Chapter 6 What's There to Fear

Aunt Jin pursed her lips with a smile, "You see, you kids are so sincere! We're helping you without expecting anything in return. In the future, just help out more at home!"

Lin Qiu almost slapped his chest to guarantee, "Aunt Jin, I'll help you with any task in the future, knitting sweaters and making cotton trousers, I'll take care of it all!"

Aunt Jin chuckled as she looked at Lin Qiu, "That would be wonderful! Aunt Jin knows you're skillful with your hands!"

Lin Qiu blushed, slightly embarrassed, "Aunt Jin! You're making me shy! Skilled with my hands? If anyone's skilled, it's my sister who does it better than me!"

Aunt Jin patted Lin Xia's slim shoulder, "Both you sisters are so talented."

Three women, one drama, they spoke animatedly, but the person concerned remained silent.

Lin Xia grew anxious, "Big brother! What are you thinking? Just spit it out!"

If he did well after going there and became a worker, it might be better than being a temporary contract youth in the unit...

Suddenly, the path Aunt Jin mentioned when she came to their home seemed really promising!

Lin Xia felt that if her big brother didn't want to go, it was either because he believed he could take over as a worker in the future or he worried about his younger siblings suffering or being bullied after he left.

Nevertheless, the thought of her big brother continuing to stay in the factory, uncertain of any prospects and possibly even losing his life, compelled her to push for change, to not follow the old path.

Lin Qiu couldn't contain his urgency, "Big brother! Please say something!"

Lin Chun looked at Aunt Jin awkwardly, "Aunt Jin! This opportunity is a godsend! I must truly thank you and Uncle Jin for thinking of us! But this isn't a trivial matter! My father will retire in a few years, and I'm expected to take over... and take care of the family..."

Lin Chun's lips moved, and giving Aunt Jin a glance, there were some things he felt too embarrassed to voice in front of her.

After all, Aunt Jin was older and had a clear understanding of people and situations, and she was familiar with Lin Chun's family circumstances. So she rose from the edge of the bed, "It's almost noon, your Uncle Jin will be off work soon! I should head home to cook. Take your time to think about whether to go or not! There's no rush!"

What else could she say as a neighbor?

With three young men in the family, and Lin Aiguo showing favoritism—though not to his own children—there was no certainty who would take over eventually!

Lin Xia put on her shoes, got down to the ground and sincerely, with a smile, clasped Aunt Jin's arm, "Aunt Jin, whether we go or not, we'll always remember your kindness!"

Just a neighboring family sharing some thoughts without any ulterior motive, she was truly grateful.

Lin Qiu chimed in, "Right! Aunt Jin, let me see you out!"

Lin Chun followed them to the door, where Aunt Jin waved them off, "We're neighbors, no need for sending! Head back now! Glad to see Lin Xia is getting better and didn't hurt herself again!"

Nevertheless, all three stubbornly escorted Aunt Jin to the gate, watching as she entered her house before turning around to head back to their own yard.

Lin Xia was the last to enter and with eyes opened, she found herself transported years back. Lin Xia still felt as if she were dreaming, everything was so familiar yet strange.

At that time, their houses were still made of planks and mud, with wooden fences enclosing each family's front yard, and large wooden gates.

Some of the neighboring families opposite them had started cooking, with smoke rising from their chimneys.

She resolved silently to change the fate of her siblings, starting with her big brother...

Lin Chun was troubled, not wanting to face his sisters' persuasion, so he quickly rolled up his sleeves as he walked, "Xiaoxia, you go back and lie down. Xiaoqiu, you work on cooking. I'll split some firewood!"

Only then did the sisters look at each other, both with a sparkle in their eyes.

Lin Qiu entered the room and whispered, "Sis! If Big Brother really goes to the city, he could become a worker!"

Lin Xia nodded, "Yeah! But we still need to see if Big Brother can go!"

Convincing Big Brother was one thing, but they still had to face Lin Aiguo!

As for Qian Chunli, Lin Xia scoffed. Perhaps she was even hoping Big Brother would leave.

If Big Brother left, that would mean one less person vying for succession with her son Lin Qiang!

"Let's persuade him carefully! We should also talk to our younger brother! Get him to join in the persuasion!" Lin Qiu gestured excitedly.

Lin Xia wrapped an arm around her shoulder, "Right! Let's involve our younger brother! Hey, Xiaoqiu, what did you cook for lunch?"

Lin Qiu gasped, "Oh no, I was so busy with this I forgot to steam the millet rice!"

Lin Xia smiled at her animated look, "Steam more!"

Lin Qiu immediately looked timidly at Lin Xia, "Sis! If I make too much, that old woman will come back and make a scene again!"

This wasn't the first time that had happened, with the old woman standing at the door, hips akimbo, cursing and scolding for a good while.

Lin Xia stared determinedly at her, "So what? They are three people, and we are four. If things get tough, we'll just fight her! Are you scared?"

She had made up her mind; if she was to live again, she would no longer live in restraint!

Her family had no shortage of people listed on the household registration book. Although now each person was allotted 27 jin of rations, they would run out before the end of the month, and the bags for storing grain in the rack would be empty.

Lin Aiguo would return from the mountains only once in ten or fifteen days, and every time Qian Chunli would openly and secretly complain about how much they ate!

How could he possibly know that a lot of their food was quietly taken back to Qian Chunli's mother's home?

It was the first time Lin Qiu saw her sister so unafraid; it was as if she also gained confidence instantly, "Sis! I'm not scared! We have Big Brother and Dongzi! They only have Lin Qiang as a man! I'm just afraid of Dad coming back to punish us!"

After all, years of beatings and scolding from Lin Aiguo had instilled fear in them.

Lin Xia grasped her hands earnestly, "Xiaoqiu! You don't need to be afraid! We are all grown up now; we can't let him beat and scold us like when we were kids!

If he dares, we will stand up to him! If it comes to it, we'll leave this house! As long as we have the strength to work, we won't starve!"

Lin Qiu nodded vigorously. She felt that ever since her sister woke up today, she was very different; her words and gaze became intense, but she liked this change!

Lin Xia saw that her words had sparked some thoughts in Lin Qiu. Although it might not change her instantly, at least she wanted to plant a seed of defiance in her heart.

Lin Xia noticed the cut strips of cabbage and potatoes on the chopping board, "Xiaoqiu, I'll cook later!"

If Xiaoqiu did it, she likely wouldn't want to use much oil.

Lin Xia didn't care what Qian Chunli thought. What mattered was to ensure her siblings ate a delicious meal.

"Okay!" Lin Qiu glanced at Lin Xia's face and didn't object.

When Lin Dong came home from school, he saw his elder sister who still didn't look too well, but had a spirited look in her eyes. The anxiety that had prevented him from focusing on his studies all morning finally eased.

"Elder sister! Are you feeling better?"