Chapter 274: Begging for a fresh start

Lu Laotou returned home and, upon learning they were to leave immediately, smiled very unnaturally.

He didn't want to go.

Life in the village was so carefree; he could do whatever he wanted, and thanks to his son, the villagers all gave him a bit of face.

If he went there...

He knew it would be troublesome; the rules were suffocating, and he wouldn't be able to do anything he liked.

"Is Dad unhappy?" Su Yuxian felt it was very strange that the Captain had come over so suddenly. Suspecting her father-in-law, she stared at him searchingly.

Lu Laotou became happy in a second.

"Who says I'm unhappy? I'm happy. I'm overjoyed. My son is taking me to enjoy a good life; how could I not be happy?"

Old Lady Lu gave the old man a look of disdain and pursed her lips.

If she hadn't brought it up, their son would never have thought of his old man in his entire life.

It was hateful that she had been thinking entirely for the sake of the old man, yet he had gone and cheated on her.

—An old thing who refuses to die.

The Lu family's mother and daughter-in-law were very anxious; within two days, they had packed their luggage, and the whole family left in a high-profile manner.

The villagers spoke politely, wishing them a smooth journey, but when they saw Lu Laotou, their gazes were always a bit strange.

Old Lady Lu was completely oblivious to this; she was busy showing off their future good life to other old ladies in the village.

Su Yuxian, however, sensed some signs of it. She didn't show anything unusual, nor did she ask; she just wanted to leave peacefully.

Once the Lu family left, people gathered in groups of three or five and began to whisper.

"So, who was that person?"

"I don't know. That kid Zhuangzhuang is so stupid, he couldn't even recognize the person."

"Yeah, it's really frustrating."

Those who knew the inside story kept their mouths shut.

It wasn't that they didn't want to talk; the Captain had sought them out, and to avoid complications, they could only act as if they knew nothing.

This resulted in the whole brigade having some who had eaten the whole melon, and others who had only eaten half.

Zhao Liuniang loved to crowd into groups, and not getting the full story made her feel uncomfortable all over.

Because of this, she had eaten the whole melon.

Since Zhao Liuniang had eaten it, the Gu family must have eaten it too.

Lin Zhao said with disgust, "Outside... while everyone was watching the movie... he really has some nerve."

Thinking of Zhuangzhuang, she rubbed her brow, "It's a good thing the child doesn't understand anything, otherwise... that scene would probably take a long time to heal from!"

The poor little thing.

Hopefully, he forgets that eye-searing scene soon.

Strange, just thinking about it makes me feel nauseous.

Zhao Liuniang was also disgusted; she rubbed her ears and said, "Why do I feel like my ears have been polluted too?"

She had learned the phrase "polluted" from Lin Zhao.

"Me too..." Lin Zhao agreed.

Hearing the twins talk about it the night the movie was shown, she felt terrible; she was so disgusted she didn't sleep well all night, and she still had to deal with the countless questions from Yu Bao and Heng Bao.

"I think that person has lived a good life for too long, and isn't afraid of affecting the reputation of Baozhen's father." Zhao Liuniang sighed, "How rare is the opportunity to get ahead? Ordinary people would hold onto it with both hands and feet if they encountered it, yet he's just there dragging them down."

Seeing the complexity on her second sister-in-law's face, Lin Zhao didn't continue talking about the Lu family, but instead asked, "I see that you and the eldest sister-in-law are handing in matchboxes very quickly, and you have the mushroom house to tend to; can you handle it all?"

"We can, why wouldn't we be able to?" Zhao Liuniang was afraid that the third sister-in-law would take back the matchbox-pasting work, so she quickly straightened her expression.

Her expression was a bit nervous, "Third sister-in-law, we country folk have plenty of strength; we can do it!"

Pasting matchboxes didn't earn much—one or two yuan a month—and it was hard on the neck and waist, but since there were few ways to make money in the countryside, they valued it highly.

Even with the income from raising mushrooms, Zhao Liuniang and Huang Xiulan never thought about giving up the matchbox work.

One yuan a month, that's twelve yuan a year.

Lin Zhao said, "Second sister-in-law, don't be nervous. I didn't say you couldn't do it; I'm just afraid you'll tire yourselves out."

"We won't!" Zhao Liuniang breathed a sigh of relief and said with a smile, "With two boys at home, the pressure is high, so we have to work more while we're young. Besides, having work to do makes us feel secure; the eldest sister-in-law and I are very happy. I don't know how many people in the village envy us."

More than half a year had passed, and they had even gone through a New Year; the matchbox work hadn't been kept secret, and everyone in the village knew about it.

It wasn't that no one made sour remarks, saying Lin Zhao only thought of her two sisters-in-law and didn't think of anyone else in the village, but all of that was shut down by Zhao Liuniang and Huang Xiulan.

We are one family; of course, we think of our own people first when there's a good thing. Which family doesn't? Don't make sour remarks behind our backs; if you have the ability, say it to our faces.

None of the Gu family's daughters-in-law were easy to mess with; if they were unhappy about something, they would say it out loud, and they wouldn't tolerate anyone just because they were older or of a higher generation. After they went to their doors specifically, the sour remarks on the surface indeed disappeared.

