The Reborn Sidekick Rejected The Male Lead
Chapter 164 - 161: Older Cousin’s Wife Pregnant

Chapter 164: Chapter 161: Older Cousin’s Wife Pregnant

Lu Jingqiu was like a child caught doing something wrong, apprehensively watching as her father took something and left before she finally let out a sigh of relief.

Ah, getting caught dating, how embarrassing.

Exhausted from the day, she reached the second floor and fell into deep sleep the moment her head hit the pillow.

She slept until it was dark outside and felt much better, having had a large lunch so she wasn’t hungry that evening.

She planned to go to the study to finish the remaining work on her projects.

The illustrations she had previously sent to the Liberation Newspaper were now being published at various times.

If she finished this picture book, she wouldn’t have much work left.

As she was considering whether to submit her work to the West City Daily, her aunt suddenly came in with a smile and told her that her older cousin’s wife was pregnant.

Lu Jingqiu did the math and it seemed about right, "Auntie, are you planning to go help out at my cousin’s place?"

Zhou Lanqin joyfully said, "Of course, it’s just the two of them at your older cousin’s, and Sining has to ride a long way into the city for work each day, which is very tiring. Now that she is pregnant, she definitely can’t bike anymore.

So your uncle and I discussed buying them a small house in the city. When Sining’s belly gets bigger, I need to go take care of her for a few months."

"When are you planning to go, Auntie?"

"Just yesterday your cousin sent a telegram, and today I called him to share what your uncle and I had in mind, and they agreed. Luckily, Sining’s third brother works in the housing bureau and is keeping an eye out for houses. As soon as we get news about the house, we’ll go over, see how Sining is doing, and bring them some money."

At my aunt’s house, two serve in the military, and two are workers. Not to mention my second cousin who’s always busy trading things, even my older cousin, who has been a soldier for years, has managed to save some money. Buying a house shouldn’t be a problem for them.

But as parents, you always want to contribute something to your children’s lives, especially now as they are starting their family and don’t have much on hand.

Hearing her aunt talk like this, Lu Jingqiu felt moved and decided she’d first find out how much the house my cousin was selling cost to get a better idea for herself.

It wouldn’t be long before her aunt would go to take care of the cousin’s child. Ah, once she left, she wouldn’t be able to return more than twice a year, and it might be for several years. Work... In her previous life, it seemed like she sold her job, and later my aunt regretted it, saying that if she had waited another five years to retire, she could have received a retirement pension.

Although my aunt lived comfortably in her later years in the previous life, not having a retirement pension was still a pity.

Jingqiu wondered if she should discuss with her aunt the possibility of hiring a nanny, since with economic reforms in place, it wasn’t unusual for people to employ nannies.

"Auntie, will Sining come over for the New Year this year?"

"By New Year’s, she’ll be four or five months pregnant, she really shouldn’t put herself through that. Your uncle and I will find the time to visit them. I’ll have to talk to your uncle about not being able to continue working, and during these next few months, see if anyone is in need of a job to sell mine to. Your cousin will have to manage work as well as caring for a child, and that’s just impossible. Her parents-in-law definitely can’t leave their jobs either."

"Auntie, you could take a few months off to help, but it seems to me that hiring a nanny might be better. You’re only five years away from retirement, and leaving your job now would be such a waste."

"Hiring a nanny?" Zhou Lanqin hadn’t considered this and just thought about personally taking care of her grandchild, not letting anyone else do it. Regarding work, though, it was true, after another four and a half years past this New Year, she would be retired.

"Yes, there are some older women in the city who for their children’s sakes have given up their jobs; many are looking for part-time work at home and would happily help with child rearing."

"Isn’t that taking advantage of capitalist corners?"

"Auntie, times have changed. It’s best to find someone nearby who’s trustworthy and knows how to care for children. As long as she is committed to helping with the child, we can pay her a little more. You may not be around for the first child, but you’ll definitely be there for the second. Discuss it with my cousin and his wife; I’m sure they’d understand."

"Indeed, the retirement pension would support me in old age so I wouldn’t have to work but could still get money every month. I’ll discuss this with your cousin’s wife when I’m there, and if she prefers that I handle it, I’ll only have to sell my job. If they are okay with hiring a nanny, then your uncle and I will pay for it."

