There were no disposable cups at home, so Uncle Jiang found two rarely used glasses, washed them again, and poured two cups of hot tea.
Xu Yao took the water glass with both hands and told him not to bother. He didn't forget about business and asked Uncle Jiang where the leak on the roof was.
"There are several places." Uncle Jiang sighed and said, "I will show you."
"good."
Uncle Jiang took two steps outside, remembered something, turned around and asked Jiang Jun: "Junjun, where is your mother?"
Jiang Jun whispered: "Washing dishes."
Uncle Jiang let out an ouch and patted him: "Go find her quickly and let her wash up later. Come out first to entertain the teacher."
Meng Yao understood roughly, and she wanted to dissuade her, but before she could speak, Jiang Jun had already said "Oh" and ran away quickly.
Meng Yao didn't expect that his arrival would cause such a stir, and felt embarrassed. He looked at Xu Yao subconsciously, with a hint of help in his eyes. Xu Yao received it and comforted her in a low voice: "It's okay, they are right." There is a certain amount of respect for teachers as a profession, so they naturally show more enthusiasm."
Meng Yao said "hmm", but actually felt a little stressed inside.
She could only hope that she could do well during her time as a teacher and be worthy of this enthusiasm.
Uncle Jiang took them to check the leak. The house they lived in was not big. It was a one-story red brick house with a living room in the middle, a room on the left and right sides, and a separate kitchen on the other side. The room that Jiang Jun just ran out of on the right was the bedroom of Uncle Jiang and his wife, while the room on the left lived in Jiang Jun's grandmother.
As for Jiang Jun, he doesn't have a separate room. Grandma Jiang Jun's room has two beds, and the other one is Jiang Jun's.
Meng Yao was a little stunned when he saw it.
Jiang Jun is in the third grade, so he should be a boy of eight or nine years old, but he can only squeeze into the same room with his grandmother.
The room was not spacious, and it seemed even more crowded with two beds.
Aunt Meng Yao had a cousin who was a few years older than her. She got pregnant unexpectedly two years ago and got married to her boyfriend who had been in love for many years. The wedding happened to be on National Day, and Meng Yao even went to attend.
Meng Yao remembered that at the wedding scene, some relatives gossiped about her cousin-in-law’s family conditions and envied them for having bought a house in an excellent city center just after they got married, and had decorated the children’s room before the child was born.
Meng Yao just listened to the gossip and didn't take it to heart, but today he suddenly remembered it.
My cousin has the ability to give her children a good living environment. There is nothing to discuss about this.
Jiang Jun's parents worked hard, and although their life was difficult, they gave Jiang Jun everything they had, and they couldn't blame him.
Meng Yao was just thinking that people's destinies are so different.
Uncle Jiang said: "Our room is okay. Although there is a little leakage, it is not a big deal if we use a bucket to catch it. Mainly in the old man's room, the place where the tiles are rotten is just on the roof next to the bed. It is raining hard. , the bed was all wet, and I couldn’t sleep. The old man was in poor health, and being exposed to the rain and cold was a big deal. There was nothing we could do last night, so Junjun’s grandma slept in our room, and my child’s mother and I spent the night with Junjun. "
"But this leakage is not a solution. I am afraid that the room will be flooded, so I can only ask you to come and help." Uncle Jiang was particularly embarrassed, with a bit of regret in his words, and said to Xu Yao, "Actually, we should have done it before, but It wasn’t such a big problem before. When the weather was nice, I had to go out to work and didn’t have time to stay at home, so I kept putting it off.”
Who knew this would get serious.
Xu Yao followed Uncle Jiang around the house and used buckets or basins to cover any leaking areas. It is estimated that all the rain-containing tools at home were put to use, and this was not enough.
The rain continued outside, so Xu Yao didn't waste any more time and asked Uncle Jiang: "Is there a ladder?"
"Yes, yes, I'll get it right now."
Uncle Jiang moved a ladder and set it up by the eaves, and took out two raincoats. He wore one himself and handed the other to Xu Yao.
Xu Yao put it on quickly and walked into the rain with Uncle Jiang.
The rain shows no sign of letting up for the time being.
Meng Yao stood at the door and watched Xu Yao carefully step on the wooden ladder.
Just at this time, Jiang Jun and his mother came.