Lin Zhao didn't know about any of this, and even if she did, she wouldn't care.

Only the weak complain about their environment.

"Fine, as long as you and the eldest sister-in-law don't feel tired. If you can't make it in time... handing them in a bit later is fine too. I'll just tell Sister Fen; it's not a big deal," Lin Zhao said.

In another month or so, it would be time for the double-harvest; the work in the fields was very tiring, and she was afraid that her two sisters-in-law would ruin their health just to earn that little bit of money.

"Don't worry, the eldest sister-in-law and I know our limits," Zhao Liuniang said. "Last winter, every household had an income. Dad said that raising mushrooms will become a specialty of our commune in the future, so this money can be earned continuously. The chickens the eldest sister-in-law and I raise aren't even being traded out anymore; we're keeping them for ourselves to eat."

Not only that, but there was also surplus grain to show filial piety to their parents-in-law.

Last winter, her eldest sister didn't have enough grain to get through the winter, so she had set aside twenty jin and five yuan for her.

The feeling of being able to help one's relatives is truly great!

Lin Zhao expressed her approval of the second sister-in-law's approach, "The second sister-in-law and the eldest sister-in-law are doing the right thing. Earning money is to live better yourselves; if you are stingy and reluctant to spend it, you're putting the cart before the horse. Your health is the most important thing."

Zhao Liuniang often heard Lin Zhao say this, and she deeply agreed. Although they were still frugal, at least they didn't mistreat the mouths and stomachs of their small families.

In early May, Lin Heling and Song Xiwei left the Dongfeng Brigade and headed to Haicheng.

With this departure, it would take at least two months before they could return.

Lin Zhao and her two brothers who were at home went to the station to see them off.

"Dad, Mom, send me a telegram when you arrive, so I know where you are..." Lin Zhao said, reluctant to part.

She had lived under her parents' eyes her whole life; this was the first time her parents' whereabouts were uncertain, and Lin Zhao felt an indescribable heaviness in her heart.

The outside world was chaotic, and she was worried.

Song Xiwei looked down at her daughter tugging at her sleeve, and the corners of her mouth couldn't help but rise.

"How old are you now..." She embraced Zhaozhao with rare tenderness and rambled on, "We'll send you a telegram, we definitely will. Take good care of yourself and the four cubs at home, and if anything happens, find your eldest brother."

"I know," Lin Zhao said.

She looked at Lin Heling again: "Dad..."

Before she could finish, Lin Heling rubbed her forehead, "Be good at home, we'll be back soon."

Lin Zhao pursed her lips.

"Shichang, take good care of the home and your sister." Lin Heling patted his eldest son's shoulder and exhorted him.

Lin Shichang nodded solemnly, "I'm here for the home, Dad. You and Mom don't worry, pay attention to safety on the road."

Lin Heling nodded, waved his hand at his children with flair, and boarded the train while half-embracing Song Xiwei.

This was the first time the couple had traveled alone in their many years of marriage, and both felt like they had returned to their youth.

It was quite a happy feeling.

The couple looked at each other, and both saw smiles in each other's eyes.

"... When we arrive in Haicheng, let's look around more," Lin Heling said.

Song Xiwei teased him, "You just told your daughter that we'd be back soon."

"Then what was I supposed to say?" Lin Heling looked at her helplessly, "Zhaozhao isn't used to it at first, but she'll be used to it in half a month. My daughter has a very strong ability to adapt."

His words were full of pride.

As if that were a trait particularly worthy of praise.

Song Xiwei: "..." In the eyes of a daughter-slave, his daughter is the best of the best.

She responded to Lin Heling's previous question, "That's the place where you lived since you were young; whatever you want to do is up to you, I'll accompany you."

Lin Heling held his wife's hand a bit tighter, his brow full of tenderness.

The platform.

Lin Shichang patted Zhaozhao's shoulder, "Let's go back, didn't Dad say they'd be back soon?"

"I don't believe it." Lin Zhao had a premonition that it wouldn't be soon, "Dad and Mom won't be back that fast; they'll definitely be having so much fun they'll forget to return."

Lin Shisheng laughed out loud, deliberately making a funny face to tease his sister.

"Zhaozhao, why are you like a little kid? Even Yaobao isn't as clingy to Mom as you."

Lin Zhao punched his arm, "Second brother, you're really annoying. Dad and Mom just left and you're already bullying me. I'm going to tell Uncle that you're bullying me!"

After saying this, she strode away from the train station.

Lin Shisheng chased after his sister, "Lin Zhao Bao, how old are you, why are you still snitching?"

Lin Zhao stopped abruptly, her eyes blazing with fire, "Who are you calling Lin Zhao Bao? Lin Er, you're really annoying!"

"You, who else could it be? Lin Zhao Bao, Lin Zhao Bao..." Lin Shisheng called out provocatively.

Lin Zhao chased him to hit him.

Lin Shichang watched his younger brother and sister bickering, a smile appearing in his eyes.

He hadn't seen this scene for many years; it was truly nostalgic.

