Besides, demanding grain from them was unreasonable…
Old Lady Whitaker changed her expression: “Then how will we cover Rosalie’s expenses? You’re all good people; I’m the bad one. I’m doing this all for Rosalie.”
The eldest son, Whitaker Albert, spoke up, “ Rosalie’s uncle set up a snack stall near the County East High School. Business is pretty good. I can’t say how much he earns, but it’s definitely better than farming in the countryside. Mom, Rosalie’s uncle wants to bring me and Maria in, and I want to give it a try.”
The snack stall was run by Maria.
Maria’s younger brother and his wife were the helpers, but Maria and Whitaker Albert had ulterior motives. The Whitaker family hadn’t divided their property, and they didn’t want to work for others. This was a way to legitimize their business without sharing profits. Ten Chris couldn’t match this couple’s shrewdness.
Veronica’s eyes lit up, and Old Lady Whitaker temporarily ignored Chris:
“Is this what they call a self-employed individual?”
Poor and lower-middle peasants were the most glorious, with the best social standing, and the Whitaker family were poor and lower-middle peasants.
Capitalism was to be condemned. Old Lady Whitaker yearned for city life, but for the life of a city worker.
Being self-employed… was that a bit shameful?
Maria knew what Old Lady Whitaker was thinking. Initially, she thought being self-employed was shameful, but after opening the snack shop near County East High School at Whitaker Rosalie’s suggestion, the money in their pockets dispelled her doubts.
Look down on self-employed individuals?
With money in their pockets, who was looking down on whom was debatable.
As Whitaker Rosalie predicted, self-employed individuals would only increase. Currently, the poorest were farmers, and in twenty years, they would still be the poorest!
“Mom, being self-employed might be embarrassing now, but it’s all for Rosalie. Albert and I enduring hardship is nothing. Once Rosalie graduates from university, our family will have made it.”
Old Lady Whitaker loved hearing this.
The Whitaker family believed Whitaker Rosalie would achieve great things.
University graduates in the 1980s were valuable, but to achieve even modest success, they needed to struggle for ten or twenty years.
State-assigned jobs offered meager monthly salaries. Whitaker Rosalie could support herself, but could she support the whole family? Old Lady Whitaker’s expectations were too naive!
“Mom, I don’t mind the shame of being self-employed. I’ll help out; eldest sister-in-law can stay home…”
Veronica stepped forward, but Old Lady Whitaker glared at her:
“He’s your brother? He’s Rosalie’s uncle!”
Maria and Whitaker Albert’s snack business at home was thriving.
Whitaker Chris still couldn’t escape blame; he didn’t dare to go to Wellwater Village to ask his ex-wife and daughter for food. His mother had him do odd jobs to earn money, helping Whitaker Rosalie save up for living expenses. Whitaker Chris didn’t resist at all; after all, he had no other skills, but he was strong. Among the grandchildren, his mother favored Whitaker Rosalie the most, and among her three sons, her favorite was definitely the youngest, Henry.
Before Whitaker Chris left, he heard his mother say:
“Henry doesn’t need to go out; your elder brother and second brother have already left, and the work in the fields can’t be done without people.”
Henry readily agreed.
It wasn’t the busy farming season now; there wasn’t much heavy work in the fields, and the weather was neither too hot nor too cold—this was the most comfortable time of the year. Mother was being partial, wanting Henry to enjoy a few days of relaxation.
Why was Maria kindly helping Whitaker Chris out?
Whitaker Rosalie’s telegram had come back, asking Maria and Whitaker Albert to temporarily not worry about Whitaker Scarlett’s side. Maria didn’t want her family to be too involved with Whitaker Scarlett and Elizabeth. It was hard to get rid of the mother and daughter duo, and if Whitaker Chris had more opportunities to contact them, what would happen if Elizabeth brought Whitaker Scarlett back to the Whitaker family?
A divorced middle-aged woman living with her parents, and Whitaker Scarlett was lazy and competitive; the two of them must be having a tough time!
The Whitaker family didn’t need any other granddaughters; in Grandma Whitaker’s eyes, she could only see Rosalie. The whole family supported Whitaker Rosalie’s education, which was Maria’s goal.
With such thoughts, even Helen found it bothersome.
The eldest daughter, in her teens, could be said to be of marriageable age. Before going to the county town, Maria had mentioned this to Grandma.
Helen was the least outstanding granddaughter in the family. Whitaker Rosalie was academically inclined, and Whitaker Scarlett was wonderful, while Helen had neither advantage. Yet, Veronica and Helen both wanted to find someone with good conditions. Grandma wouldn’t bring this up, but once the topic of Helen’s marriage came up, Veronica found an excuse:
” Rosalie is already a college student; Helen can’t just marry some country bumpkin in the countryside! Sister-in-law, let Helen work in the shop; pay her whatever, mainly because it’s close to school. Who knows, our Helen might have other fortunes…”
