Ring ring ring—
“Hello, Lin Residence. Who are you looking for?”
“This is Lan Shaoying, Lu Ming’an’s mother. Are you Zhitao?”
“Auntie, hello. I’m Lin Zhitao. Are you looking for Brother Ming’an? He isn’t home right now.” Lin Zhitao’s tone carried a trace of nervousness.
Although Lin Zhitao and Lu Ming’an had already gotten their marriage certificate, Lu Ming’an had never told her much about the Lu family, and she had not asked either. She had planned to wait until they arrived in the capital before bringing it up.
She was worried that because of her background, the Lu family might be dissatisfied with her. Though she was not afraid, she also did not want Lu Ming’an to be caught in the middle.
Besides, the matters in Shanghai had not completely ended yet, and she did not want to think too much about it.
“It’s fine, no need to bother with him. It’s the same whoever answers. Zhitao, has that brat Ming’an been treating you well? If he dares mistreat you, just tell Mom and I’ll deal with him.”
Lan Shaoying indeed had some dissatisfaction about Old Master Lu arranging for Lu Ming’an to marry Lin Zhitao, but she held no personal prejudice against Lin Zhitao herself. She was a descendant of capitalists, yes, but that was not something she could decide for herself.
What upset her was that there were clearly several suitable candidates in the Lu family, yet the matter had been pushed directly onto Lu Ming’an.
“Mom, Brother Ming’an treats me very well.”
“That’s good then. Mom called today to ask whether your wedding will be held in the capital. If not, that’s fine too. Mom can mail the bride price to you. Tell me what kind of clothes you like and what food you enjoy eating, and Mom will buy everything and send it over.”
Lan Shaoying did not even give Lin Zhitao a chance to speak.
Just then, Lu Ming’an returned home.
“Brother Ming’an, it’s Mom on the phone.”
Lin Zhitao found her mother-in-law’s enthusiasm somewhat overwhelming. The moment Lu Ming’an returned, she felt as though she had seen her savior and immediately handed the phone to him.
“Mom, it’s me, Ming’an. How did you get the Lin Residence number?” Lu Ming’an chuckled softly at Lin Zhitao’s expression, which looked as though she were facing a formidable enemy, before taking the phone.
When his mother approved of someone, she truly was very enthusiastic.
After spending this period of time together, Lu Ming’an could more or less tell that Lin Zhitao had grown up in luxury and was somewhat naïve and delicate. She was intelligent and kind, but she also never forgot grudges.
Perhaps because of her background, she had no real friends and did not enjoy socializing. Toward unrelated people, she could even be described as somewhat indifferent, and she became awkward and at a loss when faced with too much warmth.
“Of course I got it from Old Master. You already registered your marriage and still didn’t call home to say anything. Do you still have leave left? Where are you holding the wedding? If it’s in the capital, there’s a mountain of preparations to make. If you don’t tell us early, how can we possibly have enough time? You—”
“Mom, Mom, calm down. I’ll discuss the wedding with Tangtang first, then I’ll call you back.”
Lu Ming’an quickly hung up the phone.
“Tangtang, what did Mom say to you just now?”
“She asked about the wedding,” Lin Zhitao answered calmly.
“I still have ten days of leave left. Tangtang, would you like the wedding to be held in the capital or at the military base?”
Lu Ming’an had learned that Lin Zhitao cared about the final punishment results for Su Ya and Song Zhiqiang, so he had specifically gone out to inquire before returning.
Because there was no evidence for Su Ya’s crimes, she could not be convicted. Her punishment was to clean public toilets in the district for three months.
As for Song Zhiqiang and Liu Xiaoting, because they had committed adultery during marriage, it was classified as a moral conduct issue. Both were sentenced to five years of reform through labor on a remote farm.
After Liu Xiaoting’s family and in-laws learned of the incident, they publicly severed ties with her through a newspaper announcement. Her husband Jiang He also divorced her.
As for Su Ya and Su Yun, things were more or less settled. Lin Zhitao would not make any further moves. Whether their future lives became blessings or disasters would depend entirely on themselves.
Lin Zhitao thought about it seriously. Since Lu Ming’an still had leave, it would be better to hold the wedding in the capital and meet the Lu family at the same time.
Now that she and Lu Ming’an were married, she needed to know the Lu family’s attitude toward her. It did not matter much if other people disliked her, but Old Master Lu, Lu Ming’an’s parents, and his elder brother and sister-in-law were different. If they truly could not get along, she could always follow the army with Lu Ming’an, but he would definitely suffer being caught between his family and his wife.
Still, from today’s phone call, it seemed Lu Ming’an’s mother quite liked her.
After deciding to hold the wedding in the capital, Lu Ming’an called his mother back and asked the family to begin preparing for the wedding. Then he went to purchase train tickets for two days later.
Lin Zhitao also needed to sort through the things she would take with her, as well as Uncle Liu’s matters…
Time was tight. The two split up to handle different tasks. There was still much to do before leaving.
Song Family
The neighborhood committee director brought Su Ya back to the Song family and informed Old Madam Song of the punishment results for Su Ya and Song Zhiqiang.
“What did you say? My son Jianguo was arrested?” Old Madam Song shrieked sharply.
