Chapter 63: “very Criminal”
“This is so embarrassing!” Zhao Liuniang slapped her thigh, her expression suggesting she had lost all face.
“My sister-in-law stubbornly pursued Educated Youth Song and was ridiculed by the female educated youths at the Educated Youth Point. In a fit of rage, she slapped the other girl’s face, leaving it swollen. That female educated youth, in her anger, reported her to the Public Security, and they came and arrested her!”
Because of this incident, the eldest sister-in-law’s face turned pale with anger, wishing she could strangle the troublemaker sister-in-law!
Zhao Liuniang pointed towards the first branch’s house, her voice very soft, “Eldest sister-in-law is so angry, I saw her eyes were red, she was almost driven mad. If my sister-in-law hadn’t already been taken away, Eldest sister-in-law would have ripped her face off.”
Gu Lan was twelve years old and would be looking to get married in a few years. Having her paternal aunt involved in scandalous gossip would not affect her.
Fortunately, her own Yu Yu was still young, and it would be at least ten more years before she would be looking to get married, otherwise, she would be as furious as the eldest sister-in-law.
Lin Zhao knew what the eldest sister-in-law cared about the most and said, “A Lan is a good girl, we all know that, and she will definitely find a good partner in the future.”
“It’s difficult,” Zhao Liuniang shook her head, not optimistic.
It wasn’t that she looked down on her niece, but for a country girl to find a good partner, even a slight flaw in her reputation would make people look down on her.
Lin Zhao was also from the countryside and knew how foul-mouthed some people could be, able to turn something fake into something real.
After a moment of thought, she said calmly, “What’s so difficult about that! In a few years, I’m definitely taking the four children to accompany the army. There will surely be many good young men in the army. If I meet someone suitable, I can introduce him to A Lan.”
“A good girl doesn’t worry about getting married.”
Of course, she wouldn’t manage every single detail, after all, she was only the third aunt, not her biological mother, and Gu Lan’s marriage still had to be decided by the eldest brother and eldest sister-in-law.
Zhao Liuniang suddenly opened a new world.
She grabbed Lin Zhao’s hand.
“Third sister-in-law, you can’t be biased. Yu Yu is also your niece, a niece you watched grow up.” Her eyes were earnest.
Lin Zhao looked calmly at her suddenly obsessed sister-in-law and said helplessly, “Yu Yu is only two years old.”
“And maybe she’ll be able to get into university in the future and find you a college student partner.”
Is it too early to consider things fifteen years from now?!
Compared to finding a good partner, a child’s own success is more important.
Zhao Liuniang was greatly encouraged, her expression excited, “Thank you for your kind words, third sister-in-law.”
She wasn’t a particularly clever person, but she was willing to listen to advice.
What Lin Zhao, a high school student, said carried a lot of weight with Zhao Liuniang.
“Did the Public Security say when they will release her?” Lin Zhao didn’t even want to mention Gu Xing’er’s name, finding it unlucky.
Zhao Liuniang was taken aback, realizing who she was referring to, and said, “Who knows, the Public Security comrades didn’t say.”
“I guess my sister-in-law will be locked up for at least half a month. Don’t worry, Eldest sister-in-law hates her to death, so she won’t be able to move in and bother you.”
Huang Xiulan’s eyes were on fire after learning about Gu Xing’er’s troublesome affairs. Zhao Liuniang was sure that if her sister-in-law returned, Eldest sister-in-law would slap her face until it was swollen.
She suddenly felt fortunate for the third branch, “Fortunately, the third branch has separated. Otherwise, who knows if she would have affected Da Zai’s father.”
Bang Bang and Lai Mei still depend on their third uncle.
We absolutely cannot let Gu Xing’er, that troublemaker, ruin the most promising person in the Old Gu Family!
Lin Zhao sneered, “If she dares to implicate my Comrade Gu, I will cripple her.”
“You’re amazing.” Zhao Liuniang gave her a thumbs up.
So fierce!
Er Zai’s eyes sparkled.
Catching sight of his little gaze, Lin Zhao’s shoulders tensed, and alarm bells rang in her mind.
She forgot that the two cubs were still here.
She reached out and stroked Er Zai’s prickly head, her tone gentle, “Er Zai, neither adults nor children should hit people. You’ll be arrested by the Public Security uncles.”
