Check In System In The 70s

90

Kiki sat in her room, she was concerned about the two sisters shivering over the hot kang. The weather was so cold but they were only wearing thin clothes. Not only that, Kiki also clearly saw the striking calluses on the hands of the two, as well as the signs of frostbite that had been flushed.

San Mio felt awkward as Kiki looked at their scuffed hands. He immediately hid his hands behind his back, feeling ashamed.

Only after that, did Kiki feel guilty because of their circumstances, then leave the room at a quick pace. Moments later, he returned with a plate of warm food that gave off a seductive aroma.

"I'm sorry" Kiki said as she placed the food on the table. "I'm afraid you're cold, so I'm cooking something to warm our bodies."

Kiki entered the room with two bowls of white pulp accompanied by two fragrant meat soups. The delicious aroma made the two sisters, San Mio and San Mila, immediately feel hungry.

However, in the 70s, eating from other families was considered impolite. San Mio shyly immediately refused the bowl of white porridge, although her stomach thrashed when it smelled the smell of meat.

Kiki tried to convince them, "I have so much food in the kitchen, I can't spend it alone. After all, I was really fed up with meat. Look, the kitchen is full of groceries."

Kiki doesn't lie at all in that she has so much food ready to eat in the heart of her system the things she's been collecting during the Chinese new year.

And you'll never believe how much money he's earned so far and how many red envelopes he's received throughout the new year.

Kiki alone when opening it almost fainted on the spot.

San Mio looked at her younger sister and said, "But, we can't accept food from other families."

San Mila, who was also feeling hungry, muttered, "Thank you very much for the offer, Kiki."

Kiki can not be called Big Brother by both of them because he is younger than the two of them.So these two Miss San call Kiki by name to show their familiarity.

Kiki smiled warmly, "It's okay, I just want to help. You must be hungry. Try a little, it's okay."

San Mio finally burst out not because of the persuasion of Kiki but because he could not bear to hold his hunger again coupled with the temptation of a smell so fragrant. "Alright, we might be able to try this bowl of porridge."

San Mila agreed, "Yes big brother, let's eat together. Thank you, Kiki."

They sit together at a small table that functions as a dining table, although initially hesitant, they two younger brothers finally enjoy the porridge and warm meat soup prepared by Kiki.

At least they think Kiki has had a hard time cooking it when Kiki just needs to pick it up in the system drawer.

That'sthat's all.

Meanwhile, San Mio and San Mila had long since tasted the food that was completely satiated in their home. Sometimes, the food they get is just a liquid porridge without broth in it. However, right now, in front of them, there was a rice porridge that was so thick and appetizing, equipped with a bowl of fragrant meat soup. This was a food they could only dream of for a lifetime.

San Mio took the first spoonful of rice porridge and began to enjoy it. His eyes almost sparkled as he felt such a delicious taste. "It's amazing" he said in a surprised voice. "I've never tasted this porridge before."

How can these two brothers ever eat it, if even in the new year the family will still cook the meat they receive at home is just meatless broth.

Still good if there are boiled sweet potatoes to fill their stomachs.

Is this food from heaven?

Hem. delicious.

San Mila, who also felt the delicacy of the porridge, smiled widely. "Right, this is amazing. I don't know what to say."

While eating the dish, the two exchanged glances and fell silent for a moment, pondering how lucky they were to get the chance to enjoy this delicious meal.

After a while, San Mio finally said, "We should be very grateful to Kiki. He has given us this very special bowl of porridge."

San Mila agrees, "Yes, Kiki is our savior angel. Thank you, Kiki, for your kindness."

San Mila thought it would be nice if he ate like this every day but it was a mere dream. Either luck what happened today, until they shamelessly followed Kiki home.

The most shameful are those who eat without pay here.

Kiki, who was sitting with them, smiled happily. "No need to thank me. I'm glad to be able to help you guys and see you enjoy this meal."

Kiki decided to dig deeper into the conditions of San Mio and San Mila. San Mio finally shared a story that felt very heavy in her family. "Our grandparents always put boys first, and we, as girls, are often perceived as just a tool to please them. Even though we worked hard, our sacrifices were never rewarded, and we were often ripped off for no apparent reason."

San Mila suddenly burst into emotion and conveyed his concern towards San Mio. "Sister, I see you. You look like a placemat at home, and that worries me. What's going on?"

San Mio was initially reluctant to speak, but eventually she shared her feelings with a shaken voice. "I feel like marriage is not a good thing. To me, it was like jumping into an unstoppable pit of fire, and I was worried about the children who would be born later."

San Mila pondered for a moment, then tried to give support. "But, big brother, we have to trust the heads of the families. They're definitely not gonna let us get hurt."

However, San Mio smiled bitterly, her eyes filled with sadness. "The truth is, the elders never saw us as human beings, just as a tool to improve the lives of the men in the house. This is a fate we must accept from birth as women."

But in her heart, she knew that their struggle as women in their family was something to deal with and that it would never stop even if they were married and had children in the future.

After she finished eating, Kiki cleaned the small table and then sat down with San Mio and San Mila to talk heart to heart. He wanted to give encouragement to these two sisters.

