1990s: Spring Water Family

Chapter 268 My cousin is all about being rich and powerful, and she teaches Zhang Juan...
"Do you believe it?"

Her cousin watched her with great interest.

"letter!"

Zhang Juan's answer this time was even more decisive than the last.

My cousin is obviously rich, which is more convincing than whether she's pretty or not.

"Just believe it."

My cousin was quite pleased with herself, but then she changed the subject and said, "However, on the other hand, studying is still very necessary. After all, you are still young, and you can't do much else besides studying. Even if you want to go out to work, you'll have to wait until you're at least 18."

"I'm not smart, I always do poorly on tests."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Juan's eyes darkened again, and she looked very distressed.

How bad is it?

My cousin dismissed it: "Tell me, I don't believe there's anyone who's worse at studying than me."

Zhang Juan: "."

It seems I wasn't comforted at all.

-

"I barely passed Chinese when I graduated from elementary school."

"Passing is already a good result."

My cousin doesn't mind boasting about her glorious past: "I failed. I wrote an essay that was off-topic, and the teacher marked it with a big X. I got a zero."

"I only got 53 points in math."

Cousin: "That's a bit low. I got more, 56 points."

"English score 45."

My cousin said, "We didn't have English in elementary school back then. In junior high, I was at the bottom of my class. I don't remember exactly how many points I got, but I think I never scored more than 30."

Zhang Juan: "."

She initially thought her older sister was trying to comfort her and was saying that on purpose.

I didn't expect it to be true.

-

"You've lost confidence in yourself because of this?"

When her cousin saw that her cousin was completely taken aback by her, she almost burst out laughing.

Am I not stupid?

Zhang Juan couldn't understand why her cousin could still laugh.

Shouldn't you be crying if you're doing so badly in school?

“There are many reasons why students don’t do well in school, and it doesn’t have much to do with intelligence.”

My cousin used herself as an example: "Take myself for example. I'm just playful and don't put any effort into studying. I read comic books during class, draw in my textbooks, and secretly pass notes with my classmates. If I had put in even a little effort, my grades wouldn't be so bad."

Zhang Juan lowered her head and blinked, clearly agreeing with her point of view, but was too embarrassed to say it aloud.

My cousin coaxed me gently: "What's wrong with you? Tell me about it."

"I get sleepy as soon as I start class."

Zhang Juan is shy and speaks so softly it's almost inaudible.

Why am I feeling sleepy?

My cousin leaned forward with all her might and finally heard it.

Zhang Juan stammered, "My eyes can't see the blackboard clearly, it's blurry."

"You're nearsighted?!"

My cousin finally understood; that was the crux of the problem: "Didn't you tell your parents?"

"said."

Zhang Juan lowered her head in anguish: "They don't care. They think I'm stupid to begin with, and wearing glasses won't make me any smarter. They don't want to spend money to get me glasses."

"That couple is really something."

My cousin thought for a long time but couldn't come up with a suitable adjective to describe her hatred.

At that moment, she admitted that she was somewhat ignorant.

Even when I want to curse someone, I can't get the words out smoothly.

-

The problem has been found; buying a few new clothes and a pair of glasses is a piece of cake for my cousin.

As for tutoring, she admitted she didn't have the ability, and after thinking it over, she decided to pack the person, clothes and glasses, and send them to the old house.

When the couple entered the house in the afternoon, the babies were taking a nap. Lin Xiyu happened to have some free time and was talking to Gu Bin in the study. The couple were talking about Zhang Juan when she arrived.

Zhang Juan looks completely different now compared to when I saw her in the countryside last night.

His long, straw-like hair was cut into a buzz cut, and his slender figure was hidden in a long, jet-black down jacket, paired with a pair of knee-high boots, making him look strangely handsome.

Why did you cut her hair?

Gu Bin raised an eyebrow in surprise when he saw that the little girl's hair was even shorter than his own.

"Her hair is in terrible condition; it's all split."

My cousin had a good reason: "I'll cut it short and let it grow, then tie it up when it grows longer."

"I think it looks quite nice."

Lin Xiyu smiled and praised, "Girls look very handsome with short hair, even more energetic than boys."

Zhang Juan's heart skipped a beat.

This was the first time she had ever heard someone compliment her on her looks.

Although the word "handsome" is usually used to describe boys.

As long as someone thinks it looks good, it's not impossible to keep short hair.

"I also think this image suits her quite well."

My cousin boasted, "You know, I have great taste; I'm the best at dressing people up."

"You're getting a little too cocky."

