??Chapter 25: Chapter 25: The Sketch Is Chosen (Encounter Again)
Chapter 25: Chapter 25: The Sketch Is Chosen (Encounter Again)
Lu Jingqiu’s family was set to leave early in the morning, and at this mont, they were busy loading the luggage onto the vehicle, with her aunt having taken leave to see them off.
Pushing the cart, they reached the gate, only to see Lu Jingqiu moving luggage into the car. “Qiuqiu, are you all ready?”
“Aunt, I’m all packed and ready to go,” Jingqiu replied and turned her head, noticing Zhang Miao, who followed behind her aunt.
Zhou Lanqin hurriedly introduced her, “I just happened to pass by the main gate when I saw this comrade asking for you. She’s from a children’s publishing house. Didn’t you go for an exam at their company? So, I brought her in.”
“Editor Zhang.”
“Comrade Lu Jingqiu, hello. I have co today with good news for you.”
At that mont, Zhou Lanping ca out and asked, “Is it because my Qiuqiu has been offered another position?”
Zhang Miao shook her head with a smile, and Lu Jingqiu quickly said, “Let’s go inside to discuss.”
Zhou Lanping said, “Qiuqiu, make sure to treat this comrade well. I’ll have a chat with your aunt outside.”
“Sure.” Lu Jingqiu led Zhang Miao into the house and offered her a glass of water.
Zhang Miao said a quick thank you and glanced around the room, surprised by how well-off Lu Jingqiu’s family was, especially given their residence in the military region compound.
“Comrade Lu, do you rember the illustration you drew for a children’s song during the exam?”
Jingqiu nodded.
“That song was written by Master Qin from the People’s Publishing House, and now we would like to include it. Master Qin was impressed with your excellent illustration. I ca here today to inquire about your thoughts on the matter.”
This unexpected surprise left Lu Jingqiu montarily stunned, and she blinked excitedly, not even sure how to begin her response.
Seeing her hesitation, Zhang Miao quickly added, worried she might have reservations, “Normally, when we use an illustrator’s work, we provide a fee, ranging from one to five yuan per drawing. Our chief editor also viewed your drawing yesterday and imdiately reported it to our leadership. Our company is willing to pay two yuan. If that’s acceptable to you, we can sign a contract.”
Without a sound, Lu Jingqiu revealed a sincere smile and nodded eagerly. This was the first ti in her life, across two lifetis, that her art had been selected—it was not an opportunity she intended to miss. “That’s fine. It’s my honor that Master Qin appreciates my drawing. Do I need to make any changes?”
Zhang Miao was relieved by her prompt agreent, “No, it’s great just the way it is. It seems you are going on a long trip, aren’t you?”
“Yes, we’re heading to Capital City for a visit, and we’ll be back in a few days.”
Zhang Miao didn’t ask further details and took out the standard contract, two copies of which were needed, with the fee to be processed by their finance departnt. As Lu Jingqiu was in a hurry, they agreed that she would co to the publishing house to collect it upon her return.
After seeing off Zhang Miao, Jingqiu’s mother and aunt inquired about what had happened, and she filled them in. Both of them were thrilled.
Lu Xianrun ca back from outside with so extra items and asked curiously, “What’s got everyone so happy?”
Zhou Lanqin answered with a smile, “Qiuqiu is talented; the publishing house liked her drawing and bought it.”
Lu Xianrun smiled, “Really? That’s wonderful. How much did they pay?”
Wearing a proud smile, Lu Jingqiu said, “Two yuan.”
Encountering such good fortune just before leaving put the family in high spirits for the journey.
Throughout the trip, Zhou Lanping had no adverse reactions and sat in the back with her daughter, enjoying the scenery along the way.
There were bus stations along the route where they could stop for food and rest. Her father usually chose to stop in towns along the way to rest at an inn for a day or half a day. Whenever there was a beautiful view, they would also pause to appreciate it.
On the seventh day, they arrived in Capital City. Jingqiu and her father intended to take her mother to the hospital first, but she disagreed, preferring to visit so of the oldest attractions before checking into the hospital. In big cities, you find large hospitals with highly skilled doctors, and naturally, an abundance of patients.
Fortunately, her father’s unit had already arranged a hospital bed for them in advance. She and her father spent the entire day accompanying her mother for dical examinations, and they had to do another one tomorrow because the results were slow to co.
That evening, the three of them ate dinner in the hospital cafeteria. Her father suggested visiting a few forr leaders, “It’s been two or three years since we last visited Capital City; now that we are here, we should definitely pay a visit.”
