AYLS – Chapter 57

The train arrived in the capital in the morning.

The snow in the northwest was heavy, and the capital was no exception. As soon as Lin Qiao got off the train, she shivered. She felt like she had wrapped herself up as tightly as possible, but it was still freezing.

Gu Huayuan said, “It’ll feel better once we’re home.”

Lin Qiao exhaled, thinking how truly difficult it was to get married. This was really exhausting. In the future, if she ever married in the real world, she’d definitely just get the certificate—no wedding ceremony.

Gu Huayuan carried the luggage; Lin Qiao only needed to follow behind him.

Before even leaving the platform, a young man ran over excitedly. “Gu Shitou!”

Gu Huayuan saw him too, and led Lin Qiao toward him. Only when they were close did he let go and embrace the man.

Lin Qiao watched from behind. The young man had slightly fairer skin than Gu Huayuan, with thick eyebrows and big eyes—a simple, honest-looking type.

“Hello, sister-in-law, I’m Zhang Tuo—Tuo as in ‘expansion.’”

Lin Qiao quickly shook his hand. “Hello, I’m Lin Qiao.”

Gu Huayuan laughed and introduced him properly, explaining that Zhang Tuo was a childhood friend of his who now worked in the capital. He had helped them a lot this time.

Zhang Tuo smiled and brushed his hair back, saying it was nothing, just a small favor.

Seeing Lin Qiao shivering and puffing out her breath in the cold, he hurriedly said, “Come on, I’ll drive you back to the compound. Uncle Gu was going to pick you up, but I insisted, so he didn’t come. But he’s still waiting at home.”

Gu Huayuan smiled. “I haven’t seen him in years. Has he changed at all?”

“Still full of energy. A few days ago he even stayed out for a couple of nights.”

Zhang Tuo chuckled.

Gu Huayuan shook his head with a smile. “People at their age…”

Lin Qiao asked, “What are you two talking about?”

“About the elders. Lin Qiao, this is your first time in the capital, right? After the wedding, stay a few days here. I’ll show you around.”

Lin Qiao wanted to agree, but she knew it wasn’t up to her. Once the wedding was over, she’d have to return home. She just murmured “Mm” in response.

Along the way, Lin Qiao looked out the window at the scenery.

The capital at this time had few tall buildings, and some ancient structures still stood.

Courtyards were everywhere along the way.

Despite the heavy snow, there were still many people outside, mostly in work clothes, Zhongshan suits, or military uniforms.

Lin Qiao wanted to take some photos.

Coincidentally, Gu Huayuan was talking to Zhang Tuo about taking wedding photos. Zhang Tuo had hired a professional photographer for his own wedding, and Gu Huayuan had teased him for being too bourgeois. But now, for him and Lin Qiao, it really seemed necessary.

“They’ve already scheduled it. With so many weddings at the end of the year, if you don’t book now, you might miss out.”

Lin Qiao brightened. “Can we take them outside?”

“Of course, we could even go to the Forbidden City.”

Lin Qiao said, “No, no. Let’s just do it on the street—it has so much meaning.”

Gu Huayuan didn’t know how a street could be more meaningful than the Forbidden City, but when the bride spoke, he had to listen. “Fine.”

Zhang Tuo secretly chuckled at Gu Huayuan’s concession. He thought to himself, “This guy used to be so tough, now he’s all soft.”

The car drove straight to the compound and passed a security check at the entrance.

Inside were rows of small Western-style houses.

Passing by some of the doorways, Lin Qiao noticed that every yard had vegetables growing.

So down-to-earth.

The car stopped in front of a two-story building. Someone came out, and Gu Bicheng strode over. Seeing Lin Qiao get out of the car, he ignored his own son in excitement and looked at her. “Ah, you really resemble your parents.”

Lin Qiao: “……” No way.

Gu Bicheng looked at Lin Qiao with excitement. “Child, you’ve suffered a lot these years, but from now on, it’ll be different. You’re married to Gu Shitou now, and from now on, you’re part of the Gu family. No more hardships for you.”

