After entering the main room, he reported the situation to the old man. The old man asked about it and was clearly very satisfied with Lu Jianzhao. “That’s right. If Wanwan has any questions, just ask Jianzhao. Jianzhao, please help her out.”

Chu Wan and Lu Jianzhao came out of the old man’s room. Chu Wan wanted to go to Feng Luxi’s place, so Lu Jianzhao took her there.

When Feng Luxi saw Chu Wan, she mentioned taking her measurements. “I’ll make you some new clothes.”

Chu Wan hurriedly said no need, but Feng Luxi insisted. “This is the old man’s wish.”

Chu Wan understood immediately upon hearing this, and thus accepted it.

Feng Luxi then mentioned that the tailor had quite a background; he was a successor of the Hongbang tailoring skills and usually made clothes for people of the old man’s stature. His craftsmanship was excellent.

“They don’t usually make coats for ordinary people. This time, the old man specifically mentioned it, saying that you’re grown up now and have reached the right height. He asked someone to get imported materials to make you a few proper coats so that you can look presentable and wear them for many years without going out of style easily.”

As Chu Wan listened, she recalled everything from her previous life. She knew that the old man was genuinely good to her; he was afraid of making her feel wronged.

The two of them took a Hongqi sedan to Leimeng Clothing Store in Dongjiaomin Lane, took measurements, and started discussing styles. Finally, they settled on a plan, and Feng Luxi took Chu Wan home.

On her way home, Feng Luxi casually chatted about things happening at home and outside.

Chu Wan, wanting to test the waters, casually asked when Feng Luxi brought up family matters, “Is Seventh Uncle getting married?”

Feng Luxi replied, “From what I heard, the girl he was dating before broke up with him because he didn’t reply to her letters for three months.”

Chu Wan: “I see…”

Chu Wan couldn’t help but wonder, was it Sun Xueye who broke up with him? If they did break up, wouldn’t she no longer have to worry?

Or was it that he broke up with his current girlfriend and then started dating Sun Xueye later?

She wasn’t very clear about Seventh Uncle’s romantic history, and now she was really confused about the situation.

When it came to matters concerning the elders, if the elders didn’t say anything, she didn’t feel comfortable asking directly.

She then subtly suggested, “Actually, when it comes to dating, you really can’t be too cold to the other person. If you don’t reply for three months, it’s normal for them to want to break up…”

Feng Luxi sighed, “You’re absolutely right. Your Seventh Uncle, I think he’s quite decent in his dealings with people, and everyone says he’s a good man. But who knew he’d be so incompetent when it comes to dating? He doesn’t even know how to sweet-talk a girl!”

Chu Wan said, “Seventh Uncle is probably too busy with work. He only focuses on his career and hasn’t paid attention to this aspect. It’s inevitable that he’s neglected his partner. Someone like him needs to find someone who is less troublesome, who can stand on his own, the kind who is both elegant in public and capable in the kitchen!”

Feng Luxi nodded: “Yes, but this one right now is really inappropriate. She’s from the theater, and she’s always dressed like—”

She stopped mid-sentence.

There was a younger brother and sister-in-law, Qiao Xiujun, in the family. She was also a former opera singer, so she couldn’t say much and could only touch on the subject briefly.

Chu Wan understood immediately upon hearing ‘theater’.

It seemed that the one who broke up this time was indeed Sun Xueye. Things have changed, and if they broke up now, it was very likely that things between them wouldn’t work out.

If it didn’t work out, then she didn’t need to worry about it anymore.

Although things were slightly different, and she may encounter other problems, at least the matter of Sun Xueye could be ruled out.

She immediately said, “Eldest Aunt, you’re right. If it’s not a good match, it’s better to break up as soon as possible. Even if this person ends up with Seventh Uncle, their life together might not be good, and they might even cause some trouble!”

Feng Luxi was somewhat surprised. Chu Wan usually seemed aloof and didn’t seem to care much about such things, but suddenly she was speaking eloquently and logically.

