Chapter 163: “she’s Determined To Be This Vicious Sister-in-law”
The father was speechless.
“…Or maybe they’ll find someone who isn’t picky,” he said. “Let’s look first, and if we can’t find anyone, we’ll think of another way.”
After a moment’s thought, he added, “I’ll go talk to Mother later.”
Mother Gu wasn’t optimistic. She forced a smile and said, “Do you think your mother will care?”
“Why wouldn’t she?” Father Gu said, putting on a brave front. “My good daughter was turned into this by her, she has to take responsibility.”
Mother Gu ignored the old man.
Hmph!
He was all bluster now, but when his mother threw a tantrum, he’d be as meek as a quail, not daring to make a peep!
A stubborn old man his whole life!
Father Gu saw his wife’s disbelief and widened his eyes. “Hey! Don’t you believe me! I’m serious.”
When were you ever not serious?
Mother Gu asked herself internally.
“…I’ll wait for your good news,” she said, not wanting to discourage him.
At least one more person was thinking of a solution.
Her mother-in-law had lived for decades and knew many people. She might be able to find Xing’er a good husband. Although this person was biased and annoying, she genuinely cared about Xing’er.
Father Gu didn’t waste any more time and went straight to Uncle Gu Er’s house.
“Big Brother,” Uncle Gu Er greeted him.
“I need to see Mother about something,” Father Gu said directly.
“Mother is in the room,” Uncle Gu Er said, lifting the curtain and gesturing for him to come in.
Gu Laotai was biased and eccentric, but it was strange that it didn’t affect the relationship between Father Gu and Uncle Gu Er.
“Mother, Big Brother is here,” Uncle Gu Er called to the old woman on the kang.
Gu Laotai looked over. “Why are you here? The busy man finally has time to see this old woman.”
She spoke sarcastically, as if her body would ache if she didn’t provoke someone.
Father Gu didn’t take it to heart. She was just a sharp-tongued old woman. If he took her seriously, he wouldn’t have lived this long.
“Mother,” he called, sitting down on the edge of the bed. “I’m here to talk about Xing’er’s matter.”
“…”
Gu Laotai subconsciously glanced at her second son and caught a flicker of stiffness on Uncle Gu Er’s face. She sighed inwardly.
She doted on Xing’er, but she couldn’t completely hurt her second son’s feelings.
“Xing’er is your daughter, and it’s not appropriate for her to stay with your second brother. Let her move back.”
Afraid Father Gu would disagree, she immediately added, “From now on, I won’t interfere in her affairs. You and your wife can handle it.”
As soon as she finished speaking, Father Gu opened his mouth, his words laced with displeasure. “Xing’er is spoiled rotten by you. Mother, do you think her mother and I can control her?”
“You insisted on raising Xing’er yourself, and you’ve turned her into that. Mother, you can’t just wash your hands of it and leave the trouble to me and my wife. With her temper, if she stays at home for half a month, our family will fall apart!”
Gu Laotai was not one to reflect on her actions. The reason she had lived so long was entirely due to her ability to let things go.
Hearing her eldest son’s complaint, she grabbed something nearby and threw it at him.
“What?!” she glared at her eldest son. “It’s good enough that I raised your daughter for you. How long do you expect me to raise her for you?”
Uncle Gu Er’s wife was outside the door. Gu Laotai’s voice wasn’t deliberately lowered, and she happened to hear this. She pouted.
—Gu Xing’er was fed by her, she even washed her diapers. The mother-in-law would playfully tease the child sometimes, but ignore her when she wasn’t happy.
Father Gu got straight to the point. “I’m not asking you to continue raising her. Her mother and I think Xing’er should be getting married. We’d like to ask for your help with this matter.
You know Xing’er’s temperament. She looks down on those she deems beneath her and desperately wants to marry into the city and become a city person. I don’t know many city dwellers, so I can’t help. Mother, you know more people, please help find your granddaughter a match.”
Gu Laotai didn’t like hearing this. “What’s wrong with Xing’er’s temper? Her temper is perfectly fine!”
“Who doesn’t want a good life? Life in the countryside has no hope. What’s wrong with a young girl wanting to move to the city? If it weren’t for you, her father, being incompetent, would she have to rely on herself?!”
“…” Father Gu was speechless.
So it was his fault?!
He didn’t want to argue with his mother, so he just asked, “Does Mother mean she’s willing to help?”
“You’ve come all this way to ask, how can I say no?” Gu Laotai felt her eldest son really didn’t know how to talk, no wonder she preferred her second son.
