The mourning hall was very quiet.
Everyone’s expressions turned dramatic because of Gu Jianfeng’s words.
They looked at Gu Jianfeng, whose face was resolute and eyes filled with deep sorrow, and then at Lin Wanxing, who sat slumped on the ground, weeping like a rain-drenched pear blossom, seemingly still unable to process what was happening.
This… this second son of the Gu family, was going to marry his late elder brother’s intended bride?!
Lin Wanxing was genuinely dumbfounded.
This wasn’t how the script was supposed to go!
She raised her tear-filled eyes, looking dazedly at Gu Jianfeng.
He was very tall, standing before her and blocking most of the light in the mourning hall, casting a heavy shadow over her.
Gu Jianfeng’s brow carried the fatigue of a long journey, but his eyes were frighteningly dark.
Looking into Lin Wanxing’s bewildered and helpless eyes, Gu Jianfeng felt a deep sense of guilt and responsibility.
He remembered his own background.
He was originally the son of a relative of the Gu family. Both his parents fell ill and passed away one after the other when he was very young, leaving him an orphan relying on the kindness of others.
It was the Gu parents who took him in when he was eight years old, giving him food to eat and clothes to wear, ensuring he didn’t freeze or starve.
He had always remembered this debt of gratitude.
When he was twelve, the army came recruiting. At the time, he was growing rapidly and had a big appetite. Feeling too embarrassed to continue eating the Gu family’s rationed food, he seized the opportunity to join the army.
In the army, he pushed himself to the limit, enduring hardships, shedding blood and sweat, never daring to slack off even a little, and step by step, he made his way to where he was today.
He always felt he owed the Gu family.
Now, his elder brother had sacrificed his life, leaving behind an unmarried bride.
This girl was pure, kind, and delicate. In the mourning hall, she tearfully recounted her elder brother’s dying wish for her to remarry, unwilling to betray his final instructions.
Her eyes, brimming with tears, looked so helpless.
The Gu family owed her. His elder brother owed her. And he, as the Gu family’s adopted son, as his elder brother’s younger brother, how could he just stand by and watch?
He was quiet by nature and didn’t like to talk. In the army, thanks to his superiors’ appreciation, many older comrades tried to set him up, but he always refused with reasons like “heavy responsibilities” or “being too dull, afraid I’d hold her back.”
He felt someone like him probably didn’t know how to make a girl happy. It was simpler to be alone.
But now, he felt he couldn’t back down. This wasn’t about romance; it was about responsibility, about repayment, about giving this seemingly delicate yet inwardly resilient girl a proper outcome.
Thinking this, Gu Jianfeng’s gaze grew even more determined. He looked at Lin Wanxing, his voice low but clear, carrying the weight of a promise unique to a soldier.
“Sister-in-law, don’t worry. As long as I have a bite to eat, I will never let you go hungry. I… I will treat you well.”
Lin Wanxing’s heart was a complete turmoil of mixed emotions.
She looked into Gu Jianfeng’s overly sincere eyes, which held not a trace of impurity.
This man’s straightforwardness caught her off guard, even stirring a tiny, almost negligible flicker of guilt within her.
But that flicker was quickly suppressed by a stronger will to survive.
Whatever! Gu Jianfeng it is!
Judging by his epaulets and demeanor, he was definitely more “promising” than that supply and marketing cooperative accountant. Moreover, his attitude was clearly much better than that whole pack of ungrateful wolves in the Gu family!
Marrying him would not only legitimately free her from the shackles of being a widow-to-be but also infuriate Gu Jianbin’s family. She could even follow him to the city later for a better life…
No matter how she looked at it, it was the best choice.
Therefore, Lin Wanxing quickly adjusted her state. Her tears fell even more profusely. She appeared moved by Gu Jianfeng’s righteousness, and also seemed comforted that Gu Jianbin’s final wish could be fulfilled. Sobbing, her voice as faint as a mosquito’s hum but just loud enough for those nearby to hear, she said:
“Jianfeng… younger brother… why… why must you do this… How can I burden you…”
Her act of feigned reluctance only solidified her image of kindness in Gu Jianfeng’s eyes.
Seeing her unwillingness to be a burden, Gu Jianfeng’s sense of protectiveness and responsibility grew even stronger.
“It’s not a burden. It’s what I should do. Sister-in-law, you… don’t listen to others making promises. After I handle my elder brother’s funeral arrangements, we… we’ll settle things.”
His words were almost an open interception of the other interested young men, especially that supply and marketing cooperative accountant, whose face immediately soured, though he couldn’t say anything.
He was the martyr’s brother, willingly taking on the responsibility of caring for his sister-in-law and continuing both family lines. It was perfectly justified—who could refute that?
The expressions on the faces of the Gu family couldn’t just be described as ugly anymore; they were practically a riot of colors.
