Chapter 170: “sprouting”
Not only was Mother Gu excited, but Father Gu also hoped for good news.
If there was news, that would be… too good.
Zhao Liuniang whispered to Huang Xiulan, “Eldest Sister-in-law, is there any news about that matter?”
“There should be.”
So soon?
Zhao Liuniang thought to herself.
The younger sister-in-law has good luck.
After a moment of emotion, she didn’t dwell on it and walked towards the kitchen.
Gu Xing’er thought Grandma Gu had called her to eat something good and happily went to Uncle Gu Er’s house. Father and Mother Gu were worried about this matter and followed.
Grandma Gu was nestled on the kang, mending clothes, with the lattice window wide open. Hearing footsteps, she put down the half-mended old clothes into the sewing basket and looked up at the newcomers.
“You’ve all come.”
Gu Xing’er sat unceremoniously on the edge of the kang. Her eyes swept around and, finding no pastries or fruit, her face instantly fell.
“Grandma, didn’t you call me for a treat.” Her voice was full of disappointment.
She touched her stomach and said aggrievedly, “Grandma, do you still have mung bean cake? I’m hungry. I haven’t eaten all afternoon, and they still criticized me for drinking cool boiled water.”
In front of her parents, she took the opportunity to stir up trouble.
Grandma Gu knew her granddaughter’s temperament well; believing half of it would be good.
She said, “The mung bean cake was eaten long ago. I only have two pieces of rock sugar left.”
Grandma Gu had a high status and many siblings, some of whom were successful. When younger relatives visited her, they would bring pastries and candy. She always had candy, which was why Gu Xing’er had been closer to her since childhood.
Gu Xing’er reached out, “Give me a piece. I’m so hungry I’m dizzy.”
After all, she was her granddaughter whom she had doted on since childhood. Grandma Gu couldn’t bear to refuse her. She took a piece of rock sugar from the kang cabinet and handed it over, “Eat up, you greedy girl. All my good things are begged from me by you.”
Gu Xing’er put the sugar in her mouth and sucked it hard, letting the sweetness spread in her mouth.
She said with a grin, “Grandma is so good to me. When I get married in the city, I’ll bring Grandma meat and candy!”
Grandma Gu only believed half of this.
“Okay, Grandma will wait.”
She knew in her heart that among her grandchildren, she could only receive meat and candy from Cheng Huai. The other grandsons and granddaughters, while not unfilial, were powerless.
“Grandma, what did you call me here for?” Gu Xing’er’s cheeks bulged with the piece of sugar.
Grandma Gu said, “Your father asked me to find someone to arrange a marriage for you. I just heard of a suitable candidate and asked you to come over to discuss it.”
Gu Xing’er didn’t hesitate and asked directly, “Is the man from the city? I want to marry someone from the city, and I won’t marry anyone who isn’t from the city!”
After being sent back, she had indeed approached male educated youths, especially the distinguished Song Qian, but he had never given her a chance.
Even more infuriating, the female educated youth who caused her to be arrested had actually sent her a newspaper through someone… she had seen that article.
Gu Xing’er realized that her plan to get Song Qian was hopeless. Although she was so angry she felt like vomiting blood, she had to give up. （ Song Qian: Thank you. ）
Hearing her granddaughter’s words, Grandma Gu was not surprised.
“How could I not know you?” she said, poking Gu Xing’er’s forehead with a smile, “Don’t worry, he’s from the city.”
Father and Mother Gu were surprised, confused, and incredulous.
Could there really be someone from the city who would fancy a lazy, gluttonous, and ill-behaved daughter?
Was the other party blind or mute? It couldn’t possibly be some young talented man, they didn’t believe it.
Gu Xing’er became interested, “Grandma, what are the conditions?”
“The young man’s parents are both alive, and he has four brothers. He is the third child. He is a temporary worker at the match factory, looks decent, is twenty-five this year, honest and diligent, doesn’t talk much, and graduated from junior high school…” Grandma Gu briefly introduced the family’s situation.
