1990s: Spring Water Family

Chapter 209 Child Diplomacy: From Criticism to Adoration in an Instant

"Is that Gu Bin's wife?"

"They broke up, didn't they? I've seen her going on blind dates with other people."

"What's going on? You got pregnant as soon as you got back."

"She doesn't seem like that kind of person. Her private life is so messy, and Gu Bin still wants her even after she's pregnant. What does he want from her?"

"The Gu family is no good now. What decent family would want to marry him? He'll be implicated if he has children, and it will be difficult for him to join the Party and get promoted."

After Wu Meng's public confrontation, the aunt and nephew unsurprisingly attracted a lot of attention on their way home.

Rumors reached her ears, and Lin Xiyu couldn't help but feel a surge of anger.

"Auntie."

Seeing her furious outburst, Xiao Rui Rui trembled slightly in fear.

Lin Xiyu was about to explode and scold those gossipy women when she realized that Xiao Ruirui's expression was off, and she swallowed her anger.

"hug."

Little Rui Rui was a little scared and instinctively hugged her leg.

"Rui Rui, don't be afraid."

Lin Xiyu bent down and picked up Xiao Rui Rui.

The three-and-a-half-year-old toddler was so heavy on her arm that she gasped for breath, shifting her little body slightly to make it more comfortable to hold him.

"Auntie, let's go home."

Little Rui Rui is already sensible enough to distinguish between good and evil, and can tell that the old women's gossip is not well-intentioned.

He wrapped his arms around her neck like a little quail, burying his head in her chest.

Lin Xiyu sensed Xiao Rui Rui's dependence and gradually calmed down.

Arguing with a bunch of gossipy old women is pointless. I need to find a way to clarify the facts and not let rumors affect my mood or leave a shadow on the child's heart.

-

She was just thinking about what angle to use to explain when, as luck would have it, the opportunity came along.

Furong Street was crowded with people. A little girl, about the same age as Xiao Rui Rui, only three or four years old, ran out of the alley diagonally opposite with her head down. She bumped into a passerby, fell to the ground, and cried loudly.

The crying attracted the attention of many people. Some of the gossipy women recognized the little girl and gathered around her.

"This is not my fault; she bumped into me herself."

The passerby chuckled and offered an explanation, then, fearing the little girl's family might pester her, he quickly ran off.

"Who is this?"

"They hit the child and didn't even apologize; they just left."

"Young people these days are outrageous!"

The women arrived a little late and missed catching the man, so they were cursing and swearing angrily.

Lin Xiyu hurried a few steps, arriving at the little girl's side before the women, squatting down, putting down Xiao Rui Rui, and picking her up.

Little Rui Rui was also drawn to the little girl. Seeing that she was crying pitifully, he took out a piece of milk candy from his pocket and put it in her hand.

The little girl's fall wasn't actually that painful; she just cried out instinctively, all bark and no bite.

With the milk candy, she sniffled a few more times and stopped crying.

Lin Xiyu patted Xiao Rui Rui's head affectionately, very grateful for his divine intervention.

"Little girl, does it hurt when you fell?"

"Why are you out playing all by yourself? Is no one with you? Where do you live?"

Next, she fully utilized her affability, chatting with the little girl in a very gentle and considerate manner to soothe her emotions.

The little girl stared at her with wide, bewildered eyes, looking somewhat helpless.

"Eat sweets."

Little Rui Rui once again provided a helpful assist, pulling a piece of milk candy from her pocket and handing it to the little girl.

The little girl's eyes lit up when she saw the milk candy. She took it and pointed to the alley behind her.

"She is Aunt Liu's granddaughter."

One of the gossiping women, unable to wait for Lin Xiyu to ask again, blurted out, "She lives in No. 4 Pingquan Hutong. Her grandmother has difficulty walking and can't keep an eye on her, so the little girl often runs out by herself to play outside."

"Courtyard No. 4, thank you."

Lin Xiyu pretended not to know that she was one of the people who had just slandered her, smiled good-naturedly, and thanked her.

"Little sister, shall Auntie take you home?"

Without waiting for the little girl's reply, she took her hand in one hand and held Xiao Rui Rui's hand in the other, and walked into the alley.

Whispers arose behind them; there were many onlookers, some bored and secretly wanting to follow along and watch the spectacle.

Lin Xiyu did this intentionally, walking a little slower to give them enough time to consider whether or not to follow.

Sure enough, a short while later, behind the three figures, one large and two small, came a noisy sound of footsteps, indicating that there was more than one person.

Lin Xiyu's lips curled up slightly, revealing a meaningful smile.

-

No. 4 Pingquan Hutong.

