Zhao Yulan understood that at that point, turning in Luo Gangshun would at most just add one more person to suffer, with no other benefits. As for leaving Lin Baohe, she had even less of an idea about that; her family and Lin Baohe's grandmother's family were neighbors, and the two grew up together like childhood sweethearts. How could she abandon him at his most difficult time?
And so, Zhao Yulan married Lin Baohe, and owing to feelings of guilt, Luo Gangshun and his wife always provided considerable support to the couple.
After Zhao Yulan gave birth to Chuxia, Fat Aunt divided Meiying's little clothes and diapers, taking half to them, and would help out from time to time. If it weren't for Meiying being too young to be left alone, Fat Aunt might actually have gone to serve Zhao Yulan during her postpartum confinement.
"Xia, don't think that those little clothes and diapers are nothing. Back then, your dad and I were so poor we rattled when we walked. If it weren't for Fat Aunt, you would've had to lie naked in your little quilt, relying on some rag to clean up your pee," Zhao Yulan had said.
When it became known that Zhao Yulan could no longer have children, Luo Gangshun and Fat Aunt seriously discussed with them, proposing that once Chuxia grew up, she should marry Hongqi. Chuxia and Hongqi's first child would bear the surname Lin, and only the ones born after would bear the surname Luo.
Lin Baohe and Zhao Yulan firmly rejected this proposition; they felt that the suffering Lin Baohe endured for Luo Gangshun back in the day did not warrant such repayment.
Though they refused, Fat Aunt never gave up on the idea. Once, when she brought it up to Zhao Yulan again, it happened to be overheard by Lin Baohai, who had come looking for Lin Baohe.
This was also why Chuchun and Chuqiu were aware of the matter, or perhaps, at this point, it might have already spread throughout the village.
The gist of the matter was such that, in the eyes of future generations, Chuxia would find their troubles to be utterly meaningless. Yet in that era—an era where food was heaven and progeny were fate—what Luo Gangshun and his wife did could be considered having fulfilled their moral duty.
"Dad, did you ever hate Uncle Gangshun?" Chuxia asked Lin Baohe right after Zhao Yulan finished her story.
Lin Baohe shook his head without hesitation, "No, I didn't hate him."
"Not... hate?" Lin Chuxia's eyes widened with disbelief.
"Your dad is telling the truth," Zhao Yulan sighed softly, "I was really angry back then, but later on, I thought about it and your dad was right. If Uncle Gangshun had come forward then, the suffering your dad endured wouldn't have been any less, and it would have ruined Uncle Gangshun's future as well. Then they wouldn't have been able to support us afterwards, and our family's suffering would definitely have been even greater."
Hearing Zhao Yulan's words, was she not only supposed to not blame them, but also be grateful for their kindness? Oh her silly parents! Chuxia had read some books from that era and knew that for Lin Baohe, being caught on the spot meant any explanation was feeble. People of that era seemed to have a fervent passion for public denunciations, so she could only try to understand some of the thoughts of people from that era.
Perhaps, she was still fortunate. If she had woken up to find herself in the era when Lin Baohe and his peers were young, the only choice she might have had was to find a rope and end herself that way.
"Mom, if you have anything else to say, just say it. Let's clear everything up today, okay?" Seeing Zhao Yulan appearing as if she had more to say but hesitated, Chuxia decisively kicked off her shoes, climbed onto the kang bed and sat cross-legged, ready to listen attentively.
Zhao Yulan took a deep breath, "Chuxia, seeing you becoming more and more sensible, knowing how to be considerate of your dad and mom, we are truly happy. But child, how could you also say that about finding a husband's family without discussing it with us? They would have to agree to let your first child take our surname first."
Glancing at Chuxia, who looked utterly perplexed, Zhao Yulan realized she hadn't understood the real implication and had to explain further, "Now that you've said this, you must marry Hongqi. But you, child, have never gotten along with him since you were little. Tell me, after taking things this far, will you marry or not?"
"Why... why must I marry him?" Lin Chuxia felt her brain struggling to keep up. Even if the requirement she mentioned had been raised by Fat Auntie's family before, it didn't mean she couldn't choose someone else if not Luo Hongqi, right? What kind of logic was that?
Every time Luo Hongqi saw her, his face would turn red and his neck would thicken like a fighting rooster. She had always wondered what she had done to offend him. As it turned out, it was her longstanding feud with him... then why should she have to accept that blockhead?
"Chuxia, it was Fat Aunt and Uncle Gangshun who first came up with the idea of the first child taking our surname. Now that you've said the same, if you don't marry Hongqi, where would Uncle Gangshun and Fat Aunt put their face?"
Lin Chuxia stared at her mother bewilderedly. Were other people's faces more important than her happiness? Could it be that her parents were willing to tell her about the past, all because of this reason?
"Just marry him. We know his family's background; Gangshun's family will be good to Chuxia and won't let Hongqi bully you. That's settled then. Next time Gangshun's family raises the issue, just agree to it," Lin Baohe made a definitive decision, slipping on his shoes, "I'm going to visit Gangshun's family."
Was he going to tip them off? Chuxia pulled at his sleeve in panic, "Dad, how can you make this decision without asking me? This is my life we're talking about. I'm your own flesh and blood; you can't do this to me."
"If you weren't my own flesh and blood, would I even do this?" Lin Baohe stopped and looked at his daughter seriously, "Chuxia, what you said in front of your uncle's family today will definitely spread by tomorrow."
What Lin Baohe meant was, if the Fat Aunt's family heard the news from somewhere else first, they would feel that Chuxia's family was not being open with them. Which husband's family would like a daughter-in-law who wasn't on the same page with them?
"Do you mean I can only marry Luo Hongqi?" Lin Chuxia tugged hard at Lin Baohe, preventing him from leaving, "Dad, come back and sit down. Let's have a proper talk."
Zhao Yulan let out a soft sigh, "My silly girl, what else is there to talk about? Your sister-in-law just went out, and this news won't need until tomorrow; it'll spread tonight.
In fact, Hongqi is a good boy. He's tall, good-looking, and simple-minded. If you're not getting along now, it's because he's immature. Give it a few years, and he'll surely know how to cherish someone.
Besides, with Fat Aunt and Uncle Gangshun around, how would he dare to mistreat you? Your relationship with Meiying is good, so you won't have to worry about suffering from your sister-in-law's temper. All in all, if you really marry into the Luo family, your dad and I would be most at ease."
"Mom..." Chuxia looked at Zhao Yulan in dismay, "Didn't you always refuse before? How come, in the blink of an eye, you've changed your mind?"
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