Chen Jin said, "All the paperwork is done. You two will go get your marriage certificate tomorrow. But what about the people in the mountains?"
If he hadn't mentioned it, everyone would have almost forgotten about the matter.
Su Lang said, "I'll go release them as soon as it gets dark tonight. I bought train tickets for tomorrow night. After we get the certificate, we'll leave straight away."
Zheng Hui looked at Lin Zhilan. "Why so rushed?"
Su Lang replied, "Godmother, my leave is about to end. I wouldn't feel at ease letting Zhilan take the train alone."
Zheng Hui felt reluctant to part, but she knew his words made sense.
Pulling Linlin into her arms, Zheng Hui said softly, "Little sweetie, you have to listen to your mom when the time comes, understand?"
Linlin blinked her big eyes. "I'll listen to Mom."
"Oh, you really are Grandma's good girl."
While they were talking here, over on the other side, Wang Guifen flew into a rage the moment she heard the news from her younger daughter-in-law.
But upon hearing that the man was a regiment commander, she chickened out a bit.
Wu Li said, "Mother, what are you afraid of? It's not like you're stopping her from marrying. But since she's remarrying, we should at least get Big Brother's pension back, right? What do you say, Dad?"
Hearing about money, Wang Guifen found her courage and looked at her old man.
Old Man Zhou took a deep drag of his rolled cigarette. "Go, call the village officials and the elders to go together."
Soon, a large crowd gathered outside Lin Zhilan's house.
Chen Jin looked at the village party secretary and said, "Party Secretary Zhou, didn't we already agree on this? What is the meaning of this?"
Party Secretary Zhou pointed at Old Man Zhou and Wang Guifen, saying, "Section Chief Chen, these two are Zhou Chen's parents."
Chen Jin nodded. "I remember. We met last time."
Wang Guifen quickly said, "Leader, we came for just one thing, and that's my son's pension. Now that Lin Zhilan is remarrying, shouldn't she give up that money?"
"Her remarriage happened after Comrade Zhou Chen's sacrifice. According to state regulations, she is entitled to take this money."
"Bullshit! If she remarries, she is no longer the Zhou family's daughter-in-law. What right does she have to take my son's pension!"
Chen Jin earnestly tried to explain the law to her, but unexpectedly, Wang Guifen wouldn't listen at all. She cried and howled, claiming the heavens were blind for not striking down a heartless bitch like Lin Zhilan.
This matter concerned Lin Zhilan's ex-husband, so Su Lang initially hadn't planned to intervene. But upon hearing those words, he applied a little force, snapping the piece of firewood in his hands into two halves.
The sharp crack echoed abruptly in the courtyard. Only then did Wang Guifen notice the man sitting by the kitchen door.
The crowd focused their eyes and saw a tall, slender man wearing a crisp green military uniform. He was handsome, but his gaze was cold and imposing.
The piece of firewood in his hands didn't even look completely dry. It was as thick as a millstone, yet he had snapped it barehanded without even using an axe.
Wang Guifen stopped howling and cursing, hiding behind the village party secretary.
The party secretary was also helpless. The villagers didn't understand the law and stubbornly felt that Zhou Chen's family had been wronged.
Caught in the middle, he was in a difficult position on both sides.
"Section Chief Chen, how about we compromise? Since Lin Zhilan is remarrying, her share of the pension can be returned to the elderly couple, while she keeps the child's share."
Wang Guifen added, "Our Zhou family doesn't want the child either. Give all the pension money back to us!"
Party Secretary Zhou frowned and looked at Old Man Zhou. "Is this what you think too? This is Zhou Chen's only flesh and blood."
Old Man Zhou lowered his head and sighed. "Listen to her."
It was just a little girl. Zhou Chen was gone, but Jianmin was still around. The Zhou family would eventually have a grandson.
Little Linlin didn't understand what the adults were talking about. She leaned against her mother's shoulder and watched.
Zheng Hui felt a pang of sorrow and carried her into the house.
Lin Zhilan, with a cold expression, stood beside Chen Jin.