“If children are taken away, they’ll never see their mothers again, so we can’t just fight. We have to be reasonable, understand?”
It wasn’t that she was intentionally scaring the child, but in the original book, Er Zai’s actions were very “criminal,” and she had to teach him well while he was still young.
Er Zai sat obediently, like a good baby, nodding his little head seriously.
“Mm, I won’t hit people.”
In reality, he sighed helplessly.
Mom is tricking the little friend.
He’s a big friend over five years old, not a two-year-old little friend. He knows that little friends fighting won’t get arrested by the Public Security uncles.
Big friend Er Zai understood clearly.
However.
He knew his mother disliked him fighting, and he didn’t want to disappoint her, so he’d agree for now.
“Good boy~”
At this moment, Gu Yuanshan and Gu Yucheng entered the yard one after another.
Gu Yucheng, walking in front, was carrying a fish that wasn’t light.
“We caught a fish!” Zhao Liuniang stood up happily upon seeing the fish and stepped forward, weighing it in her hand, “It must be over two jin. Where did you catch it?”
The answer to the question wasn’t important. Before Gu Yucheng could speak, she called out to the main house, “Mother, Bang Bang’s father and his uncle caught a fish. Shall we have sour cabbage fish later? The children are craving it.”
Gu Mu came out and glanced at the fish.
It was indeed not small.
“Okay.”
Zhao Liuniang then said to Lin Zhao, “I don’t know how to cook it, third sister-in-law, teach me.”
“Okay,” Lin Zhao said generously.
“Third son’s wife, you bring the four cubs to eat here. After you finish, have the eldest daughter-in-law and second daughter-in-law help you move.” Gu Mu said.
The twins looked expectantly at their mother.
Sour cabbage fish, the cubs wanted to eat it!
Lin Zhao’s eyes twinkled with a smile, “Okay.”
Who wouldn’t like it if they only had to use their mouths and not their hands?!!
After teaching Zhao Liuniang how to make sour cabbage fish, Lin Zhao left the dragon-phoenix twins and led Da Zai and Er Zai home to pack their things.
The children from the old house voluntarily followed, saying they wanted to help.
As soon as they left, Zhao Liuniang said to the cold-faced Huang Xiulan, “Eldest sister-in-law, don’t be angry anymore. Third sister-in-law just told me that if A Lan is really affected by my sister-in-law and has trouble getting married in the countryside, when she accompanies the army, she will help her find someone in the army. There are many good young men in the army, and they even get an allowance. What are you worried about?”
Huang Xiulan paused her movements of preparing to clean the fish, her eyes questioning, “Did third sister-in-law really say that?”
“Of course, it’s true. Do you think I dare to promise anything on her behalf?” Zhao Liuniang threw the question back, and then said, “Eldest sister-in-law, don’t worry, our A Lan isn’t without a fallback. If all else fails, she has her third brother in the army. He won’t just watch his niece not get married.”
Huang Xiulan’s tightly furrowed brows relaxed.
“Third sister-in-law is so thoughtful.”
As she spoke, she swiftly cut open the fish’s belly with a knife.
“I told Mother that Gu Xing’er will never be allowed back into this house in this lifetime. It’s either her or me, and it’s either me or her.” she said.
Zhao Liuniang was dumbfounded.
After a few seconds of reaction, she said in shock, “You said that?”
“Did you really say that?” she asked again.
Huang Xiulan nodded, “I really said it, and I meant it.”
“Mother isn’t angry?” Zhao Liuniang pressed.
“Of course she’s angry, but she’s not angry at me, she’s angry at Gu Xing’er, angry that she’s disgracing the family, angry that she’s a shameless girl, angry that she’s made the Gu family a laughingstock in the brigade…” Huang Xiulan, usually good-tempered, showed disgust when mentioning Gu Xing’er, gritting her teeth.
“Who wouldn’t be angry?” Zhao Liuniang said emotionally.
Any parent would want to die if they had a daughter like that.
“Did Father say anything?”
Huang Xiulan nimbly scraped the fish scales, one after another, “He said if Gu Xing’er doesn’t change, she’ll never be allowed to enter the house again in this lifetime.”
