Chapter 336
As soon as she said this, she thought Lin Sisi would be moved.
Who knew Lin Sisi's face would instantly darken: "Mom, what are you saying?? Divorce! How can you and Dad be getting divorced? If it really comes to it, just apologize to Dad, give in a little. It's not a big deal, is it?"
"If you get divorced, how am I supposed to face people in the Fu family? Our family's circumstances are already not as good as the Fu family's. His side of the family looks down on me. If you two divorce, what will happen to me!"
Lin Sisi was frantic. Even though she didn't have deep feelings for her parents, she didn't want them to divorce either.
Let alone go with Zhang Cuimei.
Zhang Cuimei was just a minor public servant.
But Si's Father, after all, was a military officer.
If they divorced, Zhang Cuimei would have to move out of the military family compound.
Then what would life be like for her, and for me if I were with her, in the compound afterwards?
Lin Sisi strongly opposed it.
Hearing this, Zhang Cuimei looked at Lin Sisi in disbelief.
She thought that when she told her daughter about her husband's unfair treatment, her daughter would surely feel for her and stand by her side.
She never expected her to also tell her to lower her head and admit fault.
But Zhang Cuimei, used to being tough, how could she possibly swallow her pride?
Originally, when her husband mentioned divorce, she hadn't taken it seriously.
Theirs was a military marriage; without major issues, her husband couldn't just divorce her arbitrarily. The higher-ups wouldn't approve it.
But this time, perhaps because of the things she had said, which were overheard by Division Commander Jiang and Mother Fu, who then targeted her behind her back...
The higher-ups actually hinted to Si's Father that the Si family's conduct was improper, leaving the decision to him.
That is to say, once Si's Father made his decision, she would really have to get divorced.
Before, when her husband stopped coming home daily, people had already noticed, gossiping about whether Si's Father had someone on the outside.
If they really divorced, how many people would laugh at her and gloat over her misfortune.
If even her daughter wouldn't stand by her side...
Noticing Zhang Cuimei's ugly expression, Lin Sisi realized she had been too harsh and hurriedly comforted her: "Mom, it's not that I'm unwilling to be with you. I just think this is bad for you. Look, if you divorce, my life in the Fu family will be incredibly difficult. And with Dad favoring Si Nian, if anything happens in the future, no one will protect me, and I'll have no maternal family to rely on. I've already lived eighteen years of hardship; I'm really afraid of losing you..."
Hearing this, Zhang Cuimei's heart ached sharply.
Yes, if she left, what would become of her daughter?
Even if her daughter came with her, they would still live in the military family compound. If that man found a stepmother for her, her life would surely be even harder.
Si's Mother made up her mind. So what if he had a woman outside? For her daughter's sake, she would die before agreeing to divorce her husband.
Early May, the weather was getting nicer, temperatures rising, and everyone started wearing short sleeves and skirts.
Si Nian put away the thick quilts and laid out the lighter ones in the doorway to air.
Da Huang lay nearby, basking in the sun.
Just then, there was a knock at the door.
Si Nian looked over and saw it was Fang Hui from next door.
Fang Hui was still in professional attire, looking very much the white-collar professional.
In one hand, she carried some fruit; in the other, a radio.
A quick glance confirmed it was the same model as the one at their school.
Si Nian raised an eyebrow slightly, stepped forward, and opened the door. "Comrade Fang, is there something you need?"
Although the two families lived close by, there was a sense of distance, and they had always maintained a mutually non-intrusive way of getting along.
Fang Hui disdained flattering others, but this time she had no choice.
Fang Hui said, "I bought a radio, but I'm not very good at using it. I heard you, Teacher Si, are a foreign language teacher at the foreign language elementary school. Could you teach me how to tune it?"
She had bought it after seeing how good Si Nian's radio was, but after buying it, she couldn't figure out how to use it.
She had wanted to ask the shop owner, but the owner said he didn't know either.
She couldn't return it either, which infuriated Fang Hui.
Such an expensive item, she couldn't bear to just let it go to waste.
That's why she had swallowed her pride and come knocking.
"About that incident last time, please don't take it to heart. I was just unfamiliar and asked without thinking it would offend you. I'm truly sorry. These fruits are a small apology."
She was referring to the time she had gossiped about Si Nian with others in the tube-shaped apartment building.
Si Nian offered a thin, insincere smile.
If she was really sorry, why wait until now to apologize? It had been so long.
Still, one shouldn't hit a person who comes with a smile. She said, "You're too polite, Comrade Fang. I generally don't bother with people who enjoy gossiping about others behind their backs."
Fang Hui's face darkened for a moment. This was a veiled jab, mocking her.
She really wanted to turn and leave, but thinking of her purpose, she held back.
She forced an awkward laugh and said, "Yes, yes, let's just let bygones be bygones. As for this radio, could I trouble you, Teacher Si, to help me tune it..."
She lifted the radio. "I'm really quite embarrassed. I only realized after buying it that you, Teacher Si, have one too. But please don't misunderstand, I didn't buy it because I saw you had one. It's just that my son did quite well on his recent tests, so I bought it as a gift for him..."
"I heard your ten-year-old eldest son is also in fourth grade at the foreign language elementary school. I wonder how his test scores were? My son didn't do too well this time; he lost two points on his English composition..."
Si Nian nodded seriously. "That's indeed not too great."
Fang Hui thought she had misheard and emphasized, "My son scored ninety-eight. He only lost two points on the English composition. He ranked first in the class."
Si Nian nodded. "And so?"
Question marks seemed to pop up above Fang Hui's head. If she had said this to anyone else, they would have been showering her with praise and envy by now.
Why was she so calm?
Unwilling to give up, she said, "Although he's first in the class, he's still two points short. I'm not very satisfied."
Si Nian said, "Then have him repeat the grade."
Fang Hui couldn't smile anymore. "Never mind. It's just two points. I'm not that strict. But, Teacher Si, how much did your son score? My son's ninety-eight is first in the class. Your son probably isn't worse than mine, right?"
Now it was Si Nian's turn to smile. "You're too kind. Although my son scored a hundred, your son is also quite good."
Fang Hui: "..."
Si Nian secretly enjoyed her somewhat twisted expression for a moment. Actually, she could understand Fang Hui. Having a four-year-old son who was such a genius made her think her son was the best in the world.
He couldn't be surpassed in the slightest.
But while showing off was one thing, belittling other people's children to elevate her own was something Si Nian couldn't agree with.
Especially when the child being belittled was her own.
When she was young, her parents were always comparing her to others—either this family's daughter was more outstanding, or that family's son had better grades and was more filial.
In short, she was always the worst.
She really disliked this kind of disparaging upbringing.
Fang Hui was probably encountering for the first time a situation where her bragging was surpassed by someone else.
Her expression was truly spectacular.
She managed an ugly smile. "It seems your son is really amazing. Even though he's already ten, my son can't compare to him."
Si Nian said calmly, "Sorry, I don't like comparing my son to others. He's not a commodity."