AYLS – Chapter 63

The moment the tea entered his mouth, Gu Bicheng’s face instantly scrunched up, almost to the point of spitting it out.

Seeing him like that, Lin Qiao asked with concern, “Dad, what’s wrong, did you burn yourself?”

“……” Gu Bicheng already guessed what had happened, but he was a sensible man and knew this wasn’t something to be spoken out loud.

“A little, I’ll drink it later.”

Gu Huayuan chuckled, “Dad, in this cold weather, you should drink it while it’s hot.”

Gu Bicheng: “……”

That evening, Lin Qiao and Gu Huayuan still went back home for dinner. Coming over once a day was enough to accompany Gu Bicheng and also to prevent the people in the compound from gossiping.

In truth, neither of them liked staying there.

Although Gu Bicheng welcomed them, whether a house was comfortable or not really depended on the hostess’s attitude. Clearly, the hostess wasn’t too welcoming.

Gu Huayuan knew that Zhang Wenjuan didn’t like him, and he never forced it. As long as Aunt Zhang didn’t bully Lin Xiao Qiao, that was enough. From the looks of it now, she couldn’t bully her anyway, so he didn’t need to worry.

As for Lin Qiao, she had no love for that house at all—she felt much more at ease in her own home.

By then, dusk was falling. The two of them walked down the road on their way home. Lin Qiao, feeling a bit cold, linked arms with Gu Huayuan. “Gu Huayuan, don’t worry, with me around, no one can bully you.”

Gu Huayuan laughed, “Who’s bullying me?”

“Everyone wants to bully you, but they just don’t have the chance. Gu Huayuan, did they bully you when you were a kid?”

Just thinking about it, Lin Qiao felt sorry for him.

“No,” Gu Huayuan said. “I was hardly ever home. Who would have had the chance to bully me?”

“Oh, good thing you were smart. But don’t you really feel that Aunt Zhang doesn’t like us much? Anyway, I feel she doesn’t like me, so I don’t feel like talking to her.

The more she wants me to do work, the less I want to listen.”

That was just Lin Qiao’s stubborn streak—she would yield to kindness, not to force.

She didn’t object to doing housework; when living with Gu Huayuan, she usually washed the dishes.

But she really disliked Aunt Zhang’s disapproving gaze and bossy attitude toward her.

“Fine, as long as you’re happy,” said Gu Huayuan. He didn’t try to persuade her—someone who had lived through war considered these domestic squabbles trivial.

“And you too, you need to stay alert. What if I… if I get too busy and don’t notice, and you end up being bullied? Wouldn’t that make me furious?”

“I just won’t respond to her,” said Gu Huayuan. “Actually, aside from the household stuff, Aunt Zhang’s not a bad person.”

“She’s not bad? I never even provoked her, and she’s already targeting me.”

“I meant in terms of her work. Back then, she also helped with military logistics, carrying loads, braving artillery fire to deliver rations to the front line. She patched up uniforms, sewed shoe soles, and took care of the wounded.”

Lin Qiao: “…… She actually had that kind of experience?” She really hadn’t expected it. “Then why is she like this now?”

“Everyone has their selfish side,” said Gu Huayuan. “But when the country was in crisis, she still stepped forward. For that alone, I’m unwilling to start a quarrel with her over my personal matters.”

“… Fine then, I won’t quarrel either.” Lin Qiao thought about how they’d hardly be seeing her in the future anyway, so she decided not to get angry at Aunt Zhang anymore.

Gu Huayuan smiled, “It’s okay for you. You’re a comrade, after all. Between women, this just counts as family disputes—as long as it doesn’t go too far, it’s fine. We won’t provoke others, but we also won’t be pushed around.”

After all, how serious could disputes between women get?

“Oh, come on, Gu Huayuan! Other people try to reconcile, but you sound like you actually want us to quarrel.”

Jokingly, Gu Huayuan said, “Maybe a little quarrel would make the house more lively?”

Lin Qiao smacked him with her little fist, “You’re so annoying!”

…

“Kneel down!”

Back at the Gu household, Gu Bicheng stood with his hands behind his back, fuming as he pointed at the two children.

He didn’t even need to interrogate them—he knew for certain the second son must have been involved. Otherwise, the third wouldn’t have dared do such a thing.

Zhang Wenjuan was frightened, “Old Gu, what are you losing your temper for this time? Why make the children kneel?”

“I won’t just make them kneel, I’ll give them a beating too.”

As he spoke, Gu Bicheng picked up the ruler and ordered the two children to hold out their hands. He struck Gu Huayin’s hand three times, leaving the child in tears.

When it came to Gu Huarui, he didn’t strike immediately but said, “Be sensible.”

After a few seconds of silence, Gu Huarui finally gave in, bent over with his backside in the air, and received three hard smacks.

