Chapter 161: Chapter 123: Lin Lishan Arrives in Beijing (Part 3)
Xiao Wu advised me that it’s no use saying more. Her mother is very clear-cut about these things, fearing that mixing family together will mess up the order. Unless Jiao Jiao goes in person after her confinement to deliver things to her two sisters-in-law.
The atmosphere in their family is exceptionally good, everyone is diligent and doesn’t gossip. They’re all the same personality as Jiao Jiao, liking to keep things low-key and secretive. All these local specialties are bought privately to keep it low-key. Now I understand why our Jiao Jiao married into them; they’re kindred spirits."
Lin Liyin laughed heartily, "This family is really quite good. Jiao Jiao married into a good family. Being sensible is good, and what does it matter if it’s a rural area? I still think old farmers are simple, genuine, and easy to get along with as they don’t play mind games.
My mother-in-law is just like that. Every time she sees me, she says she has wronged me, but I don’t feel wronged at all. She keeps her eldest son in mind, and for our family, she often sends local specialties even if they lack money.
These are heartfelt gestures, so what’s there to feel wronged about? Haven’t you heard my coworkers always complaining how difficult their mothers-in-law are? Big sister should be at ease now; you don’t have to worry anymore.
Tell us, is Jiao Jiao affectionate to you? Does she ever ask you to do anything?"
Mr. Lin chuckled as he watched the kids and chimed in, "Did Xiao Wu say anything when he came back from the provincial city?"
Lin Lishan laughed out loud, poured herself a cup of tea, and took a few sips, "Dad, you’re really sly. Did you already know that Xiao Wu, after going out with you, would come back with his mind unsettled?"
"Hmm, I think the kid has a good disposition but might change after seeing too much. I wanted him to see the outside world, so he realizes what he has encountered is still not enough and he still has a long way to go to reach his goals. Tell me, when he came back, did he seem conceited? After all, he’s only 18; it would be understandable if he did."
Lin Lishan smiled apologetically at her sister, then turned to Mr. Lin, "When Xiao Wu came back that day, his expression hadn’t changed a bit; he was just like usual. But after dinner, as I was chatting with Jiao Jiao, he came in and sat there absent-mindedly. Jiao Jiao asked him what was wrong. He didn’t answer at first, just asked if I had free time to go home, and if they came to Beijing, would they often not see me and her dad. After I finished talking, Jiao Jiao noticed something and questioned if he had any problem or was troubled by anything.
This child Xiao Wu, watching Jiao Jiao and me harmonizing, seeing her happy, worried that his decision to stay in the county for a few years was wrong. He said he felt a little lost after returning from the provincial city, fearing that time would not wait for him. Both logic and emotion were swinging, and he needed Jiao Jiao’s guidance. Haha, I was so amused at that moment; I’ve never seen such an interesting young couple.
When Jiao Jiao’s face turned serious, she said, you first need to determine your role. Grandpa showed you high-level people, so why are you in a hurry? If you’re unsettled, it shows you’re shaky about your own plans. Think rationally, away from Grandpa, away from Mom and Dad, what should we do by ourselves? Remove those external factors, consider what we should best focus on right now, and how you should make yourself better. So even if no one is behind you, you can still walk your path independently, that’s your confidence.
After she finished speaking, Xiao Wu nodded seriously. Then Jiao Jiao talked about their household registration with Ping’an and said that they should move everything to the village or county seat. Only by doing so can they cut off their retreat and have the motivation to strive hard to get into college, moving the whole family to Beijing for their son’s sake. Let’s just go all the way.
After Jiao Jiao finished speaking, Xiao Wu happily said that he no longer felt confused. Jiao Jiao’s words helped him make up his mind to bring them back to Beijing himself, and he told me, Mom, give me two years, and I will definitely bring Jiao Jiao and the child to see you. From then on, when you two want to go out shopping, just go, and you’ll never be separated again.
Dad, at that moment, I felt a sense of relief. Even if there is no son, having Xiao Wu and Jiao Jiao is already satisfying. When I left, I wanted to leave all the money I had, but they hurriedly brought out their own savings to show me, saying they were not short of money at all; if they ever needed any, they would tell me straight. They said they only had Jiao Jiao to depend on; who else would they ask if not me? They reasoned that coming back to Beijing without money and asking Grandma would be unreasonable, leaving the young to honor the old instead of the old supporting the young, and wouldn’t that worry Grandma? There was no way to argue with them.
Haha, Xiao Wu is so clever. Look at all these things; as soon as he got to the station, he went straight to find the station manager, brought over the train conductor of this train, and everything was directly placed into the compartment. In no time, the two became best buddies, and on this journey, it was all food orders from the conductor on his behalf. He was incredibly enthusiastic, saying that his brother told him to take good care of his mother-in-law, and not to worry if stuff got lost, as long as the person was safe. Haha, oh wow, it was truly hilarious."
The housekeeper brought a bowl of noodles, and Lin Lishan eagerly started eating, quickly saying, "I’ll eat the noodles first. I’ll tell you more when I have time, don’t worry, they are all doing very well."
Lin Liyin sat beside her, smiling, "Big sis, even if you don’t say it, we all know it. Look at how proud you are; you don’t even need to tell us. Take your time eating."
Mr. Lin and Mrs. Lin exchanged smiles after hearing this; their eldest daughter seems to have a good settling now, no more worries. Mrs. Lin looked at the pile of stuff on the ground and quickly asked the auntie to come up and tidy it up, giving directions on the side.