Lu Feng took Fu Xiaoxiao to the post office. Fu Xiaoxiao blinked, going to the post office to file a report?
"Wait for me, I'm going to make a call to the unit." Lu Feng asked Fu Xiaoxiao to wait for a moment. He took out his officer's ID, and the postal worker immediately invited him to a private phone booth.
Lu Feng dialed the unit's number. The call was transferred by the operator, and he heard a serious voice on the other end.
"Hello, this is Liu Hongjun." Liu Hongjun held the phone with one hand and looked at a report with the other.
"Sir, this is Lu Feng." Lu Feng's voice came through the phone, causing Liu Hongjun to pause and put down the report in his hand.
"Kid, why are you calling me? Is there something important? Have you resolved your personal issues?" Liu Hongjun's lips curled; it was rare to receive a call from Lu Feng.
"I'm working on it, but I've hit a snag and need your help, sir." Lu Feng said seriously.
"Oh? Tell me about it." It was rare to hear Lu Feng asking for help, which piqued Liu Hongjun's interest.
"I've met a suitable marriage partner; her parents are workers... I want to apply for marriage and request special approval from you, sir." Lu Feng detailed Fu Xiaoxiao's information to Liu Hongjun, hoping for expedited processing.
"Why the rush?" Liu Hongjun raised an eyebrow. According to her information, the normal process would only take a few days, and yet he couldn't wait?
"You know my situation; my family really needs someone. I want to bring her back to the unit tomorrow; she's willing to follow me." Lu Feng didn't mention Fu Xiaoxiao's need to go to the countryside, instead taking all the responsibility on himself.
Liu Hongjun was silent for a while. Indeed, Lu Feng's situation was special. His family had two children with no one to look after them—just when someone was needed. Additionally, Lu Feng was about to undertake a special mission, making the situation urgent.
The reason was justified; there was no reason to refuse.
"Alright, I'll have the organization investigate right now. Bring her back to the unit tomorrow!" Liu Hongjun agreed.
"Thank you, sir." Lu Feng smiled slightly as he hung up the phone, eager to share the news with Fu Xiaoxiao.
After hearing what Lu Feng said, Fu Xiaoxiao glanced at him again. A single phone call was all it took? It seemed Lu Feng held a high rank in the unit.
"Alright, I'll go home to get my things, and we'll meet up later?" Fu Xiaoxiao looked at Lu Feng.
"Just rest at home! I'll go buy the tickets for you and visit the Yue Family later." Lu Feng pondered for a bit, realizing he needed to quickly buy something for the Yue Family as a gesture.
Hearing that Lu Feng would visit, Fu Xiaoxiao understood his intention. With his heart set, she naturally wouldn't refuse his goodwill.
After taking Fu Xiaoxiao back to the tube building, Lu Feng quickly left.
Outside the tube building, many aunties were sitting and picking vegetables. Seeing Lu Feng leave quickly, they thought Fu Xiaoxiao had been rejected.
"Xiao Xiao, is that your blind date for today? Why did he leave so quickly?"
"Yeah, today's the last day, right? Won't you be heading to the countryside tomorrow?"
"Getting married in seven days is too rushed, they clearly didn't give you any time to prepare. Poor girl, you have no luck…"
"Once you're in the countryside, watch out for yourself. Don't let those peasant guys push you around."
"…"
The aunties talked among themselves, some mocking, some sympathizing, all doubting Fu Xiaoxiao's situation.
After all, finding a marriage partner in seven days seemed too far-fetched, practically impossible.
"Thanks for your concern." Fu Xiaoxiao wasn't interested in explaining to these gossiping aunties and quickly went upstairs.
"Tsk, what's the point of being pretty if you're still going to the countryside."
Someone spat out sour words at Fu Xiaoxiao's retreating back.
When Fu Xiaoxiao got home, the only one there was her sister, Fu Xiaocui, who didn't even look up when Fu Xiaoxiao entered.
