Chapter 189: Helping a Friend

This looked like he hadn’t learned his lesson properly. Who would give gifts like this on a holiday?

But Lin Xiangnan didn’t mind. After regaining his senses, he happily put on the hair clip and looked forward to the August 1st Army Day.

“It seems the recent rectification movement in your army has been effective. You’ve made great progress.”

Gu Zhenhua coughed awkwardly, “We are all comrades-in-arms, helping each other is only right.”

During this period, except for Captain Wang, whose life wasn’t going well, all other families were living harmoniously.

When a family encounters problems, most of the time, it’s the man’s fault. But they themselves don’t realize it.

However, after exchanging experiences, men with a little conscience began to reflect. Once they changed, the family atmosphere immediately became warm.

Even if they would revert to their old ways soon, it was still good to be able to briefly realize their mistakes.

But Captain Wang was miserable. He was the target of criticism during this period, and he had written countless self-criticisms.

It made him feel depressed.

Gu Zhenhua had heard his self-criticisms and reflections, but he knew that they were all excuses.

The key issue, Captain Wang still didn’t understand.

They were all comrades-in-arms who had fought side by side. Even though they didn’t like Captain Wang’s actions, Gu Zhenhua and Political Commissar Xu still tried to help him by offering advice and hoping he would improve.

“I’m changing, I’m changing, I’m really changing,” Captain Wang assured. “From now on, I’ll run whenever I see a woman, and I promise there won’t be any more rumors about my conduct.”

Gu Zhenhua couldn’t help but shake his head, “You still haven’t understood. Forget it, your newly married wife, Liu Feng, hasn’t made much progress over the years, so it doesn’t matter.”

“I know your little Lin is amazing,” Captain Wang muttered. “Why do you need to show off in front of me?”

Lin Xiangnan’s position in their department was undeniable. Even Captain Wang couldn’t say anything, he could only grumble about how leisurely Lin Xiangnan’s life was.

Gu Zhenhua fully supported Lin Xiangnan’s attitude towards life.

With such a sharp mind, if he still worked so hard, he wouldn’t have a chance to live. This way of playing and working hard was great.

When Lin Xiangnan stayed at home and didn’t go to the city to shop, Gu Zhenhua would ask with concern, “Why didn’t you go to the city this week?”

“Aunt Hua helped an old friend last month, so she’s planning to keep a low profile this month, so I’m staying at home.”

Lin Xiangnan didn’t feel like going shopping alone without anyone to accompany him.

“Is it because you’ve spent all your salary?” Gu Zhenhua said with pressure. “I should have a chance to be promoted to deputy regiment commander this time, and my salary will increase again then.”

“Don’t worry. Aunt Hua’s salary isn’t enough, but our family’s salary is enough. If it really doesn’t work, I can work two more hours a day.”

Aunt Hua kept a low profile, not because she was short of money. It was because the friend she was helping had a sensitive identity.

Aunt Hua herself was very cautious about these matters. When she met her old friend, not only her son didn’t know, but she didn’t even bring Lin Xiangnan along, fearing that it would implicate her own people. She was very careful.

For over ten years, she had been so cautious, never making a mistake.

Lin Xiangnan knew that those people would become big shots in the future, but she didn’t think about clinging to them. Aunt Hua wanted to protect her, so she obediently didn’t follow along with the risks.

No matter what the future held, these people were indeed troublesome now. Getting involved easily brought trouble.

But she had been hanging out with Aunt Hua for a long time, and unconsciously, people treated her as one of their own.

Even when she went to the city to buy things alone, she was dragged in to help.

“Sister Xiao Lin, can you lend me some money? My grandpa is coughing up blood, and I want to take him to the hospital to buy medicine.”

Lin Xiangnan pointed at her nose, “Me? We’ve only met a few times, and we haven’t even spoken a word. You’re asking me for money?”

She was shocked. A child who was practically a stranger came up and called her by name, asking her for money.

If it wasn’t for the wrong era, she would have suspected it was a scam.

“Sorry, sister, I’m in a panic. Can you help me tell Grandma Hua that my grandpa is sick? I’m Guo Jiren, Grandma Hua knows me.”

The child revealed his name, and Lin Xiangnan felt a little more trust in him.

She remembered this family, she even knew where they lived.

She and Aunt Hua would occasionally encounter them while riding their bicycles around. Aunt Hua would nod and greet them.

On the surface, it seemed like they knew each other, but they weren’t very familiar.

But this Guo Jiren dared to ask Aunt Hua for money, and he said it so naturally, Lin Xiangnan knew that their relationship behind the scenes must be good.

Seeing the child’s anxious and hurried look, Lin Xiangnan was also worried that his grandpa would develop a serious illness.

What if they were a day late, and the child’s grandpa died? Lin Xiangnan wouldn’t just feel guilty, she wouldn’t be able to face Aunt Hua either.

She pulled out ten yuan from her pocket, “Here, I’ll lend you this money. Take your grandpa to the hospital, and I’ll tell Aunt Hua when I get back.”

“Thank you, sister.” Guo Jiren took the money, thanked her, and hurried home to find his grandpa.

Lin Xiangnan continued her shopping spree. After buying everything, she went to find Gao Ziqiang, the street urchin, and bought a bag of eggs and a delicate trinket.

When she got home, she carried the things she had bought and went to find Aunt Hua.

“The herbs you asked me to get are ready, just soak them in alcohol.”

Lin Xiangnan put the medicine packet on the table and said, “I was shopping in the street today, and a kid named Guo Jiren asked me to borrow money for medical treatment, so I lent him ten yuan.”

“Oh. Then wait here, I’ll give you the money.” Aunt Hua said calmly.

“You’re not even going to ask what happened? That kid just came up to me and asked for money, it scared me. But later I guessed you two were acquainted.”

Lin Xiangnan felt that Aunt Hua should at least praise her for her intelligence.

Aunt Hua counted the money and said, “I told him to do that. I said you were my neighbor, and if he couldn’t find me, he should ask you to pass a message. You have a lot of free time, and you’re likely to run into him.”

After her retirement, she lived in the family compound. Although she could avoid the limelight, it wasn’t convenient to get in touch with people. Usually, only she would contact others, not the other way around.

“As if you’re so busy.” Lin Xiangnan was speechless. No wonder Guo Jiren knew her surname was Lin, it turned out Aunt Hua had already mentioned it.

“Yes, it’s because we’re both free. That’s why it’s been almost two years, and this is the first time Xiao Guo has come to you, right?”

Aunt Hua said proudly, “And I didn’t arrange it wrong. You’re not only free, you also have money. Didn’t your ten yuan solve his urgent problem?”