Fired
Two days before school started, Lu Ning bought some study materials and went to the library, and she brought Lu Jingzhi along.
At the same time, she also brought some textbooks and test papers for the first to sixth grades of elementary school; she wanted to see how good Lu Jingzhi was in this aspect.
Given his situation, it was definitely not suitable for him to continue staying in the kindergarten pretending not to know anything. And, if she wanted to speak with the teacher, she had to know which grade he would be most comfortable in.
The two of them came out from the library with a stack of books, and bumped into someone head on. The books in Lu Jingzhi’s arms scattered all over the ground.
“I’m sorry, I’m sorry. Child, are you okay?”
Lu Ning quickly put the books aside to check if Lu Jingzhi was hurt.
“I’m fine.”
The person who bumped into them was a middle-aged woman. When she helped pick up the books, she only moved her left hand and hid her right hand in her sleeve.
This behavior looked familiar. Lu Ning could not help but look up at her face.
She called out with uncertainty, “Auntie Hong?”
Auntie Hong was startled. She looked up and saw Lu Ning’s face.
Tears streamed down her face. “Miss…”
…
The three of them found a place at the milk tea shop near the library.
Auntie Hong calmed down a bit and looked at Lu Jingzhi.
“Auntie Hong, this is my younger brother, Jingzhi.”
Lu Jingzhi greeted her politely, “Hello, Auntie.”
Auntie Hong wiped her tears and smiled. “Hello, hello.”
“Miss, how are you?”
Lu Ning looked at her and reached for her hand. “I’m doing well, Dad and Mom are especially good to me. Don’t worry about me.
“What are you doing here now? Did something happen?”
Auntie Hong’s eyes reddened once more.
“I’m… I’m fine, Miss. I just missed you so much that I’m a little worked up.”
She believed that the Lu family was in dire straits and did not want to cause trouble for Lu Ning.
Lu Ning frowned and looked at her. She was unwilling to say it, but she could more or less tell what happened from her behavior.
Lu Ning guessed. “Auntie Hong, were you fired from the family?”
Auntie Hong was taken aback. She suddenly looked up at Lu Ning, panicking a bit.
It was obvious that she had guessed correctly.
Lu Ning’s frown deepened.
Auntie Hong was a servant of the Lù family, and had been working in the Lù family for more than ten years. She had also taken care of Lu Ning since she was young. Although she only had one hand, it did not affect her ability to work at all; in fact, she did many things better than those who had both hands.
Lu Ning grew up under her care and had deep affection for her.
She’s also in charge of many matters in the Lù family. How could they simply fire her like that?
Auntie Hong still wanted to hide it. “No, Miss, it’s nothing…”
Lu Ning threw her a sharp glance. “Then why are you here now?”
Aunty Hong’s eyes flickered. “The hospital… I wanted to go to the hospital to see Cai’er.”
Hearing this, Lu Ning was even more determined to press her for answers.
“Didn’t Cai’er get better? Why is she at the hospital again?”
Auntie Hong had a daughter called Cai’er who had leukemia. After she came to work for the Lù family, the remuneration she received was far more substantial, and her concerns about Cai’er’s medical fees were a thing of the past. After so many years of consistent treatment, her condition had improved a lot.
Auntie Hong was a poor liar; she immediately panicked. “No, no, that isn’t…”
She was incoherent and was not even sure what she was saying.
Lu Ning looked at her and solemnly asked, “Auntie Hong, tell me the truth. What exactly happened? If you don’t tell me, I will ask the Lù family directly!”
Auntie Hong panicked. She knew that Lu Ning was now viewed as a disgrace by the Lù family. If she went there, she would be mistreated by them.
“No, don’t go, don’t go.”