Northeast: My Absurd Woman

Chapter 237 The Ancestral Grave Really Emerges from Auspicious Smoke

Zhai Qingliang pushed Zhang Changyao aside with one hand and stretched his neck to chat with Yang Wuni.

"Zhai Qingliang, you've really had too much to drink. Get up quickly and let your brother Changyao take you home."

Yang Wuni was feeding Wen Da when she heard Zhai Qingliang say this.

He nudged Zhang Changyao with his hand, telling him to hurry up and take Zhai Qingliang back.

"Sister-in-law Wu Ni, I didn't lie to you. I, Zhai Qingliang, swear to God that if I'm lying, may I be struck by lightning."

Even as Zhang Changyao dragged him along, Zhai Qingliang didn't forget to point three fingers to the sky and swear an oath to Yang Wuni.

After bringing Zhai Qingliang back, Zhang Changyao kept a long face and looked unhappy.

"Zhang Changyao, what's wrong? You want to be a substitute teacher? You look down on us roughnecks now?"

Uncle, tomorrow you should set up a stove in this room too, and we'll take Liao Zhi and the kids out to live separately.

"She's a teacher now; it's not appropriate for her to be working with country bumpkins like us."

Yang Wuni didn't take Zhai Qingliang's words seriously, thinking that Zhang Changyao was trying to show off by pretending to be a teacher.

"Okay! Tomorrow morning I'll go dig up some dirt in the pit on the west side, and we'll buy a bigger pot."

Seeing that Zhang Changyao was unhappy, Yang Deshan went along with what Yang Wuni said.

"Uncle, don't listen to Wu Ni. I didn't mean it that way. I'm just feeling really upset."

Luckily, I didn't have a hundred yuan at the time, otherwise Wu Ni would have become that Zhai Qingliang's wife.

Zhang Changyao picked up a rolled cigarette from Yang Deshan's tobacco basket and was about to light it.

"Zhang Changyao, you're about to be a teacher, why are you learning to smoke?"

Yang Wuni reached out and snatched the cigarette from Zhang Changyao's mouth, then threw it back into Yang Deshan's cigarette basket.

"Wu Ni, Uncle, I'm really upset and heartbroken."

Why do I feel like Zhai Qingliang's words are unreliable? It's like he's trying to lie to me.

Zhang Changyao was at his wits' end, not knowing what to do. When he ran out of cigarettes, he went to grab some raw sesame seeds.

"Zhang Changyao, you can't be that insecure about yourself, can you?"

Zhai Qingliang also said that no one in the entire village had ever gone to high school, and you are the only one from Scorpion Baba.

If you're worried, you can go to the village tomorrow to check.

Liao Zhi, his face full of melancholy, turned to Zhang Changyao to comfort him.

"Liao Zhi, you're right. I'll go ask tomorrow, as long as it's true."

I, Zhang Changyao, have truly not wasted my time studying the classics; I've finally found a place to put my talents to use.

"I want to give back to society all the knowledge I've gained from the books I've read over the decades, and to teach every child well." Zhang Changyao was so excited he almost swore an oath.

"Zhang Changyao, take out the letter and let me see it, okay?" Liao Zhi looked at Zhang Changyao.

Oh dear! You know how forgetful I am! I was so caught up in my own happiness that I forgot about the letter.

Liao Zhi, don't worry, I'll show you the letter now.

Zhang Changyao slapped his forehead hard, remembering that the letter and remittance slip were still in his shirt pocket.

He quickly sat down on the kang (a heated brick bed) next to Liao Zhi, took out the letter, opened it, and showed it to him.

This sight was quite alarming. Liao Zhi, who had been calm just moments before, disregarded the presence of Xiao Wenda in the room and burst into loud wailing.

"Zhang Changyao, hurry up and see what's written in the letter. Does it mean that Sister Lin Qiu doesn't want Liao Zhi anymore?"

"Or was it someone who wrote a letter insulting our Liao Zhi? Read it to me."

When Yang Wuni first saw Liao Zhi lose control, she got onto the kang (a heated brick bed) without even taking off her shoes and knelt down beside Liao Zhi's bed.

They moved Liao Zhi's head over, patted his hair and face to comfort him.

