Chapter 215: “break Up”
“No.”
Song Yunjin shook his head. “The address doesn’t match.”
He smiled, letting Lin Zhao guess.
Lin Zhao wasn’t going to guess. She poked her head to look at the slip on the package.
“Ah, it’s from Third Brother.” Her voice was light and cheerful, very happy.
Song Yunjin stopped grinning. “Sis, you’re cheating.”
“How old are you, still playing guessing games.” Lin Zhao rolled her eyes at him, fetched the scissors, and opened the package.
Lin Shichang had sent quite a few things: a blanket with pretty patterns, big red dates, a few bottles of honey, two pairs of small wool gloves, one pair slightly larger, a red scarf, fabric…
The items were miscellaneous; it was clear the sender had sent whatever they had.
“Mom, what’s this?” Heng Bao touched the two pairs of small gloves and looked up at Lin Zhao.
In the village, come winter, cotton-padded clothes were passed around the family—who could afford gloves? The twins had of course never seen any.
Lin Zhao put them on him, smiling at the corners of her mouth. “Gloves. You can wear them when it’s cold; your hands won’t get cold.”
Heng Bao’s eyes sparkled. “This is great!”
“Of course it’s great. These are wool, very warm.” Lin Zhao said.
Yu Bao looked over and saw there were none for his younger brother and sister, so his smile faded a bit. “There aren’t any for Qian Bao and Yao Bao.”
He touched the soft gloves, suppressing his reluctance, and sensibly said, “Mom, can mine be altered smaller for my younger brother and sister?”
Lin Zhao’s heart softened, her eyes full of tenderness.
“No need. I’ll knit some for Qian Bao and Yao Bao; I won’t let them go without. This is from your Third Uncle. He’s worried you’ll be cold on the way to school.”
Yu Bao felt relieved, touched the gloves, and smiled happily.
“Mom, I want to write a letter to my Third Uncle later, to tell him… I really like the gloves he sent.”
Lin Zhao’s lips curved slightly. “Sure.”
Song Yunjin ruffled Yu Bao’s head. “Yu Bao is a good older brother, much better than Song Yuncheng!”
With his brother not around, he secretly grumbled, “Song Yuncheng loves competing with me for things. He’s so mean, not acting like an older brother at all.”
“Not bad. Your fountain pen was bought by Yun Cheng.” Lin Zhao reminded him. “It cost him a third of his salary.”
“Sis, you knew?” Song Yunjin was surprised.
“Aunt Song told me.” Lin Zhao smiled with pursed lips. “If I didn’t know, I’d almost fall for your trick, kid.”
“Heh heh.” Song Yunjin scratched his head, embarrassed to look at her, and pinched Yu Bao’s face. “He’s pretty good, but not as good to his younger brother and sister as Yu Bao is, right?”
He knew deep down his brother was good to him, very protective, and he wasn’t after his brother’s wallet—he was just fooling around, making a fuss for fun.
Yu Bao’s little face changed shapes, his pretty black eyes wide open, staring at his uncle without struggling or speaking.
“Even you’re protecting your Yun Cheng Uncle.” Yun Jin pretended to be heartbroken, making a dramatic gesture like Xishi holding her heart, looking utterly devastated. “I spend way more time with you guys, you four ungrateful little ones.”
Yu Bao reminded him seriously, “Qian Bao and Yao Bao aren’t here. They’d feel so wronged.”
Yun Jin: “…”
“Protective little stinker!” Yun Jin pinched his face.
Yu Bao sighed softly, looking at his uncle helplessly, not knowing what to do with him.
“Uncle, I’m not stinky. I take a bath and change clothes every day.” The little friend emphasized in his soft voice.
“Stop bothering Yu Bao. Come help me pack the things.” Lin Zhao came to her son’s rescue.
Yun Jin let go of Yu Bao and rushed over to help.
“Sis, what do you need me to do?”
Lin Zhao directed him. “These dates are good—pack two jin for Great Aunt. Take a bottle of honey, bring a blanket…”
Yun Jin listened, his mouth twitching.
