You need to raise your pet using a system [Era]

Chapter 148 Lu Mingxi's Thoughts

"Third Uncle, I think you're right. I'm still young and haven't even fully understood the outside world yet, so I'm easily attracted to things I've never seen before. So I'm trying to stay calm and not be easily swayed by small gains. I need to study hard and enrich myself."

"Of course, while enriching myself, I still value interpersonal relationships very much."

“I think interpersonal relationships are very important. The people I meet at school will become my connections in the future, which is why I don’t cut off relationships with them directly.”

"Only an idiot would give up such a good opportunity! Uncle, you don't know, there are very few students like Xiaxia and me in the school. We came from the countryside with great difficulty to get in, but most of the other students are locals from the city. Their families are all workers, and their conditions are really good. I never imagined that I would be able to meet people like that!"

"Those three you just saw, remember the one with glasses? His father is the manager of a textile factory. Just look at the families of our classmates!"

"I can't let such a powerful network slip by. Maybe it will even help me get a good job after Xiaxia and I graduate!"

"..."

Lu Yuanqing listened to Lu Mingxi's words with a slight ringing in his ears, each word as if opening a new world for him about her.

He subconsciously recalled that just yesterday, he had acted superior and instructive to Lu Yuanbo, a newbie in the workplace.

He felt that although his working hours were short, he lived in an information-saturated future. Although he wasn't the smartest person, he could still teach his children thanks to his prophetic abilities.

He even fantasized that, with his guidance, as long as they lived peacefully for the next ten years, the Lu family would surely rise to a level that would shake the entire Shihua Village.

Even the most clueless person, like Lu Mingnan, who has absolutely no talent for studying, has had his future planned out, at least ensuring he'll be well-fed and clothed and won't have to worry about money in the future.

But fortunes change, and today it's his niece's turn to teach him!

Although Lu Mingxi's words were morally questionable, they were indeed realistic.

Yes! China is a country that values ​​personal connections, and in many cases, personal relationships are more important than ability.

But Lu Yuanqing is a typical Gen Z. He understands the principles, but he thinks about overturning the rules and reforming the workplace all the time.

But can rules be overturned so easily?

Lu Yuanqing even reflected on it for a moment.

Isn't he a little too relaxed?

Yes, he suddenly arrived in the 1960s from the 21st century. Although he complained about the poverty of that time, he always acted casually in his daily life.

He believed himself to be knowledgeable, to understand history, and to be infallible.

He felt that he was standing on the shoulders of many successful people.

Therefore, he never felt there would be any problems with what he did; he was confident that as long as he did it, he would succeed.

He relied on his prophet.

But today, he seemed to have learned a lesson from Lu Mingxi.

Lu Mingxi used his own experience to tell him that he didn't need to be so proud, he couldn't be so proud. Some people are born with certain talents, which are not something that someone like him can learn.

He would rely on his prophecy and disdain to lower himself to maintain any personal connections. He firmly believed that with his understanding of history, he could raise his children well and perhaps even establish a Lu family empire.

Lu Mingxi's emphasis on connections is something she has mastered without any formal instruction, even at a young age. While everyone else is looking down on her for not maintaining a proper distance from the opposite sex, she doesn't care about such strange looks at all. Compared to other people's gossip, she values ​​whether the opposite sex who pursue her can bring her benefits in the future!

Moreover, while everyone believes that men and women must maintain distance from each other except for romantic partners and friends, she was able to continue her relationship with a guy who pursued her but failed to win him over.

They get along quite well!

That... I guess you could call it a skill!

While Lu Yuanqing was still thinking about the idea that "if I don't agree, we can't be friends," Lu Mingxi was already treating all his suitors as connections!

Lu Yuanqing felt completely stunned after hearing Lu Mingxi's point of view!

There was a girl who, in his eyes, was still a little girl whose future was uncertain, but in ways he didn't know, had already grown up and her thoughts, though they contradicted his views, were already mature!

"Xiao west, the way people interact..." Lu Yuanqing wanted to say something, but the shock was too great and his mind was still not clear. All the grand principles and inspirational quotes he had seen before could not be remembered at this moment.

Lu Mingxi smiled at him, a smile that was both playful and sincere towards an elder, completely unlike the person who had just uttered those earth-shattering remarks.

"Third Uncle, I know. I've always remembered what you told me. You said, 'Relationships between people require sincerity.' Don't worry, I'll always remember that."