Jiang Jun's mother was dressed simply, with an apron tied around her waist, and there were wet stains on it. She looked no longer young, she even had gray hair, and there were quite a few wrinkles at the corners of her eyes.
But her facial features are very good, and she should have been beautiful when she was young.
Jiang Jun grabbed the hem of his mother's clothes, raised his head and said to Meng Yao, "Teacher Xiao Meng, this is my mother."
Meng Yao smiled politely, nodded to the woman, and introduced himself: "Hello, Mother Jiang. I am the new teacher at Sunshine Primary School. My name is Meng Yao."
Jiang Jun's mother wiped her hands on her apron and awkwardly said hello, teacher.
The rain outside was falling slantingly, hitting the corridor. Jiang Jun's mother hurriedly greeted: "Teacher, come in and sit down."
Meng Yao subconsciously glanced outside first, only to see Xu Yao suddenly descending from the wooden ladder, landing on the ground and talking to Uncle Jiang. The rain was too loud, covering up his voice.
Meng Yao frowned.
Not long after, Xu Yao and Uncle Jiang came back wearing raincoats.
Meng Yao didn't bother to respond to Jiang Jun's mother. When Xu Yao came over, she couldn't help but take two steps forward. She asked anxiously and worriedly: "What's wrong?"
The rainwater slipped from the raincoat and dripped on the ground. After only going out for a while, Xu Yao's face was already wet. He stretched out his hand to wipe his eyes, then wiped his chin and said: "The rain is too heavy, not suitable for repairing tiles. The broken tiles were lifted and the leakage inside the house became more serious.”
"What should we do?"
"Think of other ways. Uncle Jiang said that there seems to be some plastic tarpaulins at home. He will go look for them and deal with them first, and then repair the tiles after the weather clears."
Meng Yao nodded.
Uncle Jiang quickly found a rainproof tarpaulin. He unfolded it and showed it to Xu Yao. The oil paper was not large and was a little dirty. It could be seen that it had been used to cover other items before.
Xu Yao said to Uncle Jiang: "Cover the area with the worst leakage first. If there are some small leaks in other places, use a bucket to catch them. The situation will be much better."
Uncle Jiang nodded quickly and said yes: "Then I will pick up a few more big rocks to prevent them from being blown away by the wind after laying them with oil paper."
Uncle Jiang walked out quickly again.
Meng Yao looked at the thin piece of oil paper in Xu Yao's hand, feeling uneasy. He hesitated and asked Xu Yao in a low voice: "Is this possible?"
Xu Yao said: "It's somewhat useful."
Meng Yao's frown deepened.
To be honest, she has never lived in a house like this, let alone experienced a situation where the house leaked and had to be covered with oil paper to cover the rain. Such a house makes people feel too insecure, but Jiang Jun's family does not feel safe living in such a house. I have even lived in the house for many years.
Meng Yao felt a little heavy in his heart and felt a little uncomfortable.
Uncle Jiang moved a few big rocks from nowhere. He hunched over and moved the rocks to the ladder.
Xu Yao was about to step into the rain again. Meng Yao felt uneasy. The roof would definitely be slippery on rainy days. Meng Yao stopped Xu Yao a second before he walked into the rain.
Xu Yao subconsciously turned around to look at her when she heard her name. Meng Yao bit her lower lip and said in a slightly hurried voice: "Be careful."
The worry in her tone was obvious. Xu Yao was stunned for a moment and then responded seriously: "Okay, I know."
Xu Yao stepped on the ladder again. It was too dangerous in rainy days. Uncle Jiang held the ladder steady for him on the ground and handed the stones to Xu Yao one by one. After all the tools were moved up, Xu Yao climbed up to the roof.
Meng Yao looked at this scene almost with fear.
After Xu Yao climbed onto the roof, Meng Yao could no longer see him from this angle.
But she still looked at it for a long time.
Jiang Jun's mother stood beside her. Maybe it was because Meng Yao didn't respond to her words at that time, which made her hesitate a little, and she stood cowed and didn't dare to speak.
Meng Yao noticed Jiang Jun's mother's expression out of the corner of his eye. He suppressed his worry and looked away. He turned to look at Jiang Jun's mother and smiled at her as naturally as possible.
Meng Yao is actually a bit cold and distant to the outside world on weekdays. She once received a comment from a suitor in college that she was "not easy to get close to", but when she smiles and speaks in a soft voice, her cold temperament will be magically weakened. . Just like when she was looking at Jiang Jun's mother, even though her smile was not big, it made her relax a little.