“Sis, you planning to move everything over?! No need. Use it for the four kids, feed the four kids. Send Mom a jin of red dates, and she’ll be thrilled!” he said.
If Sis brought so much, his parents would definitely beat him for not persuading her blah blah blah.
He couldn’t afford to offend anyone.
Lin Zhao rolled her eyes at him. “Not much. Where’s the excess!”
“I saved some for the four kids—didn’t you see?!” She pointed to the items set aside separately.
“But…” Yun Jin wanted to argue more, but got a cold glare from his sister.
“No buts!” Lin Zhao found him annoying and cut him off. “Stop nagging, pack quickly.”
Yun Jin pinched his own mouth shut and fell silent.
“Pfft…” Lin Zhao laughed at his action, saying irritably, “Stop fooling around. Pack quickly. It’s still early—go to your house.”
She licked her lips. “I want to eat Aunt Song’s Guo Bao Rou.”
Yun Jin was craving it too. His eyes lit up. “Bring meat?”
“Of course. How else to know if Uncle and Aunt bought meat!” Lin Zhao gave him a sidelong glance, looking at him like a silly dog.
Yun Jin didn’t mind at all and grinned happily.
“Sis, you’re so generous.”
Whose niece brings meat to her uncle’s house? Only his sis!
Everyone in the staff dormitory envied his parents for having such a capable and filial niece; his dad’s mouth was practically crooked from smiling.
But… he could gloat all he wanted—could he stop picking on him? He was still a student; even if he wanted to be filial, he was short on cash.
“What are you saying? They’re my own uncle and aunt. How could I be stingy with them?” Lin Zhao lifted her chin slightly, her brows and eyes full of pride.
Yu Bao clumsily tied the cloth bag of red dates and praised his mom. “My mom isn’t stingy! The villagers all say my mom is the most generous daughter-in-law.”
Lin Zhao: Hmm? What the villagers said wasn’t “generous,” but “loose with money”…
And it wasn’t meant as praise.
They said she didn’t know how to live frugally, relying on marrying an officer, spending money like water; and that when the four kids grew up, marrying off daughters-in-law and daughters, she’d have reason to cry then.
Lin Zhao didn’t know why some villagers were so possessive over their own wallets. She couldn’t be bothered with them and just did as she pleased.
Heng Bao heard his brother and added, “Mom also sends meat to the grandparents. She’s the best daughter-in-law, and the best mom.”
He said it solemnly, giving a thumbs-up, his eyes very serious.
Lin Zhao’s brows and eyes curved happily.
Her sons really knew how to talk; those two little mouths could sweet-talk anyone.
“You’re my good sons too.” Lin Zhao praised back.
“Good sons, pack the things quickly. If we delay more, your great uncle and aunt’s family will have finished dinner.”
The two kids got serious, bustling like diligent little bees, packing the things to bring to the Song Family.
They went back inside to grab their jackets, came out with their small shoulder bags on their backs.
The weather was getting cold; they’d freeze without jackets now.
Lin Zhao led the two kids ahead, Yun Jin shouldered the net bag stuffed with things, carried a strip of meat in his right hand, following behind.
Catching passersby’s gazes, he grinned smugly, looking extremely pleased with himself.
No wonder he was smug—in these scarce times, half a jin of meat was plenty, and he had a full two jin! Who wouldn’t look twice?!
Lin Zhao caught Yun Jin showing off and paused mid-step, nearly tripping flat.
This kid really wasn’t afraid of a beating!
The twins steadied her.
“Mom?” Yu Bao’s face was full of worry.
He overthought it, assuming Mom was worried about his siblings, and said, “Mom, Grandma’s watching Qian Bao and Yao Bao. They’ll be fine. Don’t worry.”
Heng Bao looked at Lin Zhao. “Da Huang and Amber are there too. Mom, don’t worry.”
Lin Zhao: “…”
“Got it, I’m not worried.” Lin Zhao didn’t explain, leading her two sons into the textile factory staff dormitory.