“If she could change, would she still be herself!” Zhao Liuniang was not optimistic.
She glanced towards the main house and said in a low voice, “I think Father and Mother are heartbroken by Gu Xing’er and probably won’t let her back.”
Huang Xiulan said nothing more.
Meanwhile.
Lin Zhao led a group of children home. Da Huang and Amber recognized the people from the old house and didn’t bark, only circling their owner, wagging their tails quickly.
Being loved unconditionally really helps one grow.
The two furry children were well-cared for, their emaciated bodies gaining some flesh, and their messily shaved fur slowly grew back, gradually regaining its luster.
The Gu children all liked to pet them.
“Da Huang, Amber.”
After greeting them happily, Bang Bang asked Lin Zhao, “Third Aunt, how should we organize? Where should we start cleaning? The kitchen? You say, and we’ll do it.”
“You take Lai Mei, Tie Dan, and Tie Chui to clean the kitchen,” Lin Zhao commanded, “Da Zai, Er Zai, you two organize your things.”
She felt pity for Gu Lan, who had suffered unwarranted misfortune, and said in a gentle voice, “A Lan, you’ll be with me.”
“Received! I guarantee the mission will be completed!” Er Zai, upon receiving the order, stood with his legs together and saluted his mother.
Tie Chui thought Er Zai was so cool, looking at him with sparkling eyes, and emulating him, “I guarantee the mission will be completed!”
Lin Zhao chuckled.
“Go ahead!”
The energetic children immediately set to work.
Lin Zhao led Gu Lan towards the house. Midway, she heard Bang Bang from the kitchen say, “Be slow, don’t break the bowls. Each bowl costs several jiao.”
“Got it,” Tie Chui drawled.
Lin Zhao wasn’t one to suffer. She had more clothes than the four children combined, and even three pairs of expensive leather shoes. In this era of mending and reusing, she was almost an anomaly.
She didn’t think there was anything wrong with it; she just liked eating well and dressing well.
Some hardships are not necessary to endure. With the family’s financial situation, why shouldn’t she treat herself well.
Gu Lan looked at the cabinet full of clothes and the several pairs of brand-new shoes, her mouth agape in shock.
Lin Zhao chuckled, “What’s with that expression? Are you scared because I have too many clothes?!”
“No,” Gu Lan pinched her earlobe, thinking that her third aunt was not only beautiful, but her laughter was also pleasant, making her ears feel warm, and she was unlike anyone she had ever met.
“I’m not scared, just a little shocked.”
She was sure that among all the girls her age in the whole brigade, the total number of clothes they had combined was less than her third aunt’s.
“This is nothing,” Lin Zhao thought that once the new house was built, she would find a carpenter to make a row of wardrobes and hang them full of clothes, hats, and scarves.
Gu Lan helped fold clothes, muttering, “My mother said that people in the city also lack cloth coupons.”
Lin Zhao lightly tapped her invisible storage ring. Without relying on the cloth coupons distributed monthly by the supply and marketing cooperative, she could make as many new clothes as she wanted without pressure.
She rummaged through clothes at the bottom of a chest and found several items she hadn’t worn in years. Looking at the sizes, she handed one to Gu Lan.
“Here, take this autumn clothing. Later, ask Eldest sister-in-law to alter it for you.”
Gu Lan was stunned, “Third Aunt, these are all new, not torn, and without any patches.”
“They’re too small.” These were clothes Lin Zhao wore before she got pregnant. After giving birth to the twins, the clothes became too small, and the color was too girlish.
Yes, it was her own third brother’s aesthetic.
Her third brother had been away for several years, and his impression of her remained superficial – thinking she was still a youthful maiden.
“I can alter it for Si Zai.” Gu Lan couldn’t honestly say she didn’t like the outfit her third aunt gave her.
Lin Zhao smiled, “Si Zai is still young, it’s not suitable to alter it for her. You keep it.”
“Thank you, Third Aunt,” Gu Lan said, her expression shy yet happy. Looking at the pink outfit, her eyes were filled with joy.
“What’s there to be shy about? I also wore clothes that others had outgrown. Everyone grew up like this,” Lin Zhao said, putting the folded clothes into a camphor wood chest.
Gu Lan looked surprised.
She thought her third aunt had never worn old clothes.
