Gu Yunche glanced at Bai Lin’s hands, which were even rougher than Mu Guiying’s.
Mu Guiying also did some work, but she took great care to maintain her delicate hands and charming face. Gu Yunche had heard from the village Party branch secretary that she would rather go hungry to save money for clam oil and vanishing cream.
The braised pork melted in the mouth, rich in flavor and cooked to perfection—no doubt Bai Lin had mastered the dish through constant practice. Since Bai Lin was responsible for cooking at the Zhang family’s home, she must also have done plenty of laundry and housework!
At this thought, Gu Yunche’s expression turned colder.
He said solemnly, “Aunt, Uncle, my parents have asked me to take Bai Lin back to the capital this time, register her in our household, and have her complete her senior year of high school there to take next year’s college entrance exam.”
Due to the cost of her food and lodging at the Zhang family’s home, Bai Lin had started elementary school late, delaying her education by two years. Later, it was only because the Gu family regularly sent money for her expenses that she was able to continue her studies.
Later, when the Zhang family’s circumstances improved, and Gu Fu arranged for a subordinate to look after Zhang Qingguo’s job, Zhang Qingguo finally supported Bai Lin through high school. Otherwise, Bai Lin might have started working to support the family long ago.
Upon hearing that Gu Yunche intended to take Bai Lin away, Zhang Qingguo and his wife were overjoyed.
After all, Bai Lin and Gu Yunche had been exchanging letters for years, and Bai Lin’s admiration for Gu Yunche was obvious to anyone with eyes. Moreover, Gu Yunche had come personally to fetch Bai Lin at his parents’ request, clearly indicating that the Gu family intended to arrange a marriage.
Zhang Qingguo beamed with delight, already making plans in his mind.
He readily agreed, “Bai Lin’s academic performance is excellent, so she’ll have no problem in the capital. But, Regiment Commander Gu, my Qingqing is also taking the college entrance exam next year. Do you think you could take her to the capital as well? If she can register her household there, the exam will be easier, especially since the teaching quality is better…”
Bai Lin was annoyed by her uncle’s behavior and looked apologetically at Gu Yunche.
Gu Yunche, however, guessed that Bai Lin had not had an easy time at the Zhang family’s home these past few years—not only studying but also working to serve the entire Zhang household.
He lowered his gaze, set down his chopsticks, and spoke earnestly, “Although household registration management has relaxed slightly, our family’s available slots are already full.”
Upon hearing this, Zhang Qingqing’s face fell.
Tears welled up in her eyes. “Brother Yunche, are you just making excuses because you only want to take my sister? My grades are also very good. Please help me!”
Seeing her aunt and uncle signaling her with their eyes, Bai Lin bit her lip, considering how to help Gu Yunche decline the request.
“Brother Yunche isn’t making excuses. This time, he’s not only here to take me but also to take Guiying.”
The Zhang family exchanged puzzled glances.
Zhang Qingqing asked, confused, “Cousin, who is Guiying?”
At the guesthouse, Mu Guiying, who had been sleeping, sneezed.
She mumbled, “Who’s talking about me?”
Rubbing her nose, Mu Guiying turned over and went back to sleep.
On the way to the guesthouse, Bai Lin walked side by side with Zhang Qingqing, carrying a lunchbox of food for Mu Guiying.
Her gaze fell on Gu Yunche, who was standing not far away at a snack stall buying sunflower seeds. She didn’t need to guess to know he was buying them for Mu Guiying.
Bai Lin felt even more relieved that she had told her aunt’s family during the meal that Mu Guiying would occupy one of the Gu family’s household registration slots.
Although she wasn’t afraid that Gu Yunche would fall for a wild girl from the village like Mu Guiying, Gu Yunche was such a good man—who could guarantee that Mu Guiying wouldn’t develop improper ideas about him?
With this thought, Bai Lin linked arms with Zhang Qingqing.
Her tone was intimate, "Qingqing, that Mu Guiying claims to be Brother Yunche's relative, but she actually isn't."
Seeing Zhang Qingqing's listless expression perk up with interest, Bai Lin lowered her voice, "I suspect she's the daughter of Aunt Gu's close friend."
