Chapter 450 - Chapter 450: A Good Family
Chapter 450: A Good Family
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Li Mei always looked at her sister as a young and innocent girl, so hearing her say such things felt strange. Therefore, Li Mei felt puzzled.
She lowered her head and said, “Y-Yeah.”
Li Wei said, “Madam Li says that Xiaoshuan often comes to our house to help, so he probably likes you. Madam Li wanted to visit you. She also said it’s good that I’m working at the embroidery shop now, and we have a good home.
“She thinks Xiaoshuan is a good person, especially since those who work with Miss Su aren’t problematic. Also, Xiaoshuan will settle in Su Teng Village soon, so it’ll be good if you could be with him.
“Our sister and brother think it’s good, too. We only want you to be happy, Big Sister. You like Xiaoshuan too, right, Big Sister?”
Li Mei knew Madam Li was one of the most warm-hearted people in the village. As their neighbor, the older lady often helped them. However, Li Mei never expected Madam Li to tell Li Wei such things.
Li Mei thought deeply before saying, “B-But Xiaoshuan might not mean that.”
She did not want to reveal her thoughts too early, afraid she would become a laughing stock to others.
When Li Wei heard her eldest sister’s words, she knew her eldest sister and Du Xiaoshuan had a chance. She asked anxiously, “Who told you that? Madam Li said she had asked Xiaoshuan for his opinion about you. He says he has feelings for you but fears scaring you. Xiaoshuan wants to treat you well but take things slow.”
Li Mei instantly blushed upon hearing this. “Did Xiaoshuan really say that?”
Her eyes were shining.
“Yes, Madam Li said so.” Li Wei nodded.
No one knew Li Mei had an inferiority complex. She used to be afraid of others looking down on her but knew that Du Xiaoshuan treated her differently.
However, she dared not overthink the situation.
‘Even if he treats me differently, what about his mother? Would she despise me?’ Li Mei also feared this because she had previously heard people’s gossip.
However, the Su Teng villagers were not the ones gossiping about Li Mei. Instead, Li Mei’s neighbors’ relatives were the ones who came to Su Teng Village and talked about Li Mei behind her back whenever they saw her.
They would say she had no parents with younger siblings to care for, making her a burden. Some of the words Li Mei heard were very harsh, so she felt inferior and had low self-esteem.
Moreover, Du Xiaoju treated Li Mei as a sister, and Li Mei wondered if Du Xiaoju would stop treating her as such if she heard people’s gossip. It scared Li Mei, and she did not know who to tell these thoughts.
She would have kept these things to herself and said nothing if it were not for Madam Li’s concern and Li Wei’s question. Li Mei was at a loss, and her heart was a mess.
Li Wei anxiously asked, “Big Sister, do you like Xiaoshuan? Are you happy whenever you see him?”
Li Wei anxiously shook her eldest sister’s hand, and Li Mei could only nod, saying, “Of course I am.”
“All right. I understand, Big Sister.” After thinking about it, Li Wei asked Madam Li to help match the two.
The tofu factory gave everyone an early night off because of the terrible weather. Therefore, the night shift workers could go home early and rest more.
Liu Qiao happened to be working the night shift, but because she got off work early, her parents had already prepared dinner. Her sister-in-law, Miss Wang, had started working at the embroidery shop, which had closed early, too.
The family was having an early dinner when Liu Qiao’s mother looked at the blizzard and asked worriedly, “It’s snowing so heavily. Is Song Yi still out delivering goods?”
Liu Qiao’s mother had already started treating Song Yi as her son-in-law. She was just waiting for his parents to come and propose marriage.
Song Yi was a diligent and capable child. Most importantly, he worked for Su Wenwu and gained the Su family’s trust. Liu Qiao’s parents were quite satisfied.
Liu Qiao said smilingly, “Don’t worry, Mother. He’ll be fine after delivering the goods in the afternoon. He said that he’d bring his mother back after work tonight.’
“That child is so dutiful and always brings his mother home. It’s just that it’s a little far since they live in Northern Mountain Village. I don’t know if she’s gone back yet or not.”
Liu Qiao said, “Mother, it’s okay. They’ve walked that road many times. Besides, when Madam Ding noticed the weather wasn’t good, she told my sister-in-law and the others to get off work early, so Mrs. Song had already left.’
Miss Wang said, “I work in the embroidery shop and know Mrs. Song. She’s such a lovely person. The whole family is kind and helps everyone around them. They’re also well-spoken and soft, so I feel comfortable with them.
“Mrs. Song’s cooking is excellent, too. She always shares her food with me whenever she brings some to work.”
The embroidery workshop had no cafeteria yet, so those who lived far away would bring food. However, there was a pot in the staff dormitory, and some people would reheat their lunch for everyone.
Miss Wang had eaten Mrs. Song’s cooking before, and it was delicious.
Liu Qiao’s mother said smilingly, “Yeah, I know how good the Song family is, so I feel at ease letting Liu Qiao be with Song Yi.”
Liu Qiao was embarrassed. “Mother.”
“All right, I won’t talk about that anymore. Let’s eat. Since the weather was so terrible, I thought of inviting the Songs for dinner, but the embroidery shop workers told me Mrs. Song had already gone home when I went there.”
Miss Wang added, “I invited them to our house for dinner, but they couldn’t come. Mrs. Song said she wanted us to go to her house for dinner when we have time.”
Everyone smiled when they spoke.
Song Yi did not stay idle after delivering the goods. Instead, he helped Su Fengmao with work.
Su Fengmao was responsible for the goods whenever someone came to collect them. Since Song Yi was younger and more muscular, he decided to help the older man.
Su Fengmao had told his daughter about it when he got home, so Su Binglan was happy to give Song Yi a little more bonus.
Song Yi went to pick up his mother after work, and the two traveled home on an oxcart. It was the same every day.
Mrs. Song said, “This oxcart belongs to the Su family, Song Yi. Send it back to them since you’ve finished delivering the goods. I can walk.”
Song Yi said, “Mother, this was Miss Su’s idea. She says this oxcart is for me to use since it’ll be more convenient for me to deliver goods. I can use it when I go back and forth home, too.
Mrs. Song sighed with emotion. “Miss Su is such a kind person. We wouldn’t be where we are now if it weren’t for her. However, it’s also fortunate that you and Wenwu are close friends. Otherwise, you wouldn’t have known the Su family.
“You even got to know Liu Qiao. She’s a well-educated girl, you know. I know she’s a good person because we work in the same department. I’ve met her parents, and I know they’re reasonable at a glance.
“I’ll save money and buy some nice things for you to propose marriage. It’s still a little early, but you must treat Liu Qiao well.”
Song Yi replied thoughtfully, “Don’t worry, Mother. I will cherish what I have.”
Mrs. Song looked at her son’s expression and nodded in relief. “That’s good.
Besides, look at how Miss Su is hiring people. She hires those with good family backgrounds and good character.
“She wouldn’t have hired me without hesitation if she didn’t know how we were as people. She even pays me a high salary and bonus every month.”
Mrs. Song still thought these things were unreal. Sometimes, she discussed these things before her son because it felt more real whenever she repeated them. She could not stop smiling whenever she talked about such things. She knew her life would get better as long as she had money.
Song Yi noticed the snow becoming heavier on the way home and said anxiously, “Let’s hurry home, Mother.”
“It’s snowing already? It’s still so early in winter, but it’s good because it signals a good following year..”