Chapter 80: “talking About Kissing”
Her father…?
San Zai blinked his thick, curly eyelashes, thought for two seconds, then took his younger sister’s hand and walked over.
“Grandfather.” His voice was soft and fluffy.
Lin Heling took out some candy for the two little ones, “Good children.”
“Thank you, Grandfather.” San Zai had been taught well by Lin Zhao; the little friend, not yet two years old, was very polite.
Si Zai imitated his older brother and also thanked him: “Thank you, Grandfather~”
She was a little girl, and her speaking voice was both sweet and soft, like a cloud of cotton candy.
Lin Heling touched his little granddaughter’s head, not hiding the fondness in his eyes at all, then turned to look at Song Xiwei and smiled, “Xiwei, look at Si Zai, doesn’t she look exactly like Zhaozhao when she was little.”
“I looked at her and thought I saw Zhaozhao; she’s really cute.”
“Dad, Mom.” Gu Chenghuai called out, set down his things, took his wife’s hand and sat down; hearing his father-in-law’s words, his stern brows and eyes softened with a smile.
He liked hearing about Zhaozhao when she was little.
Lin Mu’s aura had nothing to do with gentleness; knowing that the children didn’t like her, afraid that her grandchildren would feel uncomfortable, she didn’t get too close.
She nodded, “She looks like her, but her temperament doesn’t.”
“Si Zai looks soft, but Zhaozhao has a stubborn and domineering temperament.”
“?”
“Mom.” Lin Zhao pretended to be angry, her tone tinged with grievance, “Your son-in-law is here; give me some face.”
Lin Mu smiled, “Alright, alright, alright, I won’t say it.”
Everyone clearly knew what Zhaozhao was like.
“Chenghuai, how long are you staying this time?”
Lin Heling also looked over.
“A little over a month.” Gu Chenghuai said.
“Not bad, spend more time with the four cubs.” Lin Mu had just finished speaking when a tall, dark, and thin young woman came in from the door.
She was carrying a wooden basin in her hands, full of wet clothes, as if she had just come back from washing them.
It seemed she hadn’t expected people to suddenly arrive at home; she froze in place, not knowing what reaction to make.
“Zhaozhao, this is your cousin from your eldest aunt’s family, Yuan Xiang.” Lin Mu didn’t ask if her daughter remembered her cousin, to avoid Zhaozhao saying she didn’t, which would embarrass both sides.
“Sister Xiangxiang.” Lin Zhao called politely, her gaze lingering on her for a moment.
She had an impression.
Her eldest aunt’s eldest cousin, one year older than her, twenty-four this year.
She had heard she was about to get married; how was she at her house?!
Yuan Xiang moved her mouth, about to say something—
But then Qiu Lian came out hugging her chest.
She slanted a glance at Yuan Xiang, her words carrying some schadenfreude, “Your sister-in-law doesn’t know what happened yet, does she? Your cousin was dumped, and now she’s an unwanted old maid.”
Qiu Lian sized up Yuan Xiang with a look of disgust, speaking very rudely, still stirring up trouble.
“By the way, you’re twenty-four already, right? Zhaozhao is younger than you and has already given birth to four; the difference is really big, tsk tsk.”
“You embarrassed yourself in your own village, and you still have the face to come to our brigade; do you know that in the few days you’ve been here, many people have come to the house to inquire, and now people outside are all laughing at our family.”
Her speech was very fast; in the half-minute before others could react, her mouth spewed out filth.
The atmosphere suddenly froze.
Lin Zhao clearly felt Yuan Xiang’s body stiffen slightly, a trace of embarrassment appearing on her face.
“Is Second Sister-in-law comfortable staying at her maternal home?” Lin Zhao changed the subject.
Her eyes were slightly cold, gleaming with blatant contempt and sarcasm.
“Second Sister-in-law looks darker and thinner; you’re so sensitive, feeling like everyone is gossiping behind your back—is it that even at your maternal home you were gossiped about, no wonder you came back after just a few days.”
She hated most the kind of behavior that took others’ misfortunes and wantonly stabbed at their wounds; she tore into whoever she saw!
Qiu Lian’s face turned black.
Wasn’t it all spot on?!
In front of her fierce mother-in-law, she wanted to curse but didn’t dare, wanted to go back to the room but feared missing out on what Lin Zhao had brought back, so she swallowed her anger and stayed.
What thick skin!
Lin Zhao ignored her and looked at Yuan Xiang with a softened expression, “Sister Xiangxiang, my parents manage the house; my brothers and I all welcome you here; don’t take those unpleasant words to heart.”
Chen Yu affectionately patted her sister-in-law’s arm and said coquettishly, “Zhaozhao, I have nothing to say.”
