1990s: Spring Water Family

Chapter 173 The Origin of the Military Medal, The Meeting Between Mother-in-Law and Daughter-in-

"I'm coming"

As they were talking, a jet-black Crown sedan drove through the gate and stopped at the entrance to the living room.

The driver got out of the car, jogged to the back of the vehicle, and respectfully opened the door.

Gu Bin's mother got out of the car, her expression arrogant.

"The demeanor of a leader is just different."

The second daughter-in-law muttered something under her breath, then quickly got up from the sofa, greeting everyone with a smile: "Third sister-in-law, you're here! Everyone's been waiting for you. We sisters-in-law haven't seen each other in ages. After lunch, let's play some mahjong together and have a good time."

"You guys fight, I don't have time."

Gu Bin's mother, Gu Yuelan, refused outright without any politeness: "I have to go back to Y City after lunch. I have to do a TV interview tomorrow and visit impoverished mountain areas."

Upon hearing this, the noisy living room instantly fell silent.

Grandma Fu's smile vanished, and her gaze toward her daughter-in-law was filled with displeasure.

"Mom, you've finally come back, why don't you stay home and rest for a few more days?"

Seeing that his older brother hadn't returned yet, Gu Bin could only bite the bullet and try to smooth things over: "It's perfect timing, Dad's back too. Why don't you two go to Grandpa's house together on the second day of the Lunar New Year, have a reunion dinner, and then leave?"

"Your grandfather knows I'm busy, he won't blame me."

Gu Yuelan waved her hand, her refusal quite clear.

"Auntie is so busy with work, it's already exhausting that she still managed to find time to come back."

Lin Xiyu, quick-witted, eased Gu Bin's embarrassment by saying, "Let's not talk about this for now. Hurry up and pour a cup of tea so that Auntie can have some water and rest for a bit."

"Row."

Gu Bin nodded in agreement, then fell silent and turned to walk towards the kitchen.

"This girl from the Lin family is no ordinary person."

Gu Yuelan gave Lin Xiyu a scrutinizing look, her tone sarcastic: "My unruly son, who couldn't even be controlled by his maternal grandfather, has actually been tamed by you."

"What Lin family girl?"

Grandma Fu couldn't stand it anymore and scolded her angrily, "Xi Yu is Xiao Bin's fiancée, watch your mouth."

"That's just how I am; I can't stand to see a speck of dust in my eye."

Gu Yuelan scoffed dismissively: "Even if she has captivated everyone, she is not the ideal daughter-in-law in my mind."

-

Gu Bin's father and several of his brothers were discussing current affairs in the study.

"The United States is bullying us too much."

"We must accelerate our own satellite navigation research and development. Only in this way can we remain invincible in the high-tech wars of the future."

Because of the Galaxy incident, all the elders were indignant. Gu Bin's father, hearing the discordant sounds in the living room, became even angrier and came out with a displeased look: "What are you doing causing trouble during the New Year? Why are you talking so rudely?"

"Am I making a scene?!"

Gu Yuelan rubbed her temples wearily, looking impatient: "I didn't want to come back in the first place, but you all forced me to come back just for a family reunion dinner. I drove all the way from Y City early this morning, spending several hours on the road. Do you think it was easy for me?"

"If you don't want to come back, then don't. Nobody's forcing you."

Fu Bin's father was extremely disappointed, and his gaze towards her was devoid of any warmth.

"I called my mom and asked her to come home for the Chinese New Year."

The sound of a car engine came from outside the living room again. Fu Zheng jumped out of the jeep and stepped into the door.

"Xiao Zheng."

When Gu Yuelan saw her eldest son, her eyes lit up and a smile appeared on her face.

"Mom, you've worked so hard."

Fu Zheng, considerate and filial, said, "Would you like to lie down on my bed for a while? You can come down after dinner."

"Okay, Mom is indeed a bit tired."

Gu Yuelan smiled with relief and, following her son's wishes, went upstairs to his bedroom to rest.

The mother and daughter were talking on the second floor, and the lobby on the first floor returned to harmony and tranquility.

-

"My third sister-in-law has a really fiery temper."

The second daughter-in-law was embarrassed by Gu Yuelan and felt a little aggrieved: "She's only a little nicer to Xiao Zheng, at least she has a smiling face."

"Xiao Zheng has been sensible since she was little, unlike Xiao Bin who is naughty and always makes her angry."

The eldest daughter-in-law, who knew the situation well, said: "In the heart of the third sister-in-law, Xiao Zheng is her proudest son, her precious treasure, and the apple of her eye."

"you do not say."

The fourth daughter-in-law said sourly, "When Xiao Zheng passed the pilot exam, she was so happy that she told everyone she was lucky to have such a successful son."

