Back to the 90’s-Chapter 4.
Lin Wenjun knew that her husband was just casually agreeing. The place they lived in didn’t even have space for a piano.
“Buy it later?” she asked.
You can’t count on anything for the future.
[ it’s important to take action or make decisions in the present rather than banking on uncertain future occurrences.]
Although Jiang Ye was surprised that she dared to ask about transferring schools, he still didn’t believe she could do it on her own.
Lin Wenjun smiled and touched her daughter’s head.
“When we change houses, Ningning will have her own room, and the piano will be placed in your room.”
Practicing the piano is quite challenging, and Lin Wenjun only realized how tough it was when she later accompanied her son. However, since her daughter wanted to learn, this time she was determined to provide the necessary conditions for her to do so.
Jiang Ye treated this matter as a joke. He thought she had nothing better to do, so she was fussing about these things in the heat of the day.Besides, school would start again in just over a month anyway. He knew it couldn’t be done, so he didn’t make a fuss about it.
After finishing dinner, Jiang Ye told Lin Wenjun, “Pack two sets of clothes for me. Tomorrow, I’ll take someone on a trip.”
Their hometown, Su City, was a tourist city that had just opened a hot spring resort. Jiang Ye immediately had a new social opportunity—taking people on short trips. The journey wasn’t far, and they could have a round of fun over the weekend.
Lin Wenjun agreed with a nod.
Jiang Ye asked again, “Does your mom need some money sent over?”
Lin Wenjun paused in the midst of cleaning the dishes, “I just gave some when I went back for Qingming Festival. Let’s talk about it during the Chinese New Year. Our family has many expenses right now.”
No matter how much she gave to her parents, it was never enough. Even if she gave more, nobody appreciated her. So why bother giving more?
Lin Wenjun went to the aisle to wash the dishes. The tap water gushed loudly. Her parents constantly scolded her for being heartless.
Heartless?
The house they lived in was bought with money from Jiang Ye. During holidays and festivals, in addition to the money Jiang Ye gave, Lin Wenjun secretly supplemented it with an extra amount.
But what was the use? She was still the daughter who, in her parents’ eyes, lacked a conscience and was the most unworthy.
Jiang Ning was unusually happy today. She didn’t even watch cartoons and came running out of her room, volunteering to do the dishes.
Lin Wenjun finished washing her hands, returned to the room to pack her husband’s luggage. Jiang Ye had to go out for social engagements. His clothes were frequently replaced, and Lin Wenjun finished packing and then took out some money.
“Is ten thousand enough?”
“Start with ten thousand first, for Xiao Xu’s birthday. We should give a birthday gift.”
Jiang Ye has been friends with Wang Zhiguo for a long time, but he really didn’t know what his wife liked.
“What do you think would be a good gift?” he asked.
Lin Wenjun thought for a moment and said, “Does your friend still travel abroad? Have him bring back an LV bag.”
This was the first time Lin Wenjun had taken the initiative to suggest something to Jiang Ye. After some consideration, Jiang Ye asked, “A bag? What V is that?” Giving a bag was not as good as giving a red envelope; it’s more festive for a birthday.
“We had a meal together before, and I heard her mention wanting a bag from this brand. When giving a birthday gift, it should be something she likes.”
That makes sense. She stays at home every day and doesn’t know much about designer bags. When Jiang Ye heard it was something Mrs. Wang talked about, he immediately remembered. He said to Lin Wenjun, “In the future, you should interact with her more. How much is that bag? I’ll buy one for you too.”
Lin Wenjun didn’t refuse. She just smiled. She didn’t like those wives who were always flattering and fawning. Over the twenty-plus years with the Wangs, she had become acquainted with them. However, she and Mrs. Wang were never friends—Mrs. Wang looked down on her.
Being at home every day, What topics did she have to share with Mrs. Wang?
Mrs. Wang wasn’t like her. She had her own work and her own circle of friends. She found Lin Wenjun’s conversation dull, and aside from her husband and children, Lin Wenjun had little else to offer.
At first, Lin Wenjun didn’t understand why Mrs. Wang looked down on her. She was genuinely kind, but it didn’t earn her any friendship. Later, she understood, but by then, it was too late. Her life had long been confined by Jiang Ye.
Seeing his wife behaving like this, not valuing interpersonal relationships at all, Jiang Ye felt a bit frustrated. The company was just starting, and every connection was crucial. If she could support him it would save a lot of effort.
However, as soon as he saw her pregnant belly, he didn’t say anything. He just asked, “When can you have another ultrasound?”
Lin Wenjun zipped up the travel bag with a loud “zipping” sound. There was no need for another ultrasound. This time it was a daughter again. Thinking about their second daughter, Jiang Yuan, added a layer of bitterness to Lin Wenjun’s heart.
