Rebirth Counterattack with Space

Lu Aiguo, Xia Yuan, Shitou, and Lu Yun had a private discussion, and in the end, they decided that there was no need to bring Wu Tan back to Haicheng after the New Year.

For this reason, Lu Aiguo specifically sought out Wu Tan to give him a detailed explanation, and ultimately asked him to temporarily stay and help out at the factory like the others. Once the factory was built and ready to start production, he would be in charge of developing the business in the local village and town. This would also give him some practice, so that he wouldn’t be nervous when it was time for him to handle things on his own.

With a car, there was no shortage of gasoline in Lu Yun’s possession, and Xia Yuan was pregnant, so of course it was more comfortable for them to drive back themselves.

At five o’clock in the morning, Lu Aiguo’s uncle, his wife, Lu Aibing, and Zhang Cai all stood at the doorstep of the second household to see off Lu Aiguo and his group.

Two tricycles were parked at the door, one with a small tent in the back, and the other loaded with their luggage, as well as food supplies, eggs, and other items that Lu Aiguo’s uncle and his wife insisted they take with them.

"Mr. Yang agreed readily to the matter of registering Shitou at school. How could he not agree? He couldn’t very well feel good about asking straight away for goods worth three thousand yuan. Once everything is prepared, even if you’re unwilling to show up, I’ll have to make a big fuss with gongs and drums to deliver it to him," Lu Aiguo’s uncle said while touching his tobacco pipe, ultimately deciding not to light it.

These past days, he had been particularly careful. Whenever Xia Yuan and Lu Yun were around, he would avoid smoking in front of them, or simply put out the cigarette if he couldn’t avoid it.

"As for the educational assistance, there’s no need for me to go door-to-door in such a small place. Once there’s the slightest movement from Mr. Yang’s side, the people from the primary and middle schools will come looking for me on their own. Then, I’ll discuss it with them at my leisure."

"Anyway, you handle these matters. As long as Shitou can take part in the college entrance exams, that’s what matters," said Lu Aiguo. The four of them exchanged glances and laughed, "You all don’t need to send us off; we’ll ride the tricycles to the factory."

"Take it slow on the road, be careful when driving, and don’t forget to send a telegram when you arrive to let us know you’re safe," Lu Aiguo’s aunt said, unable to hide her reluctance to part with them. She still couldn’t give up, adding, "Why don’t I just go with you? Xia Yuan is pregnant, she has to manage the accounting, and also cook meals for you—how can she handle all the work at home?"

"Mom, please don’t worry. There are plenty of people in the village who are several months pregnant and still working the fields, some even giving birth right there. How tired can I get just doing some chores at home?" Xia Yuan firmly shook her head. "I’m quite capable now, and since Aibing and Zhang Cai are going to help out at the factory, how can you leave Dad alone at home for such a long time? When I’m about to give birth and can’t do work, then we’ll bring you over to help."

"Mom, rest assured, Xiaoyun will also help out with the chores at home. Although I’m not good at cooking, I can still manage other things. Besides, Shitou can cook. If need be, we can ask him to help out more. There won’t be too much to do when the four of us work together," Aiguo reassured his aunt. "Just stay here and take good care of my dad, and take care of yourself too. When you have free time, you can make some baby clothes, pants, blankets, diapers, and such. Xia Yuan isn’t skilled in those things, so when your grandson or granddaughter is born, they will be relying on what you’ve made for them to wear and sleep with."

"Xia Yuan is educated and wouldn’t have time for sewing even if she knew how. What’s a few clothing items for a child? I’ll naturally take care of all of it. Since none of you want me to go, I’ll just go there in July," said Lu Aiguo’s aunt, clearly pleased. "In the coming months, please be more mindful of Xia Yuan, especially you, since you’re the oldest. Doing more work won’t take much effort. Shitou still needs to find time to attend tutoring classes, so don’t take advantage of his good nature and make him do everything. Xiaoyun is still young and has to study; don’t let her work too hard. Write home often."

"I’ve got it all down; rest assured," Lu Aiguo said patiently, listening and responding earnestly.

"Hurry and tell the kids to go. Don’t delay their time any further, or they’ll be late for Haicheng." Uncle Lu grabbed Aunt Uncle Lu and stopped her from continuing to speak, waving at Lu Aiguo and the others, "Hurry along, it’s most important to be safe on the road when you’re driving yourself."

Lu Aibing and Zhang Cai also waved, "Bro, sister-in-law, Shitou, Xiaoyun, take care on the way."

Lu Aiguo nodded, instructing Lu Aibing, "Take good care of Mom and Dad at home."

"Mhm." Lu Aibing nodded vigorously. 𝒇𝓻𝓮𝓮𝙬𝙚𝒃𝒏𝓸𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝓬𝓸𝒎

Xia Yuan and Lu Yun got into the tent on the back of the tricycle, and then Lu Aiguo straddled the tricycle and rode off into the distance. Shitou followed closely on another bike.

--

"Finally home." Lu Yun exclaimed with relief as she collapsed onto the sofa.

Returning to Haicheng, Lu Yun directly stored the truck in her own space. They had also made it a point to check the other two houses one by one. Fortunately, the spiritual power seals on the three houses did not show any signs of abnormalities. So once they got home and set the furniture back in place, the four of them could finally relax completely.

"Isn’t our hometown nice?" Lu Aiguo chuckled as he ruffled Lu Yun’s hair.

"It’s nice, but going to the bathroom is awful." Lu Yun crinkled her nose and complained.

The only problem with their hometown was that using the toilet was terribly uncomfortable. Other than their own home, which had a bathroom, every other place, including their grandparents’ house, only had thatched pit latrines. No matter how clean they were made, they couldn’t change the fact that they were just pits over visibly full waste, which was quite nauseating.

"This time, I also felt a bit uncomfortable, and I even felt like throwing up a few times. It seems it’s indeed easy to go from frugality to luxury, but hard to go from luxury to frugality," Xia Yuan said with a laugh.

"That’s because you’re pregnant, so a bit of squeamishness is inevitable. Why didn’t you say anything earlier? Next time I go back, I’ll bring the materials and build a toilet for Mom and Dad at home."

Since both his wife and daughter were dissatisfied, Lu Aiguo naturally had to resolve the issue.

"Anyway, that fertilizer won’t go to waste, it’ll just mean installing an extra pipe to connect to the pit latrine," he said.

"Dad, you’re the best." The corners of Lu Yun’s mouth curved up. When Dad promised something, he always did it at the fastest speed, so the next time they went back to their hometown, they wouldn’t have to hold their noses and endure the pit latrine. After all, from then on, their time would be split evenly between staying in their own house and the second house back home.

After the fifteenth passed, the New Year celebrations were considered over. Taking advantage of the time before school resumed, Lu Yun saw that the elixir for pregnant women in her space was running low, so she informed her parents and Shitou and then secluded herself in her room to concentrate on concocting more.

As for Lu Yun starting to "learn" to make elixirs and her occasional need to "go into seclusion" for a day or two without coming out, the three of them had gradually gotten used to it. In the past, when there were other people around, everyone would help cover up for her.