Chapter 93: Following in Hu Meili’s Footsteps

Luo Caixia was the younger generation, and although Hu Meili didn’t hold back when teaching her, she didn’t like to play with her much.

Although they lived in the same compound, they formed their own little circles.

Lin Xiangnan spent more time with her neighbors on either side of her, while she only had nodding acquaintances with others.

Hu Meili’s new friends were all the older ladies over forty years old, a circle that Lin Xiangnan and Luo Caixia couldn’t integrate into before.

Some topics could only be discussed with people of the same age.

When Hu Meili gossiped about other people’s lives with those older ladies, she didn’t forget to share her own gossip.

“My daughter Xiaonan was spoiled by me since she was young. When she wanted to study, I supported her all the way to high school. When we renovated the house, I specially left a room for her as a wedding room. No one can touch that room, it’s for my daughter to live in later.”

The other ladies immediately chimed in, “Your child is obviously pampered. I always see her buying meat at the grocery store.”

What could Hu Meili do? She could only continue to build Lin Xiangnan’s image.

“This child has no other flaws, she just loves to eat. She was like this at home too. No matter how much pocket money I gave her, she could eat it all. Thankfully, her husband’s salary is high, so he can support the family.”

All people could see was her food and clothes, but Gu Zhenhua’s salary was indeed high, so it wasn’t strange that Lin Xiangnan ate well.

The people around could only sigh, saying that the two young people didn’t know how to live their lives.

After talking about her own family, Hu Meili started gossiping about the Wang family.

She pretended to be surprised and said, “I thought Luo Caixia was quite good to her little daughter. But the other day I heard Wang Hu swearing, and I learned that she was actually a stepmother. I almost didn’t notice.”

“This person is actually okay. I used to take care of little Leopard. She was sickly, but now she’s been raised quite strong by Luo Caixia.”

When Wang Yingchang’s former wife died, he would send his little daughter to the daycare at the nearby military factory during the day and pick her up at night.

But there were many children at the daycare, and little Leopard wasn’t very healthy. After two days, she got a fever, so Wang Yingchang entrusted her to the older ladies in the compound who had free time.

During that time, Wang Yingchang had to work during the day and take care of his daughter at night. He was exhausted. After marrying Luo Caixia, he finally got a good night’s sleep.

Hearing the older ladies in the compound talk about Wang Yingchang’s difficulties during that time.

Hu Meili exclaimed in shock, “Oh! Wang Yingchang’s life was like that during that time. Isn’t he afraid that something like this will happen again? I think Luo Caixia’s pregnancy doesn’t look good…”

Hu Meili stopped abruptly, turning the other ladies into eager listeners.

“What’s the matter? What’s the matter? Tell us clearly.”

Hu Meili pretended to be relaxed, “Oh, it’s nothing major. I just think Wang Yingchang is not very considerate…”

Hu Meili had been throwing tantrums and acting crazy for so many years, and her reputation was still good, thanks to her good public relations.

After all, throwing tantrums and acting crazy were just methods. Everything couldn’t surpass the word “reason”.

In a new place, she didn’t forget to speak up for Lin Xiangnan and Luo Caixia.

Although these older ladies couldn’t help much when something happened, it was enough for them to speak up for justice.

After Hu Meili made many friends, Lin Xiangnan could feel that some of the older ladies were inexplicably kind to her when she walked on the street.

However, Hu Meili didn’t plan to stay in the compound for long. Just a few days after making friends, she packed her bags and prepared to leave.

“You’re just playing at home anyway, just play here.” Lin Xiangnan was a little reluctant.

Lin Xiangnan’s house had good food and good living conditions, but it wasn’t her own home after all. Hu Meili was afraid that if she stayed too long, her son-in-law would have objections.

She said, “Next time I miss you, I’ll come again. Your older brother and younger brother, those two boys, have no one to take care of them. I don’t know what kind of life they’ll lead.”

Lin Xiangdong was fine. He had been living alone in the countryside for six years, and he was reliable. But Lin Xiangxi had never been out of Hu Meili’s sight for so long.

After coming out this time, Hu Meili was most worried about the younger one.

Unable to resist Hu Meili, Lin Xiangnan and Gu Zhenhua could only send her to the station, and they packed her with a lot of things.

Hu Meili didn’t care about anything else, but she cherished the photos that Lin Xiangnan had taken for her the most.

As soon as she got back, she started showing off the photos.

“See? This is what Xiaonan took for me. I look so good in it…”

Seeing these photos, Lin Xiangxi was envious, “Second sister, your photography skills are really good. Let her take pictures of me next time.”

In front of Lin Xiangnan, Hu Meili didn’t nag, but when Lin Xiangnan wasn’t around, Hu Meili couldn’t help it.

“That prodigal daughter, she spent hundreds of yuan on an imported camera. Gu Zhenhua doesn’t know how to control her.”

Lin Xiangxi mumbled softly, “It’s already bought, what’s the point of saying this now.”

“Before, she knew how to restrain herself at home. After joining the army, Gu Zhenhua spoiled her, and she’s become more and more arrogant. I stayed in the compound for more than ten days, and every meal had either eggs or meat. I’m really afraid that Gu Zhenhua’s salary won’t be able to handle your sister’s spending.”

It was impossible to complain, Lin Xiangxi could only be envious, and he said longingly, “It’s so good. My sister’s not here, and Fat Uncle has lost weight.”

Hu Meili couldn’t get along with her younger son, but her older son was very sensible.

Lin Xiangdong first condemned Lin Xiangnan’s extravagance with Hu Meili, and then he persuaded, “Mom, you rarely go there once, Xiaonan must have specially kept the good things for you. She also wants you to feel at ease, she wants you to know that she’s living well there.”

Although she knew that what Lin Xiangdong said might not be true, Hu Meili was still happy to hear it.

With Hu Meili gone, Lin Xiangnan had more free time. She would often go to the museum with Da Niang Hua to observe and learn.

She was quick-witted, and she could remember what Da Niang Hua said once, making Da Niang Hua’s liking for her increase rapidly.

When they came back, Da Niang Hua said, “In a few more days, I’ll take you to the antique shop to have a look. Maybe you can find a bargain there.”

After the liberation, the former antique shops were merged into public-private partnerships, and then they were integrated into antique shops.

This was the only legitimate channel to buy antiques.

The antiques collected by the antique shops would be provided to museums, universities, or certain units for display and exhibition, and some would be exported to earn foreign exchange.

Da Niang Hua would sometimes spend a little money to buy some trinkets at the antique shop.

The two of them laughed and chatted as they walked home together. As they passed by the Wang family’s house.

Some voices inexplicably entered Lin Xiangnan’s ears.

“Oh my God, what have I done to deserve this…”

Lin Xiangnan’s steps stopped immediately. Wasn’t this Hu Meili’s classic line?

How could it be that even though Hu Meili was gone, she was still with her?