Chapter 171: Only a Few Days Apart, and Already a Resentful Young Wife

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Protagonist:

Lin Xiyu

「Mom, look, Leilei's shop is right there, go up the stairs and the first one on the right is... 」

At the southeast corner of the first floor market, Lin Xiyu's mother indeed came with Old Man, the two standing at the foot of the stairs, craning their necks to look up.

The stair steps were a bit high, and it was crowded; Old Man was old and her legs and feet were not nimble, so Chen Xiulan feared tiring her out and did not want her to climb up.

「Old Man... 」

Lin Xiyu leaned on the railing looking down, just meeting Old Man's gaze face to face; she happily waved her hand and ran down the stairs.

「Xiyu. 」

Old Man was also very happy to see her, the corners of her eyes crinkling into folds as she smiled.

「Old Man, why did you come? 」

Lin Xiyu squeezed down the stairs and happily hugged Old Man.

Chen Xiulan answered for Old Man: 「Your Old Man wasn't reassured and wanted to come see you all. 」

「What's there not to be reassured about? 」

Lin Xiyu coquettishly scolded: 「Mengmeng and I both came back from Shanghai; in the Small Commodities Market, how could we get lost? 」

「How's business? 」

Old Man asked with concern.

「It's okay. 」

Lin Xiyu didn't want Old Man to worry and casually brushed it off with a sentence.

「Leilei hasn't come after getting off work? 」

Chen Xiulan had sharp eyes and, seeing no sign of her female cousin through the railing: 「Just the two of you, you and Mengmeng? 」

「It's the end of the year; the decoration company must be busy, right. 」

Lin Xiyu covered up a lie for her female cousin: 「She didn't come; she should still be off work. 」

「Come, let's go up and take a look. 」

Old Man saw her gaze darting around and sighed in her heart, not exposing her little trick.

「The steps are high, you be careful... 」

Chen Xiulan hurriedly reached out to support her.

Lin Xiyu also supported one of Old Man's arms, and with her mother on left and right, they helped her up the stairs.

「Old Man, please sit. 」

Wu Meng saw Old Man come up and, being perceptive, brought over a chair with a backrest.

「You all go about your business, no need to mind me. 」

Old Man saw people constantly coming in and didn't want to delay their business.

「Mm-hmm. 」

Lin Xiyu went along with Old Man's wishes and continued greeting customers.

Old Man was experienced and rich in knowledge, silently observing every customer browsing and haggling in the shop, gradually figuring out the trick.

「Xiyu, come over here. 」

She called Lin Xiyu to her front and personally instructed: 「Those who come to stroll the streets in the evening are mostly residents living nearby; these people, anyway living close by, can come stroll often, it's not too late to buy when it's cheaper; just tell them each style has only one piece, once sold it's gone; put it that way, they'll get anxious, and the initiative will be in your hands... 」

「Mm-hmm. 」

Lin Xiyu's eyes lit up, and she admired Old Man to the utmost.

—

As Old Man had expected, someone had the idea of picking up a bargain, originally wanting to press the price, or wait until the twenty-ninth of the lunar year, the last day before the Small Commodities Market closed, to come buy.

Hearing there was only one piece, their expression changed immediately, their fingers unconsciously clutching their clothes, fearing someone else would snatch it away.

Lin Xiyu and Wu Meng's pressure suddenly dropped, and within a while they sold several pieces.

—

「Mom... 」

Chen Xiulan had concerns: 「You let them sell like that; what about the remaining goods? There are many duplicate styles; can they just not sell them? 」

「Not selling tonight. 」

Old Man sat leisurely and contentedly, speaking with an air of calm: 「Put them out tomorrow daytime; those who come to buy clothes won't be these people. 」

「What if someone comes and sees? 」

Chen Xiulan muttered in a low voice: 「That would be deceiving people, wouldn't it? 」

「How many businessmen tell the truth? 」

Old Man gave her own daughter a look as if looking at an idiot: 「Why else say you can only be a teacher; let you do business, you'd surely be cheated to death by others. 」

「I'm thinking of Xiyu and them. 」

Chen Xiulan still refused to be convinced: 「Doing business values integrity; lying is always not good. 」

「Who lied. 」

Old Man spoke righteously and confidently: 「If someone asks, just say it looked like it was selling well, so we temporarily brought in a few more pieces of the same style; what's wrong with that? Xiao Yi, you say, am I right or not? 」

「Right. 」

Xu Yi was a crafty ghost; between Old Man and his mother, he decisively chose the one with higher family status.

"You're older, so you're right."

Sure enough, the next second, Chen Xiulan also backed down, not daring to argue further.

——

With Grandmother offering advice and holding down the fort, Lin Xiyu was like a tiger with wings, selling another dozen-plus items that night.

Wu Meng also sold seven pieces, counting her little money and grinning from ear to ear.

