bestfiction Chapter 358 Men are merely stumbling blocks on her path forward
Chapter 358 Men are merely stumbling blocks on her path forward
Tu Nan's prospective son-in-law successfully moved in, and the woman's parents had a very good impression of him. The fact that the two children were dating was approved by both sets of parents.
We're just waiting for the winter break at the end of the year so we can find a good day for both sets of parents to meet formally and finalize the marriage arrangements for the two children.
The graduate students, including Tu Nan and Wan Shu, start their studies earlier than the freshmen.
Thinking back to their four years of undergraduate studies, the two of them were so focused on their studies that they didn't even have a chance to properly explore the city of Shanghai.
This time, they decided to take advantage of the holiday to return to Shanghai early and go out for some fun.
Mr. and Mrs. Huang have also returned to Changcheng. They alternate between living in the two places, and also to collect their pensions in Changcheng. Nowadays, pensions are collected in cash from the factory. (In the early 1990s, salaries were already paid through bank accounts, so the two elderly people won't have to go through that trouble anymore.)
Mr. and Mrs. Huang also wanted to see their eldest daughter, A-Ping. They loved both of them dearly and couldn't bear to part with either of them. They also had to see Zhiyuan's son, who was their great-grandson.
Life has returned to its usual rhythm.
. . . . . . . .
In the alleyways of the former textile factory's residential area.
The peeling wooden door of Old Wu's house was ajar, and Old Wu's family was living a chaotic life.
Old Wu stared at Xiao Jun, who was sitting on the bed playing video games, with a gloomy face, and his anger flared up.
Although he knew he was selfish, Xiao Jun was, after all, the only son of the Wu family to carry on the family line.
Nowadays, cotton mills no longer recruit graduates, and even the path to entering cotton mills through textile technical schools has been blocked. Although the spot was given to Xiaomin back then, Xiaojun's studies were still good at that time. However, in the two years before Shanshan went to university, Xiaojun's grades plummeted. How could Lao Wu not be anxious?
Shanshan is a girl, and she's an excellent student.
She never asked her family for money while she was in school, and occasionally she could even save some of her living expenses to help Xiaojun, which made things very easy for her.
Thinking back to those days, Lao Wu wanted Shanshan to start working as soon as possible to help support the family, but he was also worried that Xiaomin wouldn't get into university, which would make his sister lose face, and he would suffer as a result.
He then hatched a wicked plan to secretly change Shanshan's college application choices.
That is, the incident where Xiaojun caused a scene at school, and he didn't change his application to Shanshan's, disrupted his plans.
Amei didn't give him a kind look or let him have sex with her for half a month.
Shanshan went to university in Shanghai, so far away from home. He regrets it now, regrets changing Shanshan's college application. This incident has alienated Shanshan from him, and he won't be able to benefit from any of the good things in the future. How can he help with housework and ask for living expenses legitimately while he's away?
Old Wu was filled with regret. How could he have been so foolish back then, thinking only of his own pleasure and missing out on such a great support as Shan Shan?
Now, Xiaojun is the only person left by his side. He just wants Xiaojun to be able to take the entrance exam for a vocational school. No matter what, Xiaojun can get a stable job that is close to home, so he can call Xiaojun back immediately if he needs anything.
He's getting older and has to think about his retirement. He can't rely on his stepdaughter when he's old, and he still has to spend money on Xiaojun. He's feeling very anxious.
Even after Xiaojun went to middle school, he still wouldn't listen to me.
"Look at you, if you don't study now, I don't think you'll even pass the entrance exam for vocational school, and you won't even have a job then."
Xiao Jun stared intently at the game console screen, his hands skillfully pressing the buttons, thoroughly enjoying himself without even looking up.
“Dad, I think doing business is a good thing. Xiaomin earns a lot every month. So what if she got into university? She’s in Shanghai, and every day she’s either tutoring or going to the library. She’s only a junior this year, and she still has two years until graduation. Nobody knows what will happen when she graduates.”
Xiao Jun felt that his father and stepmother had been good to him, and he had always been well-fed and clothed. His sister was also good to him, but he just couldn't concentrate on his studies.
