Chapter 271: “a Rock-solid Relationship”
The emotions in the letter were very stifled, and Lin Zhao’s mouth corners unconsciously curved upward.
Returning to the room, sitting down, picking up a pen to reply.
【……The letter has been received, I felt your effort, and still feel surprised.
You understand me; compared to an apartment building, I indeed prefer a flat. I’m not afraid of it being broken or old—it can be repaired. What gives the biggest headache is it being small and without privacy.
Gu Commander, you did well. My four kids and I are all very satisfied, giving you a thumbs up from afar.
You silently did all this, considering our family, considering our reunion. How could I possibly get angry at you because of those inexplicable people?
Distance won’t affect us, and others’ nonsense even less so. You’re as firm as I am firm……】
Half a month later, Gu Chenghuai, receiving the letter, had his mouth corners rising uncontrollably, the whole person bathed in spring breeze.
Before Sun Yeli could ask, he took the initiative: “See, I said my wife is the most understanding of others and the smartest. Those blood-sucking demons can’t shake our feelings.”
Gu Chenghuai waved the letter in his hand, “Revolutionary relations firm as a rock—that’s me and our Comrade Lin.”
That “Comrade Lin” was called out with utmost tenderness.
Sun Yeli pursed his lips, “I didn’t see the letter; whatever sister-in-law said is up to how you twist it.”
He hugged his chest, deliberately eyeing Gu Chenghuai with a picky, suspicious gaze, “That possibility is pretty high. I’ve seen plenty; none of them weren’t henpecked like you.”
Sun Yeli thought saying this would make his comrade take some measure to counter it, but no.
“Afraid of the wife, that’ll prosper.” Gu Chenghuai’s expression was steady.
“Besides…” His little mouth seemed smeared with crane’s-top red, smiling faintly, he said: “Having a wife to fear is hardly not a kind of happiness, always having something to care about, unlike some people who haven’t even talked to a partner. Right?”
Sun Yeli: “…”
What the hell!!
Gu Chenghuai strolled unhurriedly toward the dormitory; Sun Yeli chased after him: “Gu Chenghuai! Is your mouth poisoned or what? Don’t know how sister-in-law puts up with you…”
He nagged all the way.
…
That said.
Old Man Lu’s matter was still discovered by Lu Old Lady.
When she first found out, Lu Old Lady was struck like by lightning, mind blank, vision going black in waves.
When she reacted, that old face flushed red.
“You—” She grabbed Old Man Lu’s collar with one hand, scratched his face with the other, “At your age, still stealing food—do you live up to me? You dead old man, disgraceful thing, you disgraceful thing, I’m going to report you!!”
Lu Old Lady was furious to madness, wishing to beat this dead old man to death.
“I thought you’d settle down with age, didn’t expect with half your body in the grave, your heart could still grow crooked thoughts. Better if you’d hung yourself on the wall earlier, wouldn’t have tormented me till today!”
She dragged Old Man Lu outward, “To the brigade headquarters; I’m sending you on a parade.”
Hearing this, Su Yuxian, who had been shocked and mockingly watching her father-in-law, came back to her senses.
She hurried to block.
“Mom, no, this can’t be blown up!”
Lu Old Lady was in a rage, wouldn’t listen to anything; her daughter-in-law’s words plainly made her admit defeat. She swung her arm round and slapped.
Su Yuxian’s face was hit, blood spilling from her mouth corner.
Afraid of her own impulsiveness, her hand clenched into a fist, gripping tight, barely holding back from hitting back.
“Mom, if you want Bao Zhen’s dad to transfer out, come back to farm, then go, go right now—I absolutely won’t stop you.”
Anger froze on Lu Old Lady’s face.
Old Man Lu took the chance to push her away, covering the red mark on his face, pointing at Lu Old Lady and cursing: “Shrew, you shrew, I’m divorcing you.”
Lu Old Lady grabbed the broom to beat him.
“Divorce your mother’s immortal board! Want to divorce me to be with that widow, huh? Dream on—ask if my son agrees?”
“If Yi Zhou knew his dad at this age still isn’t settling down, he’d probably wish he didn’t have you as a dad, you dog-day old beast—eventually hang you on the wall.”
Lu Old Lady also feared Old Man Lu’s troublemaking would affect her son; turning, she fetched a rusty, chipped kitchen knife from the kitchen, pressing it to his neck.
“Where’s the family’s money? Hand it over!”
The knife edge shifted forward, issuing a threat.
