AYLS -Chapter 170

Because Gu Huayan was already on leave at home, he didn’t need to request any additional days off. But Lin Qiao had to go to the logistics department to ask for leave.

Director Hao knew about her family situation and immediately approved it. He told her and Gu Huayan not to feel any pressure. Everyone could see clearly what kind of people they were.

Lin Qiao was touched. She felt that the troublemakers were only a minority.

Just as she returned after getting her leave approved, Gu Huarui and Gu Huayin came rushing back as well.

They ran straight home right after school.

Seeing Lin Qiao at the courtyard gate, they immediately shouted for help.

Lin Qiao froze. “What happened? Did you run into something?” She was worried something similar to the events in the history books had happened—someone bullying the siblings.

“Sister-in-law, you must make brother tutor us!”

Gu Huarui said this with a serious expression.

Lin Qiao: “…That’s it?”

“It’s not just that—this is a big deal!” Gu Huarui scratched his hair anxiously. “If we don’t get tutoring, we’ll have no face to show anyone in the future.”

Gu Huayin glared at him in frustration. “It’s all your fault for bragging!”

Gu Huarui looked utterly wronged. “But even if I didn’t brag, other people would still assume I’m amazing!”

Lin Qiao was completely confused. “What exactly happened? Come inside and talk slowly. Don’t rush.”

Once inside, Gu Huayin explained the trouble they were facing.

Ever since the siblings arrived at the school, they had been showered with praise from the teachers and students.

Everyone believed that since they were from the capital—AND children from the military courtyard—they must be extremely exceptional. They had to be exceptional.

At first, Gu Huayin and Gu Huarui stayed level-headed, aware that they were only half-baked in their studies. But after a long time of hearing everyone praise them, they got brainwashed too… and started believing they really were outstanding. So they began bragging.

To everyone else, this wasn’t bragging at all—it was simply the glorious deeds of prodigies.

They were lucky that when they transferred, the monthly exam had just ended. Only the final exam at the end of the term remained. So they had never taken a test at this school, and their real academic level hadn’t been exposed. But a delayed test is still a test.

And now, with only one month left before finals, their classmates were all in full study mode. Even Zhang Lanlan started doing practice questions. She figured that since the siblings had been here for a while, they should be used to the environment, and asking them questions wouldn’t disturb them anymore. So she began approaching them for help.

The two siblings were, of course, anxious when something like this happened.

They had no choice but to come back for help.

They originally planned to ask Gu Huayuan to tutor them. After all, his grades were excellent—this was something they had known since they were young. Even when bragging around the military compound, they always used Gu Huayuan as their benchmark.

But when Xiao Qiao learned how poor their grades actually were, her shocked expression dealt them a heavy blow.

Xiao Qiao truly was shocked. She had always assumed the two of them did fairly well in school.

Who knew they couldn’t even solve such simple problems?!

“Sister-in-law, you don’t understand—these are really hard,” Gu Huarui explained.

“What’s hard about them? I can do all of these!”

Lin Qiao straightened her back proudly. She completely forgot how, when tutoring the children in the Construction Corps, she’d been forced to slog day and night through tutoring sessions with Gu Huayuan just to catch up.

“…Sister-in-law, you can do them?”

The two looked at her in disbelief. They didn’t mean to look down on her, but hadn’t she barely attended school?

Lin Qiao said, “Of course I can. I studied before.”

Gu Huayuan was packing the things they needed for their trip and hadn’t spoken up until now. Hearing this, he explained, “Your sister-in-law is much more hardworking than you two. Back when she lived in someone else’s home, she seized every chance she had to study.”

Lin Qiao coughed lightly and sent him a loving glance, grateful he was helping her keep her dignity.

She added, “Yes, when I accompanied others while they studied, I was especially serious.”

Gu Huayuan took the chance to scold the children: “You two are lucky to be growing up in good times, yet you don’t cherish the chance to study. Forget comparing yourselves to your sister-in-law—just look at your classmates. Many of their families are struggling, yet they still treasure their education more than you do. Look at yourselves.”

“…”

Gu Huayin, being a girl, immediately felt guilty. Her eyes turned red, and she sniffled softly.

Gu Huarui’s face flushed bright red.