When his older sister was around, she would supervise his studies, and his grades were passable.
But after his sister went to university and left home, she only came back once a year, so he gradually relaxed.
He now wants to do business like Sister Xiaomin and make a lot of money.
Zhang Amei sat to the side, eating a popsicle.
Watching Lao Wu scold Xiao Jun, the corners of her mouth turned up slightly. She felt smug. Her own Xiao Min was so sensible and worry-free. Now her clothing business was doing incredibly well.
Although Huang Ling's children, Tu Nan and Xiao Ting, both got into university and then graduate school, they still don't have jobs. They can't compare to Xiao Min's abilities.
Old Wu stopped scolding and turned to look at his sister. "Sister, how about we ask Teacher Zhuang to tutor our Xiaojun?"
When Zhang Amei heard Lao Wu's idea of tutoring Xiao Jun, the popsicle in her hand suddenly lost its appeal.
She glared at Old Wu, rolling her eyes. "Tutoring? They moved away a long time ago. Why should they tutor our Xiaojun for free? We only have this much money. If you want to throw money away, then you can do what you want!"
Old Wu looked at A-mei, then glanced at Xiao-jun, who lacked ambition.
Old Wu looked at A-mei, then at the unambitious Xiao-jun. He didn't want to live the life he used to. With A-mei around, he could eat whatever he wanted and wear clean clothes. It was impossible for Xiao-jun to take care of him like A-mei did. His spirits immediately deflated.
"Then let Xiaojun go to a technical school. Technical schools have lower admission scores than vocational high schools, so at least he'll have a place to study."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Jun nodded hurriedly: "Okay, I'll go to a technical school."
Just then, Aunt Li's loud shouts came from outside the yard. "Xiao Jun, Shan Shan is calling!"
Upon hearing this, Xiao Jun immediately threw down his game console, slipped on his slippers, and ran out in a flash.
He picked up the phone. "Sis, I miss you. When are you coming back?"
Changing the subject, Xiao Jun muttered, "By the way, sis, Zhuang Xiaoting and Lin Dongzhe both got into Fudan University."
Shanshan listened to her younger brother's words. "Have you been studying hard lately?"
"Sister, I don't want to go to school anymore, I want to set up a stall."
On the other end of the phone, Shanshan earnestly advised her younger brother.
"Xiaojun, I've told you so many times, our family isn't well-off, we have no connections, studying and taking the high school entrance exam is the only way out, why won't you listen? Starting today, I won't give you any pocket money anymore, we'll talk about it after your high school entrance exam."
After saying that, Shanshan hung up the phone.
She felt regretful, blaming herself for spoiling Xiaojun too much, which had led him to develop such a personality, always thinking that making money was easy, that everyone was nice to him, and that the world was too beautiful for him.
But making money in society isn't that easy.
Xiao Jun is a boy, so his father definitely won't abandon him, since he's counting on him to support him in his old age.
But she was different; she had no one to rely on but herself.
The night gave me a pair of black eyes, and I will use them to find my own light.
To change her fate, Shanshan threw herself into her studies.
Not only did she study English diligently, but she also actively participated in various school activities and voluntarily helped teachers with their affairs, all in order to secure a government-sponsored scholarship for international students from her advisor.
When Shanshan entered university, she was shocked to realize how narrow-minded she had been.
I took the college entrance exam partly because of Tu Nan, and partly because I wanted to escape that oppressive family.
I used to think that going to university would just mean a higher salary, a bigger library than the one at No. 1 High School, and more books to read. Looking back now, I realize how naive and simple I was.
University not only broadened her horizons but also expanded her spiritual dimension. It allowed her to see classes that people from lower classes could not see, and to sit and study with people from different classes, which increased her network of contacts.
As a child, Shan Shan was taught that "everyone is equal," but when she went to university, she discovered that class differences have always existed.
Now, Shanshan is focused on her studies and has no interest in dating. In her opinion, men will only be obstacles to her progress. If she were to find someone as irresponsible and selfish as her father, she would rather not find anyone at all.
Now, all I can think about is realizing my dream of studying abroad on a government scholarship and creating a new future for myself.
. . . . . . . . .