The three siblings walked together to the tobacco and liquor counter. The person behind the counter was a woman in her forties. Seeing the three exceptionally good-looking young people approaching, she immediately put on a bright smile and asked, “Comrades, what would you like to buy?”
Lin Shiyao noticed how warm and respectful the woman was. After all, the tobacco and liquor counter rarely had customers because the items were expensive.
“Hello, sister. We’d like two cartons of Dafront Gate cigarettes and two bottles of Moutai,” Lin Shiyao said with a smile.
Oh my, this little girl really knows how to talk—calling her “sister.” Did she really look that young? The woman felt secretly delighted. “Alright! Two cartons of Dafront Gate are 34 yuan, and two bottles of Moutai are 8 yuan. That’s 42 yuan total, plus two cigarette coupons and two liquor coupons.”
After paying the money and handing over the coupons, the three went to the candy counter. They bought five jin of White Rabbit milk candy, five jin of assorted candies, five jin of biscuits, and three jin of osmanthus cake. Seeing that oranges were available, they bought some of those as well.
When the siblings returned to the family compound loaded down with purchases, they drew envious looks from the neighbors. Some were sour, thinking the Lin siblings didn’t know how to manage money and were too extravagant. Others were already scheming about how to marry their own sons or daughters into the Lin family so their children could live a good life.
Everyone had their own thoughts, but the Lin siblings didn’t care. No one was climbing into their family unless they themselves were willing—otherwise, it was just wishful thinking.
…
Today was Lunar New Year’s Eve. The family brought the things they had bought. Lin Dad carried Lin Zhengbin on his bicycle, Lin Mom carried Lin Shiyao, and Lin Xiangdong transported the gifts and rations for the family of five. Ten minutes later, they arrived at Grandpa and Grandma’s house.
Coal burned in the stove, and the house felt warmly heated as soon as they stepped inside. Grandpa and Grandma were especially happy to see them.
Their second cousin, Lin Xiangnan, who had been sent to the countryside, had also returned for the New Year. Only the eldest cousin, stationed with the army in the far northwest, had not come back.
Because of working in the fields, Lin Xiangnan’s skin was tanned the same wheat color as Lin Xiangdong’s. He resembled his mother more—tall and sturdy.
“Xiangnan, you’re back! You look even more handsome now,” Lin Mom exclaimed happily when she saw her sister-in-law’s second son home for the holiday.
“Little Aunt, Little Uncle, Xiangdong, Yaoyao, Zhengxi—you’re here,” Lin Xiangnan greeted them politely one by one.
At this time, Auntie hurried to welcome them inside. Grandpa and Grandma were seated on the sofa. Seeing Lin Xiangdong, they both showed kind smiles, and he quickly stepped forward to greet them respectfully.
Lin Shiyao went into the kitchen to help wash vegetables. Today, Uncle was the head cook. Their family had no rule that men couldn’t enter the kitchen—on the contrary, men were expected to know how to cook. Watching her uncle skillfully toss the wok, it was obvious he had practiced for a long time.
“Wow, Uncle, your cooking is amazing. I’m really in for a treat today,” Lin Shiyao praised with admiration in her eyes.
Who would have thought that a diplomat who could speak eloquently with foreigners would be wielding a wok at home? If outsiders knew, their jaws would drop.
“Big Brother, once you finish that dish, I’ll make the scrambled eggs with tomatoes,” Lin Dad said. Seeing his daughter gazing starry-eyed at his brother’s cooking made him feel a little jealous. He could cook too! Today he had to show off his specialty in front of his daughter.
He wanted her to know her dad was impressive too. Hmph.
“Sure, Second Brother. That dish you make really is delicious,” Lin Jianye said, unaware of his younger brother’s thoughts.
Lin Mom and Li Xiuqin exchanged a glance and both smiled, shaking their heads.
“Dad, I want to eat your scrambled eggs with tomatoes,” Lin Shiyao said eagerly. She truly liked the way her father made the dish and often asked him to cook it at home.
She was full of anticipation.
…
At this moment, a tall man dressed entirely in black—black jacket and black pants—stood in an alley. Two men followed behind him, and not far away crouched about ten others dressed the same, blending into the night. The three pressed against the wall, slowly approaching a courtyard.
Lin Dad finished cooking the last dish. The food was served, and everyone took their seats. Grandpa took out his treasured Moutai and poured a glass for each of the men; the women had fruit juice instead.
“This year, only Xiangbei’s family couldn’t come back. This is the most complete reunion our family has had in many years. Xiangnan and Xiangdong are both here. Grandpa hopes you’ll shine in your respective posts and, most importantly, stay safe.” Everyone stood to toast Grandpa and offered their best wishes for the year.
In the alley, the leader raised his left hand and gestured forward. The two men behind him leaped lightly into the courtyard and quickly found cover. The leader followed, then opened the courtyard gate. Inside, loud drinking and shouting masked the faint sound of the door opening.
They slowly approached the room. A rough male voice came from inside. “Boss, after we finish this batch of goods, we’ll smuggle ourselves to Hong Kong. I contacted Brother Long last time—he said things are developing well there. He’s building a team, and when we get there, we can be captains directly.”
“Things are tense lately. Everyone stay alert,” said the man addressed as Boss.
“Alright. It’s New Year’s Eve. Those guys are probably home celebrating with their wives. Come on, let’s drink another!”
“Boss, what’s there to be afraid of? We’ve got our secret weapon. If they come, we’ll wipe them out,” someone boasted.
“Yeah… yeah…” others echoed. From the voices, there seemed to be five or six people inside.
Little did they know this would be their final farewell drink.
The leader in black gestured again. More than a dozen men rushed in at once, quickly subduing the people inside. They confiscated four firearms and discovered a radio transmitter and several telegrams in an underground cellar.
“Take them away.”
…
After dinner, Lin Shiyao’s family decided not to return home that night. Grandpa and Grandma already had rooms prepared for them. Besides, it was freezing outside, and going out after dark was dangerous.
Lin Xiangdong and Lin Xiangnan wanted to take a walk to sober up. They strolled out of the family compound gate, an area the two brothers knew like the back of their hands.
As they turned a corner to head back, a tall man approached them from the opposite direction. Lin Xiangdong felt he looked familiar. As a soldier, his vigilance made him keep watching the man drawing nearer.
Just as they were about to pass each other, the man suddenly spoke.
“Xiangdong.”
“Old Gu? What are you doing here?”