1990s: Spring Water Family

Chapter 147 A Gift from an Elder: An Immense Favor

"The fish are here, time to eat."

My aunt brought over a large aluminum alloy basin, filled with a whole bowl of sauerkraut fish stew with bean sprouts, from the kitchen.

"Goodness, they've used a basin."

Seeing this, my uncle happily picked up his bamboo clappers and stood up from his chair: "Today is a joyous occasion, moving into a new house, with wine and fish. We absolutely have to have a performance!"

"it is good!"

The younger generation applauded enthusiastically and cheered loudly.

"Hahaha."

Uncle laughed loudly: "Since the kids are so supportive, I'll tell you a classic skit that Guo Qiulin performed on the Spring Festival Gala—'Bragging'."

"Great."

Xu Yi jumped up from his chair and cheered loudly.

“Children, listen carefully.”

My uncle couldn't stop smiling and began his wonderful performance, waving his bamboo clappers.

-

"Clang, clang, clang"

There was this big, black man who loved to brag. It turned out he was a small-time trader who resold a lot of fish. Everyone else was doing business honestly, but he was the only one who kept exaggerating to make money.

He was holding a large scale and shouting as he sold fish: "Fish for sale! Fish for sale!"

"This fish of mine is a yellow croaker from the Pacific Ocean. It tastes great and the meat is plump. It can make old men young, old ladies keep their teeth from falling out, and people with dark skin can turn their skin white. Young women will become more and more beautiful the more they eat it. Come on, come on, come quickly, or you'll miss your chance."

Someone came up to him and asked: "Comrade, how much is your fish per pound?"

"When he saw that business had come in, he started to boast: 'Now it's cheap at three yuan, just now it was twenty, I sold two big piles.'"

"twenty?"

"Yes!"

"We'll talk about this pile of three-yuan ones later. You should pay the tax on those two piles of twenty-yuan-a-pound ones first."

"Huh?! No way, comrades, what are you doing here?"

“We are from the tax bureau.”

"No, comrade, I was just bragging. There weren't even two piles of fish. Besides, bragging is tax-free. If I knew it was taxed, I wouldn't have dared to brag."

-

"Hahaha."

The younger generation was amused by their uncle's vivid and expressive performance, and they applauded enthusiastically.

"Stop bragging and eat some fish."

My aunt tapped the basin twice with her chopsticks, and the delicious-looking pickled fish stew with bean sprouts instantly attracted everyone's attention.

"It smells so good, let's eat fish!"

Xu Yi, being the youngest, didn't hesitate and reached out his hand first.

"Don't touch your chopsticks yet."

My uncle, playing the clapperboard, set the mood: "Today is a housewarming day, a good day. Before we raise our glasses to celebrate, let Mom say a few words first."

"I have nothing to say."

Grandma smiled and waved her hand, "As long as you're happy."

"Mom, you are the head of the family."

My uncle tapped the clapper a few more times, providing accompaniment for himself: "On such a happy day, I have to sing a few lines."

"Yes, Mom, please say something."

The three siblings, including the aunt, also laughed and encouraged them.

"Okay, okay, I'll tell you."

Grandma couldn't refuse, so she smiled and agreed.

Why do you have to tell me?

Xu Yi wanted to eat fish, he was so hungry for it, and he secretly muttered to himself.

He muttered a bit loudly, and everyone at the table heard him.

"Xiao Yi, put down your chopsticks!"

Chen Xiulan couldn't stand her son's useless attitude, so she slammed her hand on the table in annoyance.

Xu Yi was startled, but under his mother's deathly gaze, he had no choice but to submit.

"He's still young and doesn't understand things. Why are you yelling at him?"

When the grandmother saw her little grandson looking at her with such longing eyes, she couldn't help but soften.

"He should be more mature by now."

Chen Xiulan's face darkened, her eyes showing displeasure.

"Xiao Yi, listen to your mother."

On this joyous occasion, Grandma didn't want to spoil the atmosphere and ignored her daughter's argument.

I've let it go.

Xu Yi put down his chopsticks, looking aggrieved, and listened to the reprimand with his head down.

"Alright, alright, just put the chopsticks down."

Uncle smiled and smoothed things over, saying, "Mom, please continue."

"I'm really happy that the move went smoothly today."

Grandma held her little grandson affectionately, her eyes filled with love: "Our family has lived on Donghua Street for decades. To be honest, before the demolition, I really never thought that I would ever leave this world."

“Since the municipal government has a plan, we have to move. Fortunately, we have Xiyu and Xiaobin. You two are great contributors. Without you, our family would not be able to live in such a nice house. Now, I will hand it over to your uncle and maternal uncle. Let them toast you on my behalf.”

