Chapter 396 Family Ties

Chapter 396: Family Ties

"Hanchuan married a girl from the city who can't even understand our local dialect," a young girl grumbled in their local dialect.

The elderly woman across from her shot her a glare. "What's so special about our little town? The real opportunities are in the cities. You should chat more with your sister-in-law—maybe you can work in a big city someday."

Though most of the dialect was lost on her, Ye Xiaoxiao could still understand bits and pieces of the younger generation's speech.

Lu Jie thought her grandmother made sense and smiled warmly at Ye Xiaoxiao.

"Sister-in-law, Grandma says since it's your first time here, we ought to make you feel welcome."

Ye Xiaoxiao turned to the elderly woman. "I’m already very grateful for Grandma’s hospitality these past few days."

During their stay, meals had been eaten at the home of Lu Hanchuan’s great-uncle, without cooking at home.

"Sister-in-law, if you’d like to go out, I can take you around. I know all the good places."

Lu Jie had just turned twenty. She had finished high school but didn’t get into college and was now assigned to teach Chinese at a local primary school.

However, the pay wasn’t great.

Getting to the capital would be perfect.

Ye Xiaoxiao replied, "Sure, let’s take a walk."

Lu Jie spoke Mandarin fluently, allowing smooth communication between them.

Ye Xiaoxiao felt at ease going out with her, enjoying their conversation.

Still, the cold outside was brutal. While the house had electric heaters, outside they just had to tough it out.

Shops in the county town were open, but they weren’t much warmer inside. Ye Xiaoxiao picked up a few things before heading home.

Having stayed in their hometown for so long, they hadn’t brought much with them. It was only right to buy some gifts for everyone now.

On the way back, Lu Jie finally asked,

"Sister-in-law, do you think I could find a job in the capital?"

Ye Xiaoxiao looked at her. "Finding work is definitely possible, but you’re a teacher, right? Teaching jobs in the capital are assigned, and even local graduates from teaching colleges might not secure a spot there."

Jobs were scarce due to limited positions and schools.

Lu Jie’s teaching job in the county was already decent—there wasn’t much reason to move to the capital.

Lu Jie let out a disappointed sigh. "I just wanted to experience life in a big city."

Besides, the Lu family had relatives in the capital.

Someone like the Lu family patriarch could probably pull some strings for a relative.

Ye Xiaoxiao thought of this too. When Lu Jie didn’t bring it up again, she figured she’d bring it up with Lu Hanchuan later.

It struck her as odd why Lu Jie didn’t just ask Lu Hanchuan directly.

As the two returned, Lu Hanchuan was waiting by the door for Ye Xiaoxiao.

"Did you go out?"

"Just walked around town a bit."

Lu Hanchuan took the bags from Ye Xiaoxiao, who told him the other one contained gifts for everyone.

"I'll come with you to hand them out later."

Lu Jie seemed uneasy when she saw Lu Hanchuan. She barely knew this older cousin and had hardly spoken to him before, so after a quick greeting, she hurried off.

Ye Xiaoxiao asked, "Did you know Lu Jie wants to look for work in Beijing?"

Lu Hanchuan shook his head. "She hasn’t mentioned it. I’ll ask her parents."

Getting her a job would be easy, but her housing, living costs, and safety in the capital would all need consideration.

If it was just Lu Jie's idea, he wouldn't agree to help.

But if her family wanted her to give Beijing a try, then he could arrange something.

After that, that'd be on her.

At this, Ye Xiaoxiao decided not to interfere further.

After all, this was a Lu family matter.

And she was new to the family—still learning the ropes.

At dinner with Lu Hanchuan's great-uncle, he brought it up.

"I heard Lu Jie wants to go to Beijing?"

Lu Jie's father was Lu Gui, who'd picked them up earlier.

He was a man of few words but honest. "Beijing's a big city. We want Lu Jie to see for herself."

Old Master Lu looked at Lu Gui—this was news to him. "Lu Jie has a job here. She'd have to quit if she goes."

Lu Gui nodded—he'd clearly thought this through.

Old Master Lu didn't see it as a problem. "We can take her back with us. But you should be ready—life in Beijing isn't easy."

His great-uncle added, "We're all for her going to Beijing. We'd be grateful just for the job help. Whatever happens after, we won't blame anyone."

Old Master Lu said, "Then it's settled—we'll take Lu Jie with us."

Lu Jie stood to thank her great-uncle and cousin.

The matter was decided.

After dinner, Ye Xiaoxiao was strolling through the courtyard when she saw Lu Jie's elder brother's wife washing dishes.

The thin woman had never joined them for meals—Ye Xiaoxiao had been over multiple times before learning who she was.

Standing at the kitchen door, Ye Xiaoxiao asked, "Elder sister-in-law, did you eat?"

Here’s the edited translation incorporating the expert suggestions:

The woman was washing dishes when she accidentally dropped and broke a bowl, likely startled by Ye Xiaoxiao's voice.

Immediately, several unintelligible shouts in dialect came from the yard.

"Good grief! Can't even wash a bowl without breaking it!"

It was Lu Jie's mother, who had come over hearing the noise, her speech thick with dialect.

Seeing Ye Xiaoxiao at the door, she quickly put on a smile.

"Xiao Xiao, why are you here? It’s messy in here—why don’t you wait in the main room?"

She softened her tone, and Ye Xiaoxiao could understand some of it.

"Alright. Why doesn’t sister-in-law ever eat with us?"

Lu Jie's mother replied, "She’s feeling unwell."

Ye Xiaoxiao didn’t fully understand, just as Lu Hanchuan came out of the house.

"Who’s not feeling well?"

Ye Xiaoxiao: "Sounds like sister-in-law."

Seeing Lu Hanchuan emerge as well, Lu Jie’s mother spoke even faster, her words unclear.

Ye Xiaoxiao guessed from her gestures she was urging them to go back inside and not linger there.

Ye Xiaoxiao could only leave with Lu Hanchuan.

They were guests—best to defer to the host.

But on their way back to the old house, Ye Xiaoxiao couldn’t help but ask, "Why doesn’t sister-in-law ever join us at the table during meals? And she’s always the one washing dishes."

She wondered if the woman even got to eat.

Lu Hanchuan hadn’t noticed. "Really? Uncle Lu Gui’s family seems kind—I doubt they’d treat her poorly."

Ye Xiaoxiao: "It still seems off to me. Plus, I can’t understand what they’re saying. Can you ask tomorrow? If sister-in-law is really sick, I could take a look at her."

Lu Hanchuan: "Sure." The next day at dinner, Lu Hanchuan asked, "Why isn’t sister-in-law eating with us?"