Two generations of military wives compete for time

"Sister-in-law, ever since my brother died, my mother fell ill and passed away the following year. My father is now deaf, blind and mentally confused," said Uncle Hongmei.

"Your niece Hongmei was admitted to university. She returned to her hometown, Huimayu Village, Taitou Township, Pingzhou County, to worship her ancestors and thank them for their blessings." Sister-in-law Hao Xia explained.

"Children from cities are so blessed. Our daughter Hongying was admitted to the No. 1 Middle School in the county this year. However, because our family is poor, we as parents cannot afford it, so we don't let our child go to high school. I feel bad, and Hongying feels even worse. She has a sad face all the time. When will these poor days end?" Aunt Hongmei said enviously.

"Most girls in the village stop studying after graduating from primary school. They cook, wash clothes, cut grass and feed livestock at home. They are half of the family's labor force. Hongying has graduated from junior high school, so she is not at a disadvantage. I heard that the Daoguan Township Textile Factory is looking for female workers who earn as much as male laborers. When she turns 18, we will let her sign up." said Uncle Hongmei.

Uncle Hongmei and aunt Hongmei have four children, two daughters and two sons. Hongying is the oldest, 16 years old, and the youngest is 10 years old. They mainly make a living on a few acres of hillside land. The three adobe houses in the family were built with the pension given by the state when Li Weiguo died.

Qian Yizhen thought of his childhood and youth, when he was also in such poverty. Fortunately, his grandfather Lu Kaipu and grandmother Chen Yalu spared no efforts in the rescue operation, otherwise there would be no Qian Yizhen today.

Hongmei and sister-in-law Hao Xia carried the ancestral worship supplies they brought from the provincial capital and went to the Li family camp to visit the graves under the guidance of Uncle Hongmei.

Qian Yizhen learned face to face about the academic performance of the four children of Uncle Hongmei's family. He learned that Hongying was admitted to the No. 1 Middle School in the county with excellent grades, and Hongyan was in the second grade of junior high school and was among the top three in the class.

Qian Yizhen asked: "Hongying, Hongyan, do you want to continue studying?"

"Auntie, of course we want to study, but our family conditions do not allow it. It's good enough that our parents can afford to support my sister and me to finish junior high school. Most girls in our village stop studying after graduating from elementary school." Hongying said.

"Hongying, Hongyan, auntie will pay your tuition and let you continue your studies and go to university like Hongmei, is that okay?" "Okay, thank you kind auntie. I'm afraid dad won't agree. Let's wait for him to come back and ask him." Hongying said a little frustrated.

Qian Yizhen looked at the dirty grandfather and the dirty yard and said: "How about a few of us help grandpa clean up? The girls will be responsible for washing clothes, bed sheets, quilt covers, and cleaning the room, and the boys will be responsible for bathing grandpa, changing his clothes, and cleaning the yard.

The four children took active action. When Hongmei, sister-in-law Hao Xia, and uncle Hongmei came back from visiting the grave, a tidy courtyard and a clean grandfather appeared before them.

Hongmei said, "Such a big change has happened in the blink of an eye. It would be great if your home was clean and tidy like this every day." Aunt Hongmei said embarrassedly, "I work in the fields all day and I'm so tired. How can I have the energy to clean?"

Hongying said, "Dad, this aunt said that she would pay for me to go to high school and take the college entrance examination. Dad, please let me continue my studies." Uncle Hongmei asked in disbelief, "Is there really such a good thing? If it is true, Dad will agree to let you continue your studies."

Sister-in-law Hao Xia knew that Qian Yizhen had made up his mind: "Hongying, Hongyan, as long as you study hard, we will do our best to help you."

Aunt Hongmei said happily: "Hongying, Hongyan, you two have met a noble person. The ancestors' graves are full of joy. Thank you." Aunt Hongmei insisted that Hongying and Hongyan kneel down to pay homage to Qian Yizhen. Qian Yizhen quickly stepped forward to refuse: "Don't be polite. I only helped Hongying and Hongyan because they are good students."

Qian Yizhen said to Hongying, "This afternoon, I will send someone to the No. 1 Middle School in the county to handle the enrollment procedures for you and pay the tuition and miscellaneous fees. You just need to study hard."

