Chapter 8

Liu Yubai drove past Liang Siyue, who instinctively turned her head. Upon seeing him, she was momentarily taken aback, her lips moved slightly as if she intended to greet him, but no sound came out.

During the hospitalization, the two sons did not take a single day off to go back and see her. Neighbors and acquaintances were discussing among themselves, saying that these two sons were simply extremely unfilial to their grandmother. Unable to bear the pressure of public opinion, the two finally took their grandmother to live with them for her old age

Liu Yu rested his white arm on the steering wheel, originally intending to make a turn, but for some reason, he honked the horn

When Liang Guozhi got off work and returned home to have dinner, Liang Siyue mentioned the matter of their grandmother and subtly asked, "... ... Can we bring Grandma over to stay for a few days?"

Liang Siyue, however, was very resolute, analyzing it bit by bit for her father.

Is the money you earn from your part-time job not enough for your expenses

After discussing with Liang Guozhi, Liang Siyue went to visit without any delay

Uncle and Aunt are both very busy, going out of town to procure goods, and they will not return home for several days

After Mother Chi left, Chi Qiao grabbed a piece of mango from the plate and put it in his mouth, "Since middle school, I have saved a small sum of money... but do you know how much the housing prices are now? If I take on one job after another, I will never be able to buy a house for my parents."

The comparison from both sides makes it very difficult for her to find peace

Chi Qiao nodded, she understood this feeling all too well, "So, if a straw were to be offered to me, I would definitely grasp it without hesitation"

Cousin and his wife love to have fun, often going out to sing and socialize in bars at night, frequently returning only in the early hours of the morning. Grandmother has a light sleep and is often awakened by the noise from outside.

Liang Siyue has always been reluctant to part with her grandmother, but she also understands that if she insists on staying in her hometown, it will only hinder her grandmother from enjoying her well-deserved peace and happiness

Only then did Liang Siyue completely possess her own space

On this day, Liu Yubai passed by the Liu family, came to visit Mother Zheng, and brought her a box of pastries

He does not wish for his daughter to make such sacrifices; rather, it is best for her to complete her studies, graduate from university, find a job, and lead a simple and unremarkable life

Furthermore, she truly did not want to make promises such as "wait until I graduate from university" or "wait until I start working". Every day she delays now is another day her grandmother is enduring suffering.

The two individuals suddenly burst into laughter together

She once put up a poster of blue skies and white clouds on the wall, serving as a view from the window

Liang Siyue has never actually worried about money

On the way back after the filming work was completed that day, Liang Siyue received a WeChat message

He did not speak

Liang Guozhi waved to her, "Xiaoyue, come here."

Then let's sign a contract and debut together

Liang Siyue understood that this decision could affect the course of her entire life. After sorting out all the details and implications, she ultimately made her choice

Her academic performance has always hovered around the middle range. It is not that she has not put in effort; on the contrary, she has worked very hard to catch up. However, she has never been able to surpass those classmates in her class, who can effortlessly achieve scores that she can only aspire to.

She is not yet of legal age, and a guardian's representation is required to sign the contract

Fortunately, the situation was much more optimistic than she had imagined. She accompanied her grandmother for two or three days, and her grandmother was discharged from the hospital

Perhaps there is indeed a talent for studying; her talent is destined not to lie in this area. Therefore, it is regrettable that she may not be able to fulfill her father's dream of attending a prestigious university

When he returned, Liang Guozhi took out the account book and leaned over the dining table, flipping through it page by page

Having taken the car and driven out of the gate, I saw Liang Siyue walking along the roadside after just a few steps

When I was in the first year of junior high school, Liang Guozhi provided a sum of money to my second uncle, who then went to seek refuge with my eldest uncle to collaborate in business and settled down in another place

There is a social engagement in the evening, so Liu Yubai will not be dining at the Liu residence

Liang Guozhi initially did not agree with his daughter's decision

The massage chair she gave was disliked by my cousin for taking up space, and not long after, it was thrown away. She bought a treadmill for her home, but it has hardly been used, and now it is covered with clothes.

