Chapter 47

On this joyous occasion, Lin Yao couldn’t afford to be overly suspicious, but she couldn’t let her guard down either.

The large courtyard was filled with festivity, and although they couldn’t host a grand feast at home, it was acceptable for the neighbors and acquaintances to enjoy some tea, seeds, and candies as they came to congratulate them.

In the Gu family’s kitchen, things were bustling and busy. Zhang Cuilan had finished hosting guests in the front yard and was now busy boiling water and making tea with eldest and second aunts and a few other relatives.

The kitchen was so crowded that a group of little children gathered at the door, peering in and hoping for some treats.

Since there weren’t any treats available, and eldest aunt feared the hot water might burn the kids, she repeatedly called out. Lin Yao, who couldn’t rest, took a tray with more peanuts, seeds, and candy, and scattered them among the children, making them scatter like birds and beasts.

With the kitchen understaffed, the second aunt went outside to find a few more women to help.

Smiling broadly, Liu Laidi, who had previously been scolding people in her heart, now approached to help with boiling water.

“Oh, Sister Cuilan, why didn’t you call me if you needed help? We’re all from the same village. Since Chunmei is getting married and I’m idle at home, I might as well help carry some water, right?”

The Zheng family had always had a strained relationship with the neighbors in the courtyard, and Liu laidi’s intentions were questionable. In the early years after she married, things often went missing around the courtyard—two eggs from one house, a bunch of vegetables from another—not valuable items, but it was annoying as flies that buzzed around in summer.

Later, everyone became more cautious, locking windows and doors when leaving the house. Only the front yard of Grandma Sun’s house remained unlocked, as she had lived in the courtyard for half a lifetime, and neighbors trusted her. In the summer, it was more comfortable to leave the door open.

The problem was that Grandma Sun didn’t like locking her door. One summer, for Grandpa Sun’s fiftieth birthday, their relatives sent a piece of homemade gray checkered cloth to make him a new outfit.

At that time, Yunshui County was still a liberated zone, and the town was occupied by troops. Grandpa Sun’s family lived much less well than now, and they could only make one set of clothes every few years.

Grandma Sun treasured the cloth, keeping it in a carved wooden cabinet with a brick on top to keep it safe.

But when the old couple went out for a stroll and came back, the piece of cloth had suddenly disappeared without a trace.

Grandma Sun was devastated and cried bitterly when she realized the cloth was missing.

Grandpa Sun was both furious and worried. The incident caused a major uproar, attracting the attention of the county’s military forces.

In the liberated area, the local customs were straightforward, and theft of people’s property was deeply condemned. Such acts could negatively impact political stability and unity. If the thief was not caught, they could face severe punishment, ranging from public humiliation with a wooden plaque to forced labor.

The thief, aware of the consequences, returned the cloth that very night. However, that evening, there was a counterattack by remnants of the Nationalist forces on the county town, which diverted attention from the theft.

Later, Aunt Dafu accidentally revealed in a conversation with Zhang Cuilan that she had seen the thief, who was carrying the cloth to the Sun family’s door, while she was returning home from a visit to her family. The thief had entered the Zheng family’s house, and from their appearance, it was clear that it was Liu Laidi.

As the saying goes, “Family disgrace should not be aired,” and this applied to the courtyard as well. The presence of a dishonest person in the courtyard would tarnish its reputation.

Aunt Dafu’s two daughters were still in school, and to protect the reputation of the courtyard, Liu Laidi returned the cloth, likely realizing her mistake. The ability to admit and correct a mistake is a virtue.

Aunt Dafu and Zhang Cuilan, concerned about the courtyard’s reputation, kept the matter quiet for many years, though this did not mean they had forgotten it.

Liu Laidi, shamelessly continuing to offer help, was met with a cold reception from Zhang Cuilan, who firmly sent her away with a few words.

Other aunts also chimed in.

“Dacheng’s wife, we know you’re kind-hearted, but you have enough to do at home. You should head back.”

“Go outside and have a piece of candy to share in the joy.”

“Yes, yes.”

Liu Laidi’s face twitched, and her smile almost faltered. She was seething with anger and wanted to lash out at the women in front of her. However, she couldn’t leave yet, as she had plans to secretly sprinkle croton powders into the Gu family’s water buckets.

Liu Laidi stubbornly refused to leave. Lin Yao, irritated by her presence, grabbed a water bucket and went to fetch water, pushing Liu Laidi out of the way at the door.

Liu Laidi, already fuming, followed Lin Yao, still grumbling.

“Yao Yao, you’re going outside to fetch water? The sun is so strong, don’t let it damage your delicate skin. I’m tough, so let me help you.”

Just as Liu Laidi reached for the water bucket, Lin Yao deftly moved aside, carrying the bucket herself. Meanwhile, Hutou, munching on fruit candy, noticed Liu Laidi bothering his sister Yao Yao and thought that the “bad woman” was bullying her.

Hutou immediately rushed over, grabbing Liu Laidi and shaking her with his small, black hands.

“Why is this bad woman bullying Sister Yao Yao?”