The little girl's name is Liu Xiao, nicknamed Niu Niu. Her parents work in the south and are away from home most of the year.

Niu Niu was raised by her grandmother since she was a child. Her grandmother has bone spurs in her knee joints, which hurts especially badly in winter, making it difficult for her to walk.

Niu Niu was young and playful, and often slipped out of the yard by herself when her grandmother wasn't looking.

Today was no different. Grandma Liu saw that it was getting late and it was time to make lunch, so she took the vegetable basin to the sink. In the short time she was washing the vegetables, her granddaughter disappeared again.

The old lady was anxious and upset. She chased after the girl from the yard with her cane, but the little girl had already disappeared.

When Lin Xiyu brought Xiao Niu Niu back to the entrance of Courtyard No. 4, Grandma Liu was anxiously peering outside.

"Grandma, have some candy."

When Niu Niu saw her grandma, she let go of Lin Xiyu's hand, ran over happily, and handed her grandma a piece of milk candy that she was holding.

"Where did you get that candy?"

Grandma Liu didn't take it, looking at Lin Xiyu warily.

"That young man gave it to me."

Niu Niu doesn't lie, and returned Xiao Rui Rui's sweet smile.

"You are?"

Grandma Liu looked at Lin Xiyu and her niece with suspicion.

As her own grandmother, she immediately noticed something was wrong with her granddaughter. Her pants were dusty, and her voice was a little hoarse, clearly indicating that she had been crying.

The granddaughter's fall is most likely related to these two people.

Maybe they were the ones who caused the accident!
-

"It's none of our business."

Lin Xiyu noticed the dissatisfaction in her eyes and quickly explained, "We saw the child had fallen, so we helped her up and took her home."

"Is that right?"

Grandma Liu looked down at her granddaughter.

"Ah."

Niu Niu understood and nodded very seriously.

Grandma Liu's expression softened, and she thanked her with an embarrassed smile.

"You're welcome."

Taking the opportunity, Lin Xiyu struck up a conversation with the grandmother and grandson: "We only sent the child back because we were worried about her being so young. We can't let such a young child run around outside alone. It would be troublesome if she encountered a child trafficker."

"That's right."

Grandma Liu gripped her granddaughter's hand tightly, still shaken: "I was on edge all the time, afraid of losing the child and not being able to face her parents."

"Niu Niu, don't sneak out to play alone anymore. Listen to Grandma."

Lin Xiyu coaxed the little boy gently, "Or if you feel bored by yourself, you can play with the big brother. The big brother has lots of milk candies, do you want some?"

"think."

Niu Niu's eyes lit up as she stared longingly at Xiao Rui Rui's bulging pockets.

Those two pieces of milk candy were taken out of my pocket; there must be many more inside.

"Rui Rui".

Lin Xiyu gave Xiao Ruirui a hint with her eyes. Xiao Ruirui understood and grabbed another handful of milk candies from her pocket.

Three- or four-year-old children have small hands; what is called a handful is actually only two or three fingers.

When Niu Niu saw the candy, she was very tempted and subconsciously reached out her hand, wanting the milk candy.

"Niu Niu, you can't be so spineless."

Grandma Liu slapped her granddaughter's hand away and scolded her unhappily.

Niu Niu pouted, looking aggrieved and on the verge of tears.

"It's just a few pieces of milk candy. If Niu Niu wants it, let her have it."

Taking the opportunity, Lin Xiyu revealed the identities of the aunt and nephew: "My little nephew is still here; he can't eat that much by himself."

"Is this your nephew?"

Grandma Liu was very helpful; she got to the point.

"Yes, this is my partner's older brother's child."

Lin Xiyu had been waiting for these words, and silently gave Grandma Liu a thumbs up.

"No wonder."

Grandma Liu is a shrewd person and knows how to respond: "I was just wondering how you, at such a young age, already have a child."

“I’m not so lucky to have such a smart and well-behaved son.”

Lin Xiyu seized the opportunity to show off: "Rui Rui's father is a pilot, a fighter jet pilot. He will also participate in the National Day parade in October this year, flying his plane over Tiananmen Square. He's really skilled."

"Participating in the military parade? That's truly remarkable. For us ordinary people, it's a matter of bringing honor to our ancestors."

Grandma Liu was indeed shocked; the change in her attitude was so drastic that Lin Xiyu had not expected it.

"whee."

Little Rui Rui understood. Seeing her praising her father, she happily raised her little face and looked up at the sky.

Under the clear blue sky, an airplane flew by, leaving a clear trail.

"An airplane, it's an airplane, the airplane has pulled the string."

The little girl saw it too and pointed at the airplane with great excitement.

"dad."