“I know that in your hearts, you think my behavior is wrong. When someone pursues you, you don’t accept them, but you still want to be friends with them. Even when you are friends, you have ulterior motives, thinking that their family is good and they might be able to help you in the future.”

"To do something with impure motives is not to be sincere!"

"But Uncle, you have to believe me. I've always remembered what you told me. Although I do have ulterior motives, and you could even call me opportunistic, I only try to get close to people when I see they have value. I treat people well and won't waste my time on those who have no value!"

“I admit that. That’s just how I am. Apart from family, I only befriend people based on their circumstances. If I see that someone can’t help me, I really don’t want to be friends with them. You might think that’s wrong, but I don’t think so!”

“I did have ulterior motives, but during my time with them, I always remembered what you said: only by giving your heart can you receive a heart in return. I will give my heart, and I am genuinely good to them. I have never refused to help them when I could. I believe I have done very well, so I have no guilty conscience!”

Indeed, the older Lu Mingxi got, the more she read, and the more she understood, the more she realized her own personality. She was unapproachable, materialistic, and calculating. She was unwilling to do anything that didn't benefit her, and she would never let herself suffer a loss.

Perhaps in this world, apart from Lu Yuanqing and his family, plus Cheng Xia, no one else can win her sincere heart without any ulterior motives.

She is very aware of her own state. When she meets someone she knows, whether they have pursued her or are just acquaintances, she will judge their value in her mind the moment she sees them.

She'll put in the effort if the value is high; otherwise, she won't.

But whatever her purpose, she gave her heart, so she didn't feel she had done anything wrong.

However, Lu Mingxi didn't think there was anything wrong with her. She liked her way of doing things, but she couldn't fool herself. She didn't care how others would evaluate her, but she cared a lot about Lu Yuanqing's opinion of her.

Lu Yuanqing held a special place in her heart.

Why was she afraid? It was because she was afraid that Lu Yuanqing would treat her like an outsider, and that she would be sad.

"Why are you thinking so far ahead?" Lu Yuanqing asked curiously.

He didn't have the same fear that Lu Mingxi had, and instead questioned her behavior.

Lu Mingxi gave him a big smile. "That's what I'm thinking! I want to be a worker, I want to have a job, so after I came to the city to study, I looked into this kind of thing. I learned that although we will be assigned jobs after graduation, there is no good or bad job, but there is an easy or tiring job. I definitely want to be assigned a good job!"

"There's a huge difference between working in an office and constantly toiling in a factory!"

Lu Yuanbo: "..." These words sound so familiar!

Why couldn't he understand when his third brother told him these things, but now his third brother hasn't said these things to Xiao west, yet Xiao west can say them herself?

“Some classmates even have to wait a long time to get a job after graduation. I immediately thought that Xiaxia and I must not be unable to get a job after graduation. Xiaxia and I are girls, so we must get a job that is easy, hassle-free, and pays well!”

"So, after learning that some of my classmates came from well-off families and might be able to help us, I started trying to get along well with them! If we get along well, they might be able to help me after graduation!"

Lu Mingxi has now given up all hope and no longer tries to maintain a positive image in front of Lu Yuanqing.

She figured it out. Since she had already been caught twice by Lu Yuanqing, to prevent being caught again in the future, she decided to just show her true colors!

That's right, she laid her cards on the table. She stopped pretending. She is who she is, no longer putting on the facade of a good girl.

She is just like this, she is satisfied with herself, and she doesn't think there's anything wrong with it.

Her third uncle is no ordinary person; he doesn't view her through the lens of the general public.

Lu Yuanqing indeed didn't know how, but he couldn't help feeling a little sad.

I originally thought I had raised a well-behaved little girl, the kind who wears princess dresses, is exquisitely dressed, and looks like she needs to be pampered.

Now they've gone astray in raising them.

Uh!

It might be because her genes are too strong, not because of him!

"Well, making friends is fine, but if all your future friends are people who used to pursue you, wouldn't that be a problem?" Lu Yuanqing asked calmly.

Having heard so much, he had nothing left to say, especially regarding Lu Mingxi's way of doing things.

Clearly, although Lu Mingxi is still young, he already has his own understanding of how to do things.

He understands and respects this; as long as there are bottom lines, there's nothing else to worry about.

However, he didn't understand the friends Lu Mingxi associated with. Didn't he understand men?

