Chapter 325 Xiang Yan
Yang PeiMin talked about amusing incidents and finally encouraged them, urging them to study hard because they too would have the opportunity to attend university in the future.
Shen Yichun’s eldest daughter, Tang Huixin, lowered her head upon hearing this and quietly said, "My parents want me to stop studying after junior high, so my younger brothers can have a bit more for their tuition... Making it to junior high is already quite good for me..."
"But cousin Huixin, you’ve only just started junior high, and your Aunt Shen isn’t letting you continue?" Shen Yixia’s daughter, Xiang Yan, asked.
Tang Huixin nodded, acknowledging this.
Xiang Yan looked anxious, "What do you think about it yourself?"
Tang Huixin shook her head, "I also want my brothers to study. Our family really can’t bear the financial burden. Besides, most of the girls in the village haven’t attended school at all. The fact I could attend up to junior high is already great. My mom said that I should just help out at home for a few years now, learn some skills, and then get married when I’m of age. Honestly, there’s not much time left, just a few more years." Although she spoke these words, her expression betrayed her, filled with regret and helplessness.
Without hesitation, Xiang Yan turned to Yang PeiMin, "Auntie, please persuade her. Maybe Aunt Shen just has some temporary financial difficulties. Isn’t everything much better now than before? Her family doesn’t have many children, just three. My family has even one more. I heard that many jobs nowadays require educated people. If you are educated like Auntie, you can be directly assigned to a job. A lot of times, you can even become a leader. It’s something to be proud of wherever you go."
Yang PeiMin smiled and nodded, "That’s true, but it’s not absolute. However, Yanzi is right, there are a lot more job opportunities. We should start preparing now. Huixin, discuss this with your parents. Don’t be afraid to speak up. Sit down together and talk about it. Perhaps there are areas where you can do better at home; ask them about it. If you can handle both home and studies, see if they can agree. Also familiarize yourself with your family’s financial situation. Understand it through your own eyes and heart. Sometimes opportunities are fleeting, and time waits for no one. You should act quickly."
Tang Huixin’s personality was clearly at least half like her mother, Shen Yichun, often silent, preferring to keep things to herself, and too easily handing over initiative to others. So asking her to broach this topic with her parents was likely a significant challenge for Huixin. Yang PeiMin hoped she would fight for herself; if she didn’t strive or stand up for herself, it would be difficult for others to say anything.
"Auntie, why don’t you and Uncle help to persuade Aunt Shen? They’ll definitely listen to you," Xiang Yan suggested.