Only then did Lin Qiao realize that Zhang Tuo had also called Gu Huayuan by this name before. “Gu Shitou?”

“Oh, that’s Huayuan. It’s his nickname—I gave it to him.”

Gu Huayuan: “……”

Lin Qiao smiled. “That’s a good name. Sometimes he really is like a stone.” After all, he’s stiff when he’s serious.

“Aiya, Lin Qiao has finally arrived! I’ve been waiting for you day after day,”

Zhang Wenjuan also stepped out from behind Gu Bicheng and reached out to shake Lin Qiao’s hand.

Lin Qiao recognized her as Gu Huayuan’s stepmother, Mrs. Zhang Wenjuan.

From Gu Huayuan’s description, Mrs. Zhang cared a lot about him, so Lin Qiao had a good impression. They wouldn’t be interacting much anyway, so she warmly shook her hand and called her “Auntie.”

“Come in, come in. It’s freezing out here. Old Gu, letting the child stand outside in this cold—how uncomfortable,”

Gu Bicheng admitted with a rare smile that he hadn’t thought things through.

Zhang Wenjuan felt a pang of sourness in her heart.

Zhang Tuo didn’t go inside with them. He waved to Gu Huayuan and said he’d get in touch after things at home were settled.

Once inside, Lin Qiao realized the interior of the Western-style house was quite ordinary.

It wasn’t decorated luxuriously like the villas she would see in the future. Everything was simply painted white. The furniture was simple—wooden sofas, nothing fancy. Still, it was much better than the place she’d lived in the Northwest.

So this was considered a mansion in this era.

Lin Qiao felt her trip had been fulfilling—she’d seen poverty, and now she’d seen wealth. Soon, she could brag to her friends with less-than-stellar backgrounds.

Zhang Wenjuan observed Lin Qiao quietly. Seeing her glance around the house, she felt a twinge of unease.

She also looked down on her a little.

She thought Lin Qiao hadn’t seen much of the world and might want to stay now that she saw good conditions.

But she wasn’t in a hurry. She would first maintain face in front of Old Gu.

So, she quietly served Lin Qiao tea.

She also called her two children down from their rooms upstairs.

The older child was a thirteen-year-old boy; the younger, a ten-year-old girl.

“This is your little brother, Gu Huarui, and your little sister, Gu Huayin.”

“Rui Rui, Yin Yin, call your sister-in-law.”

Following instructions, the two kids called her “sister-in-law” and then sized up Lin Qiao, eager to see what the so-called oppressed little maid looked like.

They were extremely curious.

Maid servants still existed in this society?

But Lin Qiao didn’t look like a maid at all—she looked fresher and more lively than the girls in the courtyard.

Feeling their gaze, Lin Qiao asked, “What are you looking at?”

A clever kid would have said, “Because you’re pretty, sister.”

But these two were honest. Gu Huayin, having messed up last time, stayed quiet. Gu Huarui, fearless since childhood, spoke up directly: “Sister-in-law, you don’t look like a little maid at all.”

Although only Gu family members remained in the house, the room fell silent for two seconds.

Before Gu Bicheng could react, Lin Qiao asked, “Not like a maid? How so?”

“You’re too pretty.”

Lin Qiao immediately said, “Good eye.”

“……”

“Hahaha, Lin Qiao is confident,” Gu Bicheng laughed, still secretly glaring at his two children.

Gu Huayuan smiled. “Looks like when we’re not home, the family still thinks about us, mentions us often.”

Zhang Wenjuan: “……”

Lin Qiao knew being a maid wasn’t shameful—this was just the role assigned by the game—but that didn’t mean she couldn’t sense the subtle malice in their words.

Gu Huayuan wasn’t as clever as she thought, and his stepmother wasn’t as nice as he said.

Fortunately, she was here; otherwise, Gu Huayuan would still be an oblivious little victim.

No wonder the family, though in the capital, had sent him far away to endure hardship. Poor guy.

In an instant, Lin Qiao had already pictured Gu Huayuan as the little victim in her mind.

Though she didn’t mind much, the atmosphere in the living room turned slightly awkward.

