Chapter 253: Homely Affairs
Chapter 253: Homely Affairs
Xiao Qiu returned with a basket of vegetables and ran into an elderly lady at the alley entrance. "Oh, you're buying so much today. Is there something worth celebrating?"
Having lived there for a while, she had become familiar with the folks in the neighborhood. Those who struggled with housing envied the Lu family, wishing they had such wonderful relatives. Of course, there were also those who made snide remarks, but Mrs. Er Lu and Xiao Qiu paid them no mind.
"My little aunt is back," Xiao Qiu replied.
The elderly lady was astonished. "Is she taking the college entrance exams this July? Why come back more than a month in advance? After being wronged by that vicious mother and daughter a few years ago and missing out on university, she should be focusing on her studies to get into a good university and show them up."
With a smile, Xiao Qiu explained, "No, my little aunt has already finished her exams. The testing schedule in Gangcheng is different from ours. They finished a few days ago."
At that moment, Fat Auntie spotted her and called out, "Xiao Qiu, your little aunt bought incense and candles earlier. She must have gone to pay respects to your third uncle's wife."
"That's right," Fat Auntie continued. "Your little aunt is so well-off now that she even took a taxi to visit the grave. Her aunt treats her so well. Why can't I have relatives like that?"
Not only Fat Auntie, but many others in the neighborhood envied Jiaxin's good fortune.
Xiao Qiu, not wanting to linger in the conversation, excused herself. "My little aunt likes to drink chicken soup, so I'll be off now to prepare some for her. See you!"
Mrs. Er Lu returned home around three in the afternoon but didn't find Jiaxin. "Where did your little aunt go?"
"Fat Auntie mentioned that after she came back, she bought incense and offerings. She probably went to pay respects at Third Uncle's wife's grave. Fat Auntie said she even took a taxi!" Xiao Qiu replied.
Taxis were expensive, and a ride from Beijing to the airport could cost several dozen yuan, something most people couldn't afford.
Mrs. Er Lu's expression changed slightly, and she anxiously said, "She's even neglecting the college entrance exams. She must be being bullied. I need to call your uncle."
Xiao Qiu grabbed her arm and reassured her, "Mom, don't worry. I just called Uncle, and she said that the exams in Gangcheng are earlier than ours. They finished five days ago."
Mrs. Er Lu immediately turned her worry into joy. "So, your little aunt must have done well!"
"What?"
Mrs. Er Lu beamed with joy. "You silly girl, your little aunt must have done exceptionally well, so she rushed back to share the good news with your third uncle's wife. Let's get cooking, and we'll invite your uncle and others over for dinner tonight to celebrate your little aunt's success."
"Mom, the results aren't out yet," Xiao Qiu said.
Mrs. Er Lu playfully tapped her head. "You've been to school yourself. Don't tell me you don't know how well you've done? Alright, stop blabbering and get to work."
The mother and daughter busied themselves in the kitchen.
Jiaxin returned from the cemetery to Beijing and asked the driver to take her to Shichahai. As Xiu wanted the mansion restored to its original splendor, the project was massive and still unfinished.
The grand five-section compound had three sections completed, and they were currently working on the fourth. The foreman estimated that with the addition of the back garden, it would take another three months to finish.
Xiu had entrusted the entire estate to Bin, so she didn't concern herself with the expenses. She envisioned that once the magnificent mansion was completed and had a year to air out, her aunt could stay there for a while during the warm spring days.
Aside from the 30 million yuan and the apartment, this mansion alone would be worth a billion or two in the future, and it would be priceless.
Gufen looked up at the elaborately carved pillars and asked curiously, "Who lived here before?"
Gu Fen felt that the house was extremely extravagant.
Lu Jiaxin smiled and said, "This mansion belonged to a prince from the previous dynasty. My aunt bought it for 88,000 yuan, but she only managed to secure it by paying in green dollars."
As they toured the mansion with Lu Jiaxin, Gu Fen had one overwhelming thought: "With so many rooms, he'd have to sleep in a different one each night and it would still take him three to four months to cycle through them all."
Lu Jiaxin laughed heartily, "Back in the old feudal society, wealthy men often had three wives and four concubines. A prince like this would have had at least a dozen primary and secondary wives. And with all the children they bore, he'd need a small army of servants to attend to them all. You may think this mansion is huge, but with so many servants, the maids would have to share rooms, four or five to a room, making it quite cramped."
Gu Fen sincerely remarked, "It's a good thing we live in modern times. If we were back in that era, people like us from humble backgrounds would have no chance to rise above our station."
Lu Jiaxin agreed that the new society was much better. In the old feudal system, women were subject to their fathers before marriage, their husbands during marriage, and their sons should their husbands die—they had no status of their own. While there may be more constraints in the present, as long as one had the courage and ambition, one could still forge a successful path.
As they chatted and made their way to the entrance, they noticed that the taxi was still waiting. The driver approached them and said, "This trip has been quite enough for today. After I drop you off, I'll head home too."
The fare was 60 green dollars, plus an additional 20 green dollars as a tip, totaling over 160 yuan. He didn't want to take any more passengers and was ready to call it a day.
"Ten yuan?"
"Sure, no problem."
Vehicles were scarce in the mainland, so the taxi ride to Guangming Hutong was quick. As soon as Lu Jiaxin stepped into the alley, she was surrounded by enthusiastic neighbors, all eager to know if she had indeed finished her exams.
Lu Jiaxin wasn't a fan of such attention, but she politely answered their questions.
Gu Fen, understanding Lu Jiaxin's temperament, stepped forward and gently pushed the crowd back, escorting Lu Jiaxin into the house. As soon as they entered the courtyard, Gu Fen closed the door behind them.
Little Qiu rushed towards Lu Jiaxin with joy and tried to give her a hug.
Lu Jiaxin stepped back, noticing the fishy smell on Little Qiu's body, and asked, "Have you been cleaning fish?"
Little Qiu nodded, "Yes, I just cleaned one. Little Aunt, you like steamed fish, don't you? I'll make some for you later."
Lu Jiaxin's heart warmed at the gesture.
Knowing that Lu Jiaxin had been to the cemetery, Little Qiu said, "Little Aunt, I've made chicken soup in the kitchen. It's been simmering for over three hours. If you're hungry, have a bowl to fill your stomach. Don't worry, I've skimmed off all the fat, so it's not greasy at all."
Lu Jiaxin felt that Little Qiu was becoming more and more adorable. After their long walk and a rather light lunch, she was indeed feeling quite hungry. She smiled and said, "Then go ahead and get me a bowl."
"Okay!"
Lu Jiaxin quickly stopped her, "First, go wash your hands in the bathroom with soap to get rid of the fishy smell."
Little Qiu thought that her little aunt was still as fastidious as ever. While Little Qiu went to wash her hands, Lu Er Sao brought out the chicken soup from the kitchen.
Lu Jiaxin had thought that only Little Qiu was at home, so she was surprised to see her mother-in-law. She greeted her warmly.
Lu Er Sao placed the chicken soup on the table and looked at Lu Jiaxin with concern, "You poor thing, you've lost so much weight. Is it because you can't get used to the food there?"
Lu Jiaxin touched her face. Indeed, it was strange. Every night, she alternated between bird's nest and fish maw as supplements, yet after the exams, she found that she had lost five more jin. She had no idea where the weight had gone.
(End of Chapter)
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