Chapter 92: 1990s: A Family by the Spring Chapter 92 Is She Important, or Are We Important?

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Protagonist:

Lin Xiyu

"Kid, come play with us when you have time, uncles are waiting for you."

The soldiers all liked this clever little fairy; as they passed by him, each patted his little head.

"Mm-hmm, I'll definitely go."

Xu Yi took the soldiers' polite words seriously, his big eyes bright and shining with excitement.

"Farewell, until we meet again."

Under the officer's command, the soldiers marched down the steps in neat formation.

"When I grow up, I want to be a soldier too."

Xu Yi watched with great excitement, and unconsciously took a few more steps forward, but Guben was quick-eyed and quick-handed, pulling him back in one grab.

"The uncles are going down the mountain, shouldn't we follow them?"

Xu Yi's small face fell, and he instantly lost all spirit.

"Sister fell and got hurt, she needs to rest."

Guben didn't mind his little disappointment, went to Lin Xiyu's side, and inspected her injuries.

Lin Xiyu fell down the steps, and her arms and knees were scraped and bleeding.

Guben carefully held her arm and rinsed the wound with clear water, his movements extremely gentle, as if what he held in his hand was not an arm but a fragile, one-of-a-kind treasure in the world.

A flash of emotion crossed Lin Xiyu's eyes; thinking of the boys' obvious disapproval of the two of them dating, her heart felt as if a huge stone were pressing down on it, making her breathless.

"Does it hurt very much?"

Guben mistakenly thought she was in pain from the wound, and his movements became even gentler.

"It's much better with a Band-Aid, it doesn't hurt anymore."

Lin Xiyu didn't want him to worry; she tugged at the corner of her mouth and forced out a smile.

"Your grandmother really has foresight."

Guben didn't think much of it, smiling and teasing: "I brought you so many Band-Aids."

"Perhaps..."

Lin Xiyu glanced at him faintly, with a double meaning: "She anticipated that things might not go smoothly, right?"

"I was negligent."

Guben couldn't understand a girl's changeable maiden heart, feeling very vexed: "I failed to look after you two siblings well; when I return, I will carry thorns to apologize and beg Old Man's forgiveness."

"You want to apologize, but we don't have any thorns at home."

Lin Xiyu laughed and scolded him playfully, then changed the subject: "Still, it would be best if you could accompany me home; I don't want to face Old Man's anger alone."

"Of course."

Guben's eyes and brows were gentle; he pamperingly pinched her nose: "How could I bear to let you be scolded? No matter how turbulent Old Man's anger is, let me bear it alone."

"That last line is so chuunibyou..."

Lin Xiyu found it amusing and laughed as she teased: "It sounds like something Xiao Yi would say, like a declaration before Ultraman fights a monster."

"Cough cough."

Guben was rarely embarrassed, a suspicious blush rising to his ear roots.

"What Ultraman? Sister, what are you talking about?"

Xu Yi listlessly watched the direction the PLA uncles left; hearing the word Ultraman, he indeed perked up, his little gaze instantly lighting up.

"Pfft."

Lin Xiyu looked at her silly and cute younger brother, couldn't help it, and laughed again, spraying out.

—

Descending from Zhongtian Gate normally takes three hours, but because Lin Xiyu's knee was injured, they walked even more slowly.

In the evening, the group finally arrived safely at the exit of the mountain descent.

To express his gratitude, Guben led the group back to the snack street at the train station and treated all the students to a big meal.

After eating and drinking their fill, and with the time for the last train's departure having arrived, the students reluctantly embarked on their journey home.

The 8 o'clock train; by the time they returned to Donghua Street, it was nearly 10 o'clock.

Guben kept his word and personally sent the two siblings home.

Grandmother learned that her grandson had almost gotten lost, and seeing her granddaughter with multiple scrapes and a pitiful look, she indeed flew into a great rage.

He stood respectfully with his head bowed, listening to the scolding, not daring to utter a word of complaint.

Grandmother ached for her own child, scolding without end, her voice growing louder and louder.

Finally, Wang Daniang next door couldn't stand it anymore and came out to mediate; Old Man didn't want outsiders to see the joke, so she suppressed her anger and let him off.

When Guben went out, he wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and let out a long turbid breath.

Through this matter, he truly saw Grandmother's temperament.

An old person who usually seemed to speak softly and gently, kind and amiable, was that fierce when she lost her temper.

It truly proved the old saying: a woman becomes firm once she is a mother.

A mother tiger protecting her cub; her tail cannot be touched.

—

Wangfu Pool West Street.

