Chapter 13 - 013 Literacy Class
013 Literacy Class
After the maid incident last time, Li Xianglu's days had obviously gotten better.
Not knowing what her Aunt Liu Aidang and Ge Sanmei had said to each other, but ever since that incident, Ge Sanmei had shown no pleasant face towards her yet ceased from hitting or scolding her. Instead, she became stricter towards her own married daughter, Li Jianhong, forbidding her from visiting her parental home without reason.
But that harshness was just that. When winter came, there were no tasks left for the Li Family Village Production Team on the Loess Plateau, and everyone stayed at home to rest and recuperate.
The most they did was wash clothes and cook meals. Originally, Ge Sanmei, angry at Li Xianglu, had forbidden her from cooking, but after a few days, the family members all commented that the meals prepared by Li Xianglu were delicious, which frustrated Ge Sanmei. In truth, she too had realized that the girl's cooking was indeed tastier; her stir-fried cabbage and vermicelli were much better—a result of her skill in oiling and seasoning. Nothing was missing from the cabinet, so Ge Sanmei had no choice but to let Li Xianglu continue cooking.
However, during the winter, the family only ate twice a day, and that wasn't too difficult, plus the kitchen was warm. Li Xianglu, unwilling to face Ge Sanmei in the room, stayed in the kitchen instead.
Li Family Village Production Team and neighboring Jishui Production Team were adjacent, separated only by a road. And the production teams planned to start a literacy class, discussing to combine the literacy classes of both teams for easier management and convenience.
Thus, the literacy class began.
Li Xianglu, eager to rid herself of her illiterate status, naturally wanted to attend, but being of no status in the family, she needed approval from her family members. Therefore, she thought of an important person—her older brother, Li Jianqing.
Li Jianqing was fifteen this year and had only completed third grade. Playful and mischievous, he had stopped attending school early.
Thus, Li Xianglu had a deep conversation with Li Jianqing.