Chapter 126: The Lin Family of the Capital (3)

“What do you all think after hearing this? This is what a 17-year-old country girl who’s never seen the world is like. There’s one thing she said that’s true—she really doesn’t care about money.

When she got married, Zhang Guoqing’s family gave her a hefty bride price of 800 yuan, but the Zhou family didn’t give her a single cent as dowry. She used the bride price to buy a sewing machine and brought the rest of the money with her when she married into the Zhang family. When Zhang Guoqing wanted to buy her some big-ticket items, she refused, saying there was no need. The family already had a bicycle, so she preferred to keep things low-key. Her older cousin had just gotten married and received not only the “three rounds and one sound” but also many other valuable gifts, but she didn’t even spare them a glance.

Seventeen years old—what girl wouldn’t want a grand wedding and to marry into her husband’s family with pride? But what about her? In her husband’s family, she’s thoughtful and considerate in everything she does. Her two sisters-in-law treat her like their own sister, and even her parents-in-law are biased in her favor.

And that’s despite her not having a local household registration, no grain rations, and no dowry. Yet the whole family protected her. Back then, when people gathered at the Zhang family’s gate, every member of the Zhang family stood behind her, watching out for any trouble. Zhang Guoqing stood silently by her side the whole time, guarding her. On her other side were her two sisters-in-law, blocking the Zhou family girl from getting close.

Zhou Jiao really knows how to handle people. I could tell right away that this was a decent family. After all, if they weren’t, she wouldn’t have married in. Now, as for why Zhou Jiao got married so young—

Her eldest aunt wanted to marry her off to her own nephew, and Zhou Jiao found out. Poor girl, no one in the Zhou family helped her. She said she never thought about running off to the capital to find us. Just when she was troubled, Zhang Guoqing received a military enlistment spot from an acquaintance. He immediately went to Zhou Jiao and told her he didn’t want to join the army, because if he did, he’d be gone like her father, and there’d be no one to stay with her and take care of her. That one sentence moved her. Zhou Jiao told him, if you’re sure you won’t regret it, then come propose marriage. Think it over, get your parents’ consent, and have a matchmaker come formally. She gave him three days to decide.

After going home, Jiao Jiao was afraid the Zhou family wouldn’t let her marry and would keep scheming against her, so she went to her grandmother and told her she wanted to marry Zhang Guoqing. If they didn’t agree, she’d go back to the capital. As she expected, Old Zhou couldn’t bear to lose her, so he agreed with a cold face.

What puzzled me was, these two kids had excellent grades—always first and second in the county—so why didn’t they stay in school? Zhou Jiao kept her aunt’s scheming to herself and never told anyone, not even Zhang Guoqing, for fear he’d do something rash. It was Shanshan who finally got it out of her. Shanshan asked why she didn’t tell her grandmother. Zhou Jiao just smiled and said, her grandmother had to watch everyone’s mood in the family, so what good would it do to tell her?

She doesn’t trust anyone, is deeply guarded, and is cautious in everything she does, always planning each step. Other than Zhang Guoqing, who’s protected her since childhood, she has no close friends she can talk to about everything. She’s gentle and polite to everyone, but no one really matters to her. From what I can see, the only people she truly cares about are Zhang Guoqing and her father, Zhou Xiaozheng.

As for Shanshan, given Zhou Jiao’s personality, she’s just her biological mother. But if she doesn’t trust someone, she draws a line in her heart. She’ll protect her mother, but she can’t truly trust her.

When she was ten, she couldn’t take it anymore and managed to call Shanshan. Shanshan refused to let her come over. After that, for six whole years, she never even looked at the letters or gifts she received from her mother. In her hardest times, she never thought of us or her mother first.

If it weren’t for giving birth this time and being moved to open those old letters, she probably would have just smiled and carried on as if nothing happened, and never reached out to Shanshan. When Shanshan gets old, she’ll support her—that’s just her character.

Luckily, after reading the letters, she told Shanshan, ‘Mom, don’t be sad. If I were you, I’d have gone to look for Xiao Wu, too. I’ve never blamed you—maybe I did when I was younger, but not anymore. After reading the letters, I understand. Your only reason for living was to find my dad. The fact that you waited for him all these years is enough for me. When Dad comes back, just live well together. As long as you’re happy, even if you’re not by my side, I’ll be happy too.’

So, why did she endure all those years, only to cause a scene the very next day at her son’s third-day celebration? Oh, I forgot to tell you—this was all a setup. I’m guessing Zhou Jiao deliberately lured Zhou Xue over to make trouble.”

Lin Liying thought for a moment and cautiously said, “Could it be because she knew you all were there, so she had backup?”

Li Jianjun immediately objected, “No, even if Dad and the others weren’t there, just what she said would be enough to pin down a lot of people. What backup does she need? A job? Didn’t Dad say it? That kid doesn’t want to join the army.

Money doesn’t mean much to a couple like them. I think the key is what Grandpa said in the capital—whose granddaughter is she? That’s a line that has to be drawn, or someone could die over it. That’s her bottom line. To be prepared, she had to strike first. Good chess players always look at the endgame. After such a public scene, who would dare mention her again?

