Chapter 11: “confidence”
Lin Er Ge coldly glanced at her, his sharp eyes scanning the two nephews. “Da Zai Er Zai, are you two okay?”
Er Zai saw Second Uncle, his face full of excitement. “Second Uncle, why are you here?”
Lin Shisheng rubbed Er Zai’s head, his hand full of the nephew’s sweat. “I heard your mom bumped her head, so I came with your grandmother to check.”
“My grandmother is here, Second Uncle, I’ll go see her.” Er Zai said happily.
After saying that, he grabbed his older brother’s wrist and ran off toward home.
Lin Family members were all very good to Gu Family’s four sons, and the little friend really liked the people at Grandmother’s House.
Lin Shisheng didn’t rush to leave.
He looked at Gu Xing’er, who was being helped up by Gu Da Sao and Gu Er Sao, and warned coldly: “Our Lin Family isn’t short of people. When provoking my sister, think with your brain first, and consider if you can bear the consequences.”
“This is the first time, and I hope it’s also the last. If there’s a next time, us brothers won’t be as easy to talk to as we are now.”
Gu Xing’er hurt badly from being hit, and now warned, feeling both aggrieved and afraid, she sat there sobbing nonstop.
Lin Shisheng had no pity for the fairer sex, and left expressionlessly.
Not long after he left, Gu Fu, Gu Mu, Gu Da Ge, Gu Er Ge, and others came back.
Seeing Gu Xing’er wiping tears and crying nonstop, they were very puzzled.
“What happened?” Gu Mu asked.
Gu Xing’er lifted her trouser leg, revealing the marks on her body from being hit, and shouted: “What else could it be, it’s all your fault. What kind of wife did you get for my third brother? She bullies her sister-in-law every day. She bullies me… making me deliver firewood is one thing, but she even called her brother to bully me. Bullying never ends, wuwuwu.”
“Dad, Mom, Eldest Brother, Second Brother, look at my leg. It was smashed by Lin Zhao’s brother. Who knows if it’ll leave a scar. What if it does? The whole Lin Family are barbarians…”
Huang Xiulan and Zhao Liuniang looked speechless, lowering their heads to hide the mockery in their eyes.
The sister-in-law really knew how to talk; she didn’t mention half a word about using the firewood to smash Da Zai Er Zai.
Gu Family sisters-in-law couldn’t speak out directly due to certain reasons, but Gu Family children had no such qualms.
“Bad sister-in-law.” Tie Chui exposed Gu Xing’er’s act, complaining to Gu Fu and Gu Mu: “Grandpa, Grandma, sister-in-law used that bundle of firewood to smash Da Zai Er Zai!”
Gu Fu and Gu Mu’s faces changed abruptly.
The way they looked at Gu Xing’er felt very unfamiliar.
“Is this true?” Gu Mu’s gaze scanned over the other family members one by one, finally landing on her eldest grandson Bang Bang.
“Bang Bang, you tell.”
Bang Bang was older after all, and expressed fluently, recounting the whole matter in detail: “Tie Chui didn’t get it wrong. Sister-in-law used firewood to smash Da Zai Er Zai. Da Zai Er Zai’s second uncle happened to come and kicked that bundle of firewood flying, which was how it ended up smashing sister-in-law.”
Gu Xing’er looked evasive, covering her eyes with her arm, quietly gauging Gu Mu’s expression.
Gu Mu didn’t say anything, a flash of disappointment in her eyes. She held back her anger and said to the other family members: “Don’t stand here. Everyone go do your own things.”
Then she went back to her room with Gu Fu.
Gu Xing’er was stunned and called out: “Mom, what about me? I’m still injured.”
No one paid her any attention.
Gu Da Ge and Gu Er Ge didn’t dare disobey Old Mother’s words either; both had helplessness in their eyes as they were pulled back to their rooms by their respective wives.
First Branch.
Gu Da Ge couldn’t let it go and peeked outside through the window crack, asking his wife softly: “What happened again? Why did Xing’er smash Da Zai Er Zai?”
