AYLS – Chapter 64

On the first day of the Lunar New Year, Lin Qiao was dragged out of bed by Gu Huayang to pay New Year visits.

Yawning, Lin Qiao had absolutely no desire to move.

The night before, the Gu family had been bustling with activity. The two children had been punished on New Year’s Eve, and she had watched the commotion for quite some time. They had been so excited that they couldn’t fall asleep until late at night.

Gu Huayang said, “After the New Year visits, we still need to go grocery shopping. Tomorrow we’ll host a hotpot dinner.”

At the mention of hotpot, Lin Qiao immediately opened her eyes and sat up. “Can’t we eat today?”

“We can, if you want. We’ll try it ourselves first.”

Overjoyed, Lin Qiao quickly got out of bed and got dressed.

After breakfast, Gu Huayang took Lin Qiao around the compound to pay New Year visits.

Trailing behind them were two little tails who had been chased out by Gu Bicheng.

Gu Huari and Gu Huayin were both in a sour mood over the punishment from the night before. Since their elder brother and sister-in-law were home, they hadn’t been beaten, but their father had listened to their sister-in-law’s suggestion and made them copy lessons instead. So, when the clock struck, they couldn’t sleep on New Year’s Day—they had to write out their lessons to show their father in the morning.

Now, they were extremely resentful toward Lin Qiao, completely forgetting that they had originally been planning to scheme against their sister-in-law.

As they walked, Lin Qiao glanced back at them. “During the New Year, you should be happy. Don’t look so glum. People won’t like that.”

Gu Huari wanted to retort, “Mind your own business,” but with elder brother Gu Huayang right there, he didn’t dare. He could only force a smile.

Lin Qiao beamed and praised them, “Good, good, good.”

Then, adopting the authoritative air of a senior sister, she lectured them: “Children should act like children. Don’t spend all your time thinking about troublesome things. If I find out you bully your elder brother, I won’t be kind to you.”

Would she overlook it just because they were kids? Of course not! Deep down, she still felt like a baby herself.

Gu Huari and Gu Huayin felt wronged.

Who had bullied elder brother? Did they even have the courage?

Gu Huayang first took Lin Qiao to visit several nearby families. While walking, he explained each household’s family members and how close they were to him, so Lin Qiao could remember them.

Lin Qiao said, “With so many people, how am I supposed to remember? We can talk about it later. Isn’t it enough that I know you?”

“Anyway, once we go to the northwest, there won’t be many chances to come back. By then, she might already be gone over there. Whether you recognize them here won’t matter much.”

Gu Huayang, however, had a different thought. The reason he took this opportunity to have Lin Qiao visit families one by one was to familiarize her with their faces.

If anything were to happen in the future, she wouldn’t be left without anyone to turn to.

These close contacts could at least lend a helping hand.

He couldn’t say such discouraging things on a day like this. He could only instruct, “It’s good to know more people; it won’t hurt.”

“It feels like… being lectured by an elder,” Lin Qiao thought. Her father used to like taking her to all sorts of banquets and introducing her to uncles and older family friends.

They always said it’s beneficial to know more people.

Lin Qiao wanted to say, “As long as you know them, that’s enough. If I need something, I can just come to you.”

Sigh… she didn’t know why, but even in this game world, getting married and living life, she still received the same kind of guidance.

Gu Bicheng was an elder statesman; he knew quite a few people in this compound.

Gu Huayang had his own circle too, and he was close to the younger generation of these families.

So when they visited, the hosts were extremely enthusiastic.

They stuffed Lin Qiao and the two siblings behind her with snacks.

The first house they visited was Zhang Tuo’s, Gu Huayang’s closest friend.

“This is Uncle Zhang and Aunt Qiu. Uncle Zhang used to work with my father. He’s also Zhang Tuo’s father.”

Uncle Zhang was a refined middle-aged man, wearing glasses and looking scholarly. He smiled, “I used to be a regiment commander, and he was the political commissar. We argued a lot.”