Jiang Jun's mother rubbed her hands on her apron again and said again: "Teacher, please go in and sit down."
This time her voice was softer.
Meng Yao nodded in response: "Okay."
Jiang Jun's mother led Meng Yao to sit down at the wooden table in the living room. There was nothing on the table. Jiang Jun's mother asked Jiang Jun to talk to the teacher and hurriedly entered the room. Meng Yao heard the sound of the cabinet door opening and closing outside, and then she saw Jiang Jun's mother taking out melon seeds and candies.
This posture is like entertaining distinguished guests.
It was clearly her home, but Jiang Jun's mother sat down carefully next to Meng Yao like a guest. She was not good at words and kept pushing the melon seeds and sugar in front of Meng Yao. The melon seeds were very big and the bags were well sealed. Those candies were of a brand that Meng Yao had never seen before, and the packaging was very simple. But from Jiang Jun's shining eyes, Meng Yao also knew that this was the best thing they could come up with.
This was very sincere. Meng Yao said thank you. Jiang Jun's mother was a little reserved and waved her hands to say you're welcome.
Meng Yao didn't want her to be so restrained, so he took the initiative to chat with her through Jiang Jun.
Meng Yao had never done this kind of thing before and was a little unfamiliar, but fortunately she spoke in a measured manner and her voice was soft. Jiang Jun's mother slowly relaxed.
Only then did Meng Yao find out that Jiang Jun had an older brother who was twelve years older than Jiang Jun. There was a long age difference, but they had a very good relationship. It's a pity that brother Jiang Jun stopped studying after high school. Now he works with relatives outside, doing car maintenance, which can be regarded as learning a skill.
Jiang Jun's mother felt a little guilty when she talked about this: "Actually, it was us who harmed the child. The family conditions are not good and we cannot afford to send him outside."
"At that time, the eldest brother could also study. Although it was not a very good school, there were still elderly people at home to take care of and a handsome child to raise. His father and I had not gone to school for a few years and were doing hard work. The income is too little. The child is sensible and takes the initiative to say that he no longer wants to study and wants to go out to work to earn money to support the family."
"His father was reluctant at first and said he would send him to study even if he borrowed money. But everyone's family was in trouble, so where would the money come from to borrow it? There was no way, and the child suffered."
There was both self-blame and regret in his tone.
Meng Yao was originally distracted and worried about Xu Yao on the roof, but when he heard this, he felt a little sour in his heart.
Jiang Jun sat aside, quietly, with a candy in his mouth.
Meng Yao put aside other thoughts and comforted Jiang Jun's mother who was depressed: "There are too many ways to go in life. No matter whether you study or not, or how many books you read, as long as you work hard to live, you are already great. Rely on your own hands. When it comes to eating, I’m no worse than anyone else.”
That being said, if given the chance, who wouldn’t want to take the “shortcut” of getting ahead by studying.
There is no distinction between high and low careers, and academic qualifications cannot mean everything. However, depending on the choices, some paths will still be more tortuous.
Jiang Jun's mother nodded, smiled slightly, her whole body was very gentle, and she agreed: "Teacher Meng, what you said makes sense. As long as you work hard, you can carve out your own world."
There was a strenuous cough in the room. Jiang Jun's mother said that maybe Jiang Jun's grandma was feeling a little uncomfortable. When old people reach a certain age, they always have some physical problems. She stood up and said to Meng Yao: "Mr. Meng, please sit down first. I will Go in and have a look.”
She strode toward the room.
Jiang Jun sat on a chair and watched her enter the room. He suddenly approached Meng Yao and asked in a low voice: "Teacher Xiao Meng, you said it doesn't matter whether you study or not, or how many books you read, as long as we work hard to live, right?"
There was candy in his mouth, and his words were a little slurred. His eyes looked at Meng Yao momentarily, waiting for a definite answer.
The kid who was still in third grade didn't fully understand what he meant. Meng Yao didn't want him to be misled. He was about to explain it carefully when he heard Jiang Jun say: "I think my brother is very powerful. He can make a lot of money now." A lot of money can buy a lot of snacks and new clothes. I also want to be like him, I want to grow up quickly, and I also want to work. My brother said he wanted to build a new house, but that would require a lot of money. I don’t make that much now, but when I grow up, I will make money and build a new house with him.”
