Chapter 310: Helping Between Neighbors

Early in the morning after getting up, the Lu family started bustling about.

Everyone in Da Za Yuan knew that old Lu's family had distinguished guests arriving today.

Pang Ya waved her hand and called, "Aunt Xianglan, are there any children coming? We still have some candy left; you can take it to serve them first."

Chen Xianglan laughed and replied, "Thanks, Pang Ya. There are no children, just Qing Yan's parents. By the way, do you have any tea leaves? Ours were all drunk by old Lu, and I thought, since guests are coming, we can't just serve them plain water."

"Got it, got it, I'll go fetch the box for you."

"No need, just grab a handful."

Pang Ya quickly produced an iron tea leaf box and said, "Carrying the box looks respectable; grabbing a handful would make your in-laws laugh. That's the way a high official behaves—paying attention to propriety."

Chen Xianglan took it with a smiling grin and said gratefully, "Then thank you, Pang Ya. When we buy tea leaves another day, we'll return it to you."

"Ah, Aunt Xianglan, don't be so modest. If you need anything, just speak up. Lu San'er isn't home; we neighbors can't let Lu San'er down."

"Nothing for now; it's mainly because this is our first time dealing with such a thing, so we're all flustered. Yesterday I and you, Beitang uncle, swept every corner of the house and wiped everything, yet it still feels a bit shabby."

"That'll do. This is the house we live in; we can't renovate it entirely. Just keep it clean so guests don't think we're slacking off."

"Yes, I think the same. You wouldn't believe it, but there was a stray hair on the floor and I picked it up."

Pang Ya laughed along, "I tell you, Aunt Xianglan, you're being overly meticulous. At this point, your official in-laws won't be able to find any fault."

While the two were chatting, Zhao Daye came from his house carrying a grand master chair.

"Beitang, take this chair to your house first."

Lu Beitang quickly took it, "Ah, Zhao Daye, why bring the chair over? We have benches at home."

"Your bench is a bit worn; although this grand master chair is also a little worn, it's made of rosewood. Lu San'er's father-in-law is a high official, so it's not appropriate to have him sit on a small bench."

Lu Beitang was so moved he didn't know what to say. This grand master chair is Zhao Daye's favorite, usually cherished; even though his two sons want it, Zhao Daye has never been willing to give it away.

Now, to make old Lu's family look a bit more respectable, he's even willing to lend out his beloved item.

"Thank you, Zhao Daye."

Zhao Daye waved his hand, "Don't be polite. Lu San'er's matter is a matter for our whole courtyard; it's not only about the Lu family's dignity but also the reputation of our entire courtyard. We can't let others look down on us."

Lu Beitang nodded, "Thank you, Zhao Daye."

"See, you're being overly courteous again. At Lu San'er's wedding, just have him toast me with two extra glasses of wine."

"Definitely, definitely…"

"It's so lively, everyone's helping, I can't let the chain break either."

Lu Beitang turned around and saw Wu Guiwen carrying a plate of peanuts and sunflower seeds.

"Teacher Wu, what's this?"

Zhao Daye took over, "This must be Teacher Wu worrying that your conversation might be too dry, so he brought some peanuts and sunflower seeds to avoid an awkward atmosphere."

Hearing Zhao Daye's words, Wu Guiwen shook his head, "No, no. Zhao Daye only got part of it right."

Zhao Daye laughed, "Then what? A plate of peanuts and sunflower seeds is just food; how could there be a second meaning?"

Wu Guiwen gestured toward the plate in his hand, "Take a look, look closely—does this plate differ from an ordinary one?"

Zhao Daye and Lu Beitang leaned in, though it wasn't necessary; at a glance one can see it's not the same as a household serving platter.

The plate Wu Guiwen held was much larger than a serving platter, made of glass, entirely red with a rim of floral edging, looking extremely exquisite.

Zhao Daye impatiently said, "Alright, Teacher Wu, we can see this isn't an ordinary plate; stop teasing us—what exactly is the second meaning?"

Wu Guiwen flicked the edge of the plate with his fingertip, "Did you hear the sound? It's glass. This was sent specially by my son from the Third Line. So, peanuts and sunflower seeds on an ordinary plate are just food, but when placed on this plate, it's called a fruit platter."

Lu Beitang asked, "Fruit platter?"

Zhao Daye understood, "It means that when placed on a fruit platter it's not for eating but for display—so Teacher Wu is a scholar, far more refined than us."

Lu Beitang naturally got it and explained plainly: a fruit platter is for people to admire.

"Thank you, Teacher Wu."

"Don't mention it!" Wu Guiwen said, then pulled Lu Beitang aside.

"By the way, Beitang, I've recently heard that many Educated Youth have been returning to our city one after another."

Lu Beitang had also heard that some children from the Factory Area have come back.

But one must have a job to return, and currently a work quota is extremely precious.

Each position is a fixed slot, but fortunately the jobs in the Factory Area are hereditary.

Some parents, upon reaching retirement age, can relinquish their quota, giving their children a chance to return to the city.

Lu Beitang also heard that two children from a family fought over a single work quota.

The parents ended up being blamed by both sides, each accused of favoritism—what a mess.

"Yes, Teacher Wu, I've heard about that."

Wu Guiwen said, "You know, my son works on the Third Line, so I don't worry about him. But I have a daughter, just like your Boss, who was a sent-down youth in the countryside."

Lu Beitang nodded, "Hmm, your daughter Gui Yun did well as an Educated Youth; didn't you say she even earned the March 8th Red Flag holder?"

Wu Guiwen waved his hand, "Ah, that's just talk. This year my daughter will be 25; she told me early on that she couldn't go back to the city, so she'd just marry locally. My wife and I never agreed."

Everyone in Grand Courtyard knows this.

A few years ago, because Gui Yun wanted to marry locally, Wu Guiwen and his daughter had a huge fight, eventually threatening to cut off ties if she married a farmer.

So Gui Yun had no choice but to put aside her marriage thoughts.

Wu Guiwen had no alternative either; his eldest son supports the Third Line Construction, has taken the nation's rice bowl, and will definitely stay there.

Therefore Wu Guiwen can only rely on his daughter Gui Yun; if she marries a local, the two of them would be left destitute.

But the daughter's age isn't small; in a few years she'll be an old maid, and without wanting her to marry a local, the only way is to try to transfer her back to the city.

That way, with her nearby, the two elders would still have someone to look after them.

Yet arranging a transfer isn't easy; Wu Guiwen is almost at his wits' end.

Seeing Wu Guiwen's uneasy expression, Lu Beitang said, "Teacher Wu, if there's anything on your mind, just say it straight."