Gu Bicheng wanted to scold Zhang Wenjuan but couldn’t do it in front of their son and daughter-in-law. He could only have them go upstairs to freshen up before coming down to eat.

Zhang Wenjuan immediately added, “Yes, it must’ve been tiring. Huayuan’s room is ready; change into something warm and come down for hot noodle soup.”

Gu Huayuan nodded and led Lin Qiao upstairs.

Since they had already registered their marriage, a room was prepared for them. As they entered, Gu Huayuan worried Lin Qiao might feel embarrassed and thought about how to ease her, but Lin Qiao’s mind was elsewhere. She closed the door behind her and whispered to Gu Huayuan, “I’m not trying to stir trouble, but something feels off. That Aunt Zhang of yours isn’t very skilled.”

“Skilled?”

“Yeah, like her level,” Lin Qiao said. “I feel she’s kind on the surface but harsh underneath.”

Lin Qiao had no stepmother herself, but her fake best friend did, and she had met more than one. Sometimes, when visiting, they’d be polite but would drop subtle jabs about the friend’s character.

Seeing her indignant expression, Gu Huayuan laughed. “We don’t live here permanently, don’t worry too much.”

“I’m worried for you, afraid she’ll sow discord in front of your dad.” Her best friend’s stepmother had done exactly that.

“I’m grown up, why would I fear that?” Gu Huayuan wasn’t bothered at all. He never cared before, let alone now that he had a home of his own.

To be realistic, if they had children in the future and he was posted far away, it might be years—maybe even over a decade—before they could see each other.

He wasn’t worried, but Lin Qiao felt anxious on his behalf, afraid he might be subtly bullied by someone with hidden malice.

“Don’t worry, I’ll make sure she dares not bully you.” If that Aunt Zhang went too far, she would definitely talk to Uncle Gu. She just hoped that having a stepmother wouldn’t mean suddenly getting a stepfather too.

Thinking about it this way, Gu Huayuan was actually just as pitiful as she was.

Both their fathers had a habit of forgetting old family members once they had someone new. Gu Huayuan’s situation was worse than hers—she was facing a child born out of wedlock, but at least public opinion was on her side. Gu Huayuan was dealing with someone legitimate and lawful.

Sigh…

Seeing Lin Qiao protect him so diligently, Gu Huayuan felt rather gratified.

“Mm, then Comrade Lin Qiao, you’ve gone to a lot of trouble. You can start tidying up now. We’ll go downstairs to eat soon, then come back up and sleep.”

“Oh.” Lin Qiao finally began packing her things. She was about to change clothes when she saw Gu Huayuan putting luggage into the wardrobe.

She asked, “Why put everything in there?”

“We’re both sleeping here.” Gu Huayuan said this without a trace of embarrassment.

Lin Qiao: “…”

“No guest room at home?”

“There are only four rooms at home, no extras. Besides, now that we’re married, if we sleep apart, what will others think? They’ll think our marriage is fake.”

Lin Qiao’s heart skipped a beat.

So this really was a marriage.

Does this… mean the wedding night too?

Seeing her nervous, Gu Huayuan smiled. “Relax, don’t worry. It’s not like that yet. We’ll talk about the wedding night when we hold the ceremony.”

Since they were already taking this seriously, they might as well follow through properly, with some sense of ritual. He wasn’t so impatient that he couldn’t wait a little.

Lin Qiao finally felt a bit calmer.

That was good. If the wedding night really came, she wouldn’t be able to handle it all at once.

Although she didn’t dislike Gu Huayuan, the thought still gave her a strange feeling.

After tidying up a little, Zhang Wenjuan called them downstairs for breakfast.

Since it was still morning, they made a simple meal; they would have a proper lunch later.

Gu Bicheng hadn’t eaten either, waiting for them to come back so they could eat together. As they ate, he asked if they were accustomed to the food.

Lin Qiao, ready to play the “poor me” card, immediately said she was used to it. This was far better than what she had in the northwest.

Back there, almost every meal was just coarse grain porridge. They wouldn’t see meat even once a month.

