Chen Yang quickly stopped his second aunt, Cui Xiufang. Shen Mei was usually sensible and not like those kids who disliked studying, so he believed there must be some hidden reason.
In this era, let alone in the countryside, even in the cities, there were plenty of people who didn't study.
Most people considered themselves fortunate to graduate from junior high. Those who went on to high school were fewer, and those who attended university were even rarer.
Cui Xiufang also wanted Shen Mei to study diligently because Shen Guangfu had earned some money, and their family was well-off, not lacking the few work points her daughter could earn.
If she could get into university, she could become a city dweller in the future. What parent wouldn't want their child to have a bright future?
In this era, being a city dweller, earning a salary, and eating rationed grain was a class leap that any rural person dreamed of.
"Mei Yatou, tell us yourself, what's going on?"
"School isn't exposed to the wind or rain, is it more comfortable than staying home chopping pig feed and going to work with us?"
Chen Yang looked at Shen Mei. This girl was spirited. In his previous life, her family didn't have this kind of condition, and she dropped out of junior high to work with her family.
Later, she married early. The couple initially farmed in the countryside, and then followed others to work in the south.
The couple was quite daring and resourceful. They worked in a garment factory for a few years, then decided to set up a street stall selling clothes. They directly sourced from the factory, bypassing wholesalers and their markups, so their purchase price was very low.
They were among the first to benefit from the reform and opening up. By the 1990s, they had become 'ten thousand yuan households' and even built a house.
Later, they transitioned from street stalls to opening clothing stores, and eventually even started a small clothing factory, though it nearly went bankrupt due to poor management.
However, in his past life, even during their most difficult times, Shen Mei had set aside some savings to lend to the couple of Naivazi to buy a house.
Chen Yang remembered this. That's why he secretly sent people to help Shen Mei's family revive the clothing factory.
Naivazi had refused his money back then, and Chen Yang had wanted to indirectly help his daughter through Shen Mei.
But who would have thought that Naivazi wouldn't accept Shen Mei's money either? That girl was very proud. The couple lived frugally for several years, and without having children, they managed to pay back the money they owed Shen Mei first.
Regardless, Chen Yang had a very good impression of his wife's cousin, which was why he asked Shen Mei about the reason.
"Who says it's not tiring if it's not exposed to wind and rain? Learning in that broken classroom makes my head hurt."
"I haven't learned the previous knowledge. The things the teacher talks about recognize me, but I don't recognize them. It's so embarrassing."
"I feel like it would be easier for me to chop pig feed for a day than to attend one class. I'm just a blockhead; I can't learn, what can I do?"
Shen Mei tilted her chin up. She wasn't afraid of working, but she was truly afraid of going to school.
Because she felt like a joke, she didn't like people looking at her with the eyes of an idiot. She didn't intentionally ask those seemingly foolish questions.
But she genuinely didn't understand.
In elementary school, she often skipped class to chop pig feed, help with chores, and look after her younger siblings. She had missed too many classes, so even though she tried hard, she still couldn't understand what the teacher was saying.
"You stubborn girl, others can learn, why can't you?"
"Look, you don't have to do any work every day, you eat white flour buns and rice, and you still don't study hard. Do you deserve us and your father?"
"Look at other people's children, they're working in the fields. We let you not work, but you don't know what's good for you. We're doing this for your own good. If you can get into high school, university, or vocational school."
"You might get a good job in the future, maybe even a city hukou, and marry into a good family. Then you won't have to face the soil and the sky, forever being a farmer who can barely read or write, like us."
Cui Xiufang's eyes also reddened. She didn't understand grand principles. She only knew that the family's conditions were better now than before, and she wanted her daughter to have a good future.
"Mom, you don't understand. You don't understand anything. It's not that I don't want to learn, but I really can't learn."
"I'd rather go work in the fields with Dad, I'd rather go stock the fish pond. Even if life isn't good in the future, I won't resent you. The path is my own choice, and I'll be responsible for it myself."
Shen Mei wiped away her tears. It wasn't that she hadn't tried. Every time she took her questions to the teacher, the teacher would explain, but they couldn't possibly teach her all the elementary school lessons from scratch, could they?
Even if she was willing to learn, the teacher didn't have the time to teach her alone.
"You stubborn girl, you're still being defiant. See if I don't beat you to death."
Cui Xiufang's anger flared up seeing Shen Mei's unyielding demeanor.
Shen Guangfu saw Cui Xiufang's reaction and quickly pulled her towards the house.
"Mei Yatou, don't argue with your mother. Yangzi, you help persuade this girl, and I'll persuade your aunt."
"Life is getting better and better, but we're arguing. This won't do."
Shen Guangfu was also frustrated. His wife had a fiery temper, and he had no say when she spoke. Today, with Chen Yang here, he voiced his concerns.
If he could get Chen Yang to help mediate, otherwise, relying on him alone, this family would still be in turmoil for some time.
"Second Uncle, Eldest Aunt's husband and Eldest Aunt are here to share good news, saying that Wukang's wife is pregnant. My father is planning to have Eldest Aunt's husband stay for dinner."
"They're rushing me and Xue'er to invite you all to eat at my house. Second Aunt, don't be angry anymore. Come to my house for dinner, and I'll talk to Mei Yatou properly for you."
"Parents, sometimes you can't be too overbearing. Children grow up and have their own thoughts. We need to understand them before we talk. We need to respect their own ideas."
Chen Yang had Shen Xue take Shen Mei and turn back home. Shen Mei's situation was actually a microcosm of many rural children.
Before the college entrance examination, everyone felt that studying was not very useful. Being able to write one's own name and perform simple addition and subtraction was enough.
In the countryside, these skills were only needed for work points and accounting. At most, one could recognize a few more characters and write letters, but there was no other use.
The most capable would be able to use an abacus and become a village accountant, but that wasn't a position for a girl like Shen Mei.
"My nephew has a baby?"
This was indeed great news!
Shen Guangfu, upon hearing this good news, forgot to hold back Cui Xiufang. Cui Xiufang also stopped talking about Shen Mei's matter. She knew what was more important.
Shen Mei's issue was their family matter, but now that her sister-in-law's son had a child, this was a joyous occasion. She couldn't dampen everyone's spirits.