“If there’s nothing else, you can go back. I’ve made a note of it, and I’ll have the second one call you when I have news.”
She did know quite a few people, so asking around wasn’t a problem.
Xing’er grew up by her side and was spoiled into being overbearing and haughty. It was her fault for not raising her properly, and she had to admit it. The eldest son and his wife asked for her help, and she couldn’t refuse. Otherwise, she would completely alienate her eldest son’s family, which she didn’t want.
Father Gu felt a sense of relief all over. “Mother, if you don’t want to see your son have a difficult old age, please do it quickly.”
Uncle Gu Er felt sympathy and understanding.
Most people couldn’t handle his niece’s temperament. He had originally thought he could endure it for a year or two until she got married, but he couldn’t even last six months.
Why was Xing’er so good at attracting hatred, sigh.
Gu Laotai glared. “That’s your daughter, and you dislike her so much.”
Father Gu didn’t argue, only saying, “…If you don’t dislike her, should I send her over?”
Gu Laotai was choked.
What an unfilial thing.
Frustrated, she waved her hand. “Go, go, go, don’t get in my way. Seeing you gives me a headache.”
On Father Gu’s honest and simple face, a hint of schadenfreude appeared.
“As you sow, so shall you reap. Xing’er turned out this way because of your upbringing, it has nothing to do with me and my wife.”
Finished speaking.
He stood up and left, his legs more agile than a young person’s.
Uncle Gu Er knew his mother was upset and, fearing he might get caught in the crossfire, followed along under the guise of escorting his elder brother.
“Big Brother, what’s happened with Xing’er again?”
Father Gu stopped. “What else? She’s been making trouble since she got back. She ruined the good day for the third branch!”
The third branch of the Gu family didn’t invite Uncle Gu Er’s family to their housewarming banquet, but they sent meat and candy. The proper courtesies were observed, and Uncle Gu Er and his wife didn’t complain, thinking Cheng Huai and his wife were good people.
“I guessed as much,” Uncle Gu Er said. “Xing’er was locked up for so long, she was bound to be let out. I was just saying last night… don’t let her spoil your fun, I didn’t expect…”
“Did Cheng Huai’s wife get angry?” Uncle Gu Er didn’t want his brother to be on bad terms with Cheng Huai and his wife.
It was obvious that Cheng Huai and his wife were the most successful. For his brother and sister-in-law to have a good old age, they still had to rely on the third branch.
Father Gu really didn’t know. “…I didn’t notice.”
“With Cheng Huai there, Third Son’s wife probably didn’t get angry, right?” he said uncertainly.
Uncle Gu Er didn’t comment, only saying, “Remind Cheng Huai not to get caught in the middle. If he angers his wife, he won’t have a good time.”
His expression was complicated. “The Lin family is protective of their own. If Cheng Huai’s wife gets unhappy…”
He didn’t finish his sentence, but those who understood knew what he meant.
Father Gu thought it made sense. He thanked his second brother and left Uncle Gu Er’s house to find Gu Cheng Huai.
“Dad?” Gu Cheng Huai was startled, not expecting to see his father at the door.
Father Gu didn’t beat around the bush. He glanced at the brick and tile house and lowered his voice. “Third Son, your wife didn’t make a fuss, did she?”
Hearing the worry in his father’s voice, Gu Cheng Huai felt warmth spread through him, his eyes softening. “No.”
“That’s good. You’re busy, I’m going back.” Father Gu left again.
Lin Zhao came out and saw his retreating back. She asked Gu Cheng Huai, “What did Dad come for? Why didn’t he come into the yard?”
Gu Cheng Huai withdrew his gaze and said gently, “He was worried you’d be angry, so he came to ask.”
“…”
Lin Zhao was helpless.
“I don’t get angry that easily.”
Gu Xing’er was less important to her than Da Huang. There was no need to argue with her.
The more she acted out, the more displeased Cheng Huai would be with her, and she would be the one losing out, not herself.
Lin Zhao mumbled, “Why is everyone in your family afraid I’ll get angry? Big Sister is like this, and Dad is like this too.”
Back then, after her parents-in-law left, Gu Chan had nervously tried to cover for Gu Xing’er, or rather, to appease her.
“Gu Xing’er speaks harshly and unreasonably. You were unfairly targeted, so it’s not surprising that family members are afraid you’ll get angry,” Gu Cheng Huai said.
Thinking of Gu Xing’er’s resentful gaze, a frost seemed to settle in his eyes.
Lin Zhao caught the change in his tone.
