Chapter 18: “cuckold”
Inside the room.
Lin Xuan’s tears rolled down, she suppressed her voice and cried, Lin Zheng’s eyes were slightly red but she didn’t cry.
From this, it was clear the temperament difference between the two little girls.
Lin Zhao had Lin Xibao take her own washbasin out to fetch water, pulled the two little girls into her bosom, and softly asked: “Has your mom always been like that? Did she give the fabric belonging to you two to your cousin?”
“Um, I saw it.” Lin Zheng said.
Lin Xuan nodded along.
The two sisters, one nine years old and one seven, were overly sensible. Clearly they were born into the Lin Family where sons weren’t favored over daughters, so their situation should have been good.
Lin Xuan was older than Lin Zheng, but her temperament was soft, not as bold as her younger sister.
She lowered her head, silent.
Lin Zhao asked: “Does Second Brother know?”
Lin Zheng glanced at her older sister Lin Xuan, shook her head, “Dad is too tired from going to work, my sister and I don’t want to trouble Dad.”
Actually, she wanted to tell Dad, but her sister was afraid of Dad and Mom quarreling, so she gave up.
“You should tell him.” Lin Zhao was very clear-headed, saying: “If you two don’t say anything, aren’t you just indulging your mom? If this continues, she’ll only get worse and move things from the Lin Family to her maternal family.”
The two little girls, raised by Qiu Lian, had not a shred of innocence, especially Lin Zheng, who was much more mature than her peers. She lowered her head, pondering her aunt’s words.
Lin Xibao carried the water basin into the room, conveniently placed the water basin on the washbasin rack by the door, puffed out her chest and raised her head: “Aunt, the water is here.”
“Xibao is so capable.” Lin Zhao praised, soaked the towel in water, and wiped the faces of Lin Xuan and Lin Zheng.
Then, like magic, she pulled out the cold cream she brought and applied it to her two nieces’ faces.
“Look at your faces, tanned so dark. Little girls like you, when the sun is strong, try not to go out, or your faces will get sunburned and won’t look good.”
Xibao enviously watched her aunt apply cold cream to Xuanxuan sister and Zhengzheng sister.
Hearing her words, she quietly said: “Aunt, it wasn’t Xuanxuan sister and Zhengzheng who wanted to go out in the big heat, it was Second Aunt. Second Aunt wouldn’t let them idle, made them go pick firewood, dig wild vegetables, and pick mushrooms in the big heat. Mom advised Second Aunt, but Second Aunt said…”
Xibao put her hands on her hips, imitating Qiu Lian with a sarcastic tone: “Eldest Sister-in-law, unlike you, I don’t have two sons to rely on, I only gave birth to two little girls. If they’re not diligent, who can I count on? Besides, getting some sun and getting heatstroke? How spoiled.”
Lin Zhao’s mouth twitched.
She let you imitate, not surpass.
This little drama queen.
“Does your second uncle know?”
Xibao quickly shook her head: “No, Second Aunt acts so well in front of second uncle, especially two-faced.”
Lin Zhao was originally very angry at Second Sister-in-law’s conduct, but hearing “two-faced,” she almost laughed out loud.
“Where did you learn ‘two-faced’ from?”
Xibao’s face flushed red, she said: “I heard it from an educated youth sister.”
The educated youth going to the countryside movement had been going on for several years, Dongfeng Brigade had them, Fengshou Brigade had them too.
“How are the educated youths doing, any troublemakers?” Lin Zhao asked curiously.
“Yes! Lots!” Xibao was full of excitement, “The educated youth point is super lively, those educated youths make trouble every day, sometimes complaining about bad food, sometimes bad living conditions, super noisy. The Brigade Leader says they are a bunch of troublemakers, now everyone avoids them when they see them.”
She goes to watch the excitement every day, knows everything.
“You go watch the excitement every day, right?” Lin Zhao chuckled.
“Huh?” Xibao was puzzled, “How did Aunt know?”
How did she know?
Of course because Lin Xibao loved to join in the fun even before she could walk properly. Wherever there was commotion, the little kid’s eyes would turn there, and if she didn’t get to eat melon, she would wail.
Lin Zhao didn’t answer, instead said to Xibao: “Xibao, in the future if your Second Aunt bullies your Xuanxuan sister and Zhengzheng again, shout loudly for your grandma or your second uncle, got it?”
Xibao looked at Lin Xuan, she had wanted to shout before, but Xuanxuan sister wouldn’t let her.
The little girl wrinkled her face, looking troubled.
Lin Zheng was young, but knew her aunt was considering her and her sister, seriously said: “Thank you Aunt! If Mom takes things from home again in the future, I will tell Grandma!”
Lin Xuan’s heart was in turmoil.
She had been brainwashed by Qiu Lian, her temperament weak, didn’t dare to resist.
Just.
Seeing her sister’s sparkling eyes, she didn’t say anything to make her unhappy.