Old Man Lu’s expression changed slightly, head tilting back, urgently saying: “No money at home.”
Lu Old Lady slapped him, “Dog thing, did you give all the family’s money to that vixen outside?”
“Nonsense, no vixen.” Old Man Lu wouldn’t admit.
If not for the old woman’s certainty, he wouldn’t even admit seeking out the old widow.
“The family’s money is long gone…”
Old Man Lu was speaking when the kitchen knife pressed closer to his neck.
“Where’s the family’s money? Hand over the money; I can overlook your thing with the vixen widow. Don’t hand it over, I’ll drag you on parade. Speak or not?”
Lu Old Lady’s eyes bloodshot, looking fierce as a demon.
Old Man Lu feared the old woman in impulse would truly slash him with the kitchen knife, hurriedly said: “In the pottery jar under the kitchen cutting board.”
Lu Old Lady slapped him, rushed into the kitchen to find the money.
Found it, counted—half was missing; her anger didn’t decrease but increased.
“Old undying.”
Cursing, she smashed the kitchen knife in her hand by his feet.
“This isn’t my kitchen knife; before tonight I want to see my kitchen knife. If not, I’ll still drag you on parade.”
Old Man Lu was startled by her throwing the kitchen knife, hurriedly retreated several steps, away from the irrational dangerous person.
His anger rose too, “You go, go—you’re not afraid Yi Zhou will resent you for ruining his future, you shout, shout everywhere—”
Lu Old Lady really didn’t dare, glared deadly at the old man, turned back to the room.
In the countryside there are no secrets; what happened in the Lu Family, what should be known and shouldn’t, all knew.
Even Lin Zhao staying home heard a bit.
It was an educated youth who came to thank Lin Zhao for the manuscript being published.
“…Old Man Lu messing around outside?” Lin Zhao’s mind flashed a messy face; who was the other person—really starved.
Old Man Lu doesn’t even brush teeth, doesn’t bathe, doesn’t change clothes—looks stinky.
One who could get with him was either true love or because of Lu Yizhou’s allowance. Looking around, the latter more likely.
“Really, someone saw.” The quiet, reserved city girl, after long in the countryside, her temperament became bold too. Educated Youth Guan said: “Old Man Lu patted someone’s buttocks—that’s absolutely true.”
“Sun educated youth also said; she saw Old Man Lu coming out of the widow’s house, deep into the night— if not fooling around, what was he doing there late night, sneaking around.”
Educated Youth Guan’s whole face lit up, as if gossip excited her more than her newspaper publication.
Lin Zhao smiled watching her.
Curiosity is human nature.
Su Zhiqing said: “Lu Old Lady surprisingly forgave him, didn’t blow it up.”
“How to blow it up? Blow it up and Lu Yizhou’s future is ruined; worse, years of struggle to nothing, directly transfer home to farm. Of course she doesn’t dare make a scene.” Lin Zhao said faintly.
Probably Lu Old Lady didn’t know someone would climb their chimney to watch the Lu Family’s drama.
Educated Youth Guan agreed with Lin Zhao, “That’s right. Lu Aunt wanted to send that person on parade, but Su Yuxian won’t agree.”
Lin Zhao: Of course not; Su Yuxian was a simp for years to marry into the Lu Family… just to be an officer’s wife; no matter what, she’d find a way to suppress it.
Su Zhiqing complained, “Outside situation so severe, Old Man Lu dares to fool around—he’s really bold, not afraid of being reported.”
“Not bold; he knows he won’t be reported.” Lin Zhao said.
She knew some villagers’ thoughts: “If the brigade has a fooling around one, the impact too big; villagers will watch the fun but won’t make it big.”
The cautious even if seeing won’t speak.
Every family has daughters; village has a fooling around one, harms the brigade’s reputation. Not to mention, once scandal breaks, year-end brigade evaluation no share for Fengshou Brigade!
Heard first place has prizes and certificate of honor.
Fengshou Brigade did sideline, almost every month a batch of mushrooms shipped out, big chance of honor; all members hearts united.
Whoever destroys their hope is their public enemy!
Su Zhiqing got it, nodding nonstop, smile very endearing.
“I heard Su Zhiqing and Educated Youth Guan also do mushroom cultivation, earned quite a bit, right?” Lin Zhao asked casually.
Su Zhiqing hehe laughed, “Not much, earning hard-earned money.”
This was modesty; also earned quite a bit.
With this money, she exchanged for cotton and fabric, made new cotton quilt, sent to her poorly situated parents. Worried new cotton quilt too obvious, found way to age it, then successfully to destination.
