Chapter 008: Fragmentation
It is truly hard to imagine that someone could be so shortsighted as to jeopardize the bright future of their own nephew for a mere two hundred yuan each month. He now just wants to quickly take the child away; with every additional second of contact with this family, he fears that the originally kind and simple child will be corrupted.
Ah, let's do it this way, let's not hurt our feelings. Brother Wang, Wang Yufei will go with me to the provincial capital, and I guarantee he will not be treated poorly. As for the two hundred yuan subsidy from the village, whether the village gives it or not, I will provide it! This is two thousand yuan! Take it!
Principal Liao, you are here today as well. Allow me, this unworthy nephew, to make a statement: from now on, Wang Cong from his family should not read any books; even if he wants to, you should not accept him! I want to see how your own child is destined to scrape by in the fields in the future, will you allow it!
Wang Yufei nodded silently
In fact, the young man did not pay attention to these things; the stars in the sky are truly beautiful. How could he have not noticed them before?
What do you mean? Teacher Guo, who comes from the provincial capital, is a cultured person. He has taken a liking to Fei Wa, which is a blessing for the child. If he studies in the provincial capital in the future and truly achieves success, wouldn't you, as the uncle, have nothing to worry about in terms of benefits later on?" The village head's tone softened as he continued to persuade.
"Village Chief, you don't need to lecture me, Wang Dacheng, on these grand principles. I just want to ask one thing: now that Dawa has left with someone, will the monthly subsidy of 200 yuan still be given to our child?" The elder bluntly tore off the facade.
The little one sat on his mother's lap, curiously gazing at the circle of adults gathered around. It was rare for the home to be this lively, and the adults' arguments did not frighten the four-year-old child. His eyes were wide open, darting across the faces of the adults.
... ...
Guo Jianfeng and Old Liao stood by without saying a word
Nephew, who says you can't afford to raise him? It also depends on how you raise him, doesn't it? The child follows you and doesn't even have enough to eat, and how many people behind your back are criticizing you two, I don't even care to mention it. And you still have the audacity to shout loudly? If you shout any louder, you'll call the villagers over to judge the matter. Is this how you raise a child?
Uncle turned his head to glance at Guo Jianfeng, then looked at the stack of bills on the table, and turned his head again to look at the village chief. The old man's face was flushed red, and his gaze towards him was filled with mockery.
"Good child, do not blame your uncle, he is just afraid of being poor!" On the mountain road at night, just as they were about to part ways, the village chief suddenly patted Wang Yufei's head and managed to utter this sentence
You... Aunt was momentarily at a loss for words, wanting to speak further but was reprimanded by the silent uncle with a stern voice: "Enough, aren't you embarrassed enough already?"
I ... ...
Guo Jianfeng stood by, listening in astonishment
The village chief paid no attention to the small actions of the two and said with a cold smile: "Hehe, alright, big nephew, so you can reason with your uncle now, can you? Then let's get everything out in the open today. Studying is useless, is it? Then your family's clever child shouldn't study in the future either! Just follow you to dig for food in the fields! Give me a clear answer, will you?"
The village chief, unfazed by the uncle's attitude, furrowed his brows and retorted back
... ...
I ... ...
Is there anyone who wants to take my brother away? Then who will cook for us in the future? And where is the provincial capital?
Previously, Lao Liao had roughly introduced Wang Yufei's situation to him, but he truly did not know that there was such a convoluted story behind it
The three views have been subverted
You ... ...
"Old village chief, why are you speaking to outsiders today? I can tell that you plan to join them in bullying our Wang family, right?" The aunt, who had been holding back her words, could no longer contain herself and spoke up.
Do not think that I am unaware; you want to keep Feiwa as a lifelong laborer for your family? Oh, and there is also the monthly subsidy of 200 yuan, right? I will lay this matter out today; people are watching, and heaven is watching! If I really have to throw caution to the wind, let us take this matter to the village and let everyone in the village judge it, so that everyone can see the true colors of you as uncles and aunts!
They are all rough people who scrape a living from the land, what is the point of reading so many books? The child has grown up, isn't it enough to know a few characters after finishing elementary school?
Uncle's face turned red, and he fell silent. He took a cigarette out of his pocket and lit it for himself. After a while, he muttered, "In any case, this matter is not acceptable"
Recalling the shy smile of the child when he interacted with Wang Yufei today, Guo Jianfeng suddenly felt a string in his heart being plucked. Looking at the two faces before him that appeared aged due to their toil, he suddenly found them particularly detestable
The not particularly spacious hall was now filled with people
Ah, village chief, please do not be angry. Here is the thing, Brother Wang, rest assured, eighteen is eighteen! I will not shortchange you by even a penny of what is due. It is just that I do not have that much on me right now. However, Principal Liao and Village Chief Wang can vouch for me. After I return, I will immediately transfer the remaining money! If you still do not believe me, I can write you an IOU. I have only one request: the child will leave with me today, and no matter how the child fares in the future, you must not disturb him, alright?
The village chief was clearly angry and continued to scold, "Wang Dacheng, think about it yourself, how can you face Haizi a hundred years from now after treating Fei Wazi like this?"
Upon hearing this, Guo Jianfeng clearly wanted to argue, but was patted on the shoulder by Old Liao. When Guo Jianfeng turned to look at him, Old Liao, with a serious expression, signaled him to remain silent, leaving him with no choice but to sulk in frustration
The village chief laughed instead of getting angry: "Ha, am I really letting outsiders bully you? It seems I have truly spared your dignity. Today, let's have a proper discussion. I will ask you one question: how did your son Cong come to be? He was brought into this world through the lives of Da Cheng's younger brother and sister-in-law, with money from the government to raise Fei to adulthood! And what about you?"
At this point, the village chief became visibly agitated: "You took the money to spend on your treatment, and now that you have given birth to Congwa, Feiwa can't even have a full meal? On ordinary days, you just beat and scold, using Feiwa as a punching bag! Do you think the villagers are unaware of the things you have done? How can you still have the audacity to shout at me here!"
"No, absolutely not! Fei Wazi is one of our Wang family members, and I can support him!" The uncle's face turned bright red as he exclaimed.
You ... ...
"Not possible? Then it shall be! Today, you will sign a guarantee letter for me. The child must be well-fed, and you will support his education, from elementary school to middle school, high school, and university, as long as the child is willing to study, you must provide for him! Sign your name and press your fingerprint, and this matter will be settled!" the village chief said with a stern face.
In the end, he could not resist the temptation. Uncle reached out and took the money in his hand, counted it, and then looked up at Guo Jianfeng again: "The government promised to provide until the child turns eighteen"
Principal Liao remained silent, and Uncle did not continue speaking either, merely lowering his head and smoking quietly.