Lin Xiyu laughed and teased her, "I don't know who it is, but she's been like a mischievous boy since she was little, without a trace of femininity."

"So, Zhang Juan really does resemble me."

My cousin joked, "No wonder I was able to style her so easily; it turns out she was modeled after me when I was a child."

"Yes, I think so too."

Lin Xiyu smiled and chimed in, "When she came in, I glanced at her for a moment and felt that she looked a bit familiar. Now that you mention it, I looked at her more closely and it's true. With her outfit, she really does look a bit like you when you were little."

"Zhang Juan, did you hear me?"

My cousin raised her eyebrows smugly: "Isn't my sister right? People used to laugh at me for being a tomboy and not feminine, but now I'm still incredibly successful and have plenty of suitors."

Where are your suitors?

Lin Xiyu teased her with a smile, "Hurry up and tell me, so I can tell Grandma and make her happy too."

"Uh."

My cousin's smile froze, and she scolded me with a hint of annoyance, "Why are you so quick to react? Can't your sister even brag a little?"

"hehe."

Gu Bin found it amusing and let out a pleasant laugh.

Zhang Juan was amused by the sisters' conversation. She wanted to laugh but dared not, so she pursed her lips and tried her best not to make a sound.

-

"Xi Yu, don't blame me for causing you trouble."

The two sisters chatted for a while, then when the topic turned to business, the older sister deliberately sent Zhang Juan away, saying somewhat apologetically, "I really can't help with tutoring. But you run a training class, so let her audit one of your classes."

"Attending classes is no problem."

Lin Xiyu readily agreed: "I'll have Mengmeng add another table for her."

"There's more."

My cousin then awkwardly laughed and said, "Could she stay with you? I'm used to living alone, and I wouldn't feel comfortable with someone else in the house. Besides, I have no experience taking care of children. The most I've ever had is a dog, and that was the kind that was always sick."

"Now that you've said that, how can I not agree?"

Lin Xiyu glanced at Gu Bin with feigned reluctance, and said with a half-smile, "Who told you two to be so fond of playing the hero and bringing people out like this?"

"Cough cough."

Gu Bin couldn't figure out his wife's thoughts, so he coughed twice but didn't dare to say anything.

"Whoa!"

My cousin was speechless about her husband's henpecked husband, and could only explain herself: "In that situation, I just acted on impulse and felt that I would be betraying my conscience if I didn't bring him out."

"I don't blame you."

Seeing that Mou Bin's eyes were darting around and he didn't dare to meet her gaze, Lin Xiyu couldn't help but burst out laughing.

"My wife also agreed to us bringing her back?" Gu Bin secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

"It's not impossible for her to live at our house."

Lin Xiyu had her own considerations: "I'm thinking there might be a better way to settle her down than for her to live here."

"any idea?"

Where do you want her to live?

Gu Bin and his cousin exchanged a glance, both momentarily stunned.

"I'm thinking"

Lin Xiyu pondered for a moment and gave an unexpected answer: "Instead of letting her attend training classes and only understand half of what she learns, it's better to find a teacher to teach her directly."

"That's the truth."

Gu Bin nodded in agreement.

"You need to find a place to stay even if you're looking for a teacher, right?"

My cousin was a little worried: "It's not that I want to shirk responsibility, but I'm used to living alone, and having someone else around is really awkward."

"I didn't intend for her to live in your house."

Lin Xiyu stroked her chin, seriously considering the feasibility.

"Where do you want her to stay?"

My cousin is an impatient person; she gets really anxious if she doesn't get the facts straight.

"I can't decide this."

Lin Xiyu smiled slyly, deliberately keeping everyone in suspense: "I need to make a phone call first, ask around, and then I'll tell you."

cousin:"."

-

Chen Xiulan dotes on her grandchildren. Ever since her four babies were discharged from the hospital, she has been going to the old house at least twice a week without fail.

When she received a call from her daughter asking her to come over to her house to discuss something, the thought of seeing her four little babies made her resentment at being ordered around like a servant disappear. Before long, she rode her bicycle to the front of the old house.

"Mom, you're here."

Upon hearing the bicycle bell, Gu Bin warmly welcomed his mother-in-law into the house.

"What's up, Xiyu this time?"

Chen Xiulan was no longer angry, but she still retorted, "You can't say it on the phone, you have to make me come in person."

"There's a special situation that can't be explained over the phone."

Gu Bin chuckled awkwardly as he explained on behalf of his wife.

Are the babies awake yet?

Thinking of the baby, Chen Xiulan locked her bicycle and headed towards the bedroom.

"Second Aunt, you're here."

