Chapter 318 Everyone Recharges

On the fifth day of the Lunar New Year, the banquet served dumplings with three kinds of fillings: garlic chives, scallops, and dried shrimp. The scallops and dried shrimp were brought by Cui Hong, and the garlic chives were made by fermenting garlic sprouts under a black bucket. They had a unique flavor when used as dumpling filling.

Although Cuihong and Xiaojiu both had chives, they couldn't bear to take them out in the dead of winter because it would attract too much attention.

Luckily, we had experience making garlic chives in previous years, and we had some at home. Xiaojiu also took out some chives and mixed them in to neutralize the spiciness of the garlic chives. Finally, no one noticed, and we successfully made the most delicious dumpling filling our family has ever eaten.

"Dumplings before boarding, noodles upon arrival; today we're seeing you off."

On the afternoon of the fifth day, not only Xiao Jiu and Cui Ju were leaving, but Zhou Yue was also leaving, saying that he wanted to go to the city to see his comrades.

Zhou Xing was going to the train station with Niu Feng, who was coming over this afternoon, and he was going to pick him up at the city's train station.

"Grandpa and Grandma, I don't know if the school will be closed for the 15th and 16th of the first lunar month. I will send a telegram to Dad and Mom in advance."

She hugged her grandfather and kissed her grandmother with reluctance.

The holiday is only a few days long, and no matter how reluctant we are to leave, we must go on our journey.

When they returned, all their bundles were filled with gifts; when they left, they had nothing left.

She wore the scarf Zhou Yue had given her, and her hair was styled into a large, naturally beautiful bun, tied with a red hair tie given by Zhou Xing, and decorated with a festive red flower around the outside.

From a modern perspective, it would be incredibly outdated, but in an era dominated by black, gray, white, and blue, and given Xiao Jiu's not-so-ugly appearance and the contrast of her matching red cotton-padded jacket, it actually looks quite fitting and eye-catching.

Before the Lunar New Year, her fifth sister sent her a thin cotton-padded jacket, which she could wear in the fall. The one she's wearing now is the one made in previous years.

It fits perfectly today, but it will definitely be smaller next year when I grow taller.

Before winter arrives this year, she needs to find a way to get some cotton and floral fabric.

The four of them had little luggage, and after eating, they set off on foot to the town. There were buses on the national highway that led to the county seat.

After much persuasion, Zhou Xingcai reluctantly agreed to ride his bicycle to the county town.

"When you get to the county town, just park your car at the winery. That way it won't get stolen easily. Ask your uncle to help you find a place to park it."

The two bicycles belonging to the Tao and Tang families are, if not the only two, in Xihe Village.

Because besides their family, only the village chief's family had one, and it was part of his daughter's dowry from her temporary job at the service center.

It's not really their family's car, but they often borrow it from their in-laws.

Don't let the fact that Xiao Jiu got this bicycle fool you; it's old and worn out, but it's actually quite sturdy and durable.

As for the car in her personal space, she didn't dare to take it out. Having two cars at home is already quite remarkable; getting another one would only invite jealousy.

So Zhou Xing drove Zhou Yue ahead, while Cui Ju, carrying Xiao Jiu, slowly made her way onto the national highway.

The main reason was that it was not appropriate for Zhou Xing to take either of the two sisters with him. After much consideration, he took Zhou Yue into the city first, as it would take about 10 to 20 minutes to walk from the winery to the bus station.

"Hey, I've finished all those practice tests you gave me before. Could you grade them for me when I get back?"

When I came back this time, I made a special trip to my commune primary school teacher's house to ask. She told me to come back this year to take the graduation exam together, and then I could get my primary school graduation certificate.

"Oh, that's great! Then, sis, you should ask our eldest sister to find out the exact time, and ask for leave to come back and take the exam. With this elementary school graduation certificate, it'll be easier to find a junior high school to attend."

This is the result of Cuiju's discussion with everyone during the Chinese New Year. The so-called "borrowing school" means going to school for morning and evening self-study sessions to read, recite, and write along with the teachers. If there is anything you don't understand, you can ask the teacher directly. You can work normally during the day. Although this will be very tiring, in this way you can not only get a junior high school diploma, but if you are lucky enough to get into high school, you can also maintain this method and change jobs in the future if you have the opportunity.

The seventh and eighth siblings, who originally thought they would never be able to learn it, felt ashamed when they saw that their second sister was already working and still working so hard.

The two sisters felt that being blind and lame would make them look down on, and being ridiculed made them feel even more ashamed.

But after Tang Cuiju worked so hard that everyone said she would also go to school if given the opportunity, the seventh and eighth brothers couldn't sit still any longer. "Then... how about we both go to school too?"

Upon seeing this, Tang Cuihua exchanged a glance with the fifth and sixth brothers, and immediately made the decision.

"Go to school, both of you. You two go to school and then we'll figure out how to teach your fourth sister when you get back."

Tang Cuihong's lip reading skills are quite good; as long as she speaks slowly, she can read almost anything. If she touches her vocal cords and carefully distinguishes the sounds, she can communicate almost without any problems. Putting aside everything else, the fact that they were able to finish the elementary school curriculum is the greatest affirmation for themselves.

The third sister, Tang Cuilian, hasn't been working for the past few months. She originally wanted to stay and work to earn some work points, but now that she sees this situation, she's having second thoughts.

"How about I try my luck by talking to a primary school teacher and getting a primary school diploma or something while I'm not working these next few months?"

"That's absolutely necessary. Our family isn't short of money or food right now. All of you should go to school so you don't end up illiterate. A graduation certificate is like proof of your education, which will give you a standard when you're looking for a partner."

Honestly, you can't really learn anything by just studying at home without the right environment.

You still need to go to school to learn, where teachers will teach you systematically.

In this day and age, as long as you're willing to learn, schools will accept you, regardless of your age or whether you're married or not.

"Now the villagers will say our family is full of precious people, and what's the point of sending our daughter to such a high school? In the end, she'll just get married and raise children."

Cuilian's words amused Cuihua: "You're not home, so why do you care what they say? You're not going to marry into their family, so why are you meddling?"

Besides, you're learning for yourself, not for your in-laws. As for whether you'll get married or whether it's useful, only you know.

If you learn this yourself, you will be able to guide your child to develop correct values ​​in the future, which is far better than those who are blind to the truth.

Of course, you all need to keep your eyes open and not go looking for those who can't read a single word but have a bunch of twisted rules and fallacies.

Women are forbidden from eating at the table, and guests must eat in the kitchen. They are also forbidden from going home for the New Year, as it is believed they bring bad luck to their brothers.

Remember, we don't have sons, so we don't follow that kind of tradition.

From now on, our family will be your support, and all of you sisters will be your backing.

"You all better stand up for yourselves. If you can't stand on your own two feet, even if God is on your side, it won't help."

Tang Cuiju chimed in, "We've weathered all these years of gossip and rumors. Let them say what they want."

As long as they don't point their fingers at us and yell at us directly, we can pretend we didn't hear it.

If they really start hurling insults at us, just do it! No questions asked, no mercy!