Before, when talking about Gu Xing’er, he would call her Xing’er or Little Sister. Now, he used her full name, which spoke volumes.
She wasn’t interested in playing the understanding confidante and wouldn’t speak up for someone ungrateful.
Gu Xing’er, such a selfish and cold-hearted person, didn’t deserve her man’s attention.
She was determined to be that wicked sister-in-law!
“I’m used to it,” Lin Zhao said with feigned sweetness. “From the first day I married in, she’s disliked me. She’d give me the side-eye, sometimes she’d deliberately bump into me. When I was pregnant with twins and had severe morning sickness, she said I was being dramatic, bad-mouthed me in the village, and even stole the eggs Mother boiled for me…”
Gu Xing’er had indeed done these things. However, she wasn’t a pushover. She had fought back on the spot, and she was never the one who suffered.
But.
Gu Cheng Huai didn’t know this.
A cold glint flashed in his eyes as he looked at his wife with heartache. “Why didn’t you ever tell me?”
This must be the real reason Zhaozhao wanted to separate the households.
No wonder.
He understood.
Fortunately, he had never blamed Zhaozhao. Otherwise… even if he had the slightest dissatisfaction, their lives would have been chaotic.
The handsome young officer’s face was filled with regret and annoyance.
“You’ve been wronged.”
Oh dear, he had overdone it!
Lin Zhao’s tone lightened. “I didn’t suffer any loss. The one who lost out was your sister.”
“I know,” Gu Cheng Huai smiled, gently squeezing his wife’s soft fingers. “I told you, as long as you’re in the right, you can fight back however you want. I’m on your side.”
Lin Zhao countered, “What if I’m not in the right?”
“You won’t be,” Gu Cheng Huai said without hesitation. “You don’t like to fuss, and you’re not an unreasonable person. I trust you unconditionally.”
Therefore, all these years, when Gu Xing’er wrote to him about his wife, he hadn’t believed a word.
Lin Zhao’s lips curved into a smile.
The couple entered the yard and sat in the shade.
Having just moved in, the yard looked a bit bare.
Gu Cheng Huai casually asked, “What do you plan to plant in the yard?”
“A circle of flowers along the wall, anything will do. As for trees, let me think…” Lin Zhao pondered and said, “A persimmon tree, or a crabapple, or a sweet osmanthus, what do you think?”
Gu Cheng Huai agreed. “Okay, we’ll do it tomorrow.”
With the matter handed over to him, Lin Zhao didn’t worry about it anymore, only looking forward to enjoying the flowers.
Remembering something, she put down her enamel mug and looked at Gu Cheng Huai, her expression curious. “What’s going on between Qingzhou and Gu Xing’er?”
“Qingzhou seems a bit strange, um… I mean, his attitude towards Gu Xing’er has changed.”
Qingzhou used to be very good to Gu Xing’er, a proper elder brother. Now, it seemed he didn’t want to deal with her.
Gu Cheng Huai didn’t make excuses for Gu Xing’er. His brows furrowed, looking stern and serious.
“Qingzhou has done his utmost for Gu Xing’er. He never mistreated her from childhood to adulthood and always protected her. Gu Xing’er has wronged Qingzhou for his kindness.”
Lin Zhao was puzzled.
The man continued, “The things I gave Qingzhou before were all taken by her. In order to get more benefits, she schemed… she didn’t want Qingzhou to go to high school.”
There were many convoluted schemes in between, but Gu Cheng Huai glossed over them, not going into detail.
Lin Zhao was dumbfounded.
After a long silence, she said, “Is Gu Xing’er too possessive of your things?”
“Yes,” Gu Cheng Huai’s eyes were complex, his brow furrowed with displeasure.
He too had realized that Gu Xing’er’s reach was extending too far!
“She’s not going to school anymore, and Dad and Mother said they won’t be responsible for her in the future. She’s not the third branch’s responsibility. If Gu Xing’er comes to you again, don’t be polite.”
“Of course, I won’t indulge her,” Lin Zhao said, looking at the four children happily playing in the corner, her eyes gentle.
This world was so vast, so boundless. How lucky it was to become a family. Yet some people didn’t know how to cherish it.
She would teach the four children well.
Just as Lin Zhao was about to say something, someone shouted loudly from outside the door.
“Is this Comrade Gu Cheng Huai?”
Gu Cheng Huai stood up. “The sewing machine must have arrived.”
Lin Zhao jumped up from her rocking chair, excited. “A sewing machine?”
She pulled the man and walked quickly outside.
Her steps were jubilant.