"Sis, I've packed your things for you. I heard the countryside is dirty and smelly, and there are rogues, so be careful. From now on, you're on your own." Fu Xiaocui said smugly.
She enjoyed their parents' favoritism. Whenever she mentioned the countryside's conditions, even before she cried, their mother had already decided to give Fu Xiaoxiao's job to her.
"So, where do I sleep tonight?" Fu Xiaoxiao looked at the bed that had been taken over by Fu Xiaocui and then at her luggage. Over the years, all the clothes the original owner had together couldn't fill a suitcase.
In contrast, her sister couldn't even fit all her clothes in a wardrobe, while she, as the elder sister, had to wear the clothes her sister discarded.
Sometimes she really wondered if she was truly a member of the Fu Family? Why was she treated differently?
Feeling guilty, Fu Xiaocui touched her nose and took out three yuan, handing it to Fu Xiaoxiao. "Sis, why don't you stay at the guesthouse for a night? Anyway, you're leaving tomorrow."
Fu Xiaocui had long not wanted to share a bed with Fu Xiaoxiao.
Coincidentally, Mr. Fu and Mrs. Fu returned at that moment. Seeing Fu Xiaocui giving money to Fu Xiaoxiao, they frowned in disapproval at Fu Xiaoxiao, as if saying she shouldn't take Fu Xiaocui's money.
Fu Xiaoxiao pursed her lips slightly. "My sister suggested I stay at the guesthouse for a night."
"A night at the guesthouse costs a yuan. Why stay there? You're leaving for the countryside tomorrow, just find a seat at the train station for the night." Mrs. Fu immediately took back the three yuan and returned the money to Fu Xiaocui.
Fu Xiaoxiao's lips twitched. Was this really the original owner's mom? She must be adopted.
"Once you're in the countryside, you're on your own. Don't think about returning to the city. There's no place for you here. Find a man there to settle down with." Fu Minghua looked at Fu Xiaoxiao with a seemingly helpless tone.
Her words indirectly meant that Fu Xiaoxiao should not contact the family again in the future. They didn't expect anything from her, and even if she did manage to come back, she shouldn't return home.
The whole family had assumed that Fu Xiaoxiao couldn't possibly find someone to marry within seven days, believing she'd inevitably go to the countryside.
"Don't blame us for being heartless; you've seen how small this place is. We've raised you for twenty years, not asking for anything in return, just don't cause any trouble for the family." Mrs. Fu glanced at Fu Xiaoxiao, speaking indifferently.
From childhood to adulthood, Mrs. Fu had never been close to her.
"Mom, I'm about to go to the countryside, you're not going to prepare anything for me? How will I manage once I'm there?" Apart from a few old clothes, Fu Xiaoxiao had nothing else, and Mrs. Fu intended to send her off to the countryside empty-handed?
Hearing Fu Xiaoxiao's words, Mrs. Fu's eyes turned fierce as she poked Fu Xiaoxiao's forehead. "What do you want? Others go to the countryside with just a bag. You're going to build the country, not to enjoy life! Besides, where would we get spare money? What about the money from your previous job?"
"Mom, didn't I give all my salary to you? If you won't give me anything, then return my salary." Fu Xiaoxiao extended her hand to Mrs. Fu.
When Fu Xiaoxiao asked for money, Mrs. Fu's expression changed drastically, and she pointed at Fu Xiaoxiao, cursing. "You've eaten and worn what's mine for years. Isn't it only right to turn in your salary? How can you even say such a thing!"
"But my brother works too, why doesn't he have to turn in his salary? Plus, the reason I'm going to the countryside is because you gave my job to Xiaocui. Instead of compensating me, you won't even give me my salary, leaving me to go empty-handed. What am I supposed to eat and use there?" Fu Xiaoxiao looked at Mrs. Fu with a hurt expression, her eyes full of accusation. "We're the same children, why are you so biased? Am I really your biological child?"