Chapter 99: “all An Illusion”
“Sis!”
“Sis!!”
Lin Zhao was asking Li Fen about the defective products when she suddenly heard a hysterical howl.
“?”
She felt a bit awkward.
Just as she was about to say something, Song Yunjin rushed in with a panicked expression.
Taking three steps at a time as two, he approached Lin Zhao’s counter. Seeing his sister fine, his heart settled back, and he panted heavily.
Lin Zhao handed him her enamel mug. “Drink some water. Why are you running so urgently!”
She glanced at her wristwatch; it wasn’t time to deliver the meal yet.
“Why are you here now?” She wondered if something had happened at home, worry appearing on her face. “Is everything okay at home?”
“Nothing!” Song Yunjin didn’t stand on ceremony. He picked up the enamel mug and gulped down the water. After quenching his thirst, he put down the mug, wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, and said, “Sis, I heard someone from the Supply and Marketing Cooperative was taken away, and I heard your name too. I was scared to death. I didn’t even have time to tell Mom and rushed over to find you.”
Lin Zhao’s furrowed brow relaxed, a surge of warmth filling her heart. She smiled and said, “I’m fine.”
Song Yunjin didn’t believe it. “I heard it clearly. There must be something about you involved. Sis, what exactly happened?”
“It’s not a big deal. Someone reported me…” Lin Zhao had just said one sentence when Song Yunjin exploded. His neat short hair almost stood on end, giving the feeling of anger rushing to his crown.
“Who?”
The moment the word left his mouth, his dark eyes blazing with fury swept over the counters one by one.
One counter was empty.
Someone was missing.
That salesperson who looked at people with disdain, nose not nose, eyes not eyes.
“Is it that sturdy salesperson?” Song Yunjin pressed, his face dark with rage, chest heaving violently, extremely angry.
“Yes, it’s not important. She got herself into it.” Lin Zhao patted her younger brother’s head to soothe his emotions.
Her eyes curved slightly, her smile bright. “With that person gone from the Supply and Marketing Cooperative, the air has gotten better!”
His sister’s comfort didn’t reassure Song Yunjin.
“What did she report you for?” He continued to press.
Helplessness flashed in Lin Zhao’s eyes. Knowing her young cousin had a temperament of asking until the pot was broken, she could only say, “She said I was pocketing things and harming the interests of the masses.”
“Nonsense!” Song Yunjin cursed in anger, his words vicious.
“Sis, you wouldn’t even look at that little bit! If you really needed money, just tell Dad and them. Plenty of people would pool money for you. No need for you to go to such trouble. Who does she look down on!”
Reporting his sister for corruption was even more absurd than reporting her and Song Yuncheng for engaging in illicit affairs!
Lin Zhao took out an apple and gave it to her young cousin. “You know she’s talking nonsense, so don’t mind it. Eat the apple. I said I’d bring you one, and one each for Uncle, Aunt, and Yun Cheng.”
Song Yunjin heard that others at home had them too and bit into it without hesitation, crunch.
The apple was crisp, sweet, juicy, and surprisingly delicious.
“Delicious. Not found in the mountains, right?”
Lin Zhao said, “As long as there’s something to eat, don’t ask so much.”
Song Yunjin guessed his sister bought it on the black market, and the apple in his hand suddenly wasn’t as appealing.
“Sis…”
He was really afraid his sister would get caught!
Because his sister truly feared neither heaven nor earth.
From growing up together, with just one glance, Lin Zhao saw through his little thoughts completely.
“We went to see a movie together. How did I get the movie ticket?”
Song Yunjin was slightly stunned. “Bought it.”
“The apple is the same.” She got it by earning points from tasks and drawing it.
Lin Zhao was righteous and not the least bit guilty.
Laughter welled up in the youth’s eyes, his joy overflowing.
“Then that’s good.” He pursed his lips. “You scared me just now!”
Lin Zhao’s smile lingered at her lips, her voice tinged with laughter. “I can tell. Panting like that, your voice even cracked from shouting!”
