Chapter 111: “the Look Of Falling In Love”
“Aunt Zhu over there is urging?” Lin Zhao guessed.
Song Yuncheng gave a thumbs up and praised, “It has to be you.”
His brows furrowed as he said, “It’s Aunt Zhu. She said she found a few suitable ones and asked my mom to notify Sister Xiangxiang to meet those people.”
Notify.
Her original words were just notify!
Lin Zhao caught the expression on Song Yuncheng’s face and guessed that the people Aunt Zhu introduced were not from good families.
“What kind of people did she introduce? Tell me.”
Song Yuncheng didn’t say, “Sis, don’t ask. None of them are good matches. You won’t want to eat after hearing!”
“Is it that exaggerated?” Lin Zhao bit her chopsticks, her face showing astonishment.
“Not exaggerated at all.” Song Yuncheng shook his head, his face full of helplessness. “The ones she introduced to you before were exaggerated enough, right? The ones for Sister Xiangxiang are even worse.”
Some fifty-something widower stoker middle-aged man.
Some lazy boy who only listens to his parents.
And some bedridden disfigured man.
…
I don’t know where she found so many ordinary people no one’s even heard of.
“Go back and have your aunt reply to Aunt Zhu. Say Sister Xiangxiang is dating someone herself and doesn’t need to trouble her.” Lin Zhao didn’t ask further. She knew Aunt Zhu well enough to guess.
Song Yuncheng stared at Lin Zhao. “Sister Xiangxiang is sure with…”
She glanced in Li Fen’s direction and winked as she asked, “With that person?”
Lin Zhao focused on eating and didn’t look at him. She just said, “Very likely.”
“Even if it doesn’t work out, we can’t let Aunt Zhu introduce. She’s not sincere.”
She knew Aunt Zhu’s tricks: first introduce the most outrageous ones, wait for the person to get anxious, collect benefits during the process, then introduce mediocre ones. If still not satisfied, keep stringing them along until they can’t stand it and come back begging, then give slightly better ones, while complaining about how much effort she put in… This whole routine earns quite a bit.
“I said the same.” Song Yuncheng propped his chin, sighing. “But my mom is afraid of delaying Sister Xiangxiang’s major life event.”
Lin Zhao thought her aunt was overthinking. “You persuade her too. Tell her this kind of thing can’t be rushed. Marrying the wrong person is what delays a major life event.”
“I said it, but my mom is still worried.” Song Yuncheng knew what his mom was worried about: Sister Xiangxiang was a bit old and had no job, so it was indeed hard to find.
“…”
Lin Zhao was speechless.
“Go back and tell your aunt to prepare the cash gift and red peony bed sheet.”
Her meaning was to have her aunt shift her attention.
But Song Yuncheng thought he got confirmation and happily clapped. “Got it. I’ll go back and say it.”
“Sis, you don’t know how annoying Aunt Zhu is. When she comes to our house, she’s always acting superior. The peach crisps Yun Jin brought home were all eaten by her. Not only did she eat them, she took them, not even leaving us crumbs.” He complained.
“If I were to date someone myself, I wouldn’t go to her no matter what.” Song Yuncheng had psychological shadow from the matchmaker’s antics.
Lin Zhao looked at him inquiringly. “Got someone you like?”
Song Yuncheng’s face flushed red instantly. He didn’t dare look at his sister, pure as could be. “Sis, don’t tell my mom.” He mumbled.
“Of course I won’t blab. When you were little and wet the bed, making Yun Jin take the blame, you begged me not to tell your aunt. Didn’t I keep quiet?” Lin Zhao said.
Song Yuncheng looked helpless.
“Sis, that’s ancient history. Why bring it up?” He said embarrassedly.
“Who told you to doubt me? Am I a blabbermouth?” Lin Zhao rolled her eyes.
Pretty people rolling eyes look beautiful too.
Song Yuncheng couldn’t get mad at all. It had always been like this since childhood. Looking at his sister’s overly pretty face, yeah, sis is always right.
“My fault. I shouldn’t have doubted you.” Song Yuncheng raised both hands in surrender.
Lin Zhao asked curiously, “You have someone you like?? A classmate? Or from the factory?”
Song Yuncheng cleared his throat and drawled, “Sis, nothing’s set in stone yet. When I have a girlfriend, I’ll definitely tell you. Don’t ask now.”
Seeing how embarrassed he was, Lin Zhao smiled. “Alright, I won’t ask.”
Unknowingly, her two cousins were reaching marriageable age.
After Lin Zhao finished eating, Song Yuncheng didn’t linger. He patted his buttocks and left directly. His departing figure exuded youthful vigor.
Tsk, the look of someone fallen in love.
…
Fengshou Brigade.
After Gu Chenghuai finished with the new house matters, he took time to go to Brigade Headquarters to find the Brigade Leader and talk about settling Mr. Qiao and the others.