Kiki said sincerely, "Women should always fight for themselves, regardless of the environment. I know it's not easy, but we have to try."

San Mio responded with emotion, "You can say that because you are a city person with more advanced thoughts, and you have no relatives in the village who can restrain you."

Kiki smiled and said, "You've only seen how good my life is now, but you've never seen how I struggle to live like this. My reputation is not always good in the eyes of others, but I do not care about slanted comments. What matters is that I didn't make a mistake."

San Mio thought for a moment and finally asked, "Do you think I can fight for my own life so that I can be happy?"

Kiki laughed softly. "Happy is relative. If you're happy to be married to a man of your dreams, that means happy. For me, happiness is freedom. I believe in myself, there is no need to rely on men to make money, food, or clothes. And you see, I can support myself."

San Mio was still confused, so Kiki explained further. "I mean, if I were in your current position, I would make sure that I had the skills and the job that made me independent. Even if I get married, I'll still have financial independence."

San Mio nodded slowly, "I may not fully understand yet, but I will try to understand and struggle to be happy as you say."

Kiki gave a full smile. "That's great, San Mio. Feel free to seek your own happiness, regardless of the expectations of others."

When hearing Kiki's motivational words, San Mio and San Mila feel motivated, even though they are aware that they are village girls who do not have much knowledge. San Mila with sparkling eyes asked, "What can we do to become financially independent? How's it?"

Kiki smiled and gently patted San Mila's shoulder. "I can make soap, and that's what makes me independent. That way, I can make money on par with that made by the workers in the factory."

Hearing this answer, these two sisters began to understand the potential within them. They feel excited and want to learn more from Kiki.

However, San Mila innocently asked, "You've made soap, but are there any good plans we can make to become financially independent, as you say?"

Meanwhile, San Mio, with a look of admiration but also full of doubt, expressed her concern. "If I become financially independent, what good would it be if everything I make was taken away by my mother-in-law when I got married? Does this mean my efforts are in vain?"

Kiki understood their worries. He smiled as he gave wise advice, "When you achieve financial independence, be sure to keep it a secret. Don't let anyone know you have money. Remember, if the secret is exposed, people will probably take advantage of it and take it all, even to the last point. They'll stop only when you're completely depleted."

San Mio and San Mila looked at each other, they were considering whether this strategy was good or bad for them to implement.

Kiki, despite never intending to push for change, only revealed what was in her heart. However, unwittingly, these two sisters actually have the same desire for change, and they begin to reflect on the steps to be taken in the future.

They talk a lot for almost an hour, sharing thoughts and ideas. However, all of a sudden, San Mio recalled that they had been there too long, and she was worried that the mother at home would be angry because they were late coming home.

So, these two sisters rose from the hot kang with gratitude to Kiki. They hope that Kiki can always provide ideas for them. Kiki sincerely promised her support as long as they were willing to endure hardships and try to change their own destiny.

San Mio almost cried when she saw Kiki say with sincere hope. In a pleading tone and almost shedding tears, she said, "In the future, please think of ideas for me so that I can be financially independent as well."

Kiki felt their sadness was her own because she was also a woman who understood their struggles. Kiki replied sincerely, "I'll try to help as best as I can, even though I can't promise."

Kiki watches the two sisters' departure with a hopeful outlook, and she feels motivated to make a difference in their village, especially in terms of the thoughts and ideologies that have haunted her society all along.

Meanwhile, the sister who visited Kiki's house, still returning with a load of firewood on her shoulders, they walked carefully over the thick layer of snow.

Although the firewood still felt heavy, they felt that now they had a reason to struggle. With the expectations given by Kiki, they feel that change is possible in the future, and they are willing to strive to achieve it.

To survive in an environment laden with ideologies that discriminate against women, where women are only considered as a tool for men.

In their hearts, unknowingly, the seeds of a new spirit had grown.

After that meeting, Kiki no longer met the two sisters. However, before the winter ended, their village was rocked by news that left everyone shocked. San Mio suddenly goes to her future-in-law's house and breaks off their engagement without the knowledge of her birth family.

As a result, their engagement just broke up, and San Mio became a byword in the village. He even became a victim of beatings at his home, and his job grew heavier. More surprisingly, San Mila also supported her brother's decision, she dared to chase people with a knife if anyone tried to injure San Mio.

Amidst the rush to make soap, the gossipy village aunts started chatting about the news. One of them commented in a sharp tone, "It looks like the two sisters have no manners. How could they just break off the engagement?"

One of the other aunts, nodding in agreement, said, "This is a great disgrace to their family. How could they both be so selfish?"

However, not all the village aunts had the same view. A wiser aunt tried to give a different point of view, "Maybe we don't know all the details. Maybe they have a good reason to do it."

Kiki at that moment overheard their conversation. He gently tried to explain, "The two sisters have taken bold steps to change their own lives. We should have given them support and understanding."

However, some of the village aunts remained skeptical. One of them said loudly, "No matter what they do, this remains a great disgrace!"

Kiki felt heavy-hearted seeing how some people in the village were still not ready to accept the change. But he believes that the struggles of San Mio and San Mila are the first step towards better change.