“Sorry, Eldest Sister-in-law, I forgot about you hahaha.” Lin Zhao chuckled lightly.
Her eyes glanced at her belly and asked, “Eldest Sister-in-law, how have you been feeling lately? I brought you red dates and brown sugar; take them every other day to replenish yourself, and I guarantee you’ll safely give birth to the child.”
Lin Shichang smiled, “Zhaozhao is thoughtful; your eldest sister-in-law felt dizzy a few days ago, saw the doctor, who said she needs to replenish; the things you brought are just right.”
Hearing this, Lin Zhao angrily glared at her eldest brother and said fiercely, “Eldest Brother, why didn’t you come find me? Are you treating me like an outsider, not considering me your own younger sister!?”
Chen Yu saw Da Dan’s dad dumbfounded by his own younger sister and hurriedly spoke up for her husband.
“Zhaozhao, you misunderstood your eldest brother; he originally planned to come find you in a couple of days.”
The anger on Lin Zhao’s face dissipated, her face changing faster than turning a page in a book.
“Alright then, I work at the Supply and Marketing Cooperative; things that are hard for you to buy are a piece of cake for me; if you need anything, just let me know.”
Er Zai parroted like a parrot, raising his little hand, “A piece of cake.”
“Gu Er Zai, you’re imitating adults again.” Lin Zhao flicked his nose bridge with her bent finger.
The clingy little friend snuggled with his mom, smiling adorably and cutely.
Nearby, Qiu Lian waited for a long time without hearing her sister-in-law say what she had brought for her; her face twisted in anger as she slunk into the dark corner.
…Lin Zhao was also a snob!
Seeing she hadn’t given birth to a boy, she didn’t even bring her a piece of candy; so stingy!!
No one paid attention to the troublemaker’s mood.
…
The embarrassment on Yuan Xiang’s face gradually faded; she looked at her cousin gratefully, her stiff and cold limbs regaining warmth.
“Zhaozhao, thank you.”
She originally hadn’t wanted to come to her little aunt’s house, but the villagers’ words were really harsh; her mom feared she would be stimulated and do something rash, begging her to come avoid it, so she had no choice but to bring her ration over.
Everyone at her little aunt’s house was nice, except for Second Cousin-in-law who spoke harshly, but no matter, she could endure it and it would pass.
“It’s nothing.” Lin Zhao waved her hand.
Yuan Xiang smiled sincerely, carried the basin to the backyard to hang the clothes.
“Mom, what’s going on?” Lin Zhao moved her stool closer to Lin Mu, lowering her voice, “I remember you saying before that Sister Xiangxiang was about to get married?”
As soon as the mom moved, Er Zai also shuffled his little stool over; Da Zai followed closely, even showing a shy and bashful smile.
Gu Chenghuai was amused and helpless, picking up Si Zai who wanted to imitate her two older brothers, placing the cub on his lap, “What are you joining in for? Can you understand?”
Si Zai tilted up her pink and tender little face, showing an innocent and pure smile that softened people’s hearts.
She didn’t fuss; her little head leaned against her dad’s chest, her eyes curving into crescent moons.
Lin Zhao had just asked when Xi Bao carried a stool and sat in front of her, saying, “Auntie, I know.”
“What’s the story?”
Lin Xibao was like a little piglet that had fallen into a melon field, full of a guilty thrill and a bit of excitement as she said, “Aunt Xiangxiang’s short and ugly suitor took a liking to another girl, insisted on breaking off the engagement, didn’t want to bear the bad name himself, so he spread rumors everywhere that Aunt Xiangxiang was old and improper, ruining Aunt Xiangxiang’s reputation; she couldn’t stay in their village anymore, so she came to our house to avoid the gossip.”
Chen Yu’s vision went black, nearly fainting; the usually mild-tempered person was so angry she gritted her teeth, “Lin Xibao!”
“Where did you hear these words from?!”
“You’re just a little kid, why is your mouth so loose.”
Short and ugly suitor—she was really about to laugh from anger!
Xi Bao shrank her neck, hid behind her aunt, and looked to her for help.
Lin Zhao stroked the little girl’s frizzy hair and warmly smoothed things over, “Eldest Sister-in-law, Xi Bao knows her limits; she only says these things in front of family, she won’t spread them outside, right?”
“Yes, yes, yes.” Xi Bao nodded like pounding garlic, looking at her mom’s protruding belly with worry, “Mom, don’t get angry, and don’t shout loudly, or else the little sister you give birth to will have a big temper and a rough voice.”
Chen Yu inhaled sharply.
Lin Zhao covered Xi Bao’s mouth, “Xi Bao, say a few less words; look how you’ve angered your mom.”