“Sis!” Song Yunjin lowered his eyes, his ears burning.
Even embarrassed, he didn’t forget to keep munching the apple, crunch crunch crunch nonstop.
“Sis, it’s really delicious.”
Lin Zhao laughed. “If you like it, I’ll get more next time and bring them for you.”
“Sis, do you have more?” Even knowing his sister wasn’t the type to… give all the good stuff to others, Song Yunjin still worried she wouldn’t have any to eat.
No way around it; it was a good habit formed since childhood.
“Of course. Would I treat myself poorly?” Lin Zhao always thought people who were stingy with themselves had something wrong with their brains.
“Of course not.” Song Yunjin was delighted. After finishing the apple, he wiped his hands with the grass paper Lin Zhao handed him and said, “Sis, I’m heading back. I’ll tell Mom the news on the way. If she hears, she’ll definitely worry too.”
Lin Zhao gave him the remaining apples. “Take them back.”
Song Yunjin sighed sweetly. “Sis, ever since you started work, I have good things to eat every day. Is this the happiness of having a job!”
Lin Zhao just smiled without speaking.
Work itself doesn’t bring happiness to people.
She didn’t say it, leaving it for Yunjin to experience later.
“Mm, so work hard.”
Song Yunjin’s face fell.
He wanted to work hard, but unfortunately, he had strength but no place to use it, and he didn’t even know if his junior high graduation certificate would come through.
So annoying.
“Sis, I’m off.”
Wang Ju said softly, “You can ride my bicycle.”
Since she offered, Lin Zhao didn’t stand on ceremony and smiled. “Thanks, A Ju. I’ll bring you some food another day.”
Wang Ju’s eyes curved slightly. She looked delicate and reserved, like a budding gardenia flower. “Okay.”
When Song Yunjin arrived at the staff dormitory, Aunt Song had just finished cooking and filled a whole lunchbox, with quite a few meat slices.
The meat was from Zhaozhao, so it was no problem to put extra for her.
She just didn’t know where that brat Yunjin had gone.
She heard someone from the Supply and Marketing Cooperative was taken away and wanted him to borrow a bicycle to go check, but in a blink, he was gone.
“Mom! Mom!”
A clear voice rang out.
Song Yunjin came upstairs.
“Where did you go!” Aunt Song glared at him. No time to scold her son, she said anxiously, “Borrow a bicycle and hurry to the Supply and Marketing Cooperative. I heard a salesperson was taken away. I don’t know if your sister was affected…”
She was only halfway through.
Song Yunjin interrupted. “Mom, I went as soon as I heard. I just got back.”
He took out three apples. “Sis asked me to bring these for you all. I ate one already; they’re especially sweet.”
Aunt Song looked at the fresh apples with unwrinkled skins, surprised and feeling especially warm inside. She said, “Why didn’t your sister keep four for the kids?”
“Sis definitely kept some.” Song Yunjin was certain.
Aunt Song didn’t say more and hurriedly asked about the Supply and Marketing Cooperative. “Your sister wasn’t scared, right? What’s going on there?”
“Someone reported Sis!” Song Yunjin entered the room, plopped down on the sofa, and casually packed the aluminum lunchbox into the cloth bag.
“What?” Aunt Song’s tone rose two octaves, her cold face following him.
“What happened?”
“The Gu and Lin families are both impeccably red. Your brother-in-law is a soldier. What could she report her for?”
“What’s your sister’s situation now?”
Her questions came one after another.
Song Yunjin couldn’t get a word in and was even disliked for it.
An iron palm slapped his back.
The youth grimaced.
“Cat got your tongue? Speak! What’s up with your sister?”
“If something happened, borrow a bike quick and find your dad to think of a way.”
She heard the investigation team had locked up quite a few in that building, all squeezed in one room. Zhaozhao, a girl, couldn’t be taken there.
