Chapter 27.2

Luo Lan greeted them and went to the kitchen to cook the dumplings and prepare the cold dishes. Zhou Qingshan sat properly on a chair in the living room. He was a former captain in the army, and his stern demeanor made people nervous.

“Hello, big brother.”

“I heard you and Junhui work at the same place, as temporary workers?”

“Yes.”

“Where is your family from? What’s your family situation?”

Mother Zhou had spent her life not dealing much with these matters, only taking care of the children and housework. Now, she just poured tea and sat aside. With her husband no longer around, she felt secure only when her son was in charge. This was why Zhou Qingshan had decided to transfer back home—his mother had lost her mental and emotional support after a major upheaval, and his return would help her recovery.

Junhui’s boyfriend was wearing a blue Zhongshan suit that was clearly too big and ill-fitting, likely borrowed. He was carrying a traditional pastry box, but from its color, Luo Lan could tell it had been stored for a long time. He was already nervous, and facing his stern brother-in-law made him sweat and look around anxiously.

“I, I have eight siblings, and I’m the sixth.”

“Are your parents still alive?”

“No, they’re not.”

“You probably don’t have a house then. If you get married, will the unit provide housing?”

“No.”

The man wiped his sweat, his eyes darting around, his legs shaking uncontrollably, making Luo Lan lose any favorable impression of him. He had decent features and a good build, but his lack of composure made him seem unreliable.

“So what are your plans?”

“I haven’t, haven’t thought about it.”

Zhou Qingshan turned and glared at his younger sister. This is the man you chose to marry? They’re at this stage and he says he hasn’t thought about it? Does he even plan to marry? It’s not scary to have nothing, but having no plans at all is worrying.

Junhui, feeling her brother’s glare, nervously spoke up to defend him, “Brother, don’t be so serious. He’s scared and can’t speak properly.”

Mother Zhou also chimed in, “Let’s eat first, let’s eat first.”

The whole family had pooled their meat coupons for three months to treat the new son-in-law, but Zhou Qingshan was not satisfied with him. Even during the meal, he didn’t engage in proper conversation. Mother Zhou, still considering her daughter’s feelings, kept putting food on the man’s plate. Sitting next to Zhou Qingshan, the man was so intimidated he only dared to look down and eat, barely saying a word.

After the meal, he made an excuse about having to go to work and tried to leave. Mother Zhou was displeased, “Don’t rush. Today we’re here to discuss your marriage. Let’s figure out the details.”

The man sat back down, his legs shaking again as if electrocuted. Luo Lan was cleaning the kitchen. She cooked in a way that cleaned up as she went, so there was only a big basin, four plates, and seven or eight bowls to wash. She decided to let Junfang handle it for some practice.

The girl obediently rolled up her sleeves and carried the basin to the yard’s water tap. Luo Lan felt it was a simple task she could manage, so she returned to the main room to listen to what the man had to say.

“I haven’t prepared much for Junhui, but it should be enough for daily life. I have a sewing machine, you can use it for now. The main issue is housing. Do you have any solutions?”

“Our dorm has eight people. We can’t get married there.”

Zhou Qingshan was already unwilling to speak further. Mother Zhou also had no solution. The man made another excuse and left, prompting Mother Zhou to glare at her eldest daughter.

“How can he not have a plan? Does he really want to marry you?”

Junhui defended him, “He can’t get a unit house, what can he do?”

“Then find someone who can get married.”

“I won’t.”

“You stubborn girl, are you trying to drive me crazy?”

Mother and daughter started arguing. Luo Lan and Zhou Qingshan quietly returned to their room. Normally, if the man lacks capability, the woman can help. But they both shared a look of dissatisfaction. This man lacked any sense of responsibility, couldn’t even utter a strong word—how could he be dependable?

“Do you think Junhui plans to live at home?” Luo Lan guessed.

“How could she?”

“Mom and Junfang share a room, and they’d take another.”

Zhou Qingshan was speechless. Luo Lan’s guess wasn’t baseless. Given his sister’s nature, she might indeed plan such a thing. But with them already living there, adding another household would be too much. Too many daily frictions would arise; siblings should have some distance after starting their own families.

“If she plans that, I’ll find a way for us to move out.”

“Good.”

Their parents couldn’t control them now. If Junhui insisted on marrying that man, Luo Lan didn’t want to live with him under the same roof. She preferred her husband, who always looked for solutions when problems arose, rather than avoiding them.

As the couple discussed various possible outcomes, Luo Lan noticed a small head peeking in. Junfang’s hair was black and shiny, her braids swinging in first, followed by a knock.

