Sister, can I be a maid too?

Qin Huiyi nodded and continued:

"We benefited from the era's dividends and had a series of fortunate events, which is how we accumulated this little bit of wealth."

"Your generation is different; opportunities are actually quite limited... You'll understand when you grow up."

There are many young people renting apartments, and she has seen many who work hard but still can't save money.

At this point, Jiang Pinglan's tone softened:

"So, we don't ask anything of you. Just abide by the law and be an upright person, and that's enough."

"As long as you're not idle, even if you don't want to work in the future, you can come with us to collect rent and regularly maintain our houses, no problem at all."

Qin Huiyi nodded and added:

"That's right, you don't need to worry about your father and me taking care of our retirement."

“We’ve already done our research. There’s a nursing home in the suburbs of Lincheng that’s quiet and well-equipped. We both really like it.”

The two of them were singing in unison, leaving Jiang Yubai somewhat amused and exasperated.

"Mom and Dad, isn't this a bit premature? I haven't even taken the college entrance exam yet, and you've already planned out my entire life?"

"I'm just afraid you'll feel burdened."

Jiang Pinglan spoke naturally and picked up another piece of food with her chopsticks.

"Your mother and I usually travel all over the country, so we should take advantage of the fact that the whole family is together during the Spring Festival to talk more about some things."

"I know, I know. Do I look like I have a burden on my shoulders?" Jiang Yubai nodded repeatedly.

Qin Huiyi glanced at her son, then added with concern:

"By the way, our family does have some resources, but Lin Jianxia and Lin Tingwan... you mustn't hold them back."

"Mom! Why are you bringing this up again? When will this end?!"

-----------------

After dinner, Qin Huiyi and Jiang Pinglan sat on the sofa as usual, waiting for the Spring Festival Gala to be broadcast on TV.

Jiang Yubai really couldn't understand what was so interesting about those things, so he took the two boxes of fireworks his father had bought and went out.

"Be careful when you put it down," Jiang Pinglan turned her head and instructed, "Don't let the power cord get caught."

"Okay, Dad, I've kept it for years, okay?"

Jiang Yubai casually replied and then carried the fireworks out the door.

After untying the wires, Jiang Yubai didn't rush to put it away. Instead, he took out his phone and opened the chat window named 'Wanwan'.

【江碧鸟逾白】： Time for New Year's Eve dinner! Have you eaten yet?

【River Green, Birds Whiter】: 【Image】

[Wanwan]: [Image]

[Wanwan]: [Image]

Jiang Yubai reached out and tapped the screen. The first picture was of that familiar spiral notebook, with the words "Eating" written on it in small print followed by a standard period.

Just by looking at her, he could imagine Lin Tingwan's earnest little face.

Click on the second picture, and you'll see a simple wooden dining table with four or five dishes neatly arranged on it.

Some of the dishes were clearly made by Lin Jianxia, ​​while the others, rich and dark in sauce, were probably made by their grandmother.

Jiang Yubai's lips curled up slightly, and he typed another question:

[Jiang Bi Niao Yu Bai]: Today is Lunar New Year's Eve. Did you set off fireworks last night?

After waiting for a while without receiving a reply, Jiang Yubai wasn't in a hurry. He simply sat down on the cold steps and looked up at the scattered fireworks rising in the distance.

.......

Changliu Village.

In the kitchen, Lin Jianxia and Lin Tingwan were standing side by side in front of the sink washing dishes.

Both of them wore aprons around their waists, with their sleeves rolled up high. The older sister was in charge of washing, and the younger sister was in charge of rinsing. They worked together seamlessly.

Grandma walked around the kitchen doorway with her hands behind her back, trying to help several times, but Lin Jianxia stopped her each time.

"Grandma, it's fine on ordinary days, but Wanwan and I are here for the New Year, so you don't need to lift a finger."

Lin Jianxia pouted.

"Besides, as you said before, you'll help with the cooking, and then we'll take care of the rest."

The old man couldn't refuse, so he had no choice but to step aside and carefully examine his two granddaughters, as if he couldn't get enough of looking at them.

After a while, as if she had suddenly remembered something, she asked softly:

"Xia girl, those things you brought back today... must have cost a lot of money, right?"

