The first day of the Lunar New Year passed quite pleasantly. The Lin family spent it at ho eating and drinking, watching TV, or going for a stroll downstairs when they got restless.
The second day of the new year was traditionally for visiting one’s maternal grandmother, but since Chen Fengjiao’s side of the family didn’t live nearby, the Lin family didn’t go out. They spent another day at ho.
Things started to get lively after the third day. The Lin family may not have had many relatives, but given Lin Shan’s position, there was no shortage of visitors.
None of the visitors ca empty-handed; they all arrived with smiles, carrying gifts. At first, Gu’er would co out and sit with them for a while, but she eventually stopped. She couldn’t stand the way they sized her up.
When the sixth day arrived, Gu’er heard another knock at the door. She shut her bedroom door tightly. ’Whoever it is, whatever they want, it has nothing to do with . I’ll just pretend I don’t exist.’
Gu’er picked up a book. There were still many characters she didn’t recognize, but that was okay—she had a dictionary. She’d been using it to learn a lot of new characters lately, so reading wasn’t as strenuous as before. She had fallen in love with books, from which she could learn so much about the world and how it worked.
Gu’er imrsed herself in the world of the book.
"Sis, Sis."
Soone was knocking on Gu’er’s door.
Gu’er recognized the voice. It was Lin Zheng. She went over and opened the door.
"What’s wrong? Are you bored? Co on in. I can teach you so nursery rhys."
Gu’er knew Lin Zheng must be bored dealing with all these people, too.
"No, Sis,"
Lin Zheng shook his head, then stepped inside and closed the door. He whispered to Gu’er, "Sis, Aunt Wu from upstairs just brought two people to see Mom and Dad. Everything was fine at first, but after they talked for a while, Mom and Dad got angry for so reason. The woman was shouting at Mom, demanding you co out to see her. She said you’re her daughter-in-law! Sis, whatever you do, don’t go out there! I have a bad feeling about that woman. She seems really aggressive."
Lin Zheng described the situation outside. His face was etched with worry; he couldn’t imagine how his sister knew soone like that.
Gu’er frowned. ’Her daughter-in-law?’
Suddenly, Gu’er understood.
"Zheng, those two people... is the man quiet, and the woman the one who never stops talking?"
Gu’er asked Lin Zheng.
"Yeah! The man just sits there smoking, and he even ashes on the floor. It’s so gross."
Lin Zheng explained with gestures, his little face scrunched up in distaste.
’So it really is Sun Jiaming’s parents.’
Gu’er had expected them to show up much sooner, but they never did. She had asked Sun Jiaming about it, and he’d said he hadn’t told his parents about her. They didn’t know she was in the city, so they hadn’t co looking for her.
Their showing up now ant one of two things: either they had returned to the village themselves, or soone from the village had told them what happened. That’s why they had co to her door.
The thought of Cao Qiu made Gu’er’s head ache. She really didn’t want to go out there and face her. But if she didn’t, her mother—who already disliked Sun Jiaming—would be even more opposed to him after dealing with a woman like Cao Qiu.
"Xiao Zheng, you sit here and play. I’m going to go take a look."
Gu’er got up, but she didn’t want Lin Zheng to leave the room.
"Sis, aren’t you scared?"
Lin Zheng tugged on the corner of Gu’er’s shirt.
"I’m not scared. Be good, you stay here and play."
Gu’er patted his head.
The mont Gu’er opened the door, she heard Cao Qiu’s voice.
"Gu’er really is my daughter-in-law, how could I be lying? When the Zhou family threw her out, she stayed at our house! The matter between her and Jia Ming was settled right in front of the village elders. Jia Ming even threw a fit and fought with over it, and my own mother-in-law gave them our family heirloom! Everyone in the village knows about this, I’m not trying to fool you! You’re Gu’er’s biological mother, you can’t just refuse to acknowledge this! Gu’er can’t just toss our Jia Ming aside now that she’s living the good life, can she?"
