Chapter 276: “begging For A Restart”
Old Man Lu returned home and learned he was leaving soon, his smile very unnatural.
He didn’t want to go.
In the village, he was so free, doing whatever he wanted, and the villagers gave him some face for his son’s sake.
If he went there…
He knew it would be so much trouble, with endless rules, unable to do anything he wanted.
“Father unhappy?” Su Yuxian felt something was off with the Brigade Leader’s sudden visit and suspected her father-in-law, staring at him probingly.
Old Man Lu instantly cheered up.
“Why wouldn’t I be happy? I’m happy. I’m so happy. My son is taking me to enjoy life, how could I not be happy?”
Lu Old Lady disdainfully glanced at the old man and pursed her lips.
If she hadn’t mentioned it, her son would never have thought of his father in his lifetime.
Hateful that she had wholeheartedly considered the dead old man, and he gave her a green hat.
—A senile old fool.
The Lu family daughters-in-law were very anxious and packed their luggage in just a couple of days, leaving high-profile as a family.
The villagers politely chatted and wished them a smooth journey, but their eyes always looked strange when seeing Old Man Lu.
Lu Old Lady was completely unaware, busy showing off her future good days to other old ladies in the village.
Su Yuxian noticed some signs but didn’t show anything unusual or ask, just wanting to leave steadily.
Once the Lu family left, people gathered in twos and threes, whispering.
“So who was that person?”
“Don’t know, that Zhuang Zhuang kid is so dumb, couldn’t even recognize the person.”
“Yeah, really frustrating.”
Those in the know stayed silent.
Not that they didn’t want to say, but the Brigade Leader had talked to them, to avoid extra trouble, they could only pretend to know nothing.
This led to some in the whole brigade getting the full story, others only half.
Zhao Liuniang loved squeezing into crowds, and not getting the full story made her uncomfortable all over.
Thus, she got the whole story.
Since Zhao Liuniang got it, the Gu family members definitely did too.
Lin Zhao said disgustedly: “Out there… taking advantage of everyone watching the movie… just like him.”
Thinking of Zhuang Zhuang, she pinched her brow, “Good thing the kid understands nothing, otherwise… that scene would take quite some time to heal!”
Poor little guy.
Hope he forgets that eye-searing sight soon.
Weird, just thinking about it a bit makes her feel nauseous.
Zhao Liuniang was also disgusted, rubbing her ears, and said: “Why do I feel like my ears got polluted too.”
“Polluted” was something she learned from Bang Bang.
“Me too…” Lin Zhao agreed.
That night of the movie, hearing the twins talk about it, she felt awful all over, nauseous and didn’t sleep well, still had to handle countless questions from Yu Baoheng Bao.
“I reckon that one has had enough of good days, not afraid of affecting Bao Zhen’s dad’s reputation.” Zhao Liuniang sighed, “Opportunities to rise are so rare, ordinary people would cling with hands and feet, but he just drags from behind.”
Seeing the complexity on Second Sister-in-law’s face, Lin Zhao didn’t mention the Lu family anymore, instead asking: “I see Eldest Sister-in-law and Second Sister-in-law hand in matchboxes quickly, and have the mushroom room to tend, can you manage?”
“Of course, why not.” Zhao Liuniang feared Third Sister-in-law would take back the gluing matchboxes work, hurriedly saying seriously.
Her expression somewhat tense, “Third Sister-in-law, us country folk have plenty of strength, we can do it!”
Gluing matchboxes didn’t earn much, just one or two yuan a month, and strained the neck and back, but in the countryside, money-making opportunities were few, so they valued it.
Even with mushroom cultivation income, Zhao Liuniang and Huang Xiulan never thought of giving up gluing matchboxes.
One yuan a month, twelve a year.
Lin Zhao said: “Second Sister-in-law, don’t be nervous, I didn’t say not to let you do it, just afraid you’d wear out your bodies.”
“Won’t!” Zhao Liuniang relaxed, smiling: “Two boys at home, big pressure, gotta work more while young. Besides, having work keeps the heart steady, Big Sister-in-law and I are thrilled. Who knows how many in the village envy us.”
Over half a year passed, even celebrated a New Year, the gluing matchboxes work couldn’t be hidden, everyone in the village knew.
Not that no one said sour words, saying Lin Zhao only thought of the two sisters-in-law for good things, forgetting others in the village, all rebuffed by Zhao Liuniang and Huang Xiulan.
We’re family, of course good things first for our own, who doesn’t? Don’t sourmouth behind backs, have the guts say it to our faces.
