Chapter 273: “what The Hell”
When the wedding day arrived, no wedding gifts were received from Third Brother’s family, leaving Gu Xing’er very frustrated.
Thinking that she was about to marry into the city, she put the matter behind her.
Hmph, even without relying on Gu Chenghuai, she could still live a good life, Gu Xing’er thought to herself.
The reason the Zhang Family agreed to the marriage so quickly and was willing to give a not insignificant betrothal gifts was because they heard that Gu Xing’er had a promising Third Brother and Third Sister-in-law, and her schooling had been funded by her Third Brother…
Who would have thought that for her wedding, not a single person from the third branch showed up.
In this situation, how could they not realize they’d been fooled!
The Zhang Family’s faces were pulled long.
Especially Zhang Xuejun, who felt very dissatisfied inside, his smile forced.
“You tricked me?” He leaned slightly toward her, his mouth close to Gu Xing’er’s ear, his tone displeased.
Gu Xing’er looked puzzled, “What do you mean? How did I trick you?”
“Where’s your Third Brother?” Zhang Xuejun’s expression was suspicious, “Didn’t you say you were your Third Brother’s favorite younger sister? Why didn’t your Third Brother’s family come?”
This matter.
Gu Xing’er said nonchalantly: “If they don’t come, they don’t come. I’ve already cut ties with those two biased people!”
Zhang Xuejun’s steps halted, his calculating eyes showing shock, looking at Gu Xing’er like she was a fool.
“Cut… ties… already?” he asked word by word.
“Yeah.” Gu Xing’er said.
Zhang Xuejun nearly cried from how stupid this person was.
He bit down hard on the soft flesh in his mouth, took a deep breath, and questioned: “When did this happen?”
Gu Xing’er then sensed something was off, turned her head to look at the man, and said dissatisfiedly: “This is my business, why are you asking so much? Also, I don’t like you talking to me in a commanding tone.”
Zhang Xuejun’s breathing stalled, and he almost wanted to turn and leave.
Whoever wants to get married can do it!
He barely reined in his reason.
Thinking of his own age advancing without many reliable matchmakers introducing him to prospects, and even when there were introductions, they were uncultured country girls.
He couldn’t look at illiterate village girls; Gu Xing’er was the upper limit of what he could choose!
“…Got it.” Zhang Xuejun swallowed this anger.
He’d “teach” her after bringing her home.
The groom and bride muttered softly, and the villagers couldn’t help but tease.
“Look at how good the groom and bride’s feelings are. This is someone they dated themselves, different from arranged matches; the little couple has endless words to say.”
“The groom looks so spirited, quite a match for Xing’er.”
Gu Xing’er had a bad reputation in the village, but today was her big happy day, so the members were willing to say a few nice words.
Even if just for the Gu Family’s sake.
“The groom rode a bicycle to pick up the bride, so dignified.”
Adults praised while children crowded to watch the excitement, naughty boys tugging at the big red flowers on the bicycle.
Gu Xing’er was marrying from the Gu Family’s second branch, with Gu Lao Taitai and the second branch couple in the main seats.
Gu Fu and Gu Mu sat in the corner, treated like ordinary relatives.
This was also what they requested.
The old couple originally didn’t want to come; when Gu Lao Taitai came to ask, and heard they had no intention of showing up, she cursed them out, drawing neighbors to watch the spectacle.
Unable to refuse, the two had to agree.
They showed up but treated themselves as ordinary relatives, not pushing to the front.
Gu Er Boniang watched Gu Xing’er leave home, tears glistening in her eyes.
Great, the troublemaker was finally married off!
Seeing this, the villagers mostly misunderstood.
Xing’er’s Second Aunt mouths disdain for her, but actually has deep feelings for her. Look, her eyes are red like that; not surprising, after all, she’s a girl raised from childhood…
Gu Er Boniang: Do you see me smiling?
Just like that, Gu Xing’er got her wish and married into the city.