Song Yunjin hurriedly said, “It’s fine, fine. The one taken wasn’t Sis. It was the one who reported her. Oh right, and the Supply and Marketing Cooperative’s accountant. That accountant is the nephew of the one who reported Sis.”
Aunt Song, hearing Zhaozhao was fine, felt her heart settle, but she kept cursing, “All colleagues, reporting people at the drop of a hat. Really got nothing better to do!”
“Good thing your sister has luck. If she were taken away, your aunt would flip that building over.”
Her sister-in-law had great strength and a fiery temper. Don’t be fooled by how mild she’d become under her brother-in-law’s influence.
Hah, all facade.
If she knew Zhaozhao was reported, she’d definitely storm over.
Xiwei was kind-hearted and bold too. She had saved many people back then, and quite a few were in high positions now.
In Aunt Song’s view, her sister-in-law had broader connections than her own husband, but Xiwei wasn’t one to leverage favors. She never mentioned those past events, probably not even known to Zhaozhao and her siblings.
“And my brother-in-law.” Song Yunjin tsked, reminding her leisurely.
That movie completely overturned his impression of Gu Chenghuai.
Before, he just thought his cousin-in-law looked like a cold-faced Yama, taciturn, with eyes that could freeze people.
But that day, when they went to the movie, he watched the kids and didn’t let his sister get involved. That wasn’t all; he also kept an eye on his sister’s movements anytime. If she tripped, that man hurriedly supported her, then held her hand the whole way until they left the movie theater.
At that moment, Song Yunjin realized—
Some people aren’t incapable of gentleness; they just reserve all their softness for one person.
“Right, your brother-in-law is there too. He’s capable and definitely won’t let your sister be wronged like this!” Aunt Song really felt the person who reported Zhaozhao had had enough good days.
“Yunjin, eat first. I’ll brew some chrysanthemum tea for your sister to prevent her from getting heated.”
Watching his mom’s hurried figure, Song Yunjin shouted, “Mom, Sis doesn’t like chrysanthemum tea!!”
“I’ll put less chrysanthemum and more rock sugar. Your sister will definitely like it.” Aunt Song said confidently.
It was her new recipe; Zhaozhao would surely like it.
Song Yunjin was half-believing.
Not really believing.
He couldn’t persuade his mom, but it was fine. If Sis didn’t like it, he’d down it himself and say Sis drank it.
As for pouring it out, impossible. Chrysanthemum was free, but rock sugar was rare.
Aunt Song quickly brewed the tea, cooled it rapidly, poured it into a canned food bottle, and packed it into the cloth bag with the lunchbox.
“Eat quick. After, hurry and deliver to your sister. Watch her. If she’s scared, stay longer, even until she gets off work. No rush to come back anyway; you don’t have proper work.”
Song Yunjin: He wanted to do proper work. Was there opportunity?
The rice in his mouth didn’t taste good anymore!
(-ι_-｀)
Aunt Song didn’t notice her son’s thoughts and pulled out a yuan from her wallet for him.
“If your sister is really upset, buy her ice cream to cool off.”
One yuan was quite a bit; could buy plenty of ice cream.
Song Yunjin beamed. “Is there some for me?”
In this hot summer, he wanted ice cream too!
“Yes, but you two don’t eat too fast, or you’ll get tummy ache.” Aunt Song instructed.
“Got it!”
Song Yunjin wolfed down the rice in a few bites, grabbed the cloth bag, and headed to the Supply and Marketing Cooperative to deliver the meal.
……
Lin Zhao saw the meat slices in the aluminum lunchbox and said, “Why is there meat? I said that meat was for you all to eat. Braised pork would be so fragrant; Uncle and Aunt would definitely eat half a bowl more.”
“Mom was afraid we’d eat too much rice, so she didn’t make it.” Song Yunjin half-joked.
Lin Zhao ate a slice of meat. The surface was golden-brown and a bit crispy, not greasy at all—perfectly to her taste.
She looked up. “Not enough grain at home?”
“If not, I’ll help buy some from the brigade.”
