Liu Sanjin and Lu Changzhu both frowned upon hearing Zhou Jiaojiao’s words. Although that was said, who would want to give up an easy job to do manual labor, especially since the person in question is Zhenping’s wife? Before bringing the subject up, relying on their status as parents-in-law, they might have been able to discuss the matter with Shen ng. To put it bluntly, even if they decided on this without any consultation, it wouldn’t have been a big deal. But now, with Zhenping at ho, if this really upset him, the relationship that had just started to improve might imdiately turn stiff again.
"Jiaojiao, this is a difficult matter. They nad your elder sister-in-law specifically to take the job, and soone from the County Committee even ca to the house to personally communicate this. If you were to swap with your elder sister-in-law, it would be hard to explain to them!"
"Mom, as long as elder sister-in-law agrees, it’s fine. If they ask later, I’ll just say that elder sister-in-law was considerate and purposely swapped with . She’s a military wife; if people found out about this job arrangent, they would praise her and say she is a good mber of a military family. With such a good reputation, even if big brother finds out, he would also praise her."
Liu Sanjin and Lu Changzhu remained silent, and Zhou Jiaojiao saw that they were deep in thought. She placed her hand on her belly.
"Dad, mom, I’m not just doing this for myself. My belly is getting bigger, and there are so many things a child needs. Everything costs money. I heard that the elder sister-in-law gave all the clothes and shoes that Mingyang’s kids outgrew to Daya and Xiao Ya. My child won’t even have a chance to inherit old clothes. Jiaxuan has just beco permanent at his job. There are so many colleagues and leaders at the commune to keep a good relationship with, and the salary he brings ho is barely anything. I was lucky to get this job. I am grateful, really, but the textile factory work is strenuous after all. I’m genuinely scared sothing might go wrong with the baby. If elder sister-in-law is willing to swap, I’m ready to give her the salary of the first two months. Please, just help speak to big brother and elder sister-in-law!"
Seeing Zhou Jiaojiao’s sincere concern, and that it was all for the sake of the child, the old couple exchanged glances.
Shen ng watched Liu Sanjin and Lu Changzhu without any expression, making the two of them so uncomfortable they couldn’t even lift their heads. Ever since Shen ng was injured by the cow, Liu Sanjin had been trying to make a good impression on her. The last ti when Lu Zhenping gave her two pairs of big head cotton shoes, she was quite happy for a while, thinking she could live like before. But who knew, Lu Changzhu warned her not to get too carried away, in case it upset the couple. Not only might they stop giving the monthly three yuan of pension, but Bai Shuyu might also stop the money she gives every month, especially now that Lu Zhenping has grown up.
"So what do you say? Are you willing or not?"
Shen ng poured herself a glass of water unhurriedly and looked at the two of them out of the corner of her eye, letting out a cold snort.
"She must be out of her mind to co up with such an idea, what ridiculous nonsense is she dreaming about? The child she’s carrying is mine. It will have to call ’dad’ when it’s born. If I have to look after her like that, what about it? Is my current reputation not good enough that it needs her endorsent? What do you both think, coming to our house to discuss this matter? Think about it, would I agree to it? Think over it properly!"
Lu Changzhu pursed his lips before speaking, "But we can’t just say it like that, eldest daughter-in-law. After all, you are the eldest daughter-in-law of the Lu Family and should set a good example. This situation is unavoidable. Jiaxuan’s wife is pregnant, and if she hadn’t been, she would have definitely gone to the textile factory obediently. How could she even think of swapping jobs with you? Please consider if you could make so room for her!"
"Why should I make room for her? How influential does she think she is? But dad, you said sothing wrong. If being the eldest daughter-in-law of the Lu Family ans having to suffer like this, then I might as well not be. Right, Lu Zhenping?"
As soon as these words ca out, whether it was Liu Sanjin, Lu Changzhu, or Lu Zhenping, all their faces changed color.
Lu Zhenping looked at Shen ng, sowhat speechless. Several tis just now, he wanted to interject but was stopped by Shen ng’s look. And now, how could she say she wouldn’t be the eldest daughter-in-law of the Lu Family? What did she an by that, was she going to leave him?
"Just stop talking nonsense and sit down!"
"Hmph!"
Lu Zhenping took out a piece of corn candy from his pocket and leisurely peeled it. On the other side, Lu Mingkai saw his dad peeling the candy and imdiately opened his mouth, but after waiting for a long while, he didn’t see the candy being put into his mouth. When he looked up, he saw his dad feeding the candy to his mom, which made Lu Mingkai pout, looking very annoyed!
"Dad, Mom, you should go back. If you feel bored during the winter, there is manure fernting in the village; you could go work on that and stop minding other people’s business. We got a letter from Shangjing asking if our family is struggling. Even though we have several children and get so allowance, and Xiao ng is about to use her salary, the money still runs like water. But if Dad and Mom really want Xiao ng and Jiaxuan’s wife to swap jobs, it’s not impossible, it’s just that Shangjing..."
"No, no, no, it’s fine. Jiaojiao is just being thoughtless. She already has a secure job, which is quite good. It’s not her place to be picky. Let’s consider that Dad and Mom never brought it up, okay?"
Shen ng listened as he ntioned Shangjing and was quite curious, watching him. Lu Zhenping didn’t look at her but continued his response to Liu Sanjin.
"I’m nearly thirty now and have started my own family; it’s indeed inappropriate to always keep the folks in Shangjing worried. Here’s what we’ll do: I’ll send a letter back and from now on, I’ll reduce the remittance to one-third of what it was before. The money will be sent in two separate parts, with the extra going to Xiao ng so she can save it for the kids. As you both love the three children so much, I’m sure you wouldn’t mind."
"How could that be okay, Zhenping? Your dad and I have raised you all this..."
"Let’s settle it this way. Your mom and I are heading ho. You all are busy, and there’s a lot to do at ho. We’re old and can’t ddle in the kids’ affairs anymore. Let’s go ho."
Lu Changzhu held back Liu Sanjin, who still wanted to speak, and pulled her out the door.
At the gate, Liu Sanjin finally flung off Lu Changzhu.
"What are you doing, old man? Didn’t you hear what Zhenping just said? He’s going to cut by two-thirds. From now on, we’ll only get ten yuan a month. What can ten yuan do? How are we supposed to live in our old age?"
"Shut your mouth. If you keep talking, we might not even get that much. You still think Zhenping is the sa little kid you could mold as you pleased? He’s been on the battlefield. Bai Shuyu doesn’t lack affection for him; it’s just Zhenping who doesn’t acknowledge her. You think he feels close to us? Think about how you’ve treated him all these years. He doesn’t want to recognize us, either. He’s cold-hearted. If you push him too hard and he acknowledges Bai Shuyu, then you can forget about getting any favors from him for the rest of your life. Not for yourself, but think about your sons!"
The words of Lu Changzhu left Liu Sanjin feeling cold inside. Over the years, thanks to Bai Shuyu’s help, she had diverted so much money to her maternal family, and they had developed quite the appetite for it. If no money was sent this month, her elder brother and sister-in-law would undoubtedly co to make trouble!
"Don’t worry, don’t be afraid. Let Miaomiao and Lanhua hurry back for a visit, just get them to co back, and it will be fine."
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