He was the most successful person in the entire brigade, with impeccable roots. Whatever he said, the Brigade Leader would pay attention to, especially since he was here to help solve the problem.
After hearing Gu Chenghuai out, the Brigade Leader pondered for a moment, his face full of uncertainty. He said worriedly, “I’m in a difficult position. I don’t know what attitude to take toward them. You know, those people are sent down from above to receive education. Building walls and repairing houses aren’t big deals. The only thing troubling me is… I don’t know how to grasp the degree. Chenghuai, you’re capable and knowledgeable. Do you know what exactly is going on up there?”
His eyes looked at Gu Chenghuai expectantly.
Things were chaotic in the county too. Even if the Brigade Leader was slow, he noticed something off.
Gu Chenghuai couldn’t say the policies were wrong. “No matter what’s going on, the brigade’s work focus won’t change. We’ll still prioritize production tasks.”
“As for those people, whatever the higher-ups require, that’s what the brigade does. The documents clearly require them to receive labor education, which is something you’re good at, Brigade Leader. No need for me to teach. It’s just…”
He paused slightly, then continued, “Receiving labor education doesn’t mean taking lives. Their place is close to the mountain. If no wild beasts come down, fine. But once wild beasts come down, those people—old ones old, young ones young—where’s their chance of survival?”
The Brigade Leader’s expression gradually turned grave.
This was what worried him most.
“If a vicious incident of wild beasts attacking people suddenly happens…” Gu Chenghuai shook his head. “Even if the injured are here to receive education, there’ll be talk. If reporters cleverly come to report on it, our brigade will be known nationwide.”
The Brigade Leader’s face changed abruptly. “That won’t do. Who wants that kind of bad reputation?”
He paced irritably in place, thought for a long time, then made up his mind. “No, no. The houses must be repaired, the courtyard walls must be built.”
A flash of laughter quickly passed through Gu Chenghuai’s eyes.
Best to openly improve their living conditions this way, so his dad wouldn’t have to take risks himself.
“Chenghuai, doing it this way… is it okay?” The Brigade Leader wanted peace of mind, his gaze fixed on him.
Gu Chenghuai nodded. “It’s fine. The issues with those people aren’t serious.”
He had checked. The most troublesome was Old Master Qiao, a big capitalist. Even so, he had commendation documents signed and stamped by leaders. If scrutinized, he was still ‘red’ enough.
“Good, good as long as it’s fine.” The Brigade Leader repeated twice, thinking the sooner the better. He found some strong laborers to go to the foot of the mountain.
Repair roofs, replace wooden doors, build courtyard walls…
When Meng Jiusi and others saw people from the brigade arrive, they were first nervous, then relieved to find they were there to help repair the houses. They felt flattered.
Xiao Xiao saw several uncles helping repair their roof and smiled faintly at the corner of her mouth. She whispered, “Mom, the uncles are helping us repair the roof.”
Tian Ruo had been worried sick over the holes in the roof, even getting blisters in her mouth. Seeing villagers come to help, she breathed a sigh of relief too.
“Yeah, someone came to help us repair the roof.” She looked toward Old Master Qiao, knowing they all benefited from his light.
She had heard the commotion last night.
Over there, the Brigade Leader saw Meng Jiusi drying something and walked over. Uncertainly, he said, “You’re… drying herbs?”
Meng Jiusi nodded. “Yes.”
Thinking of something, he added, “My grandfather and I both know traditional Chinese medicine.”
Upon hearing this, the Brigade Leader’s eyes changed instantly.
Talented people with medical skills?
He appreciated capable people. Learning this grandfather-grandson pair were doctors, several ideas popped into his mind, like having them be the brigade’s doctors. But remembering their status, he had to drop it.
Sigh.
What a pity.
The Brigade Leader patted Meng Jiusi’s shoulder. “Pretty good.”
Rarely saying something encouraging. “Things will get better.”
He felt people with such skills wouldn’t fear going anywhere.
“Thanks.” Warmth flowed in Meng Jiusi’s eyes as he smiled faintly and nodded.
Ever since his grandfather’s incident, everyone around turned into demons and ghosts, his heart cooling inch by inch.
Until this moment, he felt this messed-up world wasn’t so bad after all.
…
Gu Fu learned from Gu Chenghuai that the Brigade Leader took people to repair those thatched houses at the foot of the mountain. A big smile appeared on his face.
“Third Son, you’re really something.” He gave a thumbs up.
He learned this gesture from the twins.
“I can finally relax. What did you say to the Brigade Leader to make him willing?”
Gu Chenghuai calmly said, “Moved him with emotion, explained with reason.”
“The Brigade Leader is a reasonable man. Explain the pros and cons properly, and he’ll figure it out.”
He believed those so-called crimes couldn’t trap Mr. Qiao and the others forever.
