Rebirth 1983: Building My Business Empire-Chapter 67 - 61 Abacus

Chapter 67: Chapter 61 Abacus

It was barely dawn when Lu Jiaxin woke up, and as soon as she got out of bed, she found that Big Aunt Lu was already busy in the kitchen. It was from Xiao Qiu that she learned Big Aunt had been up making pancakes since before five in the morning. These pancakes were for her to eat on the road.

After washing up, Jiaxin entered the kitchen, but before she could even stand still, she was shooed out by Second Sister-in-law Lu: “The smoke here is too thick and choking, you go and wait inside.”

A moment later, Big Aunt Lu brought over a bowl of lamb dumplings and set it in front of her: “Hurry up and eat, eat up so you can hit the road.”

Jiaxin said with some guilt: “Big Aunt, ever since I arrived these past few days, I’ve caused you to lose rest.”

Big Aunt Lu gently patted her shoulder and chided with a smile, “You child, what silly things you’re saying. Your Big Uncle and I are so happy you and he thought of us and came to see us from so far away. Come back when you have holidays, and I’ll make you lamb dumplings again…”

“Alright.”

...

She agreed verbally, but she knew she couldn’t possibly come again anytime soon. This bus ride alone was enough, and she had no desire to undergo that ordeal again.

As Lu Jiaxin was packing up her things, Lu Jiajie and Second Uncle Lu and his group came over. She didn’t go out to see them; Lu Wang’s decision to follow her was Lu Jiajie’s affair.

Big Uncle Lu noticed that Second Uncle Lu and his wife were wearing new clothes. Since they were planning to do farm work, and wouldn’t wear new clothes unless they were going to visit someone, he couldn’t help asking, “Second Brother, whose house are you visiting today?”

Second Aunt Lu said gleefully, “It has been so many years since Jiajie got married; we only visited for the wedding and when Qiangqiang was born. These last two years, Jiajie has said he’s too busy with work to come back; I don’t even know what the kids look like. We’re taking this opportunity to go see the two children.”

Big Uncle Lu’s expression froze, but it was a legitimate reason for the couple to visit their grandchildren, so he had no ground to object.

When Jiaxin heard this, she didn’t say anything either. If grandparents wanted to visit their grandchildren, nobody had the right to stop them. However, some things needed to be clarified to avoid unpleasantness later: “Fifth Brother, Fifth Sister-in-law’s family lives in cramped conditions. Where are Second Uncle and Second Aunt planning to stay in the Forty-nine City?”

If it were Big Uncle and Big Aunt, she would have offered her house to stay. But she would excuse herself from these two, because she always kept her distance from those who tried to use her.

Without hesitation, Second Aunt Lu said, “Jiaxin, your house is so big, we can stay there for a few days.”

Jiaxin flatly refused: “Big Brother already made it clear before, the house can’t be rented out, nor can it be lent to outsiders.”

Second Uncle Lu said unhappily, “I’m your Second Uncle, a family member.”

Jiaxin didn’t respond and instead looked towards Lu Jiajie.

Having learned from yesterday’s events, Lu Jiajie had never intended to let his parents stay at Jiaxin’s place: “Dad, Mom, that house is quite far from my in-laws’. I’ll rent a room next to the family compound’s guest house when the time comes. That way, it will be more convenient for you to visit Qiangqiang and Xiao Feng.”

Jiaxin looked at him intently, knowing that without his wife’s agreement to take his parents in, things would be chaotic once back in the Forty-nine City. But these were his family matters, and Jiaxin wasn’t going to interfere. Getting involved in such issues could make her the target of blame from both sides.

Big Uncle Lu settled the matter: “Second Brother, Second Son’s Wife, if you don’t stay at the guest house, then stay at Hongjun’s or Jiaguang’s place. Xinxin’s house is the dowry left to her by her late parents, and nobody is allowed to have designs on it, otherwise don’t blame me for turning against you.”

Second Uncle Lu, who had been under Big Uncle Lu’s control his whole life, did not dare to argue now that he had spoken.