The young girl didn’t ask further, carefully placed the pink autumn clothing aside, and continued helping her third aunt fold clothes, “I just think it’s very new.”
If it were all patched, she wouldn’t think much of it, but it being too new made her feel a little embarrassed.
“Isn’t new good?” Lin Zhao’s lips curved.
“No one gives their new clothes to others,” Gu Lan said softly.
Lin Zhao said, “You are my niece, calling me Third Aunt. You are not ‘others’.”
She had several unworn clothes. She would give one to A Lan and planned to give the others to her three nieces in her maternal family, treating them all equally.
Xuanxuan and Zheng Zheng’s would need alterations from her.
Expecting Qiu Lian to help? Don’t be silly, she would only send her sisters’ clothes back to her maternal family.
She wondered how her second brother and Qiu Lian were doing now?!
While Lin Zhao was packing with the children, after finishing, she thought there was still time, so she might as well move a few loads.
Hearing her third aunt mention it casually, Bang Bang ran to Uncle Gu Er’s house to borrow a handcart.
They were all family, so borrowing a cart was not an issue. It was especially so for the most promising nephew’s family.
Gu Er Shu pushed the handcart out the door and even swept away the dust with a broom.
“Go ahead. Return it after you’re done. No need to rush,” he said.
Bang Bang glanced at Uncle Gu Er a few more times, a hint of confusion in his eyes.
The wheel was rare. Gu Family’s second branch had gone to great lengths to get the wheel. His Uncle Gu Er was very careful. Usually, when someone borrowed it, he would repeatedly tell them not to damage it, and to return it quickly after use. Saying there was no need to rush to return it was definitely a first!
Bang Bang’s mind conjured up what Er Zai had said: double standards.
What could describe this behavior better than these two words?
The youth pushed the handcart back to the third branch.
The entrance was piled high with things, covered with a large oilcloth.
Catching sight of Lai Mei and the others standing guard nearby, as well as Da Huang and Amber, he immediately guessed that these must be good things.
Otherwise, why cover them up!
“Brother Bang Bang, hurry and move them onto the cart. My mother said she’ll cut us watermelons tonight after we finish moving,” Er Zai beckoned excitedly.
Bang Bang also craved sweet watermelon, so he turned the handcart around and positioned it by the door.
“Move!”
Da Zai, Er Zai, and Lai Mei immediately sprang into action.
With the watermelon as motivation, the children worked even more enthusiastically.
One by one, they moved the items onto the cart, covered them securely with the large oilcloth, with Bang Bang pulling the cart and the other cubs protecting the sides, quickly transporting the goods to the old house.
“Brother Bang Bang, avoid the stones, there are eggs. Don’t break the eggs,” the careful Da Zai reminded him.
“I know.”
The cabinet and bed from the third branch had not yet been moved, so the items could only be placed in the yard for now.
When Gu Mu came out of the house and saw all these good things, her eyes almost popped out.
No wonder Er Zai said he and his brother were born in a nest of fortune. Wasn’t it indeed a nest of fortune?
So many good things!
No wonder their faces and bodies had gained weight!!
What she didn’t know was that these things were nothing. The vast majority of the good items were stored by Lin Zhao in her storage ring.
“Grandma, Third Aunt said she’ll cut us watermelon after we finish moving,” Tie Dan said excitedly, drooling.
Gu Mu didn’t say anything discouraging, only saying, “Then you must work hard, otherwise, how can you have the nerve to eat watermelon?”
“Of course! We’re not freeloaders!” Tie Dan replied, urging Bang Bang, “Brother Bang Bang, let’s go, we’ll move another load!”
Bang Bang meant the same thing.
Just as they were leaving.
He saw Er Zai slither onto the handcart and beckoned to Da Zai and Tie Chui, “You two hurry up and get on. Let Brother Bang Bang push us.”
After he spoke.
He remembered he forgot to ask for Bang Bang’s opinion.
He sat cross-legged on the cart, tilting his fair and tender face upwards, his eyes curved into crescent moons, filled with starlight, his face radiating sweetness, “Can we, Brother Bang Bang?”
Bang Bang grabbed the two long wooden poles at the front of the cart frame and raised his eyebrows at his younger brothers, “Get on!”
