“Uncle, don’t you know spreading rumours is illegal? My old classmate is already a public figure, and a girl at that. Her reputation is worth far more than mine. If she calls the police, I won’t help you.”
Song Shao was blunt with Song Foxiang, who took it in stride, huffing and ready to retort. Song’s father glanced at his troublesome brother. “Enough, stop teasing Shao. He’s more sensible about his future than you are. He’s not dating anyone now.”
Apart from Song Foxiang, the Song family was full of responsible people.
Song Foxiang chased women on impulse, but Song Shao, even if he felt something for a girl, would consider the future and not put her in a difficult spot.
With his own future uncertain, Song’s father trusted his son wouldn’t casually date.
He turned to warn Song Foxiang, forbidding him from bragging about Song Chan’s Yale admission. “Too much is as bad as too little. Don’t you get that? Chan’s just got a good start. How far she goes depends on you pushing her as a father. Have you even calculated how much her studies in the U.S. will cost? Got the money ready?”
Of course not.
Song Foxiang, usually so carefree, was caught off guard by his brother’s pointed question.
Though Yale offered scholarships for international students, covering tuition, board, and insurance, Song Chan’s miscellaneous expenses still fell on Song Foxiang.
Girls need clothes, don’t they?
Everyone has a car. Shouldn’t Song Chan have one?
While many expenses weren’t essential, Song Foxiang would rather overspend than skimp. Song Chan was so pretty; if she lacked money, what if some rich second-generation heir tricked her with small favours?
Song Chan dating was fine, even multiple times. Song Foxiang supported it wholeheartedly. Love comes and goes like the wind; she needed to date to know what she wanted.
Liking a foreign guy’s muscles was fine. Dating for looks wasn’t shameful. But dating for money? That was an insult to Song Chan’s dignity!
The more Song Foxiang thought, the more worried he got. “Big brother, you mean I need to earn more?”
Sell the house, maybe?
Song Shao and his father rejected that idea outright. Song’s father, exasperated, said, “Can’t you think of anything besides such drastic measures? Show some ambition in your career, like becoming chief editor again.”
A chief editor’s salary was much higher than a regular editor’s.
But that was only enough in Rongcheng.
The U.S. ran on dollars!
A monthly salary of 5,000 yuan was peanuts in dollars.
Supporting a student abroad on a fixed salary was brutally tough.
Song Foxiang, the poet who never bowed to money, was instantly deflated.
Call his ex-wife now for support, maybe?
Song Shao was speechless. “Uncle, you’re willing to swallow your pride and ask my ex-aunt for help, but not pick up your pen again? You’ve got fame and publishing connections others can’t touch. Study the market a bit. You don’t need a million-copy bestseller like Wen Ying, just a decently selling book.”
Song Foxiang glared. “You’re saying I’m not as good as that little girl Wen Ying?”
Song Shao smiled.
Writing has barriers and values experience. Song Foxiang was a literary veteran, but the market didn’t care.
Writing for money wasn’t shameful. Earning through talent was upright, a hundred times nobler than Wen Ying’s cousin morally blackmailing others!
Sure, in literary prowess, Song Foxiang would never admit defeat, but in market savvy, few could lecture Wen Ying now.
Lowering himself to learn from a junior like her? Song Foxiang felt it was too much. Yet Song Shao added, “It’s not even sure she’d help you, especially after you badmouthed her today…”
Song Foxiang jumped up. “Don’t talk nonsense! I didn’t badmouth her! I never said she was your girlfriend. You’re both seniors facing college exams. Studying is your priority. No time for puppy love!”
Classic Song Foxiang, free-spirited, saying whatever he pleased!
…
Wen Ying didn’t yet know the great poet Song was ready to humble himself and seek her advice, a junior in the field.
When she returned to the fruit shop from Song Shao’s complex, Zhu Meiqun and her husband had reached a decision: Uncle Wen would quit his job soon and join Zhu Meiqun in Rongcheng to run the fruit shop!
Uncle Wen sighed. “I’ve worked at the winery so many years. Leaving feels reluctant!”
Wen Dongrong chuckled. “Big brother, you said the same when you left the village’s two acres for the winery. Didn’t you adapt well in the city?”
True enough.
Decades ago, who dared abandon farming? Farmers felt insecure without land. Uncle Wen feared failing at the winery, embarrassing Wen Dongrong or owing unrepayable favours.
It was Zhu Meiqun’s wish to send their son Wen Kai to city schools that pushed Uncle Wen to drop his hoe and become a worker.
Now, he was repeating that choice, leaving stability for a better life.
Water flows downward, but people strive upward.
From village to county was one step; from county to provincial capital was another.
Wen Dongrong was thrilled, calling his younger brother Wen Changlin to gather the three brothers for drinks, celebrating the Wen family’s move to the provincial capital.
Chen Ru had Wen Ying check if “Shrimp King” restaurant had tables, suggesting Zhu Meiqun close the shop half an hour early. “This is a big deal. The family should sit down and talk.”
Wen Changlin arrived quickly.
Hearing Shu Lu caused trouble, he was upset. “Sister-in-law, why didn’t you call me? A little girl, you think I couldn’t handle her?”
Zhu Meiqun smiled gratefully. “You’re so busy. I didn’t want to bother you.”
Selling insurance meant fitting clients’ schedules. Clients off work was when insurance agents worked, often visiting at night.
Wen Changlin was about to speak, but Wen Dongrong waved him down. “Enough, let’s not dwell on that. Big brother’s quitting to sell fruit in Rongcheng. With no one left to care for Mum at home, she’ll move here too. Let’s discuss how to settle her.”
Wen Changlin first offered to have their mother live with him. “Big brother and sister-in-law will be busy at the shop. Who’ll cook Mum’s meals? She can stay with me; my hours are flexible!”
Grandma Wen’s later years were blessed. Apart from her daughter Wen Hongyan always eyeing her money, her three sons were filial. None shirked caring for their mother, each feeling it was their duty.
Wen Dongrong thought their mother should live with him, as his family had the best conditions, lighter burdens, and a ready house.
Uncle Wen wouldn’t budge, saying their mother raised Wen Kai. Pushing her care to his brothers now wasn’t something an honest man like him could do.
Wen Ying listened quietly, soaking in the harmonious family vibe. Her uncle was honest in both lives, but her younger uncle had been a bit scheming in the past life. This time, even he had changed for the better. Wonderful!
The brothers debated without resolution until Chen Ru stepped in. “Stop talking over each other. Ask Mum who she wants to live with. We three families will contribute effort or money to settle her properly!”
