly. "I know it's real, but I truly can't help with arranging a job. Even Ruanruan is facing the arrangement to go to the countryside after graduation."
Disappointment washed over Tang Erni's face. She had only wanted to try her luck.
However, those words provoked Liu Cuilan.
"What? After spending so much money studying in the city for all these years, she still has to go to the countryside to farm? As expected, girls are just money-losing goods. Why raise them? Better marry them off sooner."
She felt better after speaking her mind, but Tang Ruanruan and Mother Tang's faces turned very grim.
"Aunt Liu, I treat you as an elder because you came to visit, but strictly speaking, you don't have much relation to Ruanruan's father. If you only came here to humiliate my daughter, then please leave!"
Mother Tang was never a pushover, and now she directly ordered them out.
Liu Cuilan, a widow who remarried, was notoriously fierce in the village. This time, having been advised by an expert, she was not afraid.
She walked straight to the door, sat on the ground, and began to wail loudly.