For buying grain, the countryside was easier than the city. Grain would be distributed soon in the countryside, and every household would be a bit better off.
Even if she couldn’t buy, there was plenty in the storage ring.
“Just bought some.” Song Yunjin replied. Hearing what Lin Zhao meant, his eyes lit up, and he lowered his voice. “Sis, can you get it?”
“Of course, no problem. If you need more later, come find me.” Lin Zhao was full of confidence.
“Good, I’ll come when we need more.” Song Yunjin agreed directly.
His parents definitely wouldn’t let his sister suffer.
“Sis, Mom was afraid you’d get heated, so she made you chrysanthemum tea. She said it’s a new recipe, not much chrysanthemum, added rock sugar. Try it first. If you don’t like it, I’ll drink it.”
The siblings often did this since they were young; they were very familiar.
Lin Zhao nodded, unscrewed the cap, took a small sip, found the taste okay. “Not bad. Thank Aunt for me; say her new recipe is a success.”
Song Yunjin was especially happy, as if he himself were praised.
“Mm.”
Lin Zhao finished eating and saw her young cousin not planning to leave. She looked over in surprise.
He responded with the youth’s sunny, clean smile.
“Mom said to keep you company longer.”
“I’ll go buy ice cream later.”
Lin Zhao’s smile was warm. “Aunt is really good to me.”
Song Yunjin felt it was only right, his gaze bright and sincere. “Aunt treats us well too.”
Those three years, the most difficult time, county grain supply stopped, the grain jar was empty, nothing to eat at home. The whole family was starving, drinking water furiously. His dad even considered taking them back to the countryside to dig wild vegetables for a living.
At the critical moment, Aunt came carrying grain, plus some wild game.
Seeing his eyes straight from hunger, Aunt stuffed biscuits and dried meat into his hands.
He’d never forget the taste of that dried meat in his life.
So fragrant!
Lin Zhao made a request. “I want red bean flavor.”
“I know.” Song Yunjin smiled mysteriously, his little inner self swinging little feet smugly. He’d discovered it long ago… Sis liked red bean flavor ice cream best.
He turned to Wang Ju, his voice carrying the clear tone unique to youths.
“Sis Wang Ju, I need to borrow your bicycle again later. I’ll buy you a popsicle as thanks. What flavor do you like?”
Wang Ju looked up at him, then quickly lowered her head, her voice tiny. “……Any is fine.”
“Okay.” Then red bean it was.
Lin Zhao noticed a little pattern: the fewer people, the more nervous Comrade Wang Ju got.
With so many from the investigation team, she was fine.
Really magical.
Thinking of buying ice cream, Lin Zhao naturally thought of South Street, and thus remembered the land property ownership certificate she’d drawn a few days ago.
She pondered briefly, then suddenly said, “Yunjin, help me with something.”
The weather was stuffy, and with nothing to do, Song Yunjin was nearly dozing off. At his sister’s words, he instantly perked up.
“What?”
Lin Zhao beckoned him.
The youth swiftly approached the counter, tilted his head, offered his right ear, eyes bright.
“Go to East Street for me and check the situation at the yard on the far right end.” Lin Zhao said. “If no one’s living there, go to the neighborhood committee and ask who the owner of that yard is.”
Song Yunjin’s eyes were full of confusion. “Sis, why are you asking about a yard? You don’t want to buy it, do you? I heard some properties were confiscated.”
“Don’t worry about it first. Just check for me, and I’ll tell you once I confirm.” Lin Zhao had heard about properties being confiscated, realizing she couldn’t delay anymore.
Zhaozhao’s dad picked her up from work on time; she had no time to check herself and had to ask Yunjin to go.
“Okay, I’ll go.” Song Yunjin didn’t ask more.
As he was about to leave, Lin Zhao stopped him and stuffed him a pack of candy. “For the errand.”
Song Yunjin had planned to rely on his thick skin and sweet talk for info, but with candy from his sister, it’d be a piece of cake.
“With this candy, I can find out anything!”
His departing figure was full of confidence.