Then to her eldest sister-in-law: “Eldest Sister-in-law, don’t be angry, be careful of the baby; I’ll educate Xi Bao.”
“Mom, I’ll listen to Auntie.” Xi Bao propped up her chin, her eyes shining as she looked at her aunt; Auntie was beautiful, whatever she said was right, and she listened to everything.
The little girl’s expression was so straightforward that anyone could see right through it.
“Lin Xibao.”
Lin Shichang feared his wife would be angered into something serious, hurriedly helped Chen Yu back to the room, temporarily separating the mother and daughter.
Once they left, Lin Zhao pinched her niece’s skinny little face, “Where did you hear those words again?”
Xi Bao blinked her eyes.
Lin Zheng exposed her, “Sister Xibao hid in the basket to eavesdrop.”
Xi Bao reached up to cover her face, only revealing a pair of clear bright eyes, sneakily looking at her aunt.
“Basket?” Lin Zhao was puzzled, “Which basket?”
“The big bamboo basket in the corner of the kitchen; she hid inside it.” Lin Zheng smiled reservedly, her mouth not stopping, “Sister Xibao suddenly made a noise, nearly got knocked out by Grandma with a stick.”
“When she was just caught, she couldn’t even move; it was my eldest uncle who carried her back to the room.”
Lin Xuan also curved her eyes, pursing her lips in a smile.
“Xibao, what were you doing hiding in the basket?” Lin Zhao asked amusedly.
“We were playing hide-and-seek; I hid inside and accidentally fell asleep.” Xi Bao felt shy, her voice muffled in her palms, no longer her usual clear tone.
She leaned to Lin Zhao’s ear and whispered, “Auntie, I hid inside, and no one could find me.”
“…” So you waited so long for someone to find you that you fell asleep!
“You really are something.” Lin Zhao was amused and helpless.
Xi Bao smiled like a flower, “Of course, I’m the best at playing; all the sisters and little sisters in the brigade love playing with me.”
Her temperament was lively and outgoing, and she was loyal; like a little sun, adults and children alike liked her.
Lin Zhao took out a feathered shuttlecock and held it in front of the little girl, “Here, for the best-playing little Xibao.”
Xi Bao’s eyes lit up, “Wow, such a pretty feathered shuttlecock, thank you Auntie.”
“I’ll play with Sister Xuanxuan and Zhengzheng.”
With that, she called the two little sisters and they started playing in the yard.
After sending the children away, Lin Zhao finally had time to show her parents the things Gu Chenghuai had carefully prepared.
“Dad, Mom, these are all prepared by your son-in-law; I looked them over, all useful; Mom, you keep them, for you and Dad to use.”
Lin Mu touched the animal hide; it was rare to see one this big—was it a bear?
“How did you get such a big animal hide?”
Gu Chenghuai sat ramrod straight, expression serious, “A comrade gave it to me; obtained through proper channels, you can rest assured.”
“I trust how you do things.” Lin Mu said, “This animal hide will be useful for your dad in winter; you’re thoughtful.”
“Not just the animal hide, there’s also a wild ginseng.” Lin Zhao interjected softly.
She looked caringly at her biological father and asked eagerly, “Dad, the wild ginseng is good for your health, right?”
Lin Heling’s eyes crinkled with a smile; those fine lines not only didn’t detract from his refined gentleness but made him even more elegant and composed.
“Yes.” His speech was unhurried, never rushed.
“Thanks for the trouble, Chenghuai.”
Gu Chenghuai said steadily, “Dad, no need to be polite with me; it’s what I should do.”
Lin Zhao continued, “Mom, the fabric is for you, tobacco and alcohol for Eldest Brother and Second Brother.”
A voice with a smile sounded from behind: “Filter tips? For me and Eldest Brother?”
It was Lin Shisheng.
Lin Zhao turned back, meeting her second brother’s smiling face, “Yes, Gu Chenghuai said so.”
Lin Shisheng walked over and patted his brother-in-law’s shoulder, “Thanks, Chenghuai; I knew I didn’t misjudge you.”
It wasn’t in vain that he had voted in support from the beginning.
Lin Mu was too lazy to divide them between the two brothers and stuffed the bag at the second son, “You two divide it yourselves.”
“Got it.” Lin Shisheng’s tone was lighthearted.
He set it aside first.
Looking at his younger sister, “Zhaozhao, construction has started on your house, right? I was just planning to go take a look.”
“All that needs demolishing has been demolished; work starts tomorrow.” Gu Chenghuai answered.
Lin Shisheng said, “Alright then, Eldest Brother and I will go help tomorrow morning.”
Seeing that it wasn’t early anymore.
Lin Mu and Chen Yu went into the kitchen to cook; Lin Zhao followed in.