Arriving at the staff dormitory and entering the Zhang Family home, she couldn’t smile.
“…Where do you live?” Gu Xing’er looked at Zhang Xuejun, her face ugly as she asked.
Zhang Xuejun sat down and gulped water, without asking if Gu Xing’er was thirsty, pointed to the corner, “There.”
A single bed like a tent was placed in the corner, with a small “double happiness” sticker on the wall, no privacy at all.
Gu Xing’er froze in place, soon snapping back, widening her eyes in disbelief: “You don’t even have a proper room?”
Thinking of something, she added: “No wonder… no wonder you wouldn’t let me come see your home. You tricked me!”
Zhang Xuejun stood up, “How did I trick you? Go out and see, whose home isn’t like this?”
“It’s our big happy day; I don’t want to argue with you. Don’t come picking faults in front of me.”
Gu Xing’er pointed at her man, furious: “I’m picking faults? You say I’m picking faults, you liar…”
Her voice was loud, and the neighboring families heard clearly.
The Zhang Family lost face, their faces burning; the neighbors’ eyes seemed to say they tricked her into marriage.
Zhang Mu gave an awkward smile, “We’ve made a joke of ourselves. I’ll go inside and check.”
As mentioned before, Zhang Xuejun was not favored; the betrothal gifts for his wife were all saved by him himself. Zhang Fu and Zhang Mu didn’t contribute a penny, nor did they plan a banquet. Just bringing her back like this, then the newlyweds handing out a few pieces of candy to the neighbors, and the marriage was done!
For Zhang Xuejun and Gu Xing’er who made her lose face, Zhang Mu found everything about them displeasing.
As soon as she entered the room, she glared fiercely at the two.
Lowering her voice: “Keep it down, yelling like that, so embarrassing!”
“Especially you—” Zhang Mu stared unkindly at Gu Xing’er, “Just married into my Zhang Family, show some sense. What can’t you ask nicely? Only you know how to howl!”
After scolding, she muttered: “Country girls just can’t make it big!”
Gu Xing’er wasn’t one to swallow anger; she rolled up her sleeves to confront the wicked mother-in-law, but was pulled behind by Zhang Xuejun.
“Listen to what Mom says.” The young man said ungraciously, “You really embarrassed the family.”
He felt Gu Xing’er had tricked him, harboring fire inside, not wanting to protect her.
Moreover…
Gu Xing’er was so loud, the neighbors must have heard! Thinking this, his gaze filled with displeasure.
“You…” Gu Xing’er burned with rage.
In just this brief clash, she knew city life wasn’t as she imagined; the Zhang Family wasn’t easy to get along with.
Zhang Mu said: “Enough talk. Second Son’s wife, go make meal with your Eldest Sister-in-law. Eldest Son’s wife, show her how.”
“I just got married and you want me to cook?” Gu Xing’er’s chest heaved violently, pointing at her own nose, wanting to explode.
“Or what?” Zhang Mu glanced at her unkindly, “Everyone does it this way. Only you are precious. Married into my Zhang Family, you follow my Zhang Family’s rules. Not happy? Then get out, go back to your countryside.”
Gu Xing’er cared about face, of course she wouldn’t go back dejectedly.
With a cold face, she followed Zhang Da Sao.
She wasn’t an honest one; her eyes turned with schemes, wanting to play tricks, pretending not to know how to cook, but Zhang Da Sao’s eyes were like radar, always catching her, looking over with a half-smile.
Gu Xing’er: Damn it.
The first day married into the city, Gu Xing’er didn’t have a good time.
On the wedding night, it was even worse…
Any slight sound, and thumping came from the other side of the wall.
Her mother-in-law even said: “There are still children at home, mind the influence.”
Gu Xing’er: Old hag.
–
Time rewound.
Lin Zhao was bringing the children out of the movie theater, about to go to a restaurant, when she spotted the bicycle adorned with big red flowers.