Then he looked at Lin Qiao. “You’ve grown so fast. The last time I saw you, you weren’t even born yet.”

Lin Qiao was surprised. “You’ve seen me before?”

“Yeah, we used to be in the same group. I even witnessed your arranged engagement when you were kids.”

Hearing this, Lin Qiao felt a bit awkward for some reason and smiled, pressing her lips together.

Aunt Qiu was a very elegant woman. She held Lin Qiao’s hand in one and Gu Huayuan’s in the other, reminding her to take good care of Xiao Qiao. “Don’t let anyone be wronged. Don’t follow his father’s stubborn temper, running off every time you argue.” Even if her relationship with Zhang Wenjuan was ordinary, everyone still felt that Old Gu’s behavior was wrong.

Lin Qiao was good at showing off affection. Standing close to Gu Huayuan, she smiled gently, “Don’t worry, he treats me really well. We never argue, and we won’t argue in the future.” She completely ignored the fact that just two nights ago she had a quarrel with Gu Huayuan all by herself.

“As long as he treats you well. Shitou is a good kid, you’re a good kid too. Live well together, and maybe have a child early.”

As she spoke, a trace of worry flashed in her eyes. Her own son still didn’t know how to behave properly.

Gu Huayuan asked, “Zhang Tuo isn’t home?”

“They’ve gone out. The couple went out to pay New Year visits too.”

Speaking of Zhang Tuo and his wife, Uncle Zhang’s smile faded slightly.

Gu Huayuan didn’t ask further and just said to help inform Zhang Tuo that they’d have hotpot at his place tomorrow night.

After leaving the Zhang household, they visited several more homes.

Most of the young people were at home, chatting cheerfully with Gu Huayuan and Lin Qiao. Gu Huayuan worried that Lin Qiao might be shy, but she wasn’t at all—she was outgoing and could talk easily even with unfamiliar young people.

Gu Huayuan smiled and arranged with these young people to have hotpot together tomorrow.

“Sure, if you’re treating, we won’t hold back. Where will it be?”

“At my little courtyard. Xiao Qiao says she’ll show off her skills.”

“If Sister-in-law is treating, we definitely have to go.”

While paying New Year visits, they had already invited the guests for tomorrow.

Lin Qiao said, “That’s quite a few people. Will there be enough to eat tomorrow? We should go buy ingredients early; otherwise, we won’t get good stuff, and it would be embarrassing if there isn’t enough.”

Gu Huayuan nodded, “We’ll buy extra later.”

Behind them, two little tails listened eagerly to the hotpot invitations, swallowing their saliva countless times.

Finally, they couldn’t help asking, “Brother, there’s hotpot?”

Before Gu Huayuan could answer, Lin Qiao turned back with hands behind her and smiled, “Yes.”

More swallowing sounds followed.

The two of them stared eagerly at Lin Qiao and Gu Huayuan, hoping to be invited.

Lin Qiao grabbed Gu Huayuan’s sleeve and walked ahead. “Gu Huayuan, we need to hurry and buy ingredients.”

Gu Huayuan smiled and followed.

The siblings ran up quickly. “Brother, Sister-in-law, is the hotpot tasty? What does it taste like?”

The two ahead were busy discussing what ingredients to buy and where, ignoring them completely.

The younger two became anxious. Gu Huarui ran a few steps forward to block them, “Sister-in-law, take us with you. We eat little, just want to smell the aroma.”

Lin Qiao shook her finger, “No.”

“Why not?” Gu Huayin puffed out his cheeks.

“If you eat more, won’t I eat less?”

“…”

“Besides, I remember what you did yesterday. You even tried to tattle on me, scheming against me. At such a young age, learning to bully others. It’s already good I even feed you; you should feel lucky you didn’t go hungry a few times.”

Gu Huayin muttered softly, “But it didn’t work, right?”

“If it were someone else, wouldn’t you have succeeded? If it were a younger kid, bullied by you, they wouldn’t dare speak up. That’d be so unfair.”

“…”

Gu Huarui asked, “Then what do you want?”