At exactly 9 PM, the Small Commodities Market closed, and Wu's mother arrived right on time at the doorway to pick up her daughter and go home.

In the name of filial piety toward her parents, Wu Meng stuffed the first money she had ever earned in her life into her mother's hand in a very moving way, and the moved Wu's mother reddened at the eyes.

——

After the Little New Year, Chen Xiulan no longer needed to be on duty at school, and with free time, she personally brought food to her daughter.

Xu Yi liked following his sister, and even more so loitered around the shop all day long.

The female cousin went to the Pet Market and indeed found a veterinarian to treat Cola, prescribing some medicine for gastrointestinal treatment.

Cola stopped having diarrhea, had spirit and energy, so the female cousin reassuredly left it in the shop, entrusting Lin Xiyu with its care during the day.

With Xu Yi around, Cola had a playmate.

One person and one dog didn't make a ruckus; a cat teaser stick could keep them playing for half a day, contentedly happy, isn't that delightful?

——

Days passed busily one by one, and in the blink of an eye it was New Year's Eve.

The Small Commodities Market closed for business; people who had toiled for a living for a year also, on this day carrying the reunion and joy of thousands of families, returned to their respective families, gathered with relatives, and spent the wonderful festival together.

Early on the thirty-first, with dawn just breaking, Lin Xiyu was woken by the sound of firecrackers.

Thinking there was much to do today, she no longer felt sleepy, and rolled out of bed in one motion.

"Xiyu, up so early?"

Chen Xiulan heard the noise and poked half her body out from the kitchen to look outside.

"Mom, I won't be eating at home at noon today."

Lin Xiyu explained in a hurry: "Guben said to let me go with him to his grandfather's house, and by the way sell off the remaining goods."

"Go."

Chen Xiulan had no objection: "You and Little Bin are engaged, so it's right to go to his house for the New Year."

"Going to his grandfather's house at noon, and still have to go to his maternal grandfather's house in the evening."

Lin Xiyu came out of the room after changing clothes, somewhat apologetically hugging her mother: "This is still my first time not spending the New Year at home, I can't accompany you and Grandmother for even a day, and I feel quite bad about it."

"It's fine, Mom doesn't mind."

Chen Xiulan smiled kindly, turning to comfort her: "Once you're engaged, it's like this; it's the custom of our old Jinan, spending New Year's Eve at the man's family, returning to the natal home on the second day; you tell Little Bin to come on the second day, and we'll eat together at your grandmother's house in the evening..."

"Mm-hmm."

Lin Xiyu felt sweet in her heart and gave her mother a happy smiling face in return.

——

At 8 AM, Guben came to the house to pick someone up; since returning to Jinan, he had been helping Wang Fan handle company matters, rarely showing his face all day, and the two had met only a handful of times.

"You finally came..."

After Lin Xiyu opened the door and saw it was him, a sense of grievance welled up in her heart for no reason: "I don't even know what you're busy with all day; you're almost forgetting me."

"I might forget anyone, but I dare not forget you..."

Guben's eyebrows and eyes were full of pampering, and he reached out his hand wanting to pinch her cheeks.

"My mom is at home, don't be handsy..."

Lin Xiyu dodged aside and glared at him displeasedly.

"Really angry?"

Guben didn't get angry but smiled instead: "Missing me so much, after not seeing each other for just a few days you've become a little wife full of boudoir resentment."

"You're the one full of boudoir resentment..."

Lin Xiyu got annoyed and punched him in ill temper.

Her bit of strength, to Guben, was like tickling; not only did it not hurt, but he rather enjoyed it, finding pleasure in it.

"Okay, okay, don't be angry; I'm here now, aren't I? Today all day, my time is for you to arrange, all belongs to you; even if you want me to accompany you when you want to sleep, that's not impossible..."

"Pfft, wishful thinking."

Lin Xiyu's ear root turned red, and both shy and annoyed she spat at him.

"Little Bin is here?"

Chen Xiulan heard the noise at the doorway and walked over from the living room.

"Auntie, hello."

Guben collected his smile and respectfully greeted her.

"Why are you standing at the doorway? Come in quickly."

Chen Xiulan pretended not to see the two children's flirting, smilingly inviting the person into the house.

"Alright."

After Guben entered, he put the fruit basket he brought on the tea table.

"As long as the person comes, why bring any gifts..."

Chen Xiulan glanced at the fruit basket, smiling even more kindly and approachable.

"Auntie, I've brought you some good news..."

Guben took this opportunity to tell her the result of the divorce lawsuit: "Lawyer Hu told me that the court has already ruled; Little Yi's custody belongs to you, and the specific matters he will discuss with you in detail after the New Year."

"Is that so?."

Chen Xiulan was overjoyed: "After tossing about for more than half a year, there's finally a result."

"Mom, this is exactly what you wished for."