On the contrary, she can’t let Dad and Big Sis be her backup. She wants to present herself as a pitiful girl bullied because she has no father, enduring everything for her family’s sake. Those three kowtows at the end—who could say she’s heartless? Even if she becomes successful, it’ll be after she leaves the Zhou family that bullied her. She’s killing three birds with one stone. Doesn’t she know her dad’s alive? This way, she can cut ties and keep people from dragging her dad down. There are a lot of benefits—think about it and you’ll see. The question is—did she really set a trap to lure the other side out?”

Old Master Lin sighed and nodded, “The three of us were there in person. Zhang Guoqing saw us, but acted like he didn’t. The couple worked together seamlessly—eight or nine times out of ten, it was a setup.

Zhou Jiao isn’t the type to gossip or speak ill of the Zhou family, but that day, it just happened. If she weren’t a bit calculating, she’d have been eaten alive in that family.

Luckily, the two of them have good character, or they’d really be trouble. Zhang Guoqing is known for his loyalty—even the county police chief reserved a job for him before we arrived. He’s already planned his way into the militia.

What backup could we possibly give them? Jiao Jiao wouldn’t care for it. That’s not what they want. Besides, they’ve already guessed Zhou Xiaozheng is back—what do they need us for?

Jiao Jiao is steady. Zhang Guoqing listens to her. There are some things I can’t say outright, but Zhang Guoqing is no simple country boy. It won’t be long before you see for yourselves. Just look at that couple and you’ll know I’m not exaggerating—even Xiao Zhou has praised them several times.”

Xiao Zhou nodded solemnly, thinking to himself: What’s the point of the old man making everyone understand Zhang Guoqing and his wife’s personalities? Those who get it, like Li Jianjun, already do. Those who don’t are still rolling their eyes in secret.

He glanced at the Lin family’s eldest daughter beside the old lady—she really is a pampered princess, still not convinced, but she can’t even compare to a single strand of Zhou Jiao’s hair. Watching her slouch lazily, he shook his head. Out in public, who would guess that Lin Xueling, who always preaches equality, is like this in private? He came from the countryside himself and has seen plenty of people like her—saying one thing and doing another. Looks like the chief’s efforts are wasted.

Several times, the old lady opened her mouth but stopped herself, finally asking, “Old man, does Zhou Jiao really look like me? Did she really learn the Three Character Classic and Thousand Character Essay at age three? Does she really have a photographic memory?”

“Didn’t you say she looked like you in the photos? She really does. But after spending more time with her, I feel she’s more like Zhou Xiaozheng. As for whether she has a photographic memory, I really don’t know. Even if she does, she’d keep it hidden.

Hey, old woman, have you noticed you’re actually quite like Zhou Xiaozheng? Anyone who didn’t know would think you’re mother and son. How did I never notice before? Maybe it’s because Zhou Xiaozheng always has a stern face. No wonder I felt he looked familiar the first time I met him.” Old Master Lin finished, looking at her in confusion.

The old lady avoided his gaze, lowered her head, and fell into a daze.

Lin Liying nudged Chen Jingru, looked at her curiously, and whispered, “Sister-in-law, why are you so quiet? Are you scared? Don’t worry, even if she wanted to blame someone, it wouldn’t be you. After all, Big Brother wasn’t home and there was no news of him. That child doesn’t seem petty—if she were, she would’ve chased Big Sis out with a broom. I’m not worried anymore. When I came back just now, I thought Big Sis would be crying her way back to the capital tomorrow.”

Chen Jingru forced a smile, glanced at her daughter, and sighed inwardly. Looking at the absent-minded old lady, she felt even more troubled. Thinking of her soon-to-return husband, she’d been excited and happy before, but now her feelings were slowly calming down, and the joy about the future was fading.

Lin Xueling rolled her eyes and slouched on the sofa, bored. She wondered where she should go tomorrow since she didn’t have to work. Listening to the old man and her uncle chatting and laughing, she was annoyed. What’s so interesting about the northeast anyway?

All this talk about Jiao Jiao and Xiao Wu—anyone who didn’t know would think they were some big shots. No matter how much they praise her, she doesn’t buy it. Just reading a few books makes you somebody? Who doesn’t read books? She can’t stand bookworms—so dull, what’s the point? The top student in her class back then—where are they now? In her opinion, nothing beats family background.

Which kid in the compound isn’t the same? They get scolded every day, but their parents have already arranged jobs for them behind the scenes.

A country girl wants to soar to the skies? She just got lucky and found her real dad. Otherwise, would her aunt have gone to that village in the northeast?

Forget it, she’ll just sleep in tomorrow. See what her aunt brings back—probably some local specialties, like sweet potatoes or dried vegetables. Last time, Xiao Xiu’s relatives brought a big bag of dried sweet potatoes and left with a whole sack of rice.

Night fell, and the Lin family courtyard was brightly lit. The housekeeper served dinner, and Old Master Lin led the family to the table. The old lady always enforced the rule of no talking at meals or bedtime. Other than a few words between her husband and son-in-law, everyone focused on eating. With the old man back, there were a few extra dishes tonight, making the meal much richer.

Late at night, the old lady tossed and turned, unable to sleep, waking her husband beside her.

Old Master Lin woke up groggily and mumbled, “Don’t think about it. If there’s something, talk about it tomorrow.” He turned over and started snoring again. At his age, after a long journey, he was already exhausted and slept soundly.

Listening to his snores, the old lady smiled silently. This rough man is still a rough man, even in old age. In her mind, the image of that jade-like man surfaced, and she let out a gentle sigh."