Qian Yizhen said to Hongyan, "Use this 200 yuan to buy school supplies. When you are admitted to high school, let me know and I will pay for your tuition. You just need to study hard."

Aunt Hongmei borrowed some flour from the neighbors, baked a few pancakes, and entertained sister-in-law Hao Xia, Qian Yizheng, Hongmei, and the driver Xiaosun. Normally, their family did not have access to flour.

Qian Yizhen, Hao Xia's sister-in-law, Hongmei, and driver Xiaosun left Taitou Township, Pingzhou County and returned to Mayu Village. They came to the office building of Dream Come True Textile Co., Ltd. and asked driver Xiaosun to take Hao Xia's sister-in-law and Hongmei to the talent apartment to rest, and asked secretary Zhang Chuanren to go to Pingzhou County No. 1 Middle School.

Qian Yizhen sat in the general manager's office, flipping through the various documents and materials on his desk. He understood the company, textile factory, resort hotel project, brick factory, etc. He found problems and solved them in time.

At four o'clock in the afternoon, Qian Yizhen finished the work at hand. Qian Yizhen, sister-in-law Hao Xia, Hongmei, and driver Xiao Sun, a group of four, set off on their return journey.

On the way, Hao Xia's sister-in-law said with emotion: "Yizhen, after Li Weiguo died, I was lucky to listen to you and went to the provincial capital with you. If I hadn't met you, I would have only one choice, that is, to take Hongmei back to Huimayu Village, Taitou Township, Pingzhou County, where she was born, and live an extremely poor life. Even if I remarried, I would not meet a high-ranking person like Professor Chen, because people who have lived in poor mountain valleys for generations find it difficult to see the outside world. My mother and I are destined to be stuck in the quagmire of poverty, and Hongmei is even less likely to go to college. Yizhen, you are our guide, and you are our benefactor."

"Sister Hao Xia, you are too kind. I just gave you a suggestion. The choice is yours. It is the result of your own hard work."

"Aunt Yizhen, thank you for taking care of us over the years. I will remember every detail. When I grow up and have the ability, I will repay you in full." Li Hongmei said seriously.

"Hongmei, Aunt Yizhen accepts your gratitude, but please don't let it become a burden. Because living in society, people need to help each other and achieve win-win results. We met by chance, and it is the result of mutual warmth, happiness, and achievement. Don't you think this is reasonable?" Qian Yizhen explained.

At eight o'clock in the evening, I returned to my home in the provincial capital. Qian Yizhen gently pushed open the bedroom door, and Ming Yuanhui was reading fairy tales to Junge. "Yizhen, have you eaten? Is everything going well today? Are there any troubles?" Qian Yizhen put down her bag and changed into casual clothes: "Yuanhui, I haven't had dinner yet. I'll go to the kitchen later and just eat something. Today was pretty good. I met Hongmei's two cousins. They are good students and are facing the risk of dropping out of school. I have added two more poverty alleviation targets. You don't object, do you?"

"Wife, I still say the same thing. You have the final say in our family affairs and I fully support you.", "Jun Ge, use your cute little hands to massage mom's back. I'll go to the kitchen to cook for mom.", Jun Ge waved to his father: "Okay. You go and cook for mom." He said like an adult.

"Yizhen, Qian Baogui was admitted to the Provincial Experimental Middle School. I think this child is a good student and has the potential to be admitted to Peking University or Tsinghua University. This means that we are right to bring him to the provincial capital to study and train him."

"Yes, Qian Baogui suffered a lot when he was young, but he was ambitious despite the hardship. The Qian family's hopes are all on him. Qian Zuhui is a useless person, Qian Zuhua is a useless person, and Qian Baofu is on the verge of being useless. Sometimes I think I should help these three useless people, but I feel I don't know where to start. They are all hopeless. Well, let's just let nature take its course." Qian Yizheng said helplessly.

"Yizhen, it will be good for Qian Zuhui and Qian Baofu if Dad returns to Lijia Village. He can guide their lives as an elder. Take your time. I hope Qian Zuhui and Qian Baofu can live a normal life under Dad's influence."