An JingZhi carefully considered that having these children at home all day long seriously affected their standard of living. Moreover, only two sons had their own families now, and there were still two more to go. When they all started their own families, there would still be many issues to resolve.
The eldest son's younger one was two years old now. Over these years, even though the eldest son was seldom home, they had done enough for Liu Ling.
With An JingZhi taking the lead, this matter was easily resolved.
Zhou Nan would help look after the children for a month. After the college entrance exam, regardless of whether they were admitted or not, each family would be responsible for their own children. Those who could handle it would do so, and those who could not would send the child to a nursery. In any case, no one in the family would help anymore.
Zheng Suchun did not have any objection, and Liu Ling who had enjoyed the benefits for many years naturally could not object either.
However, the issue of the children still posed a big dilemma for her. She had her own job, so whether she was admitted to college or not, it was inevitable that someone had to look after the children.
As a result, even if she did not vocalize it, resentment towards Zheng Suchun grew in her heart. If not for her actions, the mother-in-law would not have refused to care for anyone.
Now that she did not get any benefits either, she instead lost her own privileges as well.
At the same time, An Zhiren was also troubled and asked Zheng Suchun, "What were you trying to achieve by making a fuss? I told you that mother definitely could not handle it, we should have persevered by ourselves first. If we did get admitted, then we could think of solutions. But now look what's happened - the issue of the children is still unresolved."
As for the precondition they had agreed on before getting married, it was meaningless to bring it up now. They already had two children, and An Zhiren would not use it to pressure Zheng Suchun either.
"I wasn't trying to achieve anything, I just wanted my heart to feel better," Zheng Suchun said. "I know you all feel that eldest sister-in-law has had it hard, and the family should support her. I didn't mind this before, but do you really think eldest sister-in-law doesn't know that she's benefited? If she had some conscience, she should have voluntarily contributed more instead of pretending to not know anything and taking advantage of us."
"That's because eldest brother can't be by her side. I'm able to help out at home, our lives are not too difficult, there's no need to calculate so finely," An Zhiren persuaded.
"An Zhiren, I've been very reasonable already. It is you who are being biased," Zheng Suchun coquettishly put her arm around his neck. After a few years of looking after the children without doing farm work, she had become much fairer and was as beautiful as a flower, a perfect match for An Zhiren in terms of looks. "I know what you're all thinking - that eldest brother is not around and it's difficult for the couple to be separated. But the two of them have jobs, I asked little fourth son last time he was back. With his allowance, reward for missions, and various subsidies, he already earns 50-60 yuan per month. I also heard eldest brother got a promotion again - after so many years he should earn 70-80 yuan at least. Add eldest sister-in-law's salary, the two of them earn over 100 yuan per month. I feel we are the ones worse off compared to them."
An Zhiren's salary was more than enough to support the family, but it definitely could not compare with theirs. Yet his parents always helped the eldest son, anyone would feel unhappy over time, and Zheng Suchun did not think her perspective was wrong.
With his beautiful wife in his arms, and this matter indeed could not withstand too much analysis, An Zhiren could only admit defeat. "I know you are beautiful and kind-hearted. Let's put this incident behind us and not mention it again, alright?"
An Zhiren certainly could not tell her that the elders in the family still had significant savings hidden away. As long as the right opportunity came, they did not need to worry about money at all.
However, the college entrance examination had been restored now, and he believed the day the policies changed was also not far off.
The An family elders thought they had kept the secret of the hidden family assets very well, but they did not know that none of the four grandsons had been fooled, even ZhiXia knew the exact location from what An ZhiAng said.
Seeing that An Zhiren still took her side, Zheng Suchun was finally satisfied.
During the exam, ZhiXia breezed through everything confidently. As An Zhiren had expected, her shortcomings were mainly in ideological awareness instead.
To put it bluntly, she lacked the spirit of self-sacrifice and dedication, and was rather selfish and indifferent instead.
Fortunately, An Zhiren had specifically made her overcome this aspect. Although many of her responses went against her true feelings, they were still passable.
ZhiXia was not in the same exam room as the others. When she came out, she did not see them either so she went straight home first.
Sister Zhang was anxiously waiting at home. Before ZhiXia even entered, she eagerly rushed out, "ZhiXia, how was the exam? Did you find it difficult?"
Old Master and Old Madam had also been paying attention to movement by the door. Hearing Sister Zhang's question, they waited expectantly for her reply.
ZhiXia smiled and said, "It was alright I guess. I finished all the questions I could do, the rest is up to fate now."
Old Master and Old Madam's hearts thumped - they felt she did not do well in the exam. They consoled, "Man proposes, God disposes. Whether you succeed or not, we've already done our best. Don't put the result too close to heart."
ZhiXia nodded. The few little ones babbled noisily at the side, each clamoring for her attention.
Old Madam asked Old Master, "Zhiren and the other boys also took part right? Should we go take a look?"
Old Master did not care much. He casually said, "He's a high school teacher. If he can't even get into college, won't he be slapping his own face?"
An Zhiren had stayed in school to teach due to his outstanding academic results previously. In terms of studying, they never needed to worry about these children before.
Even the always fooling around An ZhiAng had consistently performed excellently.
From an outsider's perspective, it did seem unnecessary for An Zhiren to take the college entrance exam.
But the grandfather and grandson had their own ideas.
An JingZhi became the principal because the An family's college was confiscated in the past. Together with his own extensive knowledge and talent, the preferential treatment from the government resulted in him obtaining this position.
But the inheritance system was useless now. No matter how outstanding An Zhiren was, without appointment from the education bureau, he could not succeed his father's position either. So he could only strive to make himself even more outstanding.
It was not that he must take over An JingZhi's role per se, but since the opportunity presented itself, his future could no longer be limited to that of a high school teacher.
An JingZhi still held this position. As long as he was there, their family was considered a cadre one. But An JingZhi would have to retire sooner or later given his age.
The eldest and fourth son had joined the army. Third son An ZhiXian specialized in medicine and ZhiXian's hospital was even striving for an overseas research spot. An ZhiXian had the greatest chance of obtaining that quota, which was why he did not take this college entrance exam.
Therefore, the family still hoped that An Zhiren could advance further and achieve something politically.
But all these were privately discussed between grandfather and grandsons. Even Old Madam did not know clearly, let alone Zhou Nan and the others.
"But there are still the two daughters-in-law right? We should still go take a look," Old Madam said.
Old Master did not really care. Imbued with the prevalent male chauvinism thoughts of his era, whether his two daughters-in-law could be admitted did not concern him too much.
Of course, he would not oppose them becoming even more outstanding.
The thinking that women lacked talent had long been abolished. Objectively speaking, having talent and skills would allow them to raise their children better.
