Chapter 112: “bike-riding Kid”
Saying goodbye to the enthusiastic Street Office clerk, Lin Zhao returned to the Supply and Marketing Cooperative with light steps.
Even Li Fen could see her good mood.
“Encountered some happy event?”
Lin Zhao smiled, not mentioning a word about the house, “Keep it secret for now, tell you another day.”
“Okay.” Li Fen said with a smile.
The smile at the corner of Lin Zhao’s mouth didn’t fade for a long time.
She sat down to drink some water, moisten her throat, and then asked: “Has my sister and them not come back yet?”
This time, Li Fen smiled even brighter than her, “Yes, not back yet. Not coming back is good, it means they have things to chat about, maybe in not long, our two families will hold a happy event.”
Her younger brother was like a gourd that wouldn’t speak, couldn’t say more than a few words to a female comrade, going out with Yuan Xiang for half a day meant he was very satisfied with her.
If the woman was also satisfied with him, holding the happy event would be a matter of these few months.
Lin Zhao had it all figured out.
With Aunt’s temperament, marrying off Sister Xiangxiang before the New Year was very likely.
No one would willingly be treated as a joke forever, especially after the daughter had a better way out.
“Zhaozhao, you’re not an outsider, so I won’t beat around the bush, our family has prepared the betrothal gifts, two hundred yuan, plus a watch and a sewing machine for your sister.” Li Fen took the initiative to reveal the bottom line to show sincerity.
This was really generous!
Lin Zhao was stunned.
One had to know that in the countryside, betrothal gifts of thirty or fifty were already plenty. Not to mention the Li Family also proposed giving a watch and sewing machine, two of the three turns and one sound, quite sincere!
No words to say, Lin Zhao gave a thumbs up.
Li Fen understood this way of praising, her face full of smiles.
“Always making trouble.” She pretended to hit someone, laughing: “The sewing machine is what I added, the rest were prepared by Little Song.”
“After he gets married, those two little ones live their lives, I won’t disturb, won’t do those annoying things. As for my younger sister, don’t worry, my younger sister is quite happy with it, won’t stay home forever, and she’s not the type to resent a sister-in-law, my younger sister has a good temperament, if I say too much it seems like I’m this older sister speaking well for my younger sister, if I don’t say, wait till you meet her you’ll understand everything!”
Li Fen said so much, mainly wanting to borrow Lin Zhao’s mouth to pass the words to Yuan Xiangniang’s ears, to promote the marriage as soon as possible.
Lin Zhao understood it all.
She felt the Li Family was very sincere, and also became serious, “Sister Fen, rest assured, I’ll bring these words to my aunt when I go back.”
Li Fen thought to herself, talking to smart people is effortless.
“Ah, then trouble you.”
The two were talking when the door curtain was lifted.
Li Song and Yuan Xiang walked in one after the other.
Lin Zhao and others looked over, gazes burning, the curiosity in their eyes couldn’t be hidden.
Yuan Xiang noticed several gazes like burning fire, her steps paused slightly, eyes dodging, her whole body smoking.
Li Song noticed his partner was uncomfortable, turned sideways to block the incoming gossip gazes.
“Don’t be afraid, everyone has no malice.” He said.
Yuan Xiang blushed, said softly: “I know…”
She just, just felt a bit uneasy.
She raised her hand to touch her hot face, took a deep breath, and walked towards Lin Zhao.
“Zhaozhao.” Yuan Xiang called.
Lin Zhao knew her cousin’s temperament was reserved, slightly restrained the curiosity on her face, said casually: “Sister Xiangxiang, sit for a bit first, I’ll get off work soon.”
“Mm.” Yuan Xiang responded.
She was about to go to the corner, saw Li Song still there, hesitated and looked at him.
Li Song: Rarely still remembers him.
“You go rest, I’ll pick you up at the brigade the day after tomorrow.” Li Song said in front of everyone.
The meaning in the words was obvious.
Li Fen covered her mouth in surprise, excitedly pounded the counter, “Little Song, you two… you two…”
She pointed at Li Song and Yuan Xiang.
Li Song’s face had a big smile, very frankly said: “Sis, Comrade Yuan and I are dating.”
Li Fen leaned forward, tiptoed, fiercely patted her younger brother’s solid arms a few times, voice full of thick laughter, “Well done, you boy finally made me proud, good eye!”
She looked at Yuan Xiang again, immediately changed to looking at younger brother’s wife eyes, called intimately, “Xiangxiang ah, if Li Song bullies you, tell me, I’ll sort him out.”
Li Song hurriedly said: “Sis! Don’t mess things up for me! What bullying, who have I bullied, don’t ruin my reputation in front of me!”
He finally had a partner, if she ruined it, where would he find another to his liking.
Li Fen pursed her lips.
Bullied who?
Those girls he went on blind dates with before weren’t all driven away by him?
He didn’t hit anyone, but that mouth was like it grew a knife, very vicious.
The girls asked, for marriage, your family gives three turns and one sound right, how much betrothal gifts, I graduated junior high, at least three or five hundred right…
How did Li Song reply?
