Chapter 410: A Kind Gesture
Chapter 410: A Kind Gesture
Although the journey home was tiring, Lu Dabuo still seemed full of energy when he arrived. After eating, he immediately put down his bowl and chopsticks and rushed out. Lu Ping, puzzled by his impatience, watched him leave.
Lu Ping asked, "Dad, why is Grandpa Lu in such a hurry about Shanzige's relocation?""
Aunt Lu laughed and explained, "Your grandfather isn't going to see the village chief. He's headed to your Uncle Shi Tou's house."
Having been born into a military family, Lu Ping had moved with his parents to the city of Si Jiu after his father's retirement, where they had both been busy with work. As a result, he had rarely returned to his ancestral home and was unfamiliar with the relatives there.
Aunt Lu filled him in on the situation with Shi Tou's family. "This time, your aunt Lu Jiaxin mentioned that she wants to support talented but financially challenged children in the clan. Your grandfather immediately thought of Xiao Yu."
Lu Ping was aware of Lu Jiaxin's intention to support impoverished students from the clan but didn't realize that Lu Dabuo's haste was related to this matter.
Aunt Lu continued, her face beaming with joy, "What your aunt is doing is a wonderful act of virtue and kindness. With her support, our Lu clan will surely prosper."
Lu Ping nodded in agreement. "Aunt Lu is truly admirable. I want to follow in her footsteps."
Shi Tou's family was in the middle of their meal when they were surprised by Lu Dabuo's sudden visit. They quickly invited him to join them, asking, "Uncle Tie Jun, when did you get back?""
Lu Dabuo explained that he had just returned and then turned his attention to the frail Xiao Yu, his heart filled with compassion. Without beating around the bush, he got straight to the point. "Shi Tou, I came to talk about Xiao Yu's education. I know that education is the key to a child's future, and I want to help."
Xiao Yu's head shot up at the mention of his name, but thinking about his family's situation, he lowered his gaze again.
Shi Tou's eyes reflected the bitterness of their circumstances. "Uncle Tie Jun, I also know the importance of education, and I want to provide for my child's future. But as you know, our situation is difficult, and we simply can't afford it."
Lu Dabuo reassured him, "Jiaxin told me that she wants to support academically excellent children from the clan whose families cannot afford their education. Xiao Yu here always gets perfect scores on his exams, and he studies diligently. He fits the criteria perfectly."
Shi Tou, unable to believe his ears, asked incredulously, "Uncle Tie Jun, did I hear you right?""
Xiao Yu, his eyes wide with disbelief, wondered if he had imagined the conversation.
Lu Dabuo repeated himself, emphasizing, "Xiao Yu's tuition and textbook fees will be taken care of. All you need to do is provide for his daily needs."
This assurance was particularly important given the previous situation with Zao Hua. Normally, families would support their children's education, especially if they were diligent students, unless they truly had no means to do so.
Shi Tou pulled Xiao Yu towards Lu Dabuo, saying excitedly, "Xiao Yu, thank your grandfather for giving you the opportunity to continue your studies."
He had often hoped that his son would be as lucky as Zao Hua and receive sponsorship. That way, he could go on to university and have a secure future. But he knew it was unlikely, so he had put the thought aside. Never did he imagine that luck would indeed find its way to their door.
Without hesitation, Xiao Yu knelt down and bowed to Lu Dabuo to express his gratitude.
Lu Dabuo, being older and slower in his reactions, was a step behind as Xiao Yu had already bowed three times by the time he bent down to help him up. "There's no need to thank me. Thank your Aunt Jiaxin. It's her support that will enable you to continue your studies."
Xiao Yu bowed three more times, his emotions overwhelming him. "Grandfather, please convey my gratitude to Aunt Jiaxin. I am deeply grateful for her generosity, and I promise to repay her one day."
