Chapter 115: Disclosure and Joy

The few of them carefully savored the portion of peach crisp they had been given, nibbling bit by bit with great care. After finishing the whole piece, the crumbs fell neatly into the bowl, and at that moment, the tongue was put to use, licking clean every last bit.

Satisfaction spread across their faces—sweet treats truly bring happiness.

Grandmother then divided the portion meant for her and Grandpa into several small bowls, cheerfully encouraging everyone to finish them.

When Xiao Weiguo tried to stop her, Grandma said, “Your grandpa and I are old bones now; it doesn’t matter if we eat a little more or less. You children are still growing, so you must eat well.”

With a chuckle, she returned to cooking. Today’s meal was again cornmeal porridge, but much thicker than the past few days.

After all, their most promising eldest grandson had come home.

Xiao Weiguo was holding Xiao Qigong in his arms. For some reason, this fifth younger brother always seemed somewhat intimidated by his eldest brother, never quite close—perhaps because they hadn’t spent much time together. Still, overall, he was well-behaved, showing no bad traits.

After a while, Grandpa Xiao Tieniu and Father Xiao Pingle returned home together.

As they entered the courtyard, Xiao Pingle said, “Weiguo, when did you come back? I heard from some villagers on the road that you’d returned to the brigade, so you didn’t come home but went straight here. You should go home to sleep later; you can’t always stay at Grandpa’s.”

Xiao Weiguo had no intention of going back. It was much more comfortable staying with Grandpa—why bother going home?

He replied to Xiao Pingle, “I’m not going back. I don’t come home often anyway. Besides, Grandma wants me to stay here. There’s something I need to tell you all—Grandpa, Grandma, Dad—let’s go inside, and I’ll explain.”

Xiao Tieniu and Xiao Pingle, puzzled, followed him inside without even washing up. Grandma, seeing the pot still cooking, pulled a stick of firewood to reduce the flame, then entered the room as well.

Xiao Weiguo asked Xiao Hongmei to take the younger siblings out to play in the big courtyard.

Then he closed the door to the inner room and lit a candle with a match.

Grandpa Xiao Tieniu looked at him anxiously and asked, “Weiguo, what’s the matter? Did someone in the city bully you? I’ll have the villagers come help you right away!”

“No, Grandpa, I’m doing well in the city. Don’t worry,” Xiao Weiguo hurried to reassure him.

Pausing briefly, he deliberately glanced at Xiao Pingle before continuing, “Here’s the thing—I helped Dad find a job in the city. He’ll be starting work soon.

It’s at a repair shop in the city as a porter—a formal, permanent position. I wanted to tell you all in advance.

From now on, Dad, you need to pay close attention to any official notices the brigade receives. When you get them, have Uncle Gonglin issue a certificate quickly so you can register in the city without delay.”

After he finished speaking, a heavy silence filled the room. Grandpa, Grandma, and Father all widened their eyes in disbelief.

Xiao Pingle took a moment to digest the news, then shouted, “Weiguo, is this for real? You mean me? I’m going to work in the city?

Me, Xiao Pingle, what skills do I have? Yet here I am, about to become a city worker! Ha!”

Xiao Weiguo smiled and said, “Yes, Dad, this job is for you. I wanted you to be prepared. Just one more thing to watch out for: it’s a formal position, so don’t let anyone trick you into switching it. When you register, remember to have me go with you.

Also, the job is porter work—physical labor. Don’t complain about it, okay?”

At that moment, Grandpa Xiao Tieniu finally grasped the situation and interjected, “He’s brave. Weiguo must have worked hard to find you this job, and it’s a formal one at that. You’ve always been a farmer with some strength; this job suits you perfectly.”

“I found a formal job for Dad mainly so we could transfer Hongmei’s and Weijun’s household registrations to the city too. That way, our whole family will have urban residency. Dad, you go register first. Once the paperwork is done, we’ll move the registrations right away,” Xiao Weiguo explained slowly.

Grandma’s face lit up with tears of joy. “Good, good! Being city folk is wonderful!”

Since hearing the news, Xiao Pingle could hardly hide the delight on his face. He thought to himself, “I never imagined I’d get to work in the city. So what if it’s porter work? Porters are workers too.” He was already imagining how to show off to his peers.

Grandpa and Grandma kept praising how wonderful it was.

Seeing everyone so happy made Xiao Weiguo pleased as well. Since coming here, he had been working tirelessly, and finally, some tangible progress had come. He felt deeply satisfied.

Suddenly remembering something, he quickly interrupted them, saying, “Grandpa, Grandma, Dad, you must keep this a secret. Don’t tell anyone until it’s official. You know, some people can’t stand to see us succeed. Achieving this wasn’t easy, but ruining it would be much simpler.”

Grandpa hurriedly told Xiao Pingle, “Yes, yes, Pingle, you must watch your tongue. Don’t be like some people who can’t keep a secret. This concerns your whole life—and the lives of Weijun and the others.”

Xiao Pingle had been planning to boast to his peers soon, but hearing this, he swallowed his pride and said, “I understand, Dad. I won’t say anything.”

Regaining his composure, Grandpa Xiao Tieniu asked, “Weiguo, how did you manage to find this job for your dad? Recently, I’ve heard that the brigade isn’t even hiring temporary workers anymore. Only about eight young men and women between ten and twenty years old have gone to the city recently.”

Xiao Weiguo didn’t know how to explain it to them and only said, “I did the factory a big favor, and this is my reward. I converted it into this job. Grandpa, you don’t need to worry. Just know that Dad’s going to work in the city.”

Hearing this, Grandpa and Father fell silent. Weiguo had already contributed so much to the family, and now he was sharing his own reward with them—it was no small thing.

Grandpa took a drag from his pipe and said, “Weiguo, working alone in the city won’t be easy, and the family can’t help you much. You must take good care of yourself and work hard.

You don’t need to worry about Grandma and me. These old bones are still sturdy—we’re even thinking of you having children someday. But you better get settled down first.”

Xiao Weiguo heard the topic shift to marriage and quickly said, “Grandpa, Grandma, don’t worry. My work is going well. As for marriage, I’m still young—maybe in two years.”

Grandma suddenly remembered the cooking and hurried out with an “Oh!”