Gu Cheng Huai’s gaze was gentle.
Seeing the four children about to rush out, he said, “Yu Bao, Heng Bao, you two go pour two cups of sugar water.”
The two boys barely stopped, took a turn, and walked towards the kitchen.
There was a plastic water kettle on the stove, filled with cool sugar water that Gu Cheng Huai had put there early that morning.
The twins poured the water and pattered to the door, giving it to the two deliverymen.
“Uncle, have some water.”
Fengshou Brigade was far away, and the journey took a long time. They were indeed thirsty.
“Thank you.”
The two men gulped it down and discovered it was sweet, their earlier resentment dissipating by more than half.
Upon hearing that Gu Cheng Huai had bought a sewing machine, Mother Gu and others came running.
They helped carry the large item inside.
Mother Gu’s face was full of joy. “Third Son, why didn’t you tell us you were buying a sewing machine? I heard about it and couldn’t react for half the day. Oh my, it’s truly a large item, it looks wonderful.”
“I didn’t know when it would arrive, so I forgot to mention it later,” Gu Cheng Huai said.
Mother Gu chided him playfully. “You can forget about something so important? Even at my age, my memory is better than yours.”
Although she said it, she was very proud in her heart.
Her third son was truly capable, even managing to buy a sewing machine.
The yard was soon filled with people who came to watch the excitement.
Wang Chunhua looked at the new sewing machine with admiration and said with a smile, “I’ve really broadened my horizons today. I’ve always heard about sewing machines but never seen one before. To see one now! Yu Bao’s mother is truly blessed.”
“Yes, yes. Cheng Huai rarely comes back, and he built a brick and tile house for the family, and bought a sewing machine for his wife. Look around the village, which man cares so much for his wife.”
While some were envious, others wanted to take advantage.
“Yu Bao’s mother, I heard making clothes with a sewing machine is very fast. When you’re not using it, can you lend it to me?”
The speaker was an older aunt.
She was about the same age as Mother Gu.
Before Lin Zhao could speak, Mother Gu rolled her eyes and put her hands on her hips. “What are you thinking? Asking to borrow it right off the bat. If you’re so eager to take advantage, why don’t you ask the Commune Secretary to give you money every month?”
“Cheng Huai bought this for his wife, it’s not a hoe bought by the brigade. You want to borrow it? Dream on.”
She hadn’t even considered lending it.
What kind of person!
Mother Gu shooed them away. “Go home after you’ve seen it. This sewing machine is going into the house!”
Her words were blunt, but that’s how you had to be with villagers. If you were too thin-skinned, you’d suffer greatly.
Newly married young wives were easily taken advantage of by these people.
Mother Gu had many sons, and one of them was an officer. She had high standing in the brigade. As soon as she spoke, everyone left.
The noisy yard instantly quieted down.
Lin Zhao gave Mother Gu a thumbs-up. “It still has to be Mom.”
She was very generous to her own family and immediately said, “Mother and both sisters-in-law are welcome to borrow the sewing machine anytime.”
Huang Xiulan smiled. “Third sister-in-law is so generous.”
“Don’t worry, third sister-in-law. If we use it, we promise not to break it, and we’ll clean up the fabric scraps,” Zhao Liuniang guaranteed.
Mother Gu was very satisfied to see the three daughters-in-law getting along well.
When a family is harmonious, everything prospers. When family members help each other and discuss everything, that’s true prosperity.
Gu Yuanshan and Gu Qingzhou carried the sewing machine into the house and placed it in its spot.
“Third daughter-in-law, how about I find a piece of cloth to make a cover for it, to put over the sewing machine when it’s not in use?” Since they had separated households, Mother Gu didn’t dare to be bossy and asked in a consultative tone.
Lin Zhao responded better to gentleness than force. She nodded slightly. “Okay, thank you for the trouble, Mother.”
Mother Gu’s face beamed with a smile. “It’s no trouble at all. What trouble is this?”
Huang Xiulan and Zhao Liuniang had nothing to say about this.
It was their mother-in-law’s property, and she could deal with it as she pleased. Besides, they would need to borrow this sewing machine later, so it wouldn’t be good to offer nothing.
The news of Lin Zhao acquiring a sewing machine quickly spread throughout the village.
It caused a wave of envy among the young wives.
Look at the men they married: handsome, fit, earning a lot of money, and willing to spend on their wives. They had watches, bicycles, and now even sewing machines…
The Lu family.
Su Yuxian pouted.
