Chapter 272: “not Going”
Lin Zhao looked at her, “Thank you.”
Su Yi was originally a bit helpless, but upon hearing Comrade Lin’s words, she followed up, “Let’s just take that as praise for us.”
“How is it not praise?” Educated Youth Guan looked at Lin Zhao and Su Yi, her usually quiet face blooming into a bright smile.
She felt that going to the countryside wasn’t without gains; she had met a few really cute people.
“Once I return to the city, I’ll write to you all, and you’ll write back to me, right?”
“Right.” Lin Zhao agreed immediately, “I will. I don’t know if Su Zhiqing will though.”
She looked at Su Yi, “Writing and mailing letters is part of my daily routine, and mailing them is convenient for me too. If you’re okay with it, you can give me your letter then, and I’ll mail ours together.”
Mailing letters requires stamps, which isn’t a big deal for her, but for Su Yi, who was already struggling… it should be quite a burden.
She could handle it for her; stuffing a few sheets of paper into an envelope was no trouble at all.
In an instant, Su Yi almost thought Comrade Lin knew about her family’s situation.
Her face suddenly turned pale.
A wave of fear like the sea surged through her heart.
She was sent out by Grandfather and Grandmother with their lives; she absolutely, absolutely could not let anyone know…!
What should she do?
Su Yi’s face really turned white in an instant. Lin Zhao hadn’t expected such a big reaction from the usually independent girl, and she felt a rare pang of guilt.
“Yu Bao, pour a cup of brown sugar water.” She called into the room.
Yu Bao responded, rushing lightly into the kitchen.
“Are you okay? Your face is very pale.” Lin Zhao looked at Su Zhiqing with concern, pretending she knew nothing, just assuming she wasn’t feeling well.
Su Yi met Lin Zhao’s sincere and caring eyes, and her heart, which had leaped to her throat, slowly settled, her color improving.
She gently pursed her lips and shook her head, “I’m fine.”
Her voice very soft as she said, “I just thought of some unpleasant things from before.”
“…The past is in the past; don’t think too much about it.” Lin Zhao comforted her softly.
Su Yi felt a slight warmth in her heart, “Thank you.”
At that moment, the slightly taller Yu Bao came over, holding a porcelain bowl carefully in both hands, and placed it on the stone table.
“Mom, is one bowl enough?” he asked.
“Enough, thank you Yu Bao.” Lin Zhao looked at her son with proud admiration in her eyes, full of… my son is so great.
Yu Bao felt joyful inside, puffing out his little chest straight.
“Mom, call me if you need anything.” He reminded her, then shyly ran back into the room.
Educated Youth Guan looked at the sensible little friend, her mouth curving up, thinking the Gu Family’s twins were so well-behaved.
More sensible than her nephew.
“I see you’re not feeling well; drinking some brown sugar water might help.” Lin Zhao pushed the porcelain bowl toward Su Yi with her slender fingers.
Gu Chan had gone to work, but she still came once every half month to the third branch to mend and wash things, tidy the vegetable patch; Lin Zhao couldn’t refuse no matter how she tried.
She didn’t do much heavy labor, so her hands hadn’t developed any calluses, and with diligent application of hand cream, they were nurtured white as jade, slender fingers, very beautiful.
Su Yi stared, taking the porcelain bowl in both hands, unable to hold back, “Comrade Lin, your hands are really beautiful.”
“I use hand cream.” Lin Zhao said.
Who had so much natural beauty? It was all from effort.
Of course, her hand shape was inherently nice; now they were just even whiter and more moisturized.
Educated Youth Guan was curious, “What hand cream?”
Doing farm work in the brigade, even using cold cream felt wasteful, but she was going back to the city soon—her face and hands could be pampered!
No girl didn’t love beauty.
“A formula I got by chance; I made it myself.” Lin Zhao made it up.
How did she get it? Of course from the lucky draw; she got a whole crate!
She brought plenty to her maternal family; the eldest sister-in-law had the best one too.
Educated Youth Guan’s eyes changed, looking at Lin Zhao with admiration.
Comrade Lin was really amazing.
“…Trade?” She couldn’t hold back.
Then embarrassed, she added, “You probably have everything I have now, so you might not be interested. How about I trade with you after I get back to the city?”
Things Comrade Lin had, many she hadn’t even seen; trading with people made her feel awkward.
Lin Zhao was generous and saw that Educated Youth Guan liked it, so she offered, “I’ll give you some first. If I need anything, I’ll write to you then; how about that?”
“Sure, as long as you trust me.” Educated Youth Guan had done nearly a year of farm work; her hands and face were roughened a lot, and she wanted to start pampering them early to avoid being mocked by her arch-rival.
“What’s not to trust? You’re a big writer.” Lin Zhao teased, “Can you give me this newspaper? I’ll keep it as a memento.”
There wouldn’t be many chances to meet again after the educated youth returned to the city.
“Here, take it.” Educated Youth Guan said with a smile.
Her mouth stayed curved up for a long time from being called a big writer by Lin Zhao.
“Does Su Zhiqing want some?” Lin Zhao didn’t overlook Su Yi either.
