20
Can I Ask You for a Gift?
After Old Woman Song’s commotion lasted half the night, and with the Lu family living right next door, Lin Jianchun inevitably woke up later than usual.
But when she stretched and got up, she saw Lu Xuanzhou still sleeping on the floor.
Lin Jianchun blinked in confusion. In all her days since joining the Lu family, this was the first time she’d seen Lu Xuanzhou sleep in. Had he exhausted himself with all the continuous work lately?
Lin Jianchun considerately softened her movements, not wanting to disturb Lu Xuanzhou’s extra rest.
Only after the door closed did Lu Xuanzhou slowly open his eyes. He couldn’t understand why Lin Jianchun had changed her attitude – hadn’t she seen him, a living person, lying there?
Lu Xuanzhou pressed his lips together, lifted his undershirt, and looked at his abdominal muscles…
When Lin Jianchun went to the water tap in the central courtyard to wash up, she saw a long queue: “Why are there so many people today?”
“A Zhou’s wife, if you’re in a hurry you can use the water first?” The speaker was He Chunlei, daughter-in-law of the Du family in the central courtyard, whose home was right by the water tap. She was preparing to fetch water for washing vegetables.
Auntie Fu popped up: “Why should she get to use the water first? Everyone has something urgent.”
He Chunlei’s mother-in-law wouldn’t stand for her daughter-in-law being contradicted: “A Zhou’s wife starts work tomorrow, doesn’t she need to prepare today? What urgent matters could you possibly have? You just haphazardly finish cooking then gather with Widow Song to gossip about everyone in the Courtyard.”
He Chunlei chimed in: “Auntie Fu, instead of thinking about cutting in line, you’d be better off persuading Old Woman Song to quiet down earlier. Her noise kept us all from sleeping well.”
“Exactly, Widow Song wailed like she was at a funeral half the night. My husband and son were late for work, who knows if they’ll get docked pay. If their pay gets cut, I’ll definitely make Widow Song pay up.”
“Widow Song cried all night, but come morning she’s catching up on sleep herself, leaving us poor souls who can’t sleep during the day to suffer.”
The old neighbors in the Courtyard had quite some complaints about Song’s Mother. However they usually behaved, when it affected the whole Courtyard they became disliked, and even those like Sister-in-law Afu who usually got along with Song’s Mother found themselves blamed whenever they appeared.
He Chunlei authoritatively pulled Lin Jianchun to the front of the line to use the water first.
“A Zhou’s wife, our Courtyard has a rule that morning water priority goes to those going to work so they won’t be late. Next time you need water, just call out.”
Lin Jianchun obediently agreed: “Okay, thank you, sister-in-law.”
After washing up and wringing out her towel, Lin Jianchun thanked the neighbors still waiting in line.
“No need to keep thanking us for such a small thing. A Zhou’s wife is too polite, no wonder she’s educated and can work at the hospital.”
A sharp-eyed neighbor noticed Mother Lu and Little Lu returning from outside and called out: “A Zhou’s mother, your daughter-in-law is too thin-skinned. You need to teach her properly, make her like Du Feng’s wife so she won’t get bullied.”
He Chunlei laughed and retorted: “I’ve only been married into our Courtyard for three years, how thick-skinned could I be? She’s still a new bride, isn’t she?”
Mother Lu could see that Lin Jianchun was gradually integrating into the Courtyard.
“When A Zhou wakes up, have him fetch water.”
Little Lu volunteered: “No need for my brother to handle a small task like fetching water, I can do it.”
After the three Lu family members left, Sister-in-law Afu couldn’t help muttering: “That Little Lu is clever, knows to hover around his new sister-in-law. Once he’s charmed her happy, won’t she feel too embarrassed to refuse when he asks for a job?”
No one spoke, but they all speculated that Mother Lu’s indulgence of her daughter-in-law was probably also paving the way for her younger son.
The three returned home, and Lu Xuanzhou scooped water to prepare breakfast, casting a sidelong glance at Little Lu who was about to fetch water.
