After a simple rebirth

On Saturday, I don’t know if Fu Ma’s alarm clock rang, but Fu Ying didn’t hear it. She woke up at around eight o’clock. The weekend was not a paradise, and Fu Ying had already thought of a lot of tasks.

After cooking noodles and eating breakfast, Fu Ying was ready to get some work done! She hadn't washed her clothes for a week. Although she didn't expect Fu's mother to wash them, she really didn't wash them.

In order to make washing easier, Fu Ying used hot water, threw the dirty clothes from the past few days and the school uniforms to be worn next week next to the big basin, then moved a small stool to sit down and began to rub the clothes by hand. It hasn't rained in the past few days, so it should be dry tomorrow and not delayed wearing on Monday. Otherwise, without a washing machine to spin dry, coats are really hard to dry.

Thinking of the washing machine, Fu Ying's memory began to become confused. Was there a washing machine at home at that time? When Fu Zhe got married, his wife's dowry included a washing machine, she was sure of this.

In this place, the man gives the gift, prepares the house, and decorates the wedding room. The woman does not need to return the gift, but usually buys some furniture. Sofas, TV cabinets, washing machines, and water heaters are relatively standard. Before the marriage, the woman's family will come to find out what the man's family needs and buy it according to the situation. If they are not particular, they will just buy a set of sofas.

Fu Zhe’s wife’s dowry included a set of sofas, a TV, a TV cabinet, and a washing machine.

What about before that? It seems that there is a washing machine. Fu Ying rarely washes clothes by hand when she goes back to her hometown, unless there are too few clothes and her mother doesn't want to waste electricity, or down jackets and coats can't be washed by washing machines and can only be washed by hand. So she often washes clothes accumulated for several days at a time and puts them away when they are dry.

Just as she was thinking about it, Fu's mother passed by, and Fu Ying asked her tentatively: "Mom, I remember we used to have a washing machine, right?"

"Yes, I bought it the year we renovated the new house. Your grandma wasn't seriously ill at that time. Your dad said he was worried that your grandma would find something to do and wash clothes by hand, and he bought her one because he was afraid she would be too tired."

Fu Ying was puzzled. “Where’s the washing machine? I didn’t see it either.”

My grandmother passed away in 05, which means the washing machine was bought around 04. Although people say that old home appliances were durable, 7 years for a washing machine is a bit beyond its lifespan. It may have broken down a long time ago.

"Your second aunt took it away. The year you went to her house for dinner, your second aunt said that you didn't know how to use it and it would get damaged easily if you left it there, so you moved it to her house. Your clothes were washed there. Have you forgotten?"

Fu Ying was speechless. Here they were again, at her house again. "How could I remember such a small thing? What about now? Has it been broken and thrown away?"

"No, that's the one she's still using at home. I saw her washing clothes with that washing machine yesterday."

Fu Ying was really angry. "Then why don't you move it back and use it ourselves? It takes me so long to wash clothes every time that my waist hurts!"

"Forget it. That washing machine is so old and it's almost broken. When we were not around, it was your second aunt who helped look after the house and did favors for us." Fu's mother tried to persuade Fu Ying.

But Fu Ying was still very angry, "Did her family tell us how much money to give us for the washing machine?"

"No, how could you possibly ask her for money? It's too embarrassing to even ask for money for a washing machine."

Fu Ying was so angry that she almost laughed. "You have a washing machine at home, but you insisted on giving it to someone else for use instead of taking it back. I have to wash so many clothes every time and it's so tiring. You might as well sell the washing machine. You can get some money by selling it. You just lost a washing machine without knowing why."

Washing machines are considered large household appliances. People in the rural areas here all use double-tub models, one for washing and the other for drying. This type of washing machine is durable, cheap and easy to move.

All-in-one household washing machines became cheaper due to fierce competition in later generations, but they still cost nearly two thousand yuan, broke down easily and could not wash many clothes.

This type of washing machine is popular in rural areas. As long as you can put it in, it can basically stir the water. It is not easy to break down and it is easy to ask someone to repair it.

But Fu Ying remembered that no matter how cheap it was, it would still cost fifteen hundred yuan. Fifteen hundred yuan was just a waste of money!

Seeing that Fu Ying was too excited, Fu's mother continued to persuade her, "We only have three people's clothes. We don't change them every day. There aren't many. You don't need a washing machine. I'll help you wash them when I'm free."

Fu Ying was about to vomit blood. She didn't know when her mother would be free to help her wash clothes. Fu Ying could accept using a washing machine to wash her clothes, but she couldn't let her own mother wash her clothes by hand.

Take the clothes to my second aunt's house to wash? Forget it, I won't go through this. Every time I go there, my second uncle looks disgusted, asking why my family is taking advantage of me again. I use my own washing machine but still get harassed. I have to wait until my second aunt's house has finished washing or has finished washing before I can wash. I feel like vomiting blood just thinking about it.

"Mom, you have to understand, this is not about the clothes of several people, it's that you suffered a huge loss for no reason, and her family didn't say anything! I don't care, go talk to Second Aunt, either give her the money, at least 500, or I want the washing machine back even if it's broken, and I'd rather use it myself than have someone come to fix it."

"Xiaoying, why are you so excited? She's your dear aunt, forget it!"

Fu's mother usually scolds them for being so disappointed in them. Where did her usual stingy look go? She keeps persuading herself that she is so generous. What kind of love potion did she take?