“Junfang, come in.”

Seeing her brother, Junfang hesitated but then decided she had to speak to her sister-in-law before the weekend ended.

“Do you need to talk to your sister-in-law?”

The girl nodded obediently, with her hands behind her back, likely holding something. Zhou Qingshan knew his younger sister was timid and somewhat afraid of him, so he immediately stepped out to give them space.

Luo Lan reached out and pulled her sister-in-law over to sit down. “Alright, your brother’s gone. What do you need to talk about?”

The girl smiled at her, then glanced at the doorway before taking out what she had been hiding behind her back. It was a package wrapped in rough paper. Luo Lan took it, and from the feel of it, she guessed it was fabric.

“What is this? Did you get it for me or…” As a high school student, the girl had little pocket money, likely no more than a few cents, so she couldn’t afford such things.

“It’s not from me,” the girl said softly, her voice as gentle as cotton candy. “A man gave it to me. I told him I didn’t want it, but he shoved it at me and left. I don’t know what to do. Telling Mom might trouble her, and I’m scared to tell big brother.”

Luo Lan opened the package. Inside was a piece of fabric, fine and smooth, with a pink cherry blossom pattern. It was lively and full of youthful energy, perfect for Junfang, who had fair, delicate skin and sweet features. Wearing this would make her even more charming.

“What kind of person is he? Have you met him before?”

What kind of guy sends gifts right off the bat? What’s his aim? Junfang just turned eighteen and is still in school. What is he planning?

Luo Lan felt a surge of vigilance. Though she didn’t want to think the worst of people, the times were changing, and Junfang was a gentle, naive girl who could easily be taken advantage of.

“I don’t know him. He said he was delivering it for big brother.”

“Has anyone else given you things before? Was this the first time?”

“Some classmates have given me notebooks before, but I didn’t take them.” When talking about things suitable for her age, the girl’s eyes lit up. “Sister-in-law, you don’t know, those notebooks were so pretty. But Mom said not to accept anything from others, so I didn’t.”

“How many people?”

“Two. I didn’t accept anything from either.”

Luo Lan patted the obedient girl on the head, her touch and gaze full of praise. The girl brightened up, knowing she had done the right thing and earned her sister-in-law’s approval.

“Sister-in-law, I don’t know this person. What should I do with this fabric?”

The girl’s eyes lingered on the pretty fabric. Luo Lan could see her fondness for it. She was a young girl in her prime, and if the family lacked resources, she could be easily tempted.

“Return it. If you want a new dress, I’ll make you one.”

“Really?”

“Really.” It’s just a piece of fabric. I’ll get you another one. “What color do you like? This kind of pink with flowers?”

“Yes.”

It was obvious the person behind this knew her tastes well. Who had been paying attention to her, and which scoundrel was this?

“There’s one more thing…” Junfang was now nervously twisting the hem of her dress, hesitant to speak. She looked like a cat that had caused trouble.

“Go on,” Luo Lan encouraged, softening her voice. “Speak up, whatever it is. I’ll take care of it.”

“Promise you won’t scold me.”

“I promise.”

“I accidentally broke a bowl while washing dishes earlier. I didn’t mean to, it was just too slippery. It’s not shattered, just chipped at the rim.”

With just a few dishes to wash, taking over half an hour and still breaking one—it was impressive.

“It’s okay, a chipped bowl is just a chipped bowl.”

Having shared all her concerns, the girl visibly relaxed. Seeing her brother at the door, she stood up and didn’t forget to leave a parting compliment.

“Sister-in-law, you’re the best.”

Without considering how to return the fabric or who the giver was, she left the matter to her sister-in-law. She happily left, and Zhou Qingshan walked in with a sigh. He had stayed close, worried about his sister, and heard everything.

“She’ll be nineteen soon.”

Luo Lan replied, “No matter what, she shouldn’t keep that fabric. But if we don’t know the giver, returning it is a problem.”

“If he acts in the dark, he wouldn’t dare. If he has clear intentions, he’ll eventually show himself.”

“We should still be careful. Let’s start picking her up after school.”

“Sure. But I have night shifts sometimes.”

“I can do it when you can’t. I don’t work nights, so I’m free.”

“Alright, we’ll wait for him to show himself.”

“This method is too passive.” Luo Lan glanced at the pink fabric and clapped her hands. “I have an idea. We can lure him out.”

“How?”

“Don’t worry about it. I have a plan.”

Seeing her confidence, Zhou Qingshan let her take charge. With their sisters’ marriages amid such uncertain times, who knew where they would end up?