Zhou Chen was a hero, a soldier, and the father Linlin had barely seen. Lin Zhilan didn't comment further on him.
Regardless of the reason, the original owner of this body had abandoned Linlin, and the Zhou family had abandoned Linlin as well.
Since that was the case, the daughter would be hers from now on.
"Party Secretary Zhou, I can hand over the pension, but I have one condition."
Wang Guifen said, "Say it."
"I demand that the Zhou family write a document severing all ties with Linlin. It must be stamped by the village and have their thumbprints, guaranteeing that under no circumstances will they ever come looking for Linlin in the future."
Zhou Jianmin was impotent. To cure it, they would need to find a highly skilled old doctor of traditional Chinese medicine.
But hadn't all the old TCM doctors long been persecuted and sent off to the farms in the Northwest by these very people?
The Zhou family didn't want Linlin, so they could forget about having any descendants in the future!
"Fine!"
Wang Guifen agreed without a second thought.
Under the witness of Chen Jin and the village officials, Old Man Zhou and Wang Guifen both pressed their thumbprints onto the severance document.
Lin Zhilan handed over the pension, not missing a single cent.
After seeing the people off, Lin Zhilan asked Chen Jin, "Godfather, can I change Linlin's surname to mine?"
Linlin, Lin Lin.
Perhaps she was destined to be her daughter.
Chen Jin nodded. "You can."
In the afternoon, Chen Jin and the others prepared to return to town.
Su Lang stayed behind a little longer to help Lin Zhilan wash the dishes in the kitchen.
The kitchen was a bit cramped. As a large man, he had to stoop slightly to move around.
Lin Zhilan noticed this but didn't say anything.
Only after he finished washing did she hand him a towel to dry his hands.
"Tell me about moving with the army."
Su Lang sat down next to her and Linlin by the stove. In his deep voice hid a tenderness even he hadn't noticed.
"I am currently attached to the South Sea Fleet, stationed on an island. The temperature there is higher than in the north; even during the coldest part of winter, it's over ten degrees.
"The military base built a hospital and a school a couple of years ago. I used to live in the dorms, but after Chengzhou, my nephew, came over, I applied for a house, two bedrooms and a living room.
"But don't worry, with my rank, I can apply for a three-bedroom house. I'll apply for it as soon as I get back."
"Okay."
Little Linlin gradually fell asleep in her arms. Lin Zhilan placed her on the bed and returned to the kitchen.
Su Lang followed her in and out.
A hint of a smile flashed in Lin Zhilan's eyes.
"I know traditional Chinese medicine. Once I join you at the base, I want to work at the hospital. Will you support me?"
"Of course." Su Lang didn't have the slightest doubt, as if he was certain she wasn't just having a flight of fancy.
Lin Zhilan nodded in satisfaction. "There is some chicken breast left. It's already marinated. I plan to make some chicken paste to eat on the train. Turn up the fire a bit."
"Alright."
Lin Zhilan first fried the peanuts they had at home and set them aside to cool.
To make chicken paste, the chicken must be thoroughly deep-fried until dry.
She poured oil into the wok, first adding scallions, ginger, garlic, and dried Sichuan peppercorns. After frying them until fragrant, she scooped them out and tossed in the diced chicken. Once the oil turned clear, she scooped the chicken out, waiting for the oil to heat up before double-frying it.
By this time, the chicken had become crispy. Adding chili powder and garlic leaves, she stir-fried everything together. Before long, a mouthwatering aroma permeated the entire kitchen.
That wasn't all. Lin Zhilan used water from the vat mixed with her spiritual spring, added salt and soy sauce to make a bowl of sauce, and poured it into the wok. After stirring, she finally added the crushed fried peanuts.
The sauce bubbled and gurgled in the wok. Every piece of chicken was coated in a bright, thick, and sticky glaze. There was also a unique fragrance that made one's mouth water.
Lin Zhilan picked up a piece with her chopsticks to taste and felt quite satisfied.
She then picked out another piece and offered it to Su Lang.
She was so used to feeding her daughter that she completely forgot she was using the exact same pair of chopsticks.