She's aiming for marriage, not someone to play around with. She's not a prostitute, so screw that rich second-generation boyfriend.
At that moment, she realized that if she wanted people to respect her, she had to make something of herself first. Relying on youth and looks alone wouldn't get her a reliable man. She had to plan for the long term and not let people look down on her.
Ultimately, relying on oneself is the most reliable option, but she doesn't have the capital to run a factory or shop like her older sister. As for working in a production workshop, forget it. If she really fell into that situation, she felt she might as well just die.
Two weeks later, Lin Xiazhu and the others were going back to their hometown. There were four of them, including Bai Ruan. Bai Ruan had booked the plane tickets in advance, all of which were first class.
"Please work hard. If you're really too busy, give the workers a day off in advance." Anyway, the orders are all from family members, so we can discuss it.
"That's my plan. Once this batch of goods is finished, the factory will close for the holidays and resume operations on the tenth day of the Lunar New Year." Other factories usually resume operations on the sixth or eighth day of the Lunar New Year, and some large factories will even keep workers on to continue to catch up on orders, with wages doubled.
"It's up to you. I should be able to come back on the tenth day of the Lunar New Year." Lin Xiazhu wasn't too sure when she would return, because Taozi and Xiaoxue didn't start school until after the Lantern Festival.
"Anyway, come back as soon as possible, otherwise I can't manage on my own." Yan Xin looked at her expectantly, with a hint of envy and jealousy. Her two younger sisters were like nemesis to her, unlike Lin Xiazhu who could keep all three of her sisters in line.
It was the fifteenth day of the twelfth lunar month, and there were still half a month until the New Year. Lin Chacha's wedding date was set for the twentieth day of the twelfth lunar month, so the time was very tight. Lin Xiazhu called Lin Shanfu's family in advance to help with the preparations so that she wouldn't be too flustered when she returned.
Lin Xiazhu landed in S City at 6 PM. Song Cheng and Zhang Yu were there to pick her up. Lin Xiazhu was a little surprised. "Why didn't Chacha come? Is she too busy at home?"
Song Cheng felt a little awkward, lowering his eyes and not daring to look directly at her. He murmured softly for a while before guiltily humming in agreement.
Zhang Yu was laughing meaningfully, his expression incredibly sly. Lin Xiazhu glared at him; what was with that expression? It was really uncomfortable to look at.
"Ahem, Xiaozhu, stop asking questions and introduce him. Who is this?" Zhang Yu pretended not to know, but she had already figured it out.
"Xiao An, don't you recognize me?" Lin Xiazhu said casually.
"Hello." It was Song Cheng's first time meeting Bai Ru'an, and he politely extended his hand.
Bai Ru'an shook hands with him and said gently, "Hello."
After seven years apart, Zhang Yuzhen didn't recognize Xiao An at first glance. It wasn't until he got closer and saw the somewhat familiar features that he recognized him.
Bai Ru'an's appearance hasn't changed much in seven years; she's just grown up, gained a more mature air, and has a more composed and noble temperament, with her eyes and brows becoming increasingly aloof and distant.
"Xiao An, do you still remember who I am?" Zhang Yu asked with a smile, feeling a little unsure. The other party was now the young master of a wealthy family in the capital, while he was still the peasant from back then, with no change in complexion or temperament.
"Zhang Yu, long time no see." Bai Ru'an gave a slight smile, just like the boy she had been back then.
Zhang Yu was stunned for a moment, but then quickly came to his senses. Xiao An was telling him that no matter how many years had passed, no matter what his status was, he was still the same Xiao An. He was a little distant from people, but he could still chat and eat with them.
"Come on, get in the car. Our families are waiting for us to come back for dinner." A highway has been built between S City and Changhe County this year. What used to be a three-hour drive can now be done in an hour.
This time, Zhang Yu didn't drive his pickup truck; Song Cheng drove his minivan, which he had just bought last year and was still very new. The minivan had many seats, so everyone could sit comfortably without feeling cramped.
Bai Ruan and Lin Xiazhu sat in the middle two seats, Lin Xiaoxue and Lin Taozi sat in the back seat, and Zhang Yu sat in the passenger seat. He kept talking from the moment he got in the car, telling Lin Xiazhu and the others about the major and minor events that had happened in the county over the past year.
He was so excited that he started gesturing wildly. He turned around to look behind him, wanting to discuss it with Lin Xiazhu, but saw Lin Xiazhu resting her head on Bai Ruan's shoulder, with the latter affectionately holding her shoulder.
Zhang Yu opened his mouth, but all his words got stuck in his throat. He had a question in his mind, and he felt that something was wrong. Xiao Zhu and Xiao An used to have a good relationship, but he treated them like siblings back then. Now, something just didn't seem right. Why did these two look like they were dating?
As if sensing his confusion, Lin Xiaoxue kindly informed him, "Bai Ru'an is now my sister's boyfriend, and they are dating." The more people who know, the better, because that would increase the chances of her older sister and Bai Ru'an getting married, and thus keep her brother-in-law firmly in her grasp.
"...Are you really dating someone?" Zhang Yu was surprised, but quickly recovered. "That makes sense. Xiao Zhu will be twenty-four after the New Year. She's not young anymore, it's time for her to find someone."
"What the hell? Are you saying I'm old?" Lin Xiazhu sat up straight abruptly, glaring at the back of Zhang Yu's head, feeling an urge to punch him.
Sensing the danger, Zhang Yumin quickly begged for mercy, "No, Xiaozhu, Sister Xiaozhu, I was just being mean. I'm the one who's really old. You're still young and tender. I'm going to be a father soon. I'll be thirty after the New Year."
Upon hearing that he was going to be a father, Lin Xiazhu's attention was indeed diverted. She asked about his wife, how many months along she was, how severe her morning sickness was, and whether she had been going to the hospital for regular prenatal checkups.
Two thousand years later, people began to pay attention to this, and hospitals required pregnant women to go to the hospital for prenatal check-ups regularly. Only a few rural women did not go to the hospital for prenatal check-ups in order to save that little bit of money. In their minds, their parents' generation had given birth to several children at home by themselves.
Many people don't even need to hire a midwife. They just squat on the floor with a cloth on it, give birth to the baby themselves, and then the husband takes a pair of scissors, burns it with fire, and cuts the umbilical cord.
It's just having a baby, why make such a fuss at the hospital? It's not like you can't give birth.
"Yes, I went once a month at first, and then once every two weeks after five months. The baby is very healthy, and the due date is in two more months." Zhang Yu smiled like a simpleton, unable to hide his joy at becoming a father soon.
Lin Xiazhu was happy for him, but her happiness didn't last until she saw Lin Chacha. Lin Chacha and Song Cheng really gave her a big 'surprise'. In just over half a year, Lin Chacha's belly was as big as a gong.
Judging by the timeline, it seems that Song Cheng tricked her into bed after they returned from the capital.
"Song Cheng, tell me what's going on? You kept it a secret so well! You're about to get married, and you let Cha Cha get pregnant. What are you up to?" Lin Xiazhu was furious. Her precious daughter had been secretly taken advantage of by a pig. It was heartbreaking.
Song Cheng looked guilty, pursed his lips, unsure how to explain. In the end, he forced himself to explain, "I'm sorry, big sister. It's my fault. I didn't keep my promise. I failed to protect Cha Cha."
"What the hell is the point of telling me this now? Cha Cha is already pregnant, and you..." Lin Xiazhu got angry and picked up Song Cheng with one hand, intending to throw him away. Song Cheng was about ten centimeters taller than her, and even when she lifted him up, his toes were still dragging on the ground, but he looked really pathetic.
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