0p0 Chapter 229 The Tragedy of a Dancer (12)
Chapter 229 The Tragedy of a Dancer (12)
"After what happened last time, I thought about it carefully. The root cause of many arguments in this family is because of me, because of my job."
"Working as a dancer in a dance hall is ultimately not a respectable job. Our family is a respectable family, and I don't want our family to become disrespectable because of my job!"
"For the sake of harmony within our family, I've thought about it for a long time and feel that the best solution is to quit this job!"
Xia Mingwei looked completely sincere, as if she was doing this without any selfish motives and was entirely considering the well-being of the family.
At this moment, Xia's mother's mind was completely blank. She continued to question, "Then how will we cover the household expenses? What about your brother's studies abroad?"
Xia Mingwei cleared her throat and explained with a "patient" expression.
“I spoke with Aunt Wu a few days ago about this, and she has already found another job. Starting next week, Aunt Wu will no longer be coming to work for us. Mingzhu has grown up quite a bit over the years, and it's time for her to learn to do some housework! Before, she was too young to be suitable. Now, she's just right!”
"Although Grandma is getting old, she's not at the point where she can't be separated from others. You don't need to take care of the family yourself on a daily basis, Mother. You can go to work for other people's families to supplement the household income!"
"When Grandma has nothing to do on weekdays, she can take on odd jobs and do them at home. I think Aunt Cai on the front street does a pretty good job at pasting paper boxes!"
"As for my younger brother, he's a boy, strong, and can work at the docks more often. If he's lucky, he can earn quite a few copper coins a day! As for studying abroad, I think he's still too young, we can wait a bit longer! In a couple of years, when the family has saved enough money, it won't be too late to send him abroad to study!"
If you ignore Xia Mingwei's mocking eyes, at first glance you might really think these words are heartfelt!
Upon hearing these words, Xia's mother felt her blood boil again.
She suppressed her anger, "And what about you? You quit this job, what are you going to do?"
"I?"
Xia Mingwei pointed to the tip of her nose and said, "I'm all grown up now, you don't need to worry about me, Mom!"
"After working in dance halls for so many years, I want to take a break for a while before thinking about what to do next!"
Xia's mother gritted her teeth again and again. Was she concerned about whether this wretched girl lived or died? She was concerned about this family!
Actually, Xia Mingwei had something else she didn't say: she had decided to move out today. Of course, she wouldn't inform them before leaving.
After all, we can't let these people stick around and keep sucking our blood!
“In the past, I was never respectable and disgraced the Xia family. From now on, I will change my ways and strive to become a respectable person!”
"Mom, you'll be happy for me and support me, right?"
Xia's mother forced a smile. "I'm glad you think that way. But..."
"As long as the family works together as one, things will always get better, won't they?"
"Mother, I have faith in this family. Don't you have that same faith?"
Before Xia's mother could finish speaking, Xia Mingwei interrupted her.
Before Xia's mother could give another response, Xia Mingwei went out.
Watching the departing figure, Xia's mother stamped her foot. At that moment, she felt utterly alone and desperately needed someone to discuss things with.
Xia Mingzhu was too young and inexperienced to get any useful advice from her. Xia Tianyao, being a boy, had never gotten involved in such trivial family matters. Clearly, he wasn't suitable either.
Therefore, this matter naturally fell to Granny Li.
In short, Xia's mother told Granny Li about the matter.
After listening, Granny Li frowned. "Why didn't you tell me sooner that she hadn't given you your monthly allowance!"
“A few days ago, you were in a bad mood, Mother-in-law, how could I dare to provoke you? Besides, didn’t you warn me to stay at home for a while and not go anywhere? How would I know what’s going on outside if I’m staying at home!”
As she spoke, there was a hint of reproach in Xia's mother's tone.
Granny Li narrowed her eyes. "So, you're blaming me?"
"My wife wouldn't dare!"
"I'm not letting you go out so that you can break off your relationship with Doctor Zhong from that pharmacy and give up any thoughts of remarrying. You and I both know this, so there's no need to bring it up again."
"As for Mingwei's matter, we'll talk to her properly when she gets back tonight."
The most important thing right now is to ensure the family's income doesn't run out, so Xia's mother had no choice but to put her own concerns aside for the time being and agree.
But thinking of Xia Mingwei's attitude this morning, a faint sense of unease flashed through Xia's mother's heart.
She asked Granny Li again, "Mother, what if she still doesn't want to go back to the dance hall?"
Granny Li snorted coldly, "Whether she likes it or not, even if we have to tie her up, we'll tie her back to the dance hall!"
Don't be fooled by Granny Li's constant talk of "respectability" and "family honor," and her endless refrain from using terms like "rules" and "propriety."
Xia Mingwei would never want to leave the dance hall!
Where can she find a high-paying job after leaving the dance hall?
This is the family's livelihood, and she will not allow anyone to ruin it!
She's old and can't keep up with the hustle anymore. She doesn't want to go through those tough and exhausting days again!
If someone in this family has to sacrifice, then let her be the one to sacrifice!
To Xia's mother's disappointment, Xia Mingwei was nowhere to be seen until dark.
As time passed, Xia's mother's unease grew stronger. She wasn't worried about Xia Mingwei's safety, fearing she might have met with misfortune outside. She was afraid that this brat would really do as she said and leave the family!
When this terrible thought slowly rose in Xia's mother's mind, she could no longer hold back and hurriedly went to find Granny Li.
"Mother, what should we do? It's already this late, and Mingwei still hasn't come back."
It seems that living longer is indeed better. Compared to Xia's mother's panic, Granny Li was much calmer.
"What's the panic? Maybe something got in the way and that's why you're out there! Making such a fuss over such a small thing, what kind of behavior is that!"
"Besides, the world is so chaotic these days. Where can a girl like her, who can't even kill a chicken, go if she leaves home?"
"She had barely left the city when the beggars came up!"
"Mingwei is a smart person. She's an adult, she knows what she's doing!"
These words were not only spoken to Xia's mother, but also seemed to be spoken to herself.
It seemed that only by thinking this way could they keep Xia Mingwei, and this "undignified" granddaughter.