"Liao Zhi, my old classmate, it's like seeing you in person after reading this letter."

I was so excited to receive your submission that I couldn't sleep all night. I've already submitted it for you.

Whether the manuscript will be approved depends on further review. I will reply to you whether it is approved or not.

When I saw what happened to you on the side page, my tears soaked my pillow.

As a friend, I cannot visit you from afar due to work reasons.

I organized a fundraising event and will send you two thousand yuan. I hope it will be helpful to you.

I know you're sensitive about your image and don't want others' pity or sympathy.

When I was raising funds, I used the name of a childhood friend from my hometown.

"You must take good care of yourself and get well soon. Your old classmate is here waiting for you to come back and will throw a banquet to celebrate."

Before Zhang Changyao could even read the signature, he, like Liao Zhi, choked up and couldn't speak.

"Zhang Changyao, I don't deserve to spend these two thousand yuan. I'm not someone who doesn't have money and needs financial assistance."

What virtue do I, Liao Zhi, possess to deserve this two thousand yuan in aid?

If I spend these two thousand yuan, my lifespan will be shortened.

Whether my illness can be cured or not has nothing to do with money. Do you understand what I mean?

Liao Zhi looked at the people in the room and knew what two thousand yuan meant to rural people.

He was afraid that Zhang Changyao and Yang Wuni would misunderstand him, thinking that he was giving away the money he had already received.

"Liao Zhi, we understand. We don't need the two thousand yuan. All I want is for you to live well."

You can just lie here and stay. We won't spend any money from others. Your uncle and I will take care of you for the rest of your life.

Yang Wuni wiped away Liao Zhi's tears and gently comforted him.

"Liao Zhi, no one forced you to accept these two thousand yuan. You don't need to explain to us."

We can't just pretend to be pitiful because people see us as pitiful and shamelessly accept their money out of kindness.

I, Zhang Changyao, can still support this family. I'm not the kind of person who gets greedy for money, so you can rest assured about that.

Didn't you hear what Zhai Qingliang said? Teachers only get 26 yuan a month.

Liao Zhi, that's money paid every month, what are we worried about?

During the day I go to teach, and Wu Ni makes popcorn at home. In the evenings, after I get off work, I deliver it to the town for wholesale distribution.

"Your uncle takes care of you and gives you acupuncture. Who in the village can compare to our family's life?"

Zhang Changyao stood tall and straight, his pride making him look straight ahead, like a hero about to charge into battle.

"Zhang Changyao, you should report to the village tomorrow morning. Be proactive in doing good things, don't wait for others to come looking for us."

After thinking about it, I decided not to return the money my classmate sent me.

Since we can't return the donations we've raised, we'll take them from the people and use them for the people.

Donate to schools to build school buildings, buy books, and purchase school supplies for the children.

Consider this a little gift from you, the new teacher, to the children.

Liao Zhi turned to look at Zhang Changyao, genuinely happy for him.

"Okay, Liao Zhi, I'll go get the money after I register and give it to the principal."

Zhang Changyao was so happy that he spun around in the room, then suddenly slapped his forehead and went outside.

"What? Son, you're not lying to your dad, are you?"

When Zhang Kaiju heard Zhang Changyao say that he could be a substitute teacher, he grabbed his hand and asked again to confirm.

"Dad, why would I lie to you? I promise it's true, I'll report to the village tomorrow morning."

Zhang Changyao pushed Zhang Kaiju back to sit on the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed) and pressed his shoulder to make a promise to him.

"Oh my god! Heaven has opened its eyes, our ancestral graves are really emitting auspicious smoke."

I opened my hand and finally found a skilled penholder.

In a few days I will go back to my hometown to visit the graves and tell your grandpa and grandma the good news.

Let the old couple share in our joy over there."

Zhang Kaiju, his eyes red, looked at Zhang Changyao longingly, then hugged him tightly and wouldn't let go.

"Changyao, your aunt said you were a promising child, but your father didn't believe it."

Look at him, he became a teacher, earning money every month, and even selling popcorn—how could his life be bad?

Zhao Xiulan looked at Zhang Changyao with a fawning expression.

"Zhang Changyao, Brother Ga Zi is here. He wants to talk to you."