Chapter 291: “handsome Bald-headed Kid”
His younger sister’s expression was so obvious that unless Meng Jiusi was blind, he couldn’t miss it.
He looked over helplessly, only to see Lin Zhao avert her gaze first, saying to the salesperson with a straight face, “Comrade, please take down that schoolbag for me.”
Meng Jiusi twitched the corner of his mouth slightly.
He casually withdrew his gaze.
He nodded to the interns.
“Just out for a stroll.” His reply was brief, showing no emotional fluctuation.
Li Can noticed that Doctor Meng treated her no differently from others, so she lowered her eyes, a flash of disappointment in them.
Meng Jiusi nodded to the intern comrades, saying politely and elegantly, “You all go ahead and browse.”
Then he called for Lin Zhao and the others to leave.
They hadn’t walked far when Lin Zhao winked at her youngest brother, teasing him quite a bit.
Helplessness flashed in her youngest brother’s eyes, and he gently patted his younger sister’s hair, “Don’t stir things up.”
“I’m not stirring things up.” Lin Zhao denied it outright, but the laughter in her eyes revealed her true thoughts, “My youngest brother is quite popular.”
The helplessness in Meng Jiusi’s eyes deepened.
“You’re so unruly.” His tone was indulgent, and he didn’t mind much.
He caught sight of a bright yellow bubble-sleeve long skirt hanging at the counter, his eyes lighting up slightly, and he politely asked the salesperson to take it down.
He was handsome, and the clothes he wore were made by Lin Heling—no patches, and they suited his refined and gentle temperament perfectly, clearly marking him as an honorable worker comrade.
The salesperson took down what he wanted without a word, stole a glance at Lin Zhao, her expression full of unspoken envy.
“What size is this?” Meng Jiusi asked.
“It’s the size that the female comrade next to you can wear.” The salesperson said.
Their eyes were sharp; they didn’t need customers to say much to know what they had in mind.
Meng Jiusi smiled and looked at Lin Zhao, “Do you like this skirt? You can alternate wearing it.”
Lin Zhao thought her youngest brother’s taste was really good; the style and color were exactly what she liked.
“I like it.” She took the skirt without hesitation.
She held it up to her body, “Too bad I didn’t bring small leather shoes.”
Gu Chenghuai seized the opportunity to chime in, “Too bad what? Just buy another pair.”
Lin Zhao beamed, “White ones; I have too many black small leather shoes.”
“That’s fine; any color you want is okay.” Gu Chenghuai agreed immediately.
He turned to the salesperson, “Do you have women’s leather shoes?”
“There are two styles, over here.” The salesperson led Lin Zhao and the others.
“Which pair do you like?” Gu Chenghuai said before his fourth brother-in-law could, afraid he’d compete again.
Meng Jiusi glanced at his brother-in-law, satisfied in his heart; he wasn’t jealous—he liked how his brother-in-law was all eyes for his younger sister.
He trailed behind and quietly paid for the skirt before slowly catching up.
This scene was seen by the interns from the military region hospital.
One female comrade cupped her face, her eyes adoring, “Doctor Meng is so great; he’s so good to his younger sister. I really want a brother like that.”
Thinking of her own brother, her eyes cleared, and she ground her teeth, saying angrily, “Not like my brother, so stingy and even cheats me out of my money!”
“Doctor Meng’s younger sister is so pretty! Their whole family is good-looking!” Another female comrade said.
The only male comrade: “…”
He couldn’t help but irritably say, “Have you all bought what you need? If you’re done, we should head back; learning opportunities are precious, and I don’t want to stand here wasting time!”
This was the top student in the intern group, studying so diligently it was unmatched; he always carried a book or notebook no matter what. If their leader hadn’t worried about the girls getting into trouble and asked him to watch them, he wouldn’t have come out.
“What’s the rush? It’s rare to come out; we have to shop properly! If you’re in a hurry, go back first; I’m not going.” A female intern with a fiery temper said.
The straight male intern frowned and hit the nail on the head, “You don’t have coupons anyway; what’s the point of browsing till dark.”
The few girls who had just graduated: “…”
How did this guy end up with such a mouth; he was so annoying.
“Hmph!”
The girls ignored him and linked arms to continue shopping.
They really couldn’t afford to buy, but looking was free.
Li Can glanced toward where Meng Jiusi was, reluctantly withdrawing her gaze, and went to the second floor with her friends.
“Youngest brother, that female comrade was looking at you.” Lin Zhao tugged at Meng Jiusi’s sleeve.
Meng Jiusi didn’t turn to look, his smiling eyes fixed on his younger sister, unmoved.
“…Fine, I know you have no interest.” Lin Zhao saw that her youngest brother really wasn’t interested in that pretty female comrade, so she let it go and stopped paying attention.
“Youngest brother, if there’s a girl you like, you must tell me; I’m good at judging people and can help you vet her, if you don’t mind.” She added.