-

"it is good."

When Uncle heard Grandma's words, he was as if he had received a royal decree and immediately perked up: "Mom has spoken, Xiaobin, you can't refuse anymore. You have to drink your fill tonight, and you won't leave until you're drunk."

"to make."

Gu Bin enthusiastically supported the drink: "Grandma made me drink, so I had to. It's my honor to drink with my uncle."

"Haha, Xiao Bin really knows how to talk."

My uncle laughed even harder, directing my cousin to pour wine and fill his glass.

I have a feeling.

My cousin whispered in Lin Xiyu's ear, "Look how excited my dad is. He won't stop until he gets Gu Bin drunk. He probably won't be able to go home tonight."

"I can't not go home."

Lin Xiyu frowned slightly: "His maternal grandparents dote on him. If he doesn't come home after midnight, they'll come looking for him."

"That's not better."

My cousin joked with a smile, "No need to arrange a time anymore, the two families have met ahead of schedule."

"You're still in the mood for jokes?"

Lin Xiyu was utterly speechless.

"He's not my boyfriend."

Her cousin, wanting to provoke her and have some fun, said, "What does it matter to me if he gets drunk? I'm just trying to be helpful. If he's really drunk, your frail body probably won't be able to carry him. You should decide in advance whether you need to find someone to help you, so you don't end up helplessly searching for someone late at night."

Thank you.

Lin Xiyu rolled her eyes inwardly, looked away, and ignored her.

"hehe."

My cousin achieved her goal and let out a happy laugh.

-

A warm meal cooked over a hot pot was enjoyed by everyone.

Uncle-in-law was determined to get Gu Bin drunk, and he did indeed drink too much, vomiting profusely by the moat.

"You insisted on drinking, no matter how much I tried to persuade you otherwise."

Lin Xiyu took him home, feeling extremely sorry for him, and scolded him irritably.

"I have to drink it."

A cool night breeze sobered Gu Bin up considerably: "The engagement is coming up soon, and I wouldn't dare offend your uncle at this crucial moment."

"Grandma said that it's better for the two families' elders to meet sooner rather than later. The day after tomorrow would be fine, do you think?"

Lin Xiyu carefully supported him, fearing that he might slip and fall into the river.

"Yes, it has to be done."

Gu Bin leaned against her, putting almost all of his weight on her.

Are your grandparents free? Isn't this too sudden?

Lin Xiyu didn't hold it against him because he was drunk.

"No." Gu Bin's mind was still clear: "They've already made preparations, and my dad and brother might even come."

"Your dad's here too?"

Lin Xiyu looked slightly surprised.

"His son is engaged."

Gu Bin replied matter-of-factly, "Shouldn't he, as the father, step in?"

"Uh."

Lin Xiyu gave an awkward laugh: "That's not what I meant."

"What are you thinking?"

Fueled by alcohol, Gu Bin tried to tease her again: "You still can't forget those embarrassing things from when you were little, can you?"

"certainly not"

Lin Xiyu was both embarrassed and angry, and pushed him hard.

"Ouch."

Under the influence of alcohol, Gu Bin was slow to react and somewhat out of control. With a forceful push from Lin Xiyu, he swayed and fell into the water with a splash.

"what?!"

Lin Xiyu's heart nearly stopped from pounding in shock. Without thinking, she jumped in too.

-

Under the cover of night, the moat flows slowly, and the water is cool.

Gu Bin seemed to be asleep, floating motionless on the water's surface, letting the current carry him away.

Using the dim moonlight, Lin Xiyu paddled vigorously towards the center of the river.

As they drew closer, she reached out and tried to grab his arm.

The person floating on the water suddenly flipped over and sank to the bottom, holding her in their arms.

Lin Xiyu was both annoyed and amused. Just as she was about to push him away, his warm lips pressed down on hers, silencing her.

-

"I was stupid to jump into the river to save you. I'll never trust you again."

The two returned to shore, and Lin Xiyu, feeling both ashamed and angry, punched him a few times.

"Concern leads to confusion."

After all that fuss, Gu Bin was completely sober. He took off his shirt and wrung it out vigorously.

When did you learn to swim?

Lin Xiyu was wearing a skirt and couldn't be as casual as him, so she glared at him again, annoyed.

"I also grew up soaking in the Prince's Palace pond."

Gu Bin deliberately misinterpreted her meaning: "If you can do it, why can't I?"

"You're just trying to annoy me."

Lin Xiyu took off her headband and used her fingers to part her wet hair, trying to dry it in the night breeze.

"That won't work."

Gu Bin glanced at her hair, his brows furrowing slightly: "It's autumn, and the nights are chilly. I'd better take you home first."