Yu Bao had sharp eyes, spotting Gu Xing’er first, whispering: “Mom, it’s Little Aunt.”
Heng Bao emphasized, “It’s the former Little Aunt. Grandma said Little Aunt cut ties with our family; she’s not our Little Aunt anymore.”
The matter of cutting ties wasn’t glorious, so those in the know wouldn’t tell everyone they met.
That’s why the two stones knew about it.
The big and small two youths widened their similar eyes.
“Hmm?”
“Eh?”
The brothers made doubtful sounds from their noses.
Little Aunt wasn’t Little Aunt anymore?!
Lin Zhao hadn’t spoken yet when Yu Bao said to the two stones: “Stone Bro, Stone Di, Heng Bao is right; it’s former Little Aunt, not Little Aunt.”
Heng Bao clenched his little hands, waving them in front of his chest a few times, his little face serious, tone angry: “Former Little Aunt cut ties with our family, making Grandma cry; I hate her to death.”
He stared at the Stone brothers, domineeringly: “You can’t call her Little Aunt anymore, or… or I won’t call you to play football again!”
Little Stone nodded his little head, “I won’t call, I won’t call Little Aunt!”
Big Stone looked speechlessly at the kid, tempted to shake his head to see if it sloshed.
So dumb.
“…We weren’t calling her Little Aunt anyway!”
Little Stone scratched his head, “Oh oh, not Little Aunt, it’s Aunt.”
Heng Bao reached out to touch his face, pulling it inward, “Don’t call Aunt; that bad guy isn’t your Aunt.”
Little Stone blinked, asking vaguely: “Then what do we call her?”
“Traitor, call her traitor.” Heng Bao came up with it.
Yu Bao nodded in agreement.
Big Stone surprisingly had no objection.
The little friends muttered; Lin Zhao didn’t pay attention, she was ordering food, glancing at the children occasionally while busy.
After ordering, Lin Zhao sat in her usual spot.
“What are you saying?” she asked.
Heng Bao’s eyes flashed, looking mischievous, “Nothing, we’re just playing!”
“No bullying Little Stone, Gu Heng Bao.” Lin Zhao said.
Before Heng Bao could protest, Little Stone shook his head like a rattle, speaking up for his Heng Bao bro: “Third Aunt, Heng Bao bro didn’t bully me.”
“Good boy.” Lin Zhao touched the child’s little face; Little Stone was honest but no match for the clever Heng Bao.
“If your Heng Bao bro bullies you, tell Aunt, and I’ll punish him for you.”
Heng Bao wasn’t having it, “Mom!!”
He didn’t bully people; he wanted to be a good kid that made Mom proud!
“Okay okay, you’re a good boy too.” Lin Zhao cooed softly.
A certain cub cheered up.
Soon, the server called Lin Zhao to pick up the food.
Big Stone proactively helped.
The four cubs had eaten here several times; the two stones were here for the second time, the first also brought by their Third Aunt.
“Let’s eat!” Lin Zhao said to the several big friends.
She took empty bowls from the server, picking noodles for the dragon-phoenix twins.
She asked the chef to cook the noodles softer; it was plain noodles, very light, suitable for the two little cubs.
Kids these days weren’t picky eaters, eating everything with relish; the dragon-phoenix twins had bibs on, clumsily wielding spoons to shovel into their mouths.
Big Stone came back still a bit reserved, stiff at first, but after the first time knowing Third Aunt sincerely invited them, he was much more at ease, eating big mouthfuls heartily, making others’ appetites stir.
Lin Zhao’s lips curved slightly.
“Mom, these noodles are yummy.” Heng Bao said while eating, his cheeks full.
“Don’t just eat noodles, eat with the veggies.” Afraid the two stones were thinking of their Eldest Sister, Lin Zhao added: “I packed your mom’s separately; we’ll send it over later.”
