The Reborn Sidekick Rejected The Male Lead

Lu Jingqiu's family was set to depart early in the morning, and right now they were busy moving luggage to the car; her aunt had also taken a leave of absence to see them off.

Pushing the cart, she came to the courtyard entrance and saw Lu Jingqiu moving luggage into the car. "Qiuqiu, are you all ready?"

"Auntie, everything's packed, we're about to leave." As she finished speaking, she turned her head and saw Zhang Miao following behind her aunt.

Zhou Lanqin hastily introduced her, "I just passed by the main gate and saw this comrade inquiring after you. She said she's from the children's publishing house. Didn't you take an exam at their place? Look, I've brought her in."

"Editor Zhang."

"Hello, Comrade Lu Jingqiu, I have some good news to inform you about today."

At that moment, Zhou Lanping came out and asked, "Could it be that my Qiuqiu has been recruited again?"

Zhang Miao shook her head with a smile. Lu Jingqiu saw this and quickly said, "Let's go inside and talk."

Zhou Lanping said, "Qiuqiu, take good care of this comrade. I'll chat with your aunt outside."

"Okay," Lu Jingqiu led Zhang Miao into the house and served her a glass of water.

After saying thanks, Zhang Miao gave the room a quick scan. She hadn't expected Lu Jingqiu's family situation to be so good, and furthermore, located within the military region compound.

"Comrade Lu, do you still remember the drawing you did for a children's song during the exam?"

Lu Jingqiu nodded her head.

Zhang Miao continued, "That children's song was written by Master Qin from the People's Publishing House. Now we want to compile it, and Master Qin really liked your fine illustration. My visit today is to ask your opinion on this."

This unexpected surprise left Lu Jingqiu somewhat shocked, she blinked her eyes excitedly, not even knowing how to begin speaking.

Seeing her hesitant, Zhang Miao quickly added in fear that she might have concerns, "Under normal circumstances, when we requisition an illustrator's drawings, there's a fee involved, from one to five yuan per illustration. Our chief editor saw your drawing yesterday and immediately reported it to the leadership; our publishing house is willing to offer two yuan.

If you find it agreeable, we can sign an agreement."

Lu Jingqiu silently revealed a bright smile and immediately nodded her head, excited since this was the first time in both her lives that her drawings were requisitioned; she couldn't miss this opportunity, "It's appropriate, it's my honor that Master Qin appreciates my drawing. Is there anything I should change?"

Zhang Miao relaxed a lot seeing her agree so readily, "No need, it's quite good as it is. I see that you are about to go on a long journey."

"Yes, off to Capital City for a trip, we'll be back in a few days."

Zhang Miao didn't probe further, took out the standard agreement they normally used—two copies. The fee needed to be processed through finance, and since Lu Jingqiu was in a hurry, they agreed that she would come to the publishing house to get it upon her return.

After sending off Zhang Miao, her mother and aunt asked what the visit was about. When Lu Jingqiu explained, the two were overjoyed.

Lu Xianrun returned from outside with some extra things and curiously asked, "What's so exciting?"

Zhou Lanqin said with a smile, "Qiuqiu has done well; the publishing house liked her drawing and bought it."

Lu Xianrun smiled, "Is that so? Good news, good news. How much did they give you?"

Lu Jingqiu said with a proud smile, "Two yuan."

Such good news before departure also brought a great mood for the whole family.

Throughout the journey, Zhou Lanping exhibited no discomfort, sitting with her daughter in the back, enjoying the scenery along the way.

There were car stop stations along the route where they could eat and rest. Most often, her father would stop at towns along the way, finding a hotel to rest for a day or a half, and if there was beautiful scenery, they'd take some time to enjoy it.

It was the seventh day when they arrived in Capital City. Her intention and her father's was first to take their mother to the hospital, but she disagreed and chose to visit some of the oldest sights first before proceeding with the hospital checkup—big city, big hospital, excellent medical skills, but also many patients.

Luckily, her father's unit had already arranged for their beds in advance. She and her father spent a whole day with her mother doing examinations, and there was another checkup to do the next day, mainly because the results took a while to come back.

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In the evening, the three of them had dinner in the hospital's cafeteria. Dad suggested that they pay a visit to a few old leaders, "I haven't been to Capital City for two or three years. Now that I'm here, I should at least pay a visit."

