Daily Life in the 70s-Chapter 108: Implementation

Chapter 108: Implementation

Following that, Shen Erniu again said, "Moreover, spreading this out might make it difficult for the school. If you give gifts to one class, will the other classes receive them too? Do the other teachers have no objections?"

After all, Shen Erniu had served in the army and seen the world outside and had been a highly-regarded storekeeper in the team for nearly ten years. His perspective and decisiveness were still there.

"Dad, what do you think of this idea? Let the children bring a piece of firewood when they come to receive the gifts. Even if outsiders see it, they won’t have much to say, and everyone knows our family’s situation. Yiguang has joined the army, leaving only the elderly, women, and children at home. We simply do not have as much labor strength as other families. It wouldn’t be unreasonable to ask for some help, don’t you think?"

Shen Erniu laughed heartily and nodded continuously. "You have thought this through very well; that will work fine. Even if someone is minded to criticize, they won’t easily find faults."

Yang PeiMin pursed her lips and smiled, "I’m still young; I don’t consider everything thoroughly—still need the reminders from older generations like you, mom, and dad."

In Chen Guizhi’s eyes and eyebrows, all was mirth; "You are an honest child."

Shen Erniu smiled and nodded agreeably, very pleased with his daughter-in-law. The more he observed, the more satisfied he became.

"My dear, what have they arranged on your in-laws’ side? Though you married into our family, you are still their daughter, and we wouldn’t stop you from fulfilling filial duties there. You don’t have to hesitate, your father and I don’t mind at all," Chen Guizhi indicated, following Shen Erniu’s cue. Currently, many household decisions were also made by Yang PeiMin, especially regarding kitchen purchases; the old couple had indeed let go.

And the daughter-in-law managed it very well. Even though she was a bit extravagant, particularly about food and not very frugal, what was rare was that she didn’t hoard for herself. She was generous and kind to everyone in the family, always thinking of ways to prepare nutritious meals even for the elder sister-in-law’s family of three living with them without a hint of resentment.

They reciprocated the gesture subtly and reminded her to also lend a hand to her own family. They heard that the Yang Family had spent quite a bit of money before the New Year and their life was not as comfortable as before. Besides, since she could be so generous with the students, she should indeed do more for her own family. fɾeeweɓnѳveɭ.com

Yang PeiMin nodded. Since she had her income, she had specifically visited the Yang family and suggested to Zhang Minghua that she would give her parents five yuan each month as a token of filial piety.

Yang Dahai had even scolded her at that time, questioning which married daughter aids her parents this way, asserting the family wasn’t starving, just eating less.

Yang PeiMin had persuasively advised with heartfelt words that now she could support herself independently, it had nothing to do with her in-laws. The money was not for any other purpose; she only wanted her parents to buy more eggs to improve their health. If they didn’t accept it, she would constantly worry and not be at peace.

She hadn’t informed Chen Guizhi or Shen Erniu about this, fearing they might disagree, considering the tradition that once married, her obligations lay with her husband’s family. Her second reasoning was, after all, it was her own money, and she had the right to spend it as she wished.

But now that Chen Guizhi brought it up, Yang PeiMin felt acknowledged and took the opportunity to disclose her plans, "Since my parents mentioned this, I planned to give my parents five yuan every month as filial piety. My mother had also spent some money because of certain events. My parents had even incurred debts because of my marriage to Yang Pei. They have started to live more frugally than ever, let alone afford meat once or twice a month."

The Shen family elders had no objections.

Yang PeiMin finally felt relieved and focused wholeheartedly on her own affairs.

After settling the matter of exchanging student credits for gifts with the elders, she returned the next day and immediately implemented the plan.

Teacher Huang, the class adviser, hadn’t expected her to use this method.

He appraised her while exclaiming, "Mr. Yang’s family is really good; can afford to give out thirty or forty eggs a month?"

Pei Min sighed helplessly, "You know about my family’s situation, it’s harder when the man isn’t at home. Just now, the firewood at home began to run low, and the elderly are frail at home. Besides, I can’t just drop everything and go gather wood right away, can I? So, I thought of this clumsy way, asking the students to bring some twigs and firewood from the mountainside at the end of each month."

"This is a perfect solution."

Teacher Huang smiled and nodded, "I see."

Pei Min didn’t care whether she was indifferent or not, and after finishing a class, she announced her plan.

The students, upon hearing that they could get a small gift for perfect monthly attendance, were exceptionally enthusiastic.

They chattered excitedly, and finally, when Pei Min revealed the surprise, there was a burst of cheers.

"Wow, eggs! We had them during the New Year, but not now, my mom said to save them for my brother to make egg custard."

"I’ll definitely come every day, and not be late."

"Mr. Yang, I’ll make sure to pick some thick and durable firewood for you."

"Mr. Yang, you’re really kind, I’ll definitely listen carefully."

Seeing these excited and content faces, Pei Min also felt exceptionally fulfilled. The children were no problem, but if the parents disagreed, then she might have to see if she could communicate with them.

She also decided to write a character on a small bamboo strip as a token of recognition, to distribute to the attending children after classes, and accumulate it until the end of the month to exchange for eggs.

After school, the children followed Pei Min closely like little tails, crowding around as they left the classroom, their faces upturned, blinking their innocent eyes, talking in their childish language.

"Mr. Yang, my brother made me a bamboo gun, it shoots inedible wild fruit like bullets, it’s really cool."

"Mr. Yang, I caught two fish after school yesterday, you should come over for dinner tonight, my mom makes delicious fish soup."

"Mr. Yang, I, I listened to you, and helped my mom with household chores after school..."

"Mr. Yang, I, I really like you, can you keep teaching us?"

Pei Min patted their little heads, smiling, "I like you all too, and I hope to keep teaching you."

Although the time wasn’t long, she had come to understand the personality of every child in her class and was familiar with their situations; it didn’t take long for them to bond emotionally. Perhaps it was her gentle appearance and her youthful age that made the children fond of her and like to hang around her asking questions.

"Mr. Yang gets along so well with the children!" A cheerful male voice called out from ahead, the voice clear and refreshing like a spring, imbuing a sense of revitalization.

Pei Min looked up, standing three meters away was Mr. Hao, dressed in a simple Zhongshan suit, his short hair neat, face handsome, slim but tall, smiling as he paused to greet her.