Jiang Lizhu raised her chin proudly and smiled. “Having such a beautiful wife, aren’t you proud?”
“Mm, proud,” Gu Mingyan nodded honestly. Having a wife as beautiful as Jiang Lizhu did satisfy that part of his vanity inherent to a man’s nature. But at the same time, a worry she hadn’t mentioned began to grow within him.
He vaguely began to understand some of Xiong Dongjun’s concerns. Having a wife too beautiful did indeed stir a man’s instinctive vigilance towards strange men outside.
“Then please, Comrade Old Gu, work even harder to take care of me,” Jiang Lizhu didn’t hide her little scheme. She was simply reminding Gu Mingyan to do more work, to protect her more, so that she could cooperate in satisfying his vanity.
Gu Mingyan didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he put his arm around Jiang Lizhu’s shoulder and led her back to the bedroom in the eastern room.
Looking into Jiang Lizhu’s eyes, Gu Mingyan said solemnly, repeatedly, “Lizhu, believe me, I won’t bully you, and I won’t let anyone else bully you either.”
This “anyone else” naturally included his own relatives and friends. This was his permanent and binding promise to Jiang Lizhu.
Gu Mingyan’s sudden solemnity left Jiang Lizhu a bit at a loss.
She lowered her gaze slightly, then actively leaned into Gu Mingyan’s embrace. “You have to understand, this is my first time visiting your home. I only know you and the baby. It’s only natural for me to have all sorts of worries.”
Actually, following Gu Mingyan to Qiaoguan Village constantly reminded her, whether actively or passively, of his identity as the male lead in a book. And that inevitably led to all sorts of unwarranted worries.
“I know,” Gu Mingyan hugged her back. After a moment’s thought, he added, “If anything feels uncomfortable or makes you unhappy, tell me immediately, okay?”
“Okay, nothing so far,” Jiang Lizhu nodded obediently. So far, Gu Mingyan’s performance had been very reliable, perhaps even a little too reliable.
Jiang Lizhu composed herself and looked up at Gu Mingyan. “What’s next? Should I help cook? I can help tend the fire.”
The communal kitchen in the Suzhou military family quarters also had a stove that burned firewood. Occasionally, when Jiang Lizhu found the kettle on the coal stove too small and the back-and-forth of boiling water too troublesome, she would use the earthen stove to boil water, so she did have some experience with tending a fire.
Considering Gu Mingyan had been good to her and the baby, Jiang Lizhu was willing to cooperate and be an easy-to-get-along-with daughter-in-law.
“No need. You stay in the room with the baby and rest. When my father and the others come back, I’ll come get you,” Gu Mingyan bent down slightly and lifted Jiang Lizhu into his arms.
The mismatched plastic slippers fell off Jiang Lizhu’s feet. Gu Mingyan turned sideways and gently placed Jiang Lizhu inside the mosquito net, which he held open with his elbow.
“Alright,” Jiang Lizhu nodded, then leaned up to rub her cheek against Gu Mingyan’s before letting go of his neck.
The little baby did indeed need watching, even though the kang looked very large and they had placed pillows as a barrier on the outside.
“I poured some milk for you in the thermos. Here are your books. Lie down after your hair dries,” Gu Mingyan got up and placed the thermos and books on the large wooden chest at the head of the kang, within easy reach for Jiang Lizhu.
“I’m going to the kitchen to see my mother.”
Gu Mingyan knew in his heart that Xu Xianglian was definitely keeping an eye on him and Jiang Lizhu. In broad daylight, he couldn’t stay in the room with Jiang Lizhu for too long.
“Alright, go ahead,” Jiang Lizhu waved her hand, then paused and added, “If there’s anything you need me to do, don’t hesitate to ask.”
“Okay,” Gu Mingyan nodded and left the room, closing the door behind him.
Turning his head, he immediately saw Xu Xianglian peeking around the kitchen door, along with Gu Xiaoliu, who was also craning his neck curiously.
“The baby can roll over now, so someone needs to watch him,” Gu Mingyan explained why Jiang Lizhu was staying in the room. He then pointed to two bags under the kitchen table. “We bought these when we transferred trains in the capital. We went to a nearby supply and marketing cooperative.”
“In this bag are a smoked chicken, a smoked fish, and two strips of cured meat. This bag contains some specialty pastries from the capital.” They hadn’t dared buy fresh food, afraid it would spoil in the heat, so they had chosen these cured goods and well-packaged snacks.