Seeing them—having watched Lin Zhao grow up—the Song Family neighbors greeted enthusiastically.
“Zhaozhao’s here.”
Yun Jin saw his sister walking fast and jogged to catch up. Hearing the neighbors, he grinned. “Third Brother sent some stuff. Sis insisted on bringing it to my parents.”
The neighbors saw through his boasting and played along. “Your Third Brother just left and already sent more? So thoughtful.”
“Zhaozhao’s thoughtful too.”
She looked up to the third floor. “Perfect timing. Your uncle’s house has guests. You can take a look too.”
Take a look?
Lin Zhao’s eyes were puzzled.
Suddenly a thought flashed in her mind.
“Yun Cheng brought his date back?” she asked.
Yun Jin’s eyes widened.
“!!!”
What, what?!
How long had it been since he came back!
Did Song Yuncheng think he was dead? Bringing his date home without even calling him—was he still his own younger brother aaaah?!
Yun Jin was thoroughly heartbroken and furious, showing it all on his face.
He wasn’t as welcoming to that yet-to-be-met prospective sister-in-law anymore!
“Yes.” The neighbor said.
She’d seen Yun Cheng bring a girl into the staff dormitory—it had to be his date.
Yun Jin exuded gloominess.
Fine, fine, he’d really been forgotten!!!
Damn Song Yuncheng!
His resentful aura was palpable even to the neighbor.
Her gaze shifted to Yun Jin, seeing the meat in his hand. “Yun Jin, you got meat? And so much!”
Yun Jin: “Sis got it.”
Then he went quiet.
He was really… thoroughly hurt by his brother.
Lin Zhao glanced at him and added, “Craving Aunt Song’s Guo Bao Rou. Saved up meat tickets specially, bought meat and came right over.”
As an explanation.
The neighbor thought of Aunt Song’s Guo Bao Rou aroma and swallowed quietly, giving neighborly approval. “Your aunt makes killer Guo Bao Rou.”
She laughed. “Today the upstairs and downstairs won’t be able to eat again.”
Why?
The smell would ruin their appetites.
Kids would fuss, get spanked for fussing, cry from spankings, adults would yell at the crying… the whole building would get lively.
Everyone was used to it.
Lin Zhao pictured the scene and couldn’t help smiling.
They bid the neighbors farewell and went upstairs.
The twins were full of energy, flying up the stairs and vanishing in a flash.
Nearly at the third floor, Lin Zhao heard the two little brothers’ voices.
“Aunt?!”
Aunt Song saw them, her face lighting up with surprise. Her tense expression bloomed into a smile as she greeted warmly, “Yu Bao, Heng Bao, how’d you get here? Your mom’s here too, right?”
As she spoke, she stepped forward and met Lin Zhao’s smiling face.
“Aunt!”
Aunt Song was delighted. “Zhaozhao’s here.”
Seeing her youngest son carrying things, she chided, “Bringing stuff again. Didn’t I tell you your uncle and I lack nothing?”
“You have spare cash—buy more food for Yu Bao and Heng Bao, stuff them full so they grow tall and strong like Cheng Huai!”
Before Lin Zhao could respond, Yu Bao hurriedly said, “Aunt, Mom buys us food. We eat plenty every day.”
The filial son couldn’t stand anyone criticizing his mom.
“Uh-huh.” Heng Bao beamed like a little sun, proud. “Mom even subscribed milk for us. I drink it every day!”
He gently clung to his aunt’s arm, tilting his little head up. “Aunt, see—am I taller?”
The little friend strained to lift his face higher, eyes expectant and shining.
Yu Bao had the exact same expression.
Faced with two identical adorable little faces, Aunt Song felt her earlier foul mood easing.
“Taller, taller.” She measured with her hand. “Keep drinking it, and you’ll grow even faster.”
Milk was nutritious, expensive, and hard to subscribe.
“Got it!”
The two kids answered energetically.
