People in the alley: A woman dressed as a man shouldn't be foolishly filial, Zhuang Chaoying

Meanwhile, at Lao Wu's house, the atmosphere was completely different.

On a worn-out table lay the same three dishes as always: stir-fried snake gourd, stir-fried dried tofu, and a plate of scrambled eggs.

The Wu family sat around the table, eating their meal in silence.

While absentmindedly shoveling rice into her mouth, Zhang Amei stared intently at Lao Wu with envious and jealous eyes, complaining incessantly, "Look at Song Ying and Huang Ling's families, they've both bought refrigerators. When will our family get one? We don't even have a glimpse of one yet."

Our family is already struggling financially, and we have to support three children through school. Look at you, how come you're not even close to what Mr. Lin and Teacher Zhuang are doing? Why don't you try to earn more money so that we can all have a better life?"

Old Wu lowered his head even further, gripping his chopsticks tightly, silently shoveling rice into his bowl, only muttering softly, "Eat quickly, or the rice will get cold!"

"Eat, eat, all you ever think about is eating! I need the fridge!"

Old Wu pouted, his cheeks puffed out, his face full of frustration but unable to vent it. He silently picked up a bite of egg, then quickly finished his meal as if fleeing a disaster. He slammed his bowl and chopsticks down on the table and said irritably, "I'm done eating! I'm going out for a walk!" Without waiting for Zhang Amei's response, he hurriedly got up, slipped on his slippers, and walked out of the house without looking back.

Watching Old Wu's retreating figure, Zhang Amei cursed inwardly, "I was so blind to marry such a good-for-nothing! I've had the worst luck in my life!"

Shanshan picked up a piece of egg for her younger brother and then picked one for herself, ignoring Zhang Amei's murderous glare.

"Xiaojun, eat more. Your sister will tutor you in your studies later."

Xiao Jun looked up at his sister and nodded understandingly, "I understand, sis!"

Shanshan had already come to a complete understanding of what kind of person her father was after he refused to let her go to high school. She understood that it was no wonder Zhang Amei complained all the time; the only one to blame was her father's cowardice.

She remembered what Teacher Zhuang had once said: "You have to fight for the path you walk."

These words were deeply imprinted in her heart. She was determined to change her fate through her own efforts and not live a life of mediocrity like her father.

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After washing up, Zhuang Chaoying returned to her room.

I reached out and turned on the dim bedside lamp. Just as I was about to take off my shoes and get into bed, I heard a loud argument coming from next door.

He frowned and looked at Huang Ling: "Ling, this thing next door is never going to stop. Doesn't the factory care?"

Huang Ling was sitting in a chair, applying face cream to her face in front of the mirror.

Hearing Zhuang Chaoying's words, she turned around and said, "Come here, let me wipe it for you too."

Zhuang Chaoying obediently walked over and brought her face close to Huang Ling's.

Huang Ling gently dabbed some face cream on Zhuang Chaoying's face with her finger, then spread it evenly.

Zhuang Chaoying wiped her face, sat down on the edge of the bed, and said irritably, "This constant noise is really making it impossible to have any peace and quiet."

Huang Ling screwed the cap off the face cream, lifted the mosquito net, and climbed into bed. "Why can't they manage it? The factory wants to manage it too, but there are too many things going on lately, and they can't handle everything. Wang Yong had surgery a few days ago, and the factory is trying to find a solution. I heard they're already working on a solution, and there should be results in a few days. Go to sleep."

Once Ah Ling lay down on the inside of the bed, Zhuang Chaoying reached out and turned off the bedside lamp.

Zhuang Chaoying held a fan in her hand, fanning herself intermittently.

Just as I closed my eyes and was about to fall asleep, I heard Huang Ling's gentle voice in my ear: "Chao Ying, I've thought about it and I agree to buy the house!"

Zhuang Chaoying's eyes snapped open. She turned around and met Ah Ling's gaze: "Really?"

Huang Ling gave a soft "hmm": "After we buy a house, Tu Nan will have a place to stay when he gets married. Look, our house is too small now, and there's nowhere for my parents to stay when they come over. Besides, I think the policies will definitely get better and better. Since we'll have to buy a house sooner or later, we might as well buy it sooner."

Zhuang Chaoying leaned close to Ah Ling and kissed her: "I knew it, my wife is smart and understands the big picture."

"Saturday morning at eight o'clock, Ah Ling, don't forget to ask for leave that day. We need to bring our marriage certificate and household registration book."

Huang Ling felt a little embarrassed by Zhuang Chaoying's actions, feeling as if Zhuang Chaoying's hot breath was about to hit her face. So she stretched out her foot and gently kicked Zhuang Chaoying aside: "Okay, it's too hot, go to sleep!"

Zhuang Chaoying was so excited that she couldn't sleep. Lying in bed, she thought about the two courtyards.

Finally, I can have a room with Ah Ling, and I don't have to squeeze together like we do now.

Half an hour passed, and I was wide awake, my eyes wide open, staring at the ceiling.

Listening to Ah Ling's even breathing, I started counting sheep in my mind, one, two, three... all the way up to two hundred and sixty-eight.

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Saturday morning.

The children are on holiday and are still sleeping inside.

Zhuang Chaoying and Huang Ling moved quietly around the room, not intending to wake them. They thought that the children had finally gotten some rest, so they should let them sleep a little longer.

Zhuang Chaoying made two cups of milk and took out a few twisted dough sticks from the cupboard, placing them on a plate.

Huang Ling sat at the table, holding a pen and writing instructions on a piece of paper. She told Tu Nan and Xiao Ting to eat breakfast after getting up, and that there were fried dough twists and milk powder at home, so they could make their own food.

After writing it down, she placed the note under the cup.

With everything ready, Zhuang Chaoying pushed out her bicycle, walked to the alley entrance, patted the seat, and gestured for Huang Ling to sit on it.

Huang Ling sat sideways on the back seat, one hand gently resting on Zhuang Chaoying's waist. Zhuang Chaoying steadily stepped onto the bicycle, pushed off with all her might, and the bicycle headed towards the Housing Bureau.

About twenty minutes later, they arrived at the housing authority.

Zhuang Chaoying found the bicycle shed and locked her bike.

The two stood in the shade near the entrance of the housing bureau, waiting.

Huang Ling kept raising her wrist to check her watch: "Chao Ying, it'll be eight o'clock in five minutes. Do you think that person is a scammer?" As she spoke, she subconsciously tucked her bag tightly under her arm.

Zhuang Chaoying couldn't help but laugh when she saw Huang Ling's nervous expression.

He leaned close to Huang Ling's ear and whispered, "Ling, relax. If you keep acting like this, everyone will know you have money in this bag. It's just self-deception!"

Huang Ling listened and, somewhat embarrassed, put her bag back on properly, but her eyes kept glancing around.

"Chaoying, it's past eight o'clock, why isn't he here yet!"

Zhuang Chaoying was actually as anxious as an ant on a hot pan, but she still tried to remain calm and comforted him, saying, "Wait a little longer. If they haven't come by 8:30, we'll go home."

Huang Ling nodded uneasily.

Zhuang Chaoying placed her briefcase on the steps: "Ah Ling, come and sit for a while, standing is tiring."

As soon as Huang Ling sat down, Zhuang Chaoying saw two figures slowly walking towards her from afar.

Squinting and looking closely, I realized it was Ah Quan and Uncle Liu.

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