None of the Gu family’s daughters-in-law were pushovers, they’d speak up if unhappy, not yielding for age or seniority, and after visits, the overt sour words indeed stopped.
Lin Zhao didn’t know these things, and even if she did, wouldn’t care.
Only the weak complain about the environment.
“Alright, as long as you and Big Sister-in-law don’t feel tired. If not in time… hand in late is fine, I’ll tell Sister Fen, not a big deal.” Lin Zhao said.
In another month or so it’d be double harvest rush, field work exhausting, she feared the two sisters-in-law would ruin their health for that bit of money.
“Don’t worry, Big Sister-in-law and I know our limits.” Zhao Liuniang said, “Last winter every household had income, Father said mushroom cultivation will become our commune’s specialty, this money keeps coming, the chickens Big Sister-in-law and I raise we don’t sell, keep for ourselves.”
Not just that, surplus grain to honor parents-in-law too.
Last winter her eldest sister didn’t have enough grain for winter, she gave twenty jin and five yuan.
Feeling of being able to help family with ability is great!
Lin Zhao approved of Second Sister-in-law’s actions, “Second Sister-in-law and Big Sister-in-law are right, earning money is to live better, if stingy and unwilling to spend it’s missing the point, health most important.”
Zhao Liuniang often heard Lin Zhao say this, deeply agreed, still frugal but at least not skimping on the family’s mouths and stomachs.
…
Early May, Lin Heling and Song Xiwei left Dongfeng Brigade, heading to Haicheng.
This departure, at least two months before returning.
Lin Zhao and her two brothers at home went to the station to see them off.
“Father, Mother, telegraph me when you arrive, let me know where you are…” Lin Zhao said reluctantly.
Grown this big, always under parents’ watch, first time parents’ whereabouts uncertain, Lin Zhao felt inexplicably stifled.
Outside chaotic, she wasn’t at ease.
Song Xiwei looked down at her daughter tugging her clothes, corners of mouth involuntarily rising.
“So grown up…” She rarely warmly hugged Zhaozhao, nagging: “Will telegraph you, definitely. At home take good care of yourself and the four kids, anything find your eldest brother.”
“I know.” Lin Zhao said.
Then looking at Lin Heling: “Father…”
Before words out, Lin Heling rubbed her forehead, “Be good at home, we’ll be back soon.”
Lin Zhao pursed her lips.
“Shichang, take good care of home and your sister.” Lin Heling patted his eldest son’s shoulder, instructing.
Lin Shichang nodded solemnly, “Home’s on me, Father, you and Mother rest assured, safe travels.”
Lin Heling nodded, dashingly waved to his children, half-holding Song Xiwei onto the train.
Married many years, first time traveling alone as couple, both felt like back to youth.
So delightfully strange.
The couple exchanged glances, both seeing laughter in each other’s eyes.
“…Once in Haicheng, we’ll wander more.” Lin Heling said.
Song Xiwei teased him, “You just told your daughter we’d be back soon.”
“What should I say?” Lin Heling helplessly glanced at her, “At first Zhaozhao unaccustomed, after half month she’ll be fine, my daughter adapts strong.”
Words full of pride.
As if it were some especially praiseworthy trait.
Song Xiwei: “…” In a daughter slave’s eyes, his daughter is the best.
She answered his earlier question, “That’s the place you grew up, do as you like, I’ll accompany you.”
Lin Heling slightly tightened his grip on his wife’s hand, brows full of tenderness.
Platform.
Lin Shichang patted Zhaozhao’s shoulder, “Let’s go back, Father said they’ll be back soon.”
“I don’t believe it.” Lin Zhao had a hunch it wouldn’t be quick, “Father and Mother won’t come back that fast, they’ll definitely play and forget to return.”
Lin Shisheng burst out laughing, deliberately making faces to tease his sister.
“Zhaozhao, why like a little kid, even Yao Bao not as clingy to Mother as you.”
Lin Zhao punched his arm, “Second Brother, you’re so annoying. Father and Mother just left and you bully me, I’ll tell Uncle you bully me!”
With that, she strode away from the train station.
Lin Shisheng chased his sister, “Lin Zhao Bao, how old are you, still complaining.”
Lin Zhao abruptly stopped, eyes blazing, “Who’re you calling Lin Zhao Bao, Second Son Lin, you’re so annoying!”
“You, who else, Lin Zhao Bao, Lin Zhao Bao…” Lin Shisheng teasingly called.
Lin Zhao chased and hit him.
Lin Shichang watched his bickering younger brother and sister, laughter in his eyes.