Meng Jiusi’s smile instantly reached his eyes, “Definitely; anyone you don’t like… won’t enter our home.”
Lin Zhao waved her hands quickly, “No need to go that far; as long as you like her, it’s fine. My opinion isn’t important. Besides…”
She paused, her eyes curving up, and said seriously, “I like whoever you like, youngest brother.”
For a young couple living their life, how important could the opinion of one sister-in-law be?
As long as that person was wholeheartedly devoted to her brother, that was enough.
A warm current surged in Meng Jiusi’s heart.
“We’ll see.” He said.
That matter depended on fate; maybe he’d never meet someone to his liking in this lifetime.
The topic passed just like that.
“Zhaozhao, which style of small leather shoes do you want?” Gu Chenghuai called to Lin Zhao, asking his wife’s opinion.
Lin Zhao pointed to one without a strap on the instep, “This pair; it’s different from the ones at home.”
It was still beige, a bright color.
In this era, most people bought black, which matched easily and looked good; it was impressive for ordinary folks to have even one pair. Someone like Lin Zhao, with several pairs and collecting various colors, was rare.
Gu Chenghuai said to the salesperson, “Comrade, size “
He paid the money and ration coupons while speaking.
The salesperson fetched the size Lin Zhao needed.
Gu Chenghuai took them casually and stuffed them into the sack he brought.
In today’s society, there were no shopping bags; people coming out for procurement brought sacks by the bunch, and no one laughed at anyone; those with poor family situations didn’t even have sacks.
“Comrade, do you have mosquito nets?” Lin Zhao asked.
“Yes!”
Lin Zhao’s eyes lit up, “Five.”
The salesperson paused, then took out five white mosquito nets.
Gu Chenghuai paid for them from behind.
“Why so many?” Meng Jiusi couldn’t help asking.
“We need two at home, yours, Momo and Xiao Bai’s, Grandpa Meng’s—five is just right.” Lin Zhao explained.
Seeing Mao Dan’er, she thoughtfully added, “You have one, Mao Dan’er, so not yours.”
Mao Dan’er knew Aunt Lin had him in her heart, and a brilliant smile bloomed on his face, “Okay.”
He didn’t mind, but Aunt Lin explaining made him even happier.
“Good boy.” Lin Zhao cooed habitually, and the young youth’s face flushed red.
“Mao Dan’er, your face is red!” Heng Bao nudged Mao Dan’er with his arm, grinning.
Jing Mo covered his mouth laughing.
He’d known Mao Dan’er for so long, and he was always calm and serious; this was the first time he’d seen him shy.
So funny.
“It’s hot.” Mao Dan’er fanned himself with his hand.
Heng Bao didn’t believe it and wanted to say more, but his brother covered his mouth, “Don’t talk too much.”
“Oh.”
Meng Jiusi felt that as a grown man, he didn’t need a mosquito net, but he couldn’t refuse his younger sister’s intention, so he didn’t say no.
“I’ll put it up when we get back.”
Lin Zhao nodded in satisfaction, “That’s right; your brother-in-law said the mosquitoes here are still quite venomous, so better prepare in advance.”
In another half month, if she wanted to buy more, they’d probably be out of stock!
She was a salesperson too, so she knew these things.
“I’ll listen to you.” Meng Jiusi heeded the advice.
He knew insect repellent had limits; with a mosquito net, it was safer. Adults had thick skin and could handle bites, but children had delicate skin and really needed protection.
Gu Chenghuai saw sun hats, bought one without a word, and got ones for his two sons too.
“Not as nice as in big cities; make do for now.” The man whispered to his wife, head lowered.
Lin Zhao glanced at it; a plain gray cotton cloth hat, very simple-looking, “It’s fine.”
Even if she had something fancy now, she wouldn’t dare wear it; she hadn’t dared to wear the stylish one at home again either.
The department store had surprisingly everything; Lin Zhao went counter by counter, not missing anything the family needed, while Gu Chenghuai paid behind her.
As for Meng Jiusi, he watched the children.
The children had money but didn’t spend recklessly; they huddled in a circle whispering, and after ten minutes or so, they reached a decision: pool their money—some for pastries and candy, some for toys, and the rest for stationery.
Meng Jiusi didn’t interfere with the children’s ideas, just made sure they stayed under his watch.
At the counter, Lin Zhao was agonizing over what to get her two nephews; she’d said yesterday she’d reward them and couldn’t go back on her word.
Gu Chenghuai saw his wife struggling and suggested, “Buy two summer outfits?”
“No, better to make them.” Lin Zhao, considering everything, felt making them herself was better than buying.
What was special about bought clothes? Her brother could buy those; Jing Mo and Guang Bai probably wouldn’t care. If she made them, it was at least her intention as their aunt. Deep down, Lin Zhao felt sorry for her two nephews without their mother around.
In a divorced marital relationship, the children were the most innocent and pitiable.