Grandmother is currently living at Uncle's house

I visited the company that had previously invited her, meticulously clarifying each clause of the contract, and then took the time to draft a short, medium, and long-term career plan for myself

Liang Guozhi understood that this was not just a matter of staying for a few days; it was his daughter wanting to take care of her grandmother in her old age

Grandma always defends a few words after knowing, and then the second aunt begins to wipe her tears, saying that since the grandson and granddaughter both have the character "外" (meaning "outside"), there should be a distinction in closeness. Why is it that when it comes to Grandma, she only knows how to protect the shortcoming? ... After all, the living cannot compete with the dead

The pervasive dampness from all sides, over time, evokes a sensation akin to drowning

Later, Liang Guozhi earned some money outside; a portion was used to pay off debts, while another portion was sent to his grandmother's house, allowing Liang Siyue to have a somewhat better life

The nanny rolled her eyes, picked the child up from the ground, and roughly pried the object out of the child's mouth. The child cried out loudly, refusing to be held by her, insisting on finding their great-grandmother

Liang Siyue was taken aback and turned her head.

After the visit, Liang Siyue became increasingly uneasy as she reflected on it

Chi Qiao's room is filled with posters of celebrities, the wardrobe is overflowing, and one door can no longer close. She propped it shut with a stool, cleared away the layers of clothes piled on the bed, and invited Liang Siyue to sit on the bed.

After multiple discussions, Liang Guozhi was ultimately persuaded by his daughter

Not quite enough

Her second uncle, who is far away in Yunnan, informed her that her grandmother's old illness has relapsed and she has been hospitalized

Therefore, if this opportunity is suitable, I will definitely sign the contract. Chi Qiao sat on the edge of the bed, looking out the window. The east-facing window offered a close view of the security net of the building across the street, half covered with corrugated paper to block the view, and half hanging out children's clothes to dry

Liang Siyue chose not to pursue the matter further

Liang Siyue was born not long before her mother passed away, and she was essentially raised by her grandmother

Liu Yubai smiled and said, "Do you think this is a junkyard?"

After she sat down across from him, Liang Guozhi held a ballpoint pen and meticulously calculated the expenses for her: If Grandma were to come, they would definitely need to move to a larger house, at least two bedrooms, and it must include a kitchen; they couldn't expect Grandma to rely on takeout for every meal. Such a house also couldn't be too far from the school, otherwise it would be inconvenient for her to attend classes. All things considered, just the rent alone would amount to at least 4,000 to 5,000 yuan a month. Additionally, there would be water and electricity bills, gas fees, and living expenses... A myriad of miscellaneous expenses, and if Grandma's illness were to recur, the costs would be limitless. Such a house also couldn't be too far from the school, otherwise it would be inconvenient for her to attend classes. All things considered, just the rent alone would amount to at least 4,000 to 5,000 yuan a month. Additionally, there would be water and electricity bills, gas fees, and living expenses... A myriad of miscellaneous expenses, and if Grandma's illness were to recur, the costs would be limitless.

She seems to be in a daze, walking very slowly, deliberately stepping on the fallen leaves on the ground with each step, like a child

Liang Guozhi said: "Xiaoyue, I understand your filial piety. Grandma has helped us so much, and I also want to contribute, but if she comes to live with us, I will be powerless... You also know that all the money I have earned over the years has gone to pay off debts, and I haven't saved a single cent. Moreover, I cannot guarantee that I can continue in this job; you have seen what kind of person Pan Lanlan is..."

Compared to the hardships my grandmother has endured throughout her life, what sacrifice can be considered her decision?

Chi Qiao's home is located in an ordinary alley in the old town, where the family runs a small fruit stall. His mother takes care of the shop daily, and the money earned covers the living expenses for a day. His father works in home maintenance, handling tasks such as air conditioning dust removal, unclogging floor drains, and cleaning range hoods. He does everything.

