Chapter 63: Zaohua Returns to School
Chapter 63: Zaohua Returns to School
With the child not present, Master Lu bluntly spoke his mind: "Dagen's wife, I know you want to trade Zaohua for a job with Youliang and a hefty bride price."
Zaohua's mother blushed. While it was true that she had such intentions, she didn't want to be accused of selling her daughter. Through her tears, she said, "Iron Army, with Dagen gone, how can I, a lone woman, support this family? Zaohua is the eldest; she needs to help me support her brothers."
Master Lu didn't bother with lecturing her, knowing that it would be futile: "Zaohua is a smart child. She always ranked first in both elementary and middle school. If she continues her studies, she will definitely get into university. Dagen's wife, the state provides subsidies for university students these days. Once they graduate, they can secure a government job and receive a monthly salary. Zaohua is diligent and filial; she will definitely support you and help her younger brothers when she starts working."
Zaohua's mother hesitated and said, "It will take three years for high school and another four years for university. It will be seven years before she can support me."
Master Lu felt she was shortsighted, especially since Zaohua was born to her: "University graduates these days become cadres. Once Zaohua starts working, she can help find Youliang a job in the city."
He paused before continuing, "My son, A Guang, has four children to feed, yet he still gives us ten yuan every month for our retirement. Once Zaohua starts working, she can also contribute to your retirement fund. Even if your sons and daughters-in-law are unfilial, this money will ensure your well-being in old age."
Zaohua's mother was tempted by his words.
Master Lu continued his persuasion: "If Zaohua gets into university, she will definitely find a well-off partner. At that time, we can even ask her future husband to help Mancang find a job in the city!"
He was, in a way, painting a rosy picture to convince Zaohua's mother to let her daughter continue her studies. Whether it would come true would depend on the child's abilities.
Zaohua's mother was swayed but still had her concerns: "Zaohua does excel in her studies, but only a handful of students from our county get into university each year. Do you think she can really make it?"
Master Lu was getting impatient, but since he had come to persuade them, he couldn't just give up halfway: "Zaohua is so smart; she will definitely make it. You need to have faith in her."
Dagen's wife still couldn't make up her mind: "Let me think about it."
It had already been more than half a month since the start of the school term, and if she delayed any further, Zaohua would fall even more behind in her studies. Master Lu said, "The other day, you wanted Zaohua to marry the son of the leader of the Second Machine Factory. What happened in the end? Zaohua went without food or water for three days and three nights to avoid that marriage."
It was true that she hadn't eaten, but she had secretly drunk water to sustain herself.
Seeing that she still wouldn't agree, Master Lu said, "If you force her again, Zaohua might do something drastic like ending her life in the back mountains. Then, you will have nothing."
Some women, when they got an idea stuck in their heads, would hang themselves in the back mountains. He wasn't just trying to scare her. Before, when the family couldn't afford to support Zaohua's education, they had reluctantly accepted their fate. But now that Jiaxin was willing to sponsor Zaohua's continued studies, if Dagen's wife still disagreed, the child might really take her own life.
Zaohua's mother paused, biting her teeth in thought for a long time before finally speaking: "Iron Army, then let her go back to school. But we're poor and I have no money to give her."
Master Lu grew impatient and said, "You don't need to give her money. Just make sure she takes enough food with her to school."
As he stepped out of the house, Master Lu saw Zaohua, who looked anxious. He said to her, "Your mother has agreed to let you continue your studies. It's getting late today, so I'll take you to school tomorrow morning."
It had already been half a month since the start of the school term, and the registration period was long over. However, this wasn't a big problem; he could just find the school leader and teacher later and ask them to make an exception.
Zaohua knelt on the ground, kowtowing and thanking the couple. Although she had resisted her mother's plan to marry her off this time, she had actually resigned herself to her fate. During the next blind date, as long as the suitor was a decent person, she would agree to marry him. But now, things had taken an unexpected turn, and she had the chance to return to school.
Master Lu's wife helped Zaohua up and said, "Girl, we will pass on a message to you: the one you should be grateful to is your Uncle Hongjun, who is paying for your education."
Zaohua also expressed her gratitude to Lu Hongjun, but in her heart, she was most thankful to Jiaxin. If Jiaxin hadn't offered to sponsor her education, neither the village head nor Hongjun would have gotten involved. Once she had the ability, she would definitely repay Jiaxin.
On the way back, Master Lu's wife said, "Old man, do you think Zaohua will really be able to get into university in three years?"
No one could guarantee such things, especially with the many uncertainties surrounding the college entrance examination. Take Jiaxin, for example. She had been a sure bet for university, but misfortune had struck, and she had failed to get in.
Master Lu said, "Who knows? It depends on the child's fate. Speaking of which, Dagen is to blame. I had suggested that Zaohua attend a vocational school, but he didn't listen. If he had, she would be in vocational school now instead of almost being forced into marriage."
He had been worried that Zaohua's grades might drop in high school, and she might not get into university due to the extremely low admission rate. Unfortunately, Dagen hadn't heeded his advice and had insisted on sending Zaohua to high school. When the exam results came out, Zaohua's scores were higher than the vocational school admission line, but she hadn't filled out the form for vocational school. After Dagen's accident and Zaohua's dropout, many people had lamented the waste of such a talented child.
The family soon learned of this development. Lu San's wife complained, "That Jiaxin, with so many children of her own to worry about, she goes and supports an outsider..."
The rest of her words were swallowed as Master Lu shot her a sharp, warning glance, after which she hid behind Lu Jia.
Master Lu directly addressed Lu Jia: "Jia, is that what you think as well?"
Lu Jia remained silent.
Master Lu's disappointment showed as he asked, "Jia Zong, what about you? Do you think the same?"
Lu Jia didn't share his thoughts; on the contrary, he felt it was a good thing: "Dad, Zaohua is already outside the five generations of our family, but Jiaxin is still willing to help. In the future, when she becomes successful, she will definitely help our family's children."
Master Lu was very pleased. The eldest son, Jia Guang, was out making a name for himself, while the second son, Jia Zong, managed the family's affairs. As for the third son, Jia Yao, well, he was almost there, and the eldest and second sons would always be there to support him.
Lu San's wife muttered again, "She almost got kidnapped because she didn't get into university. Can we really count on her to help our children?"
Master Lu tapped his pipe on the edge of the bed and said, "Precisely because she has gone through so much, she is now more capable in her dealings with people and affairs than Jia Jie."
Lu Jia didn't believe it; he thought it was impossible.
Master Lu scolded, "Just because you can't do it doesn't mean Jiaxin can't. Jiaxin is the smartest among your generation in our family, and she will also be the most accomplished in the future."
In the past, when the eldest son had said these words to him, he had been half-believing. But after witnessing Jiaxin's actions during this period, he was now fully convinced. In a couple of months, when he went to Si Jiu City, he would have a good talk with his third son. He couldn't let there be a rift between father and daughter.
(End of Chapter)
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