Chapter 153: Chapter 153: Can They Be Trusted?
"Thank you, Aunt. I... I understand." Lin Pandi departed from the Lin Family, lost in despair.
Gu Nian emerged from the house, silently watching the retreating figure of Lin Pandi.
Suddenly, she felt a surge of anger.
It wasn’t anger at Mrs. Jiang for driving Lin Pandi away, but anger at the era, anger at the lowly status of these girls.
She was lucky; her adoptive parents and brothers treated her well.
But in this world, how many unfortunate yet powerless girls were there, like Lin Pandi?
Lin Pandi was only fifteen!
Mrs. Jiang came over and held Gu Nian’s arm, "Niannian, if Pandi truly doesn’t mind wealth and poverty, finding a soulmate to live with isn’t that difficult. You mustn’t meddle in other people’s business anymore. If you truly feel sorry for her, we can secretly help her a bit, but bringing her back here is out of the question."
If it were a stranger, it would be one thing, but precisely because Lin Pandi was their junior and her parents were still alive, it made the situation even more difficult to manage.
And that deed of sale—if others found out, who knows what they’d say about their family behind their backs!
Gu Nian calmly replied, "I understand, Mother."
Mrs. Jiang thought she’d have to waste more words, not expecting Gu Nian to be so obedient.
"Well, then, go have fun. I’m off to keep busy. Who knows where your third brother and little brother have run off to, playing wildly all day—either climbing trees or jumping in the river..." Mrs. Jiang’s tone of complaint was tinged with a subtle happiness.
Reflecting on life at home, it indeed was as their father had said, ever since adopting Niannian, life had become increasingly better.
Dahu, enjoying a rare day off, wasn’t idle either—he went with Erhu to the town to sell cold jelly, while Lin Sanshui was negotiating a land purchase.
Gu Nian stepped outside; Lin Pandi hadn’t left yet, leaning against the wall outside, staring expressionlessly at the sky.
Gu Nian thought she must be worrying about her future, unsure of what path to take.
She approached and asked, "Pandi, are you planning to go home, or... find a temporary place to stay?"
Mrs. Jiang gave her some copper coins. With the countryside having cheap living expenses, finding a place to stay for a few days shouldn’t be difficult.
As for Mrs. Jiang’s suggestion for her to marry, perhaps due to differing views, Gu Nian still found it unreliable.
If one couldn’t rely on their own family, could they really rely on an entirely unfamiliar man?
Lin Pandi smiled and said, "I’m planning to go to Zhu Sangu; she should be able to take me in for a few days."
Upon hearing this, Gu Nian realized that she truly intended to get married.
But it was understandable; a girl not daring to return home, in a world unlike the modern one where finding a job was possible, making a living was indeed a significant issue.
Even if she could temporarily support her, she couldn’t support her for a lifetime.
Thinking about it, Gu Nian said, "It would do to manage at Zhu Sangu’s for a few days. I’ve already talked to my father; we’re planning to buy some land to raise chickens and ducks, and we’ll definitely need help. If you still have nowhere to go by then, you can come help me, and I’ll pay you wages."
In her most helpless and difficult moment, having someone willing to care for her was undoubtedly the greatest comfort for Lin Pandi.
"Alright, then I thank you in advance, sister." In fact, despite saying so, Lin Pandi didn’t really take it to heart.
Buying land and raising chickens wasn’t a small affair. No matter how much Gu Nian was cherished, she was still just an adopted daughter. The Lin Family might want to spoil her, but they might not be willing to spend that much money on her.