“Hmph. Your son and daughter-in-law have completely disgraced our neighborhood committee. Song Zhiqiang and Su Ya were caught having an affair and got married immediately afterward, yet not long later, Song Zhiqiang was arrested again by the Revolutionary Committee for another affair. Your Song family has truly become famous.”
The neighborhood committee director turned and left after speaking.
Not long after arriving at work that afternoon, she had been ordered to retrieve Su Ya from the police station and was warned to improve ideological education among neighborhood residents. She felt utterly humiliated.
Hearing the director’s words, the neighbors immediately burst into whispers. Ever since the Song family took in this daughter-in-law, scandals seemed to erupt every few days.
Su Ya regretted everything now. Back then, how had she let anger cloud her mind so thoroughly? She had caused such a massive scene that the Revolutionary Committee had been summoned. Now Song Zhiqiang was being exiled. How was she supposed to live from now on?
Old Madam Song collapsed onto the ground, wailing endlessly. Anyone unaware of the situation might even feel sympathy.
“Su Ya, you damned girl, hurry up and give me money! That little amount you gave us isn’t enough for anything. We’ve already been kicked out of the guesthouse. You’d better—”
Old Madam Su arrived at the Song family with Old Man Su, her son, and daughter-in-law. She paid no attention to why so many people were gathered outside the Song residence. She had no interest in the excitement and did not even notice that Su Ya no longer looked glamorous. All she wanted was money.
Meanwhile, Su Ya’s sister-in-law had already squeezed into the crowd to hear the gossip.
After being settled into the guesthouse, Old Madam Su had continued spending freely, thinking she could always ask Su Ya for more money later.
Today, when the guesthouse staff demanded payment, Old Madam Su refused and caused a huge scene. In the end, she and her luggage were thrown out.
“Su Ya, you curse-bringing disaster star! Ever since my son married you, the Song family has been plagued with bad luck. Nothing has gone right! You made my son lose his job, and now you even went to catch him cheating? Why catch him? Hah? You yourself don’t even know how many men you’ve slept with! Bah! Shameless! The Song family already did you a favor by letting you marry in, yet you still dared go after my son. Now he’s been arrested and exiled. Are you happy now? Huh? You vixen! Why don’t you just die already?!”
The moment Old Madam Song heard Su Ya’s name, she instantly stopped crying. She sprang up with surprising agility, rushed at Su Ya, and slapped her hard across the face before yanking her backward by the hair. Her mouth never stopped spewing curses, saliva flying everywhere.
After Su family’s eldest daughter-in-law finished gathering information and saw Old Madam Song beating Su Ya, she hurried back and reported everything to Old Madam Su.
Hearing the news, Old Madam Su looked disgusted and also worried the scandal would affect them. She immediately dragged Old Man Su and the others back to the countryside.
In the end, after repeated persuasion from the neighbors, Old Madam Song stopped short of beating Su Ya to death. After all, with Song Zhiqiang exiled, she was an old woman raising three children alone. She still needed Su Ya as labor.
Su Ya’s days became miserable. Afraid she might run away, Old Madam Song watched her constantly. Not only did Su Ya have to clean public toilets, she also had to do every chore in the house. Old Madam Song and the three children either beat or cursed her daily. In just a short time, Su Ya aged rapidly.
“Bah, little slut. Evil people really do get their retribution. Your stepfather got caught cheating again and exiled too! I heard your mother caught him herself. This old lady could die laughing. A whole family of filthy trash. Hurry up and wash the clothes and sweep the floor. Birds of a feather flock together. If today’s chores aren’t done, don’t even think about eating dinner tonight!”
After hearing the news about Su Ya, Old Madam Wu returned home and saw Su Yun looking half-dead. She immediately burst into another tirade of abuse.
By now, Su Yun was already used to being beaten and cursed. Upon hearing what had happened to Su Ya and Song Zhiqiang, she silently cursed them as useless trash.
She had once hoped Su Ya could help her escape the Wu family. Even if she could not escape, at least life in the Wu household might improve slightly. But now it seemed she could rely on no one but herself. She could not endure this hellish life for even one more day.
Damn it.
Su Yun’s face remained expressionless, but a vicious glint flashed through her eyes.
Since that was the case, then no one could blame her…
Lin Residence
“Brother Ming’an, come visit my father with me.”
Lin Zhitao bought some joss paper and wanted to bring Lu Ming’an to visit her father before leaving. Once she left this time, she had no idea when she would return again.
“Alright.”
Even if Lin Zhitao had not mentioned it, Lu Ming’an would have brought it up himself. After marrying someone’s daughter, paying respects was only proper.
Lin Chenian and the rest of the Lin family were not buried in a public cemetery. Instead, they rested on a mountain in the outskirts of Shanghai, very close to the Lin ancestral home.
The Lin surname was a major clan in Yongchun Brigade on the outskirts of Shanghai. Lin Zhitao’s branch had once been the most successful among them. Though they all shared the surname Lin, she no longer had any blood relation with the other Lin families in Yongchun Brigade.
No one had returned to the Lin ancestral home for a very long time. Ever since the movement began, the ancestral residence had long since been torn apart beyond recognition.