“That works.” Gu Chenghuai was a bit reluctant but didn’t stop her, just saying, “Don’t rush; take your time.”
He thought and added, “How about buying a sewing machine?”
Lin Zhao gave him a look, “The one at home barely got used; another one would just collect dust. Money isn’t spent like that.”
She wanted a washing machine more than a second sewing machine.
That was the most urgent, even more than a television!
Too bad the time wasn’t right yet.
Gu Chenghuai good-naturedly said, “Then we won’t.”
Lin Zhao hummed, “Kids’ clothes are easy, especially summer ones; I can finish a set in one night, simple.”
She never lost at handiwork.
Gu Chenghuai’s eyes showed admiration, “My wife is amazing.”
Lin Zhao lifted her chin proudly.
They bought some fabric, needles, thread, buttons, and such before stopping.
They stayed in the department store for a full hour and a half, filling a sack with goods, before Lin Zhao and the others left.
Gu Chenghuai carried the sack with one hand out the door, “Hungry? Let’s find a place for a meal first.”
“Where’s the state-run restaurant here?” Lin Zhao asked.
“Not going there; I’ll take you somewhere.” Gu Chenghuai said mysteriously.
Lin Zhao, who knew her man, realized there was good food today; her eyes sparkled instantly.
“Let’s go, let’s go, where…”
With his fourth brother-in-law there, Gu Chenghuai didn’t need to worry about his sons and led his wife toward the destination.
Meng Jiusi and the five little boys followed.
Yu Bao asked his uncle, “Uncle, where are we going?”
“To eat.” Meng Jiusi answered vaguely; he didn’t know what his brother-in-law was up to.
Besides the state-run restaurant, were there other places to eat?
Puzzled, he saw the two ahead turn into an alley.
Soon, Gu Chenghuai stopped and knocked—thud thud thud. The old wooden door cracked open, and a bald-headed child peeked out, eyes lighting up at the sight of the visitors, “Uncle Gu!”
He hurriedly opened the door wide to welcome them in.
They entered the yard.
It was an ordinary exterior but elegantly appointed courtyard, square-shaped with several rooms and a crabapple tree in the yard.
“Comrade Gu is here.” A dark, sturdy young man came out from the kitchen, greeting Gu Chenghuai with a smile.
“This is…?” He didn’t glance at Lin Zhao, his gaze falling on the four children.
“My wife and two twin sons…” Gu Chenghuai set down the sack, pulled his wife to sit, relaxed as if at home, introducing both sides as the connection.
“This is my friend, surnamed Han.” He didn’t give the dark-faced youth’s name, just saying, “His family ancestors were imperial chefs; brought you to taste his skills.”
The tacit understanding between the couple let Lin Zhao know this Comrade Han’s status was probably a bit special—which made sense for a descendant of imperial chefs.
To be fair, he didn’t look like a cook; more like a gangster.
The young man surnamed Han laughed heartily, “Perfect timing; just got a sheep today.”
After some pleasantries, he got straight to it and headed into the kitchen, which was bigger than a bedroom.
“Juan’er, pour tea for the guests!” Chef Han instructed the bald child.
“Got it!” The bright-eyed bald child came out with a tray, several tea cups on it, carried steadily by the small child.
“Kid, you’re called Juan’er? Which character?” The outgoing little Heng Bao asked without reservation.
The bald child flashed a brilliant smile, “The juan from curly hair. What about you? What’s your name?”
“I’m Gu Zhiheng; this is my brother, Gu Zhiyu…” Heng Bao was chatty, introducing everyone on his side to the little bald head.
After, he asked the curious question, “Juan’er, where’s your hair?”
The child touched his head and grinned, “Shaved it off.”
“Why shave it?” Heng Bao pressed relentlessly.
“I’m not your prisoner; why ask so much.” The bald child wasn’t happy to say more.
Smartly changing the subject, “Have some tea; it’s fragrant while hot.”
Before his words faded, he slipped away.
Lin Zhao was indeed thirsty and sipped from the tea cup; one mouthful filled her mouth with fragrance.
“What tea is this? Really good.”
Gu Chenghuai shook his head, “Don’t know; if you like it, I’ll ask old Han for some later.”
“Can we buy it? I want to bring some for Uncle Song.” Lin Zhao thought Uncle Song would like this tea.
“Sure.” Gu Chenghuai said without thinking.
Old Han’s whole family owed him their lives; they were brothers through life and death—talking money was unnecessary.
He turned to tell Lin Zhao how he met old Han.
The dark-faced youth’s ancestors were indeed imperial chefs, but he wasn’t.
Lin Zhao was right; he’d been in the underworld when young. As the saying goes, drifting in the rivers and lakes means getting knifed eventually; he was betrayed by someone close, fled miserably with wife and child, and luckily met Gu Chenghuai, who saved him.
Tired of the killing life, he faked his death, hid his tracks, settled here, and lived peacefully. Though plain, his family was intact, and he was content.