Chu Wan realized she might have said something inappropriate and quickly added, “I read a novel the other day, and that’s exactly what it said.”

Upon hearing this, Feng Luxi laughed. “Stop talking about those nonsense! Don’t you want to go to university? Studying hard is the right thing to do.”

Chu Wan nodded, “Eldest Aunt is right.”

Feng Luxi then casually asked, “Wanwan, what are you thinking? Do you think Jianshi or Jianzhao is more agreeable? Or are you thinking about something else?”

Chu Wan didn’t expect Feng Luxi to ask that directly. She thought for a moment and said, “Neither of them seem quite suitable.”

Feng Luxi smiled and sighed, “It depends on you. Actually, I think Jianzhao is alright. Although he’s not very reliable, he’s a down-to-earth person.”

Chu Wan laughed and said, “Eighth Brother is too fashionable. I guess I’m not good enough for him.”

Feng Luxi understood Chu Wan’s meaning and immediately comforted her, “It’s alright. Our Lu family still has several grandsons. You can get to know them one by one. You used to be familiar with each other. It’s just that you’ve grown up and become distant these past few years. Take it slow. Your own family members are always more familiar than those you find outside.”

… … translated by Maela @ whitemoonlighttranslations.com

The next day, Chu Wan went to Grandpa Lu’s place for breakfast. During the meal, she mentioned her plan to go back to Yongling Village. She had been away for almost a week and had more than a hundred yuan in her pocket. She wasn’t in a hurry to earn money and thought she would go back to spend time with her great-grandfather and study at home.

She planned to register for the college entrance examination this year, not hoping to pass, but just to gain experience. She felt that if she studied for another year, she would have a better chance of passing the exam next year.

Upon hearing this, Old Master Lu instructed Lu Shouyan, who was sitting at the dinner table, “Are you also going to the Nankou garrison soon?”

Lu Shouyan nodded, “Yes.”

Grandpa Lu said, “Then you should send Wanwan back.”

Lu Shouyan paused for a moment, glanced at Chu Wan, and then said, “Okay.”

As Grandpa Lu spoke, he glanced at his grandsons beside him. Lu Jianshi and Lu Jianzhao were both there, and they were both very respectful.

Lu Jianshi felt the old man’s gaze and said, “I also want to go and see great-grandfather. Luckily, there’s not much going on at work lately.”

Grandpa Lu didn’t respond.

Chu Wan glanced at Lu Jianshi and said, “Forget it, there’s nothing to see over there, and besides, I don’t have any place at home where you can stay.”

Lu Jianshi asked, “Is it time for spring plowing in your village now?”

Chu Wan nodded, “Yes.”

Lu Jianshi volunteered, “I can help!”

Chu Wan looked at him with a puzzled expression.

Lu Jianshi said, “When I was in school, I participated in the construction of the school and was also assigned to go to the countryside of Xierqi for training. I did things like planting trees and watering the fields.”

Chu Wan was speechless for a moment. The school organized a training trip to Xierqi, which was only half a day. What kind of training could one get out of it? Did this young master think farming was a game?

She immediately said, “Grandpa, let’s forget it. The conditions in the village are not good. Brother Jianshi will not be able to eat or sleep well when he goes there, and he will suffer.”

She’d probably have to serve this young master then.

Grandpa Lu said, “It’s alright, let him go out and get some exercise. Don’t worry too much about his food and clothing, the key is to get him to work!”

Then he instructed Lu Jianshi, “Your great-grandfather also came from the countryside and was a master at farming. In your generation, you’ve enjoyed the good life, but you’ve become ignorant of farming and are physically inactive. You should have been given some training long ago. You should go with Wanwan and help her with spring plowing.”

Lu Jianshi nodded vigorously: “Okay, Grandpa, I’ll go with her!”

Grandpa Lu added, “Not only you, Jianzhao will go too.”