Big Stone swallowed the noodles in his mouth, eyes bright and spirited, “Thank you, Third Aunt.”
“No need to thank; eat.”
One adult and six kids finished the meal; Lin Zhao brought the children to the textile factory.
Heading straight to the canteen.
As far back as she could remember, Uncle Song had worked here; she was very familiar with the place.
The Stone brothers, however, had never had a chance to visit.
Through the window, seeing Gu Chan finishing up, the two stones felt their mom glowing, their faces flushed red.
Little Stone jumped up waving to Gu Chan, “Mom, Mom…”
Gu Chan looked over, seeing Lin Zhao and the kids, and smiled.
She pointed to the table, signaling them to sit first; she’d be done soon.
“Seeing your mom at work, what do you feel?” Lin Zhao brought the kids to sit closest to Gu Chan, smiling as she asked the two stones.
“Proud.” Big Stone straightened his body, “I’m proud of my mom.”
Little Stone was tongue-tied, only nodding.
He was proud too.
“I’m happy.” he said, “Mom doesn’t have to do field work anymore.”
Even though Little Stone was small, he knew field work was much harder than canteen work.
Lin Zhao patted Little Stone’s head.
Eldest Sister really knew how to raise kids; she raised Qian Bao well, and the Stone brothers well too.
With these two sensible sons, she wouldn’t lack in the future.
The Wei Family’s days were getting better; Lin Zhao was happy for them.
Eldest Sister’s family’s ending had completely changed…
So good.
May this ordinary happiness last forever.
Gu Chan finished her wrap-up work and came over.
“Why are you here? Why not go home and rest? Zhaozhao, you have work tomorrow morning.”
Lin Zhao said: “Ate too much, brought the kids to walk it off, and to let the two stones see their mom’s workplace.”
Her gaze swept over the Stone brothers, laughing: “Eldest Sister, your two sons—one proud of you, one happy for you.”
Gu Chan looked at her sons, her expression moved.
Somewhat annoyed: “My heart is too coarse; I didn’t think to bring them to see. Zhaozhao, thanks to you.”
Big Stone quickly comforted his mom, “Coming today is the same. Mom, eat.”
His brother proactively opened the lunchbox.
“Mom, all this is packed for you; eat quick. Third Aunt ordered dishes, so yummy so yummy.”
Hearing this, Lin Zhao was amused.
Yummy was due to the chef’s skill; what did ordering have to do with it?
Gu Chan didn’t stand on ceremony, eating right away.
“It is yummy; as expected of the state-run restaurant chef’s handiwork, as good as what Zhaozhao makes.”
Saying this, seeing Yao Bao’s head nodding sleepily, not wanting to delay, she sped up her eating.
Lin Zhao held her daughter in her bosom, patting her back lightly: “Eldest Sister, no rush; her sleeping in my arms is the same.”
How could it be the same?
Sleeping was still more comfortable on a bed.
Gu Chan didn’t slow down, finishing dinner in a few bites, wiped her mouth, handed the lunchbox to Big Stone, bent to pick up Qian Bao.
“Our Qian Bao is sleepy too? Eldest Aunt holds you.”
The group headed home.
On the way, they inevitably talked about Gu Xing’er’s wedding.
“Don’t know if today… any jokes were made?” Gu Chan muttered.
Lin Zhao said: “Probably not. She cares about face; on her big happy day, she shouldn’t want to make a spectacle of herself.”
Gu Chan thought it made sense.
“Hope so. If she causes trouble, Dad and Mom lose face too. As long as she marries off quietly, it’s good.”
For this wayward younger sister, she’d taught and beaten her, nagged endlessly, but to no avail.
From Gu Xing’er, she learned that one’s nature is hard to change.
“Zhaozhao, when are you going back to the brigade? Then I’ll go with you.” Gu Chan was worried about Gu Fu and Gu Mu, wanting to go see.
Lin Zhao glanced sideways, “Brother-in-law is okay now?”