Gu Huayuan: “…”

Gu Bicheng had eaten poorly at the border too, but as a soldier guarding the frontier, he made sure to eat enough. Occasionally, he even improved his diet to maintain nutrition and ensure the soldiers were battle-ready.

Now hearing about their hardship, he felt a little heartache. He didn’t pity his son—soldiers had to endure hardships—but he did feel sorry for Lin Qiao. “Child, you’ve suffered. Here’s the plan: once you marry, don’t go with the troops anymore. Stay in the capital. Let Aunt Zhang take good care of you.”

In the kitchen, Zhang Wenjuan dropped her spatula to the floor with a loud clatter.

Lin Qiao was dumbfounded. She didn’t understand how Uncle Gu had come to that conclusion. “I mean, you say my son’s suffered, so why do you want me to stay in the capital?”

She refused. “No way, I can’t stay in the capital.”

Gu Huayuan cleared his throat. “Eat quickly, it’s getting cold.”

“Oh.”

Seeing the couple so harmoniously in sync, Gu Bicheng felt extremely gratified. It seemed Lin Qiao liked Gu Shitou a lot too.

Although Lin Qiao didn’t agree yet, Zhang Wenjuan in the kitchen remained uneasy. She thought Lin Qiao might just be being polite. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have just complained in front of Old Gu. Thinking about it, it was true—coming from a capitalist family, she was indeed shrewd.

After the meal, Lin Qiao felt sleepy. Although she hadn’t moved much on the train, sleeping hadn’t been comfortable.

Gu Huayuan led her upstairs. “I’ll be out a little while. I’ll be back soon.”

Lin Qiao yawned. “Come back early, okay?”

“Okay.” Gu Huayuan smiled. Now someone was looking out for him.

…

Gu Huayuan went out to find Zhang Tuo.

Among the brothers in the compound, only Zhang Tuo had stayed there long-term; the others had all been posted nearby.

Or, like Gu Huayuan, stationed far away.

Since it was almost New Year and Gu Huayuan was getting married, many who weren’t far from the capital had returned.

Even before coming back, Gu Huayuan had asked them to help organize his house.

That house hadn’t been lived in for years. The furniture was old and needed replacing.

They also had to buy wedding supplies.

This gave the guys quite a workout.

But they enjoyed it. Though they hadn’t met in years, the bonds from climbing trees and catching birds with Gu Huayuan in the compound remained.

Especially since Gu Huayuan was clever—he had helped them out many times as a kid, dodging countless beatings.

The young men bumped fists in greeting.

A short young man said, “Old Zhang said your wife is very lively-looking. Why didn’t you bring her for us to meet?”

“You’ll see her at the wedding.”

“Look at you being stingy. I’ve known my wife since childhood.” He had a childhood sweetheart in the compound.

Gu Huayuan didn’t banter with them. “I’m going to check on how you’re handling things.”

Zhang Tuo said, “Don’t worry, it’s all handled properly.”

While Gu Huayuan checked the house, Zhang Wenjuan outside Lin Qiao’s room had already listened to several noises from inside.

Seeing that no one was awake, her frown deepened.

She had planned to talk to Lin Qiao, hinting that she shouldn’t have any other ideas.

Even though Gu Huayuan was the eldest, this house didn’t have much to do with him.

This house was allocated by the army, not inherited. There’s no way it could be passed down to the eldest.

Now that they’re married, it’s better to separate it out.

Who knew Lin Qiao could really sleep? She slept straight until noon. If no one called her, she probably wouldn’t even eat lunch.

Fortunately, this is the new society. In the old society, whose family would dare to take a daughter-in-law like her?

Coming back, she didn’t just help with housework—she really acted like a guest.

As soon as she stepped out, Zhang Wenjuan went out for a walk.

Naturally, she ran into a few comrades from the Women’s Federation and they asked about her new daughter-in-law. They wondered how she still had time to go out.

Zhang Wenjuan just smiled and said, “There’s not much going on at home, she’s still sleeping. I figured I’d wait until she wakes up to make lunch; otherwise, the food would get cold…”