Gu Xing’er pouted, “A temporary worker.”
“What’s wrong with being a temporary worker? He’ll be a permanent worker sooner or later!” Grandma Gu glared at her. “You don’t even have a temporary job!”
The old lady had a temper. Even her most beloved granddaughter, if she dared to disrespect her, she would retort.
Gu Xing’er was used to her grandma’s way of speaking. Her expression didn’t change, and she found another fault, “I’m only seventeen at most, and he’s already twenty-five. He’s too old…”
Her words seemed to express dissatisfaction.
Grandma Gu heard the disdain, her face sank, she put the enamel mug on the kang cabinet, and said expressionlessly:
“Just say it! What kind of family do you want to marry into?”
Gu Xing’er acted as if she couldn’t read the room, and listed her requirements, “He must be a permanent worker, look handsome, not be too short, at least 1.7 meters tall, both parents must be workers, they should be able to subsidize grandchildren, and preferably not have too many brothers…”
Hearing these requirements, Father and Mother Gu’s mouths twitched.
This girl with her head in the clouds, she wanted to marry the factory director’s son.
Grandma Gu also looked as if she had seen a ghost, looking at Gu Xing’er with an indescribable expression, “Do you think a family like that would fancy you?”
“Why wouldn’t they!” Gu Xing’er became so confident she floated, tilting her chin up. “I’m young and good-looking, and I’m a junior high school student. My third brother is a capable officer. Having me as a daughter-in-law would be a blessing to their family.”
Father Gu frowned, displeased that she was using their third son’s name to brag.
“Your third brother said he won’t care about you anymore.”
Mother Gu also said, “Your third brother is your third brother. No matter how successful he is, it has nothing to do with you. Stop dragging him into it.”
Gu Xing’er was unhappy, “How is it not related? I’m his biological sister, his only one.”
“Does Cheng Huai acknowledge you?” Mother Gu retorted, her voice tense. “You treated your third sister-in-law like that, and before that, you wanted to hit Yu Bao and Heng Bao. How could you not think about how you are as an aunt? It’s no wonder your third brother ignores you!”
“Zhaozhao, Zhaozhao, Zhaozhao, Mother, I’m the one you gave birth to! Why are you so close to an outsider who married into the family? Which mother-in-law in the village is like you, with no authority at all? You’re an embarrassment.” Gu Xing’er thought her mother was useless. She was supposed to be the mother-in-law, naturally in a superior position, yet she was controlled by her daughter-in-law. It was infuriating!
She acted spoiled, “Whether my third brother acknowledges me or not, I’m still his sister. We’re connected by blood.”
“Why does Mother keep bringing up those old, trivial matters? Aren’t the two brats fine? I was kicked by the Lin family, and I was in so much pain. You and Father didn’t stand up for me, and I don’t blame you. Why do you still remember this!”
As she spoke, the topic somehow veered off course.
In short.
Gu Xing’er was full of dissatisfaction with her parents.
“I will remember, I will remember, I will remember it for a lifetime.” Mother Gu couldn’t forget Gu Xing’er’s vicious expression as she wanted to smash the grandchildren. If it weren’t for the appearance of the two cubs’ maternal uncle, Yu Bao and Heng Bao might have been seriously injured.
Gu Xing’er’s eyes showed hatred, and she wanted to speak again…
Grandma Gu slapped the edge of the kang, “Alright, stop arguing, you’re making me so annoyed! What did you guys come here for?”
She felt a headache coming on and said to Gu Xing’er, “Xing’er, if you don’t want to meet that young man, I’ll refuse them tomorrow. As for your marriage, let your parents find a matchmaker themselves!”
She wasn’t willing to do it either.
As soon as these words were spoken, Gu Xing’er immediately became sensible, “I’ll meet him, I’ll meet him, I’m willing to meet him!”
Her parents didn’t know anyone from the city.