Su Yi shook her head, “No need; I still have work to do. Calluses on my hands are fine; they make work faster. If there’s a chance later, I’ll buy some from you.”
When she could buy from Comrade Lin, it would mean she was reunited with her family.
Thinking of that scene, her eyes sparkled.
“Alright.” Lin Zhao said, standing up and going to the kitchen, taking a pair of nylon gloves from the cabinet.
She gave them to Su Yi.
“Here, wear these for work. I’ve used them twice; don’t mind.”
She could tell Su Yi’s family background was good; something had just happened.
Thinking of her own family’s situation in the original book, Lin Zhao wanted to help someone like this.
Su Yi took the gloves, a warm current surging in her heart; some people’s kindness really felt like a spring breeze.
“Thank you.” Her voice tight as she said it.
Coming as an educated youth was like walking on thin ice, but she had also received much kindness.
My luck isn’t bad, Dad, Mom.
I hope you meet good people too.
–
Less than half a month later, Educated Youth Guan received her return-to-city documents and left the place she had been sent down to, as she wished.
Some returning to the city really stimulated the educated youth in all the brigades.
People who had resigned themselves started getting ideas again.
People taking leave every day.
Letters like falling snowflakes were sent to various cities, leaving Comrade Liang Yi, who worked at the post office, completely dumbfounded.
When Lin Zhao came to mail letters, she even asked a few questions.
After learning the situation, little Comrade Liang’s expression was a bit complicated.
“Returning to the city is rare as phoenix feathers and unicorn horns; rooting in the rural area is the majority. If those people can’t think straight, their days won’t be good.”
Lin Zhao agreed inwardly but didn’t say anything.
Liang Yi commented lightly, then fell silent.
“Are you mailing letters or packages today?” she asked.
Lin Zhao put the things she brought on the counter, “Both. To two places.”
Being a soldier was tough; every so often she mailed food to Third Brother and little brother Gu Chenghuai, always preserved meats.
Liang Yi checked the package; inside were all sauces—meat sauce, chili sauce, mushroom sauce, several bottles each, and besides sauces, fuqiang flour.
Smelling the aroma, Liang Yi couldn’t help swallowing saliva.
“So fragrant.” Her eyes bright as she looked at Lin Zhao, “Did you make them?”
“Yes.”
Liang Yi envied and was jealous of the people about to receive these.
She wanted a pretty big sister to mail her tasty things too, wuwuwu.
Her emotions were all over the place, but her hands didn’t delay, quickly finishing up and placing it in the designated spot, saying to Lin Zhao, “Done.”
“Thanks for the hard work.” Lin Zhao said politely.
“You’re welcome.”
Watching Lin Zhao leave, Liang Yi slumped powerless on the counter; that meat sauce was really so fragrant.
The post office comrades saw her like this and guessed what happened.
“Didn’t ask for any again?” the female comrade asked.
Liang Yi looked at her resentfully, “How could I ask?”
A gentleman doesn’t take what others love, wuwuwu; she just wanted a taste, just one bite.
The female comrade held back a laugh, “What a greedy girl!”
“If you don’t ask, Comrade Lin will never know you’re craving her sauces.”
Yes, all the post office staff knew Lin Zhao; no way around it, she came every few days, a regular here, plus she was generous, so everyone remembered her.
Liang Yi straightened up, pretending to be busy, “We’re all formal workers; I can’t make Comrade Lin break the rules.”
Female comrade: “…Then endure it.”
Liang Yi: “…”
–
Lin Zhao had no idea someone was craving her meat sauce to the point of sleepless nights.
She had just gotten home when Huang Xiulan and Zhao Liuniang came over together.
“Eldest Sister-in-law, Second Sister-in-law, why did you come together? Did something happen?!” Lin Zhao was a bit puzzled.
The sisters-in-law pulled up stools and sat.
“Third sister-in-law, you don’t know yet? Gu Xing’er is getting married.” Zhao Liuniang said.
A huge question mark popped up over Lin Zhao’s head.
“…To who?” Speechless for a moment, she asked aloud.
“She found him herself; says he’s a city worker named Zhang Xuejun.” Huang Xiulan said.
Zhao Liuniang added, “This guy seems to be her classmate; not sure how Gu Xing’er fooled him.”
It might not be fooling; maybe they just clicked…
Lin Zhao thought to herself.
“She’s getting married, so what? Did you two come specially to tell me? No need to be so formal, right?” She felt there was more.
Huang Xiulan got straight to the point, “The event is in a few days; are you going?”
Zhao Liuniang looked at Lin Zhao too.
“No.” Lin Zhao said firmly.
This was something she had planned long ago.
Even if Gu Father and Gu Mother were unhappy, she wasn’t going.
Gu Chenghuai had said any matter with Gu Xing’er was up to her.
Her wish was… not to go.
Huang Xiulan and Zhao Liuniang hadn’t expected third sister-in-law to be so decisive; they were both stunned.
Zhao Liuniang asked blankly, “What about the gift money? Giving or not?!”
