Transmigration: On the Gossip Front
Chapter 243 True or False First Love 43_1

Chapter 243: Chapter 243 True or False First Love 43_1

Zhou Hong’s Wife was stunned to think they still wanted to expand the house further.

"Is this big house not big enough?"

It was already twice the size of Zhou Dahai’s family home, yet only three people lived here; didn’t they feel it was a waste?

Big? Zhou Lina really didn’t feel the house was big, but then she thought about Zhou Dahai’s home where seven people lived, and Zhou Dajiang’s home with four people.

Compared to those, well, their own home was quite large, so it was normal for Zhou Hong’s Wife to feel unbalanced about it.

"Thank you for the trouble, master." Since it was already delayed, it might as well be delayed a bit more.

It was fortunate that the attic in their house was large and had plenty of wood, which could be reused; otherwise, solving the wood problem would have given Zhou Lina all sorts of headaches.

After the craftsmen took stock and quoted a price, Zhou Lina agreed briskly, "Done."

"Thank you for your hard work, masters."

Zhou Hong’s Wife watched Zhou Lina make such a big decision all by herself, without any intention to discuss it with Zhang Shifen.

She sneered inwardly several times; how could someone who spends money without a second thought ever get married?

Seeing the expression on Zhou Hong’s Wife’s face, Zhou Lina knew what she was thinking—it was nothing more than the thought that she couldn’t get married.

She really didn’t understand—what was wrong with not getting married? Better to stay single than marry the wrong person; being on her own was quite comfortable and fulfilling.

"By the way, Brother Hong’s wife, how does it feel to have five of you living in one room now?"

How does it feel? Upon hearing this, Zhou Hong’s Wife had to control herself for a long time to restrain herself from punching Zhou Lina in the face; it was just too infuriating and unbearable.

"But don’t mind the small space. Right now, one room is your bedroom, but when you move back to your own home—"

"Given the current size of your house, if you want to accommodate people and have space for meals and such, it would be even more cramped."

"No worries, you can gradually get used to it," Zhou Lina consoled patiently.

Zhou Hong’s Wife watched Zhou Lina stride away and really wanted to punch her.

But she also knew that what she said was the absolute truth. Just yesterday, she was complaining about how the house here was not sufficient and felt very cramped.

But once they moved back, to imagine how their family of five would live, eat, and do everything else in such a small house was truly inconceivable.

And the most, most, most crucial thing was, Zhou Hong’s Wife remembered the upcoming graduation of her youngest brother-in-law from junior high.

His grades were quite poor, and getting into high school was out of the question; he might very well have to become an "educated youth" and go to the countryside.

Knowing how much her parents-in-law doted on their youngest son, she could guess that the likelihood of this happening was definitely not high; more likely, they would set him up to take over.

In a few years, when Zhou Bin got married, he would definitely have his wedding in this apartment. Even if he had to live with his parents, what about it?

He could help take care of the children, and once the old folks were gone, the house would still be left to Zhou Bin.

Zhou Hong’s Wife felt more and more resentful the more she thought about it. Weren’t they the rightful eldest son and grandson of the Zhou family? Shouldn’t the house be left to them?

As a result, in the end, the house would be left to Zhou Bin, and a good chance that Zhou Dahai’s money would also go to Zhou Bin.

Wouldn’t Zhou Hong, the so-called eldest son and grandson, just become a big joke in everyone’s mouths?

If this morning Zhou Hong’s Wife was still eagerly hoping to move back to their own home as soon as possible, now she truly didn’t want to leave.

Even if Yang Zhaodi’s words were unpleasant, what of it? In one ear and out the other. In any case, she absolutely mustn’t compare with owning an apartment.

Zhou Hong’s Wife took this to heart and decided to discuss it with Zhou Hong tonight.

If she could always live at home, they could continue to rent out that house and earn an extra ten yuan every month, not to mention the place was a bit larger.

As for Yang Zhaodi making her do chores, she really wasn’t afraid; she could go back and ask her own mother for advice.

When it came to dealing with her mother-in-law, she had absolute confidence in her own mother’s wisdom.

Yang Zhaodi had no idea that her eldest daughter-in-law was harboring such plans. Today, she was particularly well-liked by everyone.

However, as for the questions everyone asked, she really couldn’t grow fond of them; they were all about Zhang Shifen and her sons moving out.

Of course, some also asked whether their family of eight was cramped living together?

They inquired about the living arrangements for the elderly couple if Zhou Yong got married.

In short, there were a whole lot of questions, and Yang Zhaodi truly regretted not taking the day off. If she had taken the day off, she might not have had to face such situations.

She quickly dismissed the thought, knowing that Zhou Bin would be graduating from junior high next year. With grades like his, he definitely wouldn’t be able to attend high school.

Not going to high school meant he had to become an educated youth. She could ignore Zhou Juan’s life or death, but she couldn’t neglect her youngest son.

She and her husband had decided that Zhou Dahai’s job would be passed on to Zhou Bin, which meant a significant reduction in salary.

Going from the wages of a Fourth-Level Worker to an apprentice was a substantial drop.

But there was no other way; that was how everyone did it unless they could buy a position or there was a large-scale recruitment at the machinery factory.

However, the machinery factory wasn’t busy enough to expand production, so they definitely couldn’t hire more people.

Yang Zhaodi became angrier the more she thought about it. If Zhou Juan, that fool, hadn’t schemed against others, wouldn’t she have been able to apply for the job at the steel factory?

If at that time she had sought Zhang Shifen’s help to use her connections, wouldn’t they have had a job?

Even if she kept the job instead of giving it to Zhou Bin, it didn’t matter because she could save her wages for a few years at home.

Then, they would be able to demand a high bride price since Zhou Juan would be a regular worker.

But now everything was ruined; Zhou Juan had become an educated youth and it was uncertain when she would come back.

She might never return and who knows whom she might marry.

In any case, there was no point in thinking about the bride price, and certainly, there was no expectation that she would send things back home.

Looking at Zhang Shifen again, Zhou Lina was about to get a job soon, with a stable income every month, and she was filial too; how could others not be envious.

Yang Zhaodi had always looked down on her sister-in-law, thinking that even if Zhang Shifen had a decent job, what of it? She and Zhou Dajiang were not of one mind; even if they had another son, a man’s heart was all on Zhou Yong.

To her surprise, Zhang Shifen didn’t care at all about Zhou Dajiang’s views and followed her own mind.

People always said that a woman who failed in marriage was looked down upon, but now the talk was all about Zhou Dajiang being a big fool.

Indirectly, they were also mocking her and her husband, calling them fools for being unable to secure connections despite pleading, while Zhang Shifen easily blew such opportunities away; if it wasn’t a brain filled with water, what was it?

No matter how unhappy Yang Zhaodi was, she could only endure the snickers and sarcastic remarks from those around her.

Actually, her situation was relatively better. Over at Zhou Dajiang’s end, there were even more inquisitive people. "Dajiang, did your wife really move to work at the steel factory?"

"Right, I heard that the apartment is bigger than the one you’re living in now?"

"Being separated from your wife all the time isn’t ideal; you should be together."

"A man needs face, but with things as they are now, if you keep dragging your feet, be careful..."

Listerning to the crowd’s chatter, Zhou Dajiang really wanted to take leave and had no desire to work.