Transmigration: On the Gossip Front-Chapter 1976 - 1977: Old Mrs. Zhang Reborn in the 1970s, Reforming Her Ungrateful Children 8
Widow Luo wanted to hold her ground and not let anyone see how intimidated she was, but there was no way around it; that stick was right there on the ground.
After swallowing hard, she thought one last time, better to retreat. What if this lunatic really starts swinging?
Auntie Wang and Granny Jiang had previously heard Zhang Yu mention that her ancestors were bodyguards at an escort agency, but they didn’t expect Zhang Yu to know martial arts.
After all, they all knew Zhang Yu’s father passed away early, or rather that most of her family perished during those eight years.
Granny Jiang was really curious, "Old Zhang, wasn’t your father around when you were young?"
"Childhood skills." Zhang Yu certainly knew the original character wasn’t that proficient in martial arts, especially since the original character’s father died early. "Back then, you couldn’t survive without knowing a bit of Kung Fu."
"My dad introduced me to it and taught me some basic martial arts." Zhang Yu sighed, "The deeper family martial arts weren’t taught because I was young."
No way around it, she might know a bit of martial arts, but the legacy of the Zhang Family is really beyond her; she simply can’t fabricate anything.
Although the original family left only Zhang Yu, the Zhang Family’s ancestors took on many disciples. What if some of their descendants are still around, and you meet them? That’d be awkward, so it’s better to just say she knows the basics.
Even when confronted by so-called fellow disciples, Zhang Yu wouldn’t flinch, as she’s familiar with only the most basic skills.
"Otherwise, with such a chaotic family background, how could a young girl like me survive?" Everyone knew she was an orphan, and Zhang Yu thought this persona was not bad.
The crowd nodded in agreement, yeah, in that chaotic, precarious era, it was hard for anyone, even grown men, to survive.
Uncle Ge was shocked when he heard Zhang Yu say she knew martial arts, "But when I read novels, aren’t they always training?"
Indeed, indeed, everyone nodded along; Uncle Ge’s point wasn’t wrong.
Widow Luo returned home but kept her ears perked listening to the conversation in the courtyard. When she heard Uncle Ge say this, she agreed.
Yeah, he’s right; aren’t the storytellers always talking about martial arts masters training tirelessly through the seasons?
The original character certainly didn’t train much, didn’t want to stand out, and had too many things going on. "I didn’t train outside; I trained at home."
Zhang Yu answered decisively, "With so much to do every day, I trained at home every day."
Zhang Yu didn’t care if they believed her or not; this was her answer. "At first, I was embarrassed, but as time passed, I worried about exercising in the courtyard—isn’t it a bit inappropriate?"
"Moreover, as the kids grew up, I worried that outsiders knowing I, as an old woman, knew martial arts would assume I might hit my daughter-in-law, so I didn’t train outside."
"Now you know I know martial arts, and there aren’t as many chores at home, so I train outside."
Zhang Yu spoke more and more smoothly, feeling this was the reason the original character hadn’t exercised publicly. In those days, introductions mostly went through matchmakers, and if the other side heard the mother-in-law knew martial arts, the woman would surely think twice.
Everyone nodded; Zhang Yu’s explanation made sense, for if they were the girl’s parents and heard her mother-in-law knew martial arts, their first concern would be what if she hits someone.
Granny Hao, Uncle Ge’s wife, was also listening on the side, "Granny Zhang, aren’t you worried now?"
"What am I worried about? The family’s split already; let things be. Besides, they’ve been here for years—have I ever hit anyone?"
"All these years I’ve been conscientious and hard-working." Zhang Yu snorted coldly, "Forget it, it’s all in the past, no point in mentioning it."
"I used to think that harmony brings prosperity; today’s doctor visit taught me there’s a bigger concern than harmony—my health." The original character’s view was sound, but she didn’t expect her children, whether sons or daughters, to be unreliable. 𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖
"Alright, I’ll go have some food and take a nap." Zhang Yu went inside, prepared a simple meal, then planned to rest.
As for the dirty clothes in the basin, Zhang Yu pretended not to see them; they weren’t the old couple’s clothes anyway, so why bother?
After waking up, Zhang Yu felt groggy and checked her watch—it was already half-past three.
Luckily, Wei He had said in the morning he’d take his granddaughter Wei Lan to Miao Miao Class, otherwise, she’d have had to babysit.
Zhang Yu knew this was her younger daughter-in-law Li Juan’s way of showing discontent toward the old woman, wanting to tell her that if she doesn’t help them out now, don’t expect care in her old age.
Ha-ha, she didn’t need to ask why she knew. Last night she was out walking, and when she got home, she scolded her two sons for not washing dishes. After they went back inside, Li Juan vented out loud inside the house.
Zhang Yu truly didn’t understand where Li Juan’s confidence came from; oh right, the old woman doesn’t have a job and expects them to support her in old age.
Sorry, but she never planned to rely on them in her old age; save the money she didn’t give them before, buy a property to rent out—isn’t that a better plan?
If only Wei Dazhi lived longer, they’d have his pension to rely on; as long as they stay healthy, the pension would be enough for the two of them.
Oh, and by the way, as sons and daughters, supporting parents is their duty. If they don’t do it, Zhang Yu wouldn’t flinch; the house wouldn’t go to them.
She yawned, boiled water for tea, leisurely sat doing some stretching exercises, then went to pick up three kids from kindergarten.
As for her eldest granddaughter Wei Lili, she’s already a grade-schooler and can come home with friends.
Right, today’s a workday, why’s Teacher Ge at home again? He sneaked back home, probably taking advantage of no classes to have lunch, go fishing, then return by three.
Though the outside world is chaotic, kids aren’t studying diligently, teachers aren’t attentive, Teacher Ge’s apathy is quite blatant.
Having such a teacher seems to be a small stroke of luck.
Among the grandchildren, only Wei He and Li Juan’s kids made it to college, showing some promise. Probably because Li Juan works in the hospital, she recognizes the importance of education.
Yet despite their achievements, it’s not like they take care of Zhang Yu, even though the original character was good to them as kids—giving them treasured items for college, marriage, and childbirth.
In the end, when it comes to money, they’re all "granny this, granny that" but as soon as they get what they want, they ignore her completely.
Hmm, in this lifetime, Zhang Yu has no intention of giving them any cherished items; better to trade them for property.
Property has rental income, serving as a backbone for retirement; these thankless kids don’t deserve the good stuff.