Lin Zhao shook her head calmly, “Better to buy peach crisps for Bang Bang, Tie Dan, and the others with that money.”
Not wanting to put the sisters-in-law in a tough spot, she added, “Eldest Sister-in-law, Second Sister-in-law, don’t worry about me; go if you want to.”
She did things as she pleased and wouldn’t hold others to her standards.
Huang Xiulan and Zhao Liuniang really didn’t have Lin Zhao’s confidence; they had many concerns. Little aunt getting married—not giving gift money aside, helping out was a must.
Otherwise, what would the villagers say?
No need to think; it would be plenty ugly.
They were all family; what hurdle couldn’t be crossed? For a little aunt’s major life event, if the sisters-in-law didn’t show up, it would seem too lacking in human touch…
Those loose-tongued villagers in the village wouldn’t care how Gu Xing’er bossed the sisters-in-law around; they’d only think it was Gu Xing’er’s wedding day.
“Alright, with your firm word, we’re set.” Huang Xiulan said.
She looked at Zhao Liuniang, “Second sister-in-law, we’ll go help out; skip the gift money.”
Zhao Liuniang’s eyes lit up, “…Really not giving?”
“No, she looks down on it anyway.” Huang Xiulan thought it was perfect to save the money for half a jin of peach crisps for her son.
“Right, no.” Zhao Liuniang thought of saving several mao and was thrilled, “Gu Xing’er even despised the dozens from separating households; she definitely looks down on our few mao. Good, it’s settled; none of us three give.”
Lin Zhao thought to herself, she wouldn’t even show up.
“What day of the week is her wedding?”
Huang Xiulan: “Seems like Wednesday.”
Tie Dan had even wailed that little aunt was so stingy; why not put the wedding on Sunday? Was she afraid they’d eat her out of house and home?
“Oh, then I have to go to work.” Lin Zhao raised her brow with a smile; perfect to take the four kids to a movie.
Perfect.
“What about the four kids?” Zhao Liuniang asked.
Lin Zhao: “Mom will be busy and won’t have time to watch them for me, so I’ll take the four kids along and have my aunt watch them for half a day.”
That day the village would be chaos, plus Gu Xing’er who had something wrong with her brain; no matter how bold she was, she wouldn’t leave the children in the village.
After Huang Xiulan and Zhao Liuniang left, the twins led their younger brother and sister home amid Da Huang and Amber’s excitement.
“Mom, bad little aunt is getting married; can we eat at the banquet?” Heng Bao asked as soon as he came in.
“…” Lin Zhao looked at him somewhat speechlessly.
Irritated, she said, “Did I starve you?”
“No.” Heng Bao scratched his head, looking puzzled.
“You want to eat at any banquet; not afraid it might be a Hongmen Banquet. What a greedy boy!” Lin Zhao glared at Second Son.
“Banquets are lively.” Heng Bao’s clear voice held a hint of grievance, “How am I a greedy boy…”
The little friend’s mouth pouted enough to hang an oil bottle.
But he never held grudges.
Before Lin Zhao could say more, he leaned in and asked, “Mom, what’s a Hongmen Banquet? Is there a Green Gate Banquet too?”
His expression curious, full of thirst for knowledge.
“Does Yu Bao know?” Lin Zhao asked Yu Bao.
“I do.” Yu Bao said solemnly, “Little Uncle told us.”
Oh no!
Heng Bao’s eyes darted, then he clutched his pants and rushed to the outhouse, “My stomach hurts; I need to go really bad, so urgent so urgent so urgent…”
In a hurry, his voice and shadow both vanished.
Lin Zhao: Stinky kid runs fast.
Yu Bao pulled his younger brother and sister to sit beside Lin Zhao; after growing a year older, he looked more and more like a big brother.
“Mom, little aunt is getting married; do we have to go?” He asked with a frown.
Yu Bao, like Heng Bao, didn’t like the little aunt who bullied Mom and them.
But he was clever and never showed it outwardly.
If others asked about Gu Xing’er, he’d act scared and troubled, making people unable to say more, only saying Gu Xing’er didn’t act like an aunt.
A black sesame filling little friend.
“No, we’ll stay in the county those days. I’ll call Two Stones to keep you company, then take you to a movie and out to eat.” Lin Zhao pinched the soft meat on Yao Bao’s arm, answering Yu Bao.
Yao Bao looked at Mom and offered her other arm too, her round chubby little face showing a milky smile.
Yu Bao’s expression visibly relaxed.
“Great.”
Lin Zhao wrote a letter to Gu Chenghuai about Gu Xing’er getting married.
Just one sentence—such and such month, day, your sister is getting married.
Not one extra word.
Gu Chenghuai, receiving the letter, was amused.
Really childish.
He didn’t think Lin Zhao was overdoing it; his wife was the best. It was Xing’er not acting right; Zhao Zhao specially telling him was already beyond his expectations.
Gu Chenghuai had the measure now; he didn’t wire money to Gu Xing’er alone, nor send a wedding gift, pretending he didn’t know.
Just thinking of how Gu Xing’er treated Qingzhou made him unable to soften toward her.