Yun Jin glanced toward home, less excited, looking glum.
“Mom, your son brought his date over?”
Aunt Song didn’t want to mention it.
One look, and Yun Jin caught his mom’s bad mood.
He approached cautiously, choosing his words, voice low. “What happened? She no good?!”
He couldn’t think of any other reason for his mom’s unhappiness.
Aunt Song didn’t comment, just said, “Let’s go home.”
Lin Zhao and Yun Jin exchanged looks, seeing curiosity in each other’s eyes.
What was going on…?
Seeing Aunt unwilling to mention it, Lin Zhao didn’t press, linking arms with her toward the Song house.
Before entering, they heard an unhappy female voice.
“Song Yuncheng, what’s with your parents? First time visiting, and this is how they treat me?”
“I’ve been sitting here on this cold sofa half the day, no one pays me any mind. Your family looks down on me, and you don’t even care!!”
Her words dripped with displeasure; not even in the door yet, and she was already badmouthing to the man.
Aunt Song inhaled sharply.
She really wanted to beat Song Yuncheng to death!
What kind of dates was he bringing home, blind dog thing!!
She cursed viciously inwardly, not even wanting to enter her own home, cold-faced listening to see her son’s reaction.
Song Yunjin wanted to barge in and punch someone; Lin Zhao grabbed his arm and shook her head at him.
…Don’t rush. See Yun Cheng’s attitude first.
If he’s love-brained, then punch.
Inside the room.
Song Yuncheng gave his date a cold, unfamiliar look, his voice tinged with barely detectable chill.
“You show up empty-handed—not even a hair’s worth—and you think that’s respecting my family?” he asked flatly.
She wasn’t like this before. Once talk turned to marriage, Song Yuncheng realized he barely recognized the person beside him!
Qiao Lu’s eyes showed disappointment, as if Song Yuncheng were the bad guy.
She said aggrievedly, “You know my salary this month isn’t out yet. I have no money.”
Song Yuncheng: “???”
“So I didn’t force you to come now. I said come recognize the family next month at the start… “
Qiao Lu’s eyes flashed guilt, no longer aggressive, her voice softening coquettishly. “I was anxious, okay.”
She muttered, “You said your parents wouldn’t mind, that they’d like me for sure. I thought bringing stuff or not didn’t matter.”
Song Yuncheng pulled his arm back, speechless.
He exhaled long, rolling his eyes. “Can’t you get polite talk?!”
“You’re a grown adult—surely you know basic manners. Even if you don’t, don’t your parents? I never came to your house empty-handed. You show up at mine bare, how do you have the face?!”
Thinking of how Qiao Lu had just entered his home and started nitpicking, even denying his brother’s existence, made him want to vomit.
And this was just the start!!
“This home is mine and Yun Jin’s. Your eldest-son-inherits-property idea doesn’t fly here. We’re not right for each other. Let’s break up!” Song Yuncheng said expressionlessly.
Qiao Lu felt like she’d fallen into an ice cellar, asking incredulously, “You want to break up with me?”
“…Yes!” Song Yuncheng was firm.
He thought the Qiao family was lax, treating him like a fool. After half a day’s observation, he saw Qiao Lu had major issues. If they didn’t split, his family would fall apart sooner or later.
Split.
Must split.
Qiao Lu shot up, her delicate face full of rage, voice pitching high. “You want to break up with me? You actually want to break up!”
“Yes, don’t want to date anymore. Break up.” Song Yuncheng emphasized again.
Qiao Lu, the belle of the motor factory, had plenty of suitors and was proud.
Hearing his words with no room for turning back, she pounded him a few times, huffed, and snapped, “Fine, break up then. Like I care about you. After treating me like this, even if you beg at my door, I won’t forgive you!”
With that, she flung open the door and stormed out.
Nearly crashing into the twins.
Lin Zhao yanked her sons’ clothes back, dodging the collision.
Her expression unhappy, she said, “Don’t you look where you’re going? Can you afford to hit the kids?”
