September arrived, and Cheng Wenyu started school.
Cheng You specially bought him a new backpack and stationery, and walked him to the school gate.
“I’ll say it again, since you’ve decided to continue your studies, you need to cut ties with those people from before. Otherwise, don’t blame me for not recognizing you as my brother.”
Cheng Wenyu waved his hand impatiently, “How many times have you said that? I’ve had no contact with them for a long time.”
Cheng You was still not entirely at ease, but there was nothing she could do. She couldn’t possibly keep an eye on Cheng Wenyu all day long.
“Then you go in. If there’s anything you don’t understand, ask me when you get home, I’ll tutor you.”
Watching Cheng Wenyu enter the school, Cheng You then rode her bicycle away.
This was borrowed from Uncle Li, and she had to return it.
As soon as she reached Wujing Village, and before she could even return the bicycle, she saw Song Yulian running over.
“Cheng You, can I borrow your bicycle?”
Cheng You found her inexplicable. Their relationship wasn’t good.
“My dad is the production team leader. If you want to borrow a bicycle, why don’t you borrow it directly from the team? This is Uncle Li’s, and he needs it. I have to return it.”
She didn’t dare to leave for too long. If she encountered a patient who needed urgent treatment and the bicycle wasn’t returned in time, it would cause a delay.
Song Yulian explained sheepishly, “The team’s bicycles have been borrowed by the educated youths from the commune.”
Cheng You shrugged, “Then there’s nothing I can do. Move aside, I need to go back.”
Song Yulian had no choice but to let go, gnashing her teeth in annoyance.
She was her stepmother, her elder, and yet she wouldn’t even lend her a bicycle.
After some thought, Song Yulian had to go to Old Zhao’s house to find Cheng Tao.
“Borrow a bicycle? Mom, why don’t you go borrow it from the team?”
Cheng You had said this, and Song Yulian was already displeased. She hadn’t expected Cheng Tao to say the same thing.
“What are you saying? I am your birth mother, can’t I come and borrow a bicycle from you?”
Cheng Tao was somewhat reluctant, not because she was unwilling to lend it, but because she had no say in this household.
“Then I’ll ask my mother-in-law. You know what kind of person she is…”
Song Yulian said, “Then hurry up.”
After much persuasion, Cheng Tao finally borrowed a bicycle from Wang Hongxia.
“Mom, where are you rushing to like this?”
“To the commune!”
Cheng Tao was stunned for a moment, “What are you going to the commune for?”
Song Yulian glanced at her irritably, “Don’t you know Cheng Wenyu is starting school today?”
Cheng Tao realized, “Last time I heard Cheng Wenyu was going back to school, I thought you weren’t going to bother with this matter.”
She was now living in Old Zhao’s house, and she couldn’t manage the Cheng family’s affairs even if she wanted to.
Song Yulian snorted, “I didn’t give your father a son. You know how much he values this son.”
Cheng Wenyu’s relationship with them was bad now. When he grew up and became successful, he might even kick her out of the house.
Could she count on him for support in her old age? Absolutely not.
Since that was the case, it would be better to completely ruin him.
Cheng Tao took her hand, “Mom, you and Dad aren’t that old. Why don’t you have another child?”
Song Yulian was not yet forty, and Cheng Tianhua was just past forty. Their age was not too advanced.
As long as a son was born, Cheng Tianhua wouldn’t care about Cheng Wenyu anymore.
Song Yulian hesitated, touching her belly.
Previously, it was because she wasn’t in a proper position that she dared not have a child.
After she finally managed to marry into the Cheng family, she was already older.
She had heard others say that giving birth at an older age was risky, which made her have second thoughts.
Cheng Tao urged, “Mom, have another one.”
Song Yulian pushed her hand away, “We’ll talk about it later. I need to deal with Cheng Wenyu’s matter first.”
Cheng Tao nodded, “That’s right, we can’t let him study.”
In a couple of years, the college entrance examination would be reinstated. If Cheng Wenyu studied now, he might really get into college and turn his life around.
At that time, Cheng Tianhua would have no eyes for her and Song Yulian.
…
Cheng You was actually also concerned about Cheng Wenyu, worried that he would get involved with those people again.
If he still didn’t behave this time, she really wouldn’t know what to do.
She almost dropped the medicinal herbs several times while pounding them, startling Qi Chengyan into taking the pestle from her hand.
“What are you thinking about?”
Cheng You clapped her hands, her small face full of distress.
“I took my brother to school today, and I’m just a bit worried.”
“Worried?”
Cheng You pouted and nodded, “Worried that he’ll get involved with those people again. You don’t know, they are not good people.”
In her dream, those people had tricked Cheng Wenyu and pushed him out to take the blame.
Could such people be good?
Cheng Wenyu was only thirteen years old, and he had been spoiled by his family. His temperament was far less steady than San Leng’s.
“If you’re that worried, then go pick him up from school,” Qi Chengyan said.
Cheng You looked at her hands and made a decision.
“Then I’ll talk to Uncle Li, and I’ll leave early today to pick him up from school.”
Qi Chengyan hummed, “I’ll take you.”
“But Uncle Li only has one bicycle at home.”
“We’ll take the tractor.”
Cheng You’s smile bloomed like a flower, making her extremely happy.
“That sounds great! We’ll take the tractor!”
Qi Chengyan wasn’t using public property for personal gain. He was supposed to deliver something to the commune tomorrow anyway.
If he went today, he wouldn’t have to go tomorrow.
He went back to get the tractor, and Cheng You waited at the village entrance.
From a distance, she saw Sun Xiaowan and Duan Liping sitting in the back.
Cheng You’s small mouth immediately pursed, that clingy girl, why was she everywhere.
The tractor stopped, and Qi Chengyan motioned for her to get on.
Cheng You reluctantly got on.
Sun Xiaowan chuckled, “What’s with that expression? You snatched the man I liked, and I haven’t even complained yet!”
Cheng You’s chin was raised high, looking smug.
“Even if you dislike me, he’s my boyfriend now!”
Sun Xiaowan leaned over from the back, glaring at the back of Cheng You’s head, “Are you really dating?”
Cheng You’s eyes widened, and she turned to look at her.
“Could this be a lie? He, Qi Chengyan, is my boyfriend now!”
After saying that, she leaned close to Qi Chengyan’s cheek and looked at him expectantly, “Right?”
A slight curve appeared on Qi Chengyan’s lips, disappearing as quickly as it appeared.
“Yes.”
Sun Xiaowan’s face fell. Who was Qi Chengyan? How could he easily date someone?
Now that he had admitted it, it meant he had chosen Cheng You.
She had no hope left.
“Tch! What are you so proud of!”
Duan Liping tugged at her arm, her eyes full of disapproval.
“Xiaowan, don’t be like that.”
She thought Cheng You would be angry, but instead, Cheng You turned around and stuck out her tongue, making a funny face.
“I’m proud! I have a boyfriend, and you don’t! Humph!”
Sun Xiaowan’s face turned red with anger, “It’s just a boyfriend, I’ll have one too someday!”
“But you don’t have one now! Na na na na!”
Sun Xiaowan glared at her indignantly. Her face was so annoying!
“I don’t want to talk to you, turn your head away.”
Cheng You replied, “I won’t! I’ll make you so angry!”
Duan Liping: “…”
Why did this feel like a childish argument?