Lin Qiao comforted Gu Huayin, “Don’t cry, don’t cry. Just study properly. As long as you’re willing to work hard, there’s nothing you can’t achieve. I’ll teach you both well. When winter break comes, I’ll teach you even more things.” Things like raising pigs and chickens, for example.

But in the next few days, she and Gu Huayuan wouldn’t have time.

They had to go to the farm to check on Gu Bicheng and his wife.

Even though they knew nothing serious would happen and the couple would eventually be released, the hardships they were suffering were still distressing.

Lin Qiao told the siblings to stay home and study. Their two pigs at home were temporarily entrusted to comrades at the livestock farm, who would care for them for a few days using the method she had left behind.

When the siblings learned their brother and sister-in-law were leaving to visit Gu Bicheng, they asked, “Did something happen to our dad?” They weren’t stupid. At first, they thought he was on a work trip, but since neither parent had called or written, plus their brother and sister-in-law behaving oddly, they started to suspect something. They just hadn’t voiced it.

Now that they saw them preparing to leave, they were almost certain.

Gu Huayuan said, “Study hard. We’ll tell you when we come back.”

Lin Qiao tugged on his sleeve. “You’re really going to tell them?”

“They’re old enough. They should know.”

If it weren’t for the fear of disrupting the children’s studies, he would’ve taken them along to the farm to broaden their horizons.

To make them realize how hard-won their current life was.

Spoiling children was not something he believed in.

Once everything at home was arranged, Gu Huayuan and Lin Qiao set off.

They knew the route well since they had traveled it before.

Along the way, Lin Qiao fantasized about what changes the Great Leader might be making now.

But as Gu Huayuan said, no important decision could be made instantly. All of them required repeated, careful deliberation.

There was still a long way to go.

After two days and two nights, they finally arrived in Yunxi Province, where the Construction Corps was stationed.

As soon as they stepped off the train, Li Ermei called out to them.

Beside her, Old Chen walked over warmly and helped gather their things.

Gu Huayuan shook hands with him. Looking around and not seeing Zhang Tuo, he asked with his eyes.

Old Chen said, “Let’s talk once we get back. Zhang Tuo can’t come.”

Hearing this, Gu Huayuan immediately understood.

This time, Lin Qiao could clearly feel Ermei had changed—she was calmer now, not as loud and impulsive as before.

Since they were here to visit family and not planning to enter the Corps, they found a room at the provincial guesthouse.

Once at the guesthouse, they finally learned the full situation.

Zhang Tuo and Li Yan were also investigated. Someone had anonymously accused Li Yan of having foreign connections, dragging up her past.

Fortunately, the comrades at the Construction Corps were sensible. They didn’t listen to rumors and only performed a basic, routine check. After that, everyone returned to their duties. Still, the two had been lying low these past few days, avoiding unnecessary contact.

Remembering the tragic fate Li Yan suffered in the original storyline, Lin Qiao felt relieved. “As long as they’re okay.”

Li Ermei said, “What trouble could there be? Everything is fine here. If anyone dares stir up trouble, we’ll knock them out with a cudgel.”

Then she told Lin Qiao that she might not be able to go to the borderlands to raise chickens with her anymore. She couldn’t leave silly Li Yan alone—if someone bullied her, someone had to stand up for her.

Her family had been poor peasants for eight generations—they had the backbone for it.

Lin Qiao smiled. “Ermei, you’ve really grown.”

“…Of course. I’m a loyal person,” Ermei said proudly.

Since Xiao Qiao left, the person she was closest to here was naturally Li Yan. Through working together, they had formed a deep friendship.

After a day of rest, Old Chen and Ermei accompanied them to the farm.

But the two of them couldn’t enter the farm, and Gu Huayuan didn’t want to implicate them, so they waited outside while he and Lin Qiao went in alone.

Originally, Lin Qiao didn’t think much of it—farm work was just farm work. But the moment she saw Gu Bicheng and Zhang Wenjuan, her tears poured out uncontrollably.

Gu Bicheng had originally looked older, but because he normally wore his military uniform neatly and properly, he always appeared spirited. Now, though, he looked completely aged and worn out.

Zhang Wenjuan was even worse. She had been dressed quite decently before, but now she looked utterly haggard.

