Chapter 353

Yuan Xiang listened to the derogatory words of her cousins, and her happy mood was knocked to the bottom, her head hanging low.

She had never been a confident person.

She had been hearing those few sentences for over twenty years, and she had long since been beaten down to the point of losing her confidence.

She hadn't expected to hear those forceful and powerful words from Lin Zhao.

Yuan Xiang suddenly raised her eyes, looking at her cousin with emotion.

"Zhaozhao..."

Lin Zhao sat back, holding Yuan Xiang's ice-cold hands, and only said one sentence, "Sister Xiangxiang, stay far away from everyone who belittles you, even if they are your own relatives."

She rarely saw the Yuan girls. Because of those few words just now, she didn't have a good impression of them.

"En." Yuan Xiang twitched the corners of her mouth and responded softly, her mood having been affected after all.

At this moment, Aunt Song clamped Yuan Duo's arm and pulled her outside, "Today is Xiangxiang's big day; I don't want to slap you. You obediently get lost somewhere else."

Yuan Duo struggled, "Why? I'm in my own room; who am I bothering? I'm not leaving, don't touch me."

She didn't have as much strength as Aunt Song, who did physical labor, and her body left uncontrollably with her.

"Mother, save me." Yuan Duo called for her mother.

"What are you making a scene about! What are you making a scene about again!!" Old Lady Yuan walked out upon hearing the noise. There were many people in the house, and it wasn't good to reprimand Yuan Duo in public, as it would ruin her reputation, so she could only call her daughter-in-law, "Take Yuan Duo to your room. Even if you can't bear to part with your own sisters, there has to be a limit. What are you making a scene about? It's such a big day."

Having said that, she glanced unpleasantly at Yuan Duo and her mother.

"I don't..." Before Yuan Duo's unconvinced words were finished, she was covered by her mother's hand over her mouth and nose and taken away.

"This child can't bear to part with Xiangxiang and is a bit muddled. I'll take her inside to chat. Everyone, please continue with your work, please continue." Yuan Duo's mother said awkwardly, pulling Yuan Duo into the room.

The Yuan family courtyard was small, and these words reached Lin Zhao's ears; she curled her lips.

"Sister Xiangxiang, you've suffered quite a few grievances having such cousins, haven't you?" Lin Zhao's eyes were full of heartache, "It won't happen again. Once you enter the Li family's door, you are the head of the household. If Li Song bullies you, come to my house; there's always a room and a bed for you."

She was backing Yuan Xiang up, and Yuan Xiang knew it.

"Alright, thank you, Zhaozhao."

Lin Zhao: "Why be so polite? We are sisters."

The Yuan girls didn't feel very comfortable; they were the ones who were Yuan Xiang's sisters, and this person was at best just a child of her aunt's family.

"Third Sister, we were just joking; we didn't think you were ugly," said Yuan Siniang, who had the most nimble eyes. "In the past, you were always buried in work, tanned darker than the slippery boys in the village, so we joked that you didn't look good. Since you came back from your Dongfeng Brigade and started dating a worker, and began preparing for marriage, you've become better and better looking. Don't take Duo Duo's words to heart; she has resentment in her heart. You married well, your dowry is thick, and you even got her dowry money, so she just wanted to vent her anger... You are older than her, just let her be."

"Ridiculous," Lin Zhao interjected. "Everyone is living for the first time; why should my Sister Xiangxiang let her be?"

Yuan Siniang's expression froze, and she was speechless.

"Marrying well is because my Sister Xiangxiang is hardworking and kind-hearted, deserving of a good man to match her. A good dowry is a supplement given by my uncle and mother to their own daughter. These are not reasons for you to morally kidnap her." Lin Zhao's words continued.

She didn't know how the Yuan family taught their girls; it felt like their values were a bit skewed.

Yuan Xiang's ten-year-old cousin spoke up, saying to Yuan Siniang: "Fourth Sister, you tell Third Sister to let Sixth Sister be, but you are older than me, why don't you let me be? You even tricked me out of my candy; that candy was given to me by Third Sister!"

Yuan Siniang's expression became even more awkward.

Lin Zhao shrugged, "Double standards are like that."

As she finished speaking, the twins, holding their younger brother and sister, came with Dadan, Xibao, and others to see the bride.

Dadan smelled the scent of gossip and came over, his eyes bright and spirited, "What's wrong, what's wrong? Who has double standards? Who are you talking about? I want to hear."

Lin Zhao: "..."

Yuan Xiang didn't speak up for her cousins; Zhaozhao was venting her anger for her, and if she spoke up for them... wouldn't that be slapping Zhaozhao in the face?

So she ignored the pleading look Yuan Siniang cast her way.

Seeing her shift her gaze, Yuan Siniang's heart sank.

Today was Yuan Xiang's wedding day, and there were guests coming and going. Lin Zhao could vent her cousin's anger, but she couldn't be reckless; if she really did that... the Lin family wouldn't look good either.

She didn't continue, patting the dust off Dadan's sleeve, "It's nothing. Look at you, covered in dust. If your mother sees this, your ears might just run away from home."