Zhang Wenjuan was distressed to the core. She rushed over, snatched the ruler, and threw it to the ground.

“Why on earth are you beating the children!”

Gu Bicheng set the teacup straight on the table and pushed it toward her, “Here, take a sip of this—the precious tea your darling daughter served me.”

Gu Huayin cried in grievance, “It was meant for sister-in-law.”

“You still dare to talk!” said Gu Bicheng.

Zhang Wenjuan picked up the cup and took a sip—she spat it out immediately. Realizing what the children had done, her voice grew guilty, “It’s just a little thing, they were only fooling around.”

“Fooling around? Their sister-in-law’s only been here a few days, and they’re already bullying her like this? What, do they want to become little tyrants? I’m still here, and they’re already trying to turn the house upside down? They’ll kneel right there for at least an hour, reflect on their mistakes, and afterward, each will write a self-criticism essay.”

The two children’s faces immediately fell as bitter as cucumbers.

“Dad is too biased—he only favors sister-in-law.”

“Dad doesn’t love us.”

Hearing that, Gu Bicheng’s face turned dark with anger.

And right then, Zhang Wenjuan chimed in, “That’s right, you never punished Huayuan like this before.”

“I—I wasn’t unwilling to hit him?” Gu Bicheng’s hands trembled with anger.

When Gu Shitou was a child, he himself was still young and hot-tempered. Whenever the child made mistakes, he absolutely punished him, even more strictly than now. But Gu Shitou wasn’t an obedient one—once he saw the ruler in his father’s hand, he’d immediately run off.

Everyone in the compound were old comrades. The kid would just wander between a few households, staying over at different homes, and could be gone for more than ten days before returning. Only when Gu Bicheng went on business trips would the boy finally come back.

Back then he was angry, but thinking about it now, he really regretted it. He hadn’t had much time with his son to begin with, and because of these incidents, he missed out on even more chances to be with him.

By the time he looked back, the boy had already grown up and joined the army, stationed far from home.

Later, he had married and built a life of his own.

Gu Bicheng sighed, clasped his hands behind his back, and walked upstairs.

Seeing him leave, Gu Huarui and Gu Huayin tried to sneakily get up. But before they could move, a voice boomed from upstairs: “Don’t move! Whoever moves will add another hour!”

“……”

The two pitifully turned to Zhang Wenjuan.

Zhang Wenjuan didn’t dare let them move either.

After all, this time it really was the children’s fault. She scolded them bitterly, “How could you do such a thing? And to let your father find out, no less!”

Gu Huarui glared at Gu Huayin. “It’s all her fault for being stupid!”

“It’s not me, it was sister-in-law who gave it to Dad to drink. Wuwuwu…” Gu Huayin was completely wronged. She had no idea why sister-in-law didn’t drink it herself and instead gave it to Dad.

Zhang Wenjuan muttered gloomily, “From now on, don’t provoke her again. Your sister-in-law is sly as a fox.”

…

On New Year’s Eve, Lin Qiao and Gu Huayuan arrived early at the Gu household to prepare for the reunion dinner.

This was the most complete gathering the old Gu family had had in years, and Gu Bicheng was in excellent spirits, even bringing out his treasured liquor.

Gu Huayuan was busy writing spring couplets at home, while Lin Qiao rolled up her sleeves to help paste them.

She even hung up a red lantern she made herself on the little Western-style building.

In the kitchen, Zhang Wenjuan was preparing the dishes. From time to time, she glanced outside at the three of them laughing happily together, feeling bitterly sour inside.

Old Gu was clearly her husband, the father of Huarui and Huayin.

But when she thought of her two pitiful children still hiding upstairs, too afraid to come down, she felt even more resentful.

So resentful that she ended up adding extra salt while cooking.

When the food was ready, Lin Qiao wiped the table clean and pulled Gu Huayuan along to carry out the dishes. Instantly, the festive atmosphere came alive.

Zhang Wenjuan called up the stairs twice, and the two children finally came down. But after yesterday’s punishment, they were still listless—and secretly glaring at Lin Qiao.

Seeing their low spirits, Lin Qiao asked with concern, “What’s wrong? Just one night and you already look so unhappy. What happened to you two?”

Gu Bicheng answered, “Nothing, they made a mistake and were disciplined.”

Lin Qiao said, “Dad, they’re still young. Better to educate than to beat.”

Gu Bicheng looked at the two children. “Did you hear what your sister-in-law just said? Do you feel guilty?”

The siblings glanced at Lin Qiao. Despite themselves, they felt a little moved and guilty.

They had originally just wanted to mess with her, yet here she was speaking up for them.

But that complicated feeling lasted only three seconds.

Lin Qiao suggested, “Dad, next time younger brother and sister make mistakes, just make them copy passages from their textbooks. That would be good.”