Tch, first a disdainful interjection, then a light tsk.
“Three or five hundred? What are you, some pampered lady, opening mouth for three or five hundred, short on money why not rob a bank! Still three turns and one sound, how thick-faced!? Did your mom have three turns and one sound when marrying your dad, and you dare ask me for three turns and one sound. Not even started yet, and you dare open your mouth, I’m really done, so what if junior high graduate, high education doesn’t mean high character, just from these questions you ask, we two can’t date, not a match.”
While speaking, didn’t even restrain the disgust, contempt, greed… on his face, treating him like some fool or resentful?
His leg was lame, but his eyes weren’t blind!
A string of output, making the girl blush to her ears, reached out to slap him.
Li Song hurriedly dodged, still kept chattering, “What? Can’t argue so hit people? Lucky we didn’t date, otherwise I wouldn’t have good days!”
That girl upon hearing, stomped her feet, cursed dead cripple dead cripple on the spot, angrily wiped tears and ran off.
Because of this, Li Song’s reputation got worse and worse, from lame-legged veteran soldier, to vicious-speaking cripple.
These two were worlds apart.
After that, the ones introduced were unbearable to watch.
Last night, Li Fen repeatedly instructed Li Song, tell him to watch his mouth, don’t speak so bluntly, if really not satisfied she’d go turn down for him, don’t make it hard for her in front of colleagues.
Li Song promised one by one.
But Li Fen who knew his nature wasn’t too reassured, Little Song usually didn’t talk much, could be called taciturn, but when really retorting, that mouth like coated in poison, could poison someone faint.
At this moment, hearing Li Fen’s words, Yuan Xiang shook her head, spoke well for her partner, “No, Comrade Li is very… respectful to me.”
Yes, respect, the respect she never felt from her former fiancé.
Li Song’s mouth almost split to the back of his head.
The look at his biological sister full of smugness, see that, what did his partner say? He said the previous blind date failures weren’t his problem, fate hadn’t arrived.
Li Fen saw the sincerity on Yuan Xiang’s face, very happy.
Younger brother was educated by her, praising him for being respectful, wasn’t that also praising her.
“You two date well is fine.” She grabbed Yuan Xiang’s hand, patted the back of her hand, eyes full of undisguisable liking.
Lin Zhao thought no need to worry about Sister Xiangxiang and Elder Sister-in-law not getting along, Sister Fen liked her very much.
Yuan Xiang was straightforward, not many twists in her heart, one is one two is two, expression serious: “Sis rest assured, we’ll date well.”
Li Song was now her partner, calling Li Fen sis was also right.
…
Soon it was three in the afternoon.
Lin Zhao took Yuan Xiang to leave the Supply and Marketing Cooperative.
Just about to go, Li Fen came over carrying a cloth bag, without a word stuffed the things into Yuan Xiang’s bosom.
“Xiangxiang, meeting gift I prepared for you, take it.”
Dropped the words, turned and left.
In the instant Yuan Xiang was stunned, Li Fen’s figure was gone.
“Zhaozhao, this…?” Her tone hesitant.
Lin Zhao said indifferently: “Take it, Sister Fen said it’s a meeting gift.”
Hearing her say so, Yuan Xiang didn’t feel awkward, so took the things, sat on the bicycle back seat.
The bicycle slid out from the spot.
Lin Zhao took the chance to ask: “Sister Xiangxiang, where did you two go today?”
“Went to see a movie, also ate a meal with meat.” Yuan Xiang lowered her eyes, a flash of shyness in her eyes, said: “Comrade Li said, after marriage he’ll hand over his salary. If I want to go to work, he’ll help me find a job, if I don’t want to work, he can support me.”
Lin Zhao raised her brow, “That’s the most basic.”
Handing over salary is basic, helping daughter-in-law find work and supporting daughter-in-law is also normal.
“…”
Yuan Xiang was silent.
Where is that basic, not many men have this awareness okay.
Thinking of brother-in-law spoiling Zhaozhao, didn’t feel strange.
She still said: “Zhaozhao, not everyone can directly talk about money.”
Lin Zhao’s pretty eyes flashed a cold mockery, “Can’t even directly talk money, what kind of family is that.”
Her maternal family and husband’s family could very frankly talk money, what is what, what’s can’t talk about.
She hated most those families that treat daughter-in-law like outsiders and guard against them.
Yuan Xiang’s eyes flashed, stretched out her arm, patted Lin Zhao’s shoulder, said: “You’re right, I agree too, don’t get angry Zhaozhao, these things not worth you getting mad.”
“I’m not angry, what’s to be angry about, just angry at some people’s incompetence.” Lin Zhao had seen plenty of doormats, some had no way out fine, some clearly had choices, yet stubbornly blocked their own path, really made one feel like a fishbone in throat.
One must stand up themselves.
Yuan Xiang hugging the big cloth bag, sitting posture much more relaxed than when coming.
She smiled: “If I insisted on fulfilling the previous engagement, I should also be one of those you are angry at for incompetence right.”
