Font Size:
Chapter 11
Before Gu Shi’an came back, a major incident occurred in Yunshui County.
In what was usually a peaceful and serene county, a robber had actually attacked a pregnant woman!
It was said that the pregnant woman worked as a ticket seller at the county cinema. In those days, working at a cinema was typically reserved for children of cadres or those from well-off families. This young woman, in her twenties, was stylish and lived comfortably. Her job involved selling movie tickets and handling money, with plenty of leisure time. She often snacked on sunflower seeds or applied lipstick while looking at herself in the mirror. Her hair was curled into fashionable waves, and she wore either floral dresses or leather sandals when going out, often carrying an umbrella. She appeared to be from a wealthy family and was not short of money!
Being well-off was fine, but it was the latest trend to wear a qipao or other fashionable attire, similar to the style seen in big cities with Western-style buildings and fashionable women. This behavior would later be criticized as bourgeois and criticized during class struggle.
In the early days of the People’s Republic, Yunshui County’s public security was not great. There were various forces, including fleeing Kuomintang soldiers, bandits, and enemy agents, all tangled together.
At that time, many soldiers from field armies returned to their hometowns to become police officers, working with local militia to fight bandits, capture enemy agents, and enforce law and order. After 1953, Yunshui County underwent significant changes. Although petty theft still occurred, thieves were quickly apprehended.
The people of Yunshui County lived in peace, and young women felt safe walking alone at night.
The pregnant woman never expected that, on a rainy day after finishing work late, she would choose a deserted alley close to home and be attacked by a man who emerged from behind. He covered her mouth, snatched her handbag, and dragged her into the corner of the alley.
The brave pregnant woman bit the man’s arm hard. Taking advantage of his momentary pain, she grabbed her umbrella and fiercely struck him before running desperately towards the main street.
Fortunately, there was a bus stop nearby with many people. The woman grew up in that area, so she was familiar with it. As she ran and cried for help, the bus driver and several passengers heard her and rushed over to help. The robber, realizing the situation was not in his favor, fled and disappeared into the rain.
This incident caused a huge stir in Yunshui County.
With a population of tens of thousands, most families had daughters or young girls, and public security had always been good. Parents felt secure letting their daughters run around outside.
Who would have thought that after just a few years of liberation, there would be such a dangerous criminal around?
Moreover, the criminal had escaped. What if he appeared again and hurt someone?
There was fear everywhere. Families with daughters kept them at home, and even street vendors were scarce.
The county head, an old official, was furious and could not tolerate such criminals harming the people. He was very angry and took drastic measures.
The entire county police force mobilized and, braving the heavy rain, searched the county for suspicious individuals. They were extremely busy and stressed.
*
When Zhang Cuilan heard about the incident, she was almost in shock.
She was terrified!
In this day and age, with the people in power, how could there still be robbers?
Their family had two daughters!
She decided to be extra cautious in the future.
When she got home, Zhang Cuilan solemnly announced to her family, “The streets are not safe lately. Yaoyao, Chunmei, you two girls should stay home more and not go out unless necessary. And you, little brat Dongzi, better stay home and do your homework. If I catch you sneaking out, I’ll break your legs!”
Lin Yao smiled and nodded. The weather had been unpredictable, with heavy rains coming and going quickly. The old courtyard had not been repaired in years, and the roof began to leak.
The Gu family’s house had recently had new tiles installed, so they didn’t have to worry about leaks.
Other families in the courtyard were not so lucky, especially Zheng Dacheng’s family. His wife had cut corners on repairs to save money.
Now, with the torrential rain, Zheng Dacheng’s home has become like a water curtain cave. Buckets and pans were set out to catch the rain, and the floor was soaked.
Zheng Dacheng, with dripping wet shoes, angrily berated his wife.
“Look at what you’ve done! You’ve made a mess of my reputation as the canteen chef…”
Zheng Dacheng’s wife was not easily intimidated. She made a scene in the courtyard, which eventually reached the steel mill leadership.
Lin Yao spent her days at home avoiding the rain and enjoying her leisure time. With the rain pattering down at night and scattering the begonia flowers on the ground, she wrapped herself in a quilt, feeling content as she slept in on the cool, rainy days.
Gu Shidong was stunned. “Mom, you’re going to lock me in the small black room?”
Gu Chunmei shot him a look. “How can you say that? We live in a big courtyard; where would we have a small black room?”
Gu Shidong sulked like an old man. “If you’re kept at home and not allowed to go out, isn’t that like being locked in a small black room?”
Zhang Cuilan ignored her youngest son’s complaints. She had made up her mind: if the little brat didn’t listen, he’d get a good whacking!
Gu Shidong sulked further, hanging his head and sitting quietly.
Lin Yao suddenly thought of a problem. “Auntie, what about Chunmei’s commute? It’s not safe outside.”
Gu Chunmei usually rode her bicycle to work, passing through a grove of elm trees. That area used to be a coal mining site. Originally a residential area, it was abandoned after the coal mines closed and the residents were relocated. Now, only empty, dilapidated houses remained.
The area was eerie and deserted at night, and local kids avoided it.
If it weren’t for work, Gu Chunmei wouldn’t go through the elm grove.
