Help others? It's better to help yourself - Chapter 6

The snow outside grew heavier, and when Xu Jing’an returned, her shoes were completely soaked, and her feet were freezing cold.

She took the opportunity to go back to her room and change into another pair. Although they were just regular shoes, they were better than wearing wet ones!

She placed the soaked shoes by the stove to dry them.

For dinner, the whole family gathered together. It was a rare treat to have meat once a month, and everyone was looking forward to it!

When the braised pork was served, the whole family was thrilled. Xu Jianxie excitedly picked up his chopsticks, waiting for his parents to give the go-ahead: “Finally, we get to eat meat.”

“Alright, alright,” Xu’s mother said with a smile, teasing, “It’s as if you’ve never had meat before.” She picked up her chopsticks and served a quarter of the meat to Xu’s father.

“Everyone, eat while it’s hot,” Xu’s father said, and as soon as he spoke, half of the meat on the table was quickly served, with chopsticks flying everywhere.

“You should eat too,” Xu’s father said, noticing Xu’s mother was reluctant to take any meat, and he gave her half of the meat from his own bowl.

“That’s enough, that’s enough,” Xu’s mother said quickly, “You eat more. You work the hardest in our family. I’ll just have a little!”

Of course, Xu Jing’an wasn’t among those eating the meat.

She quickly took some of the other dishes from the table and started eating. Otherwise, if she waited until they finished the meat, there might not be any vegetables left for her.

In the Xu family, whenever there was meat or eggs, whenever Xu Jing’an reached for them with her chopsticks, Xu’s mother would always remember some task she had forgotten and ask her to do it.

By the time Xu Jing’an came back, of course, there was nothing left.

It might not be obvious after one or two times, but no one was foolish! Over time, the original owner naturally understood what Xu’s mother meant.

After these incidents, Xu’s mother would always say, “When eating, is there ever enough?”

“Good times are saved from every bit!”

“As a girl, the first thing you need to learn is to be diligent and manage your life well!”

The original owner understood that Xu’s mother’s words were meant for her.

A family’s resources are limited, and this is an ordinary family that isn’t very wealthy!

And now, in such an era, there are only so many things, and everyone is keeping a close watch!

After Xu Jing’an arrived, she didn’t make any changes.

It was just eggs and meat—one wouldn’t die from not having them for years.

The reason for not changing at first was not knowing the surrounding situation and being afraid; now it’s because it’s unnecessary!

She needed this stable and low-profile life without too much attention.

Only by avoiding notice and suspicion could she leave unexpectedly and enjoy her own good life.

As the head of the household, wasn’t it better to have access to more good things?

After tidying up the dining table, when Xu Jing’an came in after washing her clothes, the earlier joy and bustle had completely disappeared.

Xu Jianguo lowered his head and remained silent. Xu Jing’an didn’t need to ask; it was definitely about his marriage with Xu Duoduo. It was likely an issue with work that hadn’t been resolved.

Xu Jingping and Xu Jianxie had already left when they saw the situation was not right.

Xu Jing’an also chose to remain unnoticed, quietly slipping back to her room. After all, this was Xu Lao Da’s own matter and didn’t concern others!

Xu Jingping was sitting at the desk, holding a book. She glanced at Xu Jing’an when she heard the door open, then looked back down to continue reading.

Xu Jing’an quickly got back to her homework. If she was late, Xu Mother would scold her again for wasting electricity.

Half an hour passed, and Xu Jing’an had already switched from her Chinese textbook to her math textbook. Xu Jingping, however, was still in the same position, staring blankly, not even turning the pages of her book.

Xu Jing’an knew she was distracted, or more precisely, Xu Jingping’s mind was elsewhere.

Xu Jingping knew deep down that her academic performance was average and that getting into college was unlikely.

It’s already December, and graduation from high school is just around the corner. But what about finding a job?

The family conditions are poor, and there’s no money! Besides, with the eldest, Xu Jianguo, getting married now, buying a job is out of the question.

Internal recruitment might be simpler, but she doesn’t have any insider information. Public recruitment exams have too many competitors, and she’s unsure whether she can pass.

Thinking about this, Xu Jingping felt extremely frustrated, and her breathing grew heavy.

How should she find a way to make a living for herself?

Xu Mother does have a formal job, but Xu Jingping knows she won’t be able to get it.

Even though Xu Mother seems to treat her better than the third child, it’s only because of her appearance.

And even though Xu Father and Xu Mother complain about not having money, they haven’t seemed particularly concerned or stressed since the eldest announced his marriage.

That’s because after the New Year, she’ll be eighteen. All vacancies can be filled by her.

Her only advantage is her pretty face.

Look! Both she and the third child are in high school. Even though the third child’s grades are consistently good, it doesn’t matter to Xu Mother and Xu Father! Since she doesn’t have a pretty face, she’s not worth much!

What? You say the third child is smart and can be a college student? That’s still far off. Who knows if she’ll even get into college in two years? No one can predict such distant things.

Leaving that aside, all she needs to do is learn from her brother’s fiancée, Xu Duoduo.

When the time comes, she won’t be picky. She just needs someone who can help her find a job.

Thinking about this, Xu Jingping reconsidered her options and, after making up her mind, took out a piece of stationery and began writing.

Xu Jianguo couldn’t sleep, feeling distressed about the marriage demands from his fiancée, Xu Duoduo.

If he had the capability to get a formal job, would he still be working as an apprentice in an oxygen machine factory?

Isn’t this just making things difficult for him, Xu Jianguo?

The more he thought about it, the more he couldn’t sleep. He tossed and turned in bed, the old wooden bed creaking incessantly.

The fourth child, Xu Jianxie, was being kept awake by the noise and, annoyed, started complaining loudly.

“Xu Jianguo—can’t you let people sleep?”

“If you can’t sleep, go outside. It’s cooler out there!”

“Is this ever going to end?”

Xu Jianxie, fuming with anger, moved toward Xu Jianguo.

Xu Jianguo, also impatient, snapped, “How are you speaking to me? I’m your older brother!”

Xu Jianxie, not backing down, retorted, “So what if you’re my older brother? Just a few years older! If you keep being this annoying, it won’t matter if you live a thousand years!”

“Hey! I say, Fourth Brother, are you cursing me? Don’t think I can’t tell?” Xu Jianguo, who had little formal education and only a junior high school diploma, hated it when people spoke unclearly.

Whenever he encountered such situations, he always suspected that the other person was cursing him!

“Go to sleep quickly!” Once Xu Mother’s words were out, neither of the brothers said anything more.

Xu Jianguo: “Got it, I’ll go to sleep right away!”

The room quieted down, and occasionally one could hear Xu Father and Xu Mother whispering a few words.

But none of this concerned Xu Jing’an.

She lay in bed, having only removed her outer coat. Wearing an old cotton jacket patched in many places, she covered herself with a quilt that had been used for countless years and had become clumped together. She closed her eyes.

She placed her hand on her abdomen, feeling the money, and felt a sense of calm inside.