Lin Xiyu sincerely rejoiced for her mother: "Change your younger brother's surname, let him follow your surname Chen, and from now on he'll have nothing to do with the Xu family anymore."

"The surname must be changed..."

Chen Xiulan deeply agreed: "My son, no one can take him away."

"Changing the surname is possible..."

Guben kindly reminded: "But it's probably not possible to completely sever ties with the Xu family. Xu Weiguo has visitation rights, and Xiao Yi's grandparents want to see their grandson; we must consider the feelings of the two elders, at least let them see him once a month, and not make things too stiff."

"Let the two elders see him if they want to."

Chen Xiulan was in a good mood and agreed readily: "His grandparents are still good to him. As long as they don't try to take my son away from me, I'm not such an unreasonable person..."

"As long as Auntie knows what's in her heart."

Guben hinted at it and said no more.

"Mom, we're leaving."

Lin Xiyu put on her coat, preparing to go out.

"Go, don't worry about home, have fun..."

Chen Xiulan at this moment was like a mother-in-law looking at her son-in-law, the more she looked, the more pleasing he was to her eye.

"Mm-hmm."

Lin Xiyu happily agreed and went out with Guben.

—

The sweaters that needed to be taken away were placed in the small courtyard on the first floor. After the two went downstairs, they also went to Grandma's house and chatted with Grandma for a while.

The new style sweaters Lin Xiyu brought back from Shanghai, she gave one to each of the women in her own family. The remaining three, she planned to give to Guben's grandmother, Grandma, and his mother.

Although his mother didn't like her, and the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law had not officially met, the proper etiquette still had to be observed. At least she couldn't let people think that she, as a junior, was ignorant, spoiling the fun during the New Year and making the whole family unhappy.

Three new style sweaters, she specially wrapped them in gift boxes of different colors. The remaining ones that needed to be sold off were still in the woven bag.

Uncle drove a taxi and didn't rest during the New Year.

Today happened to be his day shift. Seeing his niece was going out, he used the excuse that it was hard to get a taxi during the New Year, and forcibly pulled the two into his taxi, personally taking them to the West Suburbs.

"So happy, I'm also someone who has an uncle..."

On New Year's Eve, many people were visiting relatives and friends. It really was hard to get a taxi during the New Year.

Lin Xiyu saw many people on both sides of the road holding gift boxes, unable to hail a car, shivering in the cold wind. She couldn't help but sigh: a child with an uncle is a treasure.

"How's Uncle's driving?"

Uncle was happy to hear it and also became spirited. He deliberately showed off and sped up.

One moment overtaking, the next moment braking suddenly. The niece's little heart jumped wildly, and she tremblingly held the handrail, no longer having the good mood from before.

"Hahaha."

Uncle looked at her expression of wanting to cry but having no tears, and laughed heartily.

"Uncle, drive slower, be careful of accidents."

Guben couldn't bear to watch anymore and kindly reminded him.

"Driving a taxi is always like this..."

Uncle didn't care: "To grab fares and save time, everyone drives fast."

"It's still better to be careful..."

Guben didn't want to say more. Seeing that Uncle didn't take his words to heart, he stopped advising.

—

West Suburb Airport arrived. Guben unexpectedly did not let the taxi enter the Military District Compound, but instead directed it to turn a corner and go to the Thirteenth Flight Squadron.

Fu Zheng had long known they were coming and waited at the doorway of the Flight Brigade Family Compound.

Lin Xiyu got out of the car and only then realized she had completely misunderstood.

She originally thought Guben would have Grandma help sell them, but the reality was that he had latched onto Eldest Brother.

The benefits of fighter jet pilots were much better than those of ordinary soldiers. The military wives had ample money and strong purchasing power.

Lin Xiyu had brought a total of 87 sweaters. Under the leadership of the Squadron Commander's wife, they were all snapped up in no time.

Fu Zheng had bought a pack of General Cigarettes in advance as a thank-you gift and gave it to Sister-in-law.

Lin Xiyu returned with a full load, effortlessly bringing back 3480 yuan.

—

"How did you persuade your Eldest Brother to help you sell clothes?"

On the way back in the taxi to the Military District Compound, having left the Flight Squadron far behind, she could no longer contain her curiosity. She endured and endured but still couldn't hold back, and asked the doubt in her heart.

"Secret."

Guben smiled mysteriously and deliberately kept her in suspense.

"I'm really curious..."

Lin Xiyu was unwilling to give up and wanted to ask further: "What secret does your Eldest Brother have that makes you force him to lower his face and deal with a group of women?"

"Since it's a secret, it definitely can't be said."

Guben smiled leisurely: "Eldest Brother helped me, so naturally I can't be so untrustworthy as to tell others his privacy."

"Fine, I won't ask."

Lin Xiyu said she wouldn't ask with her mouth, but her little gaze kept glancing at his face.

"Hehe."

Guben looked at her restless little expression and couldn't help but laugh out loud.