"She didn't like Xiaobin's wife, so who knows how picky Xiaozheng's wife will be?"

The eldest daughter-in-law said sarcastically, "I bet even the mayor's daughter wouldn't be interested. It would have to be a fairy descended from heaven."

"Cough cough."

Lin Xiyu's heart skipped a beat. Thinking of the secret about her older brother that Gu Bin had mentioned, she couldn't help but feel a little worried for him.

"Xi Yu, have some soda."

When Grandma Fu saw her coughing, she mistakenly thought she was thirsty and picked up a bottle of orange soda from the coffee table and handed it to her.

"Thank you grandma."

Lin Xiyu smiled gratefully, using the opportunity to hide her inner panic.

"Xi Yu, please don't mind it."

Grandma Fu patted her hand affectionately: "Don't take what Xiaobin's mother says to heart. She has no right to make decisions in this family. As long as Grandma is still alive, she won't let anyone bully you."

"Grandma, you're so kind."

Lin Xiyu was so moved that she burst into tears and couldn't help but open her arms and hug Grandma Fu.

"My grandmother also had a daughter when she was young."

Grandma Fu sensed her attachment, smiled with relief, gently stroked her hair, and revealed a hint of nostalgia for the past: "Back then, it was right after liberation, life was hard, and Grandma was weak. She accidentally fell while working in the fields and had a miscarriage."

"Ever since then, Grandma has had a strong desire for a well-behaved and adorable granddaughter. Now that we have you, Grandma's wish has been fulfilled. With you by Grandma's side, having a few sweet words to say, Grandma is happier than anything else."

-

"This old woman is so old and still so dramatic."

Grandpa Fu, watching with envy, pushed his wheelchair over from the study, also wanting to assert his presence in front of his granddaughter-in-law: "Why bring up the past? Do you think I, an old man, would go back on my word? Xi Yu's father was my soldier, and she is my child. In this family, she doesn't need to worry about anyone. Stand tall, and if Xiao Bin dares to treat you badly, Grandpa will still beat him."

"I'm talking to Xiyu, why are you interrupting?"

Grandma Fu was unhappy and started arguing with him again.

"Xi Yu isn't just your granddaughter-in-law, is she?"

Grandpa Fu said matter-of-factly, "We have so many rascals in our family, and we've finally found a kindred spirit. Can't I even say a few words?"

"Go and talk to them about current affairs, don't bother us."

Grandma Fu waved him away, saying, "We're just having a private chat, what are you doing meddling, you grown man?"

"Xiyu, did you like the military medal Grandpa gave you last time?"

Grandpa Fu was unwilling to accept this, so he used his military medals as an excuse.

"I like it, thank you Grandpa."

Lin Xiyu was both amused and exasperated, and could only express her gratitude in accordance with his wishes: "My mother and I are very grateful to you. The medals are treasured at home, and they will never be stolen or lost again this time."

"Speaking of the medal, it is a fact that Xi Yu's stepfather's daughter maliciously lost it. She can be held civilly liable. Although she was young at the time, her father should also bear some responsibility for her and at the very least give Xi Yu some compensation for her mental distress."

Gu Bin's father suddenly spoke, his words causing a huge uproar. "My stepfather's daughter is too wicked. She shouldn't be let off so easily."

"She even dared to throw away her military medals; she's completely lawless."

"He was a wicked child, and he'll definitely be full of bad ideas when he grows up."

"Did she really throw it away? Or could she have hidden it and was just lying to people?"

“She threw it away. We asked her about it afterward, and she admitted it herself. She threw it down the drain. So many years have passed, we can’t find it now.”

"They really threw it away, that's fucking disgusting."

"Those are military medals! How dare she do that?"

"Ignorant and foolish legal illiterates, does she think military medals can be thrown away so easily?"

"She only dares to be so arrogant because she doesn't understand the law."

The living room instantly erupted in noise. The younger generation, who had previously been unaware of the matter, were filled with righteous indignation and loathed Xu Jie.

"I'll handle this."

Gu Bin brought back a pot of hot tea from the kitchen and spoke up at the opportune moment: "Xi Yu's mother has won the divorce case against Xu Weiguo. I've had the lawyer add this clause to the property division agreement. They must pay the price they deserve."

“Military medals are priceless; no amount of money could compensate her for them.”

"Not sending her to jail is already letting her off easy."

"I don't think this can be left like this. At least I should beat her up to vent my anger, otherwise I'll feel really frustrated."

The younger generation persisted, while the elders remained tight-lipped and silent.

"Dad, why aren't you saying anything?"

Gu Bin's third cousin was furious and couldn't understand why his parents had ignored him.

"It's against the law to hit someone."

The eldest uncle glared at him and shouted sternly.

"That woman was in the wrong first."

My third cousin was still unconvinced.