When they saw the two arrive, Gu Bicheng didn’t show any happiness at all. His face immediately darkened, and he told them to get lost.

Zhang Wenjuan, however, anxiously asked how the two children were doing.

Lin Qiao said, “They’re doing well. They’ve started school, and they get along just fine with the courtyard children. The teachers like them too. They don’t know anything about what happened at home yet — they think you two went on a business trip.”

“Good, good…” Zhang Wenjuan’s tears fell instantly. The children were what she worried about the most. She was terrified no one would take care of them, that they’d suffer. She also regretted not teaching them properly before, leaving their personalities so unsettled.

Gu Bicheng said, “If you’re done talking, then get out. Don’t be an eyesore.”

Lin Qiao said, “Dad, we’re already here. Leaving won’t change anything.”

Gu Huayuan added, “We brought some things for you. After the inspection, we’ll have them sent over.”

They would probably only be allowed to leave a portion, but at least it was something.

“There’s nothing lacking here.”

Gu Huayuan rolled his eyes. “Even if you don’t think for yourself, think for Aunt Zhang. It’s already miserable enough that she’s stuck here suffering with you, and you still don’t want to give her anything?”

At the mention of Zhang Wenjuan, guilt stirred in Gu Bicheng’s heart.

He had never treated her well in his entire life. Yet in the end, she insisted on following him here, to this place…

Lin Qiao comforted Zhang Wenjuan from the side. “Aunt Zhang, don’t worry. I’m sure you and my dad will get the chance to come out eventually. This is only temporary.”

“I’m not counting on it.”

Zhang Wenjuan had never expected anything—she understood better than anyone that this wasn’t something that could be resolved in a short time.

Gu Bicheng said, “Maybe we should just divorce. You can report me. Make contributions by exposing me.”

Zhang Wenjuan exploded the moment she heard this. “Gu Bicheng, you heartless man!”

Gu Bicheng spoke earnestly, “How am I heartless? I’m doing this for your own good.”

Zhang Wenjuan snapped, “For my own good? You’ve never treated me well a single day in your life! I must have been blind to follow you!”

Gu Bicheng sighed. “That’s why I’m telling you to divorce me now, but you still refuse. What are you thinking?”

Lin Qiao and Gu Huayuan: “…”

How did a man like him ever find a wife?

Still uneasy, Gu Huayuan pulled Gu Bicheng outside to give him a talking-to.

“At this point, you two are still fighting? Aunt Zhang followed you all the way here. You should at least change a little.”

Gu Bicheng said, “Oh? Now you care about your old man’s business?”

“I don’t want to, but things have gotten to this point. Stop making trouble.”

“…,” Gu Bicheng sighed. “I just want her to leave. You’ve seen this place…”

“Dad, if it were my mom here with you, would you try to drive her away?”

Gu Bicheng shook his head without hesitation. “Your mom? Impossible. She would never come with me. With her temper, it’d probably be me following her instead.”

He froze after saying that.

Suddenly, he understood how Comrade Zhang Wenjuan must feel.

He had always thought they were just getting by together. Who would have thought that without realizing it, there were actual feelings between them?

Inside the room, Lin Qiao was still comforting Zhang Wenjuan, saying they wouldn’t argue with her in the future and that they should get along well.

Everyone should live peacefully.

Zhang Wenjuan said, “In our situation, we won’t even get the chance to argue anymore.”

Lin Qiao asked, “Aunt Zhang, you really won’t leave?”

Zhang Wenjuan asked in return, “If Huayuan were sent to a labor farm, would you leave?”

Lin Qiao: “…”

Perhaps because she had fallen on hard times, and because Lin Qiao and Gu Huayuan still came to visit them, Zhang Wenjuan truly regarded Lin Qiao as a daughter-in-law now.

“There are some people—living with them, even if it’s a life of hardship, it still feels like drinking sweet water. Here, I’m not suffering. As for Huarui and Huayin, I leave them to you both. Teach them well. If they don’t listen, discipline them.”

Lin Qiao nodded. “Don’t worry. I’ll teach them properly. Everything I know, I’ll make sure they learn.”

Zhang Wenjuan was deeply moved. She felt she had truly been wrong in the past. If she ever got the chance to leave this place, she would definitely treat Xiao Qiao well.