Chapter 47: Back to An Lok Village
Chapter 47
“An ZhiAng, I’m different from you all. I never went to school. It’s already good fortune if I can find a job. I like cooking. Life is so long, I have to find something I like doing, plus I don’t know what else I can do.”
Knowing Xia's calm tone made An ZhiAng very uncomfortable.
His sister should have been doted on at home, not knowing the meaning of worries every day.
But now, she hadn't even been to school, only able to go to literacy classes to learn words.
"If you want to work, then go work. But remember Know Xia, you are my An ZhiAng's sister. No matter what time, you have people to rely on. If you get tired and don't want to work anymore, or if you've been wronged, be sure to tell your brother. I'll protect you forever."
"Fourth brother, you’re so nice." Know Xia never knew she could be so emotional.
The speed of the bicycle was several times that of her legs. Soon they arrived at the school.
An ZhiAng had just graduated at the end of last year. As soon as he got to the gate, there were still friends he recognized.
He took Know Xia in and smoothly found the principal's office.
An JingZhi was drinking tea inside. Seeing them come in, he hurriedly put down the big teapot in his hand. "Why are you two here?"
"Know Xia has something to discuss with you," An ZhiAng said, and repeated Know Xia's intention to work.
An JingZhi was not as simple as An ZhiAng. Although it was just an apprentice at a restaurant, it wouldn’t be easy to find the job without connections and money.
There were also questions about the restaurant's exact location, and who her master would be. He asked them one by one.
Know Xia knew she couldn't hide it, so she told the truth.
She only said that Teacher Zhao from the literacy class knew she was looking for a job and introduced it to her, regarding how she got the job.
An JingZhi didn't know Zhao JingYun, but as soon as Zhao JingYun’s Liang ZhiWei was mentioned, he knew.
But for people like Liang ZhiWei, they had always kept their distance. Now his daughter was involved with him, and he felt a little uncomfortable.
But it seemed he couldn't find the words to blame Know Xia either.
He already felt guilty about this daughter in the first place, plus the fact that she moved out.
He had originally thought that when he had time in a few days, he would go to help her with the household registration issue, and solve the work problem together. But he didn't expect the girl to be so impatient to figure it out herself.
An JingZhi couldn't help but wonder, what was Liang ZhiWei's purpose in arranging work for Know Xia?
A person like him would never do something for nothing. Simply giving someone a job because his wife liked her, he didn't think it credible no matter how he thought about it.
An JingZhi had also seen Lin Haozhi in the past two days, and asked him some questions about the family. Then he knew his father Lin Zheng was the chef at the state-run Ping'an Road Restaurant.
Know Xia happened to worship Lin Zheng as her master. Wasn't all this a bit too coincidental?
An JingZhi frowned tightly, silent for a long time.
Know Xia was uneasy, waiting patiently with a guilty conscience. An ZhiAng was impatient. "Dad, what are you thinking? Know Xia needs to transfer her household registration now. Can it be done or not?"
Only then was An JingZhi called back to his senses by him. He hurriedly nodded, "Of course it can be done, but about Lin Zheng being Lin Haozhi’s father, and MeiYun already married Lin Haozhi, do you know, Know Xia?"
Know Xia had originally wanted to say she didn't know, but after thinking about it, the two families were in-laws. If Lin Zheng happened to discuss this matter with An JingZhi in the future, wouldn't she be exposed?
After deliberating, she said, "I know. But I’m only there to learn culinary skills. Master said he won't interfere in the affairs of the younger generation. I won't deny everyone around An MeiYun just because I don't like her."
"That's fine then." An JingZhi didn't have time to spare in the afternoon, but he also wanted to train An ZhiAng’s ability to handle matters. So he let An ZhiAng take Know Xia to Anle Village.
When leaving, An ZhiAng insisted on taking five dollars.
She still owed Zhou ZhiZhi a dress. Although Zhou Nan had bought one last time, she didn't want to make a special trip back to explain why she went to the countryside.
Know Xia picked a relatively vintage long-sleeved floral shirt from her space, and selected a suitable pair of black pants. She secretly put them in the sling bag she carried.
On the way to the station, An ZhiAng was still imparting experience to Know Xia. "Anyway, Dad must have no shortage of money. Grandpa and Grandma also have money. Know Xia is a girl and the youngest in our family. Don't be like second brother and care about face. If you lack money, just ask them. Never be too shy."
He wanted to say An MeiYun would never stand on ceremony with the family. Especially this time, with the marriage, she certainly didn't lack help from mother to prepare things.
But he was afraid to mention her and ruin Know Xia's good mood, so he didn't say it.
Know Xia just nodded calmly, but she would never ask them for money.
That she didn't lack money was one reason. Although she had returned to the An family, calling them father and mother, she could feel that the affection between them was still separated by a layer of obstacles, not as intimate as they showed.
Maybe because she didn't grow up with them since childhood, she couldn't let loose in front of them either.
She guessed this was because the older generation valued blood ties more, and also part was on that young aunt who passed away prematurely.
The old lady made up for her daughter's regret on her. So in all aspects, she had always taken very thoughtful care of her.
But no matter who this feeling was directed at, there was no denying that the beneficiary was Know Xia. She also enjoyed and cherished this affection she had never received from anyone else.
The same journey as last time, taking the bus and buying tickets, getting off and riding for a long time.
Because it was already late, they didn't go to Zhou Village first, but directly to Anle Village.
The village chief of Anle Village happened to be home. Seeing Know Xia again, the village chief, who already knew the truth, was full of lament.
The Gao family were people of Anle Village after all. Even if he wasn't involved in the baby swap, it happening in the village under his jurisdiction, he couldn't shirk responsibility.
During this time, just the self-criticism meetings, he had been the main character several times. He didn't want to enjoy the honor for the rest of his life.
There was no trouble at all. The village chief simply gave her a certificate and personally took her to get the team's stamp.
Know Xia also asked the village chief about the recent situation of the Gao siblings. She learned that although they had temporarily lost their parents and were still often criticized and educated in the village, and Gao Dalin’s marriage had fallen through, the siblings didn’t seem to have suffered any substantial harm, at most bearing the impact of some rumors.