Chapter 73: Giving Big Brother a Long Face

A few commune members were chatting under an old locust tree at the village entrance, and when they saw a jeep coming, they became extremely curious.

"How did a small car end up in our team?"

"It must be some leader, for sure."

"That's not right; a few days ago the Youth Commune clashed with the members, and the big team's secretary said that in a few days the commune would send leaders down."

"Hey, isn't the one sitting there Lu Zhiqing, Yan Lao Han's son‑in‑law?"

"Why is he sitting in the small car?"

Lu Cheng, recalling his mother's advice, greeted proactively upon seeing them: "Grandpa, Big Aunt, have you eaten?"

"Ah, we have, we have."

Lu Cheng waved his hand: "Auntie, I'm going for a walk!"

"Ah, whose child is this? I don't recognize him."

"Could it be Lu Zhiqing's younger brother? Didn't he say yesterday that today he'd go to the railway station to pick up his visiting brother?"

"Oh dear, what does his brother do? He can have a small car come specifically to deliver him."

"You wouldn't guess it; Lu Zhiqing is low‑key, but someone in his family must be a high official."

……

"Li Juzhang, could you please make two rounds around this big team?"

Hearing Lu Cheng's words, Li Juzhang wore a bewildered expression.

"Why, why make two rounds?"

Seizing a rare chance to save face for his big brother, Lu Cheng said with deep affection: "When I see these lovely people, so diligent and kind, I think of the grain we eat.

Li Juzhang, we serve the people; it is these old farmers who raised us. No matter where we go, we must never forget their kindness.

Let me look at this heartfelt, hot land a little longer, let me see these old farmers, see these lovely people; I will remember them, keep them in my heart at all times, let them encourage me, spur me…"

His emotionally rich words almost made Li Juzhang cry.

"Turn, turn ten rounds if you like!

And you, learn well from comrade Lu Cheng, see the enlightenment of those in Capital City; you always complain that the cafeteria food is bad and waste it."

The driver replied immediately: "Yes, Li Juzhang, I will learn from comrade Lu Cheng."

Only Lu Feng, who knows his younger brother's temperament, remained unmoved; he knew well that Lu Cheng has been like this since childhood, and anyone who believes his nonsense will surely be duped.

But at the same time he also knew that his brother was doing this to protect him from being bullied, deliberately making him look embarrassed.

Everyone in the big team knew that Lu Zhiqing's brother from Capital City had come to visit.

He seemed to work in the Railway department? The director even drove himself to see him off.

That must mean he's a high official; otherwise the director wouldn't come personally.

Even if he isn't a high official, he must have relatives who are.

From now on we should treat Lu Zhiqing better, and stop saying he joined our big team just to eat free meals.

The members of the big team argued wildly, the rumors grew more absurd, and if they kept spreading, the relatives would almost be called national leaders.

Lu Feng's face flushed badly, and he hurriedly took Lu Cheng home; a crowd had already gathered at the doorway.

In the fenced courtyard stood a pretty young woman, hanging out clothes to dry.

When she heard the commotion outside, Yan Baoyue didn't think much of it; her husband had gone to the railway station to pick up his younger brother‑in‑law, which would take a good amount of time round‑trip, so he should be back by evening.

But when she finally saw her husband actually enter the courtyard, dragging a tall young man whose thick brows and big eyes bore a hint of her husband's demeanor, she realized it was the younger brother‑in‑law who had come from Capital City.

When he hadn't arrived, she had been looking forward to it; it was her husband's own brother, the whole family, and now that he was finally here, she felt a bit nervous.

Lu Feng smiled and said: "Lu Cheng, this is your sister‑in‑law."

Seeing Lu Cheng again, he dropped the parcel in his hand, walked slowly toward Yan Baoyue, and then gave her a big hug.

"Sister‑in‑law, uncle has come to see you; I'm late, please don't blame me."

Yan Baoyue was stunned; her face flushed bright red, for besides her father and husband Lu Feng, she had never been embraced by another man.

Just as she was at a loss, Lu Cheng released her, walked toward the emerging elderly lady, and gave her another hug.

"Elderly lady, the big nephew has come to see you."

"Oh dear!" The elderly lady was also stunned, wondering what was happening.

Lu Feng shook his head helplessly, needing to explain quickly, lest people think him a ruffian.

"Mother, this is my younger brother; he's greeting you. He's been like this since childhood, likes to joke with people."

"Oh, I see, that's fine, that's fine," the elderly lady murmured to herself, noting that being from Capital City, his way of greeting was different from others.