Hearing the noise in the living room, my cousin lifted the curtain and greeted her.

"Leilei is here too?"

Chen Xiulan was pleasantly surprised: "You're such a busy person, I rarely see you."

"I heard that my second aunt was coming, so I waited for you here."

My cousin is very good with words; she deliberately tries to make her happy.

Where is Xiyu?

Chen Xiulan was delighted to hear this and temporarily abandoned her plan to visit the babies. She turned the corner and headed towards the living room.

"It's inside."

My cousin made way for her and welcomed her in.

"this kid"

Chen Xiulan started nagging again: "You don't go home yourself, and you make your mother run errands."

"I was just thinking that if you came over, you could also see the babies."

When Lin Xiyu needed her help, she spoke very sweetly: "The babies miss their grandma too. They get restless and won't sleep well if they don't see her for a day."

"Really."

These words really struck a chord with Chen Xiulan.

"That's exactly right."

Lin Xiyu continued to praise: "That's why they say grandparents love their grandchildren more. No matter how much you love your grandchildren, they will love you back. Right now, no one can compare to Grandma's status in their hearts. It makes even me, their own mother, jealous."

"Hahaha."

Chen Xiulan found the words pleasing to the ear and burst into laughter.

"Second Aunt."

My cousin seized the opportunity to chime in: "Did you know that last night, Grandma asked Gu Bin and me to bring Nana home to meet her family?"

"What kind of family ties are you talking about?"

Chen Xiulan was stunned, and her smile froze on her face.

"Is such that."

My cousin understood her sister's intention and recounted the events of yesterday in detail.

"Ouch."

Chen Xiulan's expression changed drastically: "Such a big thing happened, why didn't anyone tell me?"

"It happened so suddenly, there wasn't enough time."

My cousin, using my grandmother's name, answered smoothly: "It was already past midnight when Gu Bin and I got back. Grandma didn't want you to have to go through all that trouble, that's why she didn't tell you, right?"

"Ugh."

Upon hearing this, Chen Xiulan indeed lost her temper.

"Second Aunt, we invited you here because we want your help."

My cousin continued to persuade me, repeating the same lines that the two sisters had discussed beforehand, word for word.

"You want me to teach that child?"

When Chen Xiulan first heard the truth, she was truly stunned.

"The little girl is quite pitiful."

Lin Xiyu played the family card: "She was abused by her own father and her studies have fallen behind. Now, only you are capable of tutoring her."

"I still need to attend training courses."

Chen Xiulan hesitated for a moment: "I don't have that much time to teach her."

"I'll pay for it, and my second aunt will be in charge of teaching. Is that okay?"

My cousin, who is known for her generosity, said: "Before Xiaoyi comes back from her vacation, let her stay at your house for a while. I will cover all her food, clothing, and other expenses, including tuition fees."

"Look at what you're saying."

Chen Xiulan feigned displeasure: "Is Second Aunt someone who cares about money?"

"Two hundred a day."

My cousin didn't hesitate either, holding up two fingers and waving them in front of her eyes.

"two hundred."

Chen Xiulan was tempted, and was about to make another token refusal when she heard her niece say with an air of dominance, "If Second Aunt thinks it's too little, three hundred will do."

"It's a deal, no matter how little it is."

Before she could finish speaking, Chen Xiulan slapped her thigh and made the decision on the spot.

Who was it that just said they didn't care about money?

My cousin chuckled to herself, then gave me a thumbs-up, feigning admiration: "Second Aunt is so straightforward, I'll leave the rest to you."

-

"Juanzi, go to your second aunt's house and study hard."

Having won over her second aunt, the cousin approached Zhang Juan and said earnestly, "You've seen it too. I give my second aunt nearly ten thousand yuan a month just to get her to tutor you."

"My second aunt was the head of teaching at a school before she retired. Her teaching ability was top-notch. There was no student she couldn't teach. My cousin skipped two grades under her guidance. He's the same age as you, thirteen, and is already in high school."

"With your second aunt tutoring you, you can rest assured. Study hard, and you'll have a 100% chance, no, a 200% chance, to get into a good middle school."

"If you go to high school or university in the future, as long as you are willing to pursue further education, I will consider it a charity and continue to support you until you complete all your studies. Work hard and don't let me down."

-

"Thank you, sister."

Zhang Juan was so moved that she almost knelt down and kowtowed to her on the spot.

"Juanzi, come here."

Lin Xiyu beckoned her over and carefully instructed her, "My mom is good at Chinese and math, but not so good at English. You'll have to go to a tutoring class. If you can't keep up, you can come to my house and ask me."