As expected by the Lian Manman family, Luo Xiaoyan’s request prompted the imdiate family to gather around and discuss the matter.
"Mom, did she ntion what kind of job she’s looking for?" Wu Lang asked Lady Zhang.
"I asked her what her brother could do, and she told her brother could do anything. As long as he can earn so money, any kind of job is fine." Lady Zhang replied.
"If that’s the case, it’s quite manageable." Lian Manman nodded. Luo Xiaoyan wasn’t picky, which slightly increased Lian Manman’s fondness for her, believing this was the attitude of soone genuinely wanting to be self-reliant and improve their life. In her past life, she had encountered so people who asked for help finding jobs, so of whom left her speechless with unrealistic and nurous demands, as if the person hiring them wasn’t hiring workers but hiring them as masters.
"Yeah, she also ntioned a couple more things later." Lady Zhang paused and then continued, "She said her brother was just in his teens, not as robust as Erlang. She repeated this two or three tis, looking very apologetic."
"It’s about caring for her brother and hoping to find a lighter job." Lian Shouxin said, "When she ca to find a job for Erlang, she didn’t say this."
Lian Shouxin seed sowhat displeased, feeling that Luo Xiaoyan was more concerned about her brother than her husband, Erlang.
So what should we do, help or not?
"Let’s give it a try." Lian Manman said.
They had interacted with Luo Xiaoyan a few tis and had so understanding of her, but their knowledge of Luo Xiaoying remained at a re acquaintance level. It was still uncertain what kind of person Luo Xiaoying was and whether he was soone who could be supported.
"That kid, her brother, seems a bit... delicate to . His fra does look rather flimsy." Lady Zhang said.
"I also don’t find him as capable as his sister." Lian Shouxin said.
"Mom, what about Luo Xiaoque then?" Lian Manman asked Lady Zhang. Luo Xiaoque was Luo Xiaoyan’s sister, fourteen years old, a year older than Lian Manman.
"She seems a bit delicate too." Lady Zhang said, "Both siblings aren’t as capable as their sister in handling work."
"I’ve also heard from Xiao Qing that despite the Luo family’s situation, Luo Xiaoying and Luo Xiaoque at ho don’t do much heavy work. Sotis, when their parents are feeling slightly better, they follow Luo Xiaoyan to the fields, mostly bringing Luo Xiaoying, while Luo Xiaoque doesn’t go. Even if Luo Xiaoying goes to the fields, their parents and Luo Xiaoyan are reluctant to let him do more work."
"The family seems quite harmonious. Many people in Luo Family Village don’t think well of them because they spoil Luo Xiaoying and Luo Xiaoque too much. Neither of them can handle field work." Lian Manman added.
"This is what they call ’delicate children in a poor family.’" Lian Shouxin said.
Here, ’delicate children’ doesn’t an they’re highly favored by fate, but rather they’re pampered. Families in poverty sotis love their children even more, unwilling to let them endure any hardship. This is rare for tenant farming families, but is quite common in small urban households.
In tenant farming families, for example, the Lian family, the Lian Manman siblings started working from a young age. From initially serving tea and water, sweeping the floor, assisting adults in chores, running errands, to eventually joining adults in foraging for wild vegetables, they started working in the fields with Lian Shouxin and Lady Zhang at five or six years old.
Other tenant farming families might vary slightly, but the general situation was similar.
Tenant farrs mostly value diligence and capability as virtues. The Luo family’s impoverished and sickly condition, yet insisting on pampering Luo Xiaoying and Luo Xiaoque, naturally drew disdain.
The burden on Luo Xiaoyan was due to not only her parents’ illness but also because Luo Xiaoying and Luo Xiaoque couldn’t handle field work.
"What’s with ’couldn’t handle’? It simply ans unwilling. Honestly, they just don’t want to do it." Lian Shouxin said.
Having seen certain examples in the old residence, the Lian Manman family deeply understood such matters.
"Erlang, poor man!" Lian Shouxin sighed again.
Lian Shouxin didn’t appreciate the Luo family’s way of doing things. Lian Manman also preferred down-to-earth and capable people.
"However, that family treats Erlang and Er Niuniu quite well. From what I’ve seen, it doesn’t seem fake." Lady Zhang thought for a mont and said.
In this world, it’s difficult to find perfect people or things. Lian Manman didn’t expect everyone to grow according to her ideal mold. Given the situation, Lian Manman still decided to give Luo Xiaoyan and Luo Xiaoying a chance.
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