Little Rui Rui's eyes followed the plane, and she couldn't help but call out the word "Dad".

That's not Dad.

Lin Xiyu squatted down and gently hugged Rui Rui: "Rui Rui's dad is in Beijing, training. Rui Rui will be able to see his dad during the military parade on October 1st."

"Go to Beijing."

Little Rui Rui's eyes lit up when she heard BJ's voice, clearly expressing her anticipation.

"it is good."

Lin Xiyu couldn't resist those pure and clear eyes, and nodded in agreement: "Auntie will take Rui Rui to Beijing for National Day. After the military parade, Rui Rui will be able to see his father."

"Uh-huh."

Little Rui Rui heard the answer she wanted and happily opened her arms to hug her.

"We should go home."

Having achieved her goal, Lin Xiyu picked up little Rui Rui and said goodbye to Grandma Liu and her grandson.

"Come visit again with your kids when you have time!"

Grandma Liu's gaze towards Xiao Rui Rui was now even more fervent than that towards her own granddaughter.

"Row."

Lin Xiyu, harboring her own thoughts, readily agreed: "After you've had lunch, take a nap. I'll bring Rui Rui over in the afternoon so he can play with Niu Niu."

"That would be great."

Grandma Liu was very happy: "With you all here, Niu Niu won't run around everywhere."

"We're leaving now, see you this afternoon."

Lin Xiyu politely said goodbye and left Pingquan Hutong with Xiao Ruirui in her arms.

Behind her, the women who had initially intended to watch the spectacle and make sarcastic remarks all showed expressions of eager envy upon hearing that Xiao Rui Rui's father was a pilot participating in the military parade.

The wind direction changed quietly.

From criticism to worship, it can happen in an instant.

-

Wangfuchizi West Street.

"Today is a good day, all my wishes will come true, today is a good day, let's open the door and welcome the spring breeze."

Lin Xiyu used a little trick to appease the group of provocative women and entered the house humming a little tune in a good mood.

"You went to Grandma Hu's house and you're so happy?"

Hearing the noise, Gu Bin smiled and came out from the living room to greet him.

"Absolutely, I'm just happy."

Lin Xiyu shoved Xiao Rui Rui into his arms and raised her eyebrows triumphantly: "I really showed my skills today. I dealt with those gossipy women without shedding a drop of blood or wasting a single word."

"You ran into them too?"

A sharp glint flashed in Gu Bin's eyes: "What gossip have they been spreading this time? Have they said anything to you?"

"I'm fine"

Lin Xiyu put one hand on her slender waist, exuding domineering aura: "Their gossiping skills are no match at all. As soon as I revealed that my older brother is a fighter pilot, they all obediently shut up. Their envious and jealous eyes made me laugh all day long."

Gu Bin rarely showed a hint of surprise: "You even dragged my older brother into this?"

"necessary."

Lin Xiyu said confidently, "I don't care if they slander me, but I can't tolerate them talking about Xiao Rui Rui."

Gu Bin frowned: "What did they say?"

“They say Rui Rui is my illegitimate child.”

Lin Xiyu hadn't expected there to be other people in the living room, so she treated it as a joke and recounted everything that had happened in Pingquan Hutong.

"Are you planning to engage in child diplomacy?"

Gu Bin, being meticulous, immediately understood her intention: "To use this as a pretext to ease tensions between neighbors."

"clever!"

Lin Xiyu's eyes lit up, and she gave him an approving look: "As expected of my husband, you guessed it right away."

"hehe."

Gu Bin chuckled and let out a pleasant laugh.

-

"Is this child Xiao Zheng's son?"

Grandma Gu was eager to see her great-grandson. She couldn't wait for Gu Bin to bring the child in, so she lifted the curtain and came out of the living room herself.

"what?"

Lin Xiyu was so surprised to find someone else in the room that her heart skipped a beat, and she stammered dramatically, "Grandma, Grandma, Grandma."

"Say goodbye to Grandma"

Gu Bin smiled and teased her, "If you keep calling me that, you'll really start stuttering."

Why didn't you tell me?

Lin Xiyu was so angry she wanted to punch him: "You made me embarrass myself in front of Grandma again."

"I want to say, you didn't give me a chance either."

Gu Bin dodged aside: "Looks like you're quite pleased with yourself today, your little mouth keeps chattering away, you're almost as talkative as your cousin."

"You still dare to say that?"

Lin Xiyu was furious, rolled her eyes, and didn't want to talk to him anymore.

"It's ok."

Grandma Gu was very pleased: "I'm genuinely happy that you two have such a good relationship."

"Grandma."

Lin Xiyu's ears turned slightly red: "You know about my marriage registration with Gu Bin?"