"Don't bother seeing me off."

Lin Xiyu was both amused and exasperated: "If we keep going back and forth like this, we won't be able to get home all night."

"I really hope the 9th arrives soon."

Gu Bin reluctantly hugged her: "Once we're engaged, we can live together. You won't have to torture me like this anymore."

"What are you thinking about?"

Lin Xiyu smiled and playfully scolded, "I knew you had ulterior motives, that's why you're in such a hurry to get engaged."

"You do not want?"

Gu Bin used a bit of force, holding the person even tighter.

Their skin was pressed together, burning hot, and Lin Xiyu's cheeks were also burning red.

I guess you want to.

Gu Bin smiled teasingly, then lowered his head and kissed her sweet, soft lips.

-

September 3, Minghu Tower.

Chen Xiulan bought a new outfit especially for her daughter. On the day the two families met, the maternal grandmother also changed into her treasured cheongsam, looking exceptionally elegant and poised.

To Gu Bin's surprise, his relatives also attached great importance to the engagement.

Not only his grandparents, but also his father and uncles all came back from all over the country.

When the relatives and friends of both sides met, Lin Xiyu's maternal grandmother and mother did not say much in the face of the man's large group of relatives and friends, but Gu Bin's maternal grandfather was the first to explode.

Faced with this family who were trying to take over the show, the old man was furious and slammed his fist on the table: "Old Fu, what do you mean by this? What are you all doing here interfering? Are you trying to embarrass me?"

"Xiaobin is my grandson. How could I not come when our elders are meeting?"

Grandpa Fu was also stubborn. He rolled up his sleeves and openly provoked, "What? You're not convinced? Let's have another fight."

"Didn't we agree with Xiaobin that we would hold the banquet separately?"

Grandpa Gu, feeling guilty, softened his tone slightly: "Why did you have to get involved and make a fool of yourself in front of outsiders?"

Grandpa Fu scoffed, "If we don't come, it will only make us a laughingstock to outsiders."

"That's right."

Grandma Fu was also unhappy and kept complaining: "Is this how you do things? It's one thing for Xiaobin to take your surname, but you won't even let us participate in the engagement. You insist on holding separate events. This is no way to bully people. Do you think our Fu family has no one to back us up and is easy to bully?"

"Who would dare to bully you?"

Grandpa Gu looked at the five brothers across from him, who were eyeing him menacingly, and his lips twitched involuntarily.

"Okay, stop talking."

Grandma Gu smiled and tried to smooth things over: "It's your fault. I told you it's not right to hold separate banquets, but you wouldn't listen. Now look what's happened, people are blocking our door."

"They're deliberately trying to sabotage me."

Grandpa Gu felt wronged: "Xiao Bin had no objections and agreed to handle it separately."

"My fault."

Gu Bin didn't want things to get too tense, so he could only take the blame for his grandfather: "I was too naive and didn't consider the feelings of my grandparents."

"Xi Yu, I'm sorry to have made you laugh."

Grandma Fu held Lin Xiyu's hand affectionately, her eyes filled with love: "His grandfather and I have a special gift for you this time."

"I'm so glad you could come."

Lin Xiyu was genuinely happy to see Grandpa Fu and Grandma Fu.

You must accept this gift.

Grandpa Fu gave Grandpa Gu a defiant look: "Those three gold pieces given as engagement gifts are too vulgar, we don't care about them."

"Cough cough."

Grandpa Gu almost choked on his own saliva because of what he said.

"What gift is it? Why so mysterious?"

Gu Bin smiled and smoothed things over, saying, "I kept it from even me, not letting them know a word."

"Xiao Bin's father specially asked someone to find it, and it took a long time and a lot of effort."

As Grandma Fu spoke, she glanced at Gu Bin's father, signaling him to take out the gift.

"Xi Yu, come here."

Father Gu understood and waved to Lin Xiyu with a smile.

"Go."

Grandma Fu patted her hand affectionately.

"Ah."

Lin Xiyu forcibly suppressed her excitement and, under the intense gazes of everyone, took small steps forward.

"Take a look."

When Gu's father saw her approach, he took out a brocade box from his pocket and opened it very solemnly: "Is this military medal exactly the same as the one your father had back then?"

"Yes."

The scene that came into view made Lin Xiyu's eyes widen in surprise, and tears fell uncontrollably.

"This medal is for you."

Mr. Gu's usually serious expression softened, revealing a hint of tenderness: "Consider it a token of our family's goodwill, as an engagement gift for you and Xiaobin."

"This is far too valuable."

Lin Xiyu felt a mix of excitement and unease.

The medals were too precious for her; she didn't know if she was fortunate enough to receive them, or if she could bear the immense favor they represented.