Rebirth 1983: Building My Business Empire-Chapter 69 - : 63 Chapter Zao Hua Returns to School

Chapter 69: 63 Chapter Zao Hua Returns to School

With the child out of earshot, Big Uncle Lu spoke bluntly, “Da Gen’s wife, I know what you’re thinking. You want to give Zao Hua to Youliang in exchange for a job, and at the same time get a hefty dowry.”

Zao Hua’s mother’s face burned with embarrassment. She had indeed done so, but like a tree needs its bark, a person needs their dignity; she did not want to be accused of selling her daughter. As she cried, she said, “Uncle Tie Jun, with Da Gen gone, how can I, a lone woman, keep this home standing? Zao Hua is the eldest, and she needs to help me keep it together.”

Big Uncle Lu did not bother her with high-minded principles. He knew such talk would be futile with Zao Hua’s mother, “Zao Hua is a bright child; she has always been the top student in both elementary and junior high school. If she continues her education, she can definitely get into university. Da Gen’s wife, the government now provides subsidies for college. Once she graduates, she’ll be able to get a public-sector job and have a salary every month. Zao Hua is hardworking and filial; once she starts working, she will surely take care of you and help her two younger brothers.”

Zao Hua’s mother hesitated before responding, “Three years for high school and four for college—that’s seven years before she can take care of me.”

Big Uncle Lu thought she was shortsighted, especially since Zao Hua was unfortunately born to her, “Nowadays, college graduates become officials as soon as they finish their studies. Once she works, see if she can find a job in the city for Youliang.”

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He paused, then added, “Ah Guang has four kids to raise and gives us ten yuan a month for old age support. Once Zao Hua starts working, have her give you a pension too. If you don’t need the money, use it to help Youliang and his brothers. When you’re old and unable to move, if your sons and daughters-in-law are not filial, this will be your security in your old age.”

Zao Hua’s mother was moved by his words.

Big Uncle Lu pressed on, “If Zao Hua gets into university, she will definitely find a well-off partner. Later on, she might even be able to find a job in the city for Man Cang through her partner!”

Actually, he was just painting a picture for Zao Hua’s mother, hoping she would relent and agree to let the child continue her education. As for the future, it all depended on the child’s capabilities.

Moved by his arguments, Zao Hua’s mother still had her doubts, “Zao Hua is certainly a good student, but only two or three students from our county get into university each year. Can she really make it?”

Big Uncle Lu was somewhat annoyed but, since he had come to persuade her, he could not give up halfway, “Zao Hua is so smart; she definitely can do it. You have to have faith in her.”

Da Gen’s wife couldn’t quite make up her mind, “Give me some time to think about it.”

School had already started more than half a month ago; any further delay would only add to the missed lessons. Big Uncle Lu said, “A few days ago, you wanted to marry Zao Hua off to the son of a factory leader, but what happened? To avoid the marriage, Zao Hua didn’t eat or drink for three days and nights.”

It was true she hadn’t eaten, but she had secretly drunk water; otherwise, she wouldn’t have lasted.

Seeing that she still wasn’t agreeing, Big Uncle Lu warned, “If you force her again, if Zao Hua becomes desperate and runs away to the mountain, ending her own life, then you’ll have nothing left.”

Some women, when cornered, end up hanging themselves with a rope in the mountains. He wasn’t just scaring her; before, it was understandable because the family was too poor to support Zao Hua’s education. But now that Aunt Jiaxin was willing to sponsor her studies, if Da Gen’s wife still refused, the child might truly consider taking her own life.

Zao Hua’s mother paused, grinding her teeth before finally saying, “Uncle Tie Jun, then let her repeat the year. But the family is poor; I have no money to give her.”

Big Uncle Lu replied impatiently, “You don’t have to provide any money; just make sure she has enough food to take to school.”

Stepping outside, Big Uncle Lu saw the anxious Zao Hua and told her, “Your mother has agreed to let you continue your studies. It’s getting late today, but I will take you to school tomorrow morning.”

School had started half a month ago, and the registration period was long over. However, this wasn’t a big issue; a word with the school authorities and teachers should be enough to smooth things over.

Zao Hua knelt on the ground, kowtowing to the couple while expressing her gratitude. Although she had resisted her mother’s plans and decided not to marry, she had actually resigned herself to her fate. Next time, as long as the matchmaker introduced her to a normal person, she would marry. She never expected the turn of events that allowed her to return to school.

Big Aunt helped her up and said, “Girl, we’re just messengers. The person you should be thankful to is your Great Uncle Hongjun, as he is the one who provided the money for your education.”

Zao Hua expressed her thanks for Lu Hongjun, but deep down, she was most grateful to Lu Jiaxin. If it hadn’t been for her suggesting to finance Zao Hua’s continued education, the old Party Secretary and Great Uncle Hongjun would not have bothered with the matter. In the future, when she had the means, she would definitely repay Aunt Jiaxin.

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On the way back home, Big Aunt said, “Old man, do you think Zao Hua can really get into university in three years?”

No one dared to guarantee such things, with college entrance exams having so many uncertainties. For example, Jiaxin, a surefire university student, unexpectedly failed and missed out.

Big Uncle Lu stated, “Don’t know, it’s all up to the kid’s fate! Speaking of which, it’s also Dag Gen’s fault. I told him from the start to let Zao Hua apply for vocational school. Had he listened to me, she would be in vocational school now, not nearly forced into marriage.”

Initially, he was worried Zao Hua’s grades would drop in high school and she wouldn’t make it to university, considering the low admission rates. Alas, Da Gen wouldn’t heed his advice and insisted Zao Hua attend high school. Her scores were higher than the vocational school cut-off, but sadly she didn’t apply. After Da Gen’s incident, Zao Hua dropped out to farm at home, and many pitied the young girl.

The family quickly learned of the news, and Third Aunt Lu sourly commented, “This child Jiaxin, really now. She doesn’t care for her own many children, yet she supports an outsider…”

Her following words were swallowed back under Big Uncle Lu’s intense gaze, and then she hid behind Lu Jiayao.

Big Uncle Lu called out directly, “Jiayao, do you think the same way?”

Lu Jiayao didn’t make a sound.

Big Uncle Lu was somewhat disappointed, “Jiazong, what about you? Do you think the same way?”

Lu Jiazong didn’t share the sentiment. On the contrary, he saw it as a good thing, “Dad, Zao Hua is a relative within five degrees of kinship, and Jiaxin is willing to help. Once she achieves something, she will surely support our family’s younger generation.”

Big Uncle Lu was very pleased. Jiaguang, his eldest, was out forging a path for his future, while his second son, Jiazong, took care of all the family’s affairs, big and small. As for Jiayao, his youngest, he was almost up to par; after all, his older brothers were there to support him.

Third Aunt Lu muttered again, “She didn’t get into university and was nearly abducted; can she really be counted on to support the children?”

With a tap of his smoking pipe against the edge of the bed, Big Uncle Lu said, “It is precisely because she has been through so much that she is now no worse off than Jiajie when it comes to dealing with people or handling affairs.”

Lu Jiayao was skeptical, thinking it impossible.