Chapter 89: Old Streetwise

Lin Xiangnan glanced at Auntie Hua, and said with a lack of tact, “We just had braised beef ribs. I want to eat Mapo Tofu and braised bamboo shoots tomorrow.”

“But I want to eat beef ribs!” Auntie Hua said with a look of grief.

This is the downside of not having skills. You can only eat what the chef is in the mood for.

Previously, Auntie Hua had not been freeloading off Lin Xiangnan. She would trade things for meals. Sometimes, she couldn’t get the ingredients or couldn’t offer anything valuable in return, so she wouldn’t be able to eat.

If she hadn’t tasted good food, she could have eaten at the canteen every day. But after having a taste, Auntie Hua couldn’t stand that kind of life anymore.

However, Lin Xiangnan wasn’t interested in Auntie Hua’s treasured possessions. Because no matter what kind of wood the chairs were made of, they could only be used for sitting now.

“Fine, fine. It’s not like it’s some kind of rosewood, or whatever, some kind of purple sandalwood. It’s not worth getting excited about.” Lin Xiangnan sat on the chair and crossed her legs.

Auntie Hua patted Lin Xiangnan’s hand and tempted her, “If you treat me to a meal, I might be willing to teach you.”

“Teach me? In this current situation?”

Lin Xiangnan was stunned for a moment, her mind suddenly opened up.

She knew Auntie Hua was skilled, but she had never thought about learning from her before. She never imagined that Auntie Hua would actually bring it up.

“Although the situation isn’t very clear right now.” Auntie Hua couldn’t be sure how long the “smashing the four olds” policies would last, so her tone was weaker. “But skills are not easily passed down, and teachers don’t teach just anyone. I don’t teach people for free. Without some sincerity, even if I take my skills to the grave, I won’t teach.”

Don’t think that just because these traditional things are being suppressed, they are worthless. Those with real skills have their own pride. Even if they are sent to live in a rural cowshed and sweep the toilets, they won’t easily submit.

However, at this point in time, collecting was not very appropriate. After boasting about her pride, Auntie Hua compromised, “If you’re not interested, then forget it. How about I arrange a job for you? You’re a military family member and a high school graduate. I can ask my old comrade to arrange a position for you at the military factory?”

After all, her goal was to eat well, not to take on a student. The process didn’t matter, as long as she achieved her goal.

Auntie Hua was self-aware. Now, having a proper job was more important than collecting.

“A job? I thought you were going to teach me? How did we end up talking about jobs?” Lin Xiangnan had just asked a question, and Auntie Hua kept talking, making it impossible for her to get a word in.

“I don’t want to work. People work to make money, and my family has enough money. I don’t want to go to work.” Lin Xiangnan said, “What I meant was, I wanted to ask how you plan to teach me. I wasn’t refusing.”

Some people work to fulfill their self-worth, but Lin Xiangnan didn’t have that kind of ambition. She was just an ordinary person, and she didn’t want to find a job just to prove herself.

Compared to working, she was more interested in collecting.

These antiques were only hidden from view for a few years. In the future, they would all be treasures.

From another perspective, this was a good time to pick up bargains. You could get a lot for a little money.

Seeing that Lin Xiangnan was only confused about the teaching process, and not rejecting her, Auntie Hua said directly, “The museum director was saved by me. There are over 250 boxes in the museum, several storage rooms full of artifacts. There are over 30 bronze artifacts from the Shang and Zhou dynasties, and thousands of ancient books…”

The items in the museum were all recorded and couldn’t be moved, but they could be used for teaching.

Lin Xiangnan’s eyes lit up as soon as she heard this. She immediately started kneading Auntie Hua’s shoulders.

“Just eating beef ribs might not be enough, right? We’re going to buy beef anyway, so I’ll make some beef jerky for you. It’s the most delicious snack.”

“Ah, that’s right.” Auntie Hua nodded in satisfaction.

You see, it’s good to have a skill. That way, you won’t be at a disadvantage anywhere you go.

Lin Xiangnan gained knowledge, and she enjoyed delicious food. A win-win situation.

In the past, she had to trade things and tickets with Lin Xiangnan for food. Now, she was naturally enjoying Lin Xiangnan’s filial piety.

Auntie Hua relaxed and praised Lin Xiangnan, “There aren’t many kids as clever as you these days.”

When the whole society is singing the same tune, it’s hard for individuals to stay clear-headed.

There were many skilled people who were sent to cowsheds, but the locals basically avoided them, afraid of getting into trouble. Let alone actively seeking them out as teachers.

Auntie Hua patted Lin Xiangnan’s hand reassuringly, “Don’t worry. Things should improve in a few years.”

“I’m not afraid.” Lin Xiangnan said calmly.

Auntie Hua had received good things, but she had to deal with the problem of not having enough space to store them. But Lin Xiangnan could store things in her space, which was much safer than Auntie Hua’s.

“That’s true. You’re a wild one.” Thinking of the various ingredients Lin Xiangnan had gotten, Auntie Hua couldn’t say anything else.

Not only did they have their own little secrets, but they were almost like master and apprentice, so their relationship naturally became closer.

Political Commissar Xu had sent his own mother, originally hoping to get some delicious food. Who knew that Lin Xiangnan would take his mother away.

Not only did he not get any good food brought home, but he also had to leave some food for Auntie Hua when they went out together in the afternoon and didn’t come back until nightfall.

“Mom, where did you two go? Why are you back so late?” Political Commissar Xu asked curiously.

“Nothing much. We went to the city, and then on the way back, we climbed a mountain to look at the plum blossoms. It took a bit longer.” Auntie Hua fed Xiaotian water while she gave her son a perfunctory answer.

Xiaotian had been out with them all day and was tired. He drank water and ate food greedily.

“Looking at flowers? Are you two so free? Even the dog is exhausted, aren’t you two tired?” Political Commissar Xu couldn’t help but complain.

“What are you talking about?” Auntie Hua thought for a moment and said, “But Xiaolin  is really free, and she has a sense of leisure. She can play with me. She’s a good kid.”

She didn’t have a job or children, so Lin Xiangnan was indeed free.

After hanging out with Auntie Hua, Lin Xiangnan realized that your aunt is always your aunt. Even when it comes to eating and having fun, she still has something to learn.

She had only focused on eating before. She was far behind Auntie Hua in other areas and needed to catch up.

Unable to control his own mother, Political Commissar Xu could only go to Gu Zhenhua to ask indirectly.

Speaking of which, Gu Zhenhua was a little relieved.

“My mother-in-law used to scold Xiaonan for being like a streetwise kid, always doing nothing, just wandering around outside, unable to stay at home. I was worried that when she came to the family compound, she wouldn’t make any new friends. Now it’s good, Auntie Hua can play with her.”

Political Commissar Xu was speechless. He couldn’t help but lightly punch Gu Zhenhua.

He secretly cursed in his heart: Your Xiaonan is a streetwise kid, what is my mom? An old streetwise kid?