Actually, getting fresh meat in the countryside was much easier than in the city. Whether by trading with neighbors or hunting in the woods, with a little effort, you could usually get some.
Gu Mingyan added promptly, “It was Lizhu’s idea. Consider it bringing a little specialty from Beijing for the family.”
Sure enough, the disapproval in Xu Xianglian’s eyes immediately vanished.
If their son had taken the lead in buying these things, it would have been wasteful spending deserving of criticism. But if their daughter-in-law had initiated the purchase, then it counted as a filial offering from the young couple.
“Tell your wife, we accept it this once, but don’t spend money like this in the future. Save the money to buy milk powder for your son.”
Xu Xianglian, remembering the price of that can of milk powder, was both shocked and pained. Raising a child like that wasn’t raising a baby; it was raising a money-devouring beast.
But clearly, it was because of that milk powder that Jiang Lizhu and Gu Mingyan had raised their little grandson to be so chubby and clever. Truly, you get what you pay for.
Xu Xianglian looked at the cured goods and pastries again, then took a deep breath. She left the smoked chicken out and stored the rest away in the locked cabinet on the top shelf of the cupboard.
“Gu Xiaoliu, wipe your drool and come tend the fire,” Xu Xianglian scolded her little grandson fondly, then rolled up her sleeves and got to work. With this smoked chicken, they’d have a decent main course for dinner tonight.
She had to admit, looking at this situation, her third daughter-in-law was more adept at handling family relations than her youngest daughter-in-law.
Xu Xianglian certainly didn’t think this was Gu Mingyan’s doing. In all his previous home leaves, when had Gu Mingyan ever come back empty-handed? Well, to be fair, Gu Mingyan had always been generous with money and ration tickets.
Although Gu Xiaoliu wasn’t yet five years old, he was already a little expert at tending the kitchen fire. He quickly squeezed past Gu Mingyan and claimed the spot by the stove. “Grandma called me!”
“Meat, eat meat…” Gu Xiaoliu muttered as he tended the fire, occasionally slurping. A truly greedy little one.
“I’m going to take a shower. Call me if you need anything,” Gu Mingyan, seeing there was basically no room for him to help in the kitchen, decided to go shower and also wash the accumulated laundry and diapers.
“I told you to go attend to your own things,” Xu Xianglian gave Gu Mingyan another slightly disdainful glance before turning back around.
…
In the backyard woodshed, Gu Mingyan had just finished his shower when he saw Gu Lanlan returning with a basket of cabbage, radishes, and other vegetables.
“Third Brother, where are sister-in-law and little nephew?” Gu Lanlan craned her neck, looking around, but didn’t spot Jiang Lizhu and the little baby nearby.
“They’re resting in the room,” Gu Mingyan had quite a few complaints about Gu Lanlan, who was “outspoken” and often revealed information about him to outsiders.
Under Gu Mingyan’s gaze, Gu Lanlan grew increasingly guilty. She dared not turn her head, stood up straighter, and her voice began to tremble. “Brother, I’m sorry.”
“Sorry for what?” Gu Mingyan didn’t intend to let her off so easily.
“I, I… It was Mom’s task for me! I just… just shared a little bit about your situation with my girlfriends, just a tiny bit. I didn’t know much to begin with.”
Gu Lanlan had realized that what she knew about Gu Mingyan’s situation hadn’t changed for years. Even her parents weren’t clear about Gu Mingyan’s specific rank in the military now.
But as the little sister who had been under his authoritative thumb since childhood, she harbored a natural trust in Gu Mingyan, believing he couldn’t possibly do poorly no matter where he was.
And sure enough… just as she had thought, Gu Mingyan had quietly found himself an unattainable city wife. Her mother had worried for nothing, and as for her… well, she’d ultimately have to let her girlfriends down.
Since his very first leave home, after being “sold out” by Gu Lanlan, Gu Mingyan had consciously stopped telling his family too much about his military life.
A tall tree catches the wind. Many troubles, when traced back, were self-inflicted.
Especially since he was far away in the military and couldn’t control things back home, there was even less need for his family to know too much about his circumstances.
“Did you go to the vegetable patch just now and say something about me again?”