Lin Zhao noticed Xuanxuan’s unease, sighed inwardly, this temperament was too weak, hoped it wasn’t too late.
She let the three little girls stay in the room, go out when it was mealtime, she went out for a stroll, found Lin Shisheng, and said a few words.
Second Brother Lin heard that Qiu Lian kept making small moves behind his back, mentally abusing his daughters, his expression turned cold.
“Why didn’t Xuanxuan and Zhengzheng tell me.” He regretted being out early and back late busy this period, not watching that worrying woman.
Lin Zhao didn’t blame her two nieces, they were still young, what did they understand, weren’t they influenced by adults.
Thinking of Second Sister-in-law’s actions, a cold light flashed in her eyes, “Second Sister-in-law must have said something. Sensible children keep their grievances inside, they probably didn’t dare to say.”
Lin Shisheng’s brows furrowed tightly.
“I got it, I’ll pay attention.” he said.
Lin Zhao knew Second Brother was very decisive, definitely had a method, after telling Lin Shisheng, she didn’t bother anymore.
She had no good feelings toward Qiu Lian and their whole family.
In the original book—
Several years later, Qiu Lian got involved with a widower from her maternal village, accidentally got pregnant with a bastard child, still wanted her Second Brother to be a cuckold hero, got discovered by her Second Brother, who crippled that adulterer, and divorced that woman.
The Lin Family hadn’t done much, but Qiu Lian felt Lin Shisheng disregarded husband-wife affection, stomped her face into the ground, gave the adulterer ideas to sue her Second Brother for intentional injury.
That adulterer used connections, got her Second Brother two years in prison. When her Second Brother got out, Qiu Lian that woman used Lin Xuan and Lin Zheng sisters to cause Second Brother no small trouble.
The book even said the Lin Family was somewhat heartless, after all Qiu Lian had married into the Lin Family for years, bore children for Lin Shisheng, wasted her youth, Lin Shisheng giving Qiu Lian alimony was only right.
This was the original words from the book.
Lin Zhao almost vomited.
What bizarre worldview!
Not having the green hat on your own head, you don’t know how grating it is.
Watching his sister’s angry departing back, Lin Shisheng’s eyes with anger gained a smile.
Thinking of Qiu Lian and the Qiu Family, his face darkened again.
Just as Lin Zhao was stirring things up in the Lin Family, Gu Chenghuai received a letter from his wife.
He had just returned to the dormitory, a comrade tossed him a letter.
“Chenghuai, your letter.”
Gu Chenghuai’s brow twitched slightly, seemingly surprised who would send him a letter, took the letter, glanced at the familiar handwriting on the envelope, his pupils shrank sharply.
His wife’s handwriting.
She actually thought to write him a letter, rare.
“Thanks.”
Thanked the comrade, Gu Chenghuai sat on the bed edge, tore open the envelope, and started reading.
【Gu Chenghuai, I’m about to die of anger!】
This was the first sentence.
One sentence whetted Gu Chenghuai’s appetite.
The young officer handsome like a cliffside pine, his eyes suddenly sharpened.
The comrade watched curiously, wanting to know what was in that letter to make the usually unflappable comrade change expression.
【I was pushed to the ground by your sister, hit my head, got a bowl-sized lump on my head, I almost died!】
This was the second sentence.
Gu Chenghuai’s heart jumped heavily, brows knit tight, suddenly had an impulse to call Lin Zhao, ask how injured she was, barely remembered calls from hometown weren’t convenient, suppressed and continued reading.
【Your sister said I rely on you to survive, am eating free rice! She said I suck your blood! Gu Chenghuai, do I eat free rice? Do I suck your blood? You say, you say, say it now!】
Seeing this, Gu Chenghuai seemed to see his wife’s fiery eyes glaring, his deep black eyes flashed with amusement, corners of mouth lifted, his whole decisive and resolute aura softened.
I’ll say, I’ll say.
A real man, providing for wife and kids is only right, what free rice, what blood-sucking, all nonsense.
This was Gu Chenghuai’s inner thought.
His wife taking care of four kids was tiring too.
Sun Yeli kept glancing at Gu Chenghuai from the corner of his eye, seeing this scene, even more curious.
Gu Dog like this, the letter sender is Sister-in-law, right?
【Gu Chenghuai, let me tell you, I’m going to find a job! I’m going to go to work! I’m going to earn money myself! When I earn money, I’ll spend it however I want!】
Go to work?
Gu Chenghuai’s thoughts raced, he had comrades transferred to his hometown area, he could ask if there were any job opportunities, though hard to find, slowly searching would find something.
He didn’t care if Zhaozhao worked or not, his allowance was 85 yuan a month, plus task bonuses, enough for the family. But if wife wanted to work, he didn’t oppose.
Gu Chenghuai continued reading.
Next, Lin Zhao said he must not bear his sister Gu Xing’er’s tuition and living expenses anymore.
To this, the young officer’s expression was calm, no opinion.