As Lu Dabuo helped Xiao Yu to his feet, he added, "Xiao Yu, your Aunt Jiaxin is sponsoring academically excellent students. If you wish to continue receiving her support, you must maintain scores of at least 90 out of 100 in both Chinese and math when you return to school."
This condition applied to primary school, and the requirements would be different for junior high and high school. However, they were not overly strict, as they aimed for a level that would allow the student to eventually enroll in high school or a vocational school.
Xiao Yu nodded vigorously.
Lu Dabuo continued, "Stones, Xiao Yu, this sponsorship will only last until high school. If you get into university, you'll have to figure out how to pay the fees yourself. But if you're really struggling and can't afford the tuition, you can borrow the first year's fees and pay it back once you start working."
After saying this, he added, "Jiaxin is also sponsoring Zao Hua until she graduates from high school, but not through university. Zao Hua is now working in Yangcheng, and I hear she's earning a good wage."
Stones, confused, asked, "Uncle Tie Jun, doesn't going to university mean you don't have to pay?"
Upon reading this requirement from Lu Jiaxin, Lu Dabuo asked the same question. He said, "Jiaxin said that university is currently free because there are fewer university students. But in ten years or so, when there are more universities, they will start charging tuition fees."
Lu Jiaxin also mentioned that, by then, universities wouldn't be assigning graduates to jobs anymore. Lu Dabuo understood the logic of this, but he didn't bring it up as it was too forward-thinking, and he didn't want to shatter the parents' fantasy of their children getting an education. Even without the job assignment, a university degree would undoubtedly offer a better future than illiteracy.
Stones didn't think too much about it. Even if university required money, getting into one meant the child wouldn't have to toil in the fields anymore. And once a child got into university, it would be easy to borrow money for tuition if necessary.
Subsequently, Lu Dabuo visited another family. Their child was also academically excellent, but because she was a girl, her parents had only supported her education for three years, believing that as long as she wasn't a 'blind girl' who couldn't see, it was enough. They didn't allow her to continue her studies.
When Lu Dabuo went to speak with them, the child's parents were still hesitating.
Lu Dabuo said, "My Jiaxin has always been ambitious and supportive of her family. With her guidance, Jiajie started his own business and now owns a house in Si Jiu City. Jiazong, with her help, also owns a shop now, having started from a street stall. He no longer has to endure the sun and rain. If Meier does well in the future, she'll surely support her brothers. Even you, her parents, will be able to enjoy the blessings she brings."
"In this new society, we don't believe in the old saying that a married daughter is like water spilled out. Men and women are equal now, and they both have a responsibility to take care of their parents. But if a girl doesn't get an education, she won't be able to marry into a good family. And when you're old and sick, even if she wants to support you, she may not have the means to do so."
After Lu Dabuo's persuasive words, Meier's mother agreed to let her continue her studies. Since education was free, it was worth giving the child a chance. If she succeeded, that would be wonderful. And if she didn't, she couldn't be blamed for it.
Lu Dabuo spent two days visiting all the families with academically excellent children who had dropped out of school. Only two extremely patriarchal families refused, while the other seventeen agreed. For those who were still in school but came from difficult financial backgrounds and performed well academically, Lu Dabuo also registered them, as they met the sponsorship criteria.
Some families with decent financial situations, thinking it foolish to pass up a good opportunity, brought their children to Lu Dabuo. Needless to say, he sent them away with a scolding.
Lu Dabuo was well-informed about the affairs of the Lu Clan, so there was no room for deception.
After organizing the list, he called Lu Jiaguang and informed him that there were twenty-nine children in need of sponsorship. Fifteen were in primary school, eight in junior high, and six in high school.
It wasn't that he didn't want to call Jiaxin directly, but the brigade didn't have international long-distance calling, so he had to rely on Lu Jiaguang to pass on the message.
Lu Jiaguang's work phone couldn't call Hong Kong either, so he went to the post office during his lunch break to make the call. He got through, but the servant who answered said that Lu Jiaxin had gone abroad to study.
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