"You don't need to worry about this."

My second uncle, who had a better temper, kindly advised, "Someone has already taught her a lesson."

"Who?"

The third cousin blinked and subconsciously looked at Gu Bin.

"It's none of my business."

Gu Bin remained calm and composed: "It's just that the manhole cover in front of their house is old and in disrepair; it's normal for someone to fall in while passing by."

"puff."

Fifth cousin spat out a mouthful of tea.

The third cousin stared in disbelief: "Did that woman fall down?"

"I broke an arm."

Gu Binyi bluntly stated: "It's exactly the same hand that threw away the medal back then."

"Hey, what a coincidence."

The third cousin gloated, "What a coincidence! Even God couldn't stand it and wanted to punish her."

"When did this happen?"

Lin Xiyu, unaware of the truth, could not hide her shock: "Why have you never told me this before?"

Before our two families meet.

Gu Bin stopped trying to hide it and told the truth: "We found out that the medal was indeed lost and could not be found again, which is why Grandpa ordered my dad to find an identical one no matter what."

"Military medals cannot be replaced once lost."

Gu Bin's father chuckled sheepishly, "The one I gave you was quite a hassle. I searched through a bunch of old comrades before finally finding one who had passed away. I helped his descendants with a lot of things before he agreed to transfer the medal to me. And we can't tell anyone about this, otherwise it would be a violation of military discipline, and I would be punished too."

"thank you all!"

Lin Xiyu was deeply moved, and tears welled up in her eyes: "I didn't know you had done so much for me behind the scenes..."

"You are the granddaughter-in-law of the Fu family."

Grandpa Fu took the opportunity to straighten his back and put on the air of the head of the family: "The Fu family is your backing. Anyone who dares to bully you is going against the Fu family. I have lived my whole life and have never been afraid of anyone on the battlefield. I even drove the foreign devils back to their hometowns. Anyone who dares to go against me, I will destroy them."

"Grandpa is mighty! Grandpa is awesome!"

The younger generation listened with great enthusiasm and gave a very enthusiastic response.

"hey-hey."

Grandpa Fu was pleased to hear this and proudly raised his eyebrows at Grandma Fu.

"Showing off."

Grandma Fu rolled her eyes at him, then pulled Lin Xiyu away from the living room: "Xiyu, come with Grandma to the backyard, see the vegetables I planted, pick whatever you like, and we'll stir-fry it for lunch."

"OK"

Lin Xiyu readily agreed with a smile and accompanied Grandma Fu to the backyard.

"What's so great about those few dilapidated sheds?"

Grandpa Fu pretended not to care, but his eyes kept glancing out of the living room.

"Grandpa, let me push you in the wheelchair, let's go see what vegetables Grandma has planted."

Gu Bin suppressed a laugh and stepped forward to push his wheelchair.

"I can guess without even looking; it's just some radishes and cabbage. Only your grandma would treasure it."

Grandpa Fu said he was disgusted, but his actions betrayed him; he didn't refuse his suggestion.

"I think so too. What vegetables can you grow in this freezing weather?"

Gu Bin smiled and agreed, quickening his pace as he pushed his wheelchair and chased after them.

-

The vegetable garden in the backyard.

Grandma Fu very seriously asked her filial sons and grandsons to build a shed for her small vegetable garden with bamboo strips and plastic sheeting. To Grandpa Fu's surprise, not only radishes and Chinese cabbage were planted, but also well-preserved pumpkins and loofah vines.

The pumpkin is a bright orange color and has already been frosted; it's especially sweet when steamed.

Several withered old loofahs hung on the loofah vine, their color dull and yellow, and their skin could be easily crushed with a pinch.

"Xi Yu."

Grandma Fu pointed to the loofah vine and asked, "Do you need any loofah pods?"

"want."

Lin Xiyu enthusiastically chimed in: "My grandma also likes to use a loofah to wash dishes, and it gets them really clean."

“Go over there, pick two, and take them back to your grandma.”

Grandma Fu was indeed very pleased to hear this, and pointed to the withered yellow loofah, gesturing for Lin Xiyu to come and pick it.

"Okay."

Lin Xiyu followed her lead, pulled the loofah off the vine, crushed the outer skin with her hands, and peeled out two complete loofah pods.

Leave the seeds for me.

Grandma Fu treasured her loofah seeds, so she had Lin Xiyu wrap them in a handkerchief and carefully put them into her pocket.

"You have the nerve to send two broken loofahs as gifts? You'll make your in-laws laugh at you."

Grandpa Fu, unwilling to be ignored, wanted to make his presence felt again: "If you're going to give something, give something good. Why don't you take out those tomatoes you've been storing in a jar? We can add some vegetables to lunch, make some tomato and egg soup, and let Xiyu try them."