Indeed, she originally thought that her grandmother, as mentioned in the phone call, had gone to enjoy a life of comfort

If it were not for this visit, she might never have discovered the truth

Liang Siyue stared blankly at Chi Qiao and asked, "Xiao Qiao, do you know of any quick-paying jobs?"

You should have mentioned earlier that you are also a girl from the slums; you have no idea how long I mentally prepared myself for bringing you here today

Chi Qiao discovered that she had something on her mind and pressed her with a series of questions

Liang Siyue learned to read people's expressions and emotions without any formal instruction, not wanting to put her grandmother in a difficult position.

Grandmother, despite just being discharged from the hospital, picked up the child and comforted him repeatedly. The child was sturdy and plump, making it tiring for even an adult to hold for long. Liang Siyue could not bear to see this and took the child into her arms herself. However, the little cousin was not familiar with her and refused to be held by her; he cried as soon as she touched him, and no one could soothe him except for grandmother. With no other choice, grandmother continued to hold him, rocking and comforting him.

Liang Siyue shook her head and smiled, "Aren't we just putting on a brave face in front of each other?"

There is no sunlight, only a very small vent window, which is locked and cannot be opened

However, after living alone with my grandmother for only a few years, she fell seriously ill.

Today, she finally understood the reason

The second floor of the fruit shop is her home, a small layout of two bedrooms and one living room, which is severely lacking in natural light due to being sandwiched between buildings. Even on sunny days, the interior remains damp and dim.

My second aunt has given birth to two children, making it three generations with five family members. Adding Liang Siyue, the house is so crowded that it is practically uninhabitable

Liang Siyue listened quietly

At that time, the family was in debt, and it was difficult to find suitable work in the hometown. Liang Guozhi had no choice but to entrust his daughter to his mother-in-law and go to another place in search of opportunities

Poor grandmother, throughout her life, raised her son, raised her grandson, and then raised her great-grandson

She is wearing a white thin sweater, washed blue cropped jeans, and ankle-high short boots.

You are still in school, and the impact on your grades is not worth the loss. I believe that your grandmother certainly hopes you study well as well

Recently, my grandmother was hospitalized, and they temporarily hired a caregiver.

Then I will invite you to my home next time, and that will make us even

Liang Siyue smiled and said, "Auntie, please go ahead with your work, you don't need to worry about us."

It is almost ready, go find Liang Guozhi to talk.

Or, it may be referred to as vanity

This reminded Liang Siyue of the bedroom she lived in at her grandmother's house when she was a child

The child of my cousin and his wife has just turned 2 years old, and his destructive power is astonishing. They do not take care of him themselves and have handed him over to his grandmother with a wave of their hand

Liu Yubai went to the kitchen, and before he could say anything, Aunt Zheng seemed unable to contain herself and revealed a big piece of news: "Xiao Yue has signed with a company and is preparing to debut. Pan is considered a senior in the industry, and your father is a renowned director. Old Liang brought Xiao Yue over a couple of days ago to introduce her."

Come here to seek collaboration

It was quite a coincidence that I encountered Liang Siyue, whom I had not seen for a long time, in the courtyard. She had come to deliver the keys that Liang Guozhi had left at home while waiting for his orders.

The second uncle has always been a person of little ambition. Even in his thirties, he has not managed to secure a house in the county, and can only rely on his wife and live off his parents. With the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law living under the same roof, their relationship is naturally extremely tense

Contrary to the rumors that Chi Qiao is a spoiled rich girl from a privileged background

He works as a driver for Liu Wenzhao and has heard countless gossip from the entertainment industry. Not to mention whether one can achieve fame after entering the industry, even if one does become famous, it also means sacrificing a lifetime of tranquility.

Chi Qiao was so attached to her that they were almost inseparable, yet unexpectedly, she had never invited her to her home to play

In Liang Siyue's eyes, her father actually had a very proper appearance, but his brows were tightly furrowed. Over time, this had accumulated, giving him a somewhat苦相.