Zhou Lanping nodded, "I remember the general used to take special care of you. Now that you're here, of course you should go see him. I won't join you this time, let Qiuqiu accompany you."

Lu Xianrun said, "Let Qiuqiu accompany you. I'll be back after sitting for a while."

"Dad, be careful on the way, and go straight to the guest house after you come back. I'll stay with Mom tonight." Her mom's condition had worsened these past few days, constantly feeling nauseous, and most of the food she ate was thrown up. She couldn't be left alone.

Zhou Lanping said, "Right, there are no injections tonight, and Qiuqiu and I can squeeze into one bed. You really haven't had a good rest recently."

Seeing his wife's health decline day by day, how could he sleep, sigh.

...

Jiang Nanzhou had returned home several days after her graduation, and today she specifically went to see her mother. She stayed for dinner at her mother's insistence and came back a little late.

As soon as she entered the house, she heard Grandpa's voice, "You're back, how is your mom?"

Jiang Nanzhou closed the door while responding, "She's doing fairly well. She asked me to make a trip to Ten-miles Village." It was only after she turned her head that she noticed there was a visitor at home, and her motion paused.

Grandpa Jiang quickly introduced, "This is Lu Xianrun from West City Military Region. He's Uncle Lu, and he was once comrades-in-arms with your father."

"Uncle Lu."

Lu Xianrun looked at the young man, and memories of his good friend came flooding back. The resemblance in the contours of their faces and temperaments was striking. Even the furrowing of the brows and the look of worry and concern were so similar. But this young man seemed even more handsome than his old friend, with spirited brows and eyes, shining with a bright and upright radiance.

He remarked, "You are truly Shuhuai's son. I saw you when you were little, but you probably don't remember. In the blink of an eye, you've grown up into a fine young man."

Grandpa Jiang teased on the side, "What fine young man? He's over twenty and still without a partner. It worries me so much that I can't eat. That's why I had his mother talk to him about it."

Jiang Nanzhou, somewhat embarrassed by the conversation, still politely asked Lu Xianrun to sit down.

Lu Xianrun praised with a smile, "At this age, the child is in his prime. If there's no suitable partner, there's no need to rush. I just heard you say you were going to Ten-miles Village, is it the one in North Town?"

Jiang Nanzhou replied, "Yes, I'm going to visit my younger brother."

"What a coincidence, my daughter is also a sent-down youth there. She came back for a visit a while ago, but can't return now due to her mother's situation. I've prepared a caregiver's certification for her and was just about to mail it over."

Grandpa Jiang commented, "The mail takes about a week, right? Since it's such a coincidence, let Nanzhou take it over for you."

Jiang Nanzhou also nodded and said, "Uncle Lu, if you're willing, I can take it for you. My train leaves tomorrow afternoon."

Lu Xianrun had the same intention in mind. With such a coincidence, naturally they should do whatever was most convenient, and he wouldn't stand on ceremony with this younger man.

Master Jiang had already retired and was now living in a courtyard house for the elderly, with only a grandson by his side, but he was still quite healthy. Nanzhou had been in the military for years, but the army recommended her for junior college two years ago. She had just graduated this year and was given a month's leave. After the holiday, she would have to report back to the army.

Lu Xianrun spent half the night chatting with Master Jiang and his grandson before leaving. When he returned to the hospital, he found his daughter accompanying his daughter-in-law, who was throwing up in the water room.

Zhou Lanping had undergone many tests during the day and was exhausted and weak, especially with little food intake, her immunity worsened. She said her body couldn't take it.

The father and daughter, accompanying the daughter-in-law, felt both heartache and helplessness. All they could do now was wait for the hospital's results and treatment plan.

Zhou Lanping and Lu Jingqiu had almost not slept the entire night. As dawn approached, Lanping's condition improved slightly, and she fell into a deep sleep on the hospital bed, while Jingqiu, without having breakfast, lay in front of the bed, keeping watch over her mother.

Though Lu Xianrun had hardly slept all night, he couldn't afford to be groggy now. He went to work at the hospital, busy with collecting test reports.

Jiang Nanzhou, carrying fruit, inquired with the nurse and learned the room number. Just as he arrived at the door, he encountered Lu Xianrun returning with the test reports.

"Uncle Lu."

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