CHAPTER 1283: CHAPTER 1284: THE LITTLE WIDOW OF THE SIHEYUAN 11

Zhang Yu took her two children back inside. Someone wanted to follow her, but after considering the number of people in the yard, they decided not to.

Once Zhang Yu got home, she began preparing the vegetables she selected at work, ready to wash them in the sink, and the rice also needed rinsing.

Some people thought working at a recycling station was not a good job, with low income and poor prospects. But in Zhang Yu’s view, it was an excellent job, convenient for taking care of her children, and not too burdensome.

After retirement, the benefits wouldn’t be bad either. In short, it was definitely the most suitable job for her.

While working, she could even do a little private work without anyone watching, what a great job.

Back in the yard, she found a lot of people gathered around, and the area by the sink was crowded.

"Please make way, let me wash my vegetables."

The onlookers saw Zhang Yu’s hands full with rice and vegetables and made way for her to reach the sink.

She quickly washed the vegetables and then went back inside to prepare a meal. Looking at the home’s condition, Zhang Yu found it displeasing.

Thinking about the money she just received, she pondered for a moment. The best way to use the money, of course, was to renovate the house.

Zhao Lei and Zhao Hong would gradually grow up; they’d need their own rooms, and the kitchen and bathroom also needed to be sorted out.

Instead of lending money out, it was better to improve the living environment. This way, living inside would even feel better.

"Xiao Lei, Xiao Hong, the compensation from Dad has arrived, I plan to renovate the house," Zhang Yu looked at the house. Though it wasn’t as high as the main houses, it was at least over three meters, with the highest point in the center over four meters.

Zhang Yu wanted to make rooms up there, so that when Zhao Lei gets married, even if the unit doesn’t allocate a room, there’d still be a place to stay.

In the future, buying rice, it could be stored upstairs, which would be safer than putting it in the cellar.

And then, once she completed the renovation, even if the Xue family was still eyeing their house, they’d find it hard to ask.

Renovate the house? Zhao Lei looked puzzlingly at Zhang Yu, "Aren’t we saving the money?"

He knew the family used to live well because besides Zhao Jun’s salary, he also earned from writing and received royalties.

Now that he’s gone, the family’s income would significantly decrease, even with a 10 yuan monthly subsidy, it couldn’t compare to before.

"Do you think the money can be saved?" Zhang Yu glanced around at the people, "When your dad was here, everyone knew our family was well off, so they’d always come to borrow money."

"Now that your dad is gone, the factory gave us 500 yuan, and everyone knows, what do you think they’ll do?"

Zhao Lei recalled the neighbors who used to come over and borrow a few cents to a yuan at a time, and never once returned it.

Now, knowing the family had money on hand, they wouldn’t let it slip, "Don’t lend it." Zhao Lei said fiercely.

"Yes, we can refuse, but they won’t leave us alone."

"When your dad was around, he mentioned saving some money to renovate the house in a few years as you and Xiao Hong grew bigger and needed your own rooms."

"When you marry, there’ll be a room." Zhang Yu detailed how she planned to renovate the house.

"As for whether I can save enough money later, I don’t know, so while we have the money now, let’s renovate."

"When they want to borrow, we’ll say we don’t have money." Zhang Yu knew Zhao Lei would surely agree.

Zhao Lei thought the money should rather be saved than spent on renovating the house, but he also knew now that Zhao Jun was gone, Zhang Yu with her gentle nature couldn’t hold off others.

The best way was to visibly spend the money, "But is this money enough?"

"If not, we can use our savings," Zhang Yu said cheerfully, "Everyone believes we have savings."

"By then, when we say our savings aren’t much left, they won’t have a reason." Zhang Yu looked at Zhao Lei happily, "Son, your mom is smart, right?"

Zhao Lei nodded with a smile; at least the Zhang Yu now had her own ideas rather than the easily deceived soft-hearted mom she used to be.

As for using the money, well, he would study hard, aiming to skip grades, planning to jump to junior high, finish junior high in two years, high school in two years, then go to college.

Yes, that’s right, Zhao Jun had promised him he would surely go to university, aware of his dad’s regret at never attending college.

After graduating from college, the school would assign jobs, and the job at the machinery factory could go to his sister.

As for Zhang Yu’s job, she’d still go to work every day; better than staying home being misled by others.

"Mom, I plan to skip grades," Zhao Lei whispered his thoughts.

Skipping grades? Zhang Yu had been thinking of encouraging Zhao Lei to skip grades early, to aim for graduating before circumstances changed drastically.

But she didn’t know how to suggest it, considering Zhao Jun had always managed the children’s education.

"Skip grades?" Zhang Yu thought for a moment, "Then skip grades."

"But even after you graduate from high school, you’d still be just 14," Zhang Yu calculated the age, noting that even after high school, Zhao Lei wouldn’t be employable.

"I promised Dad I’d go to college," Zhao Lei quietly shared his thoughts.

"Once I graduate college, I’d be 18, just right for work."

"Upon college graduation, the school would allocate jobs. The machinery factory job—my sister could take it if needed, otherwise, sell it."

"By then, it could be sold at a higher price," Zhao Lei was confident that by then, he could support the family, preventing anyone from taking advantage of them.

Going to college, Zhang Yu breathed out, "Your dad always regretted not attending college, though he was very smart."

Zhao Jun was indeed bright; finishing elementary, middle, and high school—all in nine years—he completed in six.

Unfortunately, after high school, due to turbulent times and changes within the Zhao family, as the breadwinner, Zhao Jun couldn’t continue studying and entered the machinery factory.

Zhao Lei nodded, "Yes, I promised Dad I’d strive to get into college."

"Alright, Mom supports you." Zhang Yu unequivocally supported Zhao Lei, "And you too, Xiao Hong, work hard."

Even if Zhao Hong couldn’t make it to college, it didn’t matter; when college entrance exams resumed, she’d still have the opportunity.

"Mom, if we renovate, do we have to file a report at the community office?" Zhao Lei remembered a neighbor who had to report to the office for house renovations.

"Alright, I’ll go ask tomorrow." Zhang Yu promptly agreed.

"And Mom, on the way, see if the community could recommend suitable craftsmen." Zhao Lei worried that once the renovations became known, people might recommend their own acquaintances as builders.

Zhang Yu nodded again, "Alright, alright."

While chatting and cooking, Zhang Yu soon had the meal ready, and the family sat down to eat dinner together.

At this time, the crowd in the yard began to disperse, driven by hunger and as the Zhao household quieted down.

Zhao Juan was confused; everything was fine before work, but after returning home from work, everything had changed.

She saw Auntie Zhao crying, Zhao Gui sulking on the side, and Zhao Fu sitting and smiling beside them.

"What exactly happened?" Zhao Juan couldn’t help but ask.