Mrs. Gu trembled with rage, pointing a finger at Gu Jianfeng. Wanting to curse but restrained by the occasion, she could only squeeze out a few words through gritted teeth: “You… you’re being absurd!”
Mr. Gu’s eyes were about to bulge out of his head. He wanted to curse but couldn’t make a scene in front of so many people; the veins in his neck stood out from the effort of holding back.
Gu Xiuxiu was so anxious she stamped her feet. Looking at Lin Wanxing’s pitiful face and then at Gu Jianfeng’s resolute expression, she felt a surge of fury rushing to her head.
This jinx! She had already brought misfortune to her eldest brother, and now she was trying to seduce her second brother too?!
And judging by her second brother’s look, he was clearly taken in by this woman’s nonsense! She really wanted to rush over and tear Lin Wanxing’s mouth to shreds!
But what could they say? Deny Gu Jianbin’s dying wish? That would be smearing Gu Jianbin’s name.
Stop Gu Jianfeng from taking responsibility? If word got out, what kind of family would the Gu family be?
Forcing an unmarried daughter-in-law to remain a widow while forbidding the younger brother-in-law to care for her? The gossip alone could drown them!
They had no choice but to swallow this bitter pill!
A funeral that was originally solemn and sorrowful ended abruptly in this strange and dramatic twist.
The guests, filled with gossip and emotions, gradually dispersed. Before leaving, their meaningful glances almost pierced through the backs of the Gu family.
It wasn’t appropriate to stay longer. Lin Wanxing was also pulled away from the Gu family by her parents. They had things to discuss at home. They wanted to ask Lin Wanxing what exactly was going on—when had Gu Jianbin said such things?!
Gu Jianfeng saw them preparing to leave from the crowd. Putting down what he was doing, he hurried over with a few steps and said steadily, “Uncle Lin, Aunt Wang, it’s dark, and the road isn’t easy. Let me walk you… and Sister-in-law, home.”
He was still wearing his military uniform, impeccably straight, looking impressive even while walking.
Lin Jianguo and Wang Shufen exchanged a glance but couldn’t very well refuse. They said nothing, and their intended questions for Lin Wanxing were left unasked.
Gu Jianfeng walked beside Lin Wanxing, maintaining a respectful distance. His tall frame blocked the winter wind. He mustn’t be presumptuous. But he truly felt deeply responsible.
After silently walking with the Lin family for a short while, he finally spoke. His features were sharp and firm, his voice exceptionally clear in the twilight.
“Sister-in-law, Uncle Lin, Aunt Wang, what I said earlier, I meant it. It’s absolutely not an impulsive decision or a joke. Please entrust Sister-in-law to me with peace of mind.”
Seeing Lin Wanxing’s stunned expression, Gu Jianfeng felt compelled to bare his heart even more.
“You… don’t need to worry about the future. As long as I, Gu Jianfeng, am here, I won’t let you, Sister-in-law, suffer any grievances, nor let anyone bully my brother’s widow. When you come to our family, you just need to… live well.”
He wasn’t good with fancy words. This promise was plain and simple. He even frowned worriedly, afraid his words might sound clumsy.
Little did he know that precisely because of this, they sounded even more sincere and genuine.
Since things had come this far, Lin Wanxing showed a trace of being moved, tears shimmering unshed in her eyes.
“Thank you… I, I just don’t want to burden you…”
The Gu family was a bunch of jerks, but this Gu Jianfeng seemed reliable.
“No, it’s not a burden,” Gu Jianfeng said, shaking his head. “It’s what I should do. Sister-in-law, trust me.”
These three words, “trust me,” Gu Jianfeng uttered with great weight, as if making a solemn vow to the nation.
It was likely driven mostly by his sense of duty and honor.
Lin Wanxing knew the timing was about right; any more acting would be overdoing it.
She nodded weakly and helplessly, squeezing out a tearful response from her throat, “Mmm… Jianfeng, I trust you.”
Gu Jianfeng’s expression finally relaxed with relief.
Sister-in-law being so understanding was truly a blessing for their Gu family.
At the crossroads, he watched them return home. He stood there for a moment like a sentry on duty before turning to leave.
…
When Gu Jianfeng returned to the Gu house, even the close relatives had already left.
As soon as Mrs. Gu saw him, her face fell.
She glanced at Gu Jianfeng and then looked away, speaking sarcastically into the air: “Some people have grown strong wings and have firm ideas! Making such a big decision without discussing it with the family! Do they even have this family in their eyes?!”
Mrs. Gu had never truly considered Gu Jianfeng her son. Adopting him was only because she saw his potential—at eight years old, he could already work like a full-grown laborer, perfect for helping with the farm work at home.