Guben tiptoed and pushed open the courtyard gate, intending to slip back to his room quietly while everyone was asleep at night.

Unexpectedly, the light in Grandfather's room was still on; hearing the noise of the door opening, Grandma immediately lifted the curtain and came out with a joking expression.

"Tsk tsk, old man, come look at our eldest grandson—went out carousing and came back with a dusty face; who snapped at you? You look constipated."

"Grandma......"

Guben glanced at his watch and smiled bitterly: "It's so late, and you still haven't slept?"

"You don't come back, how can we sleep?"

Grandma rolled her eyes at him and pretended to be angry: "Unfeeling brat, you only care about pleasing outsiders and have almost forgotten us old folks."

"Grandma, you're wronging me by saying that."

Guben quickly stepped forward and affectionately put his arm around her shoulder: "Your and Grandfather's status in my heart is unmatched by anyone; no one can shake it."

"Cut it out."

Grandma smiled and narrowed her eyes at him: "By that logic, your little girlfriend can't compare to us, right?"

"Cough cough."

Guben's eyes flickered slightly as he avoided Grandma's gaze.

"Say it......"

Grandma pressed on: "In your heart, is she more important, or are we?"

"Of course it's, you......"

Guben gave an awkward smile and answered according to Grandma's wishes.

"Since that's the case......"

Grandma refused to let him go: "We want you to break up with her; do you agree or not?"

"Grandma, why are you suddenly saying this?"

Guben's heart skipped a beat, and a bad premonition rose: "Is someone deliberately stirring things up, unable to see others do well, and trying to drive a wedge between our feelings?"

"Don't try to fool me."

Grandma's voice suddenly rose by eight degrees: "I'm asking you, are you willing to break up with her or not?"

"I'm not willing."

Guben's gaze darkened, and facing Grandma's Death Stare, he answered decisively.

"What if your mother forced you?"

Grandma had an imposing manner and asked again: "For her future and career, you still won't lower your head?"

"Even if my mother forced me, I wouldn't break up."

Guben furrowed his sword-like brows: "She wants to climb up on my shoulders; has she considered my feelings? Why should I sacrifice for her and marry a woman I don't like?"

"You really think that?"

Grandma looked at him faintly, her gaze complex and hard to read.

"Yes."

Guben felt a surge of grievance in his heart, lowered his eyelids slightly, and dejectedly bowed his head.

"Old man, did you hear that?"

Grandma was silent for several seconds, then her aura suddenly changed and her attitude clearly softened: "This is the good grandson you raised; his wings have hardened, and he doesn't take our old folks' words to heart."

"Brat......"

Grandfather scolded displeasedly: "What are you standing at the doorway for? Hurry up and come in."

"You two aren't sleeping so late at night; aren't you tired?"

Guben deliberately dawdled at the doorway for a while before lifting the curtain and entering the room.

"It's all because you made me angry......"

Grandfather had clearly already slept; hearing the noise, he climbed out of bed again: "Climbing a mountain isn't peaceful; you caused trouble and got reported home."

"Who caused trouble?"

Guben asked displeasedly: "Could it be Zhang Xiaoqian? She caused trouble herself and still has the nerve to come and complain?"

"She didn't come; her parents did."

Grandfather pointed to the low stool by the bed and told him to sit: "Her father's meaning is that he will recommend your mother to serve as...... in a prefecture-level city below."

"What are the conditions?"

Guben frowned and sneered disdainfully.

Grandma said briefly and shockingly: "You are engaged to his daughter."

"I won't get engaged."

Guben harbored resistance, and his tone was a bit harsh: "It's just an empty promise; it's not worth ruining my lifelong happiness."

"Just an empty promise?"

Grandfather laughed angrily: "Do you know such a position is something ordinary people can hardly aspire to in a lifetime?"

"Grandfather, do you really want my mother to go to a distant place?"

Guben didn't want to argue with Grandfather, shifted the topic, and said: "These years, she and my father have lived apart for work, and their feelings have grown thin; if she goes far away, they'll meet only a few times a year—what marital affection is there? Even if my father doesn't say it on the surface, he harbors resentment in his heart; they argue every time they meet, and over time, this family will surely break apart......"

"Your mother's temper is a bit too stubborn."

Grandfather sighed dejectedly: "It's my fault for not teaching her well, causing her to develop a competitive and intolerant nature."

"Xiao Bin, your parents reaching this point can't be entirely blamed on your mother."

Grandma felt sorry for her daughter and intended to speak up for her: "You're young and don't understand some things; actually, before your father married......"

"Don't say it."

Grandfather waved his hand, interrupting her words: "Who hasn't had a time of youthful recklessness......"