The siblings: “……”

To Gu Bicheng, that sounded too scholarly—too tame. Children needed to be beaten when they erred. Spare the rod, spoil the child. But since his daughter-in-law had made the suggestion, he still had to give her face. “Copying is indeed a good idea.”

They would copy texts—but a beating was still necessary.

He raised his cup and toasted, “Today is New Year’s Eve. Let’s all drink a glass together. It’s been far too long since our family has been this happy.”

Everyone clinked glasses with him, politely putting on a harmonious front.

But once they started eating, it became… difficult to describe.

The flavor was truly something…

Yesterday it had been salt water. Today it was salty dishes. Gu Bicheng frowned and asked, “Is our household being supplied too much salt? Next time let’s tell logistics to deliver less. We can’t finish it all.”

Zhang Wenjuan: “……”

Lin Qiao, remembering Zhang Wenjuan’s past antics and considering she was freeloading anyway, helped smooth things over: “Actually, it’s fine. Usually salt is rationed and food tastes a bit bland. Eating a little heavier at home helps replenish salt.”

Gu Bicheng nodded, “True, with nationwide salt rationing, ordinary people are reluctant to use it. Comrade Wenjuan, we should still let logistics know.”

Lin Qiao gave Zhang Wenjuan a quick apologetic glance—Auntie Zhang, this really wasn’t intentional this time.

Gu Huayuan clinked glasses with his father, saying, “Since it’s New Year’s Eve, let’s eat more salt. That way, next year we won’t lack salt.”

Seeing his son and daughter-in-law try to ease things, Gu Bicheng was actually quite pleased. It showed that they truly wanted family harmony.

At least his son and daughter-in-law were committed to peace. Only Comrade Wenjuan’s mindset needed changing. Outside she was capable, but at home she got stuck on petty issues—that wasn’t right.

Meanwhile, Zhang Wenjuan was simply wishing the holiday would end quickly so she could send them off.

No wonder the Women’s Federation dealt with so many mother-in-law and daughter-in-law disputes every day. This relationship was just hard to manage. If she’d known Lin Qiao’s temperament back then, she would’ve just denied knowing her, or else brought her to the capital and introduced her to some other match.

Instead, they’d married in a little ancestor.

Thank goodness she wasn’t her real daughter-in-law, or else she’d die of anger.

That New Year’s Eve, they spent the night at the Gu family’s house for the reunion and vigil.

Gu Huayuan was once again pulled by Gu Bicheng to play chess.

Lin Qiao, bored, picked up an idle Go set of Gu Bicheng’s and invited the younger ones to play.

“Come, come, let’s play too. How about Five-in-a-Row?”

“No.” The children firmly refused. They didn’t even know what “Five-in-a-Row” was.

They just didn’t want to play with their sister-in-law.

Lin Qiao coaxed, “Oh, come on. How can we get through such a long evening without playing? Whatever game you want to play is fine.”

When the two kids heard that, they looked at each other, then nodded, “Only if the loser has to pay.”

Lin Qiao immediately agreed, “Sure.”

The two kids quickly ran over and sat down properly. “Come on, first tell us how this is played.” No way the two of them would lose to one person. After a while, they’d go report to their dad, saying their sister-in-law made them gamble.

Gomoku was very simple. Just a few words were enough to explain the rules.

The siblings thought it was way too easy.

Originally, they planned to win some money quickly, but who would’ve thought the game dragged on until midnight. When the New Year’s bell rang, a small pile of low-denomination bills and coins was stacked in front of Lin Qiao. She yawned, saying she didn’t want to continue. Mainly, it was boring—no sense of accomplishment. As expected, playing with kids wasn’t satisfying at all; even winning didn’t feel good.

Gu Huarui’s eyes were already red. “No, we have to keep playing.”

Gu Huayin pouted aggrievedly, saying that if she refused, they’d tattle and accuse her of making them gamble.

Gu Huarui even threatened, “Gambling is wrong, gambling is against the law!”

Lin Qiao’s sleepiness was startled away—this was just too shamelessly ungrateful.

She stayed silent for a moment. Just when the two thought she was scared, she gathered up the money and went straight to Gu Bicheng. “Dad, I need to report something. Rui Rui and Yin Yin asked me to gamble with them. I figured I’d teach them a lesson, so I agreed. But after they lost all their money, they still wouldn’t repent and insisted on continuing. That won’t do—gambling is no good. Dad, I’ll hand all this money to you, and you should reason with them.”

Gu Bicheng stopped playing chess immediately. “These two brats!”

Beside him, Gu Huayuan packed up the chessboard, then looked at Lin Qiao and laughed.

“What are you laughing at? I’m being serious, this isn’t tattling,” Lin Qiao said with confidence.

Gu Huayuan gave a faint “Mm,” thinking inwardly, Laugh? I’m just laughing at how badly they’ll be bullied if we ever have kids in the future.