Chapter 8: They Were Really Reported

Although Lu Yaozu didn’t think much of this younger uncle of his, he still greeted him politely:
“Uncle, you’re back.”

Lu Zhoushan responded with a brief hum and a nod, saying nothing.

Old Master Lu showed concern:
“Zhoushan, the weather’s cold. With your health, don’t walk around too much—take care of yourself.”

As the youngest child of the Lu family, Lu Zhoushan smiled gently, with no trace of defiance or arrogance. He nodded, “I understand, Dad.”

Lu Yuanshan sighed,
“Second Brother’s health really is…” Then he looked at Lu Yaozu, as if something occurred to him, and suggested to the old master:
“Dad, shouldn’t we find someone for Second Brother too?”

Lu’s mother smiled and chimed in,
“Yes, Dad. It’d be good to have someone take care of Second Brother.”

Old Master Lu narrowed his eyes, appearing to consider it. Lu Yuanshan continued:
“Even his nephew is getting married, and he’s still older than his nephew but doesn’t even have a partner yet. It doesn’t sound good when people talk about it.”

Lu Yaozu stood there awkwardly, ignored by everyone, until Lu’s mother finally noticed him and said,
“Eh? Yaozu, why are you still standing there like a fool? Come sit down.”

Lu Yaozu looked displeased—why was he still standing there? Did anyone care?

Every time this sickly uncle came back, his own standing in the family dropped sharply. No one paid attention to him anymore.

With a stiff face, Lu Yaozu sat down next to Lu’s mother, eyes lowered so no one could see the resentment in them.

Old Master Lu seemed persuaded and turned toward Lu Zhoushan. But before he could speak, Lu Zhoushan started coughing again.

Between coughs, he said,
“Dad, big brother, just forget it. My health is poor; I’d just be ruining some poor girl’s life. Who knows how long I’ve got left anyway?”

Lu Yuanshan frowned and said immediately,
“Don’t talk nonsense. You’ll live a long life.”

Old Master Lu agreed,
“Second Son, as long as you’re willing, the Lu family will never mistreat any girl we bring into the family.”

So what if his health was weak? It’s not like Lu Zhoushan was terminally ill or completely unable to care for himself.

Lu Yaozu, sitting on the side, looked at Lu Zhoushan’s frail form with disdain. He thought his uncle didn’t look like a man at all—his skin was even fairer than a woman’s.

And because of his poor health, he was either staying at home or recovering on the estate. Sometimes his recovery took one or two months, and the longest time he stayed on the estate was three months.

At home, he only held a nominal position in the factory to avoid being sent to the countryside, and he was supported by their grandparents’ money.

Lu Yaozu felt frustrated, thinking their grandparents were biased. With that kind of health, who knew how long the man could live?

All that money and resources would just be wasted on him. It should be given to him—the healthy eldest grandson!

After all, he was the Lu family’s only eldest grandson. His name was Yaozu—the one who would bring honor to the family!
They expected him to carry on the family name, not that sickly uncle!

With that frail body, who even knew if he could “perform” in that area? Even if he married, could he even father children?

If he couldn’t produce heirs, what kind of man was he?

Thinking of this, Lu Yaozu gave a malicious smile.

Before Lu Zhoushan could refuse again, Lu Yaozu suddenly, and unusually enthusiastically, suggested:
“Yes, yes, Uncle, Grandpa’s right! How about we arrange a matchmaking for Uncle? What do you think, Dad?”

Matchmaking?

Lu Zhoushan was stunned. This was truly a first—someone actually suggesting to arrange a match for him.

The Lu family also found the idea new and interesting, and all turned to look at him with sparkling eyes.

Old Master Lu considered it and found it reasonable. He looked at Lu Zhoushan and even praised Lu Yaozu,
“Yaozu is a smart kid. Good suggestion—I agree.”

Hearing that, Lu Yaozu exchanged a knowing smile with Lu Zhoushan, a flicker of smug satisfaction flashing in his eyes.

Lu Zhoushan felt like he was a piece of meat on the cutting board, being arranged and carved up. A chill ran down his spine.

Lu Yuanshan added,
“I agree too. We should’ve thought of this earlier and arranged something long ago.”

At over 26 years old, Lu Zhoushan was already considered an older bachelor in their time.

Lu’s mother giggled,
“Well, it’s not too late to arrange now. With Second Brother’s looks and demeanor, I guarantee any girl within ten villages would be thrilled to marry him!”

Lu Zhoushan nearly choked on his own spit.
Was this because he was too sick to be praised for anything else, so all they could praise was his looks?

Truly a talker like a matchmaker—able to make even a dead fish dance.

He had a feeling this matchmaking business wasn’t going to end well.

Old Master Lu added,
“Once we get a wife for Second Son, there’ll be someone to take care of him—I’ll be more at ease.”

Lu Yuanshan agreed,
“Exactly. Maybe after he’s married, his health will improve.”

Lu’s mother nodded repeatedly with a smile, and even Lu Yaozu gave his uncle a teasing look. Seeing this scene, Lu Zhoushan realized—he probably had no room to refuse. He simply shut his mouth and stayed silent.