"Young and reckless?"

Guben was stunned, hardly daring to believe: "Grandfather, you're talking about my unsmiling old father? Did he have a rebellious phase too?"

"Hmph."

Grandfather glared at him displeasedly: "You little brat, who do you think you got your temper from? You got it from your father, stubborn as a mule, refusing discipline. Your father got beaten plenty when he was young, always having your grandfather chase him with a stick..."

"That's true..."

Grandmother recalled events from many years ago, covering her mouth as she smiled: "Back then, it was your grandfather begging us to let us marry our daughter to him, saying to let your mother keep him in check and not let him go out causing trouble anymore."

"Did my father have a girl he liked, but Grandfather disagreed?"

Guben keenly caught the key point: "You forcibly broke them up and made my father marry my mother?"

"Sigh."

Grandmother stopped smiling and sighed faintly.

"Looks like I guessed right."

Guben nodded in understanding, looking as if he had expected it: "No wonder they don't get along, there's a thorn in their hearts, it's strange if they don't argue."

"So..."

Grandmother felt sorry for her daughter: "It's not your mother's fault."

"Grandmother, do you regret it?"

Guben asked tentatively: "Knowing my father had someone he loved, you still let my mother marry him."

"What's the use of regretting?"

Grandmother pursed her lips and smiled bitterly: "So many years have passed, you and your brother have grown up. Although they don't live happily, the rare thing is they gave birth to two excellent sons, to have grandchildren like you, we are satisfied."

"That's true..."

Guben flattered and acted cute, deliberately coaxing Grandmother to be happy: "If my father hadn't married my mother, I wouldn't exist."

"You finally got that sentence right."

Grandmother poked his forehead with her finger, the corners of her eyes crinkling with a smile.

"Grandmother, my mother isn't happy..."

Guben struck while the iron was hot: "You wouldn't want me to end up like her, would I? I am your most, most, most beloved grandson, you wouldn't bear it, and my whole life would be buried in the grave of marriage, right?"

"You little brat, just knew you were waiting for me here."

Grandmother laughed in anger and poked him again: "You don't want to get engaged to Zhang Xiaoqian, don't drag your parents into this. If your mother finds out, she'll skin you alive."

"Ouch, I'm so scared."

Guben pretended to be afraid and hugged Grandmother: "Grandmother, you absolutely must not let her know, otherwise this house won't have peaceful days anymore."

"Your mother wants you to get engaged."

Grandmother smiled and scolded: "You go against her, and this house will have peaceful days?"

"I'll go out and hide for a few days."

Guben had his own plan: "Come back after her anger cools."

"Where do you want to go?"

Grandmother's smile stiffened: "Just came back and want to go out again? You really treat this house like a hotel, come when you want, leave when you want."

"I don't want to either..."

Guben pretended to be wronged: "It's my mother being unreasonable, insisting I get engaged, and none of you speak up for me. If I don't run away from home, I can only go on a hunger strike to protest."

"You still want to go on a hunger strike?"

Grandmother hit him in anger: "We raised you this big, just so you could make us angry?"

"Ouch, ouch, it hurts so much..."

Guben wailed while dodging: "Grandmother, go easy, go easy, if you hurt your hand Grandfather will feel bad."

"Alright, stop hitting."

Grandfather listened happily, laughing as he interjected: "It's almost twelve o'clock, stop bothering this little brat, you should go to sleep too."

"Grandmother, Grandfather, good night."

Guben reacted quickly, jumped off the stool at the chance, and ran off in a puff of smoke.

"This child..."

Grandmother laughed and cried helplessly, her raised fist still in a hitting pose, but there was no one in front of her anymore.

"When the son grows up, the mother can't control him..."

Grandfather touched the coarse beard stubble on his chin and sighed faintly.

"As for the engagement, in my opinion, just forget it."

Grandmother ached for her grandson and couldn't bear him being wronged: "That Zhang Xiaoqian, I see her temper and personality aren't good, she's not worthy of our little Bin."

"You've met her?"

Grandfather raised his eyebrows, showing some surprise.

"A few days ago when I went to Liu Daniang's house to visit, I happened to meet her..."

Grandmother didn't hide it and truthfully recounted the scene of Zhang Xiaoqian causing a scene on the filming set and driving Director Du and others away.

"Since you don't approve, then forget it."

Grandfather pondered for a moment and made a decision: "Xiao Bin's marriage isn't urgent, he's only eighteen, there will be plenty of opportunities later."

"I think so too."

Grandmother agreed deeply: "After he goes to BJ for university, let your Sixth Uncle help find a better one..."