"As long as it takes a few years, until I finish junior high school, it will be fine."
"I will grow very tall after I finish junior high school, and then someone will take me for a job."
After hearing this, Meng Yao was speechless for a moment.
She didn't know if Jiang Jun was premature. Such a living environment caused him to see the suffering in the world prematurely, and he even wanted to bear some things.
Meng Yao felt very distressed, but she also believed that this was a thought that Jiang Jun should not have at this stage.
It is a good thing to be sensible and considerate of your parents' difficulties.
But the world he has seen is too small. If his current thoughts are not corrected, the decisions he makes in the future may affect his life.
Meng Yao couldn't explain the truth, Jiang Jun was still young, and he might not be able to fully understand and accept it at his age.
She changed her approach and asked Jiang Jun if he wanted to live in a new house.
Jiang Jun nodded vigorously and answered her: "I want my grandma, mom and dad, and brother to all have new houses to live in."
"This way our house won't have rain or air leaks; my brother won't have to squeeze into the same bed with me when he comes home, and grandma won't have to cough because we sleep in the same room without making a sound. With the new house, we can all sleep well."
All he wants is for everyone to have a good night's sleep.
Meng Yao felt a little uncomfortable in her heart. She exhaled softly and said to Jiang Jun seriously: "Your brother is right. Building a new house requires a lot of money. You may have to work very hard and struggle for a long time."
"Even ten or twenty years."
This number was too long, and Jiang Jun opened his eyes wide.
Meng Yao said: "But if you study hard and get into a good university in the future, it may be different."
"Your life may be easier, and you can realize your dreams faster."
Jiang Jun seemed to understand, and he asked: "Can I repair the new house quickly?"
"Yes." Meng Yao said firmly, "That will definitely come true."
Jiang Jun thought about it and seemed to think it was good. He nodded with bright eyes: "Then I will study harder."
Meng Yao touched his head encouragingly.
*
Xu Yao had been busy on the roof for a long time, and when he stepped into the house wet, Meng Yao was sitting at the wooden table making paper airplanes with Jiang Jun, both of them smiling happily.
Xu Yao took off his raincoat and Meng Yao looked up. The next second he saw him, he stood up from the table hurriedly. He scanned Xu Yao's whole body with his eyes. When he saw that his clothes were just a little wet and there were no other problems, he relaxed and relaxed. Take a breath.
A layer of oil paper was laid on the roof, and the leakage was much better. Jiang Jun's mother was busy cleaning. Just now Meng Yao went to help, but Jiang Jun's mother kept stopping her. Meng Yao had no choice but to accompany her. Jiang Jun is making paper airplanes outside.
This game was a bit childish, and Meng Yao didn't think it was anything. As soon as Xu Yao walked in, she unconsciously felt a little restrained.
She looked at Xu Yao and didn't know where to put her hands. When she came, she told Xu Yao to help, but she couldn't help and just sat here making paper airplanes.
Meng Yao felt a little embarrassed when she thought of this. She asked Xu Yao as if she had nothing to say, "Is everything done?"
Xu Yao nodded and said, "It's done for now."
Jiang Jun raised his head and said, "Thank you, brother Xu Yao."
"It's okay." Xu Yao smiled gently.
Jiang Jun's mother heard the sound and walked out of the room. She asked Xu Yao to help her. She felt guilty and had to leave him and Meng Yao to have dinner here.
Xu Yao said, "No." He glanced at Meng Yao. Meng Yao had no intention of troubling Jiang Jun's mother here. Xu Yao found an excuse, "My clothes are wet, so I have to go back and change them. I'll try it again next time I have a chance." Your craft.”
Jiang Jun's mother glanced at him. She felt uncomfortable wearing wet clothes and was afraid that he would catch a cold. There was no suitable clothes for Xu Yao to change at home, and Jiang Jun's mother felt that she couldn't get them. She didn't know any famous brands, but she only knew that Xu Yao's clothes looked expensive.
"That's okay, that's okay." Jiang Jun's mother nodded and said thank you several times.
Xu Yao returned the raincoat to her, opened the umbrella he had brought up, and returned to school with Meng Yao.
Meng Yao saw a figure in the other direction in the rain. It was Uncle Jiang repairing the cowshed.
Xu Yao said that he had already told Uncle Jiang, and Uncle Jiang was busy again, so they did not go there to say goodbye.
