Chapter 192: “he Won’t Overstep”
Yuan Xiang’s face flushed hot, enduring the shyness, “Almost.”
She and Comrade Li were both not young anymore, and their families were quite anxious. They had gotten to know each other for a while, so they could move to the next step.
Seeing the embarrassment on Yuan Xiang’s face, Lin Zhao smiled kindly and asked again, “When?”
Aunt Song took a sip of sugar water and laughed, “There’s a good day at the beginning of next month, planning to hold it then.”
Lin Zhao didn’t think the timing was rushed. In the current social environment, there were plenty who got married after just one meeting. Sister Xiangxiang and Comrade Li had at least gotten to know each other, so it wasn’t sudden.
“Congratulations, Sister Xiangxiang. At that time, I’ll bring the dragon-phoenix twins to join the fun.”
The dragon-phoenix twins could be skipped; they were too young, better to leave them at the old house.
“Welcome, welcome.” Aunt Song’s no-longer-young face was full of smiles, her gaze at Lin Zhao very gentle.
Her eyes swept to the things she brought, and she said, “Zhaozhao, this chicken is from Xiangxiang’s great uncle for you. You found such a good match for Xiangxiang, and her great uncle is thrilled, praising you to everyone. This chicken is what you deserve; it should have been sent earlier. You can kill and eat it or keep it for eggs. And this basket has mushrooms picked at home, and freshly picked vegetables. Nothing fancy, just to add a couple dishes at your home.”
So polite. Lin Zhao didn’t refuse and smiled, “Home is just short on vegetables. Thank you, Aunt.”
“What thanks? I’m your blood aunt. Say such polite words again and I’ll have your mother scold you.” Aunt Song said deliberately.
Lin Zhao covered her mouth with her hand, “Won’t say it.”
Aunt Song and Yuan Xiang didn’t stay long; there was still the engagement to prepare at home. Though not a big affair, there were many trivial things to prepare in advance. After finishing the sugar water, the mother and daughter proposed to leave.
Lin Zhao saw them to the door.
Back home.
The fun-loving Heng Bao hugged the embroidered Da Huang cushion and ran to Lin Zhao.
Tilting his head, he asked, “Next month there’s a banquet?”
Yu Bao also looked at Mama eagerly with big eyes.
Lin Zhao looked at the two similar little faces before her, her eyebrows lightly raised, her slender index finger gently tapping the two little brothers’ noses.
Her voice carried a laugh, “We haven’t starved you at home, so why do you want to eat at a banquet, hmm?”
No household was well-off, and banquets didn’t have much good food, after all, there wasn’t much oil.
“Hehe.” Heng Bao scratched his head, his smile especially bright, “Want to join the fun.”
He bent slightly at the waist, bringing his head close to Lin Zhao’s face, “Mama, you’ll bring me and Brother, right, right?”
Adults loved to fool kids, thinking kids were big trouble and unwilling to take them anywhere. He knew that.
Lin Zhao didn’t notice Er Zai’s little thoughts, thinking the little friend really wanted to join the fun, and smiled, “Yes, bring you both.”
Thinking, she added, “Next month is the engagement. When it’s the wedding, I’ll bring you all.”
“Go where?” Yu Bao asked.
“County town. Your table aunt married into the city, so the wedding should be in the city.” Given Aunt’s temperament, she’d prefer the city, though a simple one in the countryside was possible too.
Heng Bao: “Mama, why didn’t you marry into the city?”
Such a punchable remark; good thing his dad wasn’t here. Lin Zhao was silent for a few breaths, then said, “I don’t want to live in a pigeon coop.”
Heng Bao’s eyes went round, “What’s a pigeon coop?”
Yu Bao recalled the pigeons from the picture book of small animals, and said, “The flying pigeons?”
Kids’ words were so amusing.
Lin Zhao shook her head, explaining in words kids could understand, “No, has nothing to do with pigeons. It means the living space is very small.”
