Free Web NovelChapter 421: Chapter 419: Coaxing Someone
Gu’er truly hadn’t expected Lin Sui’er to say that. She thought Sui’er didn’t want to study anymore and was just asking her to break the news.
She fixed her gaze on Sui’er. At first, Sui’er was a little flustered, but she gradually calmed down, sitting up straight and letting Gu’er study her. The look in her eyes was clear and focused.
Gu’er knew this wasn’t just a whim; Sui’er must have truly thought it through.
Sui’er used to hate school so much. Their father, Lin Shan, had swallowed his pride and pulled some strings to get her into a school, but all Sui’er could think about was how to get out, how to leave. But now, she wanted to study and get into university. This was a huge change, especially since getting into university was no simple matter these days, and Sui’er had already wasted so much time.
"As long as you put your heart into it, it’s never too late. Even if you don’t get into university, you won’t have any regrets as long as you’ve tried your best. If you really have the will and the perseverance for this, leave the matter of changing schools to me. I’ll handle it. Dad isn’t in the city right now, so it would be difficult for him anyway. I’ll have your brother-in-law and Li Zhi take care of it; they should be able to find someone. But, Sui’er, debts of gratitude are the hardest to repay. Pulling strings will mean owing someone a favor, so you need to think this through. This can’t be just a fleeting passion. Otherwise, if you need help with anything in the future, no one will be willing to help you."
Gu’er spoke to Sui’er seriously. These things had to be made clear.
"Sis, don’t worry. I’ve been thinking about this for a long time. I won’t give up halfway. Just like you said, as long as I try my best, I won’t have any regrets. I won’t let you, my brother-in-law, and Brother Li Zhi cash in favors for me for nothing. I will definitely study hard."
Lin Sui’er nodded solemnly.
"Good. That’s all I needed to hear."
Gu’er felt relieved.
"How come Mary isn’t here with you?"
Now that the serious business was over, Sui’er relaxed too. She knew her sister would support her.
"She went out with Dingzi. They’re not home."
Gu’er knew this because Marina had come over in the morning.
"What are they doing out on a hot day like this?"
Sui’er was a little confused. If she hadn’t needed to talk to Gu’er, she wouldn’t have been running around under the blazing sun either. It was just too hot.
"Do you remember all the army buddies who came for Dingzi’s wedding?"
Gu’er asked Sui’er.
"Of course I remember. Dad drank so much, and Mom nagged him endlessly when he got home. I got a headache just listening to her. But seeing all those soldiers was really impressive. I was even thinking back then that it would be great to marry a soldier. I kind of want to find one for myself."
Sui’er’s face lit up as she spoke.
"Shameless."
Gu’er gave her a look and tapped her own cheek.
"You’re my sister, so what’s wrong with me telling you? Just don’t tell Mom, okay? She won’t let me date a soldier. She says their life is too hard."
Lin Sui’er urged Gu’er.
"Don’t worry. I have better things to do than tattle on you."
Gu’er then continued, "A lot of Dingzi’s army buddies came last time. Most of them have been discharged from the military now. Some were assigned jobs back in their hometowns, and some found work on their own, but others couldn’t find anything suitable and were struggling just to get by. Two or three of them were in especially difficult situations; they even had to borrow money for the travel fare to get here. When Li Zhi found out, he asked if they’d be willing to come here to try and make a life for themselves. He said that, if nothing else, they were all comrades, and he could at least look out for them. The pay wouldn’t be bad, either. A few of them were tempted at the time, but this place is just too far from their hometowns, so they said they’d think it over and talk with their families. Well, one of them came today. He has several brothers, none of whom are married, and his family is even struggling to put food on the table. He talked to his parents, and they agreed to let him come. They have plenty of other children, so they don’t need him to support them in their old age. They said if he does well, he can even help out his brothers. So he called Dingzi and said he’s decided to build his future here. He arrived today, so Dingzi and Marina went to pick him up."
Gu’er recounted the whole story. In truth, when Dingzi and Li Zhi were seeing those men off, several of them had been tempted to stay. None of them had expected Dingzi to be doing so well for himself now.
Dingzi and Li Zhi thought it was a good idea, too. When a comrade falls on hard times, it’s only right to lend a hand.
"One person is easy enough to arrange for, but what if more of them come? How will you place them? Doesn’t the mall have enough staff already? If you just pay them a salary to do nothing, they’ll start to feel uneasy about it after a while, right?"
Sui’er asked Gu’er.
"Look at you, using your brain."
Gu’er looked at Sui’er, surprised that her sister had even considered these things.
