Free Web NovelChapter 294: Chapter 294: The New House
After she finished speaking, Gu’er ignored Liu Yue Mei. She glanced at Chen Fengjiao and asked, "Mom, are you going to stay here with our guests, or are you coming with us?"
Chen Fengjiao looked at Gu’er, Lin Shan, and the others, a bitter expression on her face. "I’ll stay home," she said. "You all go ahead."
Since Chen Fengjiao said so, Gu’er didn’t press the issue. Nearby, Liu Yue Mei was still muttering nasty things and even tried to grab Gu’er, but Chen Damin and Chen Ping held her back.
"I’m going too! Lin Zheng, if you don’t let me go, I’ll smash all your stuff!" ƒrēewebnovel.com
Chen Shuangbao, the Chen Family’s little tyrant, shouted his threat at Lin Zheng.
Lin Zheng looked aggrieved. He had been putting up with so much bullying these past two days, but he didn’t know how to handle it. His mother had told him to just let Chen Shuangbao have his way, but it made him feel terrible.
"You just try it. Chen Shuangbao, don’t think you can get away with anything just because you’re a kid. You’re ten years old; you’re not a baby anymore. I don’t care that your parents spoil you, but I’m making this clear right now: if you dare smash Lin Zheng’s things, or if you dare bully him again, I’ll beat you up and throw you out. And don’t you dare think I’m bluffing. If you do it, I’ll follow through. I don’t care who your parents are—no one will be able to stop me."
Gu’er’s face grew cold. ’This Chen Shuangbao is completely out of line.’
"You dare! You just try laying a single finger on my Shuangbao!"
Liu Yue Mei exploded.
Gu’er gave her a cold look before turning her gaze to Chen Shuangbao. Although the boy was spoiled rotten, he wasn’t a complete idiot. ’My aunt won’t do anything to me,’ he thought, ’but this older girl, Gu’er, is terrifying. I heard Mom say she once attacked someone with a knife. Mom called her trashy and unpresentable, saying that growing up in a village made her wild. I’d better not mess with her right now. I’ll bully Lin Zheng and take his stuff later, when she’s gone.’
As soon as he thought this, Chen Shuangbao ducked behind his mother, looking as if he were afraid of Gu’er.
Liu Yue Mei looked like she wanted to advance, but Gu’er paid her no mind and left the house with Lin Shan, Lin Zheng, and Lin Shuying’s family.
Lin Sui’er had also wanted to come along, but for some reason, she changed her mind and stayed behind.
"Don’t blame Feng Jiao. She doesn’t want this either. We just have to endure it for a few days. Things will be fine once they’re gone."
Lin Shuying saw Lin Shan’s grim expression and tried to comfort him.
"I know. How could I possibly blame her? It’s just... it’s not easy for you to make a trip back, and now you have to suffer through all this. Gu’er’s wedding is a major event, and this whole mess is making it stressful." ƒrēewebnoѵёl.cσm
Lin Shan mostly felt that he had wronged his older sister and Gu’er.
"Don’t be like that. We’re all family. You sound like a stranger when you talk like that."
Lin Shuying waved it off, showing she didn’t mind, and Gu’er nodded in agreement. ’It’s not Dad’s fault. There’s nothing anyone can do when you run into such real pieces of work.’
When they reached the new apartment building, they heard voices the moment they stepped into the corridor. The main door to the Sun Family’s apartment was open, and the sound of conversation traveled a long way.
As they passed by, Gu’er glanced inside and happened to be spotted by someone. The person immediately called out, "Gu’er! It’s Gu’er! What brings you here?"
"I, uh, I’m taking my aunt and her family to the other apartment," Gu’er said. "You’re all here already."
The person speaking to Gu’er was from the village. ’What was her name?’ Gu’er couldn’t quite recall, but the face was familiar.
Their conversation brought Aunt Zhao, Li Hua, and several others out of the apartment. Seeing Gu’er with Lin Shan and the others behind her, they ushered them to come inside.
Now that they were here, it would have been rude not to pop in. Lin Shan greeted everyone with a broad smile before leading Lin Shuying and the others to meet Grandma Sun.