“Hmph.” Huang Xiulan snorted coldly, found some clothes with holes, and started patching them, saying: “What else? Because Third Son’s allowance wasn’t spent on her. She’s jealous.”
“Your sister really leaves people speechless. She’s nothing like your family.”
Gu Da Ge pretended not to hear that last resentful remark and turned his head: “How does it relate to Third Son’s allowance?”
Huang Xiulan threaded the needle slowly and said unhurriedly: “Third Son’s Wife bought Warrior Shoes for Da Zai Er Zai. Sister-in-law saw and started mocking the two kids.”
“You know Er Zai doesn’t take losses. That little mouth of his can talk nonstop, so he said, ‘Sister-in-law, are you jealous that my mom has money to spend?’ Then sister-in-law got angry, lost her temper, and struck out. If not for Third Son’s Wife’s second brother…”
She didn’t continue, but those who understood got it.
Gu Da Ge frowned tightly. “Xing’er is getting more and more unreasonable.”
“It’s not all because your family spoiled her.” Huang Xiulan was very dissatisfied with the lazy-pig-like sister-in-law, her heart full of resentment.
Lin Zhao had split off, so her laziness was Third Branch’s issue. Gu Xing’er wasn’t; her laziness cost her and Liuniang. As eldest sister-in-law, she couldn’t be without dissatisfaction.
“You can’t say it like that. Xing’er is still young…” Gu Da Ge didn’t finish before his wife’s mocking half-smile shut him up.
“Sixteen and still young?” Huang Xiulan said sarcastically.
“At sixteen, I was already being matched for marriage. What family chores didn’t I do? Are only Gu Family daughters so precious? Even if she’s precious… you can spoil her yourselves, but there’s no reason for us daughters-in-law to join in spoiling her.”
Gu Da Ge saw his wife was quite angry and had no mind to care about his worrisome sister. He moved a small stool over, sat down, and nudged her leg with his knee.
Speaking nice words.
“I didn’t mean for you to spoil her. I just said it casually. Why get angry?”
“Xing’er isn’t young anymore, and she was indeed spoiled by us. Mom and Dad are correcting her temperament right now. Maybe it won’t be long… before she’s straightened out.”
“Heh.” Huang Xiulan gave a lukewarm chuckle and smiled again, saying: “This was just over seeing the shoes. If sister-in-law finds out Third Son’s Wife also bought child-specific cold cream for Da Zai, she’ll be even more jealous.”
She knew sister-in-law’s box of cold cream was almost used up, and she was coveting a new one.
Da Zai easily getting what she wanted—how could Gu Xing’er not make a fuss?
Gu Da Ge was speechless.
His wife wasn’t exaggerating at all.
Seeing him silent, Huang Xiulan continued: “I’m telling you, Alan, Tie Dan and Tie Chui are growing up. Our family needs money in many places. You need to keep that in mind. If your good sister comes to sweet-talk you, don’t go soft.”
Gu Da Ge said honestly: “I don’t have money anyway. Our family’s money is all with you. No one can fool me.”
Huang Xiulan thought about it and agreed.
Gu Xing’er’s wailing cries rose and fell. Gu Family people all knew her temperament; no one went out.
Scolding voices came from outside.
She started cursing her brothers, cursing her sisters-in-law, not even sparing Gu Fu and Gu Mu, her mouth full of resentment.
Gu Mu was full of anger. “Look at your good daughter. I told you your mom’s selfish and stingy temperament couldn’t raise a good child. Look, Xing’er’s temperament can’t be fixed. She only knows to compare with others. Today she even laid hands on her own nephews. Good thing Chenghuai isn’t home. If he were, he’d hang Xing’er up and beat her.”
It concerned his own biological mother, so Gu Fu couldn’t comment and just laughed it off.
“There’s still a chance to fix her, still a chance.”
