Help others? It's better to help yourself - Chapter 24

“Jing’an, you’re capable and young, unlike me. Since I became pregnant, it’s been really tough. I won’t take advantage of you; let’s switch jobs. And don’t forget to think about your nephew too.”

Xu Doudou looked at Xu’s father and mother eagerly: “Mom and Dad, my job isn’t bad either. I’ve been doing it for several years now. If I could manage, I wouldn’t ask for this, but I have to think about the baby in my belly.”

Xu Jianguo added: “Mom and Dad, you’ve seen for yourselves how much Mudu has suffered since she got pregnant. And it’s twins! Look at how big her belly is—can she even bend over? The hardships she’s been through have also affected Mom. Nothing is more important than having a grandson for our family!”

Doudou’s belly was noticeably larger than that of an average pregnant woman. Well-meaning people advised her to eat less to make childbirth easier.

Whether she actually ate more, Doudou herself was unsure. She was concerned and went to the hospital with Xu Jianguo to confirm it was indeed twins. The pregnancy was naturally more challenging.

“Alright, it’s settled then,” Xu’s mother declared. “Tomorrow, the third child and your sister-in-law will swap jobs. You’re grown up; you shouldn’t be competing with the child!”

“You’re still young, sister. There will be plenty of opportunities in the future. I remember all the good things you’ve done. When you get married, your big brother will carry you out, and your sister-in-law will prepare your dowry.”

Xu Jianguo immediately added: “I won’t forget the good things you’ve done, sister. Once you’re married, if your in-laws even lay a finger on you, your big brother will definitely teach them a lesson.”

For so long, both Xu Jing’an and the original owner had never heard such heartfelt words from these so-called family members.

How nice it all sounded!

The original owner had given her job to the family, even giving it up twice, but what did she get in return?

Words of support after marriage? The original owner never received them until her death.

It’s not that the family couldn’t say something nice to the original owner; it’s just that it had to be profitable!

“Once these little rascals are born, I’ll make sure your nephews personally thank their aunt,” Doudou effortlessly spewed out flattering words.

Before Xu Jing’an could say a single word, her belongings had already changed owners. No one asked her opinion!

Her thoughts and opinions were entirely unimportant in this family. No one cared, and no one wanted to listen!

The Xu family, convinced that everything was settled, resumed their meal with their bowls and chopsticks.

Xu Jing’an interjected, “I doubt this will work.”

“Third child, what do you mean? One shouldn’t be too selfish!” Xu Jianguo immediately accused.

Xu Jing’an, like a doll, had the audacity to refuse. What awaited her was a storm of suppression. No one wanted to see her stand up!

“What, now that you’ve got your wings, you don’t care about the family? We’ve raised you for so long for nothing!” Xu’s father slammed his bowl onto the table with a thud.

“Third child, look at how upset your father is. Don’t you understand?” Xu’s mother glared at her and continued to question.

“Third child, you should also think about your sister-in-law and the baby in her belly…”

“Enough,” Xu Jing’an hurriedly interrupted. Otherwise, with one question after another, she might never get a chance to speak.

“I understand everyone’s feelings,” Xu Jing’an looked around at these so-called relatives. “But this job isn’t available here.”

“Then where is it?” They asked in unison, with Xu Doudou also wiping away her tears. Xu’s mother rolled her eyes and pouted.

“It’s in H City. It takes three days by train!”

“Why is it so far?” Xu’s mother frowned and asked.

“There’s no choice. Jobs are so hard to find these days. It’s already good to have one; who would dare to be picky?” Xu Jing’an said softly with her head lowered.

“How did you get this job?” Xu Doudou asked stubbornly.

“This month, I was the only one from our family lining up to buy things. I ran into an old lady on the street who was lost with a bundle. She didn’t remember her name or where she lived,” Xu Jing’an recounted her prepared explanation.

“I could only take her to the police station, and it just so happened that her son was there looking for her. That old lady had lost four of her five sons; the trauma made her forget everything.”

“He asked me what I was doing, and I said I was in my senior year of high school. He said he would introduce me to a job. I didn’t take it seriously, but it turned out to be true.”

“Can’t this be arranged here? You see, with things being so far from home, we can’t help you,” Xu Jianguo continued to appeal emotionally.

“But they’re from H City, and they came here specifically to take care of the old lady. He doesn’t have any say here, and there’s no way to get in touch!” Xu Jing’an replied helplessly.

At this point, everyone had to put their current thoughts aside.

Within two minutes, Xu’s Mother had weighed the pros and cons in her mind and decided that the third child had to go.

“Then you need to send 15 yuan home every month,” Xu’s Mother immediately started calculating Xu Jing’an’s salary.

“Don’t spend money recklessly while you’re away; it makes you an easy target for others. Save the money and I’ll keep it as your dowry.”

Since Xu Jing’an arrived, promises have been made one after another. Xu Jing’an lowered her head, blushing and shyly said, “I’ll do as Mom says.”

“When are you leaving?”

“Tomorrow morning.”

“Then you can stay at the fourth child’s place for tonight.”

If Xu Jing’an hadn’t agreed to send 15 yuan every month, she probably wouldn’t even have the right to stay in the house.

The next day, when Xu Jing’an left, as expected, Xu’s Mother had locked the box where the household registration book was kept. Xu Jing’an left a note informing her that the household registration had been transferred.

As for what the Xu family would think once they knew, she didn’t care. The pile of nonsense from yesterday had given her a headache.