The Brigade Leader’s kind approach was right and only good for the whole brigade.
Gu Fu didn’t have such a broad view. He mainly feared dragging down the Brigade Leader, so he asked, “This won’t bring any bad influence to the Brigade Leader, right?”
The Brigade Leader’s wife was gossipy and not easy to deal with, but the Brigade Leader was fair and just. He didn’t want the Brigade Leader to step down.
“It’s fine. I’ll arrange it properly.”
Hearing Gu Chenghuai’s words, Gu Fu felt the third son even more reliable. No matter the matter, just tell him, and he’d handle it neatly.
How could he not be proud of having such a son?
“I’ve come up with names for the kids. When your wife comes back and the family is all here, I’ll tell.” The old master still teased.
Gu Chenghuai thought of his little brother and asked, “When is Qingzhou coming back?”
Gu Xing’er was kicked out of the Gu family, her room turned into Gu Qingzhou’s. No worry about the fourth son having no place when he returned.
“Originally said he’d come back after school starts, but with school like that, his maternal uncle said to stay a few more days.” Gu Fu said, “Chenghuai, go to your grandmother’s house one of these days and pick up that kid. I think he’s forgetting which way home door opens.”
“Okay, I’ll go next Monday.” It had been a while, and Gu Chenghuai missed his little brother.
Gu Mu’s maternal family was far; a round trip on bicycle took over two hours.
“Qingzhou doesn’t know I’m back yet?”
Gu Fu smiled and shook his head. “Definitely not. If that kid knew, he could run back overnight.”
The younger son idolized his third brother most. As long as the third was home, he’d stick to him, just like Er Zai sticking to Da Zai.
“Originally wanted to send word through someone, but couldn’t find one right away.”
Gu Chenghuai knew his brother’s temperament and said, “It’s fine. I’ll go find him. Qingzhou won’t be mad.”
“In front of you, that kid has a good temper.” Gu Fu said helplessly, but indulgence flashed in his eyes.
The younger son was different from Xing’er. Xing’er was selfish, thinking only of herself. Qingzhou was different; he cared about family, had a soft heart, was sensible.
…
County.
Taking advantage of the noon meal break when the Supply and Marketing Cooperative was quiet, Lin Zhao asked Li Fen to watch the counter and went to the Street Office on South Street.
Get that yard under her name sooner, and she’d have peace of mind. Lest the Housing Management Office take it, then it’d be too late to cry.
Lin Zhao found the Street Office. As soon as she spoke, the clerks in the office all looked at her.
“Do you have the land property ownership certificate for that yard?” a woman asked.
The house had been ownerless for years. Suddenly someone claims to be the owner and wants a new certificate; of course she had to ask clearly.
“Yes, here.” Lin Zhao handed over the worn paper.
The woman took it, looked, “It’s real. Come see.” She beckoned the others.
The other clerks stood up and crowded over.
They each looked.
“It’s real.”
“Didn’t expect it to still be around after all these years.”
“Lin Jiu, the owner.”
…
They chatted one after another.
“Can it be done?” Lin Zhao asked.
“Yes.” The one in charge said, “Did you bring the letter of introduction?”
“Brought it.” Lin Zhao gave her the letter of introduction.
These days, the letter of introduction was key proof of identity. To dispel doubts, she also showed her grains and oils card.
Seeing the big ‘Supply and Marketing Cooperative’ on it, the Street Office people looked at her in surprise.
“You’re from the Supply and Marketing Cooperative?”
Lin Zhao smiled. “Yes, a salesperson, just started not long ago.”
Being able to enter the Supply and Marketing Cooperative meant her background was fine.
The female comrades had no malice toward her to begin with. Knowing she was a salesperson, they handled it even more efficiently.
The girl in charge took out a booklet, copied the name from the letter of introduction, wrote Lin Zhao’s name, and stamped it.
“Done.” As she spoke, she filed the old land property ownership certificate and handed over the new one.
“You came just in time. Any later and it wouldn’t be this easy.”
Lin Zhao raised a brow.
Was the thing Yun Jin inquired about speeding up?
She hadn’t expected it to go so smoothly. She put away the new certificate, took out candy to thank the clerks, and smiled brightly. “Thank you. I didn’t think it’d be this fast. I was even thinking if it didn’t work today, I’d take half a day off tomorrow to come specially. Comrades, your efficiency is really high!”
Once the house was renovated, dealings with the Street Office couldn’t be avoided. Might need them someday; better relations.
Each got candy and praise, making them delighted.
“Comrade Lin, you’re from our street. Need help anytime, just come.”
“Yeah, yeah. We’ll definitely help what we can.”
…
Lin Zhao: So enthusiastic.
“Thanks. If you need to buy anything, come find me. I’ll save some for you.”
Hearing this, the Street Office people beamed with joy.