When Yan Lao Han stepped out and learned that this was how they greeted, he opened his arms, but Lu Cheng instead grasped his hand.

"Grandpa, how's your health?"

"Ah, fine, fine, come inside and sit down quickly."

The interior was simple yet very tidy, with a dining table placed in the center.

On the bench beside the dining table sat a two‑and‑a‑half‑year‑old girl with two twin‑braids on her head.

Needless to say, this is big brother's daughter, also his niece.

Lu Cheng walked over, scooped her up, and found her soft and squishy, utterly precious.

"Lu Qing'er, do you know who I am?"

Lu Qing'er, in a baby‑like voice, showed no fear and nodded her little head: "I... uncle."

Lu Cheng was a little surprised; Lu Feng, while unloading luggage, explained: "We showed Qing'er our family photos before, so she remembered. Yesterday she kept asking me when I'd come."

Lu Cheng became even more doting, tickling Qing'er's little nose: "You're quite smart, then. Look, see what uncle brought you."

Lu Qing'er clung to him, and Lu Cheng, leaning to the side, opened a parcel, first setting aside two jars of malt milk essence, then taking out a bag of White Rabbit milk candies.

"Lu Qing'er, what is this?"

Lu Qing'er bites her finger: "Yes, candy."

"Right, White Rabbit milk candy, you like it, this whole pack is yours, but don't eat too much or it'll ruin your teeth."

"Thank you, Uncle."

Lu Cheng was surprised again; his older brother took good care of the child, well‑behaved and polite.

"Hehe, you like to eat, so from now on each month Uncle will send you a pack, okay…"

Lu Feng, while opening those packages, said: "Lu Cheng, you didn't bring many clothes, what are all these you bought?"

"Those are tobacco and alcohol, bought for the elder, there are also two packs of special‑supply cigarettes, hard to get normally, elder, you can have them to smoke."

In total we got four packs from Captain Lei, plus two more; just gave two to Li Juzhang, can't let them make a wasted trip.

Yan Lao Han, looking at the Capital City‑produced Erguotou, besides the two packs of special‑supply cigarettes, there were several packs of Daqianmen cigarettes favored by officials; he got excited and messed up.

He usually smokes a pipe, would never take these hand‑held cigarettes.

"Hey, I wouldn't dare buy these things; if you come, you come, what are you bringing?"

Lu Cheng smiled: "Madam, this is a cashmere sweater my mother bought for you, not sure if it fits, try it on."

Madam slapped her thigh: "Heavens, why are you buying things for an old lady? This clothing must be expensive, you're making the in‑laws spend money, aren't you?"

"Sister‑in‑law, this is a red knitted scarf I picked especially for you; put it on and try, it'll definitely look good."

It's said the mountain water is nourishing; sister‑in‑law's face is dewy, no wonder the older brother is determined to marry her.

Even though it's at her own home, Yan Baoyue felt extremely restrained: "Lu, Lu Cheng, why did you buy this for me? I can't wear it while I'm at work."

"It's fine, sister‑in‑law, it's cold, wear it to stay warm. Older brother, you also have one; mother said you must be craving this, specially bought pickled vegetables from Liubicu."

Yan Lao Han walked over: "What, pickled vegetables? Why buy that? In our countryside we're never short of pickled vegetables. Can't the Capital City even afford pickled vegetables? Later, elder, I'll bring you more, I've pickled a jar."

Lu Feng laughed beside him: "Dad, this pickled vegetable is different, pricier than meat."

"Huh?" Yan Lao Han kept shaking his head: "You in the Capital City only eat rare treats, skip the meat, eat these pickled vegetable lumps."

Lu Cheng clapped his hands, then hugged his little niece: "Alright, the remaining food is all for our Xiao Qing'er."

There are the Capital City pastry factory's "Jing Ba" items—Jiangmi strips, Saqima, candied date crisp, and other snacks—tied up with kraft‑paper rope.

Also honey‑preserved fruit wrapped in yellow paper labeled "Capital City Specialty".

The members at the doorway were drooling; they've never even seen these things, let alone eaten them.

Look at that younger brother, he really spares no expense.

While they were debating, Big Team Secretary Qi Baoguo arrived.

Yan Lao Han was surprised again; normally the two families' relationship is… because his son‑in‑law Lu Feng has always wanted to be squad leader, but Qi Baoguo disagreed.

It's a bit of a rift, so why did he proactively show up today?