章 16: Chapter 16 Agreed
翻訳者: 549690339
"Wife, how are you so clever? Our family is in need of a long-term worker, hehehe, when the time comes, we'll just tell him that. It's a good reason; this time he's definitely going to agree. If he doesn't, I won't allow it!"
Lu Aiguo laughed heartily. He had privately persuaded Shitou many times, asking him to move in and live with them, but stubbornly, he just wouldn't agree. I mean, what's so great about living in his uncle's shanty? But the kid is just headstrong. Isn't he just afraid that after he gets a wife, she'll look down on him, and that's why he's making excuses?
"Don't even have him bring his bedding over, my old set will do for him." Lu Aiguo thought of Shitou's bedding and wanted to sigh. It was too worn out, and smelled even after washing. His own, though old, was much better than Shitou's.
"Hmm, if it's not enough, we'll just add more, take some of that stuff out to sell for cloth coupons. Just that oil alone could exchange for a good amount of money. We won't be able to finish it all in a short time anyway, so why not take some to Big Uncle and Second Uncle?"
Xia Yuan knew that the current policies had relaxed quite a lot compared to the previous years. It was Lu Aiguo and Shitou who always ran up to the mountains to barter game for money and goods, which allowed them to renovate their home. Speaking of which, there was also Shitou's contribution in this house. When their own lives got better, they should certainly help Shitou to build his house. As she thought about this, she urged, "Hurry up, don't keep Xiaoyun waiting."
"Wife, do you think Xiaoyun will be upset? Should we ask her first?" Lu Aiguo stored the things in the cellar and came out, suddenly remembering to ask.
"...She shouldn't, right?"
Xia Yuan was also a bit hesitant. She wasn't sure about her daughter's temper at the moment, "If it doesn't work out, we still have that storeroom, right? Cleaning it up will make it fit to live in too."
"Mom, Dad, what are you talking about?" Lu Yun finished tidying up the dishes and chopsticks on the dining table with a basket, washed them at the well in the yard, and brought them back to the kitchen, just when she overheard her parents mentioning her.
"We were just talking about inviting your Shitou brother to come live with us. Xiaoyun, would you like your Shitou brother to share a room with you?" Xia Yuan tentatively asked.
"Sure." Lu Yun agreed without any hesitation.
Shitou? Wasn't that Lu Aijun—the one destined to be quite accomplished in the future for Yushu Village? He was young and had made a fortune in business, even funded road construction and schools for their village. But was he also the Shitou who tragically died young while saving three children who had snuck off to swim in the river?
She did see him a few times in her previous life; he had a very good relationship with her father. Even after becoming successful, no matter how busy, he never forgot to keep in touch with Dad. But there was one thing, Shitou always looked at her with disfavor, nothing else really, just deliberately snubbed her every time he visited.
She didn't mind, though. She knew he blamed her in his heart for holding her father back. It's a pity... after he died, his will left most of his money to Dad. But Dad didn't accept it, and those funds were eventually used to establish the Shitou Foundation—
The reason she remembered this so vividly is because it was the first time she saw her father break down and cry uncontrollably in front of her.
Truth be told, it wasn't just Dad who felt sorrow; she had secretly cried over it too.
"Good girl." Lu Aiguo was obviously very pleased and praised her heartily. Xia Yuan also breathed a sigh of relief; their daughter really had matured overnight after the ordeal.
"Having an extra brother to dote on me, only a fool would refuse." Lu Yun pouted. In this lifetime, Lu Aijun wouldn't ignore her anymore, right?
This time around, she had to come up with a way to save those three kids and not let Lu Aijun risk himself in the process—otherwise, was she supposed to let Dad be heartbroken all over again in this life?
Lu Yun secretly contemplated. I'll worry about that when the time comes; there's still over a decade left, so there's no use rushing now.
As Lu Yun was immersed in her memories, Lu Aiguo and Xia Yun had already counted out the buns—there were eighty-six in total. After setting aside thirty for themselves and forty to give away, there were sixteen left over.
In the end, Lu Aiguo decided to add two more buns to each family's share and set aside an extra six. They stuffed the rest, fearing they would spoil, into a sieve, covered them with cloth, and put them in the root cellar, where it was cool and things could be stored for longer.
After sealing the entrance to the root cellar again, the pair took large leaves and wrapped up nine bundles of six meat buns each, stuffing them all into a large basket that Lu Aiguo carried on his back.
Everything was ready, and just before setting out, Xia Yuan hesitated, "It doesn't seem quite right to give just one thing, does it? It's too simple. Should we add a little something else?"
"Then let's add two cans and a pack of snacks and a pack of sweets to each family," Lu Aiguo replied.
Hearing Xia Yuan's comment about it being too simple, Lu Aiguo also felt a bit uncomfortable giving just one item. Fortunately, he had long prepared for the gifts for visiting relatives. He quickly picked up the items and locked the door.
The three of them first visited Great-Uncle Lu's house.
Lu Aiguo's father had three brothers, all united in heart.
Lu Aiguo's father was the youngest and, unfortunately, had the least luck, passing away early. The eldest and second uncles had taken good care of him and his mother when he was a child, so Lu Aiguo was always happy to share good things with them.
Besides the two great-uncles, the closest relatives were Lu Aiguo's cousin, Lu Hongzhen, and her family. During tough times, Lu Hongzhen had frequently helped Lu Aiguo and his mother, so it was not surprising the two families were closer than others.
"You're here! Head of the house, Aiguo, Xia Yuan, and Xiaoyun have arrived," exclaimed Lu Aiguo's great-aunt as she was feeding chickens in the courtyard. Upon seeing them enter, she swiftly set down her basin, wiped her hands on her apron, and approached with a beaming smile.
"Xia Yuan, Xiaoyun, come on in. Your great-uncle was just mentioning this morning that he guessed you would come today. His siblings-in-law and children are also at home, they haven't gone out. It's a good chance to get to know each other better, to avoid not recognizing one's own family in the future."
As she spoke, Lu Aiguo's great-aunt led them toward the main room, "Xia Yuan, you should come over more often so we ladies can chat. And for Xiaoyun, there will be brothers and sisters to play with. If anyone dares to bully you, just call on your brothers and sisters to stand up for you."
Great-Uncle Lu and his wife had two sons, Lu Aidang the elder and Lu Aimin the younger. Both were already married with children. Lu Aidang had a son named Lu Jinfeng, who was nine years old this year; Lu Aimin had a son and a daughter, the elder daughter Lu Ying was eight, and the younger son Lu Jinzhao was seven. The three virtually matched Lu Yun in age, being slightly older but close enough to play together.
"I will make sure to bring Xiaoyun over more often; I hope you won't find us too bothersome with our frequent visits," Xia Yuan said with a smile upon hearing the great-aunt's words. She was also happy for her daughter to have more playmates, considering she used to be so confined to the house, hardly ever leaving except for visits to her grandmother's place.
"I'd love for you to come over more often, why would I find that to be a bother?" said the great-aunt, chuckling, her face's wrinkles making her appear kind and gentle. Compared to the sharp face of Chen Juxiang, Xia Yuan's former mother-in-law, the great-aunt seemed much more comforting to look at. Xia Yuan immediately felt a natural kinship towards her.
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