Siheyuan: Walking the Path of Qin Huairu

Xu Wannian pondered for a moment and said, "I plan to let Jianshe go to the capital and let Jianshe take over the job of Jianshe." When Aunt Xu heard this, she knew Huizhen was right. How could this girl be so smart at such a young age?

It doesn't matter which of the two sons of the eldest wife goes, but if I fail to do my job well, anger Huizhen and affect Jianmei's marriage, that is absolutely unacceptable.

So, Aunt Xu said, "Brother, sister-in-law, they specifically asked us to go to Jianshe. It's not good for us to act on our own. Such a good job is hard to find even if you search with a lantern. Don't let it go to waste."

Xu Wannian was unhappy when he heard this: "Second daughter-in-law, I am the one who makes the decisions about our family affairs. You don't need to interfere."

Aunt Xu had promised Xu Huizhen that she would take care of this matter. So she was not polite: "I can't control your family's affairs, but I have the final say in our family's affairs. As long as I don't go, you won't be able to find the temple gate even if you carry a pig's head."

Xu Wannian was the patriarch of the Xu family. He was used to being the head of the Xu family, and no one dared to talk to him like that. He put his pipe on the table and said, "I can't talk to you, a woman. Let the second son talk to me."

Aunt Xu didn't want to make things awkward, after all, the two families were brothers. So, she said to Xu Jianshe, "Jianshe, come to my house. Jianmu wants to play with you."

Xu Jianshe knew that Second Aunt wanted to send him away and had something to say. He agreed, went out, and deliberately made a noise at the door to let the people in the house know that he had gone out. Then he came back quietly, hid under the wall, and listened.

Then Aunt Xu said, "Brother, Jianshe has grown up and is sensible now. You have to treat him equally, otherwise he will be disappointed. You raised him to be a man so that he can provide for you and your sister-in-law in the future. If he turns against you, wouldn't you have raised this son in vain?"

Xu Jianshe's mother, Xu Yang, spoke up at this time: "Jianguo is the eldest son and grandson. According to old etiquette, he should get a larger share of the family property when the family is divided. With such a good opportunity, of course we have to give it to him first. Besides, Jianshe can also go to the leather factory. Isn't this the best of both worlds?"

Aunt Xu: "Brother, do you think so too?"

Xu Wannian puffed on his pipe without saying a word.

She said helplessly, "Brother, you are very clear-headed when dealing with disputes in other families, but why are you so confused when it comes to your own family? Well, I won't say much. You two will regret it one day. I will go to the capital the day after tomorrow, and I must take Jianshe with me, otherwise no one in your family can go."

Having said that, he stood up and walked out. Seeing this, Xu Jianshe outside the window hurriedly tiptoed out, but was still seen from behind by Aunt Xu.

After leaving the main room, Second Aunt Xu looked around and didn't see Xu Jianshe. She knew he must be hiding, so she shouted, "Jianshe, come out."

Xu Jianshe came out from the corner, lowered his eyebrows and called out, "Second Aunt, thank you."

Second Aunt Xu looked at the child in front of her, sighed helplessly, and thought to herself: "What a poor child." The two families lived in the front and back yards, and she knew very well how the eldest wife treated Xu Jianshe.

She whispered in Xu Jianshe's ear, "We're leaving for Beijing the day after tomorrow. Pack some clothes. If your father doesn't let you go, you can sneak on the train. I'll ask your second uncle to prepare a letter of introduction for you. Do you have money?"

Xu Jianshe said, "Yes. Sister Huizhen left it for me last time." Aunt Xu nodded and went home. She was determined to complete the task that Xu Huizhen had given her.

Xu Wannian still did not give up, and in the end those who set off for Beijing included: Second Aunt Xu with Jianmei, Xu Wannian with his eldest son Jianshe, and his second son Jianshe.

Xu Huizhen was not surprised to see this group of people. On the contrary, she felt it was abnormal that Mr. Xu did not come. She did not want to have any intersection with Mr. Xu's family in this life. But she could not fall out now. She had to get Xu Jianshe's work done first, and other things could be discussed later.

After everyone sat down, Xu Huizhen asked Yingzi to pour water for everyone.

The scene was a bit awkward for a moment. To be honest, Xu Huizhen couldn't be enthusiastic. Aunt Xu was a good rescuer. She took out some local specialties from her bag and said, "Huizhen, we don't have any good things in the countryside. These eggs and dried mushrooms are a little gift from me. Don't despise them."

Xu Huizhen smiled and said, "A gift of goose feathers from a thousand miles away is a token of great sentiment. As long as you are thoughtful, I will appreciate it."

These words made Xu Wannian and his son, who came empty-handed, feel hot on their faces.

Xu Huizhen asked: "Xu Jianshe, did you bring your letter of introduction?" Xu Jianshe didn't say anything and glanced at Old Man Xu.

Xu Wannian coughed twice and said, "Huizhen, right? Our family has discussed it and decided to let Jianshe and his brother switch jobs. Jianguo is not in good health, and the work in the leather factory is too strenuous."

Xu Huizhen smiled and said, "Uncle, if you are not in good health, you can't be a driver. The steering wheel of a large truck is very heavy, especially when turning with a full load, you can't turn the steering wheel without a lot of strength."

He Jianzhu said eagerly: "No problem, I can do it."

Xu Huizhen didn't even look at Xu Jianshe and continued, "I was asked by someone to arrange a job for Xu Jianshe. I can't control others. I have put in a lot of effort to achieve this job target. If Jianshe doesn't come, I will sell this job to someone else. People who want this job will line up from Daqianmen to the train station."

Mr. Xu refused to give up. He said, "I want to meet the person that Jianshe saved."

Xu Huizhen: "I'm afraid you won't be able to see him anymore. He passed away last winter."

The old man: "That's a pity. As for this job, I think it doesn't matter which of the two brothers takes it. Jianshe also agreed to exchange jobs with Jianguo."

Xu Huizhen took a look and said, "Since they are all the same, why bother changing them? It's too much trouble. Don't think being a driver is a good job. It's very dangerous on the road when you are on a business trip. There are bandits and bullies in some remote places. I heard that they carry guns when they go out. If you are not careful, you can lose your life."

Aunt Xu also spoke up at this time: "Brother, I think we should let Jianshe go. Jianshe is already married and has children, and it is not convenient for him to be too far away from home."

Old Master Xu had no choice but to nod in agreement, thinking to himself, "Let Jianshe report first. Maybe there will be a chance to switch over in the future. By then, Huizhen won't have the final say."

Seeing that the matter was settled, Xu Huizhen said, "In that case, Jianshe, you can leave your luggage at my house. I'll have someone accompany you to the bathhouse to take a bath and get your hair done. I'll take you to report tomorrow morning."

Xu Huizhen noticed that Xu Jianshe had a bag on his shoulder, but Xu Jianshe only had a small bag in his hand. It was probably that the bag was also prepared for Xu Jianshe, and there was no place for Xu Jianshe. So he said this on purpose, and it was estimated that Mr. Xu would not be so shameless as to carry the bag back.

Sure enough, Mr. Xu said to his eldest son, "Give the luggage to Jianshe. Jianshe, here are the beddings your mother prepared for you."

Xu Jianshe suppressed his joy and took the luggage.