With parents there, he shouldn’t have borne Gu Xing’er’s schooling costs originally, he only did extra hoping the family would treat wife and kids better for the money’s sake.
Now it seemed Gu Xing’er wasn’t grateful, full of resentment instead, then just ignore it.
The letter also said to find a way to get brick and tile, the house at home drops dust, so dirty.
Gu Chenghuai had no objection, he originally said to build a brick and tile house, initially wife wasn’t willing, now she figured it out, then build it, he’ll handle the brick and tile!
The young officer’s gaze continued down.
It was the last paragraph of the letter.
【……Forget the letter after reading, especially don’t think of home during missions, Mom stands with me, I can solve it myself. Stay safe, me and the four kids wait for you to come home.】
In the end, what she cared about was not affecting Gu Chenghuai.
Sweetness flooded Gu Chenghuai’s heart, his brows and eyes curved down, his ink-black eyes like cold stars flowed with gentle amusement.
He put the letter away, with those Lin Zhao sent every few days when they just married. No new ones for years, the young officer hadn’t skimped on inwardly complaining about Lin Zhao being scummy.
Back when they were dating, she stuck to him like the red star on his military cap, after pregnancy who knew if she felt secure, half a year without a letter, later none at all.
Back then he always went to the mailroom, never got a letter, that disappointment still fresh in memory.
From Lin Zhao’s this letter, Gu Chenghuai saw little Comrade Lin from dating days, joy unavoidably spread in his heart, not surging but impossible to ignore.
Seeing Gu Chenghuai’s steps light and fast, seeming about to go out, Sun Yeli followed, winking: “Sister-in-law’s letter?”
“Um.” Gu Chenghuai didn’t deny.
“I guessed so.” Sun Yeli said again: “Where you going?”
“Make a call.” Leaving three words, Gu Chenghuai quickened his pace, quickly vanished from Sun Yeli’s sight.
Sun Yeli wanted to say more, could only watch that tall sturdy figure go far, “Does it need to be so urgent?” he muttered, didn’t chase, returned to dormitory and lay down.
Gu Chenghuai arrived at the mailroom.
“Gu Commander.” The duty soldier stood and saluted.
Gu Chenghuai returned the salute, voice clear and cold, “I’m here to make a call.”
Phones at this time needed transferring, the duty soldier busied around, Gu Chenghuai connected to the person he wanted.
“Hello?” A clear young voice came from the other end.
“Junzhi, it’s me, Gu Chenghuai.” Gu Chenghuai said.
Yang Junzhi smiled in surprise, excited: “Chenghuai? How do you have time to call me, what’s up, if I can handle it, absolutely no refusal.”
He and Chenghuai were comrades, also friends, shared gun-fighting brotherhood.
“Actually have something to ask you.” Gu Chenghuai’s low pleasant voice came through the line.
“What is it?” Yang Junzhi was a bit curious, leisurely asked.
Gu Chenghuai said: “Want to ask you, any job opportunities there?”
Yang Junzhi worked at the county government under Fengshou Brigade, well-informed, wide connections, asking him for jobs was right.
“A job?” Yang Junzhi got it instantly, curiously asked: “Asking for whom? Younger Sister-in-law? By the way when are you coming back to visit relatives, we haven’t seen each other for years.”
“Contact you when I go back.” Gu Chenghuai said, “Help keep an eye out for the job.”
Thinking of Lin Zhao’s letter, his stern brows and eyes softened, “My wife feels bored at home, wants to do something, thought of you, money’s no issue, help keep an eye.”
“Small matter.” Yang Junzhi laughed, “You asked at the right time, Supply and Marketing Cooperative recruiting two salespeople, easy and respectable work, I remember Younger Sister-in-law is a high school student, can try.”
This was timely, the county Supply and Marketing Cooperative expanding, adding counters, needed people, only two spots, usually handled internally, exam just formality, his brother-in-law was Supply and Marketing Cooperative director, had a spot to sell, since comrade asked, of course prioritize here.
“Good, count me owing you a favor, how much you say, I’ll remit.” Gu Chenghuai thought salesperson job was good, just sit and sell goods, fairly easy.
If entering factory as female worker, he’d definitely consider, his wife had little strength, couldn’t handle that hardship, salesperson was better, easy.
Yang Junzhi didn’t say no money, immediately: “Between us, you give six hundred is fine.”
Salesperson jobs were hot, seven hundred outside had buyers, his price was really fair.
Gu Chenghuai planned to remit eight hundred, he knew how much a job was worth, couldn’t let comrade lose money on favor.
“One more thing, home wants to build a brick and tile house, need approval slip, you…”
Not finished, Yang Junzhi took over: “This is simple, no problem, I’ll handle, guarantee it’s done properly.”
“Thanks, treat you to meal when back.”
Yang Junzhi’s voice with laugh, “Deal, waiting for you.”
After hanging up, he took some things to find big brother-in-law, secured that spot.
Happy New Year~