Seeing this commotion, Gu Shidong, who was scattering candy in the courtyard, came over with his friends to question Liu Laidi.

Surrounded by the children, Liu Laidi couldn’t handle the situation and was forced to retreat, cursing under her breath as she fled in defeat.

Lin Yao waved to call Dongzi and Hutou over. The three of them whispered among themselves. Gu Shidong and Hutou grinned and quietly followed Liu Laidi.

By the time the two mischievous boys returned, Liu Laidi was locked inside, unable to call for help. Worse, she had failed to notice that the bag of croton powders had fallen outside her door.

Hutou, curious, picked up the bag and noticed the foul smell of the powder. He tossed it into the water bucket outside, just as Xu Xiangqian, riding his bicycle and leading the police officers with red flags, drums, and gongs to welcome the bride, passed by.

The courtyard was lively with people coming and going. Firecrackers were set off in two rows at the entrance, crackling loudly and leaving red scraps everywhere.

Lin Yao witnessed her first 1960s wedding. EldestUncle Zhang drove a donkey cart filled with dowry items such as bedding, thermos bottles, basins, enamelware, and buckets.

Gu Shi’an escorted his sister out, while Gu Mancang personally handed his daughter over to her new husband. The couple bowed at the door to bid farewell to their parents.

“Mom and Dad, you’ve worked hard.”

Both Zhang Cuilan and her husband were in tears. The surrounding aunts offered their congratulations, and as the auspicious time for the wedding arrived, a young police officer with a bright smile began singing revolutionary songs.

“The East is Red, the sun is rising, something strange happened in the East…”

A group of enthusiastic young people joined in the lively singing. Xu Xiangqian rode his bicycle with Gu Chunmei in front, while a group of children ran along behind.

Gu Shidong, who had been crying earlier, immediately stopped when he heard the excitement and eagerly followed along.

Zhang Cuilan laughed and scolded him, “You little rascal, you care more about red envelopes than your sister or mother.”

This made the aunts laugh heartily.

Gu Chunmei’s wedding brought lively festivities to the alley all day, and by evening, as darkness fell, the guests gradually dispersed.

That night, the Gu family had a reunion dinner at the Xu family’s home. The place was in disarray, with tables, chairs, and tea sets scattered everywhere.

Everyone helped clean up, and Uncle Zhangs, who had brought a basket of chestnuts from the countryside, finally headed back home with his family after a busy day, around nine o’clock.

The Gu family was very happy today. Dongzi had snatched several red envelopes, with his brother-in-law secretly slipping him five or six more, each containing ten cents. With over a dozen envelopes, he had more than a yuan!

Father Xu had invited Gu Mancang and his son for drinks, but it was already nearing ten o’clock, and they had not returned.

Zhang Cuilan grew anxious, pacing around the yard. “That old fool, drinking and not coming home. It’s so late already! Dongzi, go to your brother-in-law’s house and call your dad and big brother back. And you, don’t learn from your dad’s bad habits of drinking!”

Gu Shidong gave a quick shout and dashed off to Guihua Alley.

In just a few minutes, the drunken Gu Mancang, red-faced and swaying, was helped back by his two sons.

Gu Mancang had clearly drunk quite a bit, his speech was slurred, and he kept referring to Cuilan as “I’m fat,” which made Cuilan’s eyelids twitch. She promptly yanked her husband’s ear and dragged him inside for a stern talking-to.

Gu Shidong bounced onto his bed and, covered by his blanket, happily counted his red envelopes.

Gu Shi’an, with his clear eyes and long legs, walked steadily and calmly—nothing like Gu Mancang, who seemed about to fall over if no one was supporting him.

Lin Yao grunted, glanced at the man washing up in the courtyard, and shut the window with a clang.

In the east wing room, the wooden bed had two neatly arranged quilts. They looked like they had been folded by a little girl early in the morning. However, when Gu Shi’an entered the room, he noticed that his bed now had several footprints on it.

Hearing footsteps, Lin Yao closed her eyes and pretended to be asleep.

The candle in the east wing room was still burning when Gu Shidong, carrying a quilt, came over with a pitiful look, saying he couldn’t sleep because he missed his second sister, who had just gotten married, and wanted to sleep with his brother.

“No way. You can sleep on the floor in the room,” Lin Yao thought.

Hearing this, Lin Yao’s heart softened, and she stopped pretending to sleep. Just as she was about to get out of bed to let Gu Shidong sleep on the floor, Gu Shi’an, with his strong arms around her waist, said, “Sleep. I’ll handle it.”

The stern Deputy Director Gu promptly kicked his brother out of the room.

He then threw Lin Yao onto the bed and kissed her. Lin Yao nearly choked, her anger making her clench her fists to hit him.

“Kiss me again, and I’ll hit you.”

“Okay, hit me then.”

Gu Shi’an seemed a bit excited, his deep voice husky and unexpectedly enticing.

As a result, Lin Yao spent most of the night grappling with someone.

The next morning, the man was still by her ear saying that he enjoyed last night and asking if she wanted to fight again tonight.

Lin Yao: “……”

Was there something wrong with you?