"I don't care. I want a washing machine anyway. It's not too cold now, so it's okay to wash clothes by hand. But in winter, the whole family won't change or wash clothes for the whole winter! If I wash clothes, my hands will get frostbite, which will be itchy and painful. Winter clothes are thick and difficult to wash, and I will freeze to death.

Oh, you are generous. Others use our washing machines comfortably and wash whenever they want, but our family quarrels over washing clothes and freezes their hands. Is this appropriate? Mom, do you think it makes sense? "

Thinking of the winter scene, Fu Ying continued, "You don't have to go. I wash my own clothes anyway. It's up to you whether you want to change clothes or not. But I'll let Fu Zhe wash his own clothes every day. Let him sit here in the middle of winter and see if he gets frostbite on his hands. See if he'll complain to you. Think about whether you feel comfortable or not."

I don’t know if it was because she was scolded by Fu Ying or because she remembered that her youngest son might really be frozen, but Fu’s mother went to her second aunt’s house muttering to herself.

No matter why Fu Ying went there, she would not care who was more important in Fu Ma's heart. There was no need to test her heart and bottom line. As long as the goal was achieved, it was fine.

She can live without a washing machine, but that doesn't mean she will accept having one and not using it, and enduring the hardship.

Fu Ying continued to rub the clothes with her hands full of resentment. After thinking for a while, she was still angry and shouted "Fu Zhe, Fu Zhe."

He must have heard the quarrel with Fu's mother just now. He responded quickly and ran over to ask Fu Ying if she had any instructions.

"Bring your laundry here, including your school uniform, and then go to Second Aunt's house and keep an eye on Mom. See what Mom says to Second Aunt and what her family's attitude is."

Fu Zhe didn't know whether he should be happy that he didn't have to do laundry or terrified about being a spy.

After giving the clothes to Fu Ying, Fu Zhe also went to Fu Ergu's house.

In rural areas, it is really difficult for Fu Ying to stand up for her family. First of all, Fu Ergu has been very good to Fu Ying since she was a child. She would always ask her for something delicious or something to do. Besides, the elders of the Fu family are all there, so they are not so indifferent to the matter. Therefore, it is mainly up to Fu Ma to stand up.

Fu Ying and Fu Ergu don't get along well. They can't agree with each other, and when they quarrel, it's disrespectful to the elders.

More importantly, Fu Ma should deal with the sins she committed because of her soft-heartedness herself.

Fu Ying finished the first round of hand rubbing, and Fu's mother finally came back with Fu Zhe.

"Your second aunt said that the washing machine has been in her house for so long, and she paid for repairs several times. But it doesn't last long after it's returned, so she won't bring it back. She will give us three hundred yuan, and we can buy a new one with our own money, so it can last longer."

Fu Ying was speechless. So what if it was repaired a few times? Her family got a washing machine that was nearly 90% new at no cost. The purpose of repairing it was for her own use.

But it was good enough for Fu Ma to get back 300 yuan. If she didn't ask, her family would pretend to be deaf and dumb. Only when she asked did she give some money. Fu Ma asked so weakly just now, which made Fu Ying think that she would only give 50 yuan to her family. Fu Ying said 500 yuan just to show her attitude for the high price, so that her family would not blur the matter.

"Three hundred is fine. Mom, next time you go to the market, ask the place that sells washing machines if they have any second-hand ones that are cheaper. We can use them first because it will get cold during the National Day holiday. If we don't buy one, we won't be able to wash clothes by hand."

Fu Ying also wants a brand new one, but it is impossible to buy a brand new one given the family's current situation. Fu's mother is reluctant to spend such a large sum of money. With the three hundred yuan and a little extra to buy a second-hand one, Fu's mother will be more willing to accept it.

In order to emphasize the necessity of buying a washing machine, Fu Ying grabbed Fu Zhe and

"Fu Zhe, put these washed ones under the faucet and rub them while rinsing the foam, then put them aside. I will rinse them with clean water later and you can dry them in the sun.

Seeing that Fu Ying was still a little angry, Fu's mother offered to get a clothes hanger. With the combined efforts of mother and son, mother and daughter, and sister and brother, the clothes were finally wrung dry and hung up.

Although they worked together, Fu Zhe was the one running between the two women. He took the clothes and immediately ran over to dry them. Fu Ying didn't speak to Fu's mother anymore.

Fu Ying glanced at her mother out of the corner of her eye. Now her mother felt guilty and took the initiative to do things. In the afternoon, she would think that Fu Ying had a bad temper and even dared to show a bad temper to her, her own mother.

But Fu Ying would not hide her temper. This was not the first time, nor would it be the last. This was Fu's mother's personality. But her attitude was clear. She would not swallow the loss. It was not impossible for her to be a good person.

After completing a weekend task, Fu Ying went straight back to her room, took a book and lay on the bed. She was so tired, both physically and mentally.

She doesn't cook at noon, whoever wants to cook can do it.

In the past, she was extremely humble. Even though it was clearly others who were wrong and she was the one who was sulking, she was still afraid of being disliked and scolded, so she had to do things. As a result, she was ignored and assigned tasks as a matter of course.

Fu Ying is not like that now. She still has the crazy spirit. Anyway, she is very angry now and doesn’t want to cook. If she wants to eat, she can cook by herself. If she doesn’t want to cook, no one can eat.