Lin Qiao rolled her eyes, “It’s not about what I want. It’s about what you should do. Reflect on yourself. When you do something wrong, what should you do?”

Admit it.

The siblings glanced at each other, then hung their heads, feeling embarrassed to apologize.

Besides, they were clearly at a loss yesterday.

Lin Qiao didn’t bother with them further. She pulled Gu Huayuan and continued walking, saying, “You don’t interfere. Kids need to be taught; otherwise, they’ll be spoiled.”

She still worried a little about Gu Huayuan. After all, if these siblings had bad temperaments, what if they bullied Gu Huayuan after she left?

Gu Huayuan just smiled at her, showing no intention of intervening.

Previously, he worried that Xiao Qiao wouldn’t manage the kids properly. Now, he didn’t worry at all.

Back at the Gu residence, Gu Huayuan and Lin Qiao went to inform Gu Bicheng that they would return to their little courtyard.

To ensure they could buy ingredients smoothly, they wouldn’t eat here at noon.

They also said they wouldn’t come on the second day of the New Year, since they had plans with friends tomorrow. Who knew how many years it would be before they could meet again otherwise?

Zhang Wenjuan didn’t mind them eating out and even said, “Young people rarely come back to the capital; let them go out and enjoy themselves.”

Gu Bicheng said, “Alright then, take good care of Xiao Qiao. By the way, Xiao Qiao, have you discussed staying in the capital with Shitou?”

Lin Qiao decided not to get annoyed at Zhang Wenjuan and honestly replied, taking the chance to show off her affection: “I still don’t want to be apart from Gu Huayuan.”

Gu Huayuan pressed his lips and smiled.

Gu Bicheng waved his hand with a smile, “Alright, alright, go ahead.”

The two immediately left. Lin Qiao couldn’t wait for the hotpot.

Watching their backs, Zhang Wenjuan felt envious and a little bitter. She reminded Gu Bicheng that they also hadn’t eaten out for a long time and didn’t know when they’d get the chance again.

Gu Bicheng said, “There’s plenty to eat at home. At our age, running out to eat? I don’t have the face for that.”

Zhang Wenjuan: “…”

The couple was still talking, while Gu Huarui and Gu Huayin, the brother and sister, watched their eldest brother and sister-in-law walk off and started to get anxious.

Without a second thought, they both ran after them.

They caught up to them just before Lin Qiao and the others left the compound.

“Sister-in-law, we’re sorry. We know we were wrong,” Gu Huarui shouted shamelessly, his face red.

Gu Huayin blushed too and fiddled with her fingers as she apologized, “We were wrong. We definitely won’t bully you anymore.”

Lin Qiao said, “Is this really about bullying me? Nobody should be bullied.”

“Alright, alright, no bullying anyone—we won’t do it anymore,” Gu Huarui quickly agreed, afraid that Lin Qiao and the others might really leave.

Lin Qiao extended her finger, “Then pinky swear—anyone who does something bad from now on is a cheating little dog.”

Gu Huarui refused, “We’re too old to play this?”

“Oh, then forget it.” Lin Qiao took Gu Huayuan’s hand and continued walking.

“Play! Play! Come on, pinky swear!” Gu Huarui chased after her, shouting again.

Only then did Lin Qiao turn back, satisfied, and hooked little fingers with the two kids.

“Gu Huayuan, you saw that. Be a witness. If they go back on this, I’ll spread it throughout the entire compound.”

Gu Huayuan nodded, “No problem. I know all the kids here.”

Lin Qiao added for dramatic effect, “I’ll even write about their behavior and post it on the bulletin board.”

The brother and sister: “……”

Alright, they’d endure it.

With the agreement made, Gu Huarui asked, “Then, hotpot tomorrow?”

Lin Qiao said, “Sure, sure. Oh, and remember to bring some seasoning.”

They’d been eating out the past few days. Neither she nor Gu Huayuan were registered in the capital, so they didn’t have these supplies.

“Ah, no problem.”

The two immediately agreed.

With the plan set and the address known, they were satisfied and headed inside.