“The apartment buildings in the city with lots of people living in them, like the kind your great uncle lives in. His is considered big; others are smaller. Everything gets in the way, hard to even turn over in bed. I went once; if I had to live there every day… I definitely wouldn’t be happy.”
“I wouldn’t either.” Yu Bao grinned sillily, stating his reason for not wanting to live there, “Can’t dig wild vegetables in the city, or fish either.”
Heng Bao loudly added, “Can’t swim either.”
Hearing this conversation, Song Yunjin burst out laughing, “The city has swimming pools; you can swim there. Next time I’ll take you, teach you to swim.”
Heng Bao looked at him, “Costs money?”
“Yes.”
Heng Bao pursed his lips, “Swimming in the village is free. Dad taught Brother and me; we know how.”
Yun Jin worried they might run off to swim alone, reminding them, “Kids swimming must have an adult nearby; otherwise, stay far from water. Got it?”
Yu Bao’s little face serious, “Mm mm, Dad and Mama said so. Heng Bao and I remember, and told other little friends too!”
“Good boy.” The youthful young man smiled contentedly, his expression almost tender.
Lin Zhao’s mouth twitched.
She covered her face with the book, closing her eyes to rest.
Just then, two girls appeared at the door. They didn’t rush in, standing outside and knocking on the door panel.
“Comrade Lin…”
Da Huang and Amber barked symbolically a few times, alerting the yard’s owner.
Lin Zhao opened her eyes, removed the book from her face, and looked outside. It was Su Zhiqing and Educated Youth Guan.
She sat up a bit straighter, waved at Da Huang and Amber, and the two guard dogs wagged tails and returned to their den.
“Come in. My Da Huang and Amber don’t bite randomly.” Lin Zhao beckoned to the two female educated youths.
Da Huang looked more and more fierce, very intimidating, but villagers knew it wouldn’t bite randomly, so they weren’t afraid. The two female educated youths had been to the Gu house and held Amber, so they weren’t scared either.
They entered the yard.
Spotting the flowers blooming in the corner, their eyes lit up, unable to hide their liking.
“What flower is this?” Educated Youth Guan asked.
“Bougainvillea.” Lin Zhao smiled. They were from the flower seeds she drew, and she’d used nutrient solution to promote growth; they grew fast and bloomed beautifully.
Looking at them every day was pleasing to the eye.
If only Yao Bao didn’t always want to trample them, it’d be perfect.
“Really pretty, makes one feel happy.” Educated Youth Guan said smiling.
Lin Zhao generously said, “If you like, take a few plants to your yard.”
Just flowers; she was happy to share with people she liked.
“Really?” Educated Youth Guan was pleasantly surprised, and Su Zhiqing’s face showed delight too.
“Of course.” Lin Zhao smiled lightly, then instructed Song Yunjin, “Yun Jin, dig up a few for them.”
“Got it.” Yun Jin responded, grabbed tools, and got to work. Sisters Xuanxuan and Zheng Zheng went to help.
The two female educated youths felt a bit embarrassed but couldn’t deny they were happy inside.
“Thanks, Comrade Lin.”
Such pretty flowers just made one happy looking at them.
“No big deal.” Lin Zhao didn’t mind and casually asked, “You came for something?”
Su Zhiqing said, “Our yard is dried out; planning to move in today. Heard from village aunts that new houses need a housewarming. It was your idea for us, so we should invite you, but we know you don’t like noise, so we thought to bring the dish over.”
Lin Zhao understood; no wonder they had the enamel basin.
She didn’t decline, saying to Yu Bao, “Yu Bao, go to the kitchen and get a bowl.”
Su Zhiqing reminded, “Get a big one.”
Yu Bao nodded haphazardly, dashed to the kitchen with thuds, and brought the biggest bowl. It was Gu Chenghuai’s, larger than ordinary bowls.
Educated Youth Guan opened the lid of the patterned enamel basin and poured the dish into the bowl.
“We didn’t have many meat tickets left, only bought one jin. Luckily planted lots of vegetables before, and luckily got a piece of tofu. Asked a village aunt to make stewed dish.”