“Like hell!” Gu Mu lowered her voice and cursed. “She’s sixteen already, about to get married. With that temperament, she’ll torment whichever family she marries into. Just watch, you’ll have worries later.”
Thinking of her mother-in-law who spoiled Gu Xing’er rotten, Gu Mu got so angry she kept inhaling sharply.
Gu Fu was also worried and sighed deeply, unable to say more.
Outside, Gu Xing’er cried for a while. Seeing no one at home paid attention, she bounced up from the stool and ran out of the Gu Family home like the wind.
Straight to her grandparents.
Gu Family’s grandparents were both long-lived elderly people, still around, living with their youngest son.
Gu Fu was stuck in the middle, not favored, but fortunately the old couple didn’t mistreat their own son much.
The old lady took Gu Xing’er because she resembled her biological mother. Who knew the old ancestor spoiled Gu Xing’er so much that she became domineering and arrogant, unable to get along with anyone.
“Grandma.” Gu Xing’er cried out.
Gu Lao Taitai was old, her ears not working well. Gu Xing’er shouted several times before she heard.
“Is that Xing’er?” the old lady asked, saying she was about to get out of bed. “Why do I hear Xing’er crying? Who bullied my Xing’er?”
The female head of this house, that is, the old lady’s youngest daughter-in-law Bai Yan rolled her eyes up to the beam.
She pursed her lips.
Bullying Gu Xing’er?
With that girl’s domineering and fierce temperament, who would dare bully her.
Gu Lao Taitai didn’t know her youngest daughter-in-law’s thoughts. She lifted the bamboo curtain and went out. A figure rushed over, and the old lady almost got knocked over.
Fortunately, her youngest son was following and reached out to steady his mother, his voice tinged with severity from lingering fear: “Gu Xing’er, what are you rushing for? What if you knock into Grandma!”
Gu Xing’er’s face paled. Those eyes were swollen like two eggs hanging in her sockets.
“I didn’t know Grandma was right at the door.” She lowered her head and explained weakly.
Gu Lao Taitai patted her youngest son’s arm. “Mom’s fine. Xing’er didn’t mean it. Don’t quibble with a junior.”
After soothing her son, her cloudy eyes looked at Gu Xing’er. “Why are you crying? Who bullied you? Tell Grandma, and Grandma will stand up for you.”
Gu Xing’er was teary-eyed. “It was Third Sister-in-law’s second brother. He hit me.”
At those words, Gu Nai Nai, who had been fierce just now, instantly fell silent.
It was Chenghuai’s Wife’s maternal family.
Thinking of the fearsome rumors about Lin Zhao’s mother being a fierce woman, Gu Nai Nai’s rough, tree-bark-like hand pulled Gu Xing’er into the room, saying: “Xing’er, you came at the right time. Grandma saved some candy for you. Come, go to Grandma’s room to eat.”
She said nothing about standing up for her granddaughter.
Gu Xiao Plump’s expression grew even uglier as she watched the old and the young disappear into the room, taking a deep breath.
Those candies her own grandsons couldn’t even eat—why give them to Gu Xing’er.
Biased old woman.
–
Gu Family’s Third Branch.
Lin Zhao hugged her biological mother’s waist tightly, dragging her with force, finally dispelling her mom’s idea of going to Gu Family Old House to beat Gu Xing’er.
Lin Mu was a tyrant in the neighboring brigade, unbeatable everywhere. Her strength was immense; most men couldn’t match her. No one in the brigade dared provoke her.
Her fame was known even in Fengshou Brigade.
“Why block me? Why block me? Gu Xing’er dared push you, so Old Mother can smash her face. Let go.” Lin Mu was burning with rage.
Remembering what she’d heard from an old friend about her Zhaozhao being pushed and getting a big bump on her forehead, she really wanted to tear the culprit apart.
Lin Mu had killed bandits before. Her temperament was fierce; when temper flared, she recognized no kin. Lin Zhao feared she couldn’t hold her mom back and called the dragon-phoenix twins.
“San Zai Si Zai, quick, help Mom hold your grandmother.”
