“Really? Really? Is life in the city really that great? Did you live like that when you were in the city?”
Sun Mei was flushed with agitation. She looked at Gu Qingyao hungrily, longing for her to continue.
Gu Qingyao smiled. “Most people probably led that kind of life! I’m not sure about other families, but in the time I was at the provincial capital, everyone around me lived like that.
“Our neighbors all lived in apartments, and the kitchen was in the house. It was very clean because they didn’t burn firewood. There’s an open square at the foot of the apartment. During the mornings and evenings, people would gather there to play, and many of them brought their children.
“As for me, I went to take care of my Third Aunt and two younger cousins. Every day… I cooked and brought the children out to play or chatted with the neighbors. Sometimes, when I had nothing to do, I would shop in the department stores. Besides that… there wasn’t much to do!”
Bring children out to play, chat with neighbors and shop at the department store?
Want an idyllic life!
Sun Mei could not contain her excitement. She couldn’t wait to have that kind of life too.
“Really? Yao Yao, you are just too lucky. A life like that must be heavenly. If I could have that kind of life, I would die of bliss.”
Gu Qingyao’s mouth curled in a discreet smirk. “Really? There’s nothing special about it. Many people in the city live like that!”
When Sun Mei heard that, she was so excited she did not know what to say. From Gu Qingyao’s tone, it was nothing special.
Heavens!
Was city life so delightful?
No wonder so many girls wanted to marry and move to the city. Everyone dreamt of a life like that!
She could not wait any longer. She must lead such a life as soon as possible.
Sun Mei drew closer and sat next to Gu Qingyao. Mo Beihan frowned, and Jiang Xun and the other children looked displeased.
Gu Qingyao continued to hold Mu Mu and did not move away.
Mo Beihan was puzzled at the drastic change in Gu Qingyao’s attitude. But he did not say anything. Gu Qingyao could do as she pleased; he would not interrupt her.
He sat there, quietly watching.
Sun Mei leaned over to Gu Qingyao and said with a smile, “Yao Yao, will you be staying at home in the future? We haven’t met for so long, we should get together and have a good chat. I…”
“I probably won’t be at home all the time!”
“Oh?” Sun Mei was shocked. She asked excitedly, “Why? Where are you going?”
Gu Qingyao said, “To the provincial capital of course! Third Uncle’s family lives there, and he has two young children who need someone to take care of them. Third Uncle’s family has heavy burdens. There are two older brothers who need to marry and two younger ones who depend on the adults for support.
“I remember hearing Third Uncle say he would ask Third Aunt to go to work to earn money. But then there will be no one to take care of the two little ones at home. If that really happens, I might have to go and help. The two children are not that young, so it’s easy to care for them. Then Third Aunt can go to work.”
Sun Mei was envious but also inwardly grateful. Sure enough, the Gu family’s Third Brother had heavy family burdens. His family was not that rich.
Sun Mei meant to find out about the Gu family’s circumstances, so she carried on with Gu Qingyao’s line of conversation, “It’s difficult for them. If you help take care of the children, that will relieve your third uncle’s family of some of its burdens.
“Oh, how about your eldest and second uncle’s families? How are they doing now? I seldom hear you mention them.”