Little Lu made three trips before refilling the water jar to the brim.
After breakfast, Mother Lu cleared her throat lightly: “My daughter-in-law starts work at the hospital tomorrow. This is a joyous occasion for our family. I don’t have much to give, so I’ll offer you two sets of clothes to change into for work.”
In the countryside, ration coupons were scarce. Lin Jianchun’s clothes were barely enough for two sets, which Mother Lin had managed by exchanging for cloth ration coupons before her wedding. As for the style, there was none to speak of—Mother Lin had made them herself in her spare time.
Having new clothes in the countryside was already a luxury, but in the city, it was different. Many young girls had jobs and weren’t short of money, so they were happy to buy ready-made clothes at the state-owned store. It was said those were the trendiest styles from the south.
True to this, Mother Lu had waited for the state-owned store to open early in the morning to snag two sets for Lin Jianchun. What other young girls had, her daughter-in-law should have too.
Lin Jianchun spread her arms and hugged Mother Lu: “Mom, you’re too good to me~~~”
“You’re my daughter-in-law. If I’m not good to you, who should I be good to? Those two brats? Come, let’s try them on first.”
The ready-made clothes Mother Lu bought were a modified version of the Lenin Suit, with a slightly longer hem and pants that tapered at the ankles. Wearing them felt like donning a hip-covering trench coat and tapered pants from a later era.
“Looks great, truly the latest style from Hai City.”
“Sister-in-law, I have a gift for you too.”
Little Lu had saved some money from digging coal dross and had specifically gone with Mother Lu to the state-owned store early in the morning to buy a gift.
Lin Jianchun opened the kraft paper bag and found a notebook and a fountain pen inside.
“This gift is truly a timely rain. I was just worrying about where to jot down the materials I’ll need tomorrow.” Had this kid emptied his entire savings from digging coal dross?
Lin Jianchun patted Little Lu’s shoulder and whispered, “Once I’ve settled in at the hospital, I’ll help you get the coal dross business too.”
Little Lu’s eyes sparkled, and he whispered back, “Thank you, Sister-in-law!”
Lu Xuanzhou glanced over leisurely before looking away.
Sensitive to his brother’s gaze, Little Lu’s eyes darted around. “We’ve all given Sister-in-law gifts. Brother, what about yours? Hurry up and show us, let’s see what you’ve got.”
Lu Xuanzhou gritted his teeth but couldn’t resist kicking Little Lu.
Did they think he wasn’t part of this family?
He was the last to know about Lin Jianchun’s job, and now they’d kept him in the dark about preparing gifts for her, making him feel like an outsider!
Mother Lu smacked Little Lu in exasperation. “Why do you have to provoke your brother? If you push him too far, watch out or he’ll beat you up.”
Little Lu’s leg was already hurting: “Didn’t you tell me to help improve the relationship between my brother and sister-in-law? Isn’t giving gifts the best way to do that?”
“Well, you should’ve checked if your brother had a gift ready.”
“Ah, so my brother didn’t prepare a gift? How careless of him.”
Lu Xuanzhou grabbed Little Lu by the collar and dragged him outside. This little rascal’s words were like knives, determined to sever the red thread binding him and Lin Jianchun.
Mother Lu: “A few hits to make a point will do. You still have to go to the civil affairs bureau to get the marriage certificate later.”
“Sister-in-law, save me—” Little Lu clung tightly to the doorframe, pleading for help.
Lin Jianchun gave Little Lu a reassuring look and walked toward Lu Xuanzhou with a smile.
Though fully aware there was a trap, Lu Xuanzhou still waited for Lin Jianchun to approach.
Lin Jianchun rose on tiptoe and leaned close to Lu Xuanzhou, her breath brushing against the tip of his ear.
Almost instinctively, Lu Xuanzhou covered Little Lu’s ears, just as Lin Jianchun said, “Lu Xuanzhou, can I ask you for a gift?”
“Go ahead.”
“I’ve never seen a marriage certificate before. Can I have a marriage certificate as a gift?”