This scene, not seen for many years, really nostalgic.
Lin Shisheng’s interruption dispelled the inexplicable emotion in Lin Zhao’s heart.
The siblings stopped under a tree waiting for Lin Shichang.
“Eldest Brother walk faster, too slow.” Lin Shisheng urged.
The one deemed slow, Lin Shichang: “…”
When he neared, Lin Zhao linked arms with her eldest brother, asking: “Eldest Brother, how’s Big Sister-in-law and the two little nephews?”
Not long after New Year, Chen Yu smoothly gave birth to two boys, kids several months old now, Chen’s mother helping care.
“All good, your Big Sister-in-law recovered well, two kids eat and sleep well, with the milk powder you bought, they grow fast, chubby and adorable.” Speaking of newborn sons, Lin Shichang’s eyes and brows full of smiles.
Lin Shisheng added: “Never seen chubbier kids, arms and legs all meat, white and tender, makes you wanna bite a few times.”
“Fatter than when I saw them?” Lin Zhao raised brow.
“Definitely, come back free sometime and see.” Lin Shisheng said, “Seen plenty kids, none as fat as my two nephews.”
Lin Shichang smug, “Thanks to their aunt and second uncle, hard not to get fat.”
He finally bought a bag of milk powder, Zhaozhao brought two bags visiting nephews, second brother brought two on return.
Milk powder to satiety, how not fat?
“Infants chubby is cute.” Lin Zhao got idea to photograph two fat nephews, “Next time over, I’ll bring camera, take some photos of my nephews as keepsake.”
Lin Shichang said: “Sure.”
“Eldest Brother, tell me when no milk powder at home, I’ll get it.” Lin Zhao told him.
“Know you’re capable, definitely come to you.” Lin Shichang said.
Here all harmonious, Meng Jiusi there ran into trouble.
Heard someone looking for him, he startled hard, brows furrowed tight.
Few knew his address, couldn’t think who would come find him.
Full of thoughts went to reception room.
Far off saw that figure, Meng Jiusi’s gaze darkened.
Yuan Qin?
How did she know he’s here?!
Doubts in heart increased.
Meng Jiusi walked over.
“Why are you here?” he asked.
Yuan Qin gazed intently at the man, feeling Meng Jiusi more charming, more alluring than before.
He wore light green shirt, overlaid with snow-white gown, tall and straight posture, hair cropped short revealing handsome brows and eyes, handsome and steady.
“Jiusi.” Yuan Qin eyes teary, heart full of complexity.
Couldn’t say if more regret or more resentment.
Meng Jiusi asked again: “Who told you I’m here?”
He hadn’t told acquaintances his new job address after transfer, how Yuan Qin knew, he couldn’t figure.
Yuan Qin stung by her ex-husband’s cold eyes, “Someone wrote to the factory, spread everywhere, I came to try luck.”
“Didn’t expect you really here.” Her tone excited.
Felt Meng Jiusi heartless, aggrieved glance at him, “Why didn’t you write me a letter, I’ve been waiting, worried.”
Meng Jiusi flatly: “Write you for what, what relation are we?”
“Heard you remarried, so… give your worry to your current husband, I don’t need.”
His expression unmoved, as if time with Yuan Qin just an insignificant interlude in life.
Yuan Qin agitatedly: “I have no other husband, in my heart only you.”
“Jiusi, let’s start over, okay?” Her expression expectant, thinking two sons here too, knew good chance, eyes bright.
Meng Jiusi didn’t answer, counter-asked: “What letter? You have it?”
Yuan Qin didn’t dare push, though disappointed by topic shift, still said: “Letter not with me, Factory Director took it, said he needs it.”
“I see.” Meng Jiusi nodded.
Then to her: “We’re done, no chance to restart, go back, don’t come again, won’t see you.”
With that turned and left.
Yuan Qin stunned in place, long to react, then chased but blocked.
“Jiusi, I’m serious! We have two sons, for Jing Mo and Guang Bai’s sake, give me a chance, we were so happy before, can be again, don’t go…”
She shouted, begged, but useless.
Meng Jiusi didn’t look back.
Zhaozhao told him, he comes first, then Lin family’s son, then Grandfather’s grandson, Jing Mo and Guang Bai’s dad.
If he put anyone or anything before himself in consideration, she’d look down on him.
He didn’t want to be a brother disappointing his sister.
So…
He won’t make any more decisions betraying himself.
Zhaozhao, Fourth Brother starting to follow his heart, you’ll be proud, happy for me, right?