“Really?” Grandma Gu looked at her granddaughter’s instantly changed attitude. She wouldn’t fall out with her old friends of decades over Gu Xing’er’s matter.
“Really!” Gu Xing’er said with a face full of sincerity, “I will definitely behave well.”
Grandma Gu saw that she wasn’t fooling her and nodded, “Alright, let’s meet then.”
The matter was temporarily paused.
On the way home, Mother Gu was dispirited and her mind was in a mess.
… I really hope Gu Xing’er takes a liking to him and gets married quickly!
The family fights every day because of her, and the children don’t want to stay at home. It’s truly worrying.
“Old man, do you think Xing’er will like that young man?”
Father Gu looked at his wife strangely. He walked home with his hands behind his back and said, “You should be worried about whether he will like her.”
Mother Gu: “…” Suddenly enlightened! Suddenly, she wasn’t flustered anymore.
She clasped her hands together and swayed them a few times.
#May Buddha bless and grant our debt-collecting devil a good marriage#
Father Gu caught a glimpse of his wife’s actions, cautiously looked around, and seeing no one, he relaxed.
“We’re outside, don’t do this, be careful someone sees you.”
Mother Gu quickly withdrew her hands and patted her forehead. “Look at me, I’m so flustered I’ve lost my mind!”
“Children and grandchildren have their own fortunes. Don’t worry too much.” Father Gu was more open-minded and even had the heart to comfort his wife. “Since Mother is handling this, she will see it through. Xing’er thinks we are incompetent and never thought of letting us interfere with her marriage. Just wait. Tell Eldest and Second Sister-in-law to be patient. She won’t be at home for much longer.”
“How do you know?” Mother Gu asked.
Father Gu smiled and said nothing.
How did he know?
The youngest daughter was pampered and looked down on country people. When she was in school before, she lived at school and didn’t spend much time at home. Now, she can’t go to school, so it’s strange if she can be content.
The old couple returned home.
Huang Xiulan and Zhao Liuniang had already prepared dinner, but the family hadn’t eaten, waiting for the two oldest members.
“Why didn’t you eat first? Aren’t you hungry?” Mother Gu said.
Tie Dan covered his rumbling stomach. “I’m hungry! I’m starving. Grandpa, Grandma, why did you just get back? I’m so hungry I’m about to faint.”
“Next time this happens, you eat first, and just leave some for me and Grandpa.” Mother Gu felt sorry for her grandson who had been working all afternoon without food.
“That won’t do.” Bang Bang （ Xing Ye ） shook his head. “Grandpa and Grandma are also hungry. We’ll wait for Grandpa and Grandma to come back and eat together.”
Mother Gu’s heart, which had been hurt by Gu Xing’er, softened.
Father Gu looked at a plate of oily food on the table and asked, “What’s this?”
“Third Aunt asked Yu Bao and Heng Bao to bring it,” Gu Lan explained. “She said it’s eggplant and egg pancake.”
“This is fried, right? It looks very oily.” Mother Gu was used to Lin Zhao’s cooking. Third Sister-in-law had always been generous with ingredients, and her cooking was delicious.
She served the food to her family.
The family ate heartily.
Tie Dan, also known as the child prodigy Gu Zhixing, commented while eating, “Delicious! Crispy on the outside, soft and fragrant on the inside. Third Aunt really knows how to cook; everything she makes is delicious.”
Thinking of his younger brother who had gone to the third branch to eat and drink, he drooled with envy.
“It is delicious,” Father Gu nodded.
One bite and he felt energized.
Mother Gu smiled, “With so much oil and eggs, how could it not be delicious! But Third Sister-in-law’s cooking is indeed excellent!”
The rest of the Gu family ate with gusto. Since the third branch moved back, the food at the old house had gone downhill.
Today, they finally had a good meal.
While they ate with relish, the eldest granddaughter of Uncle Gu Er’s family was crying in bed—
Crying because her grandma was biased, finding a city boyfriend for Gu Xing’er but not thinking of finding one for her! She was also a biological granddaughter, Grandma always said she loved her the most, but that’s not true, she liked Gu Xing’er the most!