Later, when Gu Jianfeng was twelve or thirteen and going through a growth spurt, always hungry, she had started dropping hints that the Gu family could no longer afford to feed him.
Fortunately, he had the sense to seize the opportunity to join the army. He sent money home every month and returned during busy farming seasons to help with the work.
Only then did Mrs. Gu and the rest of the Gu family treat him with somewhat better faces.
Gu Xiuxiu also couldn’t understand why Gu Jianfeng had caused such a scene the moment he returned.
She rushed up to Gu Jianfeng, who had just set down his military backpack, and screeched, “Second Brother! Are you crazy? You want to marry her? She’s a jinx! Besides, she barely met Eldest Brother a few times. Who knows if what she said just now is true or false? How could Eldest Brother possibly have said such a thing?!”
Mr. Gu snorted and questioned heavily, “If you marry her, how will others see our Gu family?!”
“Dad, Mom, Little Sister, I stand straight and act honorably. I’m not afraid of what others say.”
Gu Jianfeng responded calmly, taking off his military jacket to reveal an old, faded shirt underneath.
He rolled up his sleeves, exposing his sturdy forearms, and then asked in a low voice, “What needs to be done at home? I’m back, I’ll handle the heavy work.”
Every time he returned before, there was always a lot of work waiting for him at home.
Mrs. Gu felt a surge of anger stuck in her chest, unable to rise or fall. She glared at him fiercely and pointed irritably at the mountain of firewood piled in the corner of the yard. “Look! The firewood is almost gone, and no one has chopped it! Since you have strength to spare, go chop it! Also, the water vat is almost empty, go fetch a few buckets of water! And the outhouse in the backyard needs cleaning, the smell is drifting to the front yard!”
It was already evening. Chopping that much wood, filling the water vat, and then cleaning the outhouse would likely take him well into the night.
But Gu Jianfeng didn’t consider that. He simply nodded. “Alright.”
Without another word, he walked over to the woodpile, picked up the heavy axe, hefted it, and swung it.
His movements were steady and powerful, rhythmic. Thick logs split neatly under his axe, and the chopped wood was stacked neatly.
He worked intently. Soon, fine beads of sweat appeared on his bronze skin, rolling down his sharply defined jawline and dripping onto the soil.
The back of his shirt quickly became soaked with sweat, clinging tightly to his sturdy back muscles.
After chopping the wood, he picked up the shoulder pole and buckets to fetch water from the old well at the village entrance.
After several trips, the large water vat was soon full. The clear well water shimmered, reflecting his silently busy figure.
Then, he picked up a shovel and a manure bucket and headed towards the smelly backyard outhouse without the slightest hesitation or disgust.
In between, Gu Xiuxiu kept ordering him around from time to time, no differently from how a landlord treated a farmhand in the old society, with an even worse attitude.
“That box in my room is too heavy. Move it for me!”
“Go pick some vegetables from the private plot for dinner!”
“My shoes are dirty. Help me brush them while you’re at it!”
When everything was finally done, Gu Jianfeng took a few things from his military backpack: a package of rare fruit hard candies wrapped in oilpaper, two pieces of Dacron fabric printed with beautiful patterns, and a box of fancy biscuits.
He silently placed these items on the table in the main room and said softly, “Dad, Mom, Xiuxiu, I saved these from my army rations, and bought some during missions. Keep them for your use.”
In the rural 1970s, fruit candies and Dacron fabric were top-tier, rare luxuries!
Gu Xiuxiu’s eyes instantly lit up. She grabbed the brightly colored Dacron fabric and held it against herself. Even Mrs. Gu’s expression softened for a moment.
Gu Xiuxiu caressed the fabric lovingly while saying, “Second Brother, do you really want to marry that Lin Wanxing? Think carefully. She has a husband-killing fate. Look how she brought misfortune to Eldest Brother…”
Gu Jianfeng had bent down again, fixing the flickering, faulty light bulb in the main room. Hearing this, his movements paused briefly before he continued tightening the screw. His voice was muffled but brooked no argument.
“Eldest Brother is a martyr. He sacrificed himself for the country. It has nothing to do with Sister-in-law.”
“You!” Mrs. Gu was so angry she nearly fainted.
Gu Jianfeng finished fixing the light. The dim yellow light shone steadily, illuminating his sweat-dampened temples and tightly pressed lips.
“This matter concerns Sister-in-law’s lifelong happiness and Eldest Brother’s final wish. I cannot ignore it.”
After saying this, he paid no more attention to his family’s words. He picked up a broom and began sweeping the yard, gathering the white funeral flowers, paper money, and other items removed from the mourning hall, preparing to burn them later.
Seeing him fall back into his silent, stubborn mode, the Gu family couldn’t be bothered with him anymore.
After dividing up all the good things Gu Jianfeng had brought back, they went back to mourning and weeping for Gu Jianbin.