Chapter 62: After Work

Hu Meili’s outburst triggered a wave of sympathy among the aunts, who started crying themselves.

These days, almost every family had children working in the countryside. Which parent wouldn’t feel heartbroken when thinking about them?

Hu Tuohua, afraid of upsetting the elders, could only approach Lin Xiangnan and ask, “What happened to your brother in the countryside?”

“I don’t know. He didn’t mention it in his letter. He just said he was busy and couldn’t take leave, so he wouldn’t be back.” Lin Xiangnan said with a headache, “If he had explained the situation clearly, Mom wouldn’t be so upset.”

“Maybe he’s afraid to tell her. He knows Aunt would be angry.” Hu Tuohua guessed, “He must be dating someone in the countryside.”

Lin Xiangnan didn’t have a deep connection with her brother, whom she had never met, and said indifferently, “Every time Mom writes to him, she tells him to control himself. If he really can’t come back, then there’s nothing he can do. Even if he can’t return to the city now, he should still have a chance in a few years.”

It’s just a matter of enduring a few more years of hardship, waiting for the college entrance exam.

“What if your brother doesn’t return to the city this year? What about your job?” Hu Tuohua asked, “Aren’t you going to join the army?”

“We’ll see then. A decent job is easy to handle.”

Lin Xiangnan didn’t lack money or resources.

She wanted to find a job before because she wanted to stay in the city and have a source of income to justify her high-quality lifestyle.

Now that she had Gu Zhenhua, a high-paying boyfriend, a job wasn’t essential for her.

To her relatives and friends, Lin Xiangnan could say that Gu Zhenhua gave her his salary, which is why she spent lavishly.

To Gu Zhenhua and his friends, Lin Xiangnan could say that her family was supportive and had been subsidizing her.

If she couldn’t keep it a secret from Gu Zhenhua, she could also use the excuse of finding money by chance to continue to deceive him.

After all, Lin Xiangnan’s ancestors were either poor peasants or workers, and she had passed the marriage political review.

As long as she maintained a good appearance, no one would delve deeper.

Hu Tuohua didn’t have a deep connection with Lin Xiangdong either. Seeing that Lin Xiangnan wasn’t concerned, she didn’t ask further and instead said, “When Gu Zhenhua comes back, you should ask him about Ma Pingchuan’s character. They were comrades-in-arms.”

“That policeman is pretty good. He’s dedicated and listens to reason. But we haven’t known him for long, so we should ask Gu Zhenhua.”

Lin Xiangnan had a good impression of Ma Pingchuan because he had solved the case of the murder in the alley.

Seeing Hu Tuohua asking about him, Lin Xiangnan curiously asked, “What’s going on? Is he interested in you?”

“He doesn’t seem to be interested yet.” Hu Tuohua touched her nose, a little embarrassed, “But I’m kind of interested in him.”

“It’s only been a few days. I remember you were still obsessed with the guy with the family heirloom gold ring a few days ago. How come you’re so quickly jumping to Ma Pingchuan?”

“Don’t mention it, it’s so annoying.” Hu Meili snorted, “The guy I secretly dated for two years, you should have seen him.”

“I have a vague impression.”

She didn’t have a strong impression of him before, but the awkward scene at the restaurant that day made her remember his face.

“He broke up with me two years ago and married another woman. His father-in-law even helped him get a formal job. This year his father-in-law died, and he started fighting with his wife for a divorce.”

Hu Tuohua said with a helpless expression, “He told me not to find another man. He said he would get a divorce soon. Once he’s divorced, he can marry me. I immediately scolded him.”

“Good for you!” Lin Xiangnan said in agreement, “You shouldn’t give a scumbag like that any face.”

“But I scolded him, and he still keeps pestering me. Then Ma Pingchuan saw him and beat him up, and he sent me to the street corner.”

Lin Xiangnan couldn’t help but ‘tsk’ her tongue. No wonder the trope of a hero saving the damsel in distress never gets old. It seems that young girls are all susceptible to this, and even Hu Tuohua couldn’t escape.

Hu Tuohua said, “I’ve heard about him. Ma Pingchuan hasn’t been married. But I don’t know why he hasn’t dated anyone yet. You should ask Gu Zhenhua for me.”

She was also familiar with Gu Zhenhua, but she was a little embarrassed to ask him directly.

“Okay, I’ll keep that in mind. I’ll ask Gu Zhenhua when he comes back.”

Gu Zhenhua had written to Lin Xiangnan before, saying that he would be back, so he would be back earlier than Lin Xiangdong.

This time he came back, he didn’t go to the Gu family, he went straight to the Hu family.

As soon as he appeared, the low pressure in the house eased, and Hu Meili even had a smile on her face. She enthusiastically welcomed her future son-in-law.

“You’ve been on the road for so long, you must be tired. Take your things to the guest room and rest. Xiaonan’s work gets off late.”

There were four rooms in the house. Since Lin Xiangdong wasn’t home, his room was used as a living room, dining room, and guest room.

Gu Zhenhua put down his luggage and said, “It’s okay, I’ll go pick up Xiaonan from work.”

“Okay, okay, go, go.” Seeing her future son-in-law being so considerate, Hu Meili was even more satisfied.

In September, school started, and Lin Xiangxi went to school. Without her little sidekick, Lin Xiangnan couldn’t slack off anymore. After the meeting, she went out listlessly, ready to ride her bike home.

But as soon as she went out, she saw Gu Zhenhua standing outside with his shoulders straight. As soon as he saw her, the expressionless face of Gu Zhenhua showed a smile.

“I’m here to pick you up from work.”

Gu Zhenhua’s expression was restrained, but Lin Xiangnan laughed unrestrainedly, excitedly running towards him, “When did you come back? I just came out, and saw you at first glance. You look so handsome standing there…”

She admitted that she was a big flirt. She liked Gu Zhenhua because he was good-looking.

But you can’t judge a person by their face, can you really see through someone’s soul? She wasn’t the heartless Black and White Impermanence of the underworld.

“I just came back. Don’t get too close. If you have any secrets, we can talk about them when there’s no one around.” Gu Zhenhua straightened Lin Xiangnan’s body and reminded her, “Your colleagues are watching inside.”

Lin Xiangnan turned her head and saw Zhang Dapang and Ye Feiyan, these melon-eating crowds, with their eyes wide open, afraid of missing any details.

“Don’t care about them.” Lin Xiangnan said with a smile, “You ride your bike and take me home.”

“Okay.”

Gu Zhenhua rode on the front seat of the bicycle, turning his head to Lin Xiangnan and saying, “I ride fast, remember to hold onto my waist, otherwise I’m afraid I’ll drop you.”

“Aren’t you afraid of people seeing us this time?” Lin Xiangnan muttered arrogantly.

“You can do it secretly.”

Lin Xiangnan covered her mouth and laughed secretly. It seemed even more exciting this way.

It was a proper love affair, but it almost felt like an affair.