Su Zhiqing was a bit embarrassed, “My and Educated Youth Guan’s cooking isn’t great; afraid to waste ingredients, so had someone make it.”
Truth be told, the village aunt’s skills were really good, very homey flavor.
“Pretty good.” As soon as the lid was off, Lin Zhao smelled the familiar aroma. She loved this as a kid; meat and vegetables, a bowl was so satisfying.
No, not just her; all villagers liked it.
“Smells great; haven’t had this in ages. Thanks.”
The two female educated youths saw Lin Zhao was sincere, and smiles bloomed on their tense faces.
“As long as you like it; we worried it wasn’t presentable.”
This wasn’t presentable? How fancy must city housewarming meals be?
Lin Zhao was stunned.
No wonder they came from big cities.
The two educated youths took the flowers and left the Gu house. Heng Bao came over to peek at the big bowl of dish, saw the meat slices and tofu inside, and grinned, “Mama, I want to eat this meat slice and tofu.”
“Go get bowls and chopsticks; I’ll divide it for you.” Lin Zhao patted Er Zai’s head.
“Okay okay.” Heng Bao cheerfully responded, gave the cushion to his brother, and rushed into the kitchen.
Lin Zhao glanced at the cushion, “How’d you bring the cushion out? How’s it feel, comfortable?”
The home cushions were made by her. Gu Chenghuai’s sewing machine… finally useful. Doing handicrafts to pass time was great; filling wasn’t cotton—too expensive—but cleaned straw and old clothes.
“Very comfortable.” Yu Bao nodded repeatedly, “Super comfortable; can lean on it writing, not tiring at all.”
His short little finger poked the Da Huang on the cushion, “Love the pattern on it, me and Heng Bao both.”
His was Xiao Jin, little brother’s Da Huang, Uncle’s Amber, the two sisters’ were themselves, Mama’s was the whole family…
“Good that you like it. Put it back in the room; if dirty, have to disassemble to wash.”
Yu Bao nodded obediently, hugged the cushion back to the room, placed it neatly on the stool backrest, then bounced out.
While eating the educated youths’ housewarming dish in the Gu house new room, Gu Xing’er returned from matchmaking.
Gu Mu sized up her little daughter’s face but saw nothing, so asked, “How was it? That young man okay?”
“Okay my foot, too stingy; I don’t like him.” Gu Xing’er pursed her lips.
Gu Mu was speechless.
That young man might not like you either!
Hearing Xing’er say he was stingy, she couldn’t help frowning, “Did you ask him for things?”
Gu Xing’er looked perfectly entitled, “Didn’t ask for anything expensive, just cold cream, and he wouldn’t even buy it for me. So stingy; why bother with him. I said we weren’t suitable and came back.”
“…”
Gazing at the dissatisfaction on her face, not just Gu Fu and Gu Mu, even Huang Xiulan and Zhao Liuniang were shocked speechless, not knowing what to say.
Seriously, asking for things right at first meeting, and just a few bucks’ cold cream—where did she get the nerve?!
Gu Mu took a deep breath, “…How could you bring yourself to ask?”
Gu Xing’er didn’t think much of it, “Matchmaking with him, of course I need to know if he’d spend money on me. If not, why date him.”
“You think everyone’s fools except you? Who spends on someone after one meeting? You’re average-looking, but dream big.” Gu Mu scolded her wild ideas.
Gu Xing’er didn’t like hearing it, rolled her eyes, “None of your business; someone will.”
Not wanting to hear her mother’s nagging, she stormed back to her room and slammed the door.
Gu Mu’s face darkened, “Done for; afraid she’ll never marry out in her life.”
The idea of separating households bubbled up in her heart again.
Huang Xiulan and Zhao Liuniang were also worried. Luckily, since Gu Xing’er moved back, Mother-in-law said not to bother much with her, meaning they didn’t have to wash her clothes, tidy her room, or cook extra for her… Days were much easier than before. Even if the little sister-in-law was an eyesore and said punchable things, they could endure.