Not a relative?
Bai Lin held onto Zhang Qingqing and quietly recounted Mu Guiying's background into her ear.
"The Gu family doesn't have any relatives with the surname Mu. So, I think Mu Guiying's parents are those two enjoying a comfortable life abroad. If not for the changing times, how could Mu Guiying possibly have the chance to leave the countryside? How can her status as someone with parents overseas compare to yours?"
Zhang Qingqing grew even angrier upon hearing this.
Her grandparents and parents were all of impeccable backgrounds. She was a promising female student with a bright future—how could Mu Guiying take away such a valuable household registration quota?
Gu Yunche had bought both spiced and plain sunflower seeds. Holding the kraft paper bag, he stood at the street corner waiting for the two girls.
Seeing that Gu Yunche had finished his shopping, Bai Lin pressed her lips together tightly. No matter how much Zhang Qingqing pestered her to say more about Mu Guiying, she only smiled without speaking.
Secretly, she tugged at Zhang Qingqing's sleeve.
Noticing Gu Yunche standing ahead, Zhang Qingqing also fell silent.
When they reached the guesthouse, Gu Yunche knocked on the door.
"Xiao Mu?"
Mu Guiying had just finished showering and was standing in front of the mirror drying her hair.
She responded, "Coming!"
As Mu Guiying opened the door, she saw Gu Yunche standing at the doorway with two girls behind him.
The faint scent of soap and floral shampoo wafted toward Gu Yunche. Her originally fair and delicate face was veiled with a misty glow after bathing, making her bright eyes appear even more lively and her cherry-red lips more vibrant. Droplets of water still clung to the ends of her sleek black hair.
A line suddenly popped into his mind—"A lotus emerges pure from clear water, natural beauty unadorned."
Bai Lin and Zhang Qingqing were also stunned by Mu Guiying's beauty.
Both their faces tightened slightly.
Mu Guiying glanced at the girl standing beside Bai Lin, feeling somewhat puzzled.
She hadn't intended to form an "awkward trio" with Gu Yunche and Bai Lin—so why was there now an additional third wheel?
Gu Yunche lowered his gaze, avoiding further looks at Mu Guiying.
"Bai Lin and I brought you dinner. That girl is Bai Lin's cousin, Zhang Qingqing."
Zhang Qingqing?
In the original story, Zhang Qingqing also harbored affection for Gu Yunche.
She was Bai Lin's biological cousin. Later, she got into university and married Gu Yunche's comrade-in-arms. Their marital relationship was actually quite good, but they never had children.
Zhang Qingqing didn't get along well with Bai Lin, often claiming that Bai Lin had caused her miscarriage. However, neither the Zhang family nor the Gu family believed her.
Remembering this, Mu Guiying's gaze toward Zhang Qingqing held a bit more pity.
They were both cannon-fodder female supporting characters, their reputations equally tarnished—truly two kindred spirits fallen on hard times!
But why did Zhang Qingqing's gaze toward her seem so unfriendly?
Mu Guiying stepped aside, "Thank you all, please come in!"
Gu Yunche entered first, placing the purchased sunflower seeds on the table. He glanced at the trash can and the newspapers on the table—neither had any sunflower seed shells.
The corners of his lips lifted slightly. Mu Guiying had obediently stayed in and hadn't wandered off.
This provincial capital was much larger than Gucheng Village—what would he do if she got lost?
Bai Lin smilingly placed the food containers on the table.
She warmly called out to Mu Guiying.
Guiying younger sister, come quickly and eat while it's hot."
When several aluminum lunch boxes were opened, the dishes inside proved quite plentiful.
Mu Guiying had only eaten well once since transmigrating—that time in the county town when Gu Yunche treated her to a restaurant meal. The rest of the time, she was either starving in the woodshed or unconscious or carsick.
Mu Guiying glanced at Zhang Qingqing again. Now, she only felt sorry for herself.
After all, although Zhang Qingqing was also a cannon-fodder supporting female character, she had plenty of food and clothing!
After expressing her thanks, Mu Guiying quietly ate her meal.
Zhang Qingqing watched her eat, her eyes widening in surprise…