She was about to join her husband in the army. When she got there, she would also ask Lu Yizhou to buy her a watch and a sewing machine.
Mother Lu saw Su Yuxian being lazy again and reprimanded her. “…You lazy bum, aren’t you going to wash the dishes? Who are you sitting there waiting for to serve you? The Lu family didn’t hire you as a daughter-in-law to live a life of luxury.”
Su Yuxian snapped back to attention and coldly went to wash the pots and bowls.
Ever since Lu Baozhen lost her good fortune, her situation in the Lu family had plummeted. She barely ate enough, and she was driven out to work every day.
In just over half a month, the little girl had lost a lot of weight. The flesh on her face was gone, making her eyes seem even larger.
Today, she only ate half a bowl of clear soup with a few grains of rice. Her stomach was hollow with hunger.
“Grandma, I’m hungry.”
Mother Lu blamed Lu Baozhen for losing all the family’s money and no longer protected her, looking at her with displeasure.
The withered, sharp-featured old face showed impatience.
“Who isn’t hungry? The family has no money or grain, and your father hasn’t sent any money. It’s good enough that you’re not starving.”
Lu Yizhou was likely on a mission and couldn’t be contacted for a while. The Lu family was borrowing grain from the brigade.
Lu Baozhen lowered her head, her eyes turning red, and she couldn’t help but think of her father.
“Don’t just stand there. If you have nothing to do, go gather firewood. If you find any wild eggs, bring them back,” Mother Lu assigned her a task, then turned and went back inside.
After losing their money, she had been stimulated. She had also been working in the fields to earn work points, and her health had deteriorated further. She feared death and handed all the housework over to her daughter-in-law, having Lu Baozhen gather firewood.
Lu Baozhen stood in place for a long time, clutching her empty stomach, and dejectedly left the house.
She came to the foot of the mountain and saw that little brat holding candy. She rushed over and snatched it, tearing open the three wrappers and stuffing the candy into her mouth, chewing greedily.
Still not satisfied after eating one, she went to rummage through the pockets of the little girl called Xiao Xiao.
Xiao Xiao instinctively dodged, and Lu Baozhen, in her furious desperation, shoved her hard. The little girl lost her balance and fell backward, her head hitting a rock. Bright red blood spread out.
“Ah—Lu Baozhen killed someone!!” Yuan Bao, who had gone up the mountain to find snacks, saw this and screamed.
Tie Niu, who was with Yuan Bao, shouted along, “Someone’s dead!!!”
Hearing this, the adults hurried over.
Tian Ruo, in the thatched hut at the foot of the mountain, felt her heart pound. She ran out and saw her daughter lying in a pool of blood. She collapsed to the ground, her face filled with despair. “Xiao Xiao!”
Meng Jiusi quickly stepped forward and, after a preliminary examination, said, “Jing Mo, go get the needle and wound medicine quickly.”
Meng Jingmo rushed home to get the needle.
The brigade members at the foot of the mountain whispered amongst themselves.
“What happened? Why is this little girl bleeding so much? I’m afraid she won’t be saved.”
“Yuan Bao, you were the first to shout. Do you know what happened?”
Yuan Bao, held by his mother, pointed at the stunned Lu Baozhen. “It was Lu Baozhen! Lu Baozhen pushed her to snatch candy!”
The villagers looked at Lu Baozhen, not knowing what to say.
Just then, Meng Jingmo ran over, holding a small cloth bag.
Meng Jiusi took it, calmly applied the needles, quickly stopped the bleeding, cleaned the wound, and applied the medicine.
“She’s fine now,” he said to Tian Ruo. “Don’t get it wet. Change the dressing for a few days, and there won’t be a scar.”
Tian Ruo hugged her daughter and cried with joy.
The brigade members present were moved by Meng Jiusi’s skill.
This person’s medical skills are quite advanced.
The news from the foot of the mountain quickly reached Lin Zhao.
She pursed her lips slightly.
The original plot was still unfolding, but fortunately, there were deviations.
…In the original book, the little girl named Xiao Xiao died on the spot. Lu Baozhen picked up the bracelet Xiao Xiao had worn since childhood. Ten years later, relying on that bracelet, she climbed to power with Xiao Xiao’s high-ranking official father, establishing a foothold in the provincial capital and embarking on a life of wealth and prosperity.
Lin Zhao thought Lu Baozhen had lost her good fortune, and the original plot had collapsed long ago. She didn’t expect this… there would be differences, but… the plot would proceed?
In that case, would her Yao Bao encounter that hypocritical male lead in the future?!
Additional update 1.7k~