The sisters-in-law couldn’t help thinking of Third Son’s Wife again, feeling once more that separating households was great, living separately was great.
Gu Xing’er’s matchmaking failure was passed to Lin Zhao’s ears by Li Bao’s little mouth.
Yu Bao’s little brows twisted like a braid, “Little Aunt always asks others for things! Our little friends don’t ask others for things. Didn’t Little Aunt’s teacher teach her no unearned gain?”
“Taught for sure, but if the student doesn’t listen, teacher has no method.” Song Yunjin said casually, eating seriously; the meat and vegetables stewed together were oddly tasty.
Yu Bao said seriously and solemnly, “Students should listen to the teacher.”
Heng Bao: “Little Aunt isn’t grandparents’ good daughter, definitely not teacher’s good student either. Bad Little Aunt loves taking advantage; she even grabbed our sweet potatoes before. She’s the worst worst person; I hate her, hate her most most most.”
At this time, Li Bao spoke up a bit aggrieved, “Little Aunt grabbed my egg cake; I was saving it.”
Lin Zhao and others: “…”
“Did you tell your grandparents and parents?” Lin Zhao asked.
The twins stared intently at their good brother.
Li Bao lowered his eyes, lips tightly pursed, “I didn’t dare; Little Aunt said if I told family she’d beat me.”
So outrageous.
Lin Zhao felt this person had no bottom line.
Heng Bao wasn’t afraid of Gu Xing’er and huffed, “I’ll tell grandparents, Uncle and Eldest Uncle’s Wife for you. She won’t dare touch you. If she beats you, I’ll beat her back; I’ll get my uncle to beat her. My Second Uncle is so tall; one punch would make her cry.”
Li Bao looked at Heng Bao admiringly, smiling naively, “Good.”
He listened to his good brother.
Yu Bao immediately thought of a method, “Li Bao, next time you bring food home, I’ll have Da Huang send you. Little Aunt fears Da Huang; with it there, she won’t grab your things or hit you. If she bullies you, just call Da Huang to scare her.”
“Good.” Li Bao said softly.
Song Yunjin had long heard of Gu Xing’er’s bizarre deeds but still felt impacted now.
“Sis, good thing you separated households.” He said gratefully.
Having someone like that at home really messed with one’s mindset; you couldn’t kill her, but she could disgust you to death.
“Yeah.” Lin Zhao inwardly cheered.
“Sis, your little sister-in-law wants to marry into the city?” Song Yunjin asked again.
“Yeah, sky-high ambitions, wants a formal worker, good-looking, willing to spend money on her…”
Utter speechlessness was written on Song Yunjin’s face.
His mouth twitched.
“Really dares to dream.”
“City folk aren’t fools; except those with unspeakable issues, few marry country girls. Your little sister-in-law must be daydreaming.”
“Even if she marries into the city, won’t get a good match: either remarried and older, or some defect, or just city label but empty inside. How could good fortune fall on her? She’s average-looking, no skills, and apparently can’t conduct herself. Better to wash up and sleep early; dreams have everything.”
Song Yunjin’s words were blunt and mocking.
He admitted bias against Gu Xing’er; who let her hurt his sis.
Lin Zhao said, “Young people always dare to dream. Once they hit the wall, they’ll understand everything. Not our business; no need to mind her.”
Song Yunjin looked at his sister, “Where’s brother-in-law? He doesn’t care either? She’s still his blood sister.”
“Doesn’t care.” Lin Zhao’s gaze was confident.
“Your brother-in-law says as long as parents are around, he won’t overstep.”
Song Yunjin breathed a sigh of relief.
Good, brother-in-law was clear-headed; worst were those who meddled in everything.
Lin Zhao stroked Li Bao’s head, “Don’t be alone with your little aunt anymore. If no one’s home, come here, got it?”
Such a naive little guy, easy to bully; she needed to remind him more.
“Mm.” Little Li Bao nodded heavily.