Big Aunt Lu prepared two bags of things for Jiaxin, which, aside from food, included local products from the mountains. Jiaxin had no choice but to put them on the cart after failing to refuse.

Lu Jiajie had to bring a lot of things this time, and the handcart was piled full. Halfway through the journey, Lu Jiajie wanted to take a turn for Zhao Dajun, but Second Aunt Lu pulled him aside.

Lu Jiaxin lowered her eyelids. With Second Uncle Lu and Second Aunt Lu’s temperament, the fact that none of their four children had been spoiled was really thanks to Big Uncle Lu and Big Aunt Lu.

Big Uncle Lu didn’t interfere, and once they arrived at the bus station, he pulled Lu Jiaxin aside and asked, “Jiaxin, are you sure you want to sponsor Zao Hua to finish high school? You need to know that once you’ve agreed, you can’t go back on your word, otherwise Zao Hua might not be able to take such a blow.”

Giving someone hope and then shattering it, someone with a weak mental capacity might go insane.

Lu Jiaxin expressed with certainty that she would not go back on her word, “Big Uncle, I have confidence in myself, and I hope you can believe in me too.”

She didn’t dare promise to make a fortune, since she had no capital for now, but earning ten or eight thousand a year to secure a living was no problem.

Big Uncle Lu said, “Alright, when I get back, I’ll talk to Zao Hua’s mother and will definitely get her to agree to let Zao Hua return to school and continue her studies.”

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Lu Jiaxin didn’t understand why a change in attitude occurred without a phone call, but it was a good thing nonetheless. “Big Uncle, Xiao Qiu is still young, I think we should let her learn a craft. With a skill at hand, she’ll stand straighter when she gets married and goes to her husband’s family.”

The principle she adhered to was, if you treat me with sincerity, then I will do the same for you. If you plan to take advantage of her, stay as far away as possible.

Big Uncle Lu felt reassured as he thought his previous words had an effect, and he expressed with satisfaction that when he returned, he would arrange for all the kids at home to learn a skill.

The trip here had been a harsh lesson, so this time Lu Jiaxin wised up and chose a seat by the window after boarding the bus. She was luckier this time, as no passengers were carrying chickens or ducks. Although she still felt car sick, she didn’t throw up.

After getting off the bus, Second Aunt Lu saw her pale face sitting on the luggage resting and couldn’t help but say, “Jiaxin, you’re just too spoiled. If you worked in the fields more often, you wouldn’t be so pale just from riding in a car.”

Lu Jiaxin was already feeling extremely uncomfortable from the car sickness and didn’t need someone lecturing her on top of it, which was irritating. But this was a public place, and making a scene would be embarrassing. She was not one to allow herself to be wronged, so she said to Lu Jiajie, “Fifth Brother, I’m feeling very unwell and plan to go to the hospital to get some anti-motion sickness medicine. I might not be able to return to the Forty-nine City today. You have to go back to work, so go ahead with Second Uncle Lu and Second Aunt Lu!”

Lu Jiajie didn’t agree.

Lu Jiaxin pointed at Zhao Dajun and laughed, “Fifth Brother, with Brother Zhao here, what are you worried about?”

Lu Jiajie was still worried and wanted to stay with her. But this decision was strongly opposed by Second Uncle Lu and Second Aunt Lu. Staying would mean spending money on food and accommodation which they were reluctant to do.

Lu Jiaxin had decided to stay an extra day specifically to get away from Second Uncle Lu and his wife, and if Lu Jiajie didn’t leave, her plan would be ruined. “Fifth Brother, you’ve taken too many leaves from work this year. If you don’t get back on time this time, they might dock your pay.”

Because of Zhao Dajun’s presence, Lu Jiajie eventually left under the urging of his parents.

Without the company of Second Uncle Lu and his wife, Lu Jiaxin no longer felt dizzy and her stomach didn’t hurt either. “Let’s go, let’s get something to eat, and then head back to the Forty-nine City after the meal.”

Zhao Dajun, seeing her like this, asked, “Were you just pretending earlier?”