The dragon-phoenix twins didn’t understand her words. At that mischievous age, they imitated Mom and hugged Grandmother’s legs.
Lin Mu almost laughed from anger.
Angrily, she poked Lin Zhao’s forehead, knowing her own strength was great, so she eased off most of it when striking.
“With my temper, how did I give birth to such a soft daughter? Really going to anger me to death.”
Lin Mu picked up the dragon-phoenix twins, one in each arm, and sat down huffily.
She had short hair, looking fierce. She wore a gray top and black pants, with patches on the shoulders of the top and trouser legs, but washed and starched clean. The whole person looked bustling and vigorous.
Lin Zhao’s brows and eyes lit with a smile as she sat beside her mom.
“Mom, don’t be angry first. I haven’t even said a word yet.”
“Then speak, say it now. Let’s see what excuse you can come up with to stop me.” Lin Mu deliberately kept a straight face.
Lin Zhao explained: “My mother-in-law compensated ten yuan on behalf of sister-in-law. Gu Chenghuai doesn’t need to cover her tuition and living expenses anymore. Gu Xing’er can’t come to our door again. I made it clear with mother-in-law. If you go over, won’t it give Gu Xing’er a chance to cling? I don’t want that.”
“It’s pretty good now, really.”
“Old House side is at fault, weaker than me. Whatever I demand, they’ll agree. No need to deal with the troublesome sister-in-law anymore. I’m happy.”
Lin Mu most feared her only daughter suffering grievance. Hearing this, the anger in her heart eased a bit.
Ten yuan compensation wasn’t little. Most importantly, her son-in-law didn’t need to support that vicious girl’s schooling anymore. Fine.
“Since you say so, Mom believes you. You’re the daughter I bore. I never let you suffer the slightest grievance. Gu Family people won’t either.”
“If you can’t stay in Fengshou Brigade, come home. Our home has room for you and the four boys.”
Warmth surged in Lin Zhao’s heart.
From childhood to now, her mom truly never let her suffer any grievance.
Even now, her maternal home still had a room for her.
This gave her courage to face anything.
“I know.”
Lin Mu’s tense face softened slightly. “Good that you know.”
“That sister-in-law of yours is really a homewrecker. Who knows how her mother-in-law raised such a daughter.” Thinking of her daughter’s sister-in-law, she looked full of disdain.
Lin Zhao never took sister-in-law’s troubles to heart and smiled faintly. “She can be willful at her maternal home. But later… someone will teach her.”
“No more about her. Mom, how did you know I bumped my head?”
Lin Mu was mysterious. “Don’t worry about that.”
“Just remember, protect yourself and the four boys well in the future. If anything happens, send word to me.”
Lin Zhao wondered inwardly but couldn’t guess who her mom’s informant was.
“Got it.”
Lin Mu’s expression was serious. “Don’t just say it with your mouth. Remember it in your heart.”
“I told you on your wedding day, but what did you do?”
“You didn’t even report such a big thing as bumping your head. Do you know how anxious I was when I heard? And your dad—his health isn’t good to begin with. Hearing you had an accident, he nearly fainted. It’s all because you’re a dumb girl without a mouth!”
Mentioning her old partner, she couldn’t help giving her daughter a glare.
Lin Zhao was both anxious and worried. “Is Dad okay?”
“Old ailment. Needs to lie down a few days.” Lin Mu said.
“I’ll go see Dad tomorrow.” Lin Zhao wasn’t at ease.
“Fine. Your dad misses you too. If I hadn’t stopped him, he’d have come to see you.” Lin Mu put San Zai Si Zai on her lap, stroking the dragon-phoenix twins’ little faces.
The two little dumplings flashed sweet smiles, smiles that could melt Iron Lady’s heart.
“San Zai Si Zai have gotten thin. Look at these small faces—not even half as big as yours when little.”
As grandmother, she ached for her grandsons and granddaughter, couldn’t help chiding her daughter a few words.
