Chapter 49: A Mix-Up
Chapter 49: A Mix-Up
Just as Lu Jiaxin put down her chopsticks, a loud voice came from outside the door. "Big Brother, Sister-in-law, I heard that Jiaxin has arrived. Where is she?"
Soon, two figures pushed aside the curtain and entered. The one in front wore a black headscarf, his skin was rough, and he had a tobacco pipe hanging from his waist. The one who followed wore a deep blue shirt and black pants, and his face was filled with smiles.
Lu Jiaxin greeted them with a smile. "Second Uncle, Second Aunt."
As soon as the Second Aunt entered the house and saw the food on the table, her eyes lit up. She eagerly walked up to Lu Jiaxin and said, "Jiaxin, it's been a few years, and you've grown into such a delicate young lady."
Lu Jiaxin wasn't prepared for her heavy-handed comment, and her stomach churned. She forced herself to turn away, covering her head and putting on a painful expression. "Fifth Brother, I have a headache."
Remembering that she had suffered a head injury, Lu Dabai immediately became anxious and shouted, "Jiazong, Jiazong, hurry up and harness the carriage. We're taking Jiaxin to the hospital."
Lu Jiaxin shook her head. "No need, I probably just need some quiet. I'll be fine after a rest."
Seeing that she didn't want to go to the hospital, Lu Dabai called everyone out of the room and asked his eldest granddaughter, Xiaoqiu, to accompany Lu Jiaxin to the room that had been prepared for her.
Lu Jiajie realized something as he watched Lu Jiaxin hurry out of the room. Jiaxin probably didn't want to interact with her mother any further and had used the headache as an excuse.
Having just finished eating, Lu Jiaxin wasn't ready to sleep. She leaned against the headboard and looked at Xiaoqiu, who seemed like a little adult. "Why aren't you in school?"
Initially, when Lu Erbo saw that Lu Jiaguang had made something of himself, he asked Lu Hongjun to find a job for his son, no matter what it was. Lu Hongjun didn't refuse but made a request—the son must have at least a high school education.
Lu Hongjun understood the importance of education, so he always reminded his two older brothers to send their children to school. That was why all the children of the Lu family, regardless of gender, were now in school.
Xiaoqiu made a bitter face and said, "Cousin, studying is too tiring. I worked so hard to get into junior high school, but there was so much I didn't understand. I almost didn't graduate."
Because the two of them were around the same age, Xiaoqiu always accompanied Lu Jiaxin during her visits to their hometown. That was also why Xiaoqiu spoke Mandarin fairly well.
After a quick assessment, Lu Jiaxin confirmed that she was dealing with an academic underachiever. Knowing that she couldn't force the issue, she said, "If you don't want to study, you can learn a skill."
"Learn a skill? What skill can I learn?"
"You can learn to make clothes, do paper-cutting, bookkeeping, or even cook. Having a skill will make it easier to find work and earn a higher wage when you go out into the world."
Xiaoqiu laughed and said, "Cousin, even if Third Grandpa helps the family find work, it's only for the brothers. I'm going to get married and leave anyway, so what's the point of a job for me?"
There was no resentment or sadness in her tone, just calm acceptance.
Indeed, any available jobs would likely go to the male members of the family first, as the girls were expected to marry out. Only when society progressed and attitudes changed would this mindset shift. There was no point in arguing about it now.
Lu Jiaxin said, "The country's policies have relaxed now. In Pengcheng, many factories are being opened by wealthy merchants from Hong Kong and abroad, and these factories recruit workers from outside. As long as you meet their requirements, you can get a job in one of those factories."
"Do I need connections?"
Lu Jiaxin didn't want to paint too rosy a picture of Pengcheng, as it was still decades away from the future she knew. At this point, Pengcheng's security was a concern, and it would be dangerous for a young woman to go there alone. Smiling, she said, "You don't need connections. As long as you pass their entrance exam, they will accept you. However, it's thousands of miles away from Feng County, and there are many bad people out there. You can't go unless you're accompanied by someone the family knows well."
