Chapter 129

After Lu’s mother looked at Shi Tingyu driving ahead, she immediately put on a smile. “I really didn’t expect that women could drive too.”

Shi Tingyu laughed along. “The great man said that women hold up half the sky.”

“I like that saying,” Lu’s mother said proudly. “Without us women, who knows what kind of mess the men would make of life.”

The two men stayed silent, not daring to speak up.

Lu’s mother suddenly asked, “Xiaoyu, do you think I could learn to drive too?”

Shi Tingyu raised her eyebrows and thought to herself that her mother-in-law was quite forward-thinking.

“Of course you can. Both my parents can drive, and you’re still young,” Shi Tingyu replied.

In the original world, the maximum age for getting a driver’s license for a small car was seventy. They were far from that age.

Lu’s mother had initially asked out of casual conversation, but now that she knew her in-laws could drive, she became genuinely interested.

Lu Weiguo, seeing his mother’s bright eyes, couldn’t bear to discourage her. “Let’s wait for changes in national policy. When private cars are allowed, then you can learn.”

In those days, private cars were rare. Cars were usually state-owned, and getting a driver’s license was extremely difficult. It required passing three stages: a unit recommendation, a political review, and a medical examination. Usually, only party members, labor models, advanced workers, and March 8th Red Banner Holders could get one. It was like choosing a marshal among generals. With his mother’s current status, she wouldn’t have a chance.

His wife’s family had special circumstances.

After all, her license wasn’t obtained domestically.

When the Lu family arrived, Lu Jiànshè had already woken up.

Lu Quanshui felt very embarrassed seeing Lu Daming and his wife. “Daming, sister-in-law, you’re here. I’m really sorry about yesterday.”

As he spoke, he glared at Lu Jiànshè. “Jiànshè, apologize to your uncle and aunt.”

Lu Jiànshè, now sober, vividly remembered what happened last night and wished he had blacked out.

He apologized to Lu Weiguo and the others for last night and promised never to drink again.

This time, Lu Jiànshè was sincere. He didn’t have a drinking problem; he just drank more when he felt upset.

This morning, his father said the medicines and intravenous cost five yuan.

This pained him deeply. Five yuan was a lot for their family, and it had caused embarrassment for Weiguo and his family.

Lu Daming sighed and told Lu Jiànshè, “A real man should live and work well. Life will get better. One shouldn’t lose spirit and give up. Without drive, even opportunities won’t lead to success.”

Lu’s mother pulled Lu Daming’s arm, poured the porridge from the thermos into their tea mugs, and brought out the buns and fried dough sticks.

“Jiànshè, brother, have some breakfast and don’t let it get cold.”

Lu Quanshui and his son thanked them profusely and started eating. Jiànshè, a grown man, was in tears.

After breakfast, Lu’s parents had to go to work. They asked about the doctor’s advice.

Lu Quanshui said, “Fortunately, Jiànshè’s condition isn’t severe. The doctor said he should stay in the hospital for a day. Jiànshè and I discussed it and decided to get discharged soon.”

Lu Weiguo frowned. “Your health is important. Stay for the day. I can pick you up tomorrow when you get discharged.”

“No need. I asked the doctor, and we’ll take the intravenous fluids home and get them administered at the team’s clinic. Staying in the hospital is expensive.”

Lu Quanshui was in a hurry. Their family was short on labor, and to have enough food, they needed to work hard. Jiànshè couldn’t work today, losing a day’s work points.

Usually, if they worked hard, Lu Weijun, who recorded the work points, gave them the highest points. Even if there were minor mistakes, he turned a blind eye. This was their way of helping, but there was a limit.

In the end, Lu Quanshui and his son were discharged.

Lu Weiguo and his wife drove them back to the team.

When the car reached the village entrance, the workers in the field had been working for a long time, with many resting by the field.

Seeing Shi Tingyu driving, everyone looked in amazement and started talking.

They all said that Daming’s daughter-in-law was extraordinary.

Driving was considered a man’s job, and this was the first time they saw a woman driving.

Not only were the villagers talking, but some of the educated youth were also discussing the scene.

Among them, a fair-skinned girl with two braids and a petite figure named Bai Qiuyue asked an older educated youth beside her, “Brother Xu, was that woman driving just now from the family with the vacant tile-roofed house?”

The male educated youth, called Brother Xu, had been in Qianxi Brigade for six years. He had found a wife there, married, and now even had a son who could run around.

He knew a lot about the brigade’s affairs, and everyone liked to ask him when they had questions.

Many of the educated youth had their eyes on the house next to the brigade leader’s home.

After all, the educated youth point was crowded, and it was easy to get into conflicts. Those who had some money didn’t want to stay at the educated youth point and preferred to rent a house from the villagers.

They had their eyes on the vacant house next to the brigade leader’s home.

It was one of the few blue-brick tile-roofed houses in the village, and being close to the brigade leader’s home, one could foster a good relationship with the leader’s family, making life easier in the future.

Many had asked the brigade leader about renting the house, but he always said that the house belonged to his elder brother and he couldn’t make decisions about it.

The answer never changed no matter who asked.

Initially, Lu Erming thought it would be good to rent it out and make some extra money each month. So, he mentioned it to his elder brother, but Lu Daming flatly refused.

At that time, Lu Daming explained that the educated youth had too many issues, and he didn’t want to get involved with them.

Lu Erming thought it was a pity since his brother’s family could have made extra money each month.

Lu Daming had earnestly patted his shoulder and said, “Your son Weibing just got engaged, and Weijun isn’t married yet. If a female educated youth lives next door and tries to avoid labor by getting close to them, do you really want two educated youth as daughters-in-law?”

They didn’t have anything against the educated youth, but there had been cases where female educated youth married influential village men to avoid labor and then left without looking back when they had a chance to return to the city.

At that time, village weddings were simple affairs held at the brigade, without any thought of getting a marriage certificate.

There were also cases where female educated youth made men think they were in a relationship, only to refuse marriage proposals later.

Such incidents were common, and to avoid trouble for his family and to ensure a peaceful life for his younger brother’s family, Lu Daming had remained firm.

Over the years, educated youth had come and gone, but there were always those eyeing the house.

Bai Qiuyue, being the stubborn type, believed the brigade leader wanted to keep the garden in the yard for himself, hence his refusal. She thought the house owner would definitely be willing to rent it out for money.

Seeing Shi Tingyu and the others, Bai Qiuyue decided to visit the house owner after work and discuss renting the house directly.

She believed that as long as the money was right, they would agree.