Chapter 64: Lin Xiangdong Returns Home

After breakfast, Gu Zhenhua washed the dirty clothes from the previous day by the sink, and Lin Xiangnan brought a small stool and sat beside him, chatting.

The living conditions at Gu Zhenhua’s base were better, and there were no elders to supervise him. Lin Xiangnan had planned to join the army long ago.

Of course, if she and Gu Zhenhua didn’t get along, she would definitely run away and live by herself.

But judging from last night, their life together should be harmonious.

However, Lin Xiangdong hadn’t returned yet, so Lin Xiangnan could only say, “I can’t leave my job yet. I can only join you later.”

“No rush. I can’t return to the base for another two months, and I don’t feel comfortable leaving you alone at home.”

Although there were only minor skirmishes on the border, no full-scale war, the necessary deterrence was still needed, and several units had been deployed there.

Gu Zhenhua’s marriage application had just been approved, and he applied for a separate small courtyard as Lin Xiangnan requested. The leader who lived in that courtyard had just moved into a newly built apartment building, so the courtyard didn’t need much cleaning and could be moved into directly.

However, the house was ready, but he still couldn’t go back.

Lin Xiangnan, upon hearing this, was no longer in a hurry. It would be lonely to go there and live in an empty house. It was better to stay at home and enjoy life, at least she could eat and drink with Zhang Dapang.

The day after they received Lin Xiangdong’s letter, they sent him a telegram, saying “Mother is seriously ill, come back quickly.”

But it had been several days, and there was still no news from Lin Xiangdong. Gu Zhenhua had already returned, but he hadn’t.

This situation made Hu Meili lose confidence. She roared like a dragon and a tiger, “He really has grown wings. I’m almost dead, and he still doesn’t hurry back to see me.”

Lin Xiangxi, without a sense of occasion, added fuel to the fire, “Big brother isn’t stupid. He must have guessed that the telegram was a lie.”

“Shut your crow’s mouth.”

In the past, when Hu Meili was angry, she would vent her anger on the pots and pans at home.

But these days, her new son-in-law, Gu Zhenhua, was still at home. Hu Meili wanted to save face and was embarrassed to make a fuss in front of him. She could only hold her anger in her heart. In two days, a large blister appeared on her lips.

Lin Xiangnan felt sorry for her and brought home some chrysanthemum tea, which could reduce heat.

“This chrysanthemum tea is useless.” Hu Meili complained while drinking.

“A heart problem needs a heart remedy. Tea can’t do anything.”

Finally, on Saturday evening, Lin Xiangdong arrived home, dusty and weary.

He was tall and thin, with a tanned complexion and rough skin. His hands were calloused. Fortunately, his features were good, and even though he was weather-beaten, he still looked handsome.

It’s just that his complexion looked a little tired, like a pine tree weighed down by snow, making people feel inexplicably depressed.

As soon as Hu Meili saw him, tears welled up in her eyes.

“How did you lose so much weight? Did you not eat properly? You’re going to make me die of heartache.”

Hu Meili walked to his side, touched his face, then his shoulders, as if she wanted to check his entire body.

“You bastard, didn’t I send you food coupons? Why didn’t you eat more? You’re just skin and bones.”

“I’ve lost a bit of weight, but I’m healthy.” Lin Xiangdong changed the subject, “I’ve never been to this street before. It took me a while to find our house. This new house we built looks really nice.”

“I’ve already made your bed, just waiting for you to come back.” Hu Meili took his hand and walked forward.

Gu Zhenhua, with good judgment, went to help him carry his luggage.

Lin Xiangdong didn’t stand on ceremony and let Gu Zhenhua help him carry his bag, “It’s been so many years. I didn’t expect you to become my brother-in-law.”

“I didn’t expect it either.” Gu Zhenhua awkwardly scratched his nose. They were not much different in age, and Lin Xiangdong had been beaten and cried by Gu Zhenhua before.

If he had known this would happen, he should have been gentler when he beat Lin Xiangdong.

Seeing Gu Zhenhua like this now, Lin Xiangdong felt a bit emotional.

Gu Zhenhua used to wear ragged clothes and couldn’t even eat enough. Now he was doing well in the army. He used to be handsome and good at studying, and all his relatives and friends praised him, but he wasted six years in the countryside, not knowing what the future held.

Going down to the countryside as an educated youth was a turning point in fate, changing the lives of countless people.

Lin Xiangdong sighed, no longer thinking about these things. He listened to Hu Meili’s nagging with a smile and silently ignored the matter of her pretending to be sick.

Hu Meili had pretended to be sick to get him back, but would he dare to complain? If he did, he would be the one scolded.

But just because he didn’t complain didn’t mean Hu Meili wouldn’t. She had already sentenced Lin Xiangdong to several crimes in her heart.

But tomorrow was Lin Xiangnan and Gu Zhenhua’s wedding banquet, and Hu Meili didn’t want to make a scene at home today. She planned to settle the score tomorrow after the banquet.

Both sides were willing to let bygones be bygones. When Lin Xiangnan came home from work, she saw a scene of motherly love and filial piety.

Lin Xiangnan secretly winked at Gu Zhenhua and whispered, “Did you leave something out when you told me about it on the way back? Something feels off.”

“The atmosphere is a bit subtle.” Gu Zhenhua guessed, “Maybe they had a heart-to-heart talk when I picked you up from work?”

They hadn’t seen each other for six years, even though Lin Xiangdong kept in touch with his family, he was a bit estranged from his two younger siblings.

Seeing that Lin Xiangnan was wearing new clothes and a watch on her wrist, Lin Xiangdong said a little embarrassedly, “This pen is old, but I’ve had it for many years. I came back in a hurry and didn’t bring any gifts. Don’t dislike it.”

Lin Xiangnan didn’t stand on ceremony and took the pen, “Thank you, brother. This pen is perfect for me. I’ve been practicing calligraphy recently.”

Lin Xiangnan and Gu Zhenhua were newlyweds and were still in the honeymoon phase. After talking to Lin Xiangdong for a while, they went back to their room, leaving the space to Hu Meili.

After Gu Zhenhua left, Hu Meili continued to tell Lin Xiangdong about what had happened at home this year.

Letters were inspected now, especially those from educated youth. So there were some things Hu Meili didn’t dare to say in her letters, such as the source of the money to build this house.

“The money for building the house and buying the new job was all given by Xiaonan to the family. It was agreed that Xiaonan would give the family one thousand yuan, and the house would be hers. In a way, Xiaonan is at a loss.”

Although it was said that men and women were equal now, many elders’ thinking hadn’t changed yet. Some people who married off their daughters, let alone dowry, would even keep all the bride price, almost like selling their daughters.

Under normal circumstances, Hu Meili would never be able to get a house when she married off her daughter, because the family didn’t have the means.

Hu Meili hadn’t told Lin Xiangxi, a little kid, about the family’s finances.

But Lin Xiangdong was different. He was the eldest son. If he returned to the city, Hu Meili would have to depend on him for her old age. So she had to explain this clearly to avoid any resentment between siblings.

“Yeah, what’s my sister’s is my sister’s. I have no objection.” Lin Xiangdong said in a Buddhist way, “Actually, the job is… well, the restaurant job seems pretty good. My sister has gained a lot of weight.”

Not daring to provoke Hu Meili’s anger, Lin Xiangdong stopped halfway through his sentence and quickly swallowed the rest, awkwardly praising the job.