Lu Jianzhao was surprised. “Me too?”

Grandpa Lu completely ignored Lu Jianzhao and turned to his eldest son, Lu Shoujian, beside him. “Call Jianhui and tell him to put his work at the research institute on hold. He should go too. You all need to go to Yongling to farm!”

Lu Jianshi was also surprised. “Grandpa, what do you mean? What are you doing?”

Grandpa Lu tapped the table with the end of his chopsticks. “Shouldn’t it be like this? Grandpa Chu is old, and Wanwan is just a young girl, how can she do any work? You young men, are you just going to stay home and eat ready-made meals? Go and help with the spring plowing!”

Lu Jianshi objected. Wasn’t this blatant attempt to steal credit? There was already Lu Jianzhao, and now Lu Jianhui wanted to go too? What chance did he have at this rate?

He immediately asked, “Wanwan, is your place big enough for everyone? It’s not appropriate to have too many people, is it?”

Old Master Lu said, “So what if there’s no room? Make them sleep on the floor! If that doesn’t work, run back to Nankou and live there. Your Seventh Uncle can take care of you. I’m telling you, once you get there, you’ll be responsible for all the work. Don’t let Wanwan serve you!”

Lu Jianzhao was both amused and exasperated, and hurriedly pleaded, “Grandpa, I still have to go to school…”

To this, Old Master Lu only had two words, “Take leave.”

For a moment, everyone looked at each other in bewilderment, and no one spoke.

Now that things have come to this, the old man’s arrangement couldn’t be clearer.

It seemed that the old man was determined to arrange this marriage between the Lu family and the Chu family. He has specially sent his three grandsons who are of marriageable age to Yongling Village so that Old Master Chu could take a look at them and let them get to know Chu Wan better so that the Chu family could choose one later.

This was an arrangement made by the Lu family’s highest-ranking member, Old Master Lu, and it was not allowed to refuse.

All personal matters must take a backseat, and all grandchildren must obey orders.

Anyone who doesn’t follow instructions, well then, don’t come calling this old man ‘Grandpa’ anymore.

After breakfast, Chu Wan was about to go back to Feng Luxi’s place. She had bought some study guides yesterday and had already read some of them. She wanted to continue reading them today. But as soon as she stepped out the door, Lu Jianshi caught up with her. 

“Wanwan, do you want to go out and play? Where do you want to go? I’ll take you to Yuanmingyuan. The weather is nice today, perfect for flying kites. There are also boats at Yuanmingyuan, and I heard you can even catch fish there.”

Chu Wan glanced at him and said, “I don’t have the time or the interest for that.”

Lu Jianshi persevered, “How about we go to the Summer Palace?”

Chu Wan continued walking forward, with Lu Jianshi following behind. He then suggested that they go to the Beijing Trade Union to take a look at the tutoring classes there.

Chu Wan was somewhat interested when she heard about the ‘tutoring class’ and was about to ask a few questions when Lu Jianzhao rushed over. 

“Wanwan, do you want to go to that old man’s place, the one who set up a stall the other day? Hongyan said she wanted to go and take a look, but she’s too scared to go herself. She wants you to help her take a look and buy some things.”

Upon hearing this, Chu Wan became even more interested. She wanted to find out what was going on with this old man.

She immediately abandoned the idea of tutoring class, chatted and laughed with Lu Jianzhao, and walked forward, completely ignoring Lu Jianshi.

Lu Jianshi stared at their retreating figures, stunned for a long while, before finally getting so angry that his stomach swelled up. “Why does he insist on taking her from me? Isn’t he deliberately going against me?!”

Lu Shouyan happened to come out of the courtyard. He looked at Lu Jianzhao and Chu Wan’s backs and said indifferently, “You’re all brothers, is it really necessary for you to be like this?”

After saying that, he ignored his nephew and went out the door.

Pearls and Jade Beside Me in the ’80s translated by Maela @ whitemoonlighttranslations.com

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