Dadan looked down and indeed saw the yellow mud on his sleeve, "I was squeezed by people. Today is a big happy day; my mother won't beat me."

"Why did you all run over? Didn't you say you were waiting for the groom?" Lin Zhao asked.

Xibao said: "Seeing Qian Bao didn't want to stay; he thought it was too noisy, so we brought him to see the bride."

Lin Zhao grabbed Seeing Qian Bao's hand, pulled him into her arms, and hugged him gently, her voice gentle, "Weddings are just like this, lively. If you really aren't used to it, come find me, and I'll take you to a quiet place to relax, okay?"

Children have different personalities; being lively has its benefits, and being quiet has its benefits. A hundred flowers blooming is beautiful; being all the same... is boring.

She respected her own children.

"Okay." Seeing Qian Bao responded softly, leaning his exquisite, milky-cute face into Lin Zhao's arms, yawning, looking a bit dazed and sleepy.

"Sleepy?" Lin Zhao said with amusement.

Seeing Qian Bao was also strange; when he had a book in his hand, he didn't know what sleepiness was, always spirited and bright-eyed, but when doing anything else, letting him go out to play or watch the excitement, he was always sleepy, sleepy, sleepy.

He and his sister had never been without milk powder, and with the supplementary food Lin Zhao made, the little brother and sister grew up white and tender, their arms and legs fleshy like cute lotus roots, their faces round and chubby with little milky fat. Yaobao loved to laugh, had a soft temper, and walked the sweet path, while Seeing Qian Bao grew up exquisite and cute, but his personality was steady, his eyebrows and eyes calm, giving people a sense of contrasting cuteness.

Lin Zhao picked up her son and patted Seeing Qian Bao's back, "Sleep."

When he woke up, it would be just time for the 'rolling on the bed' ritual in the bridal chamber.

She looked at Yuan Xiang, "It won't delay the main business, Sister Xiangxiang, don't worry."

Yuan Xiang froze, and after a while, she realized the implication and her face flushed red, "It's fine if one person is missing."

Yes, today it wasn't just Seeing Qian Bao rolling on the bed; all three Gu cubs were doing it.

Yuan Xiang was already twenty years old; in the village, girls of this age already had children who could run errands, but she had just gotten married. Yuan Xiang wanted to have children early; she liked children, and if she waited until she started working to have them... it always felt very rushed.

"No way." Lin Zhao rubbed her nose against Seeing Qian Bao's face; it was soft, making one's heart soften into water, but she didn't forget to respond to Yuan Xiang's words, "Follow the plan. I want to take photos to record it. All four of them must be there, otherwise, I'm afraid of being the scapegoat and being complained about by others."

Yuan Xiang had nothing to say.

Lin Zhao stayed in Yuan Xiang's room, and Aunt Song felt very relieved, not needing to worry about things here, focusing on arranging a series of trivial matters.

When the groom arrived, he was riding a bicycle, followed by five young men riding bikes, counting as his groomsmen group.

"The groom is here." The children waiting at the entrance of the village shouted, "The groom is riding a bicycle, so many bicycles."

Yuan Xiang married well, and the Yuan family also had face. They held a banquet, and many people came to the door; it could be said to be a lively event for the whole village.

Children were the most excited, waiting early at the village entrance, just waiting for the groom to distribute candy.

Li Song had money in his pocket and was generous, having entrusted Li Fen to buy a lot of fruit candy in advance. After parking the bike, he started distributing candy.

The children cheered.

"So much candy."

"Wow."

A clever child shouted loudly: "May you be together for a hundred years, and may you have a son early."

Hearing this, Li Song's mouth turned up, and he gave him a handful separately, "If you can talk, talk more."

Other children saw that saying nice things was useful, and they all started saying them.

"Congratulations on getting rich."

"Happy wedding."

"May the family be harmonious and everything prosper."

As soon as Aunt Song went out, she saw the little brats in the village 'tricking' her son-in-law out of his candy. Seeing him give out so much, her heart ached with every piece.

She hurried over, clamped Li Song's arm, and pulled him toward her house.

"The hour is getting late; if we delay any longer, we'll miss the auspicious time," she said.

Li Song followed along readily.

"Listen to Mother."

Aunt Song heard this 'Mother' from her son-in-law, and her eyes were full of smiles, "Hey."

The villagers burst into laughter.

"You can tell Xiangxiang's mother is very satisfied with this son-in-law."

"Xiangxiang married a good young man. I heard before that his legs and feet weren't good, but after the two started dating... her partner's legs and feet got better. This girl has good luck."

Hearing this, another person said: "Now that you mention it, it's true. Look at the Huang family; ever since Huang Kang and Xiangxiang broke off their engagement, their family has been going downhill. The promotion they talked about is gone, and even their temporary worker status is gone; they can only come back to work in the fields to earn work points."

Before this person finished, the person next to her took over, "Not only that, the Huang family fights every day. I heard they are making a scene about dividing the family. Everyone knows that in order to get that temporary worker position for Huang Kang, the Huang family spent a lot of money. Now the money is gone, the job is gone, and who is going to fill the gap? Huang Kang's sisters-in-law are throwing things around at home every day and giving him a hard time..."