Lin Zhao nodded in her heart, but on mouth said: “No, if you marry there must be your reasons, if you encounter unfair things, I’ll help you.”
Whether these words true or not, they warmed the heart.
Yuan Xiang’s heart like soaked in warm water, “Zhaozhao, thank you.”
This thank, thanked Zhaozhao for not looking down on her, helping her pick up her shattered self-esteem in the Lin Family, also thanked Zhaozhao for thoughtfully introducing her a partner.
Had to say, introducing a partner and such… was a beautiful misunderstanding.
This misunderstanding could develop into a complete story, also pretty good.
“Thank what, you’re my sister.” Lin Zhao said casually.
Yuan Xiang was moved, Zhaozhao truly treated her as sister, from now on Zhaozhao was her only younger sister.
Lin Zhao huffed and puffed pedaling the bicycle, thinking tomorrow one more day of work then rest one day, full of strength, smile on face bright as could be.
“Sister Xiangxiang, after you marry, you’ll go to work right?”
Hearing this, Yuan Xiang was slightly stunned.
Work, of course she wanted.
But…
“My education isn’t high, can I find work?” She asked hesitantly.
“Of course.” Lin Zhao heard Sister Xiangxiang wanted to work, happy in heart, for a woman to truly stand up, walk proudly on the broad road, having a job that can support herself is essential.
She said: “So many positions, always some that don’t need education. Sister Fen’s whole family are workers, connections very strong, if they help you find work, definitely can find.”
Just spend some money.
“Sister Xiangxiang, if Li Family says find work for you, accept it generously, don’t feel owing them, taking out your own betrothal gifts, the money aunt gave you for bottom of the box, that’s not clear-headed, that’s stupid, betrothal gifts and bottom of the box money you must keep well, these are your capital to cope with all risks.”
Yuan Xiang originally did plan that way.
She felt Li Family gave betrothal gifts, then buy her a job, a bit too much.
Lin Zhao was good at reading people, in the moment Yuan Xiang was silent, she immediately guessed what she was thinking.
“You go to work not putting in labor? Or your earned money not used for family expenses?”
“Sis think about it well.”
Lin Zhao didn’t say more, to avoid annoying.
She said what should be said, how to do still up to Yuan Xiang to decide.
Anyway if it were her, she wouldn’t return the betrothal gifts, no form of ‘return’ okay.
Yuan Xiang wasn’t ungrateful, she knew Zhaozhao was thinking for her, “Zhaozhao, your words, I’ll seriously consider, thank you.”
“No need thanks, as long as you don’t think I talk too much.”
…
Unknowingly, the bicycle rode to the village entrance.
The two on the bike didn’t go far into the village.
Lin Zhao saw from afar, on the dirt road, a little milk dumpling over one year old sitting on a small wooden cart, two little short legs exerting force, sliding forward smoothly.
One big one small two dogs following by his side.
Looking closely, it was actually San Zai.
The little friend’s exquisite cute little face tinged with light red, usually calm black eyes shining with happy light, smiling with eyes curved.
He also saw Lin Zhao riding over.
Eyes suddenly bright.
Stretched out little hands to greet his mom.
Little short legs paddled even faster.
“Mom!”
“Mom!!”
Shouted twice in a row.
Voice also milky.
Could imagine, the little friend full of milk fragrance.
He so tiny, sitting on small wooden cart looked even smaller, such a small bundle, cute to make one laugh.
Lin Zhao jumped off the bicycle.
Bang Bang voluntarily came forward, face piled with smiles, “Third Aunt, I’ll push the cart for you.”
He just learned to ride bike not long ago, right at the addictive stage, every day at fixed time waiting for his Third Aunt to return.
Lin Zhao also generous, family members whoever wants to ride she lends.
Gu Family members very particular, when returning still remember to wipe and wash, more caring than her the owner.
“San Zai ride car car.” Lin Zhao used hand to wipe son’s forehead sweat, the little milk baby drinks milk powder daily, sweat even has sweet sticky taste.
“Dad made for baby~!” San Zai patted the wooden cart’s front, voice sweet and soft.
The wooden cart was personally made by Gu Chenghuai, every piece of wood polished round and smooth, considering practicality while not forgetting aesthetics, at the front made a big eye-shaped basket, inside the basket placed the dictionary San Zai loved.
Lin Zhao touched the wooden cart, very smooth.
“Your dad first time making wooden cart, made for you, happy?”
San Zai nodded like pounding garlic, at this time his body finally had some childish innocence fitting his age.
“Mm mm.”
Da Huang saw owner not paying attention to itself, unwilling to be ignored, head nudged Lin Zhao’s leg.
“Saw you, saw you.”
Lin Zhao smilingly touched Da Huang’s head, bent waist to hug Amber climbing onto her, scratched its neck, the twice as fat little dog made comfortable purring sounds from its mouth.
She walked forward, San Zai used his legs forcefully, controlled the small wooden cart home.
“San Zai, where are your older brother and younger sister?”