“Mom, I’ll help.”
Lin Mu glanced at her, her eyes calm and all-knowing, “You want to ask about your Sister Xiangxiang, right.”
Lin Zhao didn’t deny it.
“See, I said Xi Bao is like her aunt.” Lin Mu said.
Xi Bao poked her head around the busy door frame, “Being like my auntie is good; I like being like my auntie; if my looks could be like my auntie’s too, that would be great.”
With that.
She shrank back her head and scampered off.
Chen Yu: “…”
“Mom, how did Sister Xiangxiang’s marriage suddenly fall through?” Lin Zhao pressed, full of incomprehension, “Weren’t they preparing for the wedding? Sister Xiangxiang delayed for several years because of that man, and it’s just over like this?”
Lin Mu deftly washed the cucumbers and handed them to her eldest daughter-in-law to cut.
“The man compensated two hundred yuan, and both sides reached a settlement.”
Lin Zhao frowned, “Just that?”
“Not little. An ordinary family would need two years without eating or drinking to save two hundred.” Lin Mu thought her daughter was slow at work and pushed her away to sit down and tend the fire herself.
Her mouth didn’t stop, explaining to her.
“Your eldest aunt said, knowing that family’s true colors before marriage is also a good thing; it saves your Sister Xiangxiang from grievances after marrying over.”
“Her meaning is, the two hundred yuan all goes to your cousin as bottom-of-the-trunk money; wait for this to blow over, then find someone to arrange a marriage for Xiangxiang.”
Da Zai carried a little wooden stool over, Er Zai holding a palm-leaf fan.
“Mom, you sit.” Da Zai said.
Er Zai said eagerly, “Mom, I’ll fan.”
Lin Zhao sat down comfortably, took the fan, “Thank you, cubs; go play.”
“Mom, call us if you need anything.” Da Zai said as he pulled his younger brother away.
Chen Yu chopped the vegetables thud thud thud, couldn’t hold back, “Zhaozhao, Da Zai and Er Zai are so well-behaved; how did you teach them?” Her tone full of unspeakable envy.
“Didn’t teach much; they’re just naturally good.” Lin Zhao wasn’t modest at all.
“Sigh, sensible kids are born that way.” Chen Yu was full of emotion.
She touched her slightly bulging belly, hoping the one inside was sensible.
Lin Zhao remembered Sister Fen’s entrustment and said, “Mom, a big sister I work with at the Supply and Marketing Cooperative says she wants to find a match for her younger brother; rural household registration is fine.”
Lin Mu’s hand paused slightly and she got serious, “Tell me in detail.”
Her niece was diligent and sensible; since coming, she hadn’t wanted to take any advantage—tending the vegetable patch, carrying water, washing clothes, braiding hair for the Xi Bao kids… she did every chore.
Such a good girl; she also hoped her niece could have a good home.
“The man has some leg problems.” Lin Zhao got straight to the point.
Lin Mu’s brows furrowed slightly, but she didn’t speak.
“He served in the military; the leg injury was from the battlefield; twenty-eight this year, has a formal job, earns quite a bit, has an independent little courtyard at home, parents are gone, has an older sister above and a younger sister below; the sister married well—she’s my colleague Sister Fen; the younger sister isn’t married yet, currently being matched; that’s it.” Lin Zhao rattled off all the information at once.
“These conditions are good; why look in the countryside?” Lin Mu asked, not entirely reassured.
“Tried several people, none worked out. Legs not good, no mother-in-law to help, indeed not easy to find.” Lin Zhao understood; if one could find better, who would settle?
“Alright, I know; your eldest aunt is coming tomorrow; I’ll ask her opinion then.” Lin Mu was very measured and wouldn’t take over big or small matters.
“Good; I’ll also ask Sister Fen tomorrow; if both think it’s fine, let them meet.” Lin Zhao said casually.
She positioned herself as the go-between who introduced the two sides.
Anything else, she wouldn’t interfere.
“Alright.”
Lin Mu and Chen Yu went into the kitchen to cook; Qiu Lian immediately turned and went back to her room without a greeting, didn’t think to help, and hadn’t shown her face even now.
After asking about Yuan Xiang, Lin Zhao quietly probed about the second household.
“Mom, my second brother and…”
She nodded toward the direction of the second house, “What’s going on?”
“Who knows; I didn’t ask.” Lin Mu figured her son was already grown, had two children, should know what he should and shouldn’t do.
Chen Yu glanced out the window, didn’t see her second brother-in-law, and lowered her voice very much, “One day I saw Second Uncle come back from outside with a very ugly expression, like something had happened.”
Lin Zhao’s clear bright black eyes suddenly lit up.
Could it be, her second brother he…?