"Oh my, hearing you say that, Xiangxiang being dumped by the Huang family was actually her blessing."

"Isn't that so." Everyone nodded, "The Huang family's character is lacking, and their financial luck isn't good either. Marrying into that family would mean endless suffering; how could it compare to the conditions of the person she's marrying now?"

"Tsk, it's really good to have a capable uncle and aunt. When she was just dumped, Xiangxiang was so pitiful; even her own cousins looked down on her. How much time has passed? She has overtaken everyone and walked to the front of the line. Just watch, Yuan Duo and the others will be envious of Xiangxiang's life for a long time."

Yuan Duo's mother stood at the back, finished listening to these words, and her face looked extremely ugly.

If you want to praise Yuan Xiang, just praise Yuan Xiang; why step on her daughter?

Yuan Xiang just stepped on dog poop luck; it's not certain if she can gain a foothold in the city in the future, so why are these people sucking up to her?

"Ahem..." She coughed heavily.

The few people who were talking turned their heads, saw Yuan Duo's mother's expressionless face, their expressions froze, they smiled awkwardly, found reasons for themselves, and immediately scattered.

"Hmph." Yuan Duo's mother snorted coldly.

If Yuan Xiang can marry into the city, her Duo Duo can too!

Thinking of the two yuan introduction fee she stuffed to the matchmaker, while the woman's heart ached, she was full of confidence about Yuan Duo marrying into the city.

Yuan Xiang wore a big red flower on her chest and sat on Li Song's bicycle to leave her maiden home.

Aunt Song splashed a basin of water, her eyes slightly red, "Go, live a good life with your husband."

Yuan Xiang's throat choked, and tears flowed down her cheeks, "Mother..."

Yuan Xiang's father held his wife's shoulders and said to his new son-in-law: "Treat my daughter well. Xiangxiang has grown up to this age, and I have never moved a finger against her. My daughter is marrying you, so don't bully her. If one day... you don't want to live with her anymore, tell me, and I will come to pick her up."

Yuan Xiang cried explosively, her heart feeling like it was being embraced in a warm hug, waves of warmth surging out, quickly spreading to her limbs.

How lucky she was to have such a father and mother.

Her tears flowed even more fiercely, but her eyes were extremely bright.

Li Song's face was serious, his expression firm, "I won't. From now on, Comrade Yuan will be in charge of the household; whatever she wants, she gets. I will treat her well; I swear on the military uniform I once wore."

Yuan Xiang's father looked at him steadily for a few seconds, saw his seriousness, and his face relaxed.

"Go, be careful on the road."

Li Song gave a salute to his father-in-law; this was the highest etiquette of a retired soldier who had participated in many battles.

The groom took the bride away, and also took away a mother's heart.

Song Xiwei watched her eldest sister cry like that, held her arm, and brought her back into the room.

"Wipe your tears; it's a big happy day, what are you crying for?"

Aunt Song looked at her with red eyes, "Don't talk about me; when Zhaozhao got married, your eyes were also red like that."

Song Xiwei: "..."

"That was because I hadn't slept all night," she explained helplessly.

Aunt Song: "I at least slept the night before; I'm better than you."

How childish, what's there to compare!

Song Xiwei couldn't bear to say that she hadn't slept because that daughter-slave of hers had been tossing and turning all night, and she had been busy comforting him.

"Alright, alright, you're better than me." Song Xiwei didn't argue with her sister; she understood the feeling of marrying off a daughter; it was uncomfortable.

"So this is what it feels like to marry off a daughter; my heart feels like it has a hole in it, I..." Aunt Song felt uncomfortable whenever she thought about it, her eyes even redder, "The daughter I raised with my own sweat and blood has now become someone else's..."

She sniffed and couldn't speak.

Song Xiwei didn't agree with this, "How did she become someone else's? Xiangxiang was born by you; whether she marries or not, she is still your daughter. It makes no sense that just because she marries someone, she becomes someone else's. Zhaozhao also got married, and she didn't become the Gu family's; she is still my and Heling's intimate daughter. Eldest sister, the Qing Dynasty has been gone for many years, and you should change your concepts."

Aunt Song said: "I'm uneducated and don't have as much knowledge as you. You can even educate me now. You talk in sets, exactly like your brother."

She was talking about Uncle Song.

"Brother is a college student, and I didn't study for many years, so I can't compare to him," Song Xiwei said lightly.

Aunt Song felt a pang in her heart, but said, "You're silly! You were clearly reading material yourself, yet you gave up the opportunity. The money at home was all earned by you; if you had gone to study... who would have dared to say no!"

Whenever she thought about her little sister dropping out of school to go home and relying on hunting to support her brother's education, she felt an indescribable sourness. Xiwei was the youngest, and it was also her fault as the eldest sister for being incompetent...

"Sister, things happened decades ago; why are you still bringing these up? Being reading material doesn't mean I love reading. Brother was more suitable than me; so what if I let him have it? If that person were you, I would also let you have it," Song Xiwei said. "You know, the things I don't want to let go of, no one can snatch away, so don't fight for justice for me."

She hadn't expected her eldest sister to still be brooding over her dropping out of school; it had been so many years ago.