With Lin Shisheng's interruption, the inexplicable emotion in Lin Zhao's heart dissipated.

The siblings stopped under a tree to wait for Lin Shichang.

"Eldest brother, walk faster, you're too slow." Lin Shisheng urged.

Lin Shichang, who was being complained about for being slow: "..."

When he walked closer, Lin Zhao took her eldest brother's arm and asked, "Eldest brother, how are the eldest sister-in-law and the two little nephews?"

Not long after the New Year, Chen Yu successfully gave birth to two boys; the children were already several months old, and Chen Mu was helping to take care of them.

"They're all doing quite well. Your eldest sister-in-law has recovered well, and the two cubs can eat and sleep. With the milk powder you bought, those two are growing with the wind; they're chubby and look adorable." Speaking of his newborn sons, Lin Shichang's eyes and brows were full of smiles.

Lin Shisheng also said, "I've never seen anyone chubbier than those two boys; their arms and legs are all meat, white and tender, making one want to take a few bites."

"Chubbier than when I saw them?" Lin Zhao raised an eyebrow.

"Definitely, you'll know when you go back to see them when you're free," Lin Shisheng said, "I've seen many children, but truly none are chubbier than my two nephews."

Lin Shichang looked proud, "Thanks to their aunt and second uncle, it's hard not to be chubby."

He had managed to buy one bag of milk powder, Zhaozhao had brought two bags when she came to see her nephews, and his second brother had brought two bags when he returned.

Drinking milk powder until full, how could they not be chubby?

"Babies are only cute when they're chubby." Lin Zhao had the idea of taking pictures of her two chubby nephews, "Next time I go over, I'll bring my camera and take a few photos of my nephews as a souvenir."

Lin Shichang said, "Deal."

"Eldest brother, tell me if there's no milk powder at home, I'll get some." Lin Zhao said to him.

"I know you're omnipotent, I'll definitely find you," Lin Shichang said.

While things were harmonious here, Meng Jiusi was encountering some trouble.

Hearing that someone was looking for him, he was stunned, his brows locked tightly.

Very few people knew his address, and he truly couldn't think of who would come looking for him.

Full of thoughts, he went to the reception room.

Seeing that figure from afar, Meng Jiusi's gaze sank.

Yuan Qin?

How could she know he was here?!

The doubts in his heart increased rather than decreased.

Meng Jiusi walked over.

"Why are you here?" he asked.

Yuan Qin looked at the man with burning eyes, only feeling that Meng Jiusi was more charming and fascinating than before.

He was wearing a light green shirt, covered by a pure white-as-snow doctor's coat, his posture tall and straight, his hair cut very short, revealing handsome brows and eyes, looking both dashing and steady.

"Jiusi." Yuan Qin's eyes were filled with tears, her heart full of complexity.

She couldn't tell if she felt more regret or more resentment.

Meng Jiusi asked again: "Who told you I was here?"

He hadn't mentioned his work address after changing jobs to any acquaintances; he couldn't figure out how Yuan Qin knew.

Yuan Qin faced her ex-husband's indifferent eyes, and her heart felt a sting, "Someone wrote a letter to the factory, and it spread throughout the factory, so I came to try my luck."

"I didn't expect you to really be here," she said, her tone tinged with excitement.

Feeling that Meng Jiusi was heartless, she looked at him with grievance, "Why didn't you know to write me a letter? I've been waiting for you, worried sick."

Meng Jiusi said blandly: "What would I write you a letter for? What is our relationship?"

"I heard you remarried, so... save your worries for your current husband; I don't need them."

His expression was without a ripple, as if that period with Yuan Qin was just the least worth-mentioning interlude on his life's journey.

Yuan Qin said excitedly: "I don't have another husband; the only husband in my heart is you."

"Jiusi, let's start over, okay?" She looked expectant, thinking that their two sons were also here, and knowing that her chances of winning were high, her eyes shone.

Meng Jiusi didn't answer, but asked instead: "What letter? Do you have the letter with you?"

Yuan Qin didn't dare to force him. Although she was disappointed that Meng Jiusi changed the subject, she still said: "The letter isn't in my hands; it was taken by the factory director. He said he had a use for it."

"I see," Meng Jiusi nodded.

He then said to her: "We are over; there is no chance to start over. Go back, don't come again in the future; I won't see you again."

After saying this, he turned and left.

Yuan Qin stood frozen in place, unable to react for a long time. After she did, she hurried to chase him, but was stopped.

"Jiusi, I'm serious! We still have two sons. For the sake of Jingmo and Guangbai, give me a chance. We were such a happy family before, we can be again. Don't go..."

She shouted and begged, but it was useless.

Meng Jiusi didn't even look back.

Zhaozhao had told him that he was himself first, then the Lin family's son, then Grandpa's grandson, and Jingmo and Guangbai's father.

If he put anyone or anything before himself, she would look down on him.

He didn't want to be a brother who disappointed his sister.

Therefore...

He would never again make any decision that failed himself.

Zhaozhao, Fourth Brother is starting to follow his own heart; you'll be proud of me and happy for me, right? ===== CHAPTER 275 =====