Su Yi inwardly very grateful to Lin Zhao and the Gu Family.
She knew, if not for mushroom cultivation, she couldn’t save money; no money, no way to help parents far in bitter cold place.
“Comrade Lin, thank you.” Su Yi suddenly said.
“Hm?” Lin Zhao puzzled, “Thank me for what.”
“Thank you for not hiding, bringing out main techniques, still guiding us to write articles.” Su Yi said sincerely.
Educated Youth Guan glanced at her, lowered eyes, didn’t speak.
They live same yard; though Su Yi deliberately concealed, she could discover some oddity—Su Family not right.
Not without hesitation either.
People with component errors, indeed no one dares get too close; who knows if bring trouble to own family.
After letter with family, her heart settled; told no one, pretend knew nothing.
Guan Baba’s letter said this—
“You can write to me without first taking measures, shows you have answer in heart; my child, please follow your heart to choose. Dad believes you.
As for your various worries, rest assured; we work hard to prop up a sky for children, let you say no, do as you wish, take care of yourself, hope our family reunites soon…”
Seeing Su Yi so solemnly thanking her, and Educated Youth Guan came bringing things, Lin Zhao smiled, gently said: “Happy to help you all; no need to take to heart. I just moved my lips.”
“You girls coming as educated youth not easy; happy to do my utmost to make your lives more comfortable.”
For quality girls, Lin Zhao always willing to care a bit more.
Educated Youth Guan felt Comrade Lin really open-minded and bright, completely different from countryside girls.
She thought, if Educated Youth Lin lived in her family courtyard, they might become good friends.
“Comrade Lin, thanks to you, I might go back to the city soon.” This shouldn’t be said, but instant Educated Youth Guan said it, no regret at all.
Su Yi jerked head up, full face incredulous.
What?
Didn’t mishear—Educated Youth Guan going back to city; then what about her?!
Lin Zhao not too surprised.
First sight of Educated Youth Guan, she guessed the other wouldn’t stay long, probably just going through motions.
Didn’t expect so fast.
“My blessing?” Her eyes puzzled, “I don’t seem to have helped you much.”
Educated Youth Guan raised the newspaper in hand, “Yes, this; this article on the major paper, my ticket back to city—very important; with this I can go back. Indeed thanks to you.”
“If not you helping me, wouldn’t think of submitting; so many opportunities would pass me by.”
“Comrade Lin, I thank you too.”
From before New Year to now, she submitted many many manuscripts, almost all rejected; as her confidence kept collapsing, it was Comrade Lin encouraging her, helping find issues, find angles…
“Look at waste drafts in your room; you should know who to thank isn’t me, it’s yourself who kept trying writing, kept improving.” Lin Zhao’s brows curved in smile, tone gentle, “Congrats, Educated Youth Guan.”
“Though I think our brigade not bad, I know you educated youth not used to this life, every moment want back to city. I wish you get your wish, and bright future.”
Educated Youth Guan’s eyes moved slightly, like bright pearls flickering.
“Thanks, also hope Comrade Lin all smooth, forever happy.”
Su Yi reluctantly watched Educated Youth Guan, finally found her voice, “…When do you leave?”
After Educated Youth Guan back to city, her room sure targeted; she didn’t want to share with difficult person.
“Not set yet; once set, dad should telegram me.” Educated Youth Guan said.
Back to city matter, she hadn’t told family, but they had tacit understanding; she believed father seeing her article published would act.
Indeed as Educated Youth Guan thought, Guan Baba at this time was indeed hurrying to the post office, eye corners with smile; anyone could see his good mood.
He had only that one daughter, gone so far to countryside; whole family couldn’t relax.
Good his daughter capable, write article published—even such high honor, slight operation could bring her back.
Really gave him face!!
Su Yi said: “Alright, though very reluctant, still wish you all smooth.”
Felt Educated Youth Guan heart a bit big, she frowned, said: “This you shouldn’t say now; if I had malice, go out blab harm you can’t go back to city?”
Educated Youth Guan expression serious, words full of trust, “You won’t; Comrade Lin even less; I believe you all.”
Words done, she smiled again, indifferent: “If misjudged, I’ll own it; nothing.”
Just a bit troublesome; she could still go back.
Lin Zhao interjected, “Thanks for trusting me and Su Zhiqing so much.”
Educated Youth Guan covered mouth laughing, rarely showing liveliness, “No way; who let you all have faces that look trustworthy.”