While the Lu family discussed Lu Zhoushan’s marriage enthusiastically, things at the Jiang household were equally busy.

The entire Jiang family moved their belongings into the spatial dimension and rearranged their home to look simpler.

Anything expensive or eye-catching was stored away in the dimensional bracelet.

Even slightly flashy items were put away by Jiang’s mother.

A modest enamel mug with “Labor is Glorious” was placed prominently on the table, and patched coarse blankets were spread over the bed—everything appeared humble and simple.

It took them two full days to finish tidying up.

During those two days, the Jiang family didn’t step out. They ate simply at home—just noodles.

Afterward, the family of three sat together to discuss their next steps.

Jiang Xiaoci said,
“Dad, Mom, we need to live more frugally these days and not draw attention.”

Both parents nodded. Her father, with some concern, added:
“You can be a thief for a thousand days, but you can’t guard against one for a thousand days. Just in case, we need a backup plan.”

Jiang Xiaoci was confused:
“Dad, what do you mean?”

“Xiaoci, if your dream is real, then according to its hint, someone will leak information to us. Our family will find out in advance and arrange a marriage for you. Instead of waiting passively, let’s arrange your matchmaking now.”

Jiang’s mother agreed:
“Your dad’s right. Even if we’ve made preparations, we still have to plan for the worst. If we get sent down, at least if you’re already married, you might be able to stay behind.”

Her father added:
“Exactly. You’re at a marriageable age, and sooner or later you’ll need to marry anyway. Better to plan now. Just one thing—you mustn’t marry that Lu Yaozu! Even if the dream isn’t real, that boy is fickle and not a good match!”

With things said so clearly, Jiang Xiaoci had no choice but to agree.

Besides, as long as she didn’t marry Lu Yaozu, she wouldn’t repeat her past tragedy.

This time around, she’d be more cautious and pick a man carefully before marrying.

At least she wouldn’t be caught off guard like her previous life—when her family was suddenly targeted, and she was forced to marry that scumbag Lu Yaozu.

In this life, she and her parents would not repeat the same mistakes.

After all, most of the family’s valuables were now stored in her mother’s spatial bracelet.

Even if her parents were sent down, they wouldn’t suffer too much—but still, better safe than sorry. Everything needed to be meticulously planned.

Her parents were getting older, and she still worried about them.

Jiang Xiaoci thought for a moment and suggested:
“Dad, Mom, no matter what happens in the future, if we do get sent down, life will be very hard. We should buy some medicine now, just in case.”

Her father praised her:
“Good idea. Your mom and I aren’t young anymore. If we get sick or hurt, having medicine on hand will help a lot.”

Her mother added:
“Yes, our girl thinks things through better. Medicine doesn’t spoil easily—having some at home is a good idea even if we don’t get sent down.”

Finally, her father made the decision:
“Alright, let’s do that. It’s late now—tomorrow we’ll all go out and buy medicine separately. Be discreet, though—don’t draw attention.”

Jiang Xiaoci exchanged a glance with her mother and smiled:
“Don’t worry, Dad. We know what to do.”

The next day, the three of them set out separately to buy medicine.

Jiang’s mother went to Tongrentang, entered the shop quickly.

The pharmacist looked her over suspiciously, but she calmly said:
“Master, we have someone with rheumatic back and leg pain at home who can’t come out. Please prescribe some medicine.”

The pharmacist asked a few questions and wrote a prescription. The amount was small, but even getting that much was fortunate.

Her mother left happily with the medicine.

Her father went to Huichuntang, used a different excuse for a different illness, and also returned with some medicine.

Jiang Xiaoci visited a small drugstore at the alley’s entrance, said someone at home was sick, and bought medicine for the symptoms.

After returning home, the three agreed to rotate between different pharmacies every few days to stock up more gradually and discreetly.

Meanwhile, the report Lu Yaozu wrote had reached the authorities. Because the contents touched on sensitive capitalist behavior—something under strict scrutiny—the leadership decided to immediately launch an investigation into the Jiang family.

Fortunately, someone in the organization had a good relationship with Jiang’s father. When he learned of it, he was shocked.

That man, named Zhao Yong, was an old acquaintance of Jiang’s father. He knew the Jiang family well and didn’t believe the accusations.

However, since the investigation group had been activated, and it was a sensitive time, Zhao Yong knew he couldn’t interfere directly. He decided to give Jiang’s father a heads-up privately.

At this time, the Jiang family still knew nothing. Although Jiang Xiaoci had long known this would happen eventually, she didn’t expect Lu Yaozu to act so quickly.

Early that morning, Zhao Yong visited the Jiang home privately to warn them.

Jiang’s father was surprised to see him and asked,
“Old Zhao, what brings you here so early? Something urgent?”

Zhao Yong got straight to the point:
“Old Jiang, someone’s reported your family. There’s going to be an investigation. You’d better prepare.”

The news chilled Jiang’s father to the core.

So it was all true—exactly as his daughter had seen in the dream.