Chapter 146: Let Gu Zhenhua Talk to You

Lin Xiangnan was originally feeling quite depressed, but seeing Aunt Hua walk right into the trap, her gloominess vanished.

“Aunt Hua, smile! Why aren’t you smiling? Are you just born without a smile?” Lin Xiangnan grinned, gloating.

Since Aunt Hua was already in the pit, it didn’t matter anymore. Now that she had Aunt Hua as a fellow sufferer, she actually felt happier. When posing for the photo, her smile became more genuine.

Aunt Hua glanced at Lin Xiangnan, snorted arrogantly, and then flashed a smile even brighter than Lin Xiangnan’s.

This smile was warm and proud, filled with fighting spirit and a sense of upward momentum.

The comrades from the Propaganda Department were pleasantly surprised and praised, “Good, keep smiling like that. The photos will definitely turn out great. Comrade Lin, raise your corners of your mouth a little more, look at how Aunt Hua is smiling.”

Aunt Hua was very familiar with this routine. After the photos were taken, she warmly shook hands with the comrades from the Trade Union and Chief Engineer Zhang.

“Your factory has cultivated a good comrade. Lin Xiangnan showed courage yesterday, taking the lead…”

In just a few sentences, Aunt Hua took control of the situation, actively accepting interviews and praising Lin Xiangnan as a heroic girl.

Even Chief Engineer Zhang was a little excited. “When I get back, I’ll suggest to Director Jin that the Security Department organize a training session for the factory workers next week. If they improve their physical skills, we can immediately deploy them when the masses need them.”

“Chief Engineer Zhang’s awareness is so high. With a leader like you, it’s no wonder you can cultivate such a responsible subordinate like Lin Xiangnan.” Aunt Hua flattered him in return.

Lin Xiangnan just stared wide-eyed, watching Aunt Hua weave her tale.

After the factory people left, Lin Xiangnan circled around Aunt Hua with a strange expression. “I didn’t realize you had two faces. You’re a real veteran, your words are so smooth.”

“Practice makes perfect. You’ll learn too after you’ve been in the factory for a few decades.” Aunt Hua shook her head, disapproving. “The atmosphere these days, everyone is just putting on a show.”

When she first joined the revolution in her teens, everyone was full of passion and there were more people who did real work. Later on, especially in recent years, the atmosphere has become strange.

But that’s just the way things are, she couldn’t even dare to stand out, she had to blend in, otherwise she would be the one who would suffer.

Aunt Hua did have some merits, but even founding heroes had fallen from grace. She could only follow the tide and live her life.

“Alright, I’ve seen enough excitement, I’m going back. If I had known it would be like this, I wouldn’t have come.”

Aunt Hua turned to leave, but Lin Xiangnan grabbed her sleeve. “Where are you going? We’re making pumpkin cakes at home today, you help me stoke the fire, and take a plate back with you when you leave.”

“No need.” Aunt Hua glanced at Hu Meili’s face and said insincerely, “My teeth have been hurting these past two days, I can’t eat sweets.”

Hu Meili was already fuming, but she couldn’t lose her temper in front of outsiders.

After a while, Lin Xiangnan would coax her, and this matter would be settled.

So Lin Xiangnan held onto Aunt Hua’s sleeve, not letting her go. “You can’t leave. You threw all the blame on me, and now you’re running away, it’s not that easy.”

“What blame? It’s an honor!” Aunt Hua said confidently. “I’m retired, I don’t need these honors, but you can use them, it’s good that the credit is all yours, right?”

The two of them were whispering to each other, Hu Meili stood by the ditch like a villain, holding the child, staring at them with a gloomy expression.

“Don’t drag me into this. Go deal with your mother. I have to deal with my son later.” Aunt Hua pulled Lin Xiangnan’s hand away and dashed off.

Once everyone else was gone, Hu Meili couldn’t hold it in anymore.

She first handed the child to Gu Zhenjun, then went to get the feather duster.

Parents in this era didn’t just threaten their children with a beating, they really hit them. Lin Xiangnan had truly been beaten with Hu Meili’s feather duster before.

“Mom! What are you doing? Let’s talk things through, don’t hit me!”

Lin Xiangnan and Hu Meili circled around, not letting her get close.

“Mom, put it down. I’m a mother myself. Give me some face!”

Hearing Lin Xiangnan’s words, Gu Zhenjun pursed his lips, almost unable to hold back his laughter. Then he very wisely turned his back and went to coax the child, pretending not to see.

Hu Meili was really angry, and she started playing a game of cat and mouse with Lin Xiangnan in the yard.

She waved the feather duster while scolding, “You know you’re a mother now. Why are you still so reckless? What will happen to the child if something happens to you?”

“You used to wander around all the time, it wasn’t too bad. Now you’re fighting with people, even gang fights.”

“You won this time, but what if you lose next time? What if someone stabs you and buries you outside, and your family doesn’t even know why?”

Seeing Hu Meili getting more and more outrageous, Lin Xiangnan couldn’t help but retort, “Mom, you’re exaggerating.”

They went to the city, not a deserted wilderness. The security situation wasn’t that bad yet.

“What happened yesterday was an accident. I won’t get involved in anything like that again.” Lin Xiangnan promised solemnly.

“Besides, it wasn’t like I was looking for trouble, those people stole my car…”

“I really know I was wrong.”

Lin Xiangnan’s attitude of admitting her mistake was good, and although Hu Meili was still angry, her tone of scolding was less harsh.

“You’re such a grown-up, but you’re still so irresponsible.”

Hearing Hu Meili’s tone, Gu Zhenjun felt that the time was right, so he reached out and took the toy from Dabao’s hand.

Dabao was playing happily with the bell, and suddenly it was snatched away. He looked at Gu Zhenjun in shock, pouted in grievance, and when Gu Zhenjun didn’t give it back, he burst into tears.

As soon as Dabao started crying, Xiaobao, who had been playing happily, also started crying.

When the two children were crying together, Gu Zhenjun turned to ask for help, “Sister-in-law, Aunt Hu, the children are crying, I can’t calm them down.”

Seeing the children’s sake, Hu Meili didn’t bother with Lin Xiangnan anymore. She pointed the feather duster at Lin Xiangnan in a menacing way, then quickly went to coax the children.

Lin Xiangnan, who had escaped a beating, wiped the sweat from her forehead and quickly went to hug the children. “You’re Momma’s good babies~~”

They cried at just the right time.

Lin Xiangnan secretly gave Gu Zhenjun a look of appreciation.

Gu Zhenjun didn’t say anything, but returned the toy he had taken to Dabao, and Dabao immediately stopped crying.

With the children calmed down, Hu Meili also breathed a sigh of relief and continued to nag at Lin Xiangnan. “You won’t listen to me anyway. When Gu Zhenhua comes back, let him reason with you.”

Seeing Hu Meili pinning her hopes on Gu Zhenhua, Gu Zhenjun couldn’t help but secretly roll his eyes.