"Pay for what, Mom? I knew you’d be here."

"Second cousin, you’re finally back, I was looking for you. Are there any TVs left?"

"There are a few left, Qiuqiu. Let me tell you, these TVs are selling pretty well. Our stock has even affected the department store’s business. Luckily, they can’t trace the source. The manager was pretty angry about it."

Zhou Lanqin said worriedly, "You guys are so bold, dealing in these things. If you get caught..."

"Even if we’re caught now, it’s not a big deal."

Of course, Zhou Lanqin knew, "I’m worried about your colleagues from the transportation team getting envious. Be careful they don’t report you, or you’ll really lose your job."

"Mom, there’s an unwritten rule in our team, it’s okay to take advantage of our work to do a bit of business on the side, as long as it doesn’t affect our jobs. Everyone in our team makes some extra money by hauling stuff on long-distance trips."

"Is that what you call making extra money?"

"Alright, alright, I’ll keep it low-key next time." He had already thought it through. If the transportation team wouldn’t let him work there, he could just quit. He’d buy a truck with Gao Da and start hauling goods on his own, trading all around the country. He planned to turn things around in a few years."

"Qiuqiu, who wants to buy a TV?"

"A classmate of mine, she asked me to inquire."

"Yes, I’ve got some. I don’t have time right now, I have to run a short haul tomorrow. I’ll bring you a couple of TVs later to keep at your place. Let her pick one out herself. I just can’t install them for her. You can knock five yuan off for them. If they really don’t know how to set it up, I’ll make a house call when I’m back."

"How much should I sell it for then? We sell to strangers for four hundred fifty, to friends for four hundred twenty. Since she’s your good friend, we can give her a ten yuan discount."

Hearing her son’s words, Zhou Lanqin was also impressed, "You’re quite good at business."

"Mom, I deal with people every day; I know how to make them happy."

Zhou Lanqin didn’t say anything more. Though she didn’t approve, her son was indeed making money. Just a few days ago, one of her colleagues had bought a TV from her.

Yang Mingchao brought back two TVs for Lu Jingqiu from outside, and Aunt Cuihua from across the door saw it. She complained to her husband, "They’re both from the military district, but look at them, with TVs and radios. Guess how much money Old Lu has saved over these years."

"How would I know how much money they have? Why are you comparing yourself to Old Lu? He’s the last of his line and now single—free and unburdened. His daughter is impressive too, so it’s normal for them to afford a TV. You should just mind your own business. Look at our daughter, I had such trouble getting her into the Cultural Work Troupe, so she could make me proud. But look at her now, flirting with that man from the Cultural Work Troupe. It’s causing such a gossip, and I’ve heard all about it. When she comes back, you talk to her properly. Tell her I disapprove. I’ve scoped out a few good matches recently; I’ll have her meet them soon."

"You know your daughters. If scolding them worked, they wouldn’t be with that boy from the countryside. And it’s not just about your disapproval; I’m against it too."

In their compound, only Gao Shu had married a rural bride, but she was a college graduate and also a woman, so it wasn’t really something that needed to be cared for.

But for their own daughter to find a country boy? They disapproved completely. They had gone through a lot of trouble to get her into the Cultural Work Troupe, which was a step up, not a step down.

If her daughter dares to end up with a country boy, she’d skin her alive.

She didn’t look around to see that the daughters of other neighbors in the big courtyard married into good families. Not to mention anything else, just look at Old Lu’s daughter—who quietly found herself a top talent from the army, rumored to be from a family in Capital City.

When Jiang Nanzhou came by, the Gao Family was watching too. Commander Gao wanted to mention him for his daughter, but somehow the Lu Family got the jump on them.

It was said that Big Uncle Gao was in the wrong. How was he in the wrong? He was a leader; could he really be wronged by a subordinate?

If the daughter marries well, it adds prestige to the parents. When they come across someone desirable, they should act fast.

It’s a pity for Jingqiu, with such a good family background. Her own didn’t appreciate it, and others benefited instead.

Aunt Cuihua estimated that Old Lu’s house must have at least three to four thousand yuan saved up. She heard there was another apartment somewhere, obviously prepared for his daughter.

No matter how good Old Lu was, in the end, he only had a daughter. Once she was married, what was the use?