Chapter 125 Xiao Pingle Enters the City

"I don't care! Why are you two so biased? You always favor the third family. My husband, the second son, is the actual backbone of this household; he’s the one who will be responsible for taking care of you both in your old age. Why didn't you consider him for such a good opportunity? You’ve been so biased that it’s as if your hearts have drifted all the way to the Xiaoqu River.

Today, you must give me an explanation. If you don't, you old fossils won't even think about leaving this house!"

Wait, that sounds exactly like Second Aunt.

Xiao Weiguo quickly squeezed his way inside. The courtyard was so packed with people that it felt like there was hardly room to stand. Were they all so idle today? It felt like everyone had come just to watch the drama.

In the main room, it was indeed Second Aunt. She stood there, pointing a finger at Grandma, panting heavily as if she had suffered a great grievance. Grandma sat on a chair to the side, her face twisted in displeasure. Xiao Weiguo’s father stood off to the side, silent; it was hard to tell if he had already tried to speak or simply didn't know what to say. Second Uncle was nowhere to be seen.

Xiao Hongmei and the others were in another room, watching the scene in the main hall with worry. When they saw their eldest brother arrive, their eyes lit up instantly. With their eldest brother here, everything would be fine. In Xiao Weijun’s heart, Xiao Weiguo’s stature was as tall as a skyscraper.

Seeing them wanting to come out, Xiao Weiguo quickly waved them back. The situation wasn't clear yet; children shouldn't get involved in adult matters.

Before Xiao Weiguo could say anything, the neighbors in the courtyard noticed him and his grandfather, Xiao Tieniu, and began offering congratulations in a cacophony of voices:

"Fourth Uncle, you are truly blessed! Another city dweller in the family. Once he’s settled, you must look after our family too."

"Weiguo is so capable. Not only did he get into the city himself, but he even found a way to get his father in. That’s amazing! I wonder when my son will ever do something like that for me."

"Xiao Pingxi’s wife is truly shameless, coming here to make a scene with Fourth Uncle and Fourth Aunt. I heard it was Weiguo who did the legwork for this."

It seemed the news had spread throughout the production brigade. It was hard to say who had leaked it, but it certainly made things more difficult.

Grandfather blocked Xiao Weiguo and stepped into the main room, saying to Second Aunt, "You, the second daughter-in-law, what are you making a scene for? This job quota wasn't something I managed to get. Do you think I can just hand it out to whoever I want? Get back home, you’re just embarrassing yourself."

"I’m not leaving today! The third family already has one quota; it’s my family's turn next. I don't care how this quota was obtained, I want a city job for my Xiao Pingxi!" Second Aunt shouted to everyone in the courtyard.

Xiao Weiguo felt he had to say something.

"Second Aunt, the notice has already been issued, and the details cannot be changed. I will keep an eye out in the city to see if there are any other opportunities, alright?"

"That’s not good enough! Don't try to fool me. I want this quota, and nothing else." She acted as if everyone owed her something.

Xiao Weiguo found this unreasonable badgering unbearable. He turned to his father, Xiao Pingle, and said, "Dad, let’s go."

He started walking toward the brigade office, intending to get the referral letter and head to the city immediately. He had no time for this meaningless bickering.

Unexpectedly, seeing them about to leave, Second Aunt rushed over and grabbed Xiao Pingle’s arm tightly, saying, "As long as I’m here, nobody is leaving!"

"Second Aunt, grabbing your brother-in-law’s arm in public like this—the impression isn't very good, is it?"

Xiao Weiguo’s remark made the villagers in the courtyard burst into laughter. Second Aunt hurriedly let go, baring her teeth at the crowd, "What are you laughing at? Do you think it’s easy for me to fight for Xiao Pingxi?"

Seeing her fervor subside, Xiao Weiguo quickly added, "Second Aunt, I will definitely keep an eye out for new opportunities in the city. You wait at home for my news, and I’ll let you know as soon as something comes up."

There wouldn't be any opportunities; the city would soon begin round after round of downsizing. When that time came, he would just say the environment was difficult and there was nothing he could do. After all, she was an elder; he couldn't exactly lay a hand on her.

Hearing this, Second Aunt felt she had achieved her goal for the day. In truth, she knew her demands wouldn't be met—the documents clearly stated the name was Xiao Pingle, not Xiao Pingxi. She had used the scene as a tactic to gain some leverage later and to remind Xiao Weiguo that he still had a Second Uncle. But she didn't stop to think about what this Second Uncle had ever done for Xiao Weiguo. Why should he help?

Grandfather told the crowd in the courtyard, "Everyone, disperse, go on now."

He then led Grandma toward the brigade office to get the referral letter. With an elder like him present, the brigade leaders wouldn't dare make things difficult for them, ensuring the process went more smoothly.

At the brigade office, Xiao Gonglin was working, looking troubled. There was still no news about the grain supply, and the families in the brigade were becoming impossible to appease. What was to be done?

When Xiao Weiguo’s group arrived and explained the situation, Xiao Gonglin didn't pose any obstacles. He quickly wrote out the brigade referral letter, stamped it, and handed it to Xiao Pingle.

After a brief exchange, the group hurried back home. Seeing Grandma following along, Xiao Weiguo reached out to support her.

Suddenly, Grandma gave Xiao Weiguo a light slap on the head and said, "You foolish grandson, who told you to bring so much grain home? Have you run out of your own rations? You don't listen, you just don't listen."

As she spoke, she gave him two more light pats on the shoulder. It didn't hurt at all.

"Grandma, I have enough. It’s just me. Once you get it home, eat well. Remember to let Hongmei, Weijun, and Zhaodi get some extra nutrition—don't let the children go hungry. If the grain isn't enough, tell me, and I’ll find a way."

Grandma nodded repeatedly. "Enough, it’s definitely enough. No one in the brigade went to work today because everyone was making a fuss this morning. Your Uncle Gonglin said the grain supply is coming soon. He also said that everywhere is having a bumper harvest, and in the south, some places are harvesting 30,000 jin of rice per mu. There’s plenty of food. We should rest easy."

This lie wouldn't hold for long. After all, everyone would eventually vote with their stomachs. Whether the country had enough grain would be perfectly reflected in their hunger.

Xiao Weiguo didn't dwell on it; it had little to do with his family for now. He turned to his father, Xiao Pingle, and said, "Dad, go home and pack your clothes and identification documents. Don't take anything else. We’re heading to the city immediately to report for duty tomorrow."

"Leaving now? I was thinking of having a meal with a few old friends tonight," Xiao Pingle said hesitantly.

"And have a few drinks and brag? Aren't you afraid Second Aunt will come after your ankles? Our brigade just had this whole scene, and those two brothers aren't even on speaking terms anymore. By the way, tell me honestly, was it you who let the news slip?" Grandfather Xiao Tieniu confronted him directly.

The person in question remained silent.

Xiao Weiguo suddenly realized what had happened. Only a few people knew, and Uncle Gonglin was tight-lipped. It must have been during lunch; his father simply couldn't keep his mouth shut.

Looking at his father, Xiao Weiguo felt a pang of regret, wondering if getting him this job was the right thing to do. Then, he reminded himself that the main point was that Weijun and the others could move their household registration to the city. It was a benefit to Xiao Pingle. Otherwise, with his father’s limited foresight, staying in the brigade to farm honestly would have been the best choice.

Xiao Weiguo, his grandfather, and his grandmother all looked at Xiao Pingle with disdain, causing him to lower his head in shame.

Well, at least he felt guilty—there was still hope for him yet.