Zhou Lanping nodded, “I rember how the old general took good care of you; now that we’re here, it’s only right to pay him a visit. I won’t go; let Qiuqiu accompany you.”
Lu Xianrun said, “Let Qiuqiu accompany you; I’ll sit for a bit and co back.”
“Dad, be careful on the road, and head straight to the guest house after. I’ll stay with mom tonight.” Her mother had been reacting quite severely in the past couple of days, constantly feeling nauseous and vomiting most of what she ate, so she couldn’t be left alone.
Zhou Lanping said, “Right, we’re not getting injections at night; Qiuqiu and I can squeeze onto one bed. You haven’t had proper rest recently.”
Seeing his wife’s health deteriorating day by day, how could he get any sleep? Sigh.
…
After graduating, Jiang Nanzhou had been back for several days. Today, she made a special trip to see her mother and stayed there for dinner, which made her return ho late.
As soon as she entered the house, she heard her grandfather’s voice, “You’re back, how’s your mom?”
Jiang Nanzhou was closing the door when she responded, “She’s fine, she asked
to make a trip to Ten-miles Village.” As she turned her head, she noticed there was a guest at ho, and she paused montarily.
Grandpa Jiang quickly introduced, “This is Lu Xianrun from the West City Military Region, Uncle Lu. He was once comrades-in-arms with your father.”
“Uncle Lu.”
As Lu Xianrun looked at the young person, he suddenly rembered the appearance of his good friend. Such similar contours, such similar dispositions, even the slight furrowing of the brows and the look of distress and worry were so alike. This young person, however, seed even more handso than his old friend, his bright and charismatic eyes shining with a forthright radiance. He remarked, “Truly Shuhuai’s son; I saw you when you were a child, though you probably don’t rember. In the blink of an eye, you’ve grown into a fine young man.”
Grandpa Jiang joked from the side, “What fine young man? He’s over twenty and still has no partner, it worries
so much I can’t eat. That’s why his mom is trying to persuade him to find soone.”
Jiang Nanzhou stood there a bit embarrassed by the conversation but still courteously invited Lu Xianrun to sit down.
Lu Xianrun chuckled and praised, “At this age, it’s the ti for ambitious pursuits; if there’s no suitable match, there’s no need to rush. I just heard you ntion going to Ten-miles Village, is it the one in North Town?”
Jiang Nanzhou said, “Yes, I’m going to see my younger brother.”
“Coincidentally, my daughter is also one of the educated youth there. She had just co back to visit her family not long ago, and because of her mother’s situation, she hasn’t been able to return. I’ve arranged for a caregiving certificate for her and was just about to mail it over there.”
Grandpa Jiang said, “It will take about a week to mail, and since it’s such a coincidence, let Nanzhou take it over.”
Jiang Nanzhou nodded in agreent, “If Uncle Lu is willing, I can take it along; my train leaves tomorrow afternoon.”
Lu Xianrun had the sa thought; with such a coincidence, it was only natural to do whatever was convenient and to not stand on ceremony with the young man.
Master Jiang had already retired and was living in a large compound to spend his old age. He only had one grandson beside him, but he still remained quite robust. Jiang Nanzhou had been in the military for years, but the unit had recomnded him for college two years prior, and he had just graduated this year. He was given a month’s leave before he had to report back to the military.
Lu Xianrun stayed talking with Master Jiang and his grandson until late into the night before leaving. When he returned to the hospital, he found his daughter accompanying his daughter-in-law, who was vomiting in the water room.
Zhou Lanping had undergone many examinations during the day and was exhausted, and with hardly any food intake, her immune system had weakened even further, leading to her saying her body couldn’t take it.
The father and daughter, alongside their sick family mber, were both distressed and helpless. All they could do now was wait, wait for the hospital’s results and treatnt plan.
Zhou Lanping and Lu Jingqiu had almost not slept the entire night. As dawn approached, Zhou Lanping’s health improved slightly, and she fell into a deep sleep in her hospital bed. Lu Jingqiu had not even eaten breakfast and was staying by her mother’s bedside.
Though Lu Xianrun had hardly slept, he couldn’t afford to be drowsy now. He had to be at the hospital when it opened, busy getting the test results.
Jiang Nanzhou, carrying fruits, ca over and found out the ward number from the nurse. Just as he reached the doorway, he t Lu Xianrun, who was returning with the test results.
“Uncle Lu.”
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