Lin Qiao covered her mouth to laugh and said to Gu Huayuan, “Kids these days are so easy to manage—just give them a little food, and they behave.”

Gu Huayuan said, “Kids in the past were even easier to manage.”

Lin Qiao: “……” She couldn’t exactly say future kids would be harder to handle—like her. Back then, no matter what delicacies someone gave her, she wouldn’t be obedient.

…

Hotpot wasn’t a specialty in the capital, but there were still master chefs who could make good hotpot base—a skill passed down from the old society.

When Gu Huayuan wandered around the capital as a child, he had met these chefs and knew where to find the tastiest food.

He hadn’t wandered aimlessly back then—he was reminiscing about places he had lived with his mother, trying to find them.

In the end, although he found them, everything had changed. He also occasionally spotted a few spies and found a lot of delicious food.

They first went to a small alley to buy hotpot base.

Because of supply issues, hotpot restaurants couldn’t really open, so families cooked at home.

But there were still shops selling the base, though the supply was limited. Some people didn’t even know the shop existed.

Gu Huayuan and Lin Qiao arrived early enough to buy a large block of base, packed in a lunchbox.

Lin Qiao sniffed it—so fragrant!

She had rarely eaten hotpot before, worried about her skin. Back then, there were so many other foods she could eat instead.

Now, she didn’t care about her skin—she just wanted something delicious.

“Hurry up and buy the vegetables!”

At this time, the supply store didn’t have many fresh vegetables—just napa cabbage, some potatoes, and a few dried beans.

Even in the capital, variety was limited; in smaller cities, it was nearly impossible to find these in the middle of winter.

They didn’t care—anything edible they could buy went into a big bag. Then they bought meat, taking a bit of everything available.

After filling more than half a bag with vegetables, Lin Qiao eagerly dragged Gu Huayuan back to cook hotpot.

At noon, they ate so much that Lin Qiao couldn’t even move from the bed, leaning to one side.

Seeing this, Gu Huayuan asked, “Don’t want to go out?”

“No, no,” Lin Qiao said, rubbing her belly.

Gu Huayuan cleaned the table, got rid of lingering smells, then boiled water to help her wash her face.

Lin Qiao appreciated his considerate care, took the water, washed her face, and then went back to sleep.

After a while, Gu Huayuan crawled into bed.

Lin Qiao opened her eyes in surprise, “What are you doing?”

Gu Huayuan smiled, “Since we don’t want to go out, let’s have some fun at home.”

“……”

…

Early to bed and early to rise had its benefits. Lin Qiao got up early to prepare everything.

Although the meal was scheduled for the evening, ingredients needed to be ready in advance. Once guests arrived, they had to eat.

The Gu family’s two youngest arrived early, finished breakfast, and came, carrying baskets filled with jars and bottles.

Lin Qiao hurried to open the door, surprised at how packed the baskets were.

“Why did you bring so much?”

“You said we needed seasoning, so we brought it all,” Gu Huarui said, carrying the basket into the yard. “It’s heavy.”

Lin Qiao recognized the bottles, “These look like home supplies—you just brought them directly?”

“Of course. Using anything else would be too troublesome,” Gu Huarui said.

Lin Qiao: “……so you just brought them like this?”

“Yep,” Gu Huarui nodded, completely confident.

“……” Lin Qiao thought for a moment—well, it wasn’t her doing, so no point complaining.

Meanwhile, back at the old Gu residence, Zhang Wenjuan went out for a bit and returned, ready to prepare lunch, only to find a note saying they had gone to the eldest brother and sister-in-law’s home to eat.

Zhang Wenjuan immediately frowned. Thinking about those two silly kids—after being bullied several times, they still dared to go over there for a meal—she realized they had fallen for a honey trap!

With such weak willpower, if this had happened back in the old days, they would have ended up as traitors!

Feeling irritated, Zhang Wenjuan crumpled the note, then went into the kitchen to prepare lunch, and then…

“Old Gu, something’s been stolen from our kitchen!”