"Shan, you’re back! And these are...?"
Grandma Sun was delighted to see Lin Shan and asked about the people with him. Grandma Dingzi also stood up to give them her seat.
"Auntie, this is my older sister, Shuying. These are her two children—the older one is Zhongshan, and the younger is Xinghua." Then, turning to his sister, "Big Sis, these are two of our aunties here. This is Big Sister Li Hua—she’s the one who raised Gu’er. And this is Sister-in-law Zhao."
Lin Shuying hurried over to greet the "Aunties." Grandma Sun took her by the hand and pulled her to sit on the bed beside her.
As they all chatted, Gu’er noticed that Sun Jiaming, Uncle Zhao, Li Zhi, and Dingzi were nowhere to be seen. She wondered what they were all busy doing.
The living room was bustling. Seven or eight people from the village were eating and chatting. Gu’er casually asked where Sun Jiaming was.
In response, all seven or eight of them started teasing her. One person joked, asking if she was missing Sun Jiaming already. A couple of the aunties gave her knowing smiles, the implication of which made Gu’er blush.
She ducked her head and went into the other room to listen to Grandma Sun and Lin Shan’s conversation, too embarrassed to ask again.
After they had talked for a while, Lin Shan finally got up, saying he wanted to show Lin Shuying and her family the other apartment. Grandma Sun didn’t press them to stay longer, simply telling them to come back for dinner that night.
When they reached Gu’er’s apartment, both Lin Shan and Lin Shuying took in the sight. It was Lin Shan’s first time visiting since the renovations were complete.
The apartment had been decorated to Gu’er’s specifications. It looked warm and cozy, with a bright and cheerful color scheme. All the necessary furniture and items had been purchased; it lacked nothing.
"It’s so spacious! Shan, are you and your family planning to move in later? It would certainly be convenient, living on the same floor."
Lin Shuying commented as she surveyed the place. The apartment had four rooms, so she had assumed Lin Shan and his family would be moving in.
"We’re not moving in. This place is just for Gu’er and Big Sister Li Hua. There are some extra rooms, but that just means there’s a place for us to stay if we come over for a visit."
Lin Shan smiled. He had never considered moving in. He was simply happy that his daughter was capable of earning her own money; the thought of using her money had never crossed his mind.
"But won’t Gu’er be living in the other apartment after she marries? I saw it just now, it also has four rooms. That’s more than enough space. Why buy another huge place like this? It must have cost a fortune."
Lin Shuying couldn’t wrap her head around it, thinking it was a waste to spend money on a place just to have it sit empty.
"I was just worried that if Brother Jia Ming and I ever get into a fight, I wouldn’t have anywhere to go," Gu’er explained. "This apartment is nearby, so if we argue, I can run over here. It’s also closer for him when he comes to get me."
Gu’er blushed as soon as the words left her mouth. The truth was, she had bought it because she’d wanted a place of her own. She had felt insecure, and buying this large apartment meant it belonged to her. No matter what happened, she would always have a roof over her head. Plus, if her father and his family came to visit, they would have a place to stay as well.
"You silly girl," Lin Shan chided his daughter. "You aren’t even married, and you’re already planning for arguments. Jia Ming is a good man. Once you’re married, you need to build a good life with him. You can’t keep throwing little fits."
Lin Shuying agreed that Sun Jiaming seemed like a good man. She’d only met him once, but her impression was that he was very reliable. ’He’s not like that Li Zhi,’ she thought. ’That one talks way too much. A man with such a silver tongue probably wouldn’t be faithful after marriage.’
If Li Zhi knew what Lin Shuying thought of him, he’d probably want to jump into the Yellow River and cry foul over the injustice.
"I know, Dad."
Gu’er nodded. Of course, she wanted to have a good life with Sun Jiaming.
"Of course," Lin Shan said with a smile, "if that boy Jia Ming ever actually bullies you, you just come and tell Dad. I’ll take care of him. I won’t let anyone bully my little girl. But I trust Jia Ming. I don’t believe he would ever do that."
Lin Shan was smiling. He had high hopes for both Gu’er and Sun Jiaming.