Zhang Cuilan was momentarily at a loss. Indeed, her daughter still had to go to work. However, she wasn’t worried. Her husband could escort her. After all, who else would take care of the children if not their own father?
Gu Mancang quickly agreed.
He was also concerned about his daughter’s safety.
Gu Shidong’s eyes lit up, and he offered to help his father escort his second sister.
His mother dismissed him with a scowl. “You’re still so small, what could you possibly do? Such a silly boy, I don’t know who you take after!”
Gu Shidong: “……..”
Gu Mancang, feeling somewhat insulted: “…….”
In the evening, a loud thunderclap broke out in the sky, and the rain, which had stopped for a while, started pouring again.
With the rain outside, fewer people went to the communal canteen to eat. Most carried umbrellas and fetched their meals to eat at home.
With everyone busy, Lin Yao took an umbrella and went to the canteen to fetch dinner.
Today, the canteen served Mei Cai meat pancakes. Mei Cai is dried mustard greens, a delicacy from Jiangsu and Zhejiang. The chef, Little Zheng, hailed from Zhejiang and was renowned for his cooking.
The pancake’s sauce was rich and glossy, and the pork belly absorbed the fragrance of the Mei Cai, creating a delicious and not greasy combination when stuffed inside the freshly baked pancake. It was soft, tender, and aromatic.
Lin Yao had a small appetite, so she was full after just one pancake. Gu Chunmei had two, Zhang Cuilan had one and a half, and Uncle Mancang was absent, so the rest all went into Gu Shidong’s belly.
In the afternoon, Xu Xiangqian visited the courtyard. It was still raining, and he was drenched, wearing a raincoat. He brought a large green watermelon and a bag of canned peaches, which Gu Chunmei liked.
Lin Yao watched and winked at Gu Chunmei.
“Wow, our Brother Da Tou is really thoughtful.”
Gu Chunmei, now more relaxed, opened a can of peaches and ate them with a spoon. “You’re so naughty. When my brother comes back, he’ll definitely be more considerate than Da Tou.”
Lin Yao, with her thick skin, didn’t blush at all. She responded to Chunmei with a grin, “That’s not necessarily true. No one is as considerate as Da Tou Brother.”
When her son-in-law came, Zhang Cuilan rarely smiled so brightly. She gently expressed her concern to Xu Xiangqian. “Xiangqian, you haven’t been sleeping well these past few days. Your eyes are red like a rabbit’s. Your health is important. It’s raining outside, why are you running around? Are you cold? Come in and warm up, chat with Auntie, and leave after the rain stops.”
Brother Da Tou also wanted to sit at home. He hadn’t seen Chunmei for several days and wanted to talk to her. But the ungrateful Chunmei was busy eating canned peaches and ignored him.
Moreover, the police station was truly busy, dealing with the robbery case and daily work. Recently, the old deputy chief retired, and a new deputy chief sent by higher-ups had just taken over.
Brother Da Tou felt disappointed.
Zhang Cuilan then asked Gu Chunmei to see her son-in-law off.
Gu Chunmei agreed, and the couple, sweetly in love, went for a stroll in the alley.
Gu Shidong, feeling frustrated, dragged two small stools from the kitchen and placed one each for him and Lin Yao. He picked up a blade of foxtail grass and sat beside her, grumbling, “Sister-in-law, I don’t know why, but it seems to me that my sister and my brother-in-law who is a police officer are not a good match. Police officers are so clever. My brother-in-law is smart too, but not as smart as me. My sister is so naive. What if she suffers in the future? What? My brother-in-law is good to my sister now, but that doesn’t mean he’ll always be. Men are always fickle…”
Gu Shidong kept on with his complaints. Lin Yao, having just eaten and not wanting to move, lazily responded with “Hmm” a few times.
The annoying little brat continued his tirade until he suddenly fell silent.
“Sister-in-law, am I dreaming? I think I saw my elder brother!”
The poor kid must have been thinking about his brother too much.
The rain outside pattered on the flowers and trees, making one reluctant to move. Lin Yao, closing her eyes in rest, responded dismissively, “Are you tired? If you’re tired, just go to sleep.”
“No, sister-in-law, it’s really my brother who’s back!”
Gu Shidong, like he’d seen a ghost, grabbed Lin Yao’s hand and shook it.
Lin Yao, irritated by the little brat’s antics, opened her eyes, ready to scold him.
Gu Shidong pointed to the yard, unable to speak. Lin Yao looked up and saw, through the misty rain, a young man in a green military uniform standing. He was tall and straight, with a handsome face, sharp brows, and deep black eyes. His gaze carried a cold, aloof air, like the edge of a blade, exuding an aura that made one feel he was unapproachable.
Her heart skipped a beat. Oh no, her husband really had come back.
**
Hey guys, don’t forget to check out Ayalee’s other translation projects ʚ(*´꒳`*)ɞ
Ongoing
Completed
Ayalee[Translator]
Hi there! Aya here 🌸 If you're enjoying my translations, feel free to treat me to a Ko-fi—it would absolutely make my day! Thank you for your support! ｡˚🐈⬛.𖥔 ݁ ˖