Although he can only be described as a boy now.

The girl I like doesn't accept my advances and treats me normally. Uh, I hope she's not a psychopath.

Hearing Lu Yuanqing's words, Lu Mingxi smiled happily, with a few tears welling up in the corners of his eyes.

She knew that her third uncle was no ordinary person; he wouldn't scold her for doing something wrong, much less look at her with contempt.

"Don't worry, Uncle, I know my limits. Besides, I still have Xiaxia! I won't consider being friends with someone she doesn't like."

Cheng Xia is steady and more perceptive than Lu Mingxi; she always has a clear understanding of people.

She would stop Lu Mingxi if he was someone who would get angry or had character flaws.

Lu Mingxi listened to her again!

Lu Yuanqing nodded upon hearing this; he trusted Cheng Xia.

In this light, what should have been an accountability meeting has now turned into a point of contention!

"It's almost lunchtime. Go back to school and call Cheng Xia. I'll take you out for a meal!" Lu Yuanqing couldn't come up with any grand principles, and for the time being, he didn't have anything to say to Lu Mingxi, so he simply instructed her to go back and call people.

"Okay!" Lu Mingxi replied cheerfully, and then skipped back to the dormitory building to find Cheng Xia with a smile.

Lu Yuanqing and Lu Yuanbo watched her walk away.

Once they were out of sight, Lu Yuanbo, who had been quiet all along, finally spoke, "Brother, Xiao west, she..."

He didn't know what words to use to describe it. After hesitating for a moment, he said, "Are we just going to ignore her? Just let her do whatever she wants?"

"You think she's acting recklessly?" Lu Yuanqing raised an eyebrow at him.

"Isn't this just reckless behavior?" Lu Yuanbo raised his voice. "She's so unapproachable with other guys, acting like one of the buddies. If people see this, how will she ever date anyone again?"

Lu Yuanbo could almost picture how the village women would talk about Lu Mingxi, and they might even spread rumors about him.

Lu Mingxi's reputation will definitely be affected then, and who would dare to come to her door to propose marriage?

After all, they trusted Xiaoxi's character; they believed she wouldn't mess around with people, but others wouldn't.

Seeing her being so close to so many boys, people are bound to make wild guesses.

"So how do you plan to manage her?" Lu Yuanqing asked with a smile, ignoring Lu Yuanbo's worries.

What he really wanted to say was, if Lu Yuanbo wants to intervene, will Lu Mingxi listen?

Lu Yuanbo was annoyed by his nonchalant attitude. "Brother, don't take this lightly. A girl's reputation is very important. What if those old ladies in the village find out? Will Xiaoxi still be able to get married?"

"Even if Xiaoxi doesn't listen to me, she listens to you. Tell her to stay away from those boys and keep her distance, and she'll definitely agree!"

"Xiao west and them are just friends!" Lu Yuanqing ignored his exasperation and calmly stated the facts.

“Then she can make friends with girls! Boys play with boys, and girls play with girls, isn’t that good?” Lu Yuanbo retorted.

"Besides, aren't she and Cheng Xia friends? Why is she getting along so well with other people?"

Lu Yuanqing squatted on a rock to rest his tired feet. No matter how anxious Lu Yuanbo was, he remained calm and composed.

"Uh, fourth brother, let me remind you of something. The mountains are high and the emperor is far away. We'll be going back in a few days, and Xiao west will still be studying here. We can't reach her all the time. We can only manage her for a while, not forever!"

Lu Yuanbo was stunned by his nonchalant statement. "So, just because it's far away, you're not going to care?"

How could my third brother say such irresponsible things?

“It’s not that we’re ignoring it!” Lu Yuanqing changed his squatting position and continued, “We definitely need to intervene if things are done incorrectly.”

If you're really wrong, you should beat the one who listens.

Huh, why does he like corporal punishment now?

Lu Yuanqing clicked his tongue twice, silently reminding himself that scientific education is important and one shouldn't resort to violence indiscriminately!

“Then she’s doing something wrong!” Lu Yuanbo retorted.

Intervention is needed now!

Lu Yuanqing saw Lu Mingxi and Cheng Xia walking towards them hand in hand from afar, smiled, and said, "Fourth brother, think carefully about what Xiaoxi said today. Once you find something wrong, tell me, and I'll take care of it!"

"Is this alright now?"