Gu Mingyan didn’t think Gu Lanlan had truly learned her lesson. To be precise, none of the Gu siblings were truly well-behaved; they all had their own little schemes and flaws.
Gu Lanlan’s eyes widened, guilt practically written all over her face. She didn’t dare hide anything. “Just… just said your wife, my sister-in-law, is gorgeous. Even prettier than that beautiful educated youth Tong from the educated youth courtyard!”
And then there was the family background information about Jiang Lizhu that Gu Mingyan had shared with them. That alone was enough for her to brag to her girlfriends for years.
Gu Mingyan squinted. He knew Gu Lanlan’s leaky mouth from childhood was unreliable. “Next month…”
He suddenly remembered Gu Lanlan was getting married next month. Withholding her allowance was no longer a suitable way to “discipline” her.
In truth, Gu Mingyan also knew that even if Gu Lanlan didn’t spread things, their mother Xu Xianglian would.
And when he had disclosed the information, he was already prepared for it to be widely circulated.
“How does sister-in-law keep her skin so white? Her dress is so beautiful! Her hairstyle is lovely too! Ah, I want to learn it! Can I?” Gu Lanlan opened the floodgates again, chattering incessantly.
She had always thought she looked pretty good. Now… she didn’t even dare get close to Jiang Lizhu. The contrast was too stark.
Born to the same parents, Gu Lanlan noticed that even Gu Mingyan was fairer than her. And she had honestly stayed cooped up at home for several months!
Gu Mingyan didn’t answer Gu Lanlan. He turned and walked away decisively.
Gu Mingyan returned to the room, fetched the basket of laundry, then took a bucket and wooden basin, exiting through the back door. A small path led straight down the slope to the creek.
The Gu family basically did all their washing by this creek. For drinking and cooking water, they would go to the old well in the middle of the village, or occasionally walk a bit further upstream to draw this mountain spring water.
…
In the room, Jiang Lizhu was already fast asleep, holding their son.
Initially, Jiang Lizhu had just felt a bit tired and wanted to lie down. Then, as soon as her head hit the pillow, she fell asleep almost instantly.
These sheets and quilt covers were the ones she was used to, carrying the scent of sunshine and familiar soap. She could hardly muster any wariness.
“Lizhu, A-Li, wake up,” Gu Mingyan called for a while before Jiang Lizhu opened her eyes, looking at him with sleepy resentment.
“My father and the others are back. They’re washing up and getting ready. We’ll eat dinner soon. Let’s eat first, then sleep, okay?” Gu Mingyan said, continuing to gently rub Jiang Lizhu’s hair and the back of her neck.
Jiang Lizhu blinked and blinked again. It took a moment for Gu Mingyan’s words to fully register. “Mm, I’ll get up right away.”
“The baby, where’s my baby…” Jiang Lizhu reached inside to feel for the child. Not finding him, she jolted fully awake and sat up straight.
“The baby is with my mother, being fed. Don’t worry, he’s fine,” Gu Mingyan sensed Jiang Lizhu was a bit frightened and quickly pulled her into his arms, explaining carefully.
Jiang Lizhu let out a breath, then vented her frustration by lightly thumping Gu Mingyan’s back. “You scared me. Why didn’t you tell me sooner?”
“Get my dress and stockings for me,” Jiang Lizhu had deliberately changed into her nightgown before lying down, afraid of wrinkling her nice dress.
Gu Mingyan released Jiang Lizhu, fetched her dress and stockings, and also found her new leather shoes from their luggage.
Jiang Lizhu turned her back, quickly changed into her dress, then ran her fingers through her hair, deftly braiding it and coiling it into a small floral bun. Finally, she pinned on the amethyst hair clip they had bought at the supply and marketing cooperative in the capital.
“Beautiful?” Jiang Lizhu put on her shoes, walked closer to the oil lamp, and twirled around for Gu Mingyan.
“Beautiful,” Gu Mingyan felt almost hesitant to reach out and touch her hair. He took the initiative to hold Jiang Lizhu’s hand, gripping it firmly.
“Let’s go. I’ll introduce you to the family.”
Gu Mingyan wasn’t usually so demonstrative with his emotions. But from the moment they arrived in Qiaoguan Village, he had become increasingly aware of the unease hidden deep within Jiang Lizhu’s heart.
He wouldn’t allow this part of Jiang Lizhu’s feelings to fester any longer.