Xiaoqiu understood: "There are many bad people outside, Cousin. You also met a bad person last time."
Both Lu Er's wife and San's wife used this incident to scare the girls in the family, telling them not to run around, or else they would be sold off by human traffickers and suffer for the rest of their lives. The Lu family treated their sons and daughters equally when it came to food and clothing, and they also provided them with an education. Under such circumstances, the girls wouldn't think of running away, and now with Lu Jiaxin as a living example, they were even less likely to consider it.
Lu Jiaxin was taken aback, never expecting to become a negative example herself. "Yes, I was too impulsive last time and almost lost my life. But if someone you know well takes you to find a job, it's fine."
Seeing that Xiaoqiu remained silent, she added, "Working in the city means earning a monthly wage, and who knows, you might even be able to stay and live in the city in the future. If you don't seize this opportunity, you'll have to get married in four or five years and live a life just like your mother's. Not only will you be busy from morning to night, but you won't have any money to buy your children candy, toys, or nice clothes."
The last two sentences struck a chord with Xiaoqiu, but she soon lowered her head again. "My parents won't agree. They want me to marry into a good family."
Lu Jiaxin didn't see this as a problem. "If such an opportunity arises in the future and your parents don't agree, then talk to your Great Uncle. If he opposes it too, call me, and I'll talk to them."
Xiaoqiu fiddled with the corner of her clothes, her heart clearly wavering.
Lu Jiaxin didn't continue persuading her, knowing that the final decision had to come from Xiaoqiu herself. She wanted to help because she saw that Xiaoqiu was a straightforward and honest girl. As for the other members of the Lu family, she didn't know them well enough to say more. Sometimes, what you intend as a good deed may not be perceived as such by others.
After freshening up, Lu Dabai picked up the portrait that Lu Jiaxin had given him and looked at it for a long time, but he still couldn't recall anything.
Lu Dabai's wife finished her chores and entered the room. Seeing him staring intently at the portrait of an old lady, her face darkened instantly.
Enraged, she snatched the portrait from him. "You old fool! Your past misdeeds are forgivable, but now you even have great-grandchildren, and you're still up to these tricks! You have no shame, but what about me and the children? Don't we have any face left?"
Lu Jiaxin had just lain down when she was startled awake by a scream from outside. She quickly got up, put on her clothes, and went out.
Xiaoqiu followed closely behind.
When they reached the courtyard, they found everyone gathered there, not a single person attempting to mediate the argument inside the house. Xiaoqiu pulled on Lu Guangzong's arm and asked, "Second Uncle, what's going on?"
Things had been fine just a moment ago, so how did a quarrel break out so suddenly? Usually, even if there were conflicts when guests were present, they would be kept under control.
Lu Er and his wife shook their heads, indicating that they didn't know.
From their expressions, Lu Jiaxin knew they weren't being truthful. It was impossible for them not to know what was going on when the quarrel was so loud. She thought for a moment and then walked over to the door, knocking on it as she called out, "Great Uncle, Great Aunt, can I come in?"
Before she had even finished speaking, the door opened, and Great Aunt handed her the portrait. "Jiaxin, your Great Uncle says that the person in this portrait is the human trafficker who sold you. Is that true?"
Lu Jiaxin asked in confusion, "Yes, this is the human trafficker who sold me. Great Aunt, do you know this person?"
Seeing her red and swollen eyes, Lu Jiaxin wondered if this person was related to Great Aunt. However, she quickly dismissed the idea, as Great Uncle and Fifth Uncle would surely know if that were the case.
Lu Dabai coughed a couple of times and said, "It's getting late. All of you, go back to your rooms and get some sleep."
Lu Jiaxin was filled with questions, but with no one to provide answers, she could only return to her room.
(End of Chapter)
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