After crying, she harbored hatred for Gu Xing’er, feeling that Gu Xing’er was to blame for Grandma Gu not remembering her.
–
That night.
The moonlight was like water.
Lin Zhao took advantage of getting up in the night to check on the miracle grass seeds.
In the ceramic pot, a slender green sprout had broken through the soil, swaying gracefully like willow branches by the river, emitting a faint glow.
This is?
She was extremely excited.
She reached out her slender white finger to touch the green sprout. The texture was delicate and slightly cool—it was real!
It succeeded.
Lin Zhao’s footsteps were light as she rushed into the room, “I’m going to the foot of the mountain.”
“Is something wrong?” Gu Chenghuai, who was leaning against the headboard reading a book, put down his book, stretched his long legs casually, and looked up at her.
“My mysterious grass seeds have sprouted! I want to send them to Fourth Brother so he can research them,” Lin Zhao said with a smile, her face beaming with joy.
Iron Bone Reishi grows quickly. The moment it sprouts, many fibrous roots grow from the soil and will emerge one after another. Using one of the top ones will not matter.
Gu Chenghuai got out of bed briskly. “I’ll accompany you.”
“Okay,” Lin Zhao’s eyes curved into crescent moons.
The couple carried the ceramic pot to the foot of the mountain.
Meng Jiusi looked at the sprouting little thing in the pot, his face filled with astonishment.
“???”
“It’s already grown this quickly!? Zhaozhao, how did you do it?” he asked in surprise.
Could Lin Zhao say she used black technology? Of course not. She could only play dumb. “I don’t know. Maybe because I sprayed it with farm fertilizer—boy’s urine?”
Meng Jiusi was speechless, not knowing whether to laugh or cry.
“Whatever it is, sprouting is a good thing, isn’t it? Fourth Brother, can you try it now?” Lin Zhao fiddled with the beautiful green sprout and asked casually.
“Mm, I’ll try.” Meng Jiusi was actually unsure.
He had never heard of the Iron Bone Reishi his sister mentioned. It was completely unfamiliar to him, and he would have to repeatedly test its efficacy.
Zhaozhao was playing a long game, and he would definitely cooperate actively.
Lin Zhao thought of the prescription she had drawn and took out a stack of yellowed papers, handing them to Meng Jiusi.
“I found these treasures. Fourth Brother, make good use of them.” She said casually, not even bothering to think of a reason.
Meng Jiusi was not one to pry. He only knew that his sister treated him well, so no matter what she did, he could pretend not to see or hear…
“Okay.”
After finishing the important matter, Lin Zhao and her husband left.
The two walked hand in hand on the uneven dirt road.
Eventually, Lin Zhao couldn’t hold back anymore. “Aren’t you going to ask me?”
Gu Chenghuai said meaningfully, “Ask about what?”
His warm, calloused hand stroked Lin Zhao’s smooth fingertips. His expression slightly deepened, and his tone was casual yet solemn.
“I said, as long as you don’t do anything that harms the country, no matter what secrets you have, I can pretend not to know.”
Before Lin Zhao could reply, a clear male voice sounded again, “What’s more, what you are doing is for the good of the country and the people. Why should I ask? There’s nothing to ask.”
“The Comrade Lin Zhao I know, although a bit spoiled, also hates evil as one hates vice and has a righteous heart.”
His praise made Lin Zhao a little embarrassed.
“I’m not as good as you say,” Lin Zhao’s lips couldn’t help but curl upwards.
She tilted her chin up. “But what you said is right. I am that kind of person.”
Gu Chenghuai let out a muffled laugh.
He was an outstanding soldier, resolute, decisive, and possessed keen insight.
He had long suspected that Lin Zhao harbored secrets.
If he couldn’t even see that, it would be a betrayal of his years of training in the army.
However.
Knowing that Zhaozhao was harmless, he had never thought of exposing her.