This child was what she wanted and yet something she didn’t want.
“The doctor said if the baby can turn over, they can take the ultrasound, but if not, they won’t be able to get a clear image.”
It seemed like Jiang Yuan knew when she was still in the womb. she couldn’t bear her gender to be revealed and would change positions during every ultrasound, making it difficult for the doctor to capture a clear image.
“So mischievous; it must be a boy,” Jiang Ye commented as he looked at his wife’s belly.
Lin Wenjun didn’t respond to his comment. She walked to the door, saw that her daughter had already finished washing the dishes, and together they went to the communal bath to shower and wash their hair.
In the small shower room, Jiang Ning asked her mother, “Dad agreed. When can we go buy the piano?”
Lin Wenjun recalled the time when they were still in their hometown. Jiang Ning wasn’t like now.
Things had changed since then. Even the children knew who they depended on for their livelihood now.
Lin Wenjun turned Jiang Ning’s body around, lathered soap bubbles to wash her hair. She only remembered to buy cosmetics; she completely forgot to buy shampoo. She made a mental note to buy it tomorrow!
In the past Jiang Ning wanted to study abroad in college, but Jiang Ye refused to agree.
For the children of a boss, sending them abroad might lead to them getting involved in undesirable things. Besides, sending a child abroad is an expensive endeavor, costing hundreds of thousands of dollars annually.
Lin Wenjun argued with her husband, saying that Jiang Ning wasn’t that kind of child. But it was of no use. The one with the money was Jiang Ye.
Jiang Ning didn’t persist and never brought up the idea of studying abroad again. Now, looking back, she felt sorry for her daughter.
Lin Wenjun scooped up water with a ladle, rinsed off the foam from her head. A few scattered white bubbles followed the water and flowed into the drain. After cleaning her hair, she dried her body and applied prickly heat powder to her daughter.
She said to her daughter, “Even If Dad doesn’t agree, Mom will buy it for you.”
Jiang Ning, with eyes resembling dark grape seeds, filled with mist and the dim light, tilted her little face and uttered a soft “Hmm,” a firm agreement.
There are no partitions in the room, just two beds against two walls—one large and one small. Lin Wenjun and her daughter sleep in the big bed, while Jiang Ye sleeps alone in the small one.
Lying on the bed, Lin Wenjun turned off the light, leaving only the faint glow of the television in the room.
She often found it hard to sleep. As soon as she thought about her children, she would feel anxious throughout the night.
Her elder daughter, Jiang Ning, had strong work capabilities but was afraid of love and marriage, refusing to settle down. The second daughter, Jiang Yuan, lingered at home, unwilling to go out to work. She was almost deceived by an online romantic interest into getting a marriage certificate.
During arguments with Jiang Ye, when he called her a failed mother, Lin Wenjun would become so furious that she trembled. However, she had no way to retort because, deep down, she also believed it to be true.
Jiang Ning turned over, and her chubby little feet rested on her mother’s thighs. She mumbled in her sleep, feeling the heat.
Lin Wenjun reached for the fan by the pillow and fanned her daughter. Gradually, a sense of tranquility settled within her. She thought she couldn’t sleep, but as she continued fanning, her hand grew heavier until she fell asleep.
Jiang Ye had left early in the morning. Jiang Ning lazily got up upon hearing the door closing.
“Are we going out today?” she asked.
Lin Wenjun smiled, “Let Mom make a call first, check and then we can go.”
With contact information, there was no need to go through the trouble of going to the school to inquire. Lin Wenjun called the admissions office at Tongmeng Experimental Primary School and learned that the school was currently organizing enrollment visits. They could go anytime to see the school’s facilities.
Lin Wenjun immediately took Jiang Ning in a taxi to the school.
The school opened its doors for parents to visit during the summer session. In addition to regular academic classes, Tongmeng Experimental Primary School also offered special classes in instrumental music, vocal music, and dance.
The teacher who received Lin Wenjun told her, “These are the special courses at our school. Every year during National Day and New Year’s Day, the school organizes a celebration, and parents are invited to attend.”
After taking a look around, Lin Wenjun roughly understood the situation. The school had just been established for a year, and the enrollment criteria were relatively lenient.
In simple terms, as long as Jiang Ning could pass the school’s entrance exam, pay the tuition and sponsorship fees, she could attend this school.
“Do you want to attend classes at this school?” Lin Wenjun asked her daughter, holding her hand.
Jiang Ning hesitated. She had just completed one semester at Xin Cun Elementary School, finally getting familiar with her old classmates. Now, facing the prospect of transferring again, she asked, “Will I have to transfer again?”
“No more transfers. You’ll study here until graduation,” Lin Wenjun assured her.
For Jiang Ning, who was about to enter the second grade, graduation seemed too far away. She smiled and nodded in agreement.
