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In a previous life, her eldest brother died, and once her younger brother graduated from junior high, her father sent him off to work at the floor tile factory. How about her and her younger sister?
Lin Qiu was forced to marry that domestic abuser and had to endure the torment of a wicked mother-in-law.
As for herself, what kind of life did she lead?
Not a single happy one!
Lin Chun, realizing belatedly that something was amiss with his sister, quickly stood up and shoved his motionless sister: "Xiaoxia! What's wrong with you? Are you still not feeling well?"
Lin Xia was jolted back to reality by Lin Chun's shout.
She forced herself to smile, but no matter how one looked at it, that smile appeared very fake.
"I'm fine! Big brother! From now on, things will definitely get better and better for us!"
Lin Chun looked at his sister's light and airy smile with a bit of worry, reproaching himself: "It's all my fault! You had just gotten a bit better, and I went on talking so much! Are you tired? Xiaoxia! Lie down for a bit! I'll call you when Xiaoqiu has finished cooking the meal!"
This time, Lin Xia did not object. She laid down at the head of the bed in the unmade bedding, following her brother's guidance.
Covered by the blanket, she felt much better. Seeing her big brother still alive in front of her eyes, having been given a second chance at life, what could possibly not change?
Suddenly, Lin Xia felt a surge of strength throughout her body. Fearing her brother would blame himself too much, she quickly clenched Lin Chun's large hand and reassured him: "Big brother! Don't blame yourself! As long as we siblings stay united, there's nothing we can't overcome..."
Just then, she suddenly heard someone outside the gate calling: "Is Lin Xia at home?"
Because those past days were indeed too long ago, Lin Xia really couldn't recognize who the voice belonged to!
But Lin Qiu in the kitchen, busy cooking, immediately smiled. Her eyes lit up as she called out loudly: "We're home! Auntie Jin, come inside quickly!"
Auntie Jin?!
Lin Xia remembered this auntie, a warm-hearted neighbor from next door who had taken good care of them more than once.
But back then, because she was of a timid nature, and after being scolded and beaten by Qian Chunli several times, she was afraid of causing trouble for others, so she gradually stopped visiting.
Lin Chun walked outside, and Lin Xia also planned to follow and go out to see, only hearing footsteps and voices getting closer until someone pushed the door and entered.
The first to come in was Auntie Jin!
With short hair brushing past her ears, a wire headband with teeth neatly combed her bangs and stray hair behind her ears; her round face was adorned with a friendly smile. She was dressed in a blue polyester cardigan, a white shirt collar underneath, black trousers, and black cloth shoes.
Surprised to see Lin Chun at the door, she exclaimed: "Oh! Lin Chun, you're not at work today?"
Lin Chun hurriedly responded with a smile: "I was at work! I just came back early for a bit because I was worried about Lin Xia! Auntie Jin, please come in!"
"It really is different with a real brother!" Auntie Jin said as she walked to the edge of the bed, affectionately asking: "Is Lin Xia feeling any better?"
"Auntie Jin! I am much better now! Please, have a seat!" Lin Xia quickly tried to get up.
Auntie Jin laughed and pressed her down: "You're sick; what are you doing getting up? I'll just sit on the edge of the bed!"
Behind her, Lin Qiu and Lin Chun also wore broad smiles.
Lin Chun quickly gave instructions: "Xiaoqiu, pour some water for Auntie Jin!"
"Sure thing!" Xiaoqiu happily complied, nimbly grabbing the flask and cup, pouring the water and smilingly brought it to Auntie Jin: "Auntie Jin! Here's some water for you!"
Auntie Jin called out cheerfully: "Don't fuss! Xiaoqiu, dear child, sit down, and you too, Lin Chun. I just heard Lin Xia was sick, so I came over to check on her!"
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"Alright!" Lin Qiu sat next to Lin Xia.
"Okay! Aunt Jin, have some water!" Lin Chun didn't sit on the kang bedstead; instead, he took a seat on the long bench.
Aunt Jin casually glanced around the room, seeing nothing more than worn and dilapidated furnishings; a look of sympathy flashed in her eyes as she held Lin Xia's hand and said gently, "Lin Xia, your illness yesterday really worried your brothers and sisters.
You need to be more cunning in the future; don't be so honest! When will you kids ever be treated like your own by him? Your dad was just muddled for a moment, not seeing the whole picture!"
To speak of Lin Xia, she was competent, honest, and also quite good-looking, but her luck was not on her side.
Burdened by such a family, things were somewhat better when her mother was still alive; at the very least, she could protect the children a bit.
But once her mother passed away, it wasn't long before Lin Aiguo brought home a widow as his new wife, along with a cumbersome son and daughter.
Worse still, he treated those stepchildren extraordinarily well, while his own flesh and blood from before were subjected to nothing but beatings and beratings!
All the old neighbors from the front street to the back, who didn't quietly criticize Lin Aiguo? How could he be so foolish!
But after all, this was a family matter; as outsiders, they shouldn't intrude and say too much.
Lin Chun listened and nodded in agreement; he thought Aunt Jin made a lot of sense.
Lin Qiu turned her face away and stealthily grimaced, not buying it at all.
Lin Xia nodded silently, knowing deep down that would never happen. The neighbors around them all thought that 'even a tiger doesn't eat its cubs,' and Lin Aiguo was just confused for a moment.
Once he got over it, perhaps he would realize that blood ties were strongest in the end.
But only she, who had experienced it all, knew that Lin Aiguo wasn't confused; he was deliberately feigning ignorance.
Could all of her and her siblings' suffering really be concocted solely by Qian Chunli?
Since childhood, Lin Xia knew that in Lin Aiguo's eyes, they were worth less than the cats and dogs.
An object of disdain, he'd curse with the slightest provocation and beat them at a moment's notice; although fathers of that era were often harsh, her family was truly a unique case!
Aunt Jin realized that her words were not welcome by Lin Xia and Lin Qiu in front of her, though Lin Chun had taken them to heart, silently sighing within.
This wasn't the fault of the two children!
"Since you're all here, I won't beat around the bush! The reason I came today is to tell you something. Your Uncle Jin knows someone at a large factory out of town that's hiring. If you do well, you can become a regular employee, and he thought of sending my son Baoquan there.
Your Uncle Jin and I reckon that Lin Chun is also of the right age, and you kids really do have it tough. It's said that distant relatives are not as good as close neighbors, living beside us; if we can lend a hand, we will!
But Uncle Jin can only help out so much, whether you can ultimately take up this opportunity is not guaranteed! It will all depend on Lin Chun himself!"
After hearing this, Lin Chun hung his head in silence, his feelings torn.
Lin Xia's heart pounded rapidly several times upon hearing this; she finally remembered—it was in her previous life that she had learned of this matter.
But by the time she found out, it was already too late, the moment had well and truly passed.
This time, she had to seize this opportunity at all costs!
If her older brother could go out of town, would that mean he wouldn't die?
Lin Xia was overwhelmed with excitement. She gripped Aunt Jin's hand resting on the kang bedstead tightly, expressing her immense gratitude, "Aunt Jin! Thank you so much! I won't bother with empty words of thanks, but on the day that one of us siblings makes something of ourselves, we will repay your kindness!"
"My brother could become a worker! Aunt Jin! How can you and Uncle Jin be so kind! Even if it doesn't work out, we are still grateful to you both!"
Xiaoqiu was so excited she trembled, barely able to think of the right words of thanks, only able to keep covering her mouth and giggling uncontrollably.