Lin Jianxia smiled and said:

"No, Grandma, I told you before that I found a part-time job. The boss is a really nice person. These are all New Year's benefits."

The elderly woman wasn't quite clear on the specific meanings of terms like "part-time job" and "benefits," but she felt her granddaughter had met a good person, so she nodded repeatedly and gave her some instructions:

“They’re good people, Xia girl. You’d better work hard when you’re working for them.”

"Yes, I know, Grandma, don't worry."

Lin Jianxia nodded, deftly stacking the washed dishes as she spoke.

"Please feel free to eat and use these things. If you need anything, I'll buy it for you when I get back."

—Aren't you putting in the effort? You're cooking, giving massages, and even helping others with their studies...

The old man watched his granddaughter's busy figure, remained silent for two seconds, then couldn't help but sigh, his voice lowering:

"Xia girl, do you...do you still have contact with your father?"

Lin Jianxia stopped wiping the dishes completely. Only the sound of running water remained in the kitchen.

After a moment, she answered softly:

"...They give me money every month."

Lin Tingwan turned her head and looked at her older sister with some concern.

Lin Jianxia shook her head, turned off the tap, wiped her hands, and rubbed her younger sister's head:

"It's alright."

The old man sighed again, his cloudy eyes filled with complex emotions:

"He's the one who wronged you..."

"Grandma, there's nothing to apologize for."

Lin Jianxia turned around, gently pushed the old man's shoulder towards the warm living room, and said in a drawn-out voice,

“We’re doing pretty well right now. If things get better later, my part-time job won’t interfere with my studies, and I can even save some money.”

"But what about you?" she changed the subject, "have you been using the money I send back properly? You haven't just been saving it all up again, have you?"

"What money should I use...?"

Grandma waved her hand, her tone becoming serious.

"I've told you so many times, don't send any more money back. I have enough for my basic needs with my welfare allowance."

"You're the one who really needs the money. Studying is the most important thing. If the part-time job is too tiring, quit. I..."

"Milk~ Milk~"

Lin Jianxia drew out her words, interrupting her with a hint of coquetry.

"You brought this up again."

"Sigh, okay, okay, I won't say anymore..."

Judging from their posture, the grandfather and grandson have probably discussed this matter many times.

Lin Tingwan quietly followed beside her, occasionally glancing at her grandmother and occasionally at her older sister.

Lin Jianxia helped her grandmother sit down on the old sofa and then covered her legs with a thin blanket.

After hesitating for a moment, she still said:

"Grandma, this part-time job is really different from before. It's just helping my classmates cook."

“He rents a place next to us. He’s a really nice guy, and he takes good care of us.”

"A classmate?" Grandma blinked. "She's a girl, right? They must get along well to be able to look after each other like this."

Lin Jianxia's gaze unconsciously drifted to the dark night outside the window. Her fingers unconsciously twirled the hem of her apron, and she gave a vague "hmm," neither confirming nor denying it.

—Hmm... To put Grandma's mind at ease, Jiang Xiaobai, you'll have to make do for now and temporarily become a girl.

Lin Jianxia's lips curled up slightly as she unconsciously pictured someone awkwardly wearing a skirt.

After settling her grandmother in, Lin Jianxia sat down with her younger sister.

As soon as she sat down, Lin Tingwan seemed to remember something, took out her phone from her pocket to look at it, and then took out her notebook and started writing.

Lin Jianxia was a little confused, but then she seemed to realize something and took out her phone and opened the chat window with the nickname "Annoying Jiang Xiaobai".

There wasn't a single message inside.

The girl frowned, her gaze fixed intently on her younger sister:

"Wanwan, did Jiang Yubai send you a message?"

After Lin Tingwan finished writing in her notebook, she took a picture and sent it to her sister before turning her phone screen slightly towards her.

Lin Jianxia tilted her head to look, and sure enough, that bastard was harassing her younger sister again.

The more she watched, the rounder her cheeks puffed out, as if she wanted to reach through the screen and give the guy on the other side a few cat punches.

—What? Sending New Year's Eve dinner and asking if there are fireworks? Their wolfish ambitions are too obvious!

Pshaw, what's the point of setting off fireworks? What's so interesting about them anyway...?

No, as the older sister, she had to stop her younger sister from being fooled by this guy's sweet talk.