Cao Qiu’s speech left Gu’er speechless. ’That’s not what she said back then, was it? And when did we ever settle things in front of all the villagers and elders?’
"Alright, that’s enough. My Gu’er is still an unmarried young woman. When it cos to her marriage, we, her parents, will make the decisions for her. Nothing is set in stone yet, so stop calling her your daughter-in-law. Even if sothing was arranged, they aren’t married. If you keep talking like this, how is my Gu’er supposed to face the world?"
Chen Fengjiao didn’t bother to hide the displeasure on her face. She truly detested this woman, who reminded her of those awful days back in the village.
"You can’t say that. My Jia Ming, he..."
Unconvinced, Cao Qiu started to retort to Chen Fengjiao.
"Auntie, Uncle, you’re here."
Gu’er spoke up, interrupting Cao Qiu.
Cao Qiu’s mouth was still open to speak, but upon seeing Gu’er, she imdiately cried out.
"Oh, Gu’er, my dear girl! You’re finally out! Auntie missed you to death! Tell , why didn’t you co visit your Auntie after coming to the city? Have you forgotten how good I was to you? You heartless girl, now that you have your real mom, you don’t want your mother-in-law anymore, huh?"
Cao Qiu bead, rushed forward in a few steps, and grabbed Gu’er’s hand with imnse enthusiasm.
Hearing her words, Gu’er shivered. Were she and Cao Qiu really that close? The last ti they t, Cao Qiu had looked like she wanted to eat her alive and told her to get lost. Now, seeing this smiling face made her cringe inside.
Gu’er tried to pull her hand back, but Cao Qiu held it tightly and wouldn’t let go. She pulled Gu’er down to sit on the sofa. The look in her eyes was one of utter satisfaction, and the words from her mouth were sickeningly sweet, as if she were Gu’er’s real mother.
Gu’er felt embarrassed for Cao Qiu. ’How can she say such things? How can she act this way? Can a simple change in my status really transform a person so completely?’
Chen Fengjiao’s expression was thunderous. Seeing Cao Qiu clinging to Gu’er’s hand, she had to fight the urge to go over and pry them apart.
Lin Shan also frowned slightly. Although he had made inquiries and knew that Sun Jiaming’s parents weren’t good people, seeing them today left him with a very poor impression. It was a real sha for a young man like Sun Jiaming.
"Gu’er, co sit over here. Why are you sitting with her? It’s not like you’re that close."
Chen Fengjiao called out to Gu’er. She really couldn’t stand to watch anymore.
"Yes."
Gu’er answered and tried to get up. Sitting next to Cao Qiu made her skin crawl, but Cao Qiu just held on, refusing to let her go.
"Oh, co on now, sister. Gu’er is your daughter, but she’s also my daughter-in-law. What’s the difference whose side she sits on? She lives here, so you see her every day. I just got here, can’t you let us two have a mont to be close?"
No matter what Chen Fengjiao said, Cao Qiu simply would not let Gu’er go.
Gu’er was in awe of Cao Qiu’s shalessness.
"Oh, Gu’er, your Auntie really misses you. Why didn’t you co visit ? I talk about you all day long at ho. Honestly, you silly child."
"Oh, Gu’er, you should co to our house tomorrow. I’ll make you sauerkraut turnovers. My sauerkraut turnovers are absolutely delicious. The sll alone is heavenly."
"Oh, Gu’er..."
"Oh, Gu’er..."
Cao Qiu held Gu’er’s hand, her mouth never stopping as a constant stream of words poured out.
——————————
Thank you to 125401451 for the monthly ticket, and to Ning Zhihai for the thumbs-up! Thanks to everyone for your support. My daughter had a performance this afternoon, and I didn’t get back until almost 6. I made dinner for her and her dad, and then started writing before I even got a chance to eat. I’m going to go grab a bite now. Have a great day, everyone!
User Comments
0 comments from readers