I have now moved in to live with Liang Guozhi. I have earned some pocket money through part-time work, part of which I send to my grandmother, while the rest I keep in my bank account to buy what I need.

Mother Chi shot her a glance and said, "Try talking to me like that again!" She then turned to Liang Siyue and smiled, saying, "Xiaoyue, just shout what you want to eat downstairs, and I will bring it up to you. I will go check on the stall first."

Liu Yubai casually rolled down the car window, leaned out, and said, "Come over, I have two questions to ask you."

Chi Qiao raised an objection: "I want to speak with Xiao Yue, you should not come in anymore!"

This matter, my grandmother has never mentioned over the phone; she consistently praises how good her family is to her and how much she enjoys her comfortable life

But he has only one requirement: you must uphold the bottom line

Grandmother could not bear to see it and asked the nanny to keep a closer watch

Naturally, Liang Siyue, this burden, could not have a very comfortable life at her grandmother's house. Her cousins often tease her, and her second aunt not only does not stop it but also secretly encourages it.

Before long, Mother Chi brought in a plate of fresh mangoes, and shortly after, she brought drinks... She made many trips in and out.

Liang Siyue was sent to her grandmother's house when she was only five years old, living together with her second uncle's family

Chi Qiao smiled and said, "By the way, haven't you been to my house yet?"

Liang Siyue visited Chi Qiao's home for the first time

If her appearance is her asset, then utilizing this asset to exchange for a better life for her family is, in her view, a reasonable choice

Liang Siyue has been troubled for many days

The larger, well-lit rooms were all given to her second uncle and his wife, as well as her cousins, while she lived in the smallest room with her grandmother

It is not that she lacks money, but rather that she has a low desire for material possessions and has never pursued things beyond her means. When she used to stay at her grandmother's house, she would eat whatever was available; having meat was certainly good, but she could also make do with simple fare.

Chi Qiao was surprised, "I always thought that although you are not exactly a rich and beautiful woman, your family background would be somewhat better than mine."

You understand what I mean by the bottom line

What surprised Chi Qiao was that this time, Liang Siyue did not outright refute her proposal, but instead seemed to be deep in thought.

Aunt Er almost argues with Uncle Er every day, and in her words, she always indirectly brings up Liang Siyue's mother, saying that it is precisely because Liang's mother has been ill for so many years, like a bottomless pit, draining both her in-laws and her own family, that it has caused her, an innocent person, to suffer such humiliation after marrying into this family.

Liang Siyue was silent for a moment: "Should I take on more part-time jobs?"

After finishing the meal, Liang Siyue tidied up the takeout boxes and took them downstairs to throw them away

She currently lives with her father; their life cannot be considered affluent, but it can certainly be described as comfortable

Liang Siyue gazed out of the window and slowly said, "When it rained during my childhood, I felt as if I were living at the bottom of the water"

The nanny is also negligent; the child crawls on the floor, picking up and eating random things, and she never stops him when she sees it

I have never known that reality is indifferent to warmth, merely a series of cold numbers.

After a long separation, Liang Siyue stayed for an additional two days and observed that her grandmother was not very comfortable living at her eldest uncle's house

In addition to this, there is another matter that makes Liang Siyue feel very uncomfortable

Grandmother was so angry that she couldn't utter a single word, yet she couldn't do anything to the second aunt. It was incredibly difficult for the second uncle to marry this wife at that time; she couldn't stand up for herself and ended up driving the person away, which led to the disintegration of the family

"If Pan really wants to help, then this father and daughter will be held tightly in someone else's hands for their entire lives, right? Moreover, with Xiaoyue's family background, what value does she have for any assistance? It's just a simple greeting at best." Aunt Zheng found it amusing, "Isn't this seeking the distant while neglecting the near? If you want to enter the circle, isn't it most suitable to find Yu Bai? Even a little bit that slips through your fingers would be enough for her to